My Mom Entered a Contract Marriage - Chapter 25

“Lat!”

When he heard the voice yelling for him as he entered, Lat set down the quill pen he was appreciating.

‘There’s no time to rest, even for a second.’

As he thought that, he got up from his seat and asked.

“Is something the matter?”

“Is there a place among the imperial territories that can be handed out?”

“Who the hell are you handing out imperial territory to?”

Lat asked back in astonishment. No, it wasn’t during wartime, so who was he suddenly handing out territory to?

“The Princess.”

Lat was rendered speechless by the answer he was given.

“You mean Princess Lilica, right?”

“Yes.”

“A fief?”

“Don’t all members of the imperial family receive some?”

“Yes, but.”

Lat’s eyes narrowed. Altheos had no choice but to answer him.

“If you were blinded by affection for a woman, you’d have given the fief to the empress directly.”

“Well, it seems like it’ll be better to give it to her daughter than to her directly.”

At Lat’s words, Altheos nodded, “Perhaps.”

“Anyways, distribute the estates. Even if it isn’t good land, it’s fine.”

Lat let out a long sigh. Why did he become the Chancellor of the Empire?

No, it’s not that he disliked being the Chancellor. He didn’t have to bow to anyone other than the emperor.

The good thing about this position was that he can stiffen his neck even in front of the head of the Barat family.

‘Other than dealing with the aftermath of that fickleness.’

Lat can’t believe that he’s giving the princess a fief. How much should be given?

In fact, there was a relatively vast amount of land owned by the imperial family.

In the past, it would have been shared between members of the imperial family, but now there were only two—no, three direct descendants of the imperial family.

When a member of the imperial family dies, the fiefdom that was bestowed will return back to the emperor’s jurisdiction, so the amount of land currently under the emperor’s jurisdiction was probably the widest since the empire’s founding.

“How much is needed?”

“You can just give an appropriate amount after referring to previous data.”

“May I ask why you’re doing this all of a sudden?”

Altheos looked at Lat quietly. Deep blue eyes that were like the abyss gave him a measured stare.

Lat would often think that if his scales became tilted, he’d be swallowed up in that abyss.

That didn’t just apply to himself.

His family, the empire,

As well as humans.

He felt a chill, like his entire being was sinking all the way down to the bottom. It was an inhuman gaze.

Lat barely managed to respond without averting his gaze.

Altheos grinned and said, like he’d finished seizing him up.

“If it doesn’t reach Sandar’s ears.”

Those words amplified Lat’s curiosity instantly.

His curiosity gradually crept up from deep within.

“Well, the chancellor wouldn’t reveal secrets of the country he is protecting.”

Even if it was towards a blood relative.

That was Sandar’s pride and Lat’s own pride.

Altheos didn’t believe Lat’s confident declaration, but thought it was a perfect story to put that to the test.

“Do you know about wizards?”

“Do you mean the people that sell strange herbs and delude the world and deceive the people? Or are you referring to those with skillful hands?”

Lat’s words became caustic. Altheos sat down in his chair with a chuckle. Lat fiddled with his monocle and said.

“There are some people who use ancient artifacts, but they aren’t wizards.”

They’re just artifact users.

Altheos nodded and said.

“There are three types of wizards left.”

“There are three types?”

“The first one is the dragon.

He raised a finger. Lat replied grimly.

“Well, yes.”

“Secondly, there are those that make deals with primordial spirits…”

“Primordial spirit?”

Lat asked back in surprise. Altheos shrugged.

“I heard that such people still exist in the desert.”

Lat knew that Altheos came from the desert.

So he wanted to ask if he’d witnessed it before, but it didn’t seem like he would confirm it.

Altheos continued.

“Are they called fairies here? They’re not as cute as those in children’s fairy tales though.”

“This is turning into a rather interesting conversation.”

When he heard about it cursorily, it seemed like wizards were slightly different existences.

The word primordial spirit, too.

In any case, it meant that there were mysterious existences.

Altheos raised his third finger.

“Lastly, a true human.”

Lat made a strange face.

“I’m also a true human being.”

“No, not a mixed human like you guys. A pure-blooded human, a person of prayer. The ones that used their will as magic and pulled an island out of the sea.”

Lat’s expression hardened at Altheos’s words. The word ‘mixed’ was a heartbreaking term for the blueblood families. He spoke lowly.

“Then it doesn’t exist now.”

It was no exaggeration to say that all humans on this land were actually a mix of human and monster blood. It was just the blood’s thickness and thinness.

“That’s right.”

Altheos nodded. Lat tried to summarise Altheos’ words.

‘Could it be that the princess was a human being that made deals with primordial spirits?’

If that’s true, how did they make a deal?

‘Maybe it’s because of that innocent and amiable personality.’

In any case, it was a good story worth keeping a secret.

“I see. Then let’s find a suitable fief.”

Lat nodded. With a fief, the princess’ influence would increase even further. In other words, the layers of protection would increase.

If she was such a talented person, the emperor was right to retain her in the imperial family and protect her.

Lat thought so. Altheos was lost in thought.

A person of prayer.

A wizard.

A pure-blooded human being.

The first ones to arrive on this continent. The humans that were rescued from a broken island by a dragon.

The people that have lost their ‘power of will’ as they blended in with the monsters of the island.

From the word ‘pure blood’, he found it a little ridiculous. First of all, humans on the continent would always think of themselves as real humans.

Just like Lat.

‘There aren’t any now. Yes. But it’s quite interesting that there’s a return of the ancestors.’

Altheos saw this kind of possibility from Lilica.

A person that used her will, with affection as her driving force.

Even if it was a fake magic book, it would work as long as she believes, follows, and prays for it.

From a certain angle, it was a very dangerous ability.

‘Fortunately, not everyone has the same level of ability.’

Apparently, the weak ones were at the level of fixing broken branches and repairing small wounds.

As for the strong ones.

‘Returning time to the past, distortion of space, and saving the dead.’

It’s a power that’s close to a God.

In that case, maybe. Just maybe—

‘No, amongst the ancestors that returned, no one had such a powerful ability.’

He gave up the faintly rising hope.

Even after returning to the ancestors, the best they could do was to gain a good harvest.

He chuckled.

The mixed bloods were drawn to the pure bloods.

The more that was the case, the closer they were to a monster, as though they heard a summon from deep within their veins.

‘I hope that it’ll only remain that the level of cute magic.’

* * *

‘Am I lost?’

She could obviously see the Sun Palace over there, but she couldn’t head there directly.

Lilica was familiar with the complicated back alleys of the slums.

She quickly noticed that something was strange. As she agonised over it, she heard a voice from above.

“What brings you here, my robin Princess?”

Lilica raised her head in delight and shouted.

“Fjord!”

He jumped off the branch like he had been summoned.

When he came down so easily, it felt like the tree he’d climbed up wasn’t that tall.

Fjord asked after greeting Lilica.

“I don’t think you’re here to admire the roses.”

Lilica’s appearance walking in circles was rather obvious from above. Lilica sighed.

“I’m lost.”

“The paths here are complicated. You can’t go straight towards the Sun Palace, can you?

“That’s right!”

The feeling of incompatibility she had was that.

“It’s to stop people. You can’t reach the Sun Palace if you take a wrong turn here.”

It could be described as a maze to prevent people at the Sky palace from coming to the Sun Palace.

“I see.”

She’ll explore this place more meticulously with Brynn next time.

As she’d focused on exploring the Sun Palace, anywhere else was difficult for her.

‘His Majesty, honestly.’

How could he just leave someone in this sort of place.

She seems to have fallen short of his expectations, if he hoped that she would remember the path she was carried through.

‘Brynn and Lauv must be really worried.’

“Does Fjord know the way?”

“Yes.”

“Can you lead me the way?”

“It would be an honour to do so.”

Again he bowed gracefully and began walking.

Lilica asked as she walked alongside him.

“Come to think of it, Fjord is always in the garden?”

“I like nature.”

“Don’t you have a garden at home?”

“There is one, but it’s not my cup of tea. The fertiliser is so rich that there’s a stink.”

“In the garden? Then are the others alright with it?”

“They seem to be used to it, so they wouldn’t know about it.”

Fjord spoke with a sneer. Lilica nodded. She continued asking.

“Are you feeling well? Has the place you were hit in recovered?”

“Yes, I’ve fully recovered, thanks to your concern.”

He smiled. Lilica looked at him and said.

“I would feel more embarrassed than pain when I got hit.”

The sound of a thud, and the sensation of her body being flung away.

It was really painful, but more than that, she was ashamed that she had to suffer a beating like that in front of everyone.

She was embarrassed beyond words.

“Who hit the princess?”

Fjord’s voice was really soft. But Lilica sensed a feeling of unease.

“It was the landlord when I was behind on the rent in the past. I’m fine now.”

Lilica added quickly.

“So, what I’m saying is, Fjord might also feel the same way. It might not be the case too. I was wondering if it’s like that, would you be alright…”

The sound of her words of concern gradually turned small and Fjord became lost in thought.

For him, the shame and humiliation of being beaten had long turned faint.

Rather, there is a faint mixture of anger and resignation.

“Rather than that…”

He murmured softly and trailed off.

Rather than that.

All that remained was her worried tone, her careful touch, and a sense of kindness.

The uncalculating kindness of a young princess.

It made him want to escape from that place, and yet made him want to remain in that seat indefinitely.

“Rather than that, the castella was much more memorable.”

This was the answer he could give. It was because he was also unable to accurately understand his own feelings.

Lilica smiled broadly.

“Yes, the castella is really delicious.”

Delicious food also helps to erase bad memories.

“By the way, Fjord.”

“Yes, my robin Princess.”

“May I ask why you don’t get along with Atil?”

“That’s because I’m Barat’s greatest masterpiece.”

His answer was unwavering and rather cheerful.

Lilica felt unpleasant at that kind of lightheartedness. Lilica said earnestly.

“But Fjord isn’t a masterpiece.”

This time, he looked back at Lilica, truly astonished. His golden red eyes grew round.

Lilica told him earnestly.

“Fjord isn’t an object or a work.”

She didn’t like the sarcastic tone that was mingled in his words whenever he said that.

He stared at Lilica dazedly.

After a while, he smiled and tried to do something, but his expression didn’t look quite good.

His expression wavered and distorted for a moment, and eventually he gave a bitter smile.

It was a smile that was unlike a boy of his age.

“I see.”

He just said that. Lilica didn’t say anything more to him.

‘Sometimes, no, oftentimes, silence is better than words.’

She remembered the shoe shining mister saying that.

As they walked, Lilica discovered that he adjusted his strides to match hers.

He didn’t become frustrated like other adults at how she couldn’t walk quickly.

He also didn’t walk quickly and expected her to match his stride like Atil did.

“It’s alright if Fjord walks a little faster.”

“I don’t want to.”

Fjord smiled.

“I like the time spent walking side by side with the Princess.”

Lilica paused for a moment and gave a broad smile.

“I like Fjord, too.”

She smiled innocently and held his hand in a gesture of friendliness.

He flinched and looked down at Lilica.

Just as Lilica said, “Do you not like holding hands?”, he tightened his grip on her hand.

“The Princess only says things that make me happy.”

“That’s a relief then.”

At Lilica’s words, Fjord laughed again. He walked along the path slowly and told her the places she had to turn and some signs.

Lilica listened very carefully, but it was difficult to memorise it all at once.

His voice was pleasant to listen to because there was a musical quality about it for some reason. As they walked, he even pointed out to her that that was a robin.

It was a small brown bird, with a red chest. It was a pretty cute bird.

‘Do we look alike because of the brown colour?’

Not long after, Fjord stopped.

“Someone seems to be outside there.”

“Really? Is it Lauv?”

“I’ll be on my way then.”

“Huh? Let’s have a cup of tea before you go.”

“His Highness will be angry.”

As Fjord said that, he placed his index finger on his lips and smiled.

“Please keep it a secret that we’ve met here.”

“Alright.”

Lilica also placed her index finger on his lips.

He bowed lightly and retreated back. Lilica watched him disappear behind a tall bush.

As she waited quietly, she heard a voice not far away.

“Princess, Princess Lilica!”

“Lauv! I’m here!”

Lilica shouted, and shortly afterwards Lauv appeared. He scanned her up and down in a hurry and asked.

“Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?”

“Yes, I’m safe. Ah, Brynn.”

Lilica waved to Brynn, who appeared soon after. Brynn was gnashing her teeth in anger.

She waited but Lilica didn’t return, so she sent a servant to the office just in case, but hasn’t His Majesty already returned?

Upon further questioning, she found out that the princess was left in the maze garden. She thought that she was about to faint.

‘Even if she was accidentally pricked by the thorn of a rose, the princess could die of tetanus!’

To leave her in such a dangerous place, there must really be something wrong with Takar’s head.

Lilica smiled and reassured the both of them.

“I walked a long distance, but I looked around the garden and it was very pretty. There wasn’t anyone around.”

Their expressions eased after confirming that she wasn’t injured. Lauv slowly got up from his position and said,

“Let’s head back.”

Brynn quickly picked Lilica up. Lilica laughed softly.

Why was everyone around her gradually getting accustomed to scooping her up?

‘But I prefer walking side by side.’

When she grows taller, she can walk alongside everyone without falling behind.

She was looking forward to when that time comes.

* * *