Chapter 16 ….
“Even Kenneth’s carriage—no, it was a duke’s—wasn’t this big.”
The carriage, devoid of any family crest, was massive and magnificent.
It was immediately clear that it belonged to a renowned noble.
Perhaps even wealthier than a duke, or at least as wealthy.
“Am I really going to be the granddaughter of a house like this…?”
What kind of person was Grandmother, exactly?
As the tension gradually turned into nervousness, the procession came to a halt.
Soldiers who had stopped right in front of the cottage quickly dismounted from their horses.
Then, all at once, they approached Olivier and bowed deeply.
“We greet the Lady of the House.”
“No need for formalities.”
But Olivier waved her hand at the soldiers as if annoyed.
At her gesture, the soldiers parted to either side.
“Let’s go, little one.”
Unlike the moment when she had been observing the soldiers, Olivier now looked down at the child with gentle eyes.
The child seemed frozen, likely startled by the sudden appearance of the soldiers.
“Oh my. You look surprised.”
“I-I’m fine.”
Angelica quickly replied.
Although she said she was fine, she was actually quite taken aback.
“Grandmother, you’re even more impressive than I imagined.”
Even though they had spent only a few days together, she felt an unexpected sense of distance.
Still, the warmth of her hand in hers was comforting, and her startled heart slowly calmed.
“No matter who Grandmother is, it doesn’t matter. I’ve decided to follow her anyway.”
“Everyone, fall back.”
Olivier cast a cold gaze at the soldiers who had startled the child and ordered them to retreat.
At her command, the soldiers quickly withdrew, leaving no one in front of Angelica.
Olivier walked toward the carriage, matching her pace with Angelica. A small dog trotted along behind them.
As they approached the carriage, Angelica turned her gaze toward the cottage.
“To be leaving the cottage so soon…”
She felt a pang of regret, but the joy outweighed it.
“This must all be because I chose the farming route, right?”
Otherwise, she would have had to endure another three years of hell.
“But I wonder if the hidden quest isn’t over yet…”
The quest had not updated since instructing her to care for Grandmother for a few more days.
Even though Grandmother had fully recovered, the quest hadn’t been completed.
“Could it be that it only clears after arriving at the new house?”
Just as she turned her head back forward, the door of the enormous carriage opened, and someone stepped out.
A tall man with a sturdy build and striking features.
“Wow…”
Angelica’s mouth fell open in admiration.
Of everyone she had met besides the male leads, he was the most handsome.
No, even more attractive than the male leads.
Jet-black hair of exceptional quality, golden eyes glowing beautifully in the sunset, sharp eyes, and a sculpted nose and jawline.
The man before her seemed like a magnificent predator.
“So handsome… but why do I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere?”
As Angelica tilted her head in curiosity, the man walked steadily to stand before Grandmother. Then his tightly closed lips parted.
“Mother. I’ve come to escort you.”
“I don’t recall asking you to come personally.”
Olivier replied curtly to the man’s words.
“Didn’t I write in the letter? I said to simplify and just send the carriage. Yet not only did you bring along those bothersome things, you come personally?”
Olivier clearly wasn’t pleased with the soldiers and her son showing up.
Surely the villagers nearby must have been startled by the sudden procession of soldiers.
“Because you disappeared for several days without notice, I came personally out of concern.”
Despite Olivier’s sharp words, the man responded calmly without changing his expression.
Meanwhile, Angelica couldn’t help but watch their faces, regardless of the conversation.
“No wonder he looks familiar! They have the same eye color! And the sharpness of their eyes is identical!”
She felt as if she had made a remarkable discovery.
“Grandmother’s hair is now silvery with age, but it must have been black when she was young.”
Thinking of Grandmother with black hair, she realized the man standing before her was the spitting image.
No doubt, Grandmother must have made many people cry when she was young, regardless of gender or age.
Even this man standing before her now proved that.
Angelica tugged at the corners of her mouth, trying to suppress a smile.
Seeing such a handsome man after so long naturally lifted her spirits.
“Being handsome really is the best!”
Just watching him made her happy and she didn’t tire of it.
Moreover, this man was Grandmother’s son, meaning he would be family.
“To think I could see that handsome face every day…”
The thought alone brought her joy.
As she smiled, staring at him, their eyes met.
Though it lasted only a few seconds, she could tell something from that gaze.
Clearly, he didn’t like her. In fact, he disliked her.
His gaze was cold and unwelcoming.
“…Well, if I were in his position, I wouldn’t be pleased either.”
Angelica lowered her head, feeling bitter.
She noticed her own shabby state: dirt smeared on her body and clothes nearly worn through.
She brushed off the dirt from her clothes.
Seeing the man, the carriage, and the soldiers made her feel inadequate.
“I have nothing… Am I really supposed to follow Grandmother?”
Shaking off the thought, she resolved:
“No. I won’t get intimidated! It’ll be fine. Grandmother said she’ll protect me.”
Under Grandmother’s protection, she would focus on farming! And once she became an adult, she would become independent.
Her goal was to become a prosperous farmer!
Angelica made a firm resolution.
“What were you doing in a place like this? And who is this child…?”
The man’s eyes turned sharp as he asked Angelica.
Olivier smiled brightly and replied:
“She will be my granddaughter.”
At her words, the man—Adrian—narrowed his brow.
“Your granddaughter?”
“Yes.”
Again, his gaze shifted to Angelica.
Meeting his eyes, Angelica quickly looked away.
“So scary! Just staring like that!”
For a moment, she felt as though a predator might devour her.
It wasn’t hard to understand his feelings.
Her mother suddenly brought a dirty child and declared her as a granddaughter—of course he would feel resentment.
Angelica wondered if she should insist on staying at the cottage instead.
However, the man unexpectedly nodded.
“…Understood.”
It felt strange to see someone who clearly disliked her nod obediently.
“What? Is he just saying ‘understood’ now in front of Grandmother, only to betray me later?”
Just as her imagination ran wild, Olivier’s voice called:
“Rica, get on.”
“Yes, yes.”
“Still, it’s fine because Grandmother is here…”
Angelica held Grandmother’s hand tightly and climbed into the carriage with her.
Inside, the carriage was as spacious as it appeared from outside.
Softly glowing magical lamps hung from the high ceiling, keeping it bright.
“Now, sit down.”
Olivier took a seat and placed Angelica beside her.
“So soft.”
Most carriage seats were hard and uncomfortable, but this one was different.
Its material was plush, almost enveloping her body.
Realizing she might be sitting too comfortably, she straightened her back, only to hear Grandmother’s amused voice beside her.
“It’s fine to lean back comfortably.”
Finally, Angelica relaxed into the seat.
The backrest and seat were so soft that it felt like sitting on a cloud.
As she enjoyed the comfort, the dog jumped onto her lap with a plop.
Angelica petted its fur.
The carriage door closed, and she heard someone taking a seat across from her.
