Matchmaking Baby Sister - Chapter 23

His parents have arraged marriage. After giving birth to him, the two had their own lover. The man wasn’t too sad about it either.

 

‘Every aristocrat is like this.’

 

He hides his inner feelings from others and shows a moderately friendly side. No matter what the inside, he just had to look like the nicest person in the world, the happiest person on the outside.

 

“Ariel!!”

 

To him, her appearance was a shock. It’s surprising enough that a baby fell from the sky, but a young woman chased after her and climbed down, holding onto the railing of the window.

 

‘Who is that woman?’

 

The man who faced this strange scene for the first time in his life felt a burning thirst.

 

* * *

 

Lucinda sighed as she watched from behind as Tessa entered the ballroom with Amelia.

 

‘I was really surprised.’

 

Today, no, she doesn’t know how many emotions came and went in this short time. Lucinda ruffled her messy hair.

 

‘I wonder if I did something wrong.’

 

Lucinda looked down at the simple dress she was wearing. Although Ariel still can’t speak properly, she could notice Ariel’s reaction in the waiting room.

 

‘Ariel cried.’

 

Was she embarrassed because she was shabby?

 

The worries she had when she entered the Imperial Palace came to Lucinda’s mind again. Lucinda bit her lower lip.

 

‘I thought of Ariel in my own way, so I dressed up like this on purpose.’

 

In fact, it wasn’t that she didn’t have a dress to wear.

 

She doesn’t know who gave it to her, but in a large box that was secretly lying in Lucinda’s room, there were beautiful dresses, accessories, and shoes that a noble girl would wear.

 

‘Who sent it?’

 

Lucinda didn’t think of wearing a pretty dress. The moment she saw the beautiful coral off-the-shoulder dress, she was blown away.

 

‘But I can’t take care of Ariel wearing that.’

 

How can she hold a baby in high shoes? What does she do if a chunky necklace and earrings hurt the baby’s soft cheeks?

 

‘I’m in the Imperial Palace because of Ariel, and I’m being treated with respect because of it. I must not forget that fact.’

 

The simple gray dress she wore was a symbol of that determination.

 

‘But even His Majesty said that it would be better to come out dressed up again.’

 

He seemed to be saying she was wrong. Lucinda was sullen.

 

It was then, Madame Fenrir, who was walking with the help of a maid, opened her mouth.

 

“You are a baron.”

 

“Yes, Madame Fenrir.”

 

She said as she fixed her crooked glasses. Perhaps it was because she had put too much of her heart into the incident, her voice had no energy now.

 

“How can you act so recklessly? In the future, this will never be the case. You could get hurt, and the princess could get hurt too.”

 

“Ah… … .”

 

How is she supposed to answer?

 

After hesitating for a moment, Lucinda asked in a cautious tone.

 

“… … Are you okay, madame?”

 

“Hmm.”

 

For a moment at her question, Madame Fenrir was silent. However, that made her wonder if she had misunderstood.

 

She continued,

 

“According to His Majesty’s words, please make sure you are neatly dressed again. Today is also the ceremony for conferment of your title.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Lucinda quietly bowed her head. Madame Fenrir left with the support of one of her maids. It was the same with her. She had to push her body and mind to move.

 

Creak.

 

The terrace door was closed. At that sound, Lucinda suddenly raised her head. In front of the door, the man who had helped Amelia earlier was standing with a smile on his face.

 

‘Who is he avain?’

 

Was it because she was too preoccupied?

 

She heard the man’s name, but she couldn’t remember it. When Lucinda lightly frowned, the man said in a soft tone.

 

“Madame Fenrir has lost a child. It was an accident.”

 

“Huh?”

 

It was an unexpected story. Lucinda blinked. Baron Pietro lowered his slightly drooping eyes and continued.

 

“It is a famous story in the high society. The child just fell from the second floor window and broke his neck. It was an unfortunate accident.”

 

“Ah… … .”

 

That’s why she was so surprised when Ariel fell out the window. Lucinda then understood Madame Fenrir, who was reacting too violently.

 

‘She’s also a warmer person than she looks.’

 

Lucinda bit her lower lip. It was then.

 

Baron Pietro strode towards her.

 

“The mean people ridiculed when she become His Majesty’s etiquette teacher. But no matter what wealth and glory they enjoy, they can’t never soothe the heart of a mother who has lost her child.”

 

The next words were about Madame Fenrir, but it was her that his pale green eyes were staring at. It was then that Lucinda realized that she was alone with a strange man in the place and was nervous.

 

“Thank you for letting me know.”

 

Taking a step back, she added in a soft but firm tone.

 

“But I don’t think Madame Fenrir would like what you know now.”

 

“…You are kind.”

 

At Lucinda’s reply, Baron Pietro’s eyes softened. He reached out his hand, politely bowing to Lucinda.

 

“Let me introduce myself again. I am Baron Pietro. What is the lady’s name?”

 

“… … .”

 

Lucinda hesitated a little. The many experiences the young lady had to go through while living alone in the world brought her awareness.

 

‘But this is the Imperial Palace.’

 

And now she was a full-fledged noblr. She slowly reached out to Baron Pietro.

 

“I am Lucinda. Today, I will receive my surname.”

 

Baron Pietro took her hand softly and kissed the back of her hand. Lucinda, feeling somewhat embarrassed, quickly pulled out her hand and said in a low voice.

 

“Thank you so much for today.”

 

What would have happened if he hadn’t grabbed Ariel? She didn’t want to even imagine.

 

At Lucinda’s greeting, Baron Pietro smiled brightly.

 

“I did nothing. Rather, Lady was brave.”

 

“I don’t even know how I could do that either.”

 

When she saw it now, the window from which she jumped was quite high.

 

No matter how confident she was, she wouldn’t do it when she was in her right mind.

 

‘Before, I couldn’t see anything but Ariel…’

 

Baron Pietro looked at the shy Lucinda with very warm eyes.

 

“I hope to see you again next time.”

 

He wanted to hear more of her story.

 

* * *

 

The ballroom was very glamorous. People in beautiful colorful clothes greeted me and Tessa with respect.

 

‘Wow, great.’

 

The scene with so many people bowing towards me made my heart pound. Tessa hugged me, walked through the crowd, and climbed to the highest podium.

 

“Everyone, raise your head.”

 

At Tessa’s words, everyone stood up and turned to Tessa and me.

 

‘Wow.’

 

I opened my mouth wide. Pupu, who had disappeared, reappeared and smiled.

 

[Isn’t this all thanks to Pupu, who is smart and cute and does it all by himself?!]

 

‘What do you mean? Go away, you cat.’

 

[I’m not a cat!]

 

When Pupu, who was angry at my words, came closer, Tessa reached out and grabbed Pupu’s neck.

 

[?!]

 

Pupu, who had never been held by a human hand, was startled and began to hiccup. Strange things have happened since then.

 

When Tessa grabbed Pupu, Pupu’s appearance began to be visible to everyone.

 

“Hey, that’s the princess’s familiar.”

 

“It was true.”

 

“Don’t you think it resembles His Majesty’s familiar?”

 

“Wings like bats… … .”

 

The murmur of the people spread through the ballroom. Pupu, who suddenly got everyone’s attention, hiccuped over and over again.

 

[Hiccup! hiccup!]

 

Only me and tessa had only seen it so far, so Pupu wasn’t used to other people’s eyes. I laughed out loud seeing Pupu.

 

“Pup, Rapapa.” (Pupu, that’s funny.)

 

[Hiccup! hiccup!]

 

Pupu, who would normally growl at me, was quiet today. Tessa put Pupu, who had been caught by him, right next to me.

 

“Oh my, it’s lovely.”

 

“It’s cute.”

 

It was a combination of a baby with wide eyes and a cat with light blue fur, so it was obvious how cute the scene would be.

 

Tessa said in a solemn voice.

 

“My niece, the only daughter of the great Emperor Lloyd, I will give the castle of Illuminas to Amelia and seal her as the first princess of this country.”

 

After Tessa said that, the priest who was waiting in advance from the other side came carrying an elegant tiara symbolizing the princess on a cushion.

 

“God bless the future of Princess Amelia.”

 

When the priest opened the holy water and tried to spray it on my forehead, Pupu started to fight.

 

[Nyaan! I hate water! I hate it!]

 

Of course, the rebellion only received Tessa’s glance.

 

“… … .”

 

[No, no, no.]

 

Now it tried to act like a gentle cat.

 

“Ariel.”

 

Tessa’s hands were so big that the tiara looked like a small brooch. He held the tiara in one hand and put it over my head.

 

‘I think this is too big.’

 

Perhaps because I was young, the tiara on my head was heavy. As I frowned at my discomfort and awkwardness, Tessa said in a blunt tone.

 

“It will fit you soon. The children of the Illuminas grow up quickly.”

 

I blinked my eyes. Eyes of the same color as mine were staring at me.

 

‘Strange.’

 

Although seemingly blunt, his affection towards his family at first glance was as sweet as sugar.

 

“Papa.”

 

I opened my mouth and called for Tessa. Instead of answering, Tessa responded to me with a slight frown. I laughed bashfully.

 

“Papa, lwike!”

 

Tessa’s eyes widened slightly at my words.

 

I smiled softly and thought.

 

‘He seems like a weak man towards his beloved.’

 

If Tessa was only kind to me, what could be the reason? Of course it’s because of my father.

 

‘Let’s live happily with me, uncle.’

 

Leave Lucinda alone.

 

I thought to myself.

 

The only being who could read my mind, Pupu pouted his lips.

 

[You don’t know what the world is all about. hiccup!]

 

‘How about you deal with your hiccups first?’

 

I made Pupu quiet.

 

* * *

 

After the ceremony, the ball began. Since Tessa couldn’t hold me all the time, she handed me over to Alexander.

 

‘Ah, Alexander is the best.’

 

This warm and stable feeling.

 

I cling to Alexander. But Alexander, who usually smiled at me like that, unexpectedly looked down at me with resentful eyes.

 

“Al?”

 

At the unusual reaction, I tilted my head and called for Alexander. Then Alexander glanced at me and said,

 

“The princess’s chocolate is confiscated for a year.”

 

“Abuu?!”

 

What a shocking declaration! Why?! Why? What did I do wrong?

 

“Ah! ah!”

 

In the crisis of the existence of my only chocolate supplier, I violently pulled the hem of Alexander’s robe. Alexander lowered his eyes and muttered with a wounded expression.

 

“How could you make me worry? I guess I’ll have to practice flying too. In about a year, it would be enough to catch the princess. When that time comes, I will give you the chocolate again.”

 

Please don’t speak nonsense!

 

‘You’re saying that you won’t give it to me for the rest of your life!’

 

I worked hard to make excuses to change Alexander’s mind.

 

“Apup! Pup! Nana Nana Nano! Puputtatapu!” (Pupu! Pupu is wrong! Scold Pupu!)

 

Alexander, who had a serious expression on his face at my words, finally burst out laughing.

 

“Do you like chocolate that much?”

 

“Ywes”

 

“Do you like me or chocolate better?”

 

“Al!”

 

“Do you like His Majesty or chocolate better?”

 

“Choco!”

 

Alexander, who was smiling at me as I replied vigorously, shuddered and and muttered,

 

“…I was wrong.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Why are you quiet all of a sudden?

 

I turned my head slightly, and I became as stiff as Alexander’s.

 

‘No, that person is looking over here?’

 

Isn’t Tessa tired at looking at us chatting?!

 

“Y-your Majesty or chocolate…?”

 

Alexander asked me again in a trembling voice.

 

“Papa… … .”

 

I answered in a sullen voice.