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Chapter : 28
“Is This a Parenting Story?”
“Alright. Fine.”
In the end, Estin got the answer he had intended from Miela. But for some reason, the thought of Miela smiling that happily with someone else later made his heart ache.
‘That’s weird. Things went just the way I wanted… so why do I feel so crappy?’
Feeling oddly unsettled, Estin furrowed his brow slightly. The feeling was jealousy—but not even realizing his own heart yet, Estin had no idea what it was.
‘Well, whatever.’
He quickly shook his head to brush it off. He didn’t think it was anything important. Just then, Regina approached them with an amused expression, having overheard their conversation.
“Oh my, a fiancée, huh…”
“Yes, Mother. I want to bring Miela to the duke’s mansion as my fiancée. She’s my savior, after all.”
Although it wasn’t something he had discussed with his mother beforehand, Estin firmly believed she would approve.
And why wouldn’t she? Miela had lifted the curse, saved his life, and was practically the savior of the Baluar family.
“Yes. That’s a good idea.”
As expected, Regina smiled softly and nodded without hesitation. Ordinarily, the idea of bringing a common orphan girl into the duke’s house as a future duchess would be out of the question. But this time was different.
“Let me tell you an old story. Once upon a time, there was a commoner knight with no title. He fell in love with a princess, but they couldn’t be together because of the difference in status. Eventually, though, he achieved great merit in war, was granted a title, and became the princess’s husband.”
“Wow! That sounds like a story from a novel. So romantic!”
Miela clasped her hands and her eyes sparkled as she got immersed in the duchess’s tale.
On the other hand, Estin, who had grown tired of hearing the story countless times before, replied with a flat expression.
“Mother, that’s the story of the first head of House Baluar.”
“That’s right.”
Regina nodded faintly with a smile.
“Do you see why I’m telling you this? It feels like the story from hundreds of years ago is repeating itself. A commoner girl becomes the fiancée of the young duke after helping the ducal house. Even to me, it sounds romantic.”
“L-Lady Regina…!”
Miela was deeply moved. She had been secretly worried that the duchess might not approve of her.
Regina gently patted Miela on the shoulder and rose from her seat.
“Alright then, time to get ready to return to the duke’s mansion. Now that the curse is gone, there’s no reason to stay in this villa any longer. Steward, prepare to clear the villa.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll instruct the staff to pack everything up.”
No sooner had her order been issued than the villa was thrown into a flurry of activity. But Miela was still standing in a daze, unable to believe she was going to be Estin’s fiancée.
“Miela, you need to get ready too.”
Just then, Estin came over and prompted her. Miela turned around with a puzzled look.
“Huh? Me too?”
“Yeah. You’re coming to the duke’s mansion with me, remember?”
“Oh! Right!”
Estin chuckled, finding the suddenly alert Miela rather cute.
“Hold on a sec. I’ll come with the guards and escort you to your house. I’m sure you have things you want to pack.”
“Mm, okay.”
Even though she didn’t own much, she still needed to pack. Most importantly, she wanted to bring her mother’s cherished mementos.
As Miela scurried around the small house, packing up various items, Estin stepped in.
“Wait, Miela. Don’t bring the dishes or clothes.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
Miela turned around, puzzled, with a bundle of worn clothes in her arms. To Estin, they looked like rags unfit even for dusting.
“I’ll buy you new clothes at the duke’s mansion. You’re the future duchess now—you can’t be wearing such tattered stuff.”
“Oh, okay. But why not the dishes…?”
Miela asked as she tightly held a rough, cracked wooden bowl.
“There’s special tableware used at the mansion. I mean, if it’s something special to you, you can bring it.”
“It’s not anything special.”
“Really? Then put it down.”
“Mm, okay.”
As Miela obediently nodded, Estin quietly sighed in relief. If he hadn’t stepped in, she probably would’ve muttered something like ‘What a waste…’ and brought every single worn-out item with her.
‘From now on, I’ll make sure she only uses and wears nice things.’
His heart ached a bit. Just how difficult had her life been that she cherished even broken old things?
‘Thinking about leaving… I feel like I’m going to cry.’
Meanwhile, having packed almost everything, Miela turned to look around her old home one last time.
Though it was run-down and falling apart, it had been her cozy haven for as long as she could remember.
‘I’ve lived here for ten years, since I was born.’
So many memories were wrapped up in this tiny place.
‘I suddenly miss Mom.’
Miela glanced at the old fireplace, full of ash. For a fleeting moment, she could almost taste the apple pie her mother used to bake.
“Ah, if only my daughter had a bit more ambition…”
“What’s ambition, Mom?”
“It’s a word that means desire or a goal for your dreams.”
That conversation from a few years ago flashed through her mind. Stephanie had cut up the pie and handed her a slice as she explained, but at the time, Miela didn’t understand either the word or her mother’s deeper meaning.
“Aha! I have ambition too. I want to bake delicious apple pies like you when I grow up!”
She truly had been a child without a hint of ambition. If Stephanie could see her now, she would be overjoyed.
Her mother had always wished her daughter could live like the heroine of a story. Maybe she would’ve cried tears of joy.
* * *
“Wow! That carriage is huge! Are we riding that all the way to the duke’s mansion?”
The next day, Miela was amazed as she saw the large carriages lined up in front of the villa.
“Of course. But that one is for luggage. The one we’ll be riding is behind it.”
“Wha—really?!”
Miela gasped at the duchess’s explanation. She had thought the one at the back was a house—it was just so large and fancy.
“It takes two days of nonstop travel by carriage to reach the duke’s mansion. Wouldn’t that be too much for Miela? What if we use a magic scroll instead, Mother?”
Estin stepped in between Regina and Miela, suggesting an alternative. He was worried Miela, who had never ridden in a carriage before, might get motion sickness.
But the duchess shook her head, clearly fed up with teleportation spells.
“I already used a few scrolls on the way to find the holy sword and sacred water. That dizzy feeling is much worse than any carriage ride.”
“Well, then I suppose we have no choice. Let’s board, Mother. I’ll sit on the same side as Miela.”
Estin gave up easily. But contrary to his worries, Miela was thrilled about her first carriage journey.
Seated on the plush interior bench, she looked out the window with excitement sparkling in her voice.
“How exciting! Titi, my heart’s pounding! What do you think it’ll feel like when the carriage starts moving?”
“You’re treating this like a theme park ride. It’s not that impressive.”
Estin replied while picking up the small bundle of belongings Miela was hugging tightly.
Finally, the carriage started to move. Miela opened the window and peeked outside, seeing the convoy of carriages and horses ahead. Only then did it truly sink in—she was leaving the village.
“Look over there! How many carriages are there?”
Meanwhile, the villagers, surprised by the unusual sight of so many carriages departing the villa, began to gather in small groups and murmur among themselves.
“What’s going on? Why is everyone gathering?”
Mrs. Martin arrived late, confused by the growing crowd. She had gone to Miela’s house looking to hire her for something urgent, but found the place empty.
“Helley? Where are you coming from?”
“Well, I went to see Miela, but she wasn’t answering the door. Must’ve been sleeping in again! Tsk!”
Just as she was about to start badmouthing the “lazy” girl again, someone peeked out from the window of the grandest carriage at the back of the convoy leaving the village.
