DYBAR - Chapter 136 < To Protect Ecstatic Happiness >

DYBAR - Chapter 136 < To Protect Ecstatic Happiness >

Do Your Best And Regret

It was strange. The great siege, which was obviously close just a moment ago, is moving further away again.

A time filled with the dim light of dawn, I, who was looking out the window, chuckled.

Dean kept glancing at the carriage with his restless face. When I rolled down the window, Dean was startled and came closer to the carriage.

"Shall we go for one more lap, Miss?"

With just one word, the entire situation was revealed. I smiled crookedly and told a joke.

"Anyway, Vikander's knight is quick-witted. You are also very considerate."

Dean looked like he didn't know what to do. Does Olivia's face look like she'd cried? 

She didn't even shed a single tear.

"Thank you, Dean."

"Yes?"

It was an obvious greeting, but Dean just blinked. The look on his face that said he hadn't even thought of it was a little funny, so I shrugged my shoulders and added.

"For passing it on to everyone. Thanks to you, It looks less ugly."

"What kind of ugly thing do you say that is? When people are angry, they get angry, they shoot at them, and that's what they do, right?"

For a moment, the corners of my mouth stiffened. Without even knowing that Dean just sighed and continued speaking as if he was still alive.

"I thought you were really angry, so I couldn't even talk to you."

"Yes, that can happen."

Dean, who thought that the denial that trembled in the wind was obviously a courtesy, laughed cheerfully again.

"Then I will return to the castle immediately, Miss."

***

Even though dawn came, I could hardly sleep. I stood on the balcony and looked down at the brightly lit Great Siege.

Even though I had been praying just a moment before, the previous Grand Duke dis not opened his eyes easily. The doctor said it would take time for his strength to return. 

Bethanny's neck was hoarse from crying so much and her eyes were swollen.

It seemed like there was a lot of crying in the castle while I was checking on the festivities. As soon as I arrived at the castle, Edwin hugged me and so did Bethany who cried.

"Oh my God... Miss. How could His Highness the Archduke...... Her Highness should know this....!"

Bethany's voice as she cried while holding me was vivid. Her Highness just by that title alone, I understood how her mind was instantly transported back to the past. 

Surprise radiated from Bethanny's back, which was shaking like a ripple. The sadness of not knowing even though it was so close to her, her regret and remorse for the previous Grand Duchess who passed away before her, and the gratitude for being alive overshadows all of that.

I, who was counting numerous emotions, trembled without realizing it. A chill rose through my body. It was then that I blinked at the unfamiliar cold.

"...I told you. You shouldn't look down on the northern night."

A warm warmth enveloped my body along with his subdued voice. Edwin, who wrapped himself in a robe, placed a warm cup on the balcony railing and winked.

Unlike his eyelids, which had no swelling, his red eyes were extremely bloodshot.

"Especially now that there are no magic stones, you can't just trust in the magic of the Great Siege."

Only then did I wipe the front of my empty neck. My necklace, which was always around my neck, was decided to be placed next to the previous Grand Duke for the time being.

I gently raised the collar of my robe and wrapped it around my neck. And then I looked again at the room where the former Grand Duke was, and I said as if apologizing

"I was about to go in......"

But I couldn't even finish my excuse. The eyes looking at me gradually became diluted.

"Thank you so much, Live. I should have said this first."

Because his sincerity is so deep, I bit my lip. The relationship between a father and his child. A tight and deep relationship. I pursed my lips and muttered.

"It's all because Edwin desperately wanted it."

"What do you mean, Liv? If it weren't for you, I would have been an idiot who didn't know my father even though he was nearby."

"..."

I felt dizzy. I was really happy that Edwin had met his father. Even before, I was sincere.

But now I have a strange feeling. This is between happiness and envy, and... Is the unresolved hatred toward the Duke of Madeleine rising again?

"I heard you met the Duke. How was it?"

Really. He's really quick-witted. How can he say this as if he knew exactly what was going on? 

I quietly played with the end of my robe before speaking.

"I got angry."

"I thought it would be refreshing then."

"It's more strange than cool. It's awkward, and I feel like I said too many random things."

My mumbling voice became increasingly quieter. My face was full of confusion, I said, as Dean's words made me clearly angry. 

'I thought you would feel more relieved than when you cut off your family'.

Suddenly Edwin muttered.

"I guess Olivia has never really been angry." 

"Yes. Because I had nothing to pay."

The gaze looking up at Edwin was strange. Edwin swallowed his bitterness and hugged my shoulders.

"I guess it's because you don't get angry. You need to practice being angry."

Refer, refer, refer again. I never thought of this kind of aftereffect. I thought it would be okay, seeing as he spoke firmly.

I nodded her head seriously, unaware of Edwin's concern for me.

"It's a big deal. There's no one to be angry with here."

"There is one."

Then Edwin pointed at a private house that had fallen on one side of the Great Siege. This was where the Duke of Elkin was staying. A smile spread across my face. Edwin chuckled and cast his gaze away.

"Tomorrow, let's go to the street together. I am the Lord, so I have to see the festival prepared."

Of course, he thought I would say yes, but I shook my head with a stern look on my face.

"No, Edwin. It's Father's Day. Edwin is with his father. I will have the festival all to myself."

"Still......"

"If you don't know, this isn't just for Edwin."

"Yes?"

"You put all your effort and effort into preparing for the festival, My Lord."

I stuck out my tongue.

"I just want to enjoy that ball. Receive cheers and enjoy the festival. This is called Interception. Your Highness the Innocent Archduke."

***

Is there such a splendid sight in the world?

Even the flower petals that fell on the floor were clean. Young Tibby couldn't help but be amazed as he watched the colorful balloons floating in the air.

The 'Father's Day Festival', which lasted for five days, was like a Princess festival he only heard about in stories.

Gorgeous fluttering flower petals, twinkling lights embroidering the sky, majestic knights marching, and various entertainment activities.

The adults of Vikander who welcomed them with warm smiles said that the festival was unprecedentedly grand. They said it was unfortunate that the Lord would not attend this year as well. But at the end of those words, there was a word full of laughter.

"Still, it can't be helped that something happened to the Great Siege. He can't even see the festival that he worked so hard to prepare. The person who is most upset is probably the Lord, right?"

"I guess so. Instead, the prospective Grand Duchess is attending, so we have nothing to be disappointed about."

"The two will be marching together at next year's festival, right? Ugh. It's thrilling just to think about it."

"What the... Are you only thinking about next year? Think about the next year. If a baby is born......"

Dad was already among the giggling adults. Even though Tibby looked around as if he was unfamiliar, at one point he saw his father smiling with people and he looked so happy that he almost cried.

"Tibby. You'll be fine here. It's okay to not be surprised if your hat comes off."

So when he first got permission to take off his hat, he was scared because it wasn't good.

At home, his father always told him to wear a hat when he went out into the world. Can he take off this stuffy hat? 

Tibby already had colorful balloons, soft white bread, and turkey.

What if he suddenly gains so much happiness that it bursts like a balloon full of air?

So when Tibby handed him a pretty teddy bear, he couldn't take it.

"Is it less pretty than I thought? I brought the doll that looked the prettiest in my eyes."

The girl, who was as pretty as a Princess, shook the doll with her beautiful green eyes wide open.

"At that time. It's a gift for waking me up first. Thank you."

Little Tibby was confused. He wanted to receive it, but he felt like the happiness that was already full of him would explode the moment he received that doll.

When Tibby didn't take the doll, someone next to her who was watching quickly took the doll and placed it in Tibby's arms.

The doll was so soft in his arms. So much so that he wondered if he could even have it.

His little lips murmured.

I lowered my body and listened as his voice came out like the wind.

"This isn't a dream, is it? When I wake up, It's all gone. Isn't that so, Lady?"

The voice trembled with both faint hope and anxiety.

I felt strange. I felt as if I was seeing myself from a long time ago.

When I pinched my cheek every night and every morning and was reminded that the Prince was my own reality.

"It's a dream, what should I do? I was just a little worried."

I remembered what I said then. I continued, and I even kept Edwin's answer perfectly. Words that remind me that this moment I feel is reality 

"It can't be a dream."

I lightly pinched Tibby's cheek. I said sweetly as I watched the child hesitantly touch his cheek.

"You couldn't even dream of such a happy reality."

Tibby's breathing became louder. 

My heavy breathing, just before I was about to stop crying, suddenly reminded me of the time Edwin found me at Turning Bell.

"I will tell you every day that it is absolutely not a dream. In the future......"

The words I wanted to hear the most, and at the same time, the words Edwin told me.

"From now on, Vikander will be much stronger and more steadfast in protecting everyone."

Words like a promise were carried by the wind to everyone. The eyes of the people who had been looking at me with impressed expressions widened earlier.

"Then..."

A soft voice reached my ears. When I, startled, turned around, Edwin shrugged my shoulders. 

"The Grand Duke....!"

Among the cheering young people, Edwin narrowed one of his eyes.

"How did you get here?"

"You know, Bethany. She already told me to leave when he saw me."

"Bethany?"

"We decided to come see the fireworks together."

Just then, a colorful fire bloomed like a flower in the pitch-black night sky. Edwin affectionately wrapped his arms around my shoulders.

It was reality.

This incredibly ecstatic time.

To protect this reality, I thought, I could do anything.

But I did that night. My hands were shaking without realizing it as I read a long-overdue letter.

A letter from Ethella. 

The words written inside were trying to shatter my happiness. And at this moment, I am the happiest.

I hurriedly stood up, as if I had suddenly awakened from my dream. I then ran towards the former Grand Duke's room. Edwin was sure to be there.

But when I entered her room, I swallowed, my breath rising to the tip of my chin. Edwin, sleeping face down on the former Grand Duke's bed, looked very peaceful. The son's grip on his father's hand was tight.

I clenched my fist. I had to protect it.

***

It was the morning after the festival ended.

"Edwin, I think I need to visit the Tristan granary for a while."

Not only the Grand Duke but also everyone in the castle opposed the Young Lady's words. Concerns poured out about the Young Lady who had not had time to rest not only during the festival but also praying for the recovery of His Highness the previous Grand Duke.

But she insisted that she should establish her status as a Saintess by presenting the letter from Tristan.

And as everyone guessed, there was no one who could beat her. The Young Lady smiled despite the Grand Duke's words telling her to rest for at least a day and set off for the Tristan granary that afternoon.

And that was with just the two of them, Dean, a guard knight, and Bethany, a wizard and butler.

***

Golden autumn was already in full swing in southern Tristan. Dean looked at the rich wheat field with slightly unfamiliar eyes.

To be exact, the Young Lady standing in front of the wheat field upon arrival.

She rode for two full days and arrived at the southern Tristan granary. The girl, who loved picnics, uncharacteristically urged the carriage all the way. And even before the Lord's representative, Baron Javron had finished guiding her, she spoke firmly.

"The Grand Duke's residence will provide food, Including bread, and a budget for Tristan to last a month."

Baron Javron's previously pale face turned bright red. There are only three weeks left until harvest.

If they had that kind of budget and food, they could use fresh wheat after the harvest to soothe the crying people.

How dare she suddenly make such an unconventional offer without even looking at the situation?

"Previously..."

Cool words pierced his ears. Baron Javron looked at the Saintess for a moment. Straight eyes stared at him intensely.

"Baron Javron, representative of the Lord, your oath must come first."

"What kind of oath are you talking about,  Miss?"

"As the representative of the Lord of this vast Tristan estate, swear no matter what happens, you will stand by my side at least once."

"Is it possible? Now the Saintess is saving our Tristan's life. Whatever happens..."

"It could go against the royal family. Still, is that still valid?"

Baron Javron took a deep breath. His vision became distant. It's against the royal family... 

Just daring to think about it made his hands shake.

"W-what kind of nonsense! Saintess, didn't you come to save our territory?"

Instead of salvation, the Saintess's words were words that plunged Tristan into the abyss. As Baron Javron begged, Olivia grinned.

"Baron, why did you contact me instead of your Lord, Her Royal Highness?"

"That is..."

Because he can't believe her. Because of the distrust growing deep in his heart, he could not possibly acknowledge the Princess as the owner of the domain. 

Baron Javron's hands were shaking. Looking at that scene, Olivia spoke softly.

"Me too. So, when an unavoidable situation arises, I hope that Tristan's power will turn to me."

"..."

"You understand what I'm saying, right?"

***

"Miss, what is that......! It's something that could go against the royal family."

When the conversation with Baron Javron was over, Bethany and Dean hurriedly ran to Olivia. Even though she said something that was heart-warming just to hear it, the Young Lady......

"I'll tell you more details on the way to the Imperial Palace. There is no time."

"Miss, what is that......!"

"Winster and Howard were imprisoned in the Imperial palace."

Just the brief words were enough to make my vision blurry. I clenched and unclenched my fists to steady myself.

At the same time, I remembered the letter that fell from my hand last night. It was a letter written in the Prince's handwriting that I had seen only once.

- Winster Calter and Howard Interfield were arrested for insulting the royal family. If you don't arrive on time, we will deal with them according to the laws of the land.

What made me believe the Prince's unreliable letter was another letter in which Ethella's handwriting was clear.

- Sister, I have received an order from His Highness the Crown Prince to enclose this letter with my letter. Sorry. But since it involved the brown-haired knight, I felt like I should tell my sister.

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