Leon, who seemed to hesitate for a moment, soon skillfully moved his feet following Kieran.

Chalak- chwalarak–

In sync, Noel’s youngest sibling, Tiel Wilkins, shook a small tambourine.

The melody became even richer.

And within it were four family members smiling brightly.

No, now with Leon added, it was five family members.

Smiles bloomed on the faces of those watching.

As the section ended once again and returned to the beginning, this time, simultaneous sounds came from the bride’s side of the guests.

Some were drumming on the tables like Abel, while others tapped their toes like Kieran.

The musicians who had been playing the wedding march added harmonies here and there with their respective instruments.

There was no sheet music, no designated instruments, no rules.

They just had to add to the excitement that was flowing.

But the combined sounds were more lively than any music, and it stirred more thrilling emotions than any orchestra.

“When it comes to having fun, we won’t be left behind.”

Percy snapped his fingers, making a sharp sound.

“Of course, we can’t lose.”

Not to be outdone, the Hunt Knights also began to move.

Luke tapped his scabbard, Sam whistled, and Gerard shook a spoon stuck in a champagne glass.

Even the usually quiet Derek and Tanner were nodding their heads, not to mention the other guests.

“…They’ve gone mad.”

Kaisis, sitting in the seat of honor, muttered under his breath.

“This is utter chaos.”

But even as he said this, Kaisis was clapping his hands reluctantly.

It was because of Crown Prince Oedipus next to him, who was tapping his feet excitedly.

Miller, gauging the Emperor’s mood, signaled to the imperial guard that it was okay.

Ethan, who sent a hand signal to relax the alert stance, took a step back and smiled faintly.

“What are you doing, sitting there like idiots?”

At Noel’s words, the guests on the bride’s side, as if they had been waiting, poured forward.

Women slightly lifted their skirts and tapped their toes, while men placed their hands on their waists and milled around.

When their eyes met, they linked arms and spun in place.

It was a simple and easy traditional southern dance that even first-timers could follow.

Eventually, outstretched hands pulled in those who were still seated.

Red, blue, green, and gold representing each family.

And even more diverse smiles blended together to form a large circle.

‘It would be perfect if they were holding drinks.’

The typical scene of people gathered around a bonfire, holding beer mugs in one hand, laughing and dancing freely in merriment.

Charlie unknowingly let out a small laugh as this image came to mind.

The guest seats, which had been full just moments ago, were now empty.

It was difficult to distinguish which family the intertwined people belonged to.

That wouldn’t matter in enjoying the festival.

Yes, it was a festival.

“Shall we go too?”

Hector stood up and extended his hand to Charlie.

Surely he wasn’t suggesting they dance together now?

The great Hector?!

Surprised eyes looked up at Hector.

“Nothing is better for the baby than the mother’s joy.”

Hector was right.

It felt like she could hear the laughter of the child in her belly.

“Sometimes exercise is necessary too.”

Charlie smiled brightly and took Hector’s hand.

“Alright.”

* * *

They were indeed descendants of freedom and wind.

The excitement of the southerners was truly remarkable, with music echoing through the outdoor hall and glasses being refilled even after the sun had set.

It was so intense that even the Hunt Knights called them ‘monsters’ while shaking their heads.

Charlie was also amazed at Kieran, wondering how she managed to hide such enthusiasm all this time.

“Still, it’s a relief.”

In the VIP bedroom of the Wilkins ducal residence that Noel had prepared for Charlie.

Charlie, who was resting in an armchair, muttered, talking to herself.

Tanner, who was bringing tea in place of Nova and Emma who were likely enjoying themselves, asked.

“What is?”

“Actually… I thought Sir Luke would object.”

Luke had ill feelings towards the Wilkins family. And Leon knew him better than anyone else.

But doesn’t the saying goes that coughs and love can’t be stopped?

Leon had come to harbor feelings for Kieran, and the two nurtured their love in secret.

“That’s why they didn’t try to hide it in the end.”

“That must have been more disappointing.”

“Disappointment is better than betrayal. It turned out better in the end, too.”

Luke, unable to stand it anymore, told them not to mind him and to meet comfortably.

Perhaps it turned out better, as Tanner said.

“By the way, I didn’t expect those two to end up together.”

Charlie naturally thought Noel and Kieran would be together.

After all, Kieran was someone Noel cherished even more than Liliana.

As if reading Charlie’s thoughts, Tanner answered.

“I heard they were like siblings who grew up together. If there had been romantic feelings between them, wouldn’t their relationship have developed long ago?”

“Weren’t you surprised, Lord Tanner?”

“I had a rough idea.”

The strange flowery language he used only when describing Kieran after returning from the expedition.

The trusting attitude he showed towards Kieran when searching for the missing Charlie.

And even his sudden interest in flowers while drinking black coffee, which didn’t suit him.

Tanner had known early on that Kieran was the cause of Leon’s changes.

He had just pretended not to know to avoid unnecessary exposure.

Leon’s history of repeated short-term relationships also played a part.

‘Is it the devil’s intuition?’

Well, Tanner’s perceptiveness is no ordinary thing.

Charlie took a sip of tea and said.

“Holy power is really puzzling.”

Seeing Tanner’s questioning look, Charlie added.

“It seems absolute, but then again, it doesn’t…”

Charlie, who had awakened in the temple, hadn’t encountered anyone other than Cedric and Hector.

But in the original story, Liliana was different.

No, Leon was the one who had been in charge of Liliana’s escort during her stay at the Grand Duke’s residence.

Leon, who had been like an iron fortress, unmoved by Liliana who’s a Miracle, ended up with Kieran, the commander of the Wilkins family’s knights.

Who could have imagined that?

“Holy power is important, but compatibility is just as crucial.”

Tanner’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Compatibility?”

“Though not as much as Your Highness, Leon possesses very powerful magic. To use an analogy, it’s like a heated sword.”

Indeed, Leon was like Hector’s sword.

As Charlie pondered, Tanner continued.

“Beating heated iron repeatedly doesn’t make it a great sword. It needs to be forged with hot fire, at the right time, and with the appropriate intensity.”

A mere rock of mineral is reborn as a sword when it meets fire.

It wasn’t much different for people.

Depending on who one meets and what experiences one has, one can become either a fool or a genius.

Percy, the illegitimate child who was abandoned by his family and became a thief; Derek, who couldn’t use one arm due to an accident; Luke, who was on the brink of starvation; and Leon, who was rampaging unable to control his overflowing power.

If they hadn’t met Hector, none of them would be who they are now.

“Also, while a sword can withstand high temperatures without flinching, it’s quite vulnerable to low temperatures. If exposed to low temperatures for a long time, it becomes brittle and shatters.”

The Hunt Knights’ specialty of wrapping aura around their swords.

This was developed as a way to protect swords in the blizzards of the north.

“Leon must have instinctively known this and avoided it.”

Although not certain, Charlie’s holy power had a cold nature, closer to the power of stars.

Of course, Hector also had the magic of hot fire, but the foundation of his power was darkness.

The same nature of the sky.

That’s why he was compatible with Charlie.

But Leon is different.

A sword placed under starlight loses its usefulness.

“And Leon has always been in a nurturing position. At home, he had to lead many younger siblings, and outside, he had to lead his team members.”

Leon is from the Knight family, which was a prestigious northern family that had produced the most commanders of the Hunt Knights.

But this wasn’t the case every generation.

At the earliest, once every two generations.

At the latest, there was even a time when not even a single knight was selected for 100 years.

It was because of the appropriate timing and compatibility with the lord that Tanner mentioned.

Perhaps because of this, the Knight family had traditionally had many children.

Leon alone had five younger siblings.

Tanner said,

“That’s why he might have been more drawn to Kieran, who wasn’t someone he needed to take care of.”

Kieran, being from the matriarchal southern society, had a progressive mindset and an active demeanor.

“Of course, this is just my speculation.”

Tanner, who had been looking at Charlie for a moment, smiled bitterly.

“The world doesn’t go as we wish, and emotions are even less controllable. Often, we can’t clearly answer why we feel a certain way, let alone gauge the feelings of others… It’s an impossible task.”

Charlie fell into reminiscence at Tanner’s words.

[Welcome to the Hunt ducal residence.]

At that time, Charlie never thought she would come to love Hector.

[I’ll give you a hundred million rangs as salary.]

If someone were to ask, “Why did you fall in love with Hector?” Charlie wouldn’t be able to answer either.

[If you can’t do it, choose something easier.]

[I said it was a walk.]

[Don’t think strange thoughts. It’ll taint your pheromones.]

A smile spread across Charlie’s face at the memories.

“You’re right.”

When she awakened as a Miracle, she can purify without having physical contact with others.

A Miracle was literally a miracle.

That’s why Charlie sometimes had doubts.

Why didn’t Liliana knot with anyone? she wondered.

Only the Liliana from the original story would know the answer to that question.

Perhaps even Liliana herself couldn’t explain it.

‘Whatever it is, it was Liliana’s choice.’

Charlie could only hope that choice brought her peace.

Charlie let go of the question that had lingered in her heart all this time. Then she suddenly turned to look at Tanner.

“I’ve been curious about something for a while.”

“Yes?”

“How did you know I wasn’t Liliana from the beginning?”

That’s right.

Tanner had known from the start that Charlie was not Liliana, but a different soul.

In other words, he knew she was a transmigrator.

That’s why he used the maid contract as bait to tempt Charlie who needed money, and took advantage of her inability to read to create a magical contract.

Thinking she was asking quite quickly, Tanner smiled.

“Would it suffice to say it was because of your sharp swearing?”

“……”

Oh no.

Why that again.