Epilogue 1

“Are you really thinking of going that far?”

“If it’s for Sophie, I have no choice.”

In response to the Duchess of Dveshi’s question, Duke Dveshi put on a determined expression and headed towards the Loden household.

With each step he took, his body felt as heavy as water-soaked cotton, but that wasn’t important now. For Sophie’s happiness, he had to swallow his pride.

The reason Duke Dveshi was looking so determined was that he intended to visit Duke Loden and ask to nullify the contract.

According to his investigation, it seemed that the marriage talks with the Aeri family had quietly disappeared, so he thought it was worth negotiating.

Of course, this was not the plan from the start. He had intended to force Sophia to divorce no matter what. However, Duke Loden’s suspicious attitude made him hesitate to push his thoughts.

If he wanted a divorce, he would have demanded it immediately, but he waited until the third son disappeared to demand it, as if he had been waiting for that moment….

That could mean Killian didn’t want a divorce.

Could it be that all of Killian’s actions, as Sophia mentioned, were sincere?

‘Killian prepared this for me.’

‘Killian said he is not involved with her.’

When Sophia talked about Killian, her expression was entirely different from before. It seemed as if she truly loved him.

Moreover, judging from her words about Killian’s actions, it didn’t seem like he was indifferent to Sophie.

Duke Dveshi didn’t trust Killian, but he wanted to support Sophia, who believed in him.

Of course, it wasn’t just Sophia’s words that led him to this thought. The words of the Duchess, who returned from the villa, also gave him a great shock.

‘It seems Sophie and Sir Loden truly love each other. Sir Loden snuck into the villa late at night to meet Sophie. And do you know how passionate a night they spent? So please, allow them to be together now.’

Recalling the Duchess, who touched her flushed cheeks with her hands and trailed off at the end of her words, he felt she wasn’t lying.

Even though the divorce was finalized, seeing Killian visiting Sophia and her welcoming him felt like witnessing a truly loving couple.

Had I been wrong all along?

Realizing something was amiss, Duke Dveshi immediately called for Killian.

‘Do you truly love our Sophie? Not Lady Aeri?’

‘I’ve never liked Lady Aeri. That was just a one-sided rumor she spread. My heart has always been for Sophie. Liam knows this well, so if you don’t believe me, ask him.’

Upon hearing his sincerity, Duke Dveshi realized that he had been ignoring the emotions between Sophia and Killian and had jumped to conclusions on his own.

‘I’ve had a crush on Sophie for a long time. After achieving merit, I even planned to ask His Majesty for permission to marry Sophie, but somehow things turned out this way.’

Of course, not trusting Killian’s words, Duke Dveshi confirmed once more with Liam, and after much thought, he changed his mind.

I almost forcibly separated two people who love each other!

He felt ashamed that he almost missed the most important thing due to his animosity towards the Loden household. He also felt sorry for imposing his feelings on Sophia.

Therefore, Duke Dveshi realized that it was time to end the dispute with the Loden household. He didn’t care if he suffered great losses. As long as Sophia could be happy, he was ready to endure anything.

“Duke Loden, it’s been a while.”

Upon arriving at the Loden household, Duke Dveshi, guided by the butler, entered the office, exuding an aura of intimidation.

“Duke Dveshi, I was planning to visit you first, but I’m glad you came.”

He expected to be asked why he came, but unexpectedly, Duke Loden welcomed him.

What is this? This unexpected reaction, unlike usual?

While Duke Dveshi was puzzled, unexpected words came out of Duke Loden’s mouth.

“I apologize for everything. I no longer wish to quarrel with the Dveshi family, so if there are any grievances against me, I hope we can resolve them.”

Duke Loden admitted his son’s mistakes and was the first to apologize to Duke Dveshi. Until now, no one from the Dveshi or Loden families had ever genuinely apologized to each other in this manner. Duke Loden was the first.

So Duke Dveshi couldn’t believe this unbelievable situation.

Why is a man who has never bent his stiff back suddenly acting like this?

Duke Dveshi thought Duke Loden had taken the wrong medicine and momentarily lost his mind. Otherwise, his behavior didn’t make sense.

“Do you perhaps find my apology itself offensive?”

As Duke Dveshi was too surprised to respond, Duke Loden cautiously observed his reaction.

Having apologized first, there was no reason for Duke Dveshi to be upset.

He had intended to ask for the recognition of Sophia and Killian’s relationship, even at a loss, but the situation was turning out better than expected. There was no need to bow down first.

“I was just momentarily surprised. How could I be offended? I also apologize for everything that has happened. I hope you, Duke Loden, too, can let go of any lingering resentment towards me.”

He also offered words of apology, opening the first steps towards reconciliation.

However, Duke Dveshi still couldn’t understand Duke Loden’s attitude. 

He wasn’t the kind of person to change so suddenly, so why…?

His doubts were resolved when he heard the words coming from Duke Loden’s mouth.

“A child will be born soon, so I’m thinking of sending a congratulatory gift. If there’s anything you need, please let me know.”

A child to be born?

At that moment, Duke Dveshi’s eyes widened. He hadn’t heard any news about a child being born, so what was this about?

He was momentarily flustered but quickly composed himself and spoke.

“Sophia will surely like any gift prepared by you, Duke Loden.”

“Then I will prepare it with sincerity.”

“I will also prepare a gift for the child in my own way.”

While it was Duke Loden who swallowed his pride and apologized, it was Duke Dveshi, who received the apology, whose face turned red as they shook hands.

Of course, there was still an awkward atmosphere between them, but it was much softer compared to before.

Thus, the reconciliation between the families was achieved through an unexpected event, and Duke Dveshi returned to the Dveshi household in excitement.

“Why didn’t you tell me that Sophia is pregnant?”

He questioned the Duchess of Dveshi as soon as he returned.

“I didn’t want you to get so excited. Look at you now, you’re all worked up.”

Hearing the Duchess’s reproach, Duke Dveshi tried to calm his excited heart.

“It’s fortunate that a child will be born, but Duke Loden’s attitude is suspicious. I don’t know why he’s suddenly coming to us like this.”

“I only heard it as a rumor, but there’s talk that the eldest son of the Loden family cannot father children.”

“Is that true?”

“Yes.”

Hearing the Duchess’s words, Duke Dveshi finally understood Duke Loden’s attitude.

If the eldest son couldn’t have children, they would have to rely on the second son, but he spread his seed everywhere, resulting in children of poor lineage.

So the only one left to rely on was the third son, Killian. In such a situation, Duke Loden must have judged that it was better to reconcile with the Dveshi family, which had a good lineage despite their poor relations.

“So that’s why.”

Finally understanding the whole situation, Duke Dveshi smiled contentedly. He was very satisfied with the situation where Duke Loden now had to consider his feelings.

With a smile on his face, Duke Dveshi immediately went to meet the King. Duke Loden might have visited first, but he needed to speak about the contract in person anyway.

“What is the reason you suddenly wish to meet me?”

When he went to see the King, he had a puzzled expression. It seemed Duke Loden hadn’t visited yet.

“I came to nullify the divorce contract.”

Kneeling on one knee, Duke Dveshi answered with a polite demeanor.

“Did you suddenly change your mind?”

“Yes, I did.”

“What is the reason?”

“Sophia and Sir Loden love each other. So there’s no longer any reason to divorce them.”

Then the King suddenly started laughing heartily.

“Didn’t I tell you? I knew your lineage would become a treasure. The divorce contract was already nullified, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

“What do you mean?”

“Killian came to me long ago and told me he loves your daughter. How could I not support that after hearing it? And now I’m even happier to hear that love isn’t one-sided.”

Ah…

Duke Dveshi realized how much he had underestimated Killian’s feelings.

To confidently speak to His Majesty about loving our Sophie…

Although he had heard it from Liam, hearing Killian’s feelings from the King brought a wave of emotion. It gave him infinite trust in Killian, enough to feel reassured about entrusting Sophie to him.

Even though he had reconciled with the Loden family, there was still some unease, but now he felt he could truly let go of that resentment. Thinking of the future filled with peace in the Kingdom of Lux, a faint smile gradually appeared on Duke Dveshi’s lips.

* * *

“How did it go?”

The voice was calm, but contrary to this, the Duchess of Loden was urging with her eyes for a quick answer.

“Sigh. I reconciled with Duke Dveshi.”

Duke Loden answered with a low sigh.

“That’s fortunate.”

Her tone remained unchanged, but the Duchess of Loden’s face, which had been tense, softened a little.

Fortunate. Is it fortunate?

Listening to his wife’s words, Duke Loden pondered over his decision several times to see if it was the right one. Then he asked her.

“Do you like having the Dveshi family’s daughter?”

“She’s sincere and kind. Do you know how well the children of the collateral family follow her?”

“Would you have accepted her even if she wasn’t pregnant?”

“Yes. I prefer her over Lady Aeri, who frowns at the slightest displeasure.”

Duke Loden and the Duchess had differing opinions on who would be a suitable match for Killian. Duke Loden favored Lady Aeri, while, oddly enough, the Duchess favored Sophia.

‘Why are you trying to divorce children who are living well together? I’m against it.’

So when Duke Loden proceeded with the marriage talks with the Aeri family, you can’t imagine how much the Duchess opposed it.

When she heard that he had forced Sophia to sign the contract he drafted, she was furious and didn’t speak to him for a whole week.

Duke Loden couldn’t understand his wife, but he thought it was time to understand her since things turned out as she said.

In fact, he had rarely seen Sophia since the marriage. The first time was when he went to force her to sign the contract.

He avoided her face because he didn’t like her from the start. He thought there was no point in dealing with a daughter-in-law who would be divorced anyway.

And even now, after reconciling with Duke Dveshi, he still didn’t like Sophia. Affection that wasn’t there couldn’t suddenly appear.

But it was strange. He didn’t particularly like Sophia, yet the fact that his grandchild was in her womb filled him with anticipation and excitement.

Whether it was a boy or a girl, it didn’t matter. He was already eager to buy gifts for his grandchild.

While he couldn’t understand himself, Duke Loden had a slight idea of why his feelings had changed.

Marcus, who was infertile, and Clive’s infidelity…

The grandchild to be born would be a treasure that could solve the troublesome issues of the eldest and second sons. The expectation for the child was as great as the shock he received from them.

“Butler! What foods are good for a pregnant woman? Whatever is good, send it all.”

Duke Loden wanted to do everything possible to ensure the child was born safely. Although not usually impatient, he found himself eagerly waiting for the child.

As a result, there was a sense of urgency in his actions as he tried to choose gifts. The Duchess looked at her husband with a satisfied smile. He seemed like he would be a good grandfather.