My Mom Entered a Contract Marriage - Chapter 42

Altheos looked at Lilica, who was also frequently walking here and there today.

It was just as she’d guaranteed, that she would grow bigger.

‘Or not?’

With a tilted head, he gestured to her. When Lilica approached, he gave her another handful of jewels.

“Here you go.”

“T—thank you.”

The way she stammers but doesn’t refuse and receives it well was cute.

“Yes, yes.”

He patted her head for no reason in particular.

‘Compliment me in front of your mother,’ he had such thoughts.

Lilica carefully packed the jewels into her wallet and looked around.

Neither Brynn nor Lauv could enter the office.

Even.

“Lat isn’t here today.”

“Vacation.”

“Lat? He’s on vacation?”

“It seems like a problem occurred within his family.”

Although he spoke languidly, the faint smile on his face was closer to a mocking smile.

“How interesting. Everything is wavering because of the existence of one small being.”

His gaze remained on Lilica.

Altheos swallowed and grinned.

“Your mother is rather interesting. I didn’t expect that so much would have wavered in less than a year.”

Lilica felt uneasy.

“Did something happen to Mother?”

“No, you should be asking what has yet to happen. And what’s more, the thing that conveniently rolled in…”

Altheos told Lilica.

“Take the crow and wolf around with you.”

Knowing that it referred to Brynn and Lauv, Lilica nodded.

Although it didn’t seem like she could ask for details, she knew what that advice was.

Be careful.

That’s what he meant.

At his words to take care, she was reminded of something.

“Your Majesty, I have a question.”

“What is it?”

“What’s a magic gun?”

“Weapons that fire magic bullets.”

At his brief explanation, Lilica tilted her head, and Altheos added.

“Why don’t you ask your mother to show you?”

“Mother will show me?”

“Yes, I’m sure she should have several magic guns.”

‘Who are you going to shoot at,’ Altheos wondered with a frown, and added.

“Don’t say that I’m the one that told you. She’s going to make a fuss about me telling a child about something dangerous.”

Lilica chuckled at his remark.

“What are you laughing about?”

“It’s because you both seem to be on good terms.”

“Fighting?”

“Because you’re able to fight.”

As Lilica spoke with a smile, Altheos seemed to understand Lilica’s words.

He poked her forehead for no particular reason, because it was strange for a kid that’s much younger than him to say something plausible.

“Ouch, Your Majesty.”

Altheos chuckled when Lilica covered her forehead with both of her hands and had a tearful look on her face.

‘His Majesty and Atil really are alike.’

Lilica grumbled inwardly, and Altheos spoke.

“No, Atil should also have one.”

Lilica nodded her head obediently and said that she’ll try asking him.

Even if she told her mother, there was a high possibility that she wouldn’t show it to her, because weapons were dangerous.

‘But I’m curious.’

Lilica also had one more question.

‘Why does Atil have a magic gun?’

If Atil possessed the same power as His Majesty, he wouldn’t need any weapons.

Just as she was about to leave after tidying the papers, Altheos beckoned her over.

When she approached him carefully, he lifted her up and sat her on the desk.

Afterwards, he asked.

“I heard that you’re hanging out with Barat.”

* * *

‘His Majesty, with a childlike face that was filled with excitement.’

The people around her were puzzled or angry when conversation about Barat came up.

But His Majesty was different.

‘He doesn’t hate Barat like Atil does. That’s not it. Should it be described as interest?’

Just like someone that can enjoy watching from the position of a spectator, as he could always turn the tables from the position of the absolute.

‘Rather than a human…’

Dragon.

Lilica thought that he and Atil shared resemblances, but she then noticed that there was a fundamental difference here.

‘Hmm.’

Why did such a man marry her mother?

What was their contract for?

‘Betrayal.’

That’s what they’d talked about before.

It didn’t seem like His Majesty would ever be betrayed.

‘I don’t know.’

It felt like her small head was about to cramp up.

Lilica shook her head.

“Oh, I don’t know! Let’s start from what I can do first.”

When too many things are flooding your mind, it’s better to cut them into small sections.

If she starts thinking about everything all at once, she’d be exhausted at the thought of it.

So right now, she should start by dusting off the ceiling.

While thinking about cleaning the kitchen, Lilica’s eyes widened.

She picked up a sheet of paper and got down from the desk.

The paper was filled with finished magic circles.

“And, this.”

Lilica selected the jewel that resembled the colour of Lauv’s eyes the most from the jewels that she’d received from His Majesty.

After carefully placing it on the desk, she picked up her pendulum.

After checking the magic circle she was holding once again, Lilica gazed at the jewel.

The pendulum began to shine brightly.

Lilica slowly recited a spell.

“Hu Ana Louka Dil Lihi.”

The pendulum drew a large circle, and the magic circle she’d created rose into the air.

Through the string that she was holding, she felt the mana flowing like an icy stream.

Dinggg—

The light from the rotating magic circle was reflected onto the jewel, making it shine.

For a moment, everything entered the jewel like it was sucked into a dot.

Clatter.

The vibrating jewel halted.

“Whoa……”

Lilica sighed involuntarily.

It was her first time using such a long spell and magic circle together, but it seems to be completed successfully.

Lilica stuffed a pendulum into her pocket and quickly picked up the jewel.

‘It’s cold.’

She could feel a pleasant coolness.

With a soft laugh, Lilica ran out of the room quickly.

“Lauv, Lauv!”

He, who was waiting at the entrance, walked over with a tilted head.

“Is there something wrong?”

“Hand!”

At Lilica’s words, Lauv extended his hand unhesitatingly.

Lilica grabbed his hand, flipped it over so that his palm was facing upwards and dropped the jewel onto his palm.

“—!!”

Lauv was startled.

The heat that had been circulating in his body disappeared instantly, as though it was sucked into the jewel.

In the space that remained was a cool and keen sensation.

The boiling impulses and whispered words disappeared.

All that remained was a pleasant silence and stillness.

He embraced the silence that was like a snowy winter night for the first time in his life.

He turned his trembling gaze away from the jewel and directed it towards his master.

The turquoise eyes were looking at him quietly, before smiling.

“It seems like it’s working well. That’s a relief.”

“How…”

“I just did my best.”

At the sight of the princess going, “Ehehe” with her shoulders stretched out, heat filled his eyes, which caused him to close them tightly before opening them.

“Thank you.”

It was the first time he lamented his lack of verbal skills.

But the princess seemed to already know everything, and tiptoed while reaching out her hand with a smile.

His body couldn’t help but bend down.

The feeling of her patting hands made his cheeks redden naturally. He didn’t hate it.

However.

He could feel a pointed gaze.

No, it was a razor-sharp and pointed gaze.

Lauv knew exactly where it was coming from, but he didn’t bother to look back.

After having her fill of patting him. Lilica turned around.

“Brynn.”

“Yes, my princess.”

Brynn replied coyly.

Lilica spoke with a chuckle.

“Brynn, give me your hand too.”

“……!”

Brynn quickly walked over.

Lilica placed an amethyst into the outstretched hand of her trusted lady-in-waiting.

It was something she’d made before she made Lauv’s.

Brynn looked down at the amethyst that glistened like a diamond with an ecstatic gaze.

Lilica added.

“I heard that this is an artifact that’ll allow you to see well even at nighttime.”

Rather than only engraving magic, she thought that it would be much better to engrave sparkling magic together, so Lilica added various types of sparkling magic.

From the looks of Brynn’s expression, she seemed to like it a lot, so Lilica felt rather proud.

“Isn’t it pretty?”

Fascinated by amethyst, which had a rainbow-coloured sheen that was unlike other amethysts, Brynn nodded at Lilica’s words.

“I love it, my princess.”

“That’s a relief.”

Brynn, who looked as though she would start humming at any moment and moved around like she was stepping on clouds, carefully pocketed the amethyst before saying.

“His Highness’s servant came by earlier. He says that he’s available.”

“Then I’ll go over right away.”

“Yes, my princess.”

“Oh, wait a minute! Let me tidy up the study first.”

When the princess rushed into the study, Brynn quickly took out the amethyst and gazed at it.

“It’s so pretty…”

A heated sigh escaped from her lips unwittingly.

What a blessed confidant and lady-in-waiting she was.

No other Sol would be happier than she was.

As she looked at the glowing amethyst, Brynn said.

“Mr. Lauv.”

She was addressing him politely for the first time in a long while.

Only the wolf’s eyes were directed towards her.

Brynn smiled.

“Do you want me to process that jewel for you?”

“…….”

Brynn frowned at the way he hid his fisted hand behind his back.

“I won’t snatch it from you. I’m doing you a favour because I’m currently in a good mood. It’s because there are many craftsmen in Sol.”

As it is a family that likes shiny things, it also had deep connections to artisans that did related work.

“It’s alright.”

At Lauv’s words, Brynn said, “Do as you please, then,” before admiring the amethyst.

‘Shall I make it into a brooch, no. It would be suitable as a headband or hair ornament.’

Just imagining it made her ecstatic.

As Lauv glanced at the grinning Brynn cautiously, he asked.

“Then, have we made up?”

“What? When had we fought before?”

“…….”

When he gazed at her with the words, “Didn’t you aim a magic gun at my head not too long ago,” in his eyes, Brynn smiled and exclaimed.

“That wasn’t a fight.”

“What—”

“It was me threatening you unilaterally.”

How can you call that a fight? That isn’t considered a fight.

Lauv was rendered speechless momentarily at the sight of the faintly smiling Brynn.

Just then, Lilica opened the study door and came out.

“I’m done tidying up. We can go over now.”

“Yes, my princess.”

Brynn replied politely.

Lilica noticed the atmosphere and looked at the two of them alternately.

“Had the both of you fought—?”

“No, we didn’t.”

“No, we did not.”

When she got the same answer at the same time, Lilica smiled slightly.

* * *

Atil was headed to the secret garden with Lilica, saying that he would demonstrate how to use a magic gun to her personally.

‘There seems to be more people in particular today.’

The gazes were stinging.

He could only feel like he was going to live after entering the garden.

Atil muttered.

“So it seems like the desert rats have gathered together to squeak.”

“Desert rats?”

“The southern countrymen.”

As Atil said that, he held out a magic gun to Lilica.

Lilica accepted the gun carefully.

It was cold and heavier than she’d thought.

Atil said.

“From the looks of the situation while going back, you’re also a target. Just make sure you’re always shadowed by that guy.”

As he glanced at Lauv, Lilica asked with a gun.

“What situation?”

Atil frowned.

“You don’t know?”

“Yes……”

When she nodded, Atil took back the gun from her and said.

“I heard that the sugar radishes are yours, but you don’t know?”

“I did share the rights to that with Mother…”

Atil lowered his gaze towards the gun with a “Hmm.”

“I’ll teach you this first. When you pull this gunlock here, the accumulated mana will activate the magic circle within the barrel, compressing the mana. Use this gauge to decide where to shoot. And it’ll fire when you pull the trigger.”

Atil raised the gun.

Meanwhile, Brann hung a frying pan on the tree.

“Pull the gunlock.”

There was a click.

“Take aim.”

Atil said after aiming at the frying pan.

“Pull.”

After pulling the trigger, light glowed from the barrel of the gun momentarily, and a magic circle appeared in front.

“Ah!”

A glowing magic bullet was fired at the same time.

Bang!

The sound of its impact against the frying pan was really loud.

When Lilica saw the frying pan Brann brought over, her eyes widened.

“It went through.”

“It can go pierce this much. There’s also a close distance.”

Lilica found it unbelievable, so she tried putting her finger in the hole.

“Oh, my God.”

Lilica was astonished.

Of course, she was also surprised by the magic gun’s formidable power.

‘Brynn actually aimed something like this at Lauv’s head?’

Atil snorted at Lilica’s reaction.

“I’m sure the bluebloods have quite a lot of this. There aren’t many that can use it though. Cases of the magic circle within the barrel ending up damaged occurs occasionally, and the gun can’t be used if the barrel is bent.”

“The barrel would bend?”

“Short tempered people would even use the gun barrel to hit people. As there’s a fixed number of times the gun can be fired a day, if the magic bullet fails, they’ll use physical strength. If the pivotal magic capsule is broken, you can’t use it.”

“Pivotal magic capsule?”

“It’s an object that’s used to accumulate mana. It’s inside the barrel, but it isn’t that strong.”

“I see. It’s so small, and yet it possesses enormous power.”

It was something that could kill a person instantly. It was much easier to handle than a bow.

Atil pretended to pull a slide with a click, and said.

“There’s also a large magic gun that moves around in this manner. It’s called a shotgun, and it’s as powerful as it is big. I think Aunt has around two.”

“Mother?”

Mother has a magic gun?

Lilica tilted her head because she couldn’t imagine it. Atil stroked her hair like that.

“Well, that’s enough of that. You’d better not touch this stuff.”

Atil grinned while handing the gun to Brann.

“An accident will definitely happen and you’ll shoot someone else. It’s still considered a relief if you shoot yourself in the foot.”

Just thinking about it was painful. Lilica asked.

“Have you ever shot your feet before, Atil?”

“How can that be?”

He tapped her head lightly with a clenched fist, which caused Lilica to wrap her hands around her head for no reason in particular.

When she sneaked a glance at him, she was met with mischievously smiling blue eyes.

He scooped up Lilica in a flash.

“What should I do with this small thing?”

“I’m not small.”

“I heard that only small kids will say that.”

“It’s not true…….”

For some reason, he kept wanting to tease his muttering sister.

He liked watching her eyes, which were like the exotic sea, change expressions rapidly.

“Brynn said that I’m growing up well.”

“Aren’t acorns that have grown up still acorns?”

“When an acorn grows up, it will become a big tree.”

“You admit that you’re an acorn.”

“……!”

Atil smiled while letting the frowning Lilica down.

They were in front of a table that was under the shade of a parasol.

After gulping down the cold lemonade angrily while making a crunching sound—Atil held back his laughter—she asked.

“So, what did you mean by the sugar radish earlier?”

“Oh, that?”

Atil said while using a glass muddler to stir the cold tea in his glass.

“Sugar is one of the main sources of income for Southern aristocrats. It’s made from sugarcanes. They’re going crazy because they heard that the North is growing sugar radishes. Apparently, the price of sugar might drop.”

Lilica blinked because it was something unexpected.

Atil continued with a faint smile.

“But who is the head of the Southern aristocracy? Who else could it be? It’s none other than Sandar.”

“Is there such a big problem?”

“The Southern aristocrats were working together to monopolise sugar and adjust the prices. But, tada. The fact that sugar is also produced in the north?”

Lilica’s small face turned serious.

In the slums, just one coin can ignite a bloody battle.

Just like how the roadmaster-like people were fighting amongst themselves, it was a time where she had to hide.

‘But with sugar, a lot more money is coming and going…’

It could cause a truly serious problem.

* * *