I Will Try to Save My Dad - Chapter 180
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 180
“…Are you serious?”
Theon asked me repeatedly, unable to believe my words. He seemed delighted yet skeptical that I had suddenly decided to marry him.
“Theon, do you hate marrying me?”
“No.”
His immediate response—as if there was no way he could hate it—was exactly as I had anticipated. I burst into laughter.
“Then that settles it.”
Our opinions aligned, so there was nothing more to discuss. I kissed him on the lips right then and there.
“Let’s get married. With me.”
Theon nodded.
***
“So the day has finally come.”
Count Trabel gazed at me in my unfinished dress and spoke in a bittersweet tone.
“Grandfather, you’re here? I can’t move—I’m in the middle of a fitting.”
“I can see that.”
I stood motionless on the platform at Trang Clothing Shop. The Head Designer had insisted I not move even slightly for the perfect dress, so I remained frozen in place. Seamstresses with pin cushions strapped to their wrists surrounded me, carefully adjusting the garment to my body.
“Why make the dress so extravagant? Jewels sewn onto the fabric, layers upon layers of lace. How am I supposed to walk in something this heavy?”
“It’s only natural for Miss Berry’s wedding dress to be elaborate.”
The Shop Manager approached the disgruntled Count Trabel and spoke.
“We are doing our utmost to prevent the concerns Your Lordship has raised. Since you’ve entrusted us with this, we will create a bride more radiant and beautiful than anyone else. Lord Reytan has also been offering his direct input on the design.”
Count Trabel sat on the sofa the Shop Manager indicated and clicked his tongue disapprovingly.
“Where is that Reytan fellow? Why isn’t he here?”
“Father will be here soon. Grandfather, has something been going on between you and Father lately?”
“Nothing in particular.”
Though he said nothing was amiss, Count Trabel and Father had not been on good terms recently. It was because of the matter of who would become the next head of the Trabel Family.
“Even as he ages, he remains unchanged.”
Not long after my marriage was decided, a damage compensation claim bearing Father’s name arrived at the Trabel Estate. Since this hadn’t happened even once in years, Father’s intention to diminish his own performance was crystal clear. He was planning to forfeit Diamond House in the next Annex Succession War.
“Why would he waste such natural talent?”
But this was different from when he used to feign last place. As the master of Diamond House, Father had produced more than sufficient results. Enough to make Count Trabel’s eyes gleam with hunger.
“In any case, tell your father this: if he continues making such obvious moves, I may just announce the successor myself.”
Though he likely didn’t mean it seriously, it was clear he was considering Father as a candidate for heir. Count Trabel continued speaking about this and that, and as my fitting came to an end, he gazed at me intently before dropping a remark.
“If the imperial family causes any trouble, report it to me immediately.”
Though his tone seemed casual, worry seeped through. At Count Trabel’s concern, a smile played at my lips.
“Yes. But you don’t need to worry too much. The Empress has been very kind to me.”
It was almost amusing how what I had once interpreted as a threatening remark had proven to be the opposite—with each passing year, it became increasingly clear that the Empress genuinely cherished me.
“Sometimes you remind me of my mother.”
Count Trabel fell silent at my words. Then he cleared his throat as if to compose himself and rose from his seat.
“Are you leaving already?”
“I’m busy. You and the Crown Prince set the wedding date so urgently that I need to prepare accordingly.”
“I’ll see you at home later.”
Count Trabel spoke as if struck by something new.
“This is the first time you’ve called the Trabel Estate your home.”
“Is it?”
“Keep calling it that from now on. It sounds nice.”
I turned to Count Trabel to bid him farewell. In the distance, I could see Father entering the room with bolts of fabric tucked under both arms. He noticed Count Trabel and furrowed his brow.
“What is it, Father?”
“What, you fool? I don’t need to read your mood just to visit my granddaughter.”
An uncomfortable tension settled between Count Trabel and Father. I held my breath, worried their sharp words might escalate into a quarrel. But Count Trabel let out a scoff and passed by Father, speaking as he went.
“I’ll see you at home too.”
Father furrowed his brow again at the cryptic remark. I burst into laughter but had to stifle it when the Head Designer reminded me not to move.
***
After finishing my business at the Trang Clothing Shop, Father stayed behind to handle remaining tasks while I set out immediately in my personal carriage.
“Miss, where shall I take you?”
“The Moonflower Inn.”
My heart raced because of the note Theon had Jack Jack deliver this morning.
———-
Meet me at the Moonflower Inn Backyard at 8 PM tonight.
I’ll be waiting.
———-
Though the hour wasn’t late, the mere fact that Theon was waiting for me made everything feel urgent. I wanted to see him as quickly as possible.
‘This is quite serious, isn’t it?’
It seemed I’d grown to like Theon even more. I was deeply curious about how far my unpredictable heart would come to love him.
“We’ve arrived at the Inn.”
Before long, the coachman brought the carriage to a halt. I stepped out with composure, and even as I exchanged greetings with the Innkeeper Woman, my attention was entirely fixed on the Backyard where Theon was waiting.
“Where is His Highness?”
“Go around to the back of the building, Miss Berry.”
The Innkeeper Woman must have heard something from Theon, for she pointed toward the direction of the Backyard. I took a step forward. The Knight escorting me tried to follow, but when the Innkeeper Woman whispered something to him, he stopped with an awkward expression. I entered the Backyard alone.
“Theon?”
Someone stood there with their back to me. Though the sun had set and the surroundings were dim, light spilled through the Inn’s windows.
Tall, muscular frame, broad shoulders, lustrous black hair, and a chiseled jawline—that handsome man was unmistakably Theon.
“What are you doing?”
Yet it was strange that he didn’t move even after hearing my voice.
“…Theon?”
I placed my hand in my bag and called out to him. If someone was impersonating Theon, I had no intention of being caught off guard. My bag contained many of Burdbell’s inventions, carefully selected for self-defense.
That was when I took a step toward where Theon stood.
Pop. Pop.
Small bursts of light crackled in succession, and the surroundings brightened with a soft glow. Tiny lights the size of fingernails scattered across the trees and ground, creating a path. I traced the path of light with my gaze.
“….”
Theon had turned to face me, and he wore a somewhat bashful expression.
“Theon, what is all this?”
My feet froze as I stared at him. Theon’s appearance was extraordinary. He was dressed with as much care as he had been on the day of the Crown Prince’s coronation. It was enough to captivate me completely. Theon in his white formal suit walked toward me with a dazzling presence.
“I originally arranged this path imagining Berry walking toward me.”
Theon smiled sheepishly, his eyes crinkling.
“But I couldn’t wait even that brief moment.”
“….”
I stared blankly at Theon and nodded slightly. I didn’t understand the full situation, but I completely understood the desire to shorten the time until we could meet.
“Berry.”
Theon dropped to one knee before me. At that classic gesture, I finally realized what he was about to say. But all I could do was feel my heart pounding wildly within the overwhelming rush of emotion threatening to burst from my chest.
Theon looked up at me. I was reflected in his deep black eyes. He opened the ring box resting in his left palm. Inside the velvet-lined box sat a single ring. The diamond on the ring sparkled like the Milky Way.
“Will you spend your whole life with me?”
A matching ring adorned Theon’s left ring finger. I held back tears of happiness that threatened to overflow, and nodded to Theon.
“Yes.”
***
“I hereby declare that these two have become husband and wife.”
It was a radiant day.
Theon and I clasped hands and locked eyes amid the congratulations of countless onlookers. As our lips naturally met, the cheers of the Empire’s citizens swelled louder.
Truly, I was overwhelmed with happiness. With Theon by my side, I had a premonition that this bliss would visit me often until my final breath. My instincts were rarely wrong, after all.
“Theon.”
“Yes.”
“I’ll make you happy.”
Theon broke into a radiant smile at my words.
“I’m already happy, Berry.”
“Really?”
“As long as you’re here.”
I smiled back at Theon. The rough diamond I had known alone was now a brilliant gem shining for all to see, standing beside me.
“So am I, Theon.”
【 THE END 】
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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