CH 34.1

“…It was nothing significant. He sent me a strange painting.”

“Painting?”

I asked back while frowning. Owen gave Theodore a painting? It’s suspicious no matter which way you think about it.

“Derrick examined it and he said that there weren’t any dangerous or suspicious spells on it. It’s being kept in a storage room right now.”

Derrick was House Valentino’s mage. He was always immersed in his own world, but his skills were outstanding, so his examination must be accurate.

However…

‘…Owen isn’t the kind of man who’d do things without any reason.’

The moment we return to the Valentino residence, the first thing I should do is to check that painting.

It’s likely that Owen’s conspiring something.

“And he also sent me a bottle of high quality wine…”

At Theodore’s following words, I raised my head.

There’s another gift? And it’s liquor?

“You didn’t drink it, did you?”

“…I threw it away. Why would I drink that?”

After saying this, Theodore looked slightly as though he’s sulking. He showed the same expression during the hunting banquet…

Ever since meeting Owen at the banquet earlier, he seems to have been in a terrible mood. I’m sure that’s the case.

Because Owen’s an Everett.

‘Do you not realize that I’m an Everett as well?’

After contemplating for a while, I asked him what I’d been mulling over for a while now.

“Do you remember Owen or Hessen?”

Those two were notable people who had a great deal to do with me.

Theodore would also have to meet my father—well, Duke Everett—often.

So far, Theodore had shown partial or total memory loss when it came to people involved with me.

For example, he couldn’t even remember Charlotte properly.

Then, what about Owen or Hessen? How much about them could Theodore remember?

“…I know that they’re your half-brothers.”

“Is that all? Do you remember anything else?”

“…I recall them being terribly vicious. Unlike you.”

At that remark, I paused and immediately let out a small laugh.

You just lost your memories, right? And yet you’re acting as if I’m the apple of your eye now.

Sure, I agree with that. I’m not as cruel and vicious as Everett’s demons.

However, it’s not as if I’m a saint. I could be as vicious as I need to be towards those who commit transgressions against my people.

“Didn’t you ever think that I’m the same as them?”

“…I know that’s not the case.”

When I asked this question with a hollow smile on my lips, Theodore replied with a serious look in his eyes.

Even as he continued to act this way, it still felt unreal. So, in my disbelief, I just shook my head.

Then, Theodore winced as though he had gotten a sudden headache. He used both hands to press down on his temples.

It’s obvious that he’s going to have a hangover tomorrow.

Leaving his side, I rose from my seat and went to the bedside table.

After turning on the lamp on the table, I took out the coral bracelet that I had placed inside the top drawer.

I turned around, but before I knew it, Theodore had approached me. Facing him, I held out the bracelet’s box without hesitation.

“Please accept this.”

“This… Why, to me…”

As expected, Theodore hesitated and didn’t immediately answer. I mechanically uttered the words that I had recited in my mind before this.

“This bracelet is a magic tool, as you may know. It’s a very valuable and rare one at that. …I don’t need it. I believe it would be of more use for you instead of me.”

Arendelle’s coral bracelet contained a powerful healing spell that could quickly heal the wearer’s injuries. It could easily heal severe wounds that could be life-threatening.

However, one downside to this was that the pain would remain. Mana could heal only the physical aspect of the injury, and this has been its disadvantage for as long as anyone could remember.

“…No, Lily. I think it’s better for you to have—”

“I won’t get hurt anyway. What happened in the Ashridge Forest… was just a fluke. Rifts won’t appear around here.”

“…We can’t rule out the possibility that it’ll happen again. I can take care of myself, so this bracelet…”

I vehemently rejected Theodore’s insistence.

The longer we argued about this, the more his words grew slurred.

His eyes were wide open as he blinked often, and his arms were slightly limp. No matter how you look at it, he was obviously drowsy already.

Indeed, once drunk, the only logical step after this was to sleep.

To end this vexing argument, I took the bracelet from the box and quickly fastened it to his wrist.

As though he’d been cheated, Theodore’s eyes went round. Soon, he looked alternately between me and the bracelet.

But soon, a wave of emotion slowly spread through his expression. He was drunk and practically half-asleep right now.

I had a bad feeling for some reason.

Sure enough, Theodore grabbed my hand with shining eyes.

“My dear… I’m really, really happy that you’re my wife.”

“……”

What kind of misunderstanding are you having now? Just because I put the bracelet on for you?

…Maybe. It’s highly likely it’s that.