My Mom Got A Contract Marriage - Chapter 41

As Lilica looked at his trembling blue-grey eyes, she smiled faintly.

“So you have stronger impulses than others, right? Hasn’t it been hard trying to hold them back?”

He lowered his gaze.

He spoke frankly, hoping that his voice wasn’t trembling.

“It’s…it’s hard…”

It was his first time telling this to someone else.

He was afraid that if he said it was hard, others would keep an even further distance from him, so he couldn’t even say that it was hard.

Wolfe’s characteristically friendly smile, which he’d practised so hard for, formed on his lips.

“But I can still endure on.”

“Ah.”

Lilica could tell where the odd feeling came from now.

What others saw as normal required effort for Lauv.

Even if he tries, he wouldn’t become completely ordinary.

“I see.”

Lilica nodded.

She stared intently at her pendulum and said.

“For now, I’ve understood.”

Lauv’s eyes grew bigger.

Lilica smiled softly at his expression.

“Can you tell me what are your symptoms?”

“That’s…”

Although he was slightly hesitant, Lauv was soon filled with an odd conviction that he wouldn’t be rejected just because he was honest with the princess.

He bowed his head and talked about his symptoms.

That it was even more unbearable during the full moon, that he would be feverish and that his emotions turned violent, that he felt an uncontrollable rage, and that a storm that ran wild throughout his body made him want to howl.

He’d surprisingly felt much more comfortable when everything was out in the open than when he hid everything.

Lilica listened to his words carefully and said.

“Okay, I’ll make a few inquiries. There might be some artifacts that’ll alleviate those symptoms.”

Lauv smiled faintly.

If such an artifact exists, the Wolfe family would have tried their best to be the first to own it.

No, not just the wolves, but the bears as well.

However, such an artifact does not exist, judging from the problems that were frequently caused by the Ineligible.

Nevertheless, her words that she would look into it  were so sweet.

He remained silent dazedly without an answer.

His head lowered a little further. He found it rather funny because he knew what he wanted.

As if she’d noticed, a small hand touched his head carefully.

The thought that he was being stroked by a child that wasn’t even half his age was amusing, but the thought that he was being patted by his master turned it into a completely different story.

That’s the kind of skinship that the Wolfes, who exchanged blows, bumps and jostled, likes.

Parents would hug and kiss their children, and stroke their hair while passing by.

For Lauv, that part was a round and empty gap.

In the Wolfe family, even after a child has grown up, parents are often seen stroking the heads of their children that are as big as themselves.

Above all, the praise and skinship of his owner and an opponent he himself had recognised, was different.

If he wasn’t a Wolfe, he wouldn’t be able to feel or express the sense of security that it filled.

There was a satisfied sigh.

He felt awkward because he could feel his master smiling at the crown of his head.

He quickly rose from his seat when she removed her hand.

Lilica turned her head.

Was it just her that there was a displeased expression on the face of Brynn, who’d been polite and kept an appropriate distance?

Lilica beckoned her to come nearer.

While Lilica wore the ring again, Brynn approached.

“Have your conversation ended?”

“Yes, it’s over. Let’s go back now.”

As expected of a loyal lady-in-waiting, Brynn didn’t say anything more about Lauv.

Instead, she glanced at the moon and said.

“It’s quite late, are you hungry by any chance? Should I order some snacks?”

“Hm, it’s alright.”

Lilica smiled.

“Thank you, Brynn.”

“Not at all.”

“Then let’s go back.”

As Lilica spoke while holding Brynn’s hand, a smile tugged at the corners of Brynn’s mouth.

“Yes, my princess.”

* * *

Lilica drew several round magic circles with the tip of her pen.

“Hmm, control…… detain, no, that’s not it. What I want isn’t control or restrain.”

After drawing a huge ‘X’, Lilica looked out of the window.

The windows of the sufficiently sunlit study were wide open.

White linen curtains fluttered gently in the wind.

If it weren’t for the cool breeze, summer would have been even more unbearable.

‘I want to make an artifact with a cooling effect.’

Lilica tore up the paper that was filled with magic circles and ancient language, threw it into the trash, and burned it adeptly.

She thought that before she makes an artifact, no matter what, it would be better to listen to the story in further detail.

“Eosha.”

She got off her chair lightly  and left the study with a bounce.

“Brynn.”

“Yes, my princess.”

“Please prepare Saebyeol. I’m going to go see Sir Tan.”

“Understood.”

Horseback riding is prohibited within the Sun Palace.

Everyone had to get off in front of the Sky Palace and walk past the path towards the Sun Palace.

Therefore, there was only one girl in the Sun Palace that could ride a horse with a chestnut coat and a glossy cream mane.

Lilica Nara Takar.

The Emperor’s adopted daughter.

Everyone peered in her direction with curiosity.

As she rode on a galloping horse, her brown hair fluttered lightly.

She was followed by Sol and Wolfe.

Some people pouted.

“For her to have Sol and Wolfe on both sides, with her nose up in the air as though she had really become a Takar.”

“Shh, be quiet. Don’t you know who is currently wielding authority in the Sun Palace?”

“Even so, he’s an outsider without any foundation. How long do you think the fickle emperor’s favour will last?”

Some agreed and some remained silent.

“Anyways.”

The first person that spoke while looking at the princess’s disappearing silhouette snorted.

“That’s the worst.”

The image of the girl riding a horse within the Sun Palace, where everyone had to walk, made them dumbstruck.

While their malice was miniscule, it was steadily increasing in volume.

* * *

“Tan! Oh, Lat’s here too.”

For some reason, Lat was sitting in the Knight Commander’s office.

He rose from his seat and bowed politely.

Although he gave a graceful smile as he always did, Lilica quickly sensed a negative atmosphere.

She spoke cautiously.

“Did I interrupt your conversation?”

Tan was frowning, while Lat had a soft smile.

“No, you didn’t.”

“I don’t think that’s the case…”

Lilica mumbled while looking at Tan and Lat, before saying.

“But I came here to talk to Tan about something important. I ask you for your understanding, Lat.”

The two people seemed to be surprised by Lilica’s confident words, and looked at her.

Lat immediately smiled and nodded softly.

“I see. I’ll take my leave first then.”

“We’ll continue this conversation later on.”

At Tan’s words, Lat just left the Knight Commander’s Office with a faint smile on his face.

Tan offered Lilica a seat.

Brynn and Lauv remained outside the room, so there were only two people inside the room.

“What can I do for you? For you to say that it was important?”

Tan asked with a gentle smile, and Lilica asked back.

“What’s an Ineligible person?”

In an instant, Tan held his breath.

Lilica looked at that face of his and let out a deep sigh.

“Tan.”

“Yes, my princess.”

“Do you trust my intuition that much?”

Tan smiled bitterly.

Lilica spoke.

“I know that Wolfe is precious to Tan. Since Tan is the head of the family, it’s Tan’s job to be responsible for everyone, right?”

Tan quietly listened to the princess’s words.

“I know this will be extremely difficult. I also know that I’ll be positioned at a crossroads of choice.”

Now, she knew what Tan meant when he said, “No matter what happens, I’ll support you” when she was taking Lauv as her escort.

If she knew what an Ineligible person was — no, even if she knew, she would still have taken Lauv as her escort.

It would have been better if she’d known about it in advance.

Even so, she had some questions.

“To Tan, is Lauv more important than putting me in danger?”

“!!”

Tan flinched slightly, before he frowned.

He spoke slowly.

“No, but I can’t say no, given the situation.”

Tan stared at Lilica blankly.

Obviously, entrusting Lauv to this young princess wasn’t a rational thought process.

And yet for some reason, he felt that it would be alright.

That’s what his senses, his mind, were saying.

Tan spoke frankly.

“At that time, this seemed to be for the best. It felt like if Lauv was sent back to our hometown as he was, he would self-destruct.”

After interrupting his words with a sigh, he glanced at Lilica quickly.

“What trouble had he caused?”

“Nothing happened.”

Lilica shook her head at his worries.

She could spot Tan’s shoulders sagging in an instant.

Lilica said.

“As Tan had mentioned, I too felt the same way at that time. As such, I took responsibility for Lauv, but I would appreciate it if you told me further details. I had no idea Lauv was having such a hard time.”

Her last sentence was unexpected, and so Tan looked at the princess.

Those blue-green eyes look back at Tan quietly.

He took a deep breath and answered.

“I’m sorry, it’s all my fault.”

Lilica smiled at his deep apology.

“I’ll accept your apology. But my first question still remains. What’s an Ineligible person? I know that there’s thicker wolf’s blood though.”

What she’d heard from Lauv was a symptom and what she’d heard from Brynn was a criticism.

As the head of the family, wouldn’t he have more information?

When Tan’s gaze turned towards the door stealthily, Lilica quickly took off the ring and placed it down.

Tan looked surprised.

“That’s an artifact.”

“I’d received it.”

When Lilica answered immediately, Tan nodded saying, “Did His Majesty give it to you?”

There was a rumour that even the catalogues of artifacts that were piled up in the Takar family’s warehouse were considerable.

“I don’t know where I should begin. First of all, to simplify Lauv’s story, he’s my distant relative, right?”

“Yes.”

“He wasn’t born in the Wolfe family. Such people often appear. They would appear outside while possessing the family’s thick bloodline. After hearing about the rumours, the family brought Lauv over and adopted him.”

Tan didn’t bother talking about the difficult process to get there.

Instead, he summarised briefly.

“As such, while Lauv was adjusting to the Wolfe family, he had a hard time in various ways.”

Lilica nodded at his summary.

Tan spoke while he mimicked pulling a sword from behind him.

“As such, his weapon is different from ours. It’s because he learned swordsmanship somewhere else when he was younger. The Wolfe family uses swords, but Lauv uses a sabre.”

“Right! I see. And also, doesn’t Lauv carry it on his back.”

Tan smiled bitterly.

“That’s because Lauv isn’t a knight. Those that aren’t knights cannot wear their swords at their waist.”

“What?”

At her astonishment, Tan folded his arms.

“Those that aren’t knights aren’t allowed to wear a weapon at their waists. Well, it’s a law that prevents non-knights from carrying weapons recklessly, but…”

“It’s useless.”

Tan laughed at Lilica’s evaluation.

“While that may be true, wearing a weapon aside from a sword on his waist can cause various inconveniences.”

“Really?”

“Yes, taking Lauc as an example, he uses a sling instead of a sheathe for sabres.”

Lilica thought for a moment and nodded.

After confirming that Lilica understood, Tan moved on to the next story.

“If the wolf’s blood is strong, they would have higher strength, but their impulses would also become stronger. The range of their emotions will shake severely.”

“Lauv isn’t like that at all though?”

Upon hearing Lilica’s words, Tan nodded.

“It’s because he has been trained to suppress it.”

“Trained to suppress it?”

Tan nodded at Lilica’s question.

“In the first place, Wolfe relaxes by rollicking around from a young age, and then they would learn to control their emotions. A wide forest is a playground for them.”

“But Lauv came from the outside.”

“Yes. Lauv didn’t receive that education. As such, he could only learn how to suppress everything.”

“I understand. You’re saying that he has high strength and poor control over his emotions, right?”

“Yes, there’s lower impulse control. It gets worse when there’s a full moon.”

“Is that also the case with Tan?”

At Lilica’s question, he smiled slightly and nodded.

“Yes. The Wolfe family will feel an itch throughout their body every full moon. But if the wolf’s blood is thicker, their impulses will become stronger. Lauv has also disappeared during the full moon twice.”

They didn’t become Ineligible for no reason, Tan said.

Lilica nodded.

“Is that alright?”

“As long as you keep it a secret.”

“Mm, I won’t write down the parts that are truly important. And I’ll never speak about it.”

“Alright.”

When she had gained permission, Lilica quickly took out her pen.

After seeing her ready her pen to write things down, Tan began to talk in further detail.

He’d also mentioned records and events that occurred in the past.

Lilica wrote a few light ones and placed the heavy ones in her head.

All the layers combined together made a grave conversation.

Lilica’s expression turned serious.

As she looked at what she wrote, she asked.

“Does this only happen with Wolfe? Or…”

“The Ineligible would also appear often in the other families.”

“I see…”

It seemed to be rather tiring in various ways.

Wouldn’t parents be scared at the thought of their child potentially being an Ineligible?

“It feels like it’d be very hard.”

As Lilica said that, Tan smiled faintly.

“That’s why we serve Takar, and that’s why Takar…”

They wanted to get rid of it.

He barely managed to swallow down the words on the tip of his tongue.

It felt like he’d spoken mistakenly.

As he stole a glance at Lilica, she placed her index finger on her mouth with a playful expression.

“Everything that we talked about today is a secret.”

“Let’s do that then.”

Tan grinned.

As expected, this princess was quite unique.

He also understood Lat’s words, that it’s uncomfortable because he was strangely comfortable before the princess.

‘It’s probably even more uncomfortable for Sandar, who had kept many secrets.’

If the empress was said to have captivated people with her splendour, wit, sharp tongue, and oddly competent attitude, the princess would be completely different.

“If Lauv does well, please pat him on the head.”

“Head?”

“Yes, he’ll love it a lot.”

As Tan spoke beamingly, Lilica nodded while saying, “Come to think of it.”

At her nod that possessed some inkling, Tan asked.

“Have you ever touched it?”

“Yes.”

“Wow—”

It wasn’t easy to stroke the head of an adult man with a large stature, but the princess was also bold.

“He must have liked it a lot. Please pat him often from now on. Because he didn’t have that kind of contact when he was younger…”

Tan had no qualms asking her to pat a grown man’s head.

He lamented.

“And he doesn’t even acknowledge me. It would actually be slightly stabilising if he was part of a group, but Lauv happened to come in from the outside…”

“Even Tan? But isn’t Tan the head of the family. Doesn’t he listen to Tan’s orders?”

“Oh, I may be the head of the family but he doesn’t follow me—perhaps externally for the sake of appearances, but he doesn’t inwardly. In that case, it’s useless.”

Tan smiled and gestured towards Lilica.

“However, it seems that he’d clearly recognised you as his master, so the princess was able to accept him into a group. Then it’ll be much better.”

“I see…”

‘Wolfe is rather unique,’ Lilica nodded.

“From now on, I’ll have to pet him often.”

Lilica looked at her palm and pretended to pat him playfully, asking.

“Does Tan also like getting head pats?”

Tan paused for a moment.

It was because golden hair like the moonlight and snow-white hands came to mind.

Slowly, as he looked into Lilica’s turquoise eyes, which resembled a certain someone’s, Tan smiled.

“Yes, I like it.”