#8

Three months had already passed since Scandia arrived in the North.

For an envoy delivering a message from the Imperial family, she had stayed quite a long time.

And in that time, many things had happened.

The first was the monster hunt, a regular event hosted by House Voreoti.

‘That crazy old man was hiding his skills all along.’

Leonia, who joined the hunt, called her father “old man” for the first time in ages, showing her disapproval.

At the time, Ferio’s Fangs of the Beast were weakened due to Varia’s pregnancy. And yet, he displayed more skill than ever.

‘Seriously, what a jerk.’

Leonia was annoyed. The goal she had to surpass had just grown even more formidable.

Still, her competitive spirit was also stirred, and she hunted monsters with more vigor than ever before.

‘...Doesn’t this feel like we’re just reaping the rewards?’

‘Kind of does.’

‘No, it’s not a feeling—it’s the truth.’

Thanks to that, the accompanying Gladiago Knights completed the mission more easily than ever before. That year’s monster hunt set a record for the shortest time in history.

The second event was the Crown Prince’s investiture, which came much sooner than expected.

As soon as the Voreoti father and daughter finished the hunt, they departed straight for the capital. Despite the tight schedule, it was manageable because, like last time, they passed through the Gate connected to the Imperial Palace.

Prince Chrisetos’s investiture was conducted in a solemn atmosphere.

Wearing a crown and a golden cape, Chrisetos bore a devout expression.

Leonia, watching from the side, slightly raised the corners of her mouth. It was the first time she had seen the prince so serious, and he looked very much like Scandia. Indeed, siblings were siblings.

Leonia thought that if Chrisetos became Emperor in the future, she might give him just a little bit of her loyalty.

‘He’s going to be my future brother-in-law anyway.’

As long as he didn’t mess with House Voreoti, a peaceful ruler-subject relationship seemed possible.

The third event was the succession of the Marquisate of Hesperi by Empress Tigria.

The Crown Prince’s investiture marked the Empress’s final duty as regent.

After the ceremony, Empress Tigria returned to her family in the West, resumed her maiden name Hesperi, and inherited the title from her father.

She also married Ibex, her long-time lover.

The new Marchioness of Hesperi then announced a shocking truth: she was pregnant, and the father of the child was Ibex.

The Empress’s bombshell rocked the Empire.

Some condemned her for committing adultery while the Emperor was alive. Others defended her, saying the Emperor had concubines too, so what was the problem?

Surprisingly, public opinion leaned more toward the latter.

It showed just how °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° unforgivable the late Emperor had been, even after death—and how much people recognized the Empress’s efforts for the Empire.

As a result, only Crown Prince Chrisetos remained in the palace. With no Emperor or Empress above him, and no siblings below,

he naturally became Emperor.

That was the fourth and final event: Chrisetos’s ascension to the throne.

And all of these were the reason why Scandia had no choice but to remain in the North.

Officially, Scandia was a princess of Imperial blood, a woman who had supposedly died en route to marriage.

What would happen if such a princess suddenly came back to life?

And on top of that, if the truth were revealed—that she was actually a man and not of royal blood at all?

Emperor Chrisetos would suffer a major blow, and his legitimacy would be shaken. The Marchioness of Hesperi would also be heavily criticized.

Even in the West, Scandia’s true identity was still a secret. She was known only as a member of a branch of the Hesperi family.

That’s why Scandia was in hiding in the North.

***

Lately, Varia often sat in the rocking chair by the fireplace.

As winter passed, her belly had grown quite large.

Now, she wasn’t just uncomfortable—staying still itself was exhausting and difficult. Her whole body was swollen, to the point where her wedding ring no longer fit.

For Varia, the rocking chair had become the ultimate place of rest.

It was a gift from Ferio. In fact, it had belonged to Varia’s maternal grandmother, whom she had loved dearly. Ferio had sent someone personally to retrieve it from her mother’s side.

Varia had burst into tears, and Ferio had quietly handed her a handkerchief.

‘...Wow.’

Watching this emotional moment from the side, Leonia had worn a rather unimpressed expression.

‘So planned.’

Ferio had long regretted not giving Varia a handkerchief when she cried the first time they met.

He used this opportunity to redeem himself for that.

Leonia saw right through him and was dumbfounded, but seeing how happy Varia was, she couldn’t bring herself to complain. Ferio’s effort for Varia was sincere, so she let it go.

Since then, the rocking chair had become Varia’s precious treasure.

She read books there or made up for lost sleep at night.

Today, too, Varia was reading, a warm cup of milk at her side. She was just a little upset that her husband and daughter had gone to the capital without her, but she was enjoying a peaceful moment for the first time in a long while.

Thinking back, she realized she had never experienced this kind of calm peace before in her life.

But Varia wasn’t alone.

“Duchess.”

At the sound of her name, Varia closed the book she had been reading.

“Your Highness.”

Varia greeted her with a bright smile. Because she welcomed her so warmly, Scandia smiled as well.

“Just now, the Voreoti carriage passed through the Gate.”

A knight who had accompanied the beastly father and daughter had arrived ahead of them and delivered the news.

“They’re finally here!”

Varia pushed aside the blanket on her lap and stood up. Scandia quickly approached to support her.

“Are you feeling well?”

“You asked me that this morning too.”

Every time Varia spoke, the color in her cheeks moved vividly.

“I’m so grateful that Your Highness has stayed with me.”

If she had been alone in the mansion, she would have surely been lonely. She’d missed her husband and daughter’s bickering more than once.

But Scandia had kept her company and soothed her heart. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

“I should be the one apologizing.”

“Oh my, why?”

“For staying here like an unwelcome guest...”

“Why would you say such a thing!”

Varia shook her head as if to scold her.

To Scandia, Varia seemed just like Leonia.

“Your Highness is the one our daughter loves. So you’re practically family. Not to mention, you're the godparent of our ‘Muscley’.”

“The Duke won’t be happy to hear that.”

Ferio still reacted sensitively whenever someone mentioned Scandia as the godparent of their second child.

“My husband’s a bit dramatic.”

Telling her not to worry, Varia gently held Scandia’s hand. She liked Scandia’s hands. That roughness, unique to those who wield swords, reminded her of her husband and daughter.

“Oh, I misspoke just now.”

Varia quickly corrected herself.

“We’re already family.”

Scandia’s lips parted slightly. But soon, she shyly lowered her head.

“Thank you for thinking that way.”

A bashful response. Varia could see why Leonia liked Scandia so much. A kind-hearted and gentle warrior like him was as rare and precious as her husband.

She was truly glad her daughter had someone good by her side.

The two headed to the entrance hall to greet the returning beastly pair. Scandia adjusted her pace to match Varia’s.

‘She walks fast.’

One thing she had learned while living together—Varia walked surprisingly quickly. It was a habit from her days working in the Imperial Treasury.

Ferio often nagged her to walk more carefully because of it.

“Madam,”

Scandia watched her step down the stairs and said,

“Please feel free to address me casually.”

Marriage between House Voreoti and the Imperial family had long been forbidden. Ever since Scandia began to grow conscious of Leonia, that restriction had been a burden on his heart.

Even if he wasn’t truly the Emperor’s child, he had grown up as a princess, and he couldn’t exactly reveal his real self openly either.

But not anymore.

There was no longer a need to be bound by the Imperial family.

“You can call me by my name.”

When he told her it was okay to call him “Scandia,” Varia’s eyes widened.

“Isn’t that a nickname only our Leo can use?”

“My family all call me Scandia.”

It was a gesture in return for Varia having called him family earlier. Varia, catching on, smiled brightly. Her careful steps even quickened in joy.

“Then you should call me Varia too!”

When you marry Leo later, you’ll have to call me “Mother,” so please use my name until then, she added.

“...Yes.”

Scandia’s voice lowered a little, but his face wore a soft smile.

Their conversations were always warm and gentle like this.

And the servants watching them always wore soft expressions.

‘This is such a peaceful moment.’

‘So heartwarming...’

‘How can it be this cozy?’

Warmth like this was rare in House Voreoti.

Of course, when Leonia first arrived as a child, she brought warmth with her too. But the cheerful happiness of the baby beast was slightly different.

The warmth created by Varia and Scandia was like dipping freshly baked bread into warm milk, or sinking your whole body into a bath filled with fragrant bath salts.

The servants caring for them always looked relaxed and melted.

‘Milady truly found a good match.’

Kara was greatly relieved. The ill-tempered masters of this house seemed to have extraordinary luck with spouses.

The always-worried butler quietly removed his glasses and discreetly wiped away a tear from his wrinkled eye.

And a moment later...

“Waaah, we’re finally home!”

“My ears are going to burst.”

“Why are you blaming me for your old man ears?”

“Your father is still in his early thirties.”

“So, old.”

“...Let’s see if you don’t age too, Leonia.”

“Even if I do, I’ll still be younger than you!”

“You never back down from an argument.”

The big black beast patted the chatty baby beast on the back.

“Mom! Boom-Boom!”

Spotting the two waiting to greet them, Leonia grinned wide and waved both hands high.

“I’m home!”