Chapter 131

This summer was exceptionally hot. However, Vivian didn’t have the luxury of being worn out by the heat.  

The wedding was scheduled before the coronation ceremony. Although they resumed the wedding preparations that had begun in spring, the change in season meant starting from scratch.  

Vivian had no time to sleep as she sorted out the affairs of the Dinever Duchy, prepared for the wedding, and prepared to become Empress immediately afterward.  

In the meantime, Teresa became Laila’s guardian, and Lucas and Teresa left for the Mage Tower, saying they would return in time for the wedding after finalizing the new agreement with the Mage Tower.  

Ian, who had sobbed uncontrollably when Laila left, now wrote letters to her every single day without fail.  

Aitor stayed in the capital to assist Louis. As Aitor frequently entered the Imperial Palace, Zero became the mascot of Dovelia Palace.  

Teria, by nature, didn’t like humans. However, perhaps because Zero was raised among humans, he wasn’t particularly aggressive and became a beloved and sassy little darling among the palace staff.  

While sighing over the endless schedule, wondering how time could pass so quickly, summer faded, and autumn arrived.  

The night before the wedding, Vivian’s bedroom was filled with people.  

“How do you feel?”  

Rosie, lying next to Vivian, who had dutifully completed her preparations under Tia’s insistence that a bride must go to bed early the night before the wedding, asked.  

“I just want the wedding to be over already.”  

Far from excitement, Vivian, exhausted and heavy like a water-soaked sponge, mumbled with her eyes closed.  

“Sis, you’ll visit often, right?”  

This time, Ian, lying on the other side of Vivian, asked.  

“Of course.”  

Her tired voice, tinged with affection, sounded dull. Ian, his lips pouting, clung to her even more and entwined his pinky finger with hers.  

“You promise?”  

Even as sleep overtook her, a faint laugh escaped Vivian’s lips like a deflating balloon.  

As busy as Vivian was, Louis was equally so. He fought a daily battle with documents, working day and night to manage the transition.  

The Emperor’s abdication was a closely guarded secret, and only a select few were aware, making the preparations all the more cautious.  

Despite his busyness, Louis took care of Vivian attentively. On days when she entered the Dovelia Palace, he made it a point to see her, and on days they couldn’t meet, he sent letters through Aitor.  

Knock, knock.  

Just as Vivian was about to fall asleep, lulled by Ian and Rosie’s voices, someone knocked on the door. When Rosie sat up and asked who it was, Aitor’s cautious voice came through the door.  

“A-Aitor?”  

Startled, Rosie quickly stood up, put on a robe, and ran to the door. Vivian slowly got up, rubbing her eyes.  

“Oh… Did I come too late?”  

Aitor scratched the back of his neck, looking at Rosie, who was ready for bed.  

“No! It’s fine! Haha. You’re here to see Vivi, right?”  

Rosie urged Vivian, who was sluggishly putting on her slippers. Vivian draped a robe over herself, covering her yawning mouth as she shuffled toward the door.  

“Well… I’d rather tell you to get some rest, but there’s something I must say tonight. Sorry, Vivi.”  

Vivian shook her head, saying it was fine. Ian, who wanted to tag along, was held back by Rosie, who gestured for Vivian to go.  

When they stepped out onto the small terrace on the second floor of the Dinever Duchy’s capital residence, the cool autumn night air filled their lungs.  

Feeling slightly more awake, Vivian stretched and leaned against the terrace railing.  

“I don’t want Ian to scold me for keeping you too long, so I’ll get straight to the point…”  

Aitor handed Vivian a small pouch he had been holding. Blinking, she asked what it was, but Aitor simply gestured with his chin, extending his arm again.  

Vivian took the pouch and untied the knot. Inside, wrapped in a clean white cloth, was a Beatituto, a flower said to bring happiness.  

“Something so precious…”  

The Beatituto, seemingly enchanted with a preservation spell, sparkled as it reflected the starlight. Its white petals radiated a noble glow, filled with starlight.  

“I don’t really have much to give as a wedding gift, but since I’m a mage, I figured I should at least give you something like this.”  

Aitor shrugged as he watched Vivian, unable to take her eyes off the flower. She smiled softly at his words, which were filled with pride.  

“Do you like it?”  

Aitor asked.  

Vivian nodded, gently touching the tip of a petal with her finger. It wasn’t the flower itself but Aitor’s thoughtfulness that made her happy.  

She was marrying the person she loved tomorrow, and her precious friends were by her side. Warmth filled the depths of her heart.  

“Well then! My business here is done! Vivi… Ah… I guess I won’t be able to call you Vivi starting tomorrow.”  

“Can’t you still call me that when we’re alone?”  

Aitor dramatically drooped his shoulders. Seeing this, Vivian giggled like a bubble popping and glanced around to ensure no one was nearby before lowering her voice.  

Aitor’s lips curved softly at Vivian’s adorable gesture.  

“Well, let’s head back in now.”  

Aitor escorted Vivian back to her room and waved as she disappeared inside. He stood there until the door closed.  

Through the closed door, Ian’s voice could faintly be heard, grumbling about why she had been gone so long.  

“I’m glad I could bring you happiness.”  

Aitor stared at the closed door for a long time before turning away.  

***

The autumn sky seemed higher than ever. The clear blue sky, free of clouds, made Duke Tereon Dinever feel wistful about the short autumn season.  

“Father, it would’ve been nice if Sis could’ve come with us…”  

“She’s arriving tomorrow, so we’ll come back together then.”  

“But it’s not just Sis who’s coming.”  

Ian pouted and kicked the ground irritably. Duke Tereon, about to say something, remembered how Ian had sat composedly at Vivian’s wedding, holding back tears, and kept his mouth shut.  

As he affectionately patted Ian’s head, the carriage arrived at its destination. Duke Tereon lifted Ian and set him down on the ground.  

“I can get down by myself. I’m seven now, you know.”  

Yes, yes.  

The Duke smiled at his son’s adorable grumbling and held his small hand as they walked. Ian carried a small bouquet of white daisies, the flowers the late Duchess Daisy had loved.  

“It’s been a while.”  

Standing before the Duchess’s resting place, Duke Tereon fulfilled his role, as he had since Ian was a toddler.  

“Hello.”  

Ian bowed his head politely and placed the bouquet he had been holding. Then, glancing up at his father, he asked,  

“Can I go play over there?”  

Ian preferred the large tree a little farther away over the mother he didn’t remember. Though he imagined Daisy might feel hurt, the Duke smiled bitterly and nodded.  

Once given permission, Ian ran off. Watching him crouch under the tree, Duke Tereon settled comfortably beside the gravestone.  

“Hello, Daisy.”  

Duke Tereon greeted her.  

“As you probably know, Vivian got married a week ago.”  

Duke Tereon continued, gently brushing his hand over the gravestone engraved with Daisy Dinever’s name.  

“They went to the Kingdom of Rakus for their honeymoon, but since they’re stopping by Raspol, you’ll probably see Vivian tomorrow.”  

The Duke began describing the wedding to Duchess Daisy, recalling the events of the day.  

It wasn’t overly extravagant, nor was it too modest—just the right balance.  

Vivian, dressed in a stunning white gown, was dazzlingly beautiful, and the Crown Prince, who couldn’t take his eyes off her throughout the ceremony, was equally impressive.  

Walking down the aisle adorned with white carpets and flowers, the couple looked incredibly happy.  

When they shared their vow-kiss, Duke Tereon had turned his head, unable to watch. Judging by the prolonged applause and cheers, it seemed the kiss had lasted quite a while.  

Teresa and Lucas, who had returned from Palterno, cried throughout the ceremony, while Laila wiped Ian’s tears with her sleeve, telling him to stop crying.  

“Oh, about Laila… She’s Ian’s first friend…”  

Thinking Daisy wouldn’t know about Laila, Duke Tereon began explaining how Ian had met her.  

“Ah, where was I…”  

The Duke hurriedly resumed his story about the wedding, imagining Daisy’s playful scolding about wandering off-topic.  

Vivian’s bouquet was originally meant for Rosie Langdne. However, Vivian had thrown it so forcefully that it curved through the air and landed in Aitor’s hands.  

The Duke chuckled, recalling Rosie’s unforgettable expression at that moment.  

Aitor, popular among noblewomen, became the target of many women’s advances after receiving the bouquet.  

“During the party afterward, Rosie loudly proposed to Aitor. I guess friends really do meet similar people…”  

The Duke recalled ten-year-old Vivian proposing to Louis at a winter banquet. 

How could they be so alike?  

Rosie, too, had run out of the banquet hall without looking back.  

The Duke chose not to tell Daisy about Louis whispering something to Vivian afterward, causing her to glare at him and stomp on his foot.  

“Vivian will soon ascend as Empress. I’m sure she’ll do well.”  

Duke Tereon smiled as he looked up at the sky. The wind, as if answering his musings, gently tousled his hair as it passed. The white daisies swayed, and Ian’s clothes fluttered as he played under the tree.  

Tomorrow, Vivian and Louis would visit Daisy. They had wanted to come before the wedding, but Duke Tereon had insisted they focus on preparing for the wedding and coronation, even at the cost of sleep.  

“If you’re upset, I’m sorry. But if you saw their faces in person, you’d probably praise me.”  

Whenever Tereon did something commendable, Daisy would hug him tightly and pat his head. Today, Duke Tereon missed her embrace and warm touch more than ever.  

“Father!”  

Ian came running, apparently finished with his ant-watching.  

“Careful! You’ll trip!”  

Ian stopped in front of the Duke, catching his breath, then sat beside him. He glanced at his father and smiled mischievously.  

“Why are you smiling like that?”  

When the Duke asked, Ian shook his head and leaned closer to the gravestone, whispering something.  

Pretending not to hear Ian’s rather loud whisper, the Duke stood up.  

“Shall we head back? We’ll come again tomorrow with Vivian.”  

“…Can’t we leave the Crown Prince behind?”  

The Duke extended his hand to Ian, who pouted. Taking his father’s hand, Ian stood up and brushed the grass off his clothes.  

“Goodbye.”  

Ian bowed his head politely.  

On their way back to the Raspol estate, the Duke couldn’t stop thinking about Ian’s whispered words.  

“Father’s eyes look less sad today.”  

Looking up at the high, blue autumn sky, the Duke made a resolution.  

He would watch Ian grow up healthy and see Vivian live happily with the Crown Prince, capturing it all with his eyes. And one day, when they met again, he would proudly tell Daisy.  

That he had kept his promise. That she should hug him and pat his head.  

And that he had missed her so much.  

-fin-