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Chapter 31
Elia was finally free. After spending days holed up in her room to avoid him, she could finally get some fresh air.
“Oh, what a breeze.”
[It’s been so long since I’ve felt the wind.]
Even Ga-ji seemed to be feeling a bit cooped up.
Elia went to the training grounds where the knights were practicing. Watching them was the most fun thing to do. She happily made her way to the grounds, holding a basket of snacks that Mary had packed for her.
“Mister Dmitry!”
As Elia waved with a bright smile, Dmitry, who was standing on a platform directing the training, leaped down and rushed over to her.
“My Lady! It’s been so long!”
“I missed you, Mister.”
Dmitry picked Elia up and hugged her. She giggled.
“Mister, your snacks are going to fall.”
Elia pointed at the basket, and Dmitry carefully put her down.
“Mary made a lot of them for you and the other knights.”
“Oh, how thoughtful of her.”
Campbell, who had subtly approached, pulled a cookie from the basket and took a bite. “This is really delicious, my lady. I’m touched.”
“Right? I told you they were really tasty. You should all have some.”
Elia handed a cookie to each of the knights. They happily ate them, praising how delicious they were and thanking her for bringing them.
“Elie, where’s mine?”
Alexis, who had arrived without anyone noticing, held out his hand.
“Of course you have some, My Lord. Here!”
She had set aside a special one for Alexis.
“What? The Lord’s is the only one in a pretty package?”
Elia put her hands on her hips and said matter-of-factly, “Of course. The Lord is the best in the castle.”
Alexis looked at the knights. “You hear that?”
“Oh, what an unfair world!” Dmitry clucked his tongue.
“Are you complaining, Dmitry?”
“When I die and am reborn, I’ll definitely be born as a duke.”
“If only that were possible.”
As they exchanged silly jokes and laughed, time flew by.
“Elie, there’s something I want to talk to you about. Let’s go to my office.”
Alexis had a serious look on his face, which was unlike him. Elia followed him to his office.
“What do you want to talk about, My Lord?”
“Elie, I have a proposition for you.”
“A proposition?”
She asked just in case. “If it’s about adoption…”
Alexis looked at Elia with a smile. “For me to protect you as your guardian, there needs to be a tangible connection between us.”
“A connection?”
“Yes, because as things are now, you and I are strangers.”
Even though Elia was staying at the ducal residence, she was just a guest. She wasn’t an official member of the ducal family.
“I may be your guardian, but you know I can’t always be by your side, right?”
Elia nodded.
“If you become a member of this family, you’ll have the authority to command the knights. You’ll also be able to choose your own escort among the family’s knights.”
Only then did she understand. It meant that the current Elia did not have the authority to command the ducal family’s people. Alexis was protecting her as her guardian, but what about when he wasn’t there? She couldn’t help but think about that possibility.
“And most importantly, you have several plans to help the family prosper.”
Alexis’s blue eyes curved into crescent moons. His eyes held an infinite trust in Elia. Alexis opened his mouth.
“Become a member of this family, and you’ll be able to do what you want more smoothly. For example, you could use the family seal.”
His words resonated with her.
“I’ll be going to the capital soon. I might not be able to return for a long time.”
“Then…”
“I need someone to manage the family with Norman in my place. It would be difficult for Norman alone.”
“Are you sure you’re okay with adopting me, My Lord?”
“Of course, I am, Elie. I want to.”
As Alexis said, there was a lot to be done. Some things might require the ducal family’s seal.
“Okay, I’ll be adopted by you.”
She didn’t want to repeat her past mistakes. She already had too many regrets. She had decided to protect the ducal family and all the people who died unfairly in this life.
Alexis stroked Elia’s head. “Let’s do this, Elie.”
“You too, My Lord.”
“But My Lord, you’re going to regret this.”
“Why?”
“You’re still unmarried, but you’ll have a daughter. People might not look upon that favorably.”
“I’m used to a lot of scrutiny. Let them talk all they want. I did this because I wanted to, so what does it matter what anyone says? And you don’t have to worry because that’s for me to deal with. I’m quite strong, you know.”
Alexis looked funny as he flexed his arm and said that. Elia was deeply touched by Alexis’s warm words.
Alexis called Norman to his office.
“Norman, I’ve decided to adopt Elie.”
Norman didn’t look surprised at all. It was as if he had expected it.
“You’re not surprised.”
“I expected it.”
“Really?”
Ever since Elia began to get deeply involved in the ducal family’s affairs, Norman had anticipated this. That Elia might become a member of the ducal family.
“I knew that you would one day make this decision, My Lord.”
“I thought you would try to stop me.”
No one knew the ducal family better than Norman. He had worked in this household since the previous head of the family.
“I would have followed it even if the former head of the family had made that decision.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, and I believe it’s right that the young lady should be protected by the ducal family.”
Elia was only seven years old. It would be bad for her reputation for her to stay at the ducal residence for so long without any reason. It would also lead to gossip about someone who was not related to the ducal family handling their affairs.
“I believe everyone in the ducal family would think the same thing.”
“I see.”
Even Norman probably didn’t expect Elia to stay at the ducal residence for so long and get so deeply involved. He had simply thought of her as a passing acquaintance. But at some point, Elia had found a place deep in his heart. Whenever the lovely little lady ran around the ducal residence, the grim place felt a little brighter. He felt that if Elia were to disappear, the grim atmosphere would return, and he would miss the moments they had shared.
A little while later, Elia’s adoption process was completed smoothly. The fact that he was unmarried was a concern, but Alexis’s strong request was accepted, and approval was granted in no time.
“Elie, look at this. The Imperial Family has sent the approval document.”
Alexis called Elia into his office and showed her the approval document with the imperial seal on it.
“Now you can use the name Cartelani, too.”
The feeling was strange.
‘I’m a Cartelani.’
It was something she had never thought about.
“Elia Ivan Cartelani, that’s your name now, Elie.”
“You seem happier than I do, My Lord.”
“I am, truly.”
“You’re happy about becoming a father at such a young age?”
“I look forward to the day you call me Father, Elie.”
It was something she couldn’t understand. Elia Ivan Cartelani. Her heart was pounding. It was a mix of emotions, both good and thrilling. Elia’s hands trembled as she held the adoption approval document.
“Let’s have a party today.”
“A party?”
“Of course we have to have a party. It’s the day you officially became my daughter.”
Alexis, looking overjoyed, called for Norman. “Norman, let’s gather everyone in the ducal family for a party today. It’s the day Elie officially became a duchess, so we should celebrate, shouldn’t we?”
“Yes, My Lord.”
Norman looked at Elia and smiled. “Congratulations, My Lady.”
“Thank you.”
She lowered her head, feeling a little shy.
On this day, Elia received congratulations in the mansion’s hall from the members of the Iron Eagle Knights and all the household staff, including Mary. Felix and Jasper also happily congratulated her.
Wearing a pretty dress and receiving congratulations from everyone, Elia savored the happy moment. She wished it would be a moment that would never end.
