EIITAB - Chapter 70 < A Familiar Name >
Even if it is Trampled and Broken
The sonorous voice was full of joy and resentment. It was definitely not a child's voice. And at Lady Philippa's next words, Hestia stiffened as if she had a breakdown.
"Dulcinea! I told you not to run in the hallways!"
Madame Philippa scolded the intruder who barged in so rudely with her pale face.
'Dulcinea.'
Hestia held her breath and repeated the name she had just heard in her mind.
'Sounds familiar.'
That was natural. Because she's heard it before. While coming here, the knights were whispering...
Hestia recognized at once that it was her.
"Aslan!"
As soon as Dulcinea ran into the room, she stretched out her arms and hugged Aslan's neck.
"Ugh."
A short sound came from between Aslan's lips. However, Hestia knew that the sound was not made because it was really heavy. What a strong man he is, why would he complain because he only has one woman hanging on him?
"Why are you here now! How long have I waited!"
Dulcinea couldn't help but feel so happy that she couldn't help but burst into laughter, and the sound of laughter lingered in Hestia's ears. The woman continued to laugh, putting more pressure on her hand around Aslan's neck.
Hestia quietly looked at the woman. No. It might be right to say that she stole a glance at her. Because Hestia couldn't raise his head and look at her properly.
'In many ways, he seems like the complete opposite of me.'
Unlike Hestia, her long brown hair, which looked red in some ways, was curly. Every time the elastic waves fluttered, he seemed to be overflowing with vitality that she did not possess. There was a strawberry seed-like dot under the blue eye, near the wazam, and perhaps that made her look even more charming.
Hestia could tell at a glance that she had grown up with lots of love. The woman named Dulcinea had no hesitation in her actions, and strangely enough, Hestia did not seem to hate it. It was so close to what she was born with that Hestia even felt envious of the short bird.
"Come down now."
"No!"
Hestia could not bear to stop her, and Aslan could not speak strongly to Dulcinea. Finally, Lady Philippa, who was standing next to Hestia, opened her mouth with her face frozen.
"Dulcinea, come down. How can someone who is so old always...! Even against the Duke! Please come down quickly."
But Dulcinea did not obey. She replied grumblingly, still clinging to Aslan.
"Ah! Lady Philippa, please! I'll listen to the nagging later! As you know, it's been a long time since I met Aslan. Give me some time to enjoy the aftermath. There's no mercy!"
The whole time she entered her room, Dulcinea's eyes were glued to Aslan and could not be separated. It was as if Aslan was the only thing in her world. As if this hadn't been going on for a day or two, the bickering between Lady Philippa's nagging and Dulnesia defending it was quite natural.
Lady Philippa watched Hestia's thoughts and repeatedly urged her Dulcinea.
"Whoa, lady. Come down first. Come down and speak. Don't you have eyes to see?" What kind of eyes do you have?"
"...Uh...?"
Finally, Dulcinea turned her head to look behind her and spotted Hestia. Only then did she become aware of the presence of a stranger, but Hestia did not notice any change in Dulcinea's behavior or posture.
Hestia looked embarrassed. She clearly made eye contact, but she was a little embarrassed that she didn't get a word of greeting. Dulcinea turned her head again, and her eyes immediately fell on Aslan.
Since she was still hugging his neck, her face was so close that they would soon collide.
"Aslan, who is she? Who is that woman? Why is she in this room? Is it okay for her to come in without permission?"
It was a clear question that showed no signs of wariness in her eyes. Dulcinea looked down at Hestia as if it was obvious. Her confidence in this Dukedom of Kalathi was subtly conveyed that there had never been a woman higher than herself and that Hestia could not possibly exist.
Hestia lowered her gaze slightly and moistened her lips. She wasn't sure if she should introduce herself first. Meanwhile, Aslan lowered his head. As a result, Dulcinea's feet, which had been floating in the air, landed safely on the floor, and her arms, which were tightly hugging his neck, gained some space. Aslan directly sent her hand backward and lightly released the clasps of Dulcinea's hands that were hugging his neck.
"Stop it now."
"Not too heavy, but condescending."
"You have eyes to see."
As she answered calmly, Aslan's gaze glanced at Hestia's face. It's a calm expression. For some reason, anger appeared on his face without even a trace of displeasure, and he gritted his teeth.
Meanwhile, Dulcinea was sulking as if she didn't like Aslan's answer.
"Since when do you care about that? Why are you doing this again?" Aslan seemed to never get tired of Dulcinea, who kept talking to him without giving up, and Aslan managed to divert his attention away from Hestia. He sighed and began to talk back to her in a somewhat subdued voice.
"Dulcinea, listen to Lady Philippa. Don't run in the hallways either."
"Hmm. What if you run around with snow-covered shoes and fall again like last time?"
"What's the problem? There's Doctor Vito! Just ask him to see it."
Aslan's face hardened even more at Dulcinea's immature answer.
"You know there is a shortage of medicine. Stop acting like a child. It's a waste to deliberately injure yourself and waste manpower and medicine when you can avoid getting hurt. I won't tolerate it any longer."
If it were other people, she would have already gotten scared and rolled her tail. However, Dulcinea ignored Aslan's warning. Anyway, she figured out early on that Aslan would be gentle with her.
"I know you feel bad every time you come back from the South, but this time you're really nagging me."
Dulcinea, who was muttering to herself, turned around as if to avoid further nagging. This time, she was standing properly facing Hestia. Dulcinea turned her back and took three large steps, somewhat playfully, and came to stand in front of Hestia. She looked down at Hestia with a proud expression.
"But who are you really? I don't think I've heard an answer yet."
"Hmm."
Madame Philippa covered her mouth with her clenched hand and cleared her throat loudly and awkwardly.
"Miss? Be careful what you say..."
It was her own sign and warning to be careful of her words and actions, but Dulcinea, as always, did not listen.
"Did I do this wrong too?"
Since no one told Dulcinea, she naturally didn't know Hestia's true identity yet. So, as if Hestia was okay, she smiled at Lady Philippa and then took a breath.
'I don't know what the future relationship will be like... First of all, she is the person Aslan wanted to introduce to me directly, so it would be better to go out amicably at first.'
Controlling her distraught mind, Hestia eventually decided to introduce herself first, even though it was against her etiquette.
"My name is Hestia."
Hmm. A snort slipped out of Dulcinea's mouth.
"Hestia? It's a pretty name."
Then she tilted her head and Dulcinea asked the question again.
"But are you a commoner? Don't you have a last name?"
"Ah..."
Hestia slowly blinked her eyelids with a look on her face that said she hadn't thought of that, and chose her words for a moment.
"Hestia Els..."
But she couldn't keep her last name out of her mouth.
"Hestia."
This is because Aslan, who had been watching silently, intervened in a low, heavy voice. Hestia, who reflexively turned her gaze to him, had no choice but to close her open lips. His eyes were shining brightly.
"Introduce yourself properly. It's not that castle anymore."
Ah. Yes, indeed. For over twenty years, Hestia has been adding the last name Ellsworth to her name. Otherwise, she can add the title "Saintess" in front of her name.
'Hestia Kalathi.'
The new last name was not on her lips, but It was a name she would have to get used to for the next year. After quickly moistening her tongue, Hestia reintroduced herself a little nervously.
"It's Hestia Kalathi, nice to meet you."
Then Dulcinea's pupils became much larger than before.
"... What?"
Then she burst out laughing as if she had heard something nonsense.
"Kalathi?"
Dulcinea's fingers stretched out in front of her eyes as if they were going to stab her Hestia.
"Aslan, did you hear?"
She repeatedly pointed at Hestia with her pointer and raised her voice as if she were confessing to Aslan.
"She said she was Kalathi! Hestia Kalathi."
Dulcinea let out a deflated sound with her face showing that she couldn't hold back her laughter.
"Aslan, what does this all mean? Why does this woman call herself Kalathi?"
Dulcinea slapped Aslan's thick forearm and begged him to agree with her words. She laughed even louder. But the response he got back was not the kind Dulcinea expected.
"Why? She looks good on me."
At Aslan's blunt words, Dulcinea's face hardened as if it were a lie. In the place where her smile disappeared, a little discomfort began to build up.
"What are you talking about? Why aren't you smiling? Why aren't you angry that this is nonsense?"
"Is this something to be angry about?"
He tilted his head as if he genuinely didn't understand.
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