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IBP 124
‘...So, Gillen had secret contacts with Theresia and Lucrezia Ardos many times, huh.’
The corners of her lips curled up mischievously.
“Fine. Leave the torture to me.”
Resting her chin on her hand with a perfectly nonchalant expression, Grand Duke Rivera continued.
“I won’t tell you to hold back. It seems the grudge runs deep. But you know, now that Gillen has ended up like this, does that mean our engagement is over? That would be a shame.”
At the Grand Duke's words, Chloe wore a thoughtful expression before answering.
“No.”
“Then?”
“I wish to extend the engagement contract.”
“The reason? Now I’m actually getting fluttery.”
“We will need to continue a secret joint investigation into the spirit creature hunters. To ensure that my interactions with Your Grace do not look suspicious, we must maintain the engagement.”
Unlike Grand Duke Rivera’s sly face, Chloe’s voice remained businesslike as she requested the extension.
Grand Duke Rivera nodded.
“A shame there isn’t another reason. Then, shall we proceed with the engagement ceremony as soon as Lady Coco recovers?”
She gave a nonchalant nod and then suddenly spoke.
“I just thought of one more thing to prepare before the ceremony.”
“What is it?”
“It’s for Coco. Would you be willing to help me in advance?”
* * *
According to my sister, their ‘strategic contractual relationship’ had been extended.
“Gillen is locked in a secret dungeon, but there’s still more to dig out of him. So, sister is torturing Gillen for a bit...”
“...Wung?”
“Anyway, there’s someone from the Ardos family among those Gillen contacted, so she’s going to look into it secretly.”
I didn’t quite understand half of what my sister said, but I was too busy preparing to be the flower girl that I ended up forgetting about it.
Picking out flowers, fitting dresses, and being dragged here and there, I was completely exhausted by the day of the engagement ceremony.
“Coco, are you all ready?”
“Wow! Yes-ie!”
As I scurried toward my sister, she asked with a slightly awkward look.
“This is my first time wearing a pink dress. But it really suits our Coco. You’re pretty.”
“But sister, the pink dress suits you too. I like it because you look just like a spring flower.”
“Hmm, our Coco looks like a puppy spring flower.”
I replied smartly.
“Sister, I know a lot about wild flowers. But there’s no such thing as a puppy spring flower. But if you want, I’ll definitely make one for you later...”
I tried to stretch out my arms to tell her ‘Hug me!’ but...!
I smelled blood on my sister, along with a damp, musty scent like a dungeon.
“Eh? Sister, wait. Where did you go?”
Just as I tilted my head in confusion, my sister naturally popped a sweet potato into my mouth from somewhere.
“Mm, Coco. They say this is a very sweet potato. The chef roasted it himself. Do you want some?”
“Hup! A roasted potato!”
As I took a bite of the soft, sweet potato, all other thoughts vanished instantly.
“This is reaaaally tasty, sister! I think it tastes like chocolate too!”
As I smiled happily, holding the potato in both hands and making munching sounds, my sister brushed back my hair and took my hand.
“Shall we go now, then?”
“Yes, yes!”
The engagement venue I entered while holding my sister's hand wasn't very large.
Still, the tables scattered across the bright garden and the pure white wedding road cutting through the center were wonderful.
It was when my sister and I arrived near the wedding arch decorated with a circle of flowers.
My sister gently brushed the flower tucked into my hair. Then, Caligo, dressed smartly, came and stood beside me.
The order of the ceremony was as follows:
The flower girl would scatter petals, the two protagonists would walk the wedding road, the family members would light the wax candles, and a brief reading would follow.
After explaining kindly, my sister asked me sweetly.
“Now, my baby, and Young Lord Caligo. Could you scatter the flowers on the road now?”
“Yes, yes!”
After answering maturely, I rummaged through the flowers in the basket on my arm and paused.
‘Oh, the Grand Duke is coming!’
The sound of the orchestra played in the distance, and I heard the footsteps of Grand Duke Rivera approaching.
And right now, for some reason...
‘He smells more nervous than I thought!’
...Besides, he won’t take his eyes off my sister.
That man is super, super interested in my sister!
I stared at Grand Duke Rivera’s hand escorting my sister with eyes as sharp as Amius’s.
“Lady.”
“Yes.”
I snorted with jealousy as I watched the two hold hands.
At that moment, Caligo took my hand to get my attention.
“Coco.”
“Wung?”
“You should get ready now. The flowers.”
“Ah, I got it!”
I rummaged through the basket and pushed the pretty flowers to the top. Even then, Caligo’s hand held onto my arm firmly.
As I rummaged through the flowers with Caligo, I felt my sister’s gaze land on me...
But now, I was out of it.
‘Actually, I prepared something really cool for today!’
When I gave Caligo a determined look, he let out a loud whistle.
Wheeeew!
And then appeared...!
“A-A tiger...!”
In that instant, I heard several vassals panic in my ears.
The Emperor of Mouse, Agent Jack, was riding majestically on Amius’s back.
And they were clutching a huge amount of bright flower petals in their arms.
“Now, then, one, two, three!”
This feels just like playing ball!
Forgetting that I was supposed to walk slowly, I dashed forward.
But I absolutely did not forget to diligently scatter the flowers from the basket onto the path!
Along with Caligo, the Emperor of Mouse, Agent Jack riding on Amius’s back, and many other animals rushed forward and showered the path with flowers.
“Sister, surprise!”
Having finished scattering the flowers, I stood next to the candles and proudly pushed out my chubby belly.
At that, my sister covered her mouth and laughed brightly.
She even whispered with her lips, ‘Our Coco is the best.’
The expression of Grand Duke Rivera, watching my sister laugh so brightly, became a bit subtle.
His earlobes seemed a bit red, too.
That man is really bothering me!
But...
Since my sister laughed happily today, that’s enough for now.
* * *
After the engagement ceremony, while Duke Ardos went to meet other vassals, there was a procedure where the sister personally introduced the family members to her fiancé.
Thus, Grand Duke Rivera, sister Chloe, and Caligo and I—who had played the role of flower girls—headed to the hall where portraits of the bloodline were hung.
Portraits of direct descendants were lined up along the walls of the corridor. Below the portraits, the crests created from the symbols of the House of Ardos were also drawn.
As I watched with curious eyes, my sister explained softly.
“Our Coco is also a direct descendant, so soon you’ll have a portrait drawn and receive a family crest that symbolizes you.”
“Wow!”
It was while we were strolling through the gallery with fluttering hearts. My sister pointed to the portraits one by one.
“This is Lady Lily, a distant ancestor. She is my great-grandmother. Every direct descendant has a different symbolic crest, and Lady Lily had a particularly unique symbol.”
“Wow, I see!”
“Our Coco will get the coolest portrait and crest, right?”
“I’m super, super excited!”
Our bright conversation came to an end. Grand Duke Rivera, who had been excluded from our conversation, chuckled and murmured.
“What is this, Lady? I wish you would explain it to me as well.”
“Did you not learn the basics about the direct descendants of Ardos at the Academy?”
“I did.”
“Then you should know well enough without me explaining separately. Coco, come here. I’ll tell you more.”
“Wung!”
I glared with fierce eyes at the Grand Duke, who kept looking at my sister—who was blowing a cold wind—with a strange look.
‘But my sister said she likes me the most!’
I tilted my chin up proudly like the most loved puppy in the world and trotted along with pride.
As I walked diligently, looking at the portraits one by one, I suddenly stopped.
Ruth, my sister, and...
‘Eh? What is that face in the portrait?’
Why does it look so familiar...
‘...I’ve definitely seen that face in the future.’
Then, I saw the symbol representing him, drawn at the very bottom of the portrait in the position of the seal.
‘Gasp, that symbol is...!’
My eyes widened.
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