Chapter 70
The Biaatria Empire, the capital city of Weizen.
In May, the pure white petals of the flowering fringe trees fell softly, softly, onto Theodore’s head and shoulders.
Sniff, sniff.
Theodore flared his tiny nostrils, breathing in the floral scent.
“The capital smells like flowers.”
It was Theodore’s first time visiting the capital.
“Should we come out often, Theo?”
“Yes, I like it.”
One of Theodore’s hands was in mine, the other in Gerald’s.
Excited to be walking with his mother and father, Theodore skipped along, bouncing happily.
In Gerald’s free hand, MyoMyo was on a leash, tail swishing as it walked beside Theodore.
A walk!
On my wedding day, I could never have imagined strolling so leisurely through the capital like this.
If I had run away back then, been caught, and thrown into a dungeon, would I ever have known such precious moments?
This little one, who had shattered my prejudices and become part of my life, was so very lovable. And the husband who had waited for me, without prejudice, was dependable.
Under the excuse of “matching family outfits,” the three of us strolled, soaking in the spring sunlight and fragrant breeze.
Seeing their joyful faces, my heart, too, felt light.
Of course, Gerald had tried to summon the empire’s top designers so he wouldn’t be outdone by Theodore, but I refused.
This 《Demon Realm Conquest Commemoration Campaign》 wasn’t about me—it was about our son.
It was my precious child’s first official event.
I wanted to engrave in everyone’s minds that the Grand Duke’s heir was not a cursed demon, not the heir of the dark demon realm, but a child destined to be the Empire’s savior.
And if Gerald, too, achieved merits in this campaign as he had in his youth, people’s view of the Grand Duke’s heir would change completely.
A curse was just a curse.
They would see that he was a child living his own age, like any other.
So he needed clothes more dazzling than any other child’s.
The designer who had appeared like a comet in the original story!
We were on our way to meet her.
“Stepmother, look at dat!”
Patter-patter.
Theodore dashed off, Gerald chased him, and MyoMyo followed. I hurried after them, and knights in plain clothes and a few maids hastily moved with us.
Theodore stopped right in front of a pet shop. I glanced up at Gerald.
How guilty must he feel, having once ordered such adorable creatures killed?
Ignoring my silent reproach, Gerald held MyoMyo and looked at the dogs and cats displayed in the shop window.
“So they cage life like this, sell them off… and when bored, throw them away?”
“That’s what I’ve heard.”
“….”
Growl.
“MyoMyo. I’ll never abandon you.”
Theodore hugged the growling MyoMyo’s neck tightly. Rage flickered in Gerald’s eyes as he looked at the puppies and kittens on display.
“We should buy out all these pet shops across the Empire.”
“Huh?”
“Really?”
Both Theodore and I looked at him at once at his sudden, grand proposal.
“We must stop people from buying recklessly. Only those who serve at our magical beast farm will be allowed to own them. Only those who are sincere.”
What? This man?
Had he just thought of the modern-day adoption system for pets—or had he been considering it since that day?
“We’ll establish animal hospitals across the Empire. Offer free treatment, but place magic on them so their owners can always be identified.”
“Magic can handle that?”
“That much, yes. And in this Empire, my magic is tolerated to some extent. I am, after all, the one protecting it from the Demon Realm.”
When he had met the former emperor, he had looked quite confident on that point.
“On our way, let’s stop by the beast farm. The large-scale renovations are reported to be complete. I’ll consult with the director. And MyoMyo needs vaccinations as well.”
Theodore and I looked at him in shock. Gerald calmly strode forward.
…Was it just me, or did his shoulders—drooping ever since the dress and jewelry incident—look a little more lifted?
This man… why did he make my heart race again?
Theodore tugged at my skirt. Looking down, I saw him pressing his chin to his chest, cheeks puffed up with a hidden smile.
He must be really happy, trying to suppress his grin.
“Stepmotha, at da beast farm today, can we see MyoMyo’s animal booklet?”
Why did he sound so pleased?
“Of course. I’m excited too. But first, shall we go get your clothes fitted?”
“Yes!”
Theodore grabbed my hand and swung it back and forth.
Shaner’s Atelier
‘What in the world? Of all places, the Grand Duke’s family? And they want to buy out the entire line of children’s uniforms on display?’
Shaner stood gracefully beside Sinclair with a smile.
“Thank you. I will complete them to match Your Grace’s expectations.”
“And these, those, and those—could you make matching sets for my husband and me as well?”
Her eyes widened. She had expected only Theodore’s outfit, but now the Grand Duke and Duchess’s too?
But time was short. Could it be done before the 《Demon Realm Conquest Commemoration Campaign》?
“For His Grace, it’s possible, since the design matches the young master’s. But for Your Grace, as it is a gown… to design, fit, and finish in time…”
“…Are you saying it’s difficult?”
“….”
Shaner stroked her chin with her fingertips.
“We want to attend the campaign’s entrance ceremony, ball, departure, and return in matching outfits as a family.”
“What?”
“And if it recalls the glory of Emperor Julius’s reign, even better.”
At my words, Shaner bit her lip.
It is the first official event since the curse on Schlesien Castle. The Empire’s eyes will certainly be watching.
She looked at Gerald’s statue-like figure by the window, and at Sinclair’s strikingly intelligent beauty.
It was an opportunity—one she couldn’t miss.
Removing the measuring tape from her neck, she strode over to me.
“…I’ll take the challenge. Will you permit it, Your Grace?”
Perfect. I thought she might refuse, but this is Shaner after all.
I raised my arms high.
“Then let’s measure right away.”
Swoosh. Quickly, she pressed the tape around me, scribbling measurements into her notebook.
She would do it. I believed in her skill.
In the original story, she had been Cordelia’s designer. Once a maid of Cordelia’s mother, Cecil Heather, she had quit after marriage, opening a small atelier of her own.
Cecil, who loved her designs and sewing, had always had little Cordelia’s clothes made here.
And when Cordelia debuted in society, Shaner’s reputation had soared.
Her skill was so famous that one had to wait three years for a dress.
Now, my family would wear her creations. My heart raced—it was exhilarating.
That’s how fans are. They want to see scenes from the book, visit similar places. Just as film sets become tourist sites when dramas or movies hit big.
I had only come wishing for Theodore to shine, but her clothes were truly different.
They had looked ordinary in the shop window, but when Theodore wore them, the outfit shimmered with elegance.
Even someone like me, who knew nothing of clothes, could see it.
The patterns themselves were different. Maybe that’s why?
They concealed flaws, and created an air of grace.
Though five-year-old Theodore’s body was still short and stocky, in her clothes he looked like an elegant child with long proportions.
His plump, well-fed arms and legs didn’t look small or weak at all.
“When the clothes are ready in a week, I will personally bring them to the Grand Duke’s residence. I may need to make adjustments on the spot.”
“Then come to the Grand Duke’s residence in the capital.”
“Yes, understood.”
“…That’s alright, isn’t it, Jed?”
“Of course. Any time.”
The corners of his lips were curled all the way to his ears now—as if to say yes to whatever I asked.
Just then, from upstairs, a child with blue hair tied with a white satin ribbon came tumbling down the stairs.
“Shaner! It’s terrible! Shaner!”
We all turned. She looked about Theodore’s age.
“Lady Cordelia!”
At Shaner’s words, my eyes went wide.
Oh my, the heroine herself! And here she was as a regular customer—what luck!
I quickly went up to her.
“What’s the matter, mademoiselle?”
“Our puppy Coco, sob, Coco—”
Crash!
When I looked, Theodore had already scampered upstairs. Cordelia followed, and then Gerald, Shaner, and I rushed after them.
Up on the second floor, a dog’s whimpering could be heard.
Cordelia’s mother, Cecil, was at the window, flustered, until she saw us. Then she pointed outside with a cry.
“Our puppy is stuck in the tree!”
At her words, Theodore instantly leapt out the window.
“Ah! Theo!”
My heart dropped. I ran to the window where Theodore had jumped.
But then Gerald, too, passed me and vanished outside.
What—these men!
I forced strength into my trembling legs and sprinted toward the window.
