"Uu… Something feels strange."
I alighted from the carriage I'd entered at the Royal Castle and looked up at the mansion. The residence of Vivoir ducal house that I hadn't seen in a while looked just as I remembered, but it somehow didn't feel like my house.
With the wedding ceremony finally imminent, I unusually returned home.
It seems three days before the wedding ceremony I will have to withdraw to a certain place inside the Royal Castle and until the day of the ceremony go through a ritual of intently praying to God. Before that, the King and Mother-in-law recommended me to go home once, and I accepted, grateful for their kindness.
I'll stay over until tomorrow. Freed didn't want it to take any longer, and I also don't want to be separated from him much. But when I get married, I won't be able to go home except for exceptional circumstances. So I thought of going home if I could.
"Before, I wanted to quickly go home…"
After being cajoled to stay at Freed's side in the castle because I was in danger, at first I wanted to return home as soon as possible. Before I knew it, I stopped being concerned about that and now it doesn't even feel like I 'came home'.
Some time ago, I was told, "Come back home every once in a while," by Mother who came to the Royal Castle, but in the end it was so comfortable by Freed's side that I didn't want to go home. I'm sorry for being a bad daughter.
"Milady, welcome home."
While I was looking up at the mansion with complicated feelings, maids and butlers who came to greet me bowed their heads all at once. I nodded to them and began walking. In the entrance lobby I was greeted by Father, Mother, as well as Brother who was there for some reason.
"Welcome home, Lidi."
"… I am home."
When I bowed my head to Father and Mother, Mother happily hugged me. I answered her and wrapped my arms around her back. My eyes grew hot from the feeling of Mother for the first time in a while.
"You wouldn't come back… so I worried you'd marry without coming here anymore."
"I'm sorry…"
I was recommended to do that by the King and Mother-in-law, so it was probably so. I could only say I'm sorry to Mother.
I also teared up from Mother's tearful voice.
"Why are we talking in a place like this. Let's go to the parlor first."
"Yes, Father."
I nodded to Father and separated from Mother. As I was about to go to parlor, I met eyes with Brother behind Father.
"Say Older Brother, I've been wondering for a while, why are you here? What about work?"
It's really mysterious. After all, Brother returns to the mention in the evening every day. And yet, why is he here during daytime? Hearing my words, Brother's face turned bitter.
"It's His Majesty's consideration. He said it would be better if the whole family were there if you were going home. That's why Old Man is home today too."
"I see…"
"You really are liked by His Majesty and the Queen."
Stared at with a suspicious face, I calmly answered.
"There's nothing strange about it. They're concerned about their future daughter-in-law. But is it okay? Older Brother, won't Freed be alone without you?"
I'm aware the amount of work increases just before the wedding. I wondered if Freed wouldn't have a hard time without Brother, but Brother said with an extremely displeased face.
"There's no problem, I brought the documents from the castle. There's no way I'd be let off by that narrow-minded Freed. 'I can't be with Lidi, and yet you, her brother gets to spend time with her while ditching work? You really are enviable.' He said something so nasty with a terrifying face. After seeing that face, I had no choice but to bring work home."
"Wow…"
I could easily imagine Freed's face as he said that line and felt just a little sorry for Brother.
"I didn't really want to go home either. Even without it, I see you more than enough in the castle."
"… I know, right?"
Whenever I go to Freed's office, Brother is almost always there. I also often meet him when I walk through the castle, so we might actually meet more than we had in our mansion. I always meet him, so it's completely unnecessary to have him come home for me.
"I came home on His Majesty's orders, but rather than taking work home, I'd honestly prefer staying in the castle. It's easier to check documents there."
"What should I say… Sorry."
"I don't really blame you. Mom wanted to meet you, and aren't you glad to come home before marrying?"
"Yup."
When I nodded, a hand was placed on my head.
"Well, doesn't Old Man have it harder than me? He also sees you a lot, and yet His Majesty ordered, 'Return.' When we were summoned together by His Majesty, Old Man turned paler than me."
"Whoa…"
"There's no way the Prime Minister has more spare time than me. Especially now that envoys from foreign countries keep coming…"
"…"
Somehow, I feel like me going home has created a great deal of trouble. To be honest, I'd prefer if both returned to the castle now.
I see them more than enough, so it's enough if I can talk to Mother.
However, I know that by saying that I would waste the King and Mother-in-law's kindness, so I could only hold my tongue.
"Lidi, what are you doing? Hurry up."
"Y-Yes."
While I was talking with Brother, Father, who went ahead, looked back. I answered him and together with Brother hurried after him.
Chapter end
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