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Chapter 50

Outside, it was already growing dark.

Emilia trudged out of the civil office.

"I've done it."

She muttered, feeling a little hollow.

Even though it was her own doing, she still couldn't quite believe it.

They say marriage is madness—and that saying fit perfectly.

Of course, among all the mad people, I'm probably the maddest.

Who in the world gets married like this?

Well, the marriage would automatically be annulled if they divorced within six months.

Still, that didn't change the fact that it was insane.

She'd only filled out some paperwork, yet she felt utterly drained.

Her legs were even trembling.

Kayden came to her side and asked.

"Are you alright?"

"...Probably."

Emilia answered, avoiding his gaze. She fidgeted with her hands for no reason.

Earlier, the moment they'd arrived at the civil office on horseback, Kayden had firmly taken her hand and led her in.

Of course, it was only because she was slow.

I thought my face would burn off.

Anyone watching would have thought they were lovers eloping to marry in secret.

Just then, something weighty settled on her shoulders.

"It's chilly."

"Ah, thank you."

Kayden had taken off his jacket and draped it over her.

Since he'd been wearing it until just now, the warmth radiated through.

Somehow, it felt like being held in his arms, and she grew flustered.

Emilia bowed her head and murmured.

"P-please ride a little gentler on the way back."

"Of course."

A relaxed smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

---

"Wait... so you went to do what?"

Herald asked again, still utterly baffled.

"I told you—they went to get married."

"Married to whom?"

"Naturally to Miss Emilia. Who else?"

No, why did "naturally" precede that?

He'd been listening to the butler explain the series of events that had happened today, but instead of grasping the situation, he only felt more lost.

Just then, someone entered the residence.

Herald ran over to them in his stocking feet.

"D-do you two really mean to say you got married?!"

Emilia's eyes went wide, then she averted her gaze and answered.

"Y-yes, we did..."

Somehow, it felt like confessing to a crime.

Herald stared blankly at her answer.

Emilia felt a strange sense of comfort from his reaction.

Yes—a normal response should be one of bewilderment.

Just then, Ivan came down the stairs, holding Laura's hand.

"Em...ilia?"

The child's trembling voice reached her.

Emilia quickly looked over.

Even from a distance, she could see Ivan's eyes were red and swollen.

Oh dear.

She approached Ivan and gently cooled his eyes with her cold hands.

"Phew..."

Ivan quietly accepted her touch.

His eyes were so heated that the warmth quickly transferred to her hands.

Tomorrow they'll be too sore to open.

Emilia said to Laura behind her.

"Could you bring me a cold, wet towel?"

"Yes, I'll be right there!"

Laura hurried off.

"Emilia, I, I..."

When Emilia's hands fell away, Ivan hesitated.

She'd left for the civil office without properly explaining things to Ivan earlier.

He must have wanted to ask what would become of him.

Emilia smiled reassuringly and said.

"Ivan, you don't have to go anywhere right away."

"...Really?"

"Yes, really."

Emilia nodded at Ivan's question.

Ivan blinked, looking at her, then bit his lip tightly.

Without a word, he buried himself in her embrace.

Why?

Emilia held him, puzzled.

She thought it was good news, but Ivan's reaction seemed a little strange.

"Shall we go to your room for now?"

With that, she caught Kayden's eye to ask permission, then led Ivan up the stairs.

---

Lying on the bed, Ivan buried his face in the pillow, clutching Emilia's sleeve tightly.

Because of that, she had to sit on the edge of the bed with one arm offered up.

She tried to cool his eyes with the cold towel, but Ivan just shook his head.

After a long while, his muffled voice came.

"Emilia, you know..."

"Mm."

Emilia answered patiently.

"I really don't have to go far away?"

"Yes, that's right."

"But... Emilia, am I making things hard for you?"

At Ivan's words, Emilia tilted her head.

Oh, he's asking if he's causing trouble.

"No, not at all."

"But earlier, with the Duke..."

Ivan didn't seem convinced.

Even if he didn't fully understand, he seemed troubled that something had been done because of him.

...Well, it was something.

Emilia replayed the events in her mind and fell silent for a moment.

But getting married like this—is it really good for a child's upbringing?

She felt cold sweat trickling down her back.

"Ahem."

Emilia cleared her throat softly.

Whatever the case, her priority now was to reassure Ivan.

She gave a light shrug.

"That's something you really don't need to worry about, so don't think about it."

Still, she needed to explain the situation at least briefly.

"Hmm. Instead, Ivan will become His Grace's official heir starting tomorrow."

"Heir...?"

"Heir."

Emilia smiled slightly.

"And from now on, I and His Grace will be your guardians."

But even after hearing the explanation, Ivan showed no sign of happiness.

"I'm, I'm sorry... because of me."

Instead, he murmured in a tearful voice.

"Actually... I just wanted to stay with Emilia a little longer. I didn't want to say goodbye like that."

At that, Emilia smiled.

"You don't have to be sorry. I felt the same way."

She also hadn't wanted to part with Ivan like that.

That was why she'd frantically searched for a solution and, in the end, gone and married Kayden.

"Come here."

Emilia opened her arms, and Ivan fell into her embrace.

Feeling his warmth, she thought she'd made the right choice.

"Ivan, I like the word 'thank you' much more than 'I'm sorry.'"

"Yes, yes! Thank you, Emilia."

At Ivan's quick reply, Emilia laughed softly.

"And... I love you so much."

The child's heartfelt words came in a small, earnest voice.

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