My Mom Got A Contract Marriage

Lilica opened a book on the ancient language, and took out a pendulum from her pocket after looking around the room. 

The merchant that Brynn brought in prostrated on the ground and requested for her to tell him the motif she’d wanted.

While pondering, Lilica recalled her first magic class.

The moon and the heart. 

When she mentioned these two things, the merchant nodded his head.

She saw Brynn grab him and ask him what they’d discussed. 

The pendulum which arrived not too long afterwards was simply to Lilica’s tastes.

She didn’t know what it was made of, but the surface of the pink jewel glistened gold when turned in this direction and rainbow in that direction.

A crescent shape was made using that, while a burningly bright red ruby was processed and made into a heart shape which dangled from the bottom of the crescent.

A gold tiara sat on top of the moon’s head. 

“Because it’s the princess’ item.”

Brynn spoke amicably.

The string was specially processed with platinum, and it also glistened.

For ease of usage, there was a round ring embedded with colourful jewels at the end of the pendulum, making it easy to hold or insert a finger within. 

She picked up a pendulum and looked at the ointment beside it.

“Louverda.”

The pendulum shone. Shimmering powder began falling on the ointment.

Lilica quickly replaced the pendulum back and looked at the ointment. She could see the ointment glistening as though quartz powder was scattered within it. 

She boldly picked up a pointed pin.

When she poked her fingertip with the pin, drops of red blood oozed out.

When she spread the ointment gently after sucking her finger, the wound vanished without a trace.

“It’s done!”

Lilica clenched her fist. She has also finished today’s homework.

She closed the ointment’s lid properly and flipped the book shut.

The ancient book was so huge that she needed Lauv’s help to return it back to its original place.

“Magic is truly awesome.”

Lilica hummed and came out with the ointment in hand.

“Have you finished studying?” 

Lilica nodded at Bryn’s question. Now, she found her study quite useful.

Lilica spoke anxiously.

“Will Mother have time today?”

“She said she will.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Lilica smiled brightly at Brynn’s words. Brynn spoke.

“Diare also said that she’ll be coming. You’ve agreed to go riding together, aren’t you?”

“Oh, then can I go with her?”

“Well, let me ask on your behalf.”

After a while a maid returned and Brynn said.

“They say that she can come along.”

“That’s great.”

Lilica smiled.

The thought of introducing her mother to Diare made her excited. 

‘Diare would be surprised by Mother’s beauty the moment she sees her, right?’

Diare, who arrived earlier than expected, was quite surprised to hear that she’ll be meeting the empress together, but she still nodded.

“Alright.”

At the face that seemed to be making mental preparations, Lilica smiled and held her hand. 

Diare’s cheeks flushed slightly.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Ludia greeted the two of them with a bright smile.

Diare’s jaw dropped without her realisation.

She’d never seen such a beautiful person.

On top of that, the surroundings were also shining. It seemed like flecks of light were floating in the air.

Above all, it was her first time attending a tea time with an adult. 

When Ludia spoke to Diare gently, Diare felt like she’d grown up.

Before she went over, she’d decided to ask questions like, “Why did you choose me?” and “What did you like about me?”…

When they actually sat to drink tea together, she spent that time looking at the round flecks of light floating around blankly and time flew by before she knew it. 

“I’ll leave Lily in your hands.”

“Yes, of course.”

That’s all Diare could say.

After tea time, Diare sighed as she left the Silver Dragon Chamber and walked down the hallway.

She murmured.

“The Empress is really beautiful.”

“Right? Right?”

She blurted those words out unknowingly. A pleased expression appeared on Lilica’s face. 

“Yes, and the surroundings are rather extravagant and sparkled brilliantly that I couldn’t come to my senses…”

Diare pressed a hand on her chest and looked at Lilica.

She imagined her good friend, the princess, as an adult.

‘I’m sure she’ll be a beauty.’

Though she’s lovely now, she’ll be even lovelier in the future.

“I much prefer tea time with you, my princess.”

Although the tea time she shared with the princess was also dazzling, she’d never felt overwhelmed.

For Diare, who didn’t have any immunity, this much was fun enough. She clasped her hands tightly and said. 

“Won’t you invite me again in the future? Tea time.”

“Of course.”

“No, in the future. In the future, even after the princess grows up and there’s more people around you. Please don’t forget about this Diare.”

Wolfe’s unique desire for monopoly slowly reared its head.

Although she only had Diare as her conversational partner, all high-ranking nobles had many conversational partners.

It’s because the connections between the conversational partners cannot be disregarded.

“I’m your first conversational partner.”

Lilica nodded at her insistence.

“Of course. Diare is always the first.”

Those words caused Diare’s face to brighten. She embraced the little princess tenderly.

“Thank you.”

Lilica laughed softly. Diare spoke cheerfully.

“Then, shall we go horseback riding now?”

* * *

Wolfe allows their children to wander around the mountains.

That was one of the reasons why Wolfe protected the black forest within their fief without reclaiming it.

However, there weren’t many vast plains suitable for horseback riding. 

As such, whenever she came to an equestrian arena where she could ride a horse to her heart’s content, Diare would ride as fast as possible. 

Now, Lilica’s horse riding skills have improved considerably, so she could also ride quite quickly.

“If I continue onwards, I think Saebyeol will be too tired.”

Lilica spoke while gasping for air. Her cheeks were red hot.

Diare approached and nodded. 

“Then let’s stop here and have a meal.”

“Mm.”

The two took a basket from Brynn and prepared their seats themselves.

Diare talked about the surrounding grass, flowers, and insects.

Lilica listened to her with interest and spoke.

“Diare, I’m going to tend to a garden. Would you like to come and help too?”

“A garden?”

“Yes, it’s a secret garden in the palace.”

Those whispered words made a deep impression in Diare’s heart.

“Of course I’ll help you.”

“It’s a mess because it has been left unattended for a while, so it’ll be quite tiring.” 

“That’s alright.”

“Okay, then I’ll definitely invite you next time.”

“Yes, it’s a promise.”

Lilica was delighted to have another set of hands.

Diare was also rather pleased.

After Diare waved her hand and left, Lilica asked Brynn.

“Brynn, as mentioned previously, how did bringing over a gardener go?”

“It’s already ready. As long as the princess gives me the word, I’ll bring it to you anytime.”

“Really? Is tomorrow alright then?”

“Yes.”

Brynn smiled. Lilica also faced her with a smile. 

“Brynn always does everything for me, so it’s so comfortable for me.”

“Of course, that’s the reason for my presence.”

“Competence is the proof of my existence,” said Brynn as she raised her head proudly.

The silver brooch that was given by Lilica sparkled.

Lilica quickly wrote a letter to Diare to invite her over tomorrow.

* * *

The next day, Lilica secretly met the gardener with her companions.

Brynn would always admire how she knew the lesser travelled routes. 

The gardener was a tanned woman in her 40s that seemed full of vigour and vitality. 

“My name is Ulrang, my princess. It is a deep honour to meet you.”

Ulrang took off her hat, placed it on her chest and gave a deep bow. 

“It’s nice to meet you, Ulrang.”

After once again solemnly declaring that she would keep the secret, Lilica opened the garden’s door with her key. 

Ulrang wore her hat with an admiring sigh.

“This is wonderful. I don’t think this is a palace garden.”

“Is it that bad?”

“No, it’s not that, but palace gardens have a specific layout and appearance, but a more comfortable atmosphere seems to have been pursued here.”

“Mm, maybe that’s why. I like it better here.”

In the future, when she left the palace and lived with her mother, she really wanted to have a garden like this.

A beautiful garden filled with herbs and raspberries.

‘For that, I have to study hard now.’

Ulrang took out the gardening tools that she’d brought and spoke.

“Well then, let’s get rid of the weeds first.”

Lilica accepted a hoe.

“What a strange-looking tool.”

“It’s a newly developed tool. It’ll dig up the weeds and their roots. As for those tall weeds, however…”

Lauv drew his sword.

“I’ll cut it out.”

Ulrang laughed loudly with a sickle in hand.

“Let’s do it together, then. As for the others…”

Under Ulrang’s instructions, the party began gardening together.

Diare picked up the rake.

Just because she was small in stature doesn’t mean that she was short on strength. She raked together the grass that Lauv had cut down.

The sun was so hot that sweat began to drip down their backs.

Diare raised her head.

“Wow.”

The moment she looked at the garden 

‘Is this some kind of wild forest?’

But as soon as the weeds were cut and they began to tidy up, it immediately looked like it was being cared for.

“It’s amazing.”

She felt proud inside.

She practised swordsmanship endlessly. 

She couldn’t even see her growth at a glance. It was an endless path fraught with uncertainty on whether she was growing or not.

However, there was a certain amount of work to be done in the garden, and the results were tangible. 

The intense smell of cut grass wafted and a messy stone road was revealed.

Diare liked her first time gardening much more than she thought she would.

It wasn’t as hard compared to her swordsmanship practice, but it was great to see visible results. 

“Everyone, have some snacks before continuing.”

Brynn returned with the basket that an attendant brought over. Lilica ran over while cheering. 

A wide checkered cloth was laid out on the floor.

On top of it were thick sandwiches of cold beef that’s covered with cloth, as well as still-warm scones, clotted cream, and jam. 

The most welcome of them all was the iced tea with condensation on the surface.

A full glass was poured for everyone, and there was still leftover. 

Lilica was specifically given a cold drink that contained ginger in it.

Brynn spoke with a triumphant face, “A slice of ginger in cold drinks would prevent an upset stomach.”

The food was simple but incredibly delicious.

Brynn made a cold towel and put it around Lilica’s neck.

“It’s so refreshing~”

Lilica wiped away her sweat with a blissful expression on her face. Brynn distributed the prepared towels to the others.

Ulrang laughed.

“Removing weeds in the very beginning is the hardest task and yet the most rewarding. But the weeds would rise constantly. Do you have any seedlings in mind?”

“Well, I want to keep it similar to how it is currently, but a little prettier. Actually, I don’t know much about gardens. I’d like to listen to Ulrang’s opinion.”

“Similar to how it is currently.”

“Yes, the raspberries can be picked and the herbs can be used for cooking. I also want to fix up that cabin beautifully.”

“You want a practical and beautiful garden. Understood.”

Ulrang nodded vigorously.

“Then I’ll prepare it like that.”

“Yes.”

Brynn spoke while removing the crumbs of the scone from the corners of Lilica’s mouth.

“There’s a well beside the cabin. The lid is rather old, but the water seemed usable.”

“Really? That’s great.”

Lilica smiled brightly and looked at the two Wolfes that were eating diligently. 

While Lilica had just finished one sandwich, the both of them had already finished four sandwiches.

Did Brynn bring that many sandwiches and baskets of water with two hands?

She felt grateful and apologetic towards the three of them.

“Thank you very much, everyone. It’s something that should be done by me and Ulrang, but thank you for accompanying me in gardening.”

“It’s not.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“It’s alright.”

Lauv, Brynn and Diare responded near simultaneously.

Lilica thought that she’ll have to express her gratitude to the three later.

Tidying up the garden won’t be finished in a day or two. The work lasted for several weeks at intervals.

Meanwhile, Brynn secretly mobilised workers to dismantle the cabin, build a new one and fill its interior.

Lilica walked into a bright cabin and let out an exclamation.

It was too big to be called a cabin, but it was too small of a cabin to be called a mansion. First, the ceiling was quite high.

There was a living room with a fireplace, and a kitchen at one side.

The shelves had neatly arranged plates, while brightly gleaming copper pots and frying pans and the like were hung on the walls.

The windows were wide open in the kitchen and living room, so sunlight streamed in nicely. 

There were also two small but proper bedrooms. There was even an attic up the ladder.

Lilica let out an admiring sigh because it was filled with loveliness, akin to a dollhouse.

While the imperial palace was splendid, it was a rather unrealistic place. However, this cabin was the house that Lilica always dreamed of.

It doesn’t leak when it rains, it receives bright sunlight and it is a warm house.

It was a dream house that she would want to live in someday when she made a lot of money.

“Brynn, it’s so pretty. How did you manage to accomplish it?”

“The Sol family must complete what they’ve been entrusted with. Do you like it?”

“Mm, it’s very pretty.”

The wooden floor was smooth, and it seemed like she wouldn’t be pricked even if she ran around barefoot.

Brynn went out and showed her the side door. It turns out that there was also a small underground storage cellar. The cellar also had shelves installed to store things like freshly made jam.

“Brynn is like a wizard.”

Lilica exclaimed repeatedly. When she went out to take a look, a new foothold was made for the well and it was covered with a heavy lid.

Brynn cautioned her.

“Please don’t draw water from the well when you’re alone. I’ll fill the water vat in the kitchen so you can use that instead.”

“Mm, alright.”

The garden was currently changing anew. Ulrang mentioned while sowing saplings, seedlings, and seeds. 

“A proper garden is created with time. We’re just helping out with that.”

Ulrang constantly taught the enthusiastic Lilica about gardening techniques, such as how to prune and plant bulbs.

Lilica decided that she would definitely have a garden like this when she left the palace.

When night fell, she was tired and wanted to fall asleep immediately, but she didn’t forget to practise magic.