The Lady Only Deals With the Real Ones - Chapter 221

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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We came down from the bell tower wearing our rings.

‘No wonder Lady Belastard was smiling a bit mischievously.’

It turned out to be a ring he had prepared for what he called a ‘wonderful confession.’

Because things had moved so urgently, he couldn’t give it to me at the lakeside, so instead he kept it close to his heart the entire time he was nursing me. While waiting for me to wake up.

But how could the Border Guard not know what was happening at the Duke’s residence?

In any case, I liked both the ring and his confession.

‘It means he firmly believed I would wake up.’

As we walked, we arrived in front of the hospital room before I knew it.

Tesagh, who opened the door for me, stepped back.

I nodded and took a light breath before carefully entering the hospital room.

“….”

Grandfather was looking at me.

Seeing Grandfather’s face, overwhelming memories came flooding back.

While I was unconscious, I had watched Grandfather’s past life. Sometimes crying, sometimes laughing.

At first, Grandfather couldn’t accept me. Perhaps it was natural. It wouldn’t have been easy for anyone.

But to dwell on those brief days would be unfair to the time and love that Grandfather had poured into me afterward, which was so deep and profound.

“I’m here, Grandfather.”

I was able to say those words with a smile.

That’s why I had dressed up so carefully before coming.

I knew that Grandfather would call me pretty even if I was covered in mud from head to toe, but I wanted to show him directly.

I wanted to show him how well the granddaughter he raised with love, the granddaughter he saved with the resolve to sacrifice everything, had grown.

I wanted to let him know that his choice was never wrong.

“Yes. My one and only granddaughter… has come.”

I ran to embrace Grandfather, and his wrinkled hands stroked my head.

It was that familiar warmth I had longed so much to touch.

Leaning against that warmth that would no longer be taken away or taken from me, I murmured.

“You know, Grandfather. I really wasn’t struggling at all? Of course there were times when I was sad and upset, but those were very brief.”

How much must Grandfather, who knew the future, have torn his heart out watching me?

Knowing it would hurt my feelings, yet throwing away medicine to protect me, how much must his stomach have burned?

Knowing he would have to face the death of his beloved daughter once again, how much must his heart have ached when he was losing his memories…?

But Grandfather wouldn’t want me to make assumptions and feel guilty.

“I made lots of friends and earned a lot of money too. I had many fun and amazing experiences, you know? I’ll tell you all about it.”

Just as I was doing now.

“So Grandfather, you have to tell me lots of your stories too. Especially how you got the nickname ‘Hound of Hell.'”

I heard that distinctive tiger-like laughter echoing through the room.

“If you hear that story, you’ll be too scared to sleep at night.”

“Then I’ll just take naps during the day!”

“Oh my?”

I was about to quickly change the subject, sensing a lecture coming about how bad it is for your health to have your day and night schedule reversed, and even about the benefits of carrots that I don’t eat.

At perfect timing, click, the lights turned on.

When I turned around, I saw Milton and Chloe, and the Duke of Alchemiya smiling warmly.

“Elisha…”

“Lady Elisha…”

“Oh my, you all heard. Don’t cry, both of you.”

While I was comforting Milton and Chloe, who were shedding tears and snot, I heard the voices of the Duke of Alchemiya and Grandfather.

“It’s been a long time, Michele.”

“Yes. Have you been well?”

For friends meeting after more than ten years, they’re quite dry… I was thinking when.

“I’ve been well. Thanks to my adopted daughter.”

“She’s my granddaughter.”

“My adopted daughter.”

“My granddaughter.”

“My adopted daughter.”

Hmm, I think I understand why the two of them were friends.

Refreshments were placed on the table. We shared overdue stories over tea.

I had said I would tell many stories myself, but,

“When Lady Elisha touched the cave! There was a rumbling sound and suddenly the wall collapsed!”

“…Elisha… helped me, without… wanting anything in return…”

“That’s when my adopted daughter stepped forward. Walking boldly onto the dais and refuting Former Regent King Crodil’s words one by one…”

All the topics were about me, which was quite embarrassing.

I glanced at Tesagh, hoping he would change the subject, but,

“It was very cool.”

Far from changing it, he was the same. He had a subtly pleased expression.

I was poking Tesagh in the ribs as he steadily threw logs onto the fire of conversation when I suddenly saw a welcome face.

“Count Airen!”

“Lady Elisha, I heard you had awakened. How are you feeling?”

“I’m perfectly fine. How about you, Count Airen?”

“Thanks to your concern, I’m also well.”

It was Ailren.

After greeting me politely, he seemed momentarily flustered by the scene of people bustling about in the hospital room, but true to form, he soon returned to his usual expression.

It turned out he had come as a special envoy from the Presripe Empire.

“…Therefore, we announce that His Grace Michele Fiochedade Rionet, former Duke, is hereby restored as of today. This is an imperial decree and will remain valid forever as long as the Presripe Empire exists.”

It meant that the Emperor, having regained his composure, had personally restored Grandfather.

Grandfather had voluntarily given up his ducal title. Since it was a title he had returned to the imperial family to prevent collateral branches like Rosaline from inheriting or using it, the Emperor could revive it.

The quick restoration was partly due to my contribution in recovering the Ruby Tablet, but it was probably because Ailren had explained the circumstances.

I approached Ailren, gave him a slight grateful look, and then asked.

“What about Lina?”

“She has awakened.”

Lina had no memory of the moments when she was being controlled.

Since ‘Crescens’s’ ability was to control bodies using the memory loss that occurred when magic and holy power collided, it was perhaps natural.

However, Lina had demanded a detailed report from Ailren. From beginning to end.

“She said that since the self during the time she had no memory was still herself, she should take appropriate responsibility for it.”

Lina, who learned all the circumstances, cried for a long time.

But she seemed to have no intention of being bound by the past like before. It was fortunate.

Ailren, who had been watching my expression, carefully spoke up.

“And… Lady Elisha, no, if Your Highness the Princess is alright with it, she asked if you could visit the Imperial Palace when you have time. She added that you could refuse if it would be uncomfortable.”

I answered immediately.

“I’ll go.”

“Are you sure you’ll be alright?”

“Of course. I made a promise with Lina last time. So…”

I smiled.

“Please tell her that this time, let’s play together for a long, long time.”

I also had to tell her about the Emperor’s story that I saw through the sacred flame.

Even if not for that, I liked Lina. After all, she and I were first friends.

“Oh! And please tell her to prepare just a little bit of snacks.”

Remembering the pile of snacks stacked high on the trolley, I shook my head, and Ailren laughed.

“I will do that.”

I gazed at Ailren’s smile and extended my hand to him.

“Thank you.”

Ailren, who had been looking at my hand for a moment, clasped it with both of his.

“I’m grateful too.”

According to Tesagh, Ailren planned to leave the Imperial Palace for a while once this matter was settled.

I don’t know exactly what his plans are right now, but I do know this.

Wherever Ailren is, whatever he does, he’ll be true to himself.

I remembered the moment I first shook hands with him. But unlike then, today Ailren’s smile seemed a little more at ease.

That’s a relief.

Ailren, who was about to leave, said “Ah,” and held out a small note.

“He asked me to give this to the Princess.”

As soon as I saw the handwriting on the note, I knew who had sent it.

It was brief, but unforgettable handwriting.

[I’m sorry.]

It was Crescens.

The deeply carved letters, written with force in each stroke, could be felt even with my fingertips.

I could almost hear his voice. Cold yet gentle, monotone yet kind.

[…And thank you.]

Recalling his clear light green eyes like fresh leaves, I carefully folded the note and held it in my hand.

Just then.

Heavy footsteps could be heard from the direction Ailren had gone.

Who could it be?

“Michele-! Elisha-!”

Recognizing the voice, I chuckled softly.

“What? Where? Here? Oh my, Elisha! Michele!”

It was Emma.

She rushed in, grabbed Grandfather’s hands and shook them vigorously, then came over to me.

“I heard everything from Chloe! Oh my, my poor little sister went through so much…”

“Are you crying?”

“No! Something just got in my eye!”

After stubbornly protesting, she naturally found an empty spot to sit.

As expected of a mage with three friends, she was quite sociable.

Emma was enthusiastically telling us how the magic stones stored in her pocket dimension had exploded with a bang, and how she was certain the connected mage must have died, when she suddenly gasped and covered her mouth.

“E-Elisha. That ring you’re wearing…”

“Pretty, isn’t it?”

“R-really? Really?! Oh my, oh my! What is this!”

When I proudly stretched out my hand, she squealed and didn’t know what to do, then suddenly looked puzzled.

“Huh? But why is the Duke wearing the same ring?”

“What?”

“Why is the Duke wearing it, I asked. Ah, I get it. The Duke gave this to you, right? Oh, my naive little sister.”

“What…?”

“I understand that feeling. Among the customers who come to our shop, there are kids like that sometimes. They probably wanted to try pretending to have couple rings under the name of friendship rings, but our Elisha has her own destined partner, you know? I feel sorry for him, so don’t do that.”

“Whaat…?”

“What? Why is everyone making that face?”

A moment later.

“Whaat-?!”

Emma’s face turned bright red as she jumped up from her spot.

I was struggling to hold back my laughter, and Chloe was flustered and didn’t know what to do.

Meanwhile, Tesagh, who had been rubbing his face for a long time.

“I will definitely, absolutely remove the words ‘Love Affairs Specialist’ from that magic tool shop’s sign.”

He was burning with determination.

Finally bursting into laughter, I laughed for a while then checked the time. It was already well past midnight.

Gauging the time, I stood up.

“Well then, I’ll get going first.”

“Why?”

“Why, Elisha?”

Among the people with question marks floating above their heads, only Grandfather seemed to understand my intention.

I shrugged my shoulders.

“I need to open the pawnshop.”

“…What?”

“We haven’t been able to operate for over a week. How much the customers must be waiting!”

“…”

“Well then, I’ll be going!”

I gave a bright smile to the people staring at me blankly and Grandfather, who had an expression like ‘That’s my granddaughter alright,’ then left the hospital room.

As I walked, I heard footsteps behind me.

I knew who it was without looking. It was Tesagh.

“I’ll take you there.”

Actually, using a magic circle would get us there in one second, but the reason I left so early?

Tesagh seemed to have realized belatedly and rushed out after me.

The fact that if we left by carriage now, we’d arrive just in time for opening hours.

I smiled and took his hand.

“It would be fun to go together. Right?”

Tesagh smiled too.

“Anything would be. As long as I’m with you.”

It would be a long journey, but I wasn’t afraid. With him, anything would be enjoyable.

In the distance, Venus twinkled as if welcoming us. We walked toward that light.

Our first step taken hand in hand was incredibly light.

-End-

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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