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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Goodnight Kiss
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My cheerful reply left the Grand Duchess wearing a utterly dumbfounded look. A moment later, she snorted derisively and spoke up.
"A wife’s role? You?
"
Her face made it clear she didn’t believe a word of it. Fair enough—ever since I’d come to this house as a bride, I’d only ever caused trouble, never once taken care of Akid. If anything, she seemed to hope I’d just stay out of the way.
Well, whether it’s true or not, she’ll see for herself soon enough.
I shrugged my shoulders and replied.
"Of course, Mother-in-law."
"……So what exactly do you plan to do? Do you even know what a wife’s role entails before spouting off like that?"
"Well……"
I was just about to open my mouth when there was a knock—and without waiting for permission, someone strode right in.
It was Akid. His sudden appearance had my eyes widening in surprise.
What’s he doing here at this hour?
Akid glanced at me briefly before politely addressing Elena.
"I’m sorry for barging in like this."
"I never said you could come in."
The Grand Duchess radiated clear displeasure. Akid looked so much like the Grand Duke that he could’ve been called a mini version of him.
Unlike his father, he had the look of a pure-hearted young man, but the aura he gave off was strikingly similar.
And the Grand Duchess had never been particularly fond of him for that reason.
Akid subtly positioned himself to block me from view as he spoke.
"I heard my wife had been summoned."
"Can’t I even call my own daughter-in-law without asking?"
"She hasn’t fully recovered yet. She needs her rest."
He took firm hold of my hand and pulled me back behind him, as if shielding me.
The Grand Duchess stared fixedly at our clasped hands.
I was just as stunned by the situation—Akid had come to rescue me.
You didn’t have to……
Still, I couldn’t help but feel my lips curving upward at his arrival.
Being protected like this? The best feeling ever!
The Grand Duchess twitched her eyebrows, making her irritation plain.
"Anyone hearing this would think I was about to devour the poor girl."
"That’s not what I meant."
"Fine. I’ve asked all I needed to anyway. You can go now."
She waved her hand dismissively, a gesture that said she’d gotten everything she wanted.
"Let’s go."
Akid tugged me along. I stood there blankly for a second before suddenly remembering something.
"Wait a moment."
"……?"
I pushed Akid behind me and scurried over to the Grand Duchess. She gave me a prim look and said,
"What now?"
"Mother-in-law, just a quick word in your ear……"
As I leaned in close, she flinched.
I whispered anyway, putting on the most adorable, childlike tone I could muster.
"Sweet dreams, Mother-in-law. Dreams of Roena would be even better."
"……."
The Grand Duchess stared at me with that same dumbfounded expression. She looked utterly baffled by my sudden chumminess.
I didn’t let it faze me. I planted a quick kiss on her cheek with a mwah, whispered a bit more, and flashed a bright smile.
"Good night, Mother-in-law!"
"Y-You…… What on earth……"
Caught off guard by the sneak attack peck, the Grand Duchess’s face flushed bright red as she leaned her upper body away.
Akid, standing behind us, had eyes wide like a startled rabbit.
I just grinned ear to ear, ignoring their shock.
The Grand Duchess actually loved children. More than anyone, she’d wanted a child of her own—but there was a problem with her health.
They said bearing a child could kill her.
That was why she’d hidden it all these years, keeping the Grand Duke at arm’s length.
She’d even overlooked his philandering and accepted Akid, his illegitimate son, all because of that.
If only the Roena from the original story had been a bit warmer, she might’ve won the Grand Duchess’s favor.
Unfortunately, after being dragged to the Grand Duchy at age thirteen, Akid had lived in constant gloom, never acting like a proper child. If anything, he’d lived like he was already dead.
Being the Grand Duke’s bastard child he’d brought home from some scandal, he’d cowered in fear of the Grand Duchess’s hatred, keeping his head down.
And with his wife Roena turning out to be so sharp-tempered on top of that, the Grand Duchess hadn’t even bothered paying attention to the young couple.
But things are different now.
I clenched my fist inwardly. I’d been through it all in my previous life—independent after leaving my foster parents, surviving on my own.
The scars of living off scraps don’t fade easily.
For Akid’s future, a little flattery like this was nothing. I could do it with my eyes closed.
"I’m really leaving now, Mother-in-law."
I clasped my delicate hands together, bowing deeply in a polite greeting.
Then I scampered over to Akid and grabbed his hand. I ignored the Grand Duchess’s disbelieving scoff from behind.
"Let’s go, Akid."
"……."
Akid gave a dazed bow to the Grand Duchess before stepping out of the room. He looked like his soul had been sucked right out of him.
We soon reached the lobby in front of our bedrooms. I’d walked slowly on purpose, wanting to spend more time with him, but sadly, no magic stretched the distance like taffy.
Time to head to our separate rooms. Swallowing my disappointment, I bowed my head in farewell and turned toward my door. That’s when it happened.
"My lady."
Akid called out to me as I was about to enter. I turned, and his expression had turned serious.
"What is it?"
"That…… earlier, was everything alright?"
Akid hesitated, lips twitching, before asking carefully.
"Alright? What do you mean?"
"You always came back furious after being summoned by Mother."
"Ah."
His words brought a scene from the novel to mind, and I let out a soft exclamation.
It was the day Roena had returned after getting thoroughly chewed out by the Grand Duchess.
{"My lady, are you alright?"
"Do I look alright to you?"
"……."
"This is all your fault. Ever since I married you, my life’s been ruined."
"Did Mother scold you badly? Let me take your place……"
Crash!
"Don’t touch me, you trash!"
"My lady……."
"Don’t even call me ‘my lady’! I never wanted to marry a bastard like you."
}
Akid had tried to comfort her, only for Roena to explode in rage.
She’d hurled daggers with her words before finally storming off.
He must’ve found it strange that I’d been so quiet today.
Come to think of it, he mustered up his courage for me. To take my side.
For someone who was especially intimidated by the Grand Duchess, even showing up there had taken tremendous bravery.
I smiled warmly at his thoughtfulness, reassuring him.
"Nothing happened at all."
"Really?"
"Of course. If something had, I wouldn’t have given Mother-in-law a goodnight kiss."
"Ah……."
Akid flinched at the mention of the goodnight kiss, as if recalling the scene belatedly.
He’d been out of it the whole time because of that. He rubbed the back of his head repeatedly, mumbling awkwardly.
Unsure if he’d manage to say whatever was on his mind, I beat him to the farewell.
"Thank you for coming. You were worried about me, right?"
"……."
"It’s late. Sweet dreams, Akid."
"Ah."
As I turned to go inside, he let out a soft exclamation, like he still had more to say.
"What is it?"
I tilted my head curiously, and he quickly brushed it off.
"Nothing. As long as you’re fine. Good night."
Akid nodded curtly and slipped into his room.
His anticlimactic response left me alone, shrugging my shoulders.
Late into the night, the Grand Duchess visited the Grand Duke’s private bedroom.
"What brings the Grand Duchess here?"
Damian gazed at Elena with a sly smile.
She had opened the door to his bedroom herself and walked right in.
There were two doors connecting Damian and Elena’s bedrooms.
The difference? One was always locked.
Of course, it was the one on Elena’s side. And it was exceedingly rare for her to unlock it and visit his room.
Usually, her visits were to pick a fight. So Damian found it intriguing that she’d come in smiling this time.
He was curious what she’d do to grate on his nerves today.
"Is this a place I’m not allowed to visit?"
"Of course not."
Damian chuckled softly at her sharp retort, denying it.
Elena clicked her tongue, clearly annoyed by his lazy smile. She leaned casually against the door and got to the point.
"I heard you cleared out the guest quarters. Grown tired of Lady Rork already?"
His lips twitched at her mocking tone.
He’d already guessed she’d bring up Lady Rork the moment she showed up.
After all, he’d ordered her usual quarters cleared out just that morning.
But was that enough to sour her mood and send her all the way to his bedroom?
I thought she had no interest in my love life.
Damian studied Elena’s face intently. Her cheeks were a bit redder than usual, which stood out.
But it didn’t seem like joy over his mistress being ousted.
It felt more…… cheerful, somehow.
Then? What’s got her cheeks so flushed?
Damian eyed her slender form—constantly touching her cheek—with narrowed eyes as he replied.
"Yes. Lady Bestia won’t be visiting Hadellus Castle anymore."
"Why not?"
"……Since when have you taken such an interest in my affairs?"
"You’re mistaken. I’m deeply interested in every single thing you do."
Especially your misfortunes.
Elena kept the last part to herself and smiled brightly. Damian’s eyebrow twitched at her cheerful expression.
"Is that so? I hadn’t realized the Grand Duchess was so invested in my life."
"Well, now you know."
Elena replied flippantly, letting out a coy laugh.
Damian stared at her face for a long moment before answering slowly.
"I just…… got tired of her."
"Then why cut her off in front of your son and daughter-in-law?"
As she probed with a twist, Damian chuckled. He rose from his seat and approached her.
Elena didn’t back away, meeting his eyes boldly with a look that said, Go on, make your excuses.
Before long, they were close enough that one person could barely fit between them.
Damian tilted up her chin, locking eyes with her, and tossed out casually.
"Curious? Why I did it?"
