And what she feared the most.

{Well… it’s what you chose.}

{If you like her, we like her too.}

{That’s why we like you even more.}

Charlie’s heart soared once again.

Hector’s dream where one of the many lights that fell from the World Tree had seeped in.

Did this child really choose its parents on its own?

Her, a transmigrator, and Hector.

{We don’t dislike your mother either.}

{Right, we like her more than other humans.}

{She has a nice scent.}

{Even Sara likes this human.}

{Sara’s companion too.}

{The king would like her too, right?}

{Everyone likes this human.}

{But I like this child more.}

{Me too.}

{Me too.}

{Me too!}

Who was Sara, and who was her companion?

Moreover, the only people who could be called king in this world were Hector and Kaisis.

Just as Charlie’s thoughts were becoming tangled.

{Oh! The king is calling.}

The fairies who had been flying around the room giggling suddenly turned pale.

{I think we’ve been caught.}

{What should we do?}

{We need to go back quickly.}

{We’re going to get scolded.}

{Hurry.}

The fairies began to approach Charlie’s belly.

{Child, if you’re in pain, I’ll come.}

Finally, one fairy kissed Charlie’s belly. Then, light sparkled throughout the bedroom as if stars were falling.

{If you’re sad, I’ll come.}

{If you’re happy, I will.}

{If you’re angry, it’s me.}

{You’re similar to us.}

{That’s right, you’re special.}

{It’s okay to be close to us.}

{We like you.}

The fairies who had kissed Charlie’s belly one by one disappeared with the light.

As if there had never been any commotion, silence returned to the bedroom.

Some time had passed after that.

{Forgive us, we meant no harm. Descendant of the moon.}

A low, weighty voice resonated in the bedroom.

{Let’s exchange greetings next time, it’s not the right time yet…}

With the farewell left by an unknown person, Charlie sank into the unconsciousness of oblivion.

Along with the existence of the fairies and the conversations they had.

* * *

“How are you feeling?”

Emma, who was helping Charlie get ready, asked.

“Very good.”

Charlie shrugged and answered.

“I feel restless just sitting down.”

Perhaps due to the child’s magical power, Charlie’s body was overflowing with vitality after pregnancy.

She didn’t feel tired even with less sleep, and the cold she felt had significantly decreased.

“You’ll have to sit all day today, what will you do if you’re already feeling restless?”

Emma smiled as she watched Charlie stretching her arms.

“That’s true, I feel especially light today. By the way, Emma, you’re coming to the wedding too, right?”

“Of course. Dame Kieran even prepared a separate place for the LLC.”

LLC.

This was an abbreviation for ‘Leon Lovers Club’ and was like a fan club.

Additionally, the ‘Popularity Ranking within Hunt Royal Palace’ mostly came from the Zero maids serving Charlie in Spinel Palace.

“Aren’t you disappointed that Sir Leon is getting married?”

“Not at all. Seeing the two of them together makes me feel full even without eating.”

Is this what they call fangirl spirit?

“By the way, why is Sir Leon ranked first? Sir Luke helps more with Spinel Palace affairs, doesn’t he?”

When Charlie heard about the popularity vote, she thought Luke would naturally be first.

This was because Luke had taken over most of Charlie’s guard duties in place of Leon, who had been busy commanding the military after Hunt Kingdom’s independence.

Isn’t it natural to grow fond of someone you see often, and to find someone who is favorable to you more handsome?

Luke would often step in to help with difficult tasks, like he was projecting Charlie onto the Zero maids.

But contrary to Charlie’s expectations, Luke only ranked third.

“Zero is weak to visuals.”

Well, Leon is overwhelmingly handsome.

Charlie nodded, thinking of Leon. Then she looked at Emma with a question.

“Then shouldn’t Sir Luke, who resembles Sir Leon, be second?”

“Sir Luke is handsome too, but Sir Derek is more charming.”

“Charming?”

Hohoho–

A mischievous smile bloomed on Emma’s face.

“The sight of Sir Derek practicing swordsmanship alone in the rain is like, shall I say, a wild beast.”

“……”

If the quiet and serious Derek were to be compared to an animal, he would certainly be more ‘wolf-like’ than ‘dog-like’.

Especially with those sharp, slanted eyes.

‘Come to think of it, Sir Derek’s popularity was sky-high during the last Crown Prince’s coronation ceremony too.’

Although Derek seemed unaware of it.

[He helped support a young lady who twisted her ankle, and it seems they were grateful for that.]

Was it really an accident?

Of all places, in front of the Hunt Knights.

And for dozens of people to fall in succession, no less.

[It seems the young ladies of the Graham Empire all lack grip strength. Even as Masters, they can’t properly hold a handkerchief and keep dropping them.]

But Derek and the Hunt Knights didn’t attach any particular meaning to the young ladies’ actions.

‘What a waste, what a waste…’

How can they be so keen on sensing an enemy’s killing intent, yet so oblivious to women’s affection?

‘Their holy power must have all gone into swordsmanship.’

Charlie softly chuckled, imagining the knights picking up handkerchiefs every time the young ladies dropped them.

“And his chest is amazin…”

Oops!

Emma quickly covered her mouth and blinked her eyes.

What’s amazing about his chest?

Just as Charlie was wondering what she meant.

[I don’t mind the gaze of the Spinel Palace maids at all. Rather, it feels like I’m being cheered on, which gives me strength.]

The image of the knights training with their upper garments thrown off, regardless of the maids’ presence, flashed through Charlie’s mind.

[That’s right. Thinking of it as pure, selfless goodwill makes me even more grateful and happy.]

[They even bring us drinks every time, the maids are the best!]

No wonder the maids’ eyes sparkled whenever they went to the training grounds.

The ranking criteria weren’t based on looks alone.

‘Still, it’s a relief.’

Charlie worried about what would happen if they fell into despair, blaming themselves for being Zeros without holy power.

She discreetly averted her gaze, pretending not to notice Emma’s nostrils flaring as she breathed heavily.

* * *

Leon and Kieran’s wedding was to be held at the outdoor banquet hall of the Wilkins ducal residence, following the southern tradition of the bride’s side.

When Charlie first heard this news, she worried about potential conflicts.

Not only was Leon, the commander of the Hunt Royal Guard, marrying Kieran, the former commander of the Wilkins Knights, but they were even holding the ceremony at the Duke’s residence.

This was truly unprecedented and bound to cause a significant stir.

Originally, the three ducal families of the Graham Empire were mutually exclusive.

Although they were unified now, they were originally separate kingdoms, so this was perhaps a natural result.

Not only the heads of the families but also their vassals.

The closed-off northern Hunt region had even forbidden commoners from marrying outside their ethnic group.

This was also why Luke’s mother had left the north, giving up the benefits she could have enjoyed as a descendant of the Hunt Knights.

Perhaps because of this…

[It doesn’t matter.]

Contrary to Charlie’s concerns, Hector readily agreed to the ceremony at the Wilkins ducal residence.

And the Hunt Knights felt the same way.

[We don’t mind either.]

[As long as the ceremony takes place, does it matter where?]

[As long as southern pasta isn’t served for the meal.]

[That would be legal to overturn.]

And that wasn’t all.

Tanner was even delighted, as if he had heard welcome news.

[I can finally clock out on time.]

Southern weddings that start at noon are said to continue until the next day.

It would be too much for Charlie, who was pregnant, to attend the entire event, so she greeted Kieran and Leon in advance before the ceremony.

The officiant was the Pope, Michael.

“These two are a union brought together by a miracle…”

Michael’s officiating lasted for nearly 30 minutes.

If Charlie hadn’t repeatedly coughed, Leon might have drawn his sword.

Next came the congratulatory speech from Hector, Leon’s master.

“May blessings be with you.”

Hector came down as soon as he stood at the podium.

Finally, it was Noel’s turn to give a congratulatory speech.

“…With this, the two will live happily ever after on their own.”

Suddenly, Noel threw off his loosened tie.

“Isn’t this much solemnity enough?”

“?!”

Before anyone could comprehend what was happening.

Noel picked up an instrument he had hidden under the podium.

Why suddenly…

Confused gazes intertwined from the guest seats.

On the other hand, the bride’s side was following Noel’s lead, one by one loosening their shirt collars.

“Let’s have some fun.”

Noel’s lips stretched into a grin.

Have fun? Now?!

As the guests’ heads tilted in incomprehension,

♪- ♪♪♪- ♪♪-

A boisterous sound flowed through the large pipe, spreading across the outdoor banquet hall and scattering into the blue sky.

As the vibrations echoed in their eardrums, heartbeats began to rise in sync.

Clink–

Noel’s earrings swayed gently with the slight nod of his head.

The long, ornate earrings seemed not to be holding Noel down, but rather like wings ready for him to take flight.

[Look. Isn’t this beautiful lady struggling so much?]

Noel Wilkins had been joking with Hector and showing a friendly smile.

[Then you drop the formalities too.]

The speech pattern that skipped the introduction and went straight to the point, the free spirit, and even the arrogance.

That’s why they had momentarily forgotten,

That Noel was the very embodiment of an ‘insider’ among the ‘insiders’ who dominated the social world.¹in Korea, 인사이더/인싸 (insider) is someone who’s socially active, popular, and well-connected within a group or community

* * *

How long had Noel’s solo performance continued?

Duda tadak duda dak dung- duda tadak dudak dung–

“?”

Charlie turned her head at the dull sound.

There was Noel’s younger brother, Abel Wilkins, beating a drum wedged between his feet.

Noel, who was making eye contact with Abel, grinned.

It was a clear and innocent smile, like that of a child.

Abel responded by raising his eyebrows.

‘They really are brothers.’

It was just a simple, repetitive rhythm.

Yet when the two sounds combined, they had somehow become one piece of music.

Shoulders started moving involuntarily, and humming naturally flowed out.

As that section ended and returned to the beginning,

Dadak tadak- dadak tak dadak-

This time, Kieran, holding up the hem of her wedding dress, began tapping her toes.

The sound of her shoes hitting the platform added yet another layer to Abel’s rhythm.

“Leon.”

The bride, with a bright smile revealing her pearly white teeth, circled around the groom.

He was indeed a sword master.