The chain that had been gripping his heart disappeared.

The restraint that he had tried to adhere to the contents of the prophecy as much as possible was now completely released.

“Elysia.”

“Yes?”

“Step back a bit.”

“I don’t want to.”

Elysia put strength into her arms wrapped around Illeona’s body.

“I don’t want to. Hug me.”

“Heh. You’re really something. Your mothers are waiting outside.”

“Ah…”

Feeling embarrassed, Elysia quickly released her arms.
“I’m relieved that you’re okay. After this, let my mother and the duchess handle it. Since you’ll probably want to have a meal together.”

Elysia thought she should eat quickly.

The weather was good, and the table set up in the garden was for a light meal.

Instead of heavy meat, easily digestible and tender sea bass was the main dish, accompanied by soft bread and desserts made like pudding.

“Still, seeing you awake like this puts my mind at ease.”

Lev paid attention to Elysia.

“It seems you can eat right away.”

“I really am fine. If the duke told me you were unconscious for four days alone, I would have thought he was joking.”

At Elysia’s words, Lev gave her a pleased smile.

“It’s fortunate that Oder’s power was helpful.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

In response to Mariela’s words, Lev patted her on the shoulder.

“No need for that. We’ll soon be family.”

“Pfft.”

Elysia heard a slight cough while drinking water. In response to her, Illeona quietly handed her a napkin.

Whether the children say anything or not, Lev and Mariela have already left for the Land of Happiness.

“It’s best to proceed as quickly as possible, right?”

“Exactly. Where would young ones like us find peace? Hoho.”

“But we might need to get a dress suitable for the duchess. I don’t think it can be made so quickly.”

“There’s a contract we wrote to make Elysia’s wedding dress in the past.”

“Oh. Is there such a thing? Who is lucky enough to have our beautiful daughter-in-law’s dress tailored?”

“It’s a place called Rvalein, the most popular place in the capital.”

“I think I’ve heard of it. It’s not to my taste, but it would suit Elysia very well.”

Elysia shouted in embarrassment.

“Marriage?”

“Yes. Why are you so surprised? We were already discussing marriage when we decided to live in the ducal residence.”

It wasn’t this serious back then, was it?

“You don’t have to be embarrassed. We all understand.”

At Lev’s words, a question mark popped up over Elysia’s head.

“W-what do you understand?”

“We’re not such closed-minded adults. Anyway, Illeona and such, well, they shared the Night’s Ceremony, so even if a grandson is born right away, we’d welcome it.”

“…What?”

Unable to follow Lev, Elysia stumbled, and Illeona gently lifted her.

“The sun seems too hot for Elysia.”

“Really? Then hurry and go inside. I think I need to talk more with the duchess. Duke Yuter has agreed to the ceremony, but the preparations are for the ladies.”

“Yes. Mother, Duchess. Thank you.”
When Illeona greeted graciously, a pleased expression flickered in Mariela’s eyes. It was a warm gaze, devoid of the negative emotions that used to accompany Illeona every time he was seen – the guy who pushed my daughter into death! Elysia, unaware, was taken aback.

“What happened?”

Elysia asked as soon as Illeona’s door closed.

“Well. Um.”

Illeona suddenly looked uncomfortable.

“Why is Her Highness and Mother acting like that all of a sudden?”

A wedding? A grandson?

“That’s because I mentioned that I made you my companion.”

“Yes.”

That’s how she escaped the compulsory force of the black flame.

“But, originally, the way to… do that… is…”

As Illeona’s words trailed off, Elysia felt frustrated.

“What do you mean by the way?”

“Usually, it’s similar to what a newlywed couple does on their first night.”

“What, what did you say?”

Elysia, unknowingly clenching her fist, took a few steps back from him.

“Then you want me to…”

“No!”

“…Not?”

Illeona, looking puzzled by Elysia’s gaze, sighed as if exasperated.

“What do you take me for? I only embraced you.”

A beast that seizes any opportunity.

“Just embraced? Is that all it takes to make a companion?”

With a suspicious look, Elysia couldn’t help but feel awkward.

“…Take off your clothes.”

Elysia couldn’t scold him any further. After all, it was to save herself.

“But why are mothers acting like that? We didn’t do anything.”

“I didn’t explicitly say that I respected you and made you my companion.”

“Can’t you just explain and clear up the misunderstanding?”

“Why?”

Illeona’s words made Elysia pause.

“Anyway, we’re going to get married.”

“Yes, but…”

“Married couples do it all. We haven’t done it yet.”

“You’re thinking of it embarrassingly.”

“Why should I feel embarrassed when I don’t think explaining or justifying it is shameful?”

That was true. In front of excited mothers who were raising the tension, she couldn’t find the courage to explain that nothing happened.

“Elysia, let’s get married.”

Illeona lightly kissed her.

“I’ll make you happy.”

Elysia pinched Illeona’s cheek with both hands.

“Why is the order so messed up?”

“But it’s still good, right?”

“Really, you can’t handle it.”

When Elysia burst into laughter, Illeona’s hand gently stroked her cheek, and her eyes closed softly.

While Mariela and Lev were having a warm conversation outside the window, a messenger from Haedumsha flew in.

“What could it be? Probably from Haedumsha.”

“Right.”

Elysia chuckled as she watched a dove land on the table. However, when Mariela and Lev checked the letter, their faces stiffened, and they quickly rushed toward the mansion.
“What’s happening?”

The question was soon answered.

“A major incident. Haedumsha… the main storage collapsed.”