I Married Because I Wanted To Live A Normal Life - Chapter 57

Underneath the dazzling chandelier, the liquid in the glass, resembling sparkling champagne bubbles, shimmered and reflected the light.

I kept pondering, moving the glass around to observe its sparkle, going back and forth with my thoughts. Finally, in the midst of my swirling thoughts, I came to a conclusion and suddenly lifted my head.

Hisch, who had momentarily glanced elsewhere, turned his gaze back and looked at me with a bashful expression.

“What is it, Liddell?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. You just look so elegant.”

In response to my sincere words, Hisch chuckled awkwardly and thanked me. Well, he seemed to think it was just empty words, but I was serious in my own way.

Honestly, it seemed like there was no one as handsome as the man in front of me in this party venue. I knew it was a ridiculously exaggerated thought, to the point where someone might suggest I visit an eye clinic.

But still… Wait a minute. Even objectively speaking, there might be someone with slightly exotic features or well-placed facial features compared to Hisch. But isn’t true handsomeness something that emerges from the overall composition?

If we consider it that way, it feels like there’s no one like my husband in the whole world…

Moreover, isn’t the outfit he is wearing today somewhat sophisticated? The elegant attire befitting his neat appearance made me feel a sense of pride, thinking that for once, I made a reasonable expenditure.

In response to my words, Hisch continued to speak with his ever-smiling, youthful face.

“No. It’s you who is truly… so beautiful.”

“Those words are truly accurate.”

Without even being asked, Sir Roelich, who was by our side, suddenly interjected. It seems he wanted to pay compliments to someone he admires.

By the way, he is participating in the party today not as us couple’s escort but instead is filling in for his big brother, the head of the Roelich. It’s a rare occasion, and he should enjoy himself, yet he remains faithfully by our side like a knight.

“Thank you for saying that.”

Well, although I knew it was just lip service, it didn’t feel bad to hear it from people I’m close to.

… Maybe if Sein were here, he would go crazy saying that he got goosebumps. I should save all my witty remarks for when he’s not around.

As I was contemplating whether to playfully tease Sir Roelich by smudging his pristine face, I noticed a man walking briskly towards us from behind Hisch’s shoulder.

His steps were hurried, but the man had a smile on his face.

“Baron! To think I’d meet you here.”

Some people turned their attention to the man with a loud voice.

Somehow, his face seemed familiar. As soon as I realized it, I quickly smiled and greeted the man.

“Viscount Solter. It’s the first time we’re actually meeting, right?”

He was someone who owned a territory near Windsor. The man showed a great reaction when I correctly guessed his identity even before the introduction. Well, it’s only natural to have the name and appearance of someone of interest stored in one’s mind.

“Haha! Ah, but I should introduce myself to your husband, shouldn’t I? Oh, no. I mean, I should speak first.”

His attitude was very polite, completely different from the demeanor conveyed through his representative to Sein. And since I had a feeling I knew why this change in attitude had occurred, I quietly followed his lead.

Viscount Solter introduced himself to Hisch with a courteous manner, just as he did to me. It was to the point where Hisch seemed unsure of how to react.

“Your husband is truly an exceptional individual!”

Indeed, it seemed I wasn’t the only one who thought that way. I smiled with satisfaction. And perhaps realizing that his flattery was well received by my reaction, the man also let out a subtle laugh.

“By the way, Baron. Thank you for considering the Windsor deal this time.”

“Ah.”

It seemed that the letter I had sent to Sein had arrived at each territory quite promptly.

Especially when I received reports from Sein that Windsor was being oppressed by the surrounding territories at first.

Their behavior was suspicious, and I felt annoyed by the fact that they would easily change their attitudes whenever something happened. So I sought a more stable trading partner.

One of the promising options was a territory near Windsor, where the Duke’s maternal relatives resided, and the other party gladly accepted my proposal as it opened up new business opportunities.

After seeing their previous attitudes, it seemed unnecessary to grant such privileges to the vassals, and in addition, the territories that had been trading with Windsor before were once again pleading for an opportunity. That’s why I instructed Sein to handle the situation carefully.

I could easily gauge the thoughts of the lords who had regained the opportunity just by looking at the man in front of me.

It was as if his face sparkled, saying, ‘We’ve been waiting. This time, we’ll serve you properly.’

“Well, to be honest, how long have the trades with Windsor and Solter been going on for?”

“For quite some time.”

“I hope we can build a good trust that will last in this relationship.”

“Of course we would.”

The man spoke confidently. Well, considering the ridiculous price they demanded for the minerals and the audacity of refusing to sell, I had no intention of even sparing a thought for those stingy individuals as long as I was alive.

As I made my resolve and received both blatant flattery and obvious hints, one by one, the main players of the party began to make their appearance.

When the name of a certain Count from the southern region, whom I was familiar with, was mentioned, Viscount Solter gave me a wry smile and sought my permission to leave first.

“Well then, Baron, and your husband, I hope you have a pleasant evening. Please do visit our territory sometime as well. Although the specialty of the territory near the mine may simply be processed minerals, we also have delicious wine in our territory.”

The man gave a friendly wink and left the place as it was.

I glanced around at the nobles who had been eavesdropping on our conversation since earlier and smiled. As a result, they all coughed and averted their gazes.

I was well aware of my reputation in high society. Therefore, it was somewhat amusing to see the surprised expressions of those who were taken aback by Viscount Solter’s submissive attitude towards me, as they tried to hide their astonishment.

Meanwhile, Hisch, who had been smiling like a painting, let out a deep sigh as soon as the man left, as if relieved of tension.

“Hisch.”

“Yes…?”

I spoke to the man who suddenly became tense again, with a serious expression on my face.

“See? My eyes didn’t deceive me. You’re impressive too, aren’t you?”

“Liddell…”

At the moment when Hisch let out a sigh-like laughter, the hotel doorman ^[1] announced in a loud voice the names of the most talked-about figures at today’s party.

“The little Duke and Duchess of Levitea are entering!”

The murmurs from the audience spread in an instant as everyone’s heads turned. In fact, even I momentarily looked towards the entrance.

That’s to be expected. While I’ve seen Alan’s face a couple of times, Violet, the female protagonist whom I, as a reader, felt closest to throughout the novel, was practically seeing her for the first time today.

The two individuals who appeared were dressed in extravagant attire, and their appearances were equally stunning.

Especially Violet, who wore a purple dress that perfectly matched her light pink hair, was incredibly beautiful. She had a happy expression as she smiled at those surrounding her.

Seeing that sight, my heart fluttered anew.

So the novel really ended, and the main characters got married.

They went through all those ups and downs and finally reached a happy ending, that’s what it was.

“Is this my own epilogue…?”

“What?”

In truth, I have almost forgotten the details of <I Picked Up My Husband> by now. I can barely recall the main characters’ backgrounds or major events.

However, <People of Levitea> was a series of novels. I witnessed the beginning of that family, followed the story of their son, the romance of their granddaughter, and even the marriage of their great-grandson. I’ve read it all.

To actually encounter characters that I lived with in the story for a long time gave me a strange feeling.

But that impression didn’t last long.

In the end, I can only view them from a distance like this, as my life and theirs have no significant intersection unless something extraordinary happens.

Well, as a high noble myself and considering they are as well, we can exchange greetings on such formal occasions, of course.

Just like I have my own small territory, my people, and family. They must have something of their own that they have built up until now.

Even if there is no mention of Liddell Catlan or Hisch Riot in the novel, their own stories have filled more than 600,000 words.

‘It was only then that I finally realized that perhaps I would no longer be involved as a Lord.’

I wonder if what Sir Edwin said to me was this kind of feeling. I can’t be certain, but it’s like this unshakable intuition that doesn’t seem likely to change.

Furthermore, having confirmed that the content of <I Picked Up My Husband> has come to a perfect conclusion, it appeared even more so that there would be no point of contact between the protagonists and me as the reader and a person who was transmigrated.

With that thought in mind, as if observing the final growth ending of a well-raised game character, I took Violet in with my eyes and soon turned my head.

No, I tried to turn my head.

If only I hadn’t met Violet’s purple eyes.

Her pupils dilated in an instant, as if she was looking at something she shouldn’t or wasn’t supposed to, not directly towards us, though.

At that moment, Alan and Violet’s figures were obscured by the people surrounding them.

… What was that just now? I glanced behind me.

“… Could there have been a ghost behind us?”

“I didn’t sense anything like that.”

A loyal knight, who didn’t seem to appreciate jokes, reported to me in a respectful tone. Hmm… Thank you for checking.