Chapter 87
“That… it’s just… he’s the most comfortable for me…”
Molek stammered as he spoke.
“The you I know isn’t a demon who obsesses over a single person. You were always a greedy demon who wanted different humans each time. Did you really only feed on that child just because she’s comfortable for you?”
“I… I just… really…”
In Molek’s mind, various images of Silin flashed one after another: her angry face, her sighs, her smirk, and then the way she would reluctantly give in, and finally her smile and the last time he saw her, flushed with heat.
Before he knew it, he had been following every side of Silin.
Molek’s face reddened as he realized his own feelings.
“Don’t drag it on too long. Humans have short lifespans, after all.”
Kaiden lightly placed his hand on Molek’s head. He hoped this child would live a life without regrets.
“Silin, I’m sorry. I never imagined Molek would come here.”
Eldrin lowered her eyebrows and held Silin’s hand.
“No, it’s absolutely not your fault, my lord. He’s the problem.”
“Molek probably came because he wanted to take care of you.”
Eldrin placed a wet towel on Silin’s forehead as she spoke. At that, Silin burst into laughter.
“Take care of me? Hahaha, he came here to enjoy me being sick!”
“Molek? But…”
Eldrin frowned in confusion.
“Molek likes you. He must have come because he was worried about you.”
“What?”
Silin gaped at Eldrin’s words, then clutched her stomach and laughed loudly.
“He likes me! Hahaha, that’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard!”
Eldrin, flustered, asked,
“B-but it must be true! Don’t you like Molek too?”
“Me? Even if I liked him, he treats me like an enemy.”
Silin shook her hand as if to say, “Isn’t that obvious?” Eldrin couldn’t argue further and nodded.
‘But… the way he looks at me… it was different…’
Eldrin hesitated as she looked at Silin.
“Eldrin, when should we depart for the capital?”
Fernand asked while they enjoyed tea together.
“Since it’s a party inviting all the nobles, we’ll leave once everyone is ready.”
“But… are you sure that’s okay?”
Fernand held Eldrin’s hand and asked cautiously.
“All the nobles will be there. That means…”
“My father will be there, too.”
Eldrin said calmly.
‘And that man, Baron Brian, will probably come too.’
Fernand’s eyes darkened. Sometimes, he still dreamed of Eldrin getting hurt. Although Eldrin seemed to have overcome all her past, Fernand couldn’t accept it as calmly.
“It’s fine. Fernand, and with my mother and father there, no one can treat me recklessly.”
Eldrin smiled brightly, reassuring Fernand. He chuckled and pressed a quick kiss to her forehead.
“I worry I’m too cowardly compared to you.”
“Cowardly? I wouldn’t have come this far without you.”
Eldrin lightly lifted her head and kissed Fernand on the lips. Their lips parted softly, and Fernand, blushing, looked at her.
He wanted to shamelessly take her to the bedroom again in broad daylight.
‘But… we did that just two days ago…!’
Fernand closed his eyes tightly, unable to stand seeing Eldrin in discomfort. He regretted his inability to control himself.
When he opened his eyes, having forcibly suppressed his desire, Eldrin looked at him with an awkward expression.
Feeling as if his feelings had been exposed, Fernand panicked and turned his gaze away. Eldrin, her face flushed, patted Fernand’s hand.
She leaned close and whispered softly into his ear.
“It’s still daytime… please wait just a little longer…”
Fernand held his breath. By now, there was no hiding it anyway.
Everett looked at Fernand and Eldrin with disapproval. The couple avoided her gaze, sweating nervously.
“You two…”
Everett paused briefly before sighing and continuing,
“I understand you’re newlyweds, but don’t be too overwhelming.”
Fernand and Eldrin’s faces flushed bright red.
“And you two…”
Everett frowned at Silin and Molek. For some reason, the atmosphere between the two had shifted subtly. She deliberately ignored the awkwardness between them.
“Are you all ready to move?”
Kaiden scanned the surroundings. The ducal carriage had already been prepared at the capital residence, so all that remained was the journey.
Once he confirmed everyone was ready, Kaiden scattered his magic at once.
“We’ve arrived.”
The snow-white surroundings regained their original color. This was the residence they had stayed at before meeting Gold. A large ducal carriage stood in front of the mansion.
“Now, let’s head to the palace.”
“The line is incredibly long.”
Eldrin’s eyes widened as she looked at the long row of carriages. The line extended all the way outside the capital.
“We’ll probably just have to wait a little,” Fernand said.
Before he finished, soldiers approached from afar.
“Are you the Duke and Duchess of Kellard?”
From the open window, the soldiers asked. Fernand nodded silently.
“Please enter first.”
The driver guided the carriage according to the soldiers’ instructions.
“Hierarchy has its conveniences.”
Everett crossed her arms, looking out as other noble carriages passed quickly by.
The carriage arrived at the palace. Everett was the first to disembark, followed by Kaiden, Fernand, and finally Eldrin.
“Then let’s go.”
As the Kellard family entered the banquet hall, the nobles present stirred.
“Could they be… the former Duke and Duchess?”
“Haven’t they never appeared publicly before?”
“They’re the Kellards. Look at their eyes… it’s chilling.”
Everett snickered at the reactions.
‘It’s been a while since I’ve seen reactions like this.’
Used to constant praise, hearing whispers now felt refreshing and new. Despite the murmurs, they focused solely on Eldrin with a blank expression, unaffected.
“Is that the Duchess? I hope the demon’s curse hasn’t transferred to her.”
“A cursed husband? How horrible. Even with such looks, what good is it? If it were me, I would have died long ago.”
The women whispered behind fans while the men nearby chuckled.
“The husband’s a cursed Duke. If we’re a bit kind to her, maybe she’ll fall for us. Want to bet?”
“She’s too good for a monster. With that face and figure, she’s top-tier.”
“Too bad. The Count’s daughter, right? If I had known she was like this, I would have confessed long ago.”
The noble family’s calm expressions began to twist at the comments.
“They don’t know fear.”
Everett scanned the crowd with sharp eyes. People flinched and averted their gaze. Kaiden glared at them with a cold look.
Fernand covered Eldrin’s ears to shield her from hearing such things. Innocent Eldrin blinked innocently, unaware of the situation.
Fernand guided Eldrin to a table at the corner of the banquet hall.
“Eldrin, please wait here for a moment.”
He returned with a few plates of finger food prepared beside the hall.
“Try some. The banquet won’t start for quite a while.”
Fernand brought a cookie to Eldrin’s mouth. Like a little bird, she opened her mouth slightly to take it.
Across from them, Everett was already on her third glass of champagne. Curious, Eldrin asked,
“Mother, is that tasty?”
Before and after reincarnation, she had never tasted alcohol, so she was curious. Especially since the Count and Baron liked it, she was naturally intrigued.
“It’s still early for a child… want a little taste?”
Everett handed the remaining glass to Eldrin. She drank it in one go.
“Not as tasty as I thought?”
Eldrin’s eyes widened in surprise. The bitterness was stronger than the sweetness. Everett laughed heartily at her reaction.
“When you go back, I’ll let you taste much finer drinks. This one isn’t even close.”
“Honey, surely… that drink…?”
Kaiden looked at Everett in shock.
“What is it? I’m curious!”
Eldrin leaned forward, eyes sparkling.
“Eldrin, it’s probably best you don’t drink it. You’ll forget the next day if you do.”
Fernand grimaced and warned Eldrin.
“Ahaha, what’s that?”
Eldrin laughed, taking it as a joke. Just then, a familiar voice interrupted the cheerful atmosphere.
“Long time no see, Eldrin.”
Eldrin froze. Raising her head, she saw the Count approaching her.
“Long time no see, Your Grace.”
The Count bowed politely.
“I see the former Duke and Duchess, Kaiden and Everett. I am Eldrin’s father, Count Pure.”
The Count offered a friendly smile and extended his hand. Cold eyes pierced through him.
“You know our names.”
Kaiden muttered with displeasure.
“A loving daughter couldn’t possibly not know the names of her in-laws.”
