Marked as the Tyrant's Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 31

“Stop it.”

“Ahem, yes, Your Majesty.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The two who had been eagerly attacking each other, forgetting they were in the Emperor’s presence, hastily closed their mouths.

“It’s pleasant to hear praise for that child’s talent, but.”

Parmes, fiddling with the Amaris ointment jar that Arinel had asked to be delivered through Adam, moved his lips with a cold and fierce gaze.

“Know your priorities straight.”

The master of Albreon and the Aslet Imperial Family. Feeling his strong and cold aura, Madam Alens felt a chill run down her spine.

“Arinel is my daughter-in-law.”

***

I stared blankly at my reflection in the mirror.

Me, wearing a pink dress with adorable frills…

‘I look like a doll!’

When I was always grimy in Galnem, I didn’t know I could be this cute and pretty, but now that I’m all dressed up, I feel like a different person.

Well, even so, when I’m next to Briton, who’s handsome enough to crush the empire, I feel like a squid in comparison.

“Would you prefer a ribbon with stripes, or just lace?”

“Let’s go with something simple.”

“Yes, miss.”

The maids decorated my hair beautifully as if they were playing with a doll.

In Galnem, the ends of my hair always seemed damaged from lack of sunlight and nutrition, but since coming to the capital, perhaps because my nutritional state has improved so much, it now gleams with shine.

After twirling once in front of the mirror, I smiled with satisfaction and trotted down to the first floor.

Today was the day I was supposed to meet Parmes.

‘I promised him at the masquerade ball that I’d drop by the palace often, and I can’t go back on my word.’

In Adam’s opinion, if I ignored him again, he might move the imperial palace near our house.

It’s an absurd idea, but strangely convincing, so I nodded.

“Oof.”

I lightly climbed into the carriage and sat on the plush seat, and soon the carriage rattled off towards the imperial palace.

The day outside was nice, and the bustling street I had glimpsed yesterday still looked as lively as ever.

And as we were passing by the Economics Academy…

“…?”

My eyes met with a boy standing in front of the Economics Academy.

Wearing clothes that were clearly different from ordinary people’s, obviously those of a noble’s son, the boy looked about my age.

Brown hair and gray eyes. His face was so neat and handsome that it naturally drew one’s gaze.

And in one hand he held documents, in the other a fountain pen.

‘Is he out to study… no, to investigate something?’

During that brief moment as the carriage passed by the boy, our eyes met clearly.

And even after the carriage passed him, that impression remained quite vividly in my mind.

‘Why… does he seem familiar?’

If I, who likes handsome men, had seen a boy with such an aura before, I would surely remember him clearly, but I didn’t.

Then what is this familiar feeling?

After pondering for a moment, I shook off the thought and leaned back against the backrest.

The brief reverie ended, and soon the carriage arrived at the imperial palace.

The solemn scenery of the imperial palace made my back stiffen just by looking at it.

‘Even though I’ve been here several times, I can’t get used to it…’

Soldiers lined up like iron dolls stood guard at the palace, holding intimidating spears, and behind them, all the maids and servants maintained knife-like angles, their discipline clearly evident.

And I was about to meet their master and the absolute monarch of this country, Parmes Aslet.

Uncle Zimmer = Parmes Aslet.

Despite repeating this equation in my mind, I couldn’t help feeling a bit nervous.

“Ugh-“

As I got out of the carriage and stretched my arms to relieve the tension, I flinched.

Just now… I thought I heard a terribly dreadful scream from somewhere.

Wondering if it was my imagination, I listened carefully, but I didn’t hear that sound again.

As I stood there with a bewildered expression, a familiar voice suddenly greeted me.

“Arinel!”

Slowly turning around, I saw Parmes approaching me with a bright smile.

“Welcome! I’ve been waiting for you!”

Even though the bright sun was behind him, his silhouette bathed in backlight looked more radiant and beautiful than the sun itself.

His eyes were prettily curved as if he was truly delighted to see me.

Unable to hide my nervousness, I looked up at him and greeted him.

“Ah… Hello.”

A moment later.

“Arinel, let’s play ball. Ball!”

Uh… um.

‘Is this really the same person?’

The Parmes Aslet who had made all the nobles tremble at the ballroom seemed like a completely different person from the Parmes Aslet in front of me.

The sight of this man, with a body as large as a big dog, smiling brightly, made me realize that my nervousness had been completely unnecessary.

“Why, don’t you like it? We used to do it often before. When I fell, you would…”

Parmes pointed to his elbow.

“You would put ointment here for me.”

“…”

“Don’t you remember, Arinel?”

With a much lighter heart, I took the ball he offered.

“Of course I do. I definitely remember.”

“Then let’s play! I’ll play with you all you want, Arinel!”

“But playing ball is…”

It might be rude to say this, but I could see an illusion of a tail wagging behind Parmes.

‘Somehow, it feels like he wants me to play with him. And if I don’t, he might sulk…’

Seeing Parmes smiling with his eyes curved, I felt my resolve weaken.

Finally, as I looked down at the ball to throw it to Parmes, I was startled.

“Uncle… no, Your Majesty. This ball…”

The surface of the ball was glowing white.

“As expected, Arinel, you’re amazing.”

I heard Parmes’s voice, who had somehow approached me.

It sounded slightly different from the innocent tone he had just moments ago.

I looked up at Parmes blankly, holding the glowing ball.

He smiled again as if nothing had happened and said,”You know, that ball reacts to elemental power.”

I remembered the power he had used against the men who had attacked me and Briton in the garden at the masquerade ball.

“…This ball?”

“Yes. It’s a gift I prepared for you. I also wanted to see the ball glow beautifully.”

Parmes said in an excited voice.

A ball that glows in response to elemental power, it was fascinating and yet…

I couldn’t help but recall that light that had burst out of me unknowingly and the men tumbling backward, which made me feel somewhat strange.

They say that in urgent situations, elemental power can be awakened…

‘Was that the case for me too?’

“…”

As I remained silent, lost in thought, Parmes stepped back, taking a pose to receive the ball, and said, “Throw it, Arinel.”

After staring at the ball for a moment, I threw it to Parmes.

As the brightly glowing ball wrapped around his hand, the light disappeared as if absorbed.

Seeing the light of the ball that had been glowing in my hand go out, I felt a sense of wonder.

Parmes held up the now lightless ball and asked.

“I was really surprised to hear that Arinel has the power of the elements like Heisen. You must have inherited it from your father, right?”

I hesitated for a moment before nodding.

“I suppose so. I’m not entirely sure since it awakened unexpectedly…”

Adam was very pleased when I told him I seemed to have used elemental power.

He said I was indeed the rightful heir of the Mylar Marquis family.

“The power of the elements is truly wonderful. Beautiful and mysterious.”

“…”

“Especially Heisen’s elemental magic was really amazing. Your father, I mean.”

At Parmes’s words, I stared at him blankly.

He had a look in his eyes as if recalling something precious.

“Arinel will surely become a great Elementalist like Heisen.”

It was as if the ears of the large dog that had been wagging its tail happily at me had drooped a little.

Then, a question I had wanted to ask for a long time slipped out.

“You must have really liked my father.”

At my words, Parmes smiled and answered.

“Of course. He was…”

His bright red eyes seemed to waver for a moment.

A cloud covered the sun, casting a large shadow over us for a moment.

Parmes approached me, step by step, and stood in front of me, looking down.

His shadow was cast over me.

His eyes, sad and sorrowful as if seeing my father’s face in mine, looked as if tears might fall at any moment.

In the original story, Heisen was Parmes’s trigger for outbursts…

‘Was he also a trigger for tears?’

“…Arinel.”

Parmes placed his hand on my head, which was far below him.

I could feel a heavy but gentle warmth.

“Arinel, you’re a strong child, but if you ever face any difficulties, please tell me honestly. I’ll always be here to help you.”

Parmes was looking at me.

I moved my lips and asked back.

“Like my father?”

At my words, Parmes’s red eyes shook greatly.

After a moment, he smiled as if pleased and answered.

“…Yes, like your father.”