My Mom Got A Contract Marriage

The princess didn’t force her to do anything, nor did she try to convince her about what was right and wrong. 

Gardening was fun.

Diare purely felt joy.

Nothing was there to oppress her.

She was acknowledged for her work, and her efforts weren’t dismissed.

The talks about whether she resembled Sandra or Wolfe more became rather distant.

When she stood next to the lovely princess that was smaller than her, she wanted to protect her. 

It felt like she’d found a place of her own.

‘Like I’ve become someone worthy.’

She wasn’t Diare, who didn’t belong to neither Wolfe nor Sandar.

She wasn’t called a little one, and she wasn’t jostled away while someone said, “Isn’t it tiring for you? Go there.” 

Despite everything that happened, Lilica casually gave her a place beside her. 

“A conversational partner…” 

She couldn’t help but murmur her position softly. 

‘The number of conversational partners will increase in the future.’

Diare was well aware of that. 

Most of the imperial family were like that. Lilica and Atil belonged in an extremely small minority. 

She wished that it would continue to be the case. 

She hoped that Lilica would continue being only her princess.

She also had such a thought. 

‘Fjord Barat.’

However, that couldn’t be the case, since the name of another potential conversational partner has appeared. 

Although the princess said she was her first conversational partner, she wanted to win this position with her own power.

She truly wanted to become friends, and not end up as conversational partners for political purposes.

She really wanted to become Princess Lilica’s precious person. 

‘I seem to understand why Lauv chose her.’

Diare could understand why he, who was always wandering in solitude, remained beside the princess meekly. 

At that moment, Lilica exclaimed.

“I think I can jump like Diare!”

“It’s dangerous,” Brynn said, but Lilica shook her head.

“No, I think I can do it.”

She swooshed past and said.

“If I fail, Lauv will catch me, right?”

Lauv replied unhesitatingly.

“Of course.”

Upon receiving his response, Lilica jumped off at the highest point like Diare did.

“Princess!”

Brynn dashed out, but Lauv was a step faster than her. 

Lilica fell into Lauv’s arms with a plop. Lauv fell backwards and cut the impact into half.

Brynn ran over. 

“It’s dangerous, Princess…!”

Lilica gasped.

It was much higher than she’d thought, and she fell much faster than she’d anticipated.

If Lauv hadn’t caught her, she would definitely have hurt her ankle.

But she felt like she’d become an extremely brave person. Delighted laughter escaped from her lips. 

It was a reckless act that I wouldn’t have done normally.

She spoke.

“It’s dangerous, but I knew Lauv would catch me.”

After saying that Lilica asked Lauv.

“Right?”

Lauv blinked and smiled. It was quite rare to see him smiling sincerely, so Lilica brightened up.

He helped her up and got up afterwards.

“I’ll catch you whenever you need me to.”

His tone was firm and confident.

Was there anything sweeter than words of trust in him by his lord? 

No matter where she falls from, he’ll catch her.

He didn’t ever want to give up on his position at the bottom of the cliff, and neither did he want to accede to another. 

At Lauv’s words, Brynn folded her arms while Lilica laughed.

Diare felt left out for some reason, so she held the princess’ hands. 

“?”

Despite being startled, the princess still held her hands tightly. Diare averted her gaze out of embarrassment.

Brynn said.

“Then shall we go back now? I think the gardening work can be left to Ulrang now.”

“Yes, but I’ll tend to it from time to time.”

“Just as a hobby though. If you keep this up, your hands will become rough.”

Lilica nodded at Bryn’s concern, wondering ‘Is that so?’

She’ll do her best to learn now, and when she leaves the palace later on, she’ll have to work on it personally then.

Keeping her hands white and smooth was also a part of being an outstanding princess. 

‘Come to think of it.’

She was reminded of Fjord at the mention of white and smooth hands. 

‘That’s what Diare said, but I don’t think Fjord wouldn’t just not send a reply.’

What’s going on?

She didn’t know what’s really going on.

Lilica began to worry again, so she decided to send another letter.

* * *

Lilica felt that there was something strange with her front teeth.

‘What’s going on?’

After breakfast, Lilica spole to Brynn with a serious expression.

“My front teeth are really weird.”

At Lilica’s words, Brynn said, “Please give me a moment,” and looked at her front teeth. 

“Pardon me.”

Brynn tried shaking Lilica’s front teeth.

“!!”

Lilica turned stiff, but Brynn removed her hand and said.

“It’s time to extract your teeth.”

“Extract my teeth?”

Brynn nodded at Lilica’s question.

“You’re about to grow new teeth. The new teeth will only grow out beautifully when the shaking teeth are extracted.” 

“T, that’s… But…”

Extracting her teeth, of all things!

At the sight of the flustered and panicking Lilica, Brynn said again, “Try going ahh.”

Lilica opened her mouth with an “Ahh,” and Brynn continued.

“I think we still have some more time. Then I’ll extract it two days later instead. By then, I should be able to extract it cleanly and painlessly.” 

“Really?”

“Of course I’m telling you the truth.”

Brynn’s words of assurance calmed Lilica down. In any case, she was glad that she didn’t need to extract it now.

Immediately after breakfast, Lilica wrote a letter to Fjord. This was already her second letter.

As she didn’t get any sort of contact or response, Liliva thought that something had happened. 

As such, Brynn reassured her that if something happened to Young Duke Barat, she’d know immediately. 

This time, the letter was filled with words of concern, and she went out for a walk afterwards.

The weather was already in the midst of summer. The perfect time to take a walk was in the early morning or late afternoon.

After looking around the crowded Sky Palace, Lilica was on the path back to the Sun Palace. 

Atil seemed to head to the Sky Palace rather frequently for meetings with lower-ranked aristocrats, but Lilica didn’t have any confidence in that aspect.

She didn’t know how she should behave when meeting other aristocrats. 

‘But having tea parties with dolls every day was…’

Of course, she was very happy with dolls and tea parties, but it would probably be more fun with friends.

Is there no way that she can make friends, even without being a conversational partner like Diare? 

While agonising over this, Lilica walked through the garden. She was holding a new parasol. 

The new parasol that her mother made was lighter and in a brilliant yellow colour, so Lilica liked it a lot. 

The roses have already withered, and now, red crape myrtles and large peony flowers are in full bloom. 

“It’s been a while, my robin princess.”

Fjord suddenly popped up from amongst the garden shrubs. Lilica looked at him in surprise.

“Fjord!”

She ran over jubilantly, but then she paused.

“Fjord, are you okay?”

His face was pale, and a mark of being hit was evident on the corner of his mouth.

It matched with his splendid appearance, creating a strange, and if she had to describe, morbid beauty.

Fjord laughed.

“Yes, I’m fine. How have you been, my princess?”

Lilica looked around. There wasn’t anyone other than Lauv and Brynn standing behind her. 

Thinking that it’s impossible, Lilica asked.

“Were you waiting for me?”

“I’ve waited for a short while.”

Lilica approached him bewilderedly.

“What’s the matter? Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’ve already said that I’m fine.”

She could sense something strange in his smiling face.

Lilica couldn’t help but hold his hand. She was startled after holding it. 

“Fjo…rd…”

His hand was really hot.

His face was so pale, and his hands were burning hot. 

Lilica quickly noticed that this wasn’t normal. Her face stiffened.

“Fjord, let’s go to my room right now, and…”

She was going to say that she’ll call for an imperial physician, but Fjord said.

“I don’t want to.”

“Fjord.”

“I’m fine.”

After repeating himself again, he took a deep breath and spoke gently. 

“Thank you for recommending me to be your conversational partner. But the duke is strongly opposed to it. I’m sorry to say this even though I had mentioned this first……”

He held her hand tightly. It was a strong force that bordered on being painful. 

“I don’t think I can be a conversational partner of yours.”

Lilica stamped her feet.

“That’s fine. There’s no need for Fjord to apologise. More than that, are you really alright? No, you aren’t fine. What about a physician? Have you seen one?”

“Are you okay?”

He blinked.

It seemed like he didn’t hear any of the words she’d said following that. His grip tightened even further. 

“I asked if you’re alright?”

Just as Lilica’s face became distorted, Lauv grabbed his arm.

“—!”

Fjord twisted the caught arm and pulled Lauv in by his wrist, before striking him with the elbow of his other arm.

Lauv also caught the attacking hand with his other hand.

The next moment, Fjord remained still, while Lauv bounced backwards and pushed Lilica behind him. 

Lilica saw Fjord’s eyes turn unfocused.

There wasn’t a breeze, but his hair began fluttering in the air. The air turned prickly. 

Small stones began rattling. 

Alarm bells rang wildly in her head.

“Fjord!”

At Lilica’s  shout, he immediately paused and looked back at Lilica.

Her gaze met his. Lilica looked straight into his somewhat confused eyes.

His hair slowly fell back in place and the air turned gentle again.

He collapsed on the spot like a marionette with broken strings. Lauv stopped the astonished Lilica from trying to run over.

Lauv only examined Fjord’s condition when Brynn came over and stood in front of her. 

“I think he fainted.”

“Let’s take him to the cabin.”

At Lilica’s words, Brynn asked, “Is that alright?”

Lilica nodded.

“I don’t think he should be seen like this by anyone else. But we also can’t just leave him here like this.”

If Atil knew that she’d brought Fjord into the secret garden, he might become furious, no, he’ll definitely be furious. 

‘I don’t know of any other way.’

She couldn’t take Fjord to the White Dragon Chamber, and she also couldn’t just leave him here.

Lauv carried Fjord on his back. Brynn said.

“Alright, then please come this way.”

The party managed to avoid anyone and arrived at the cabin. 

Lauv put Fjord down on the bed.

By that time, his face became so red that his pale face from before seemed like a lie. 

His breathing turned rough and laboured.

Lauv told Lilica.

“I think Young Duke Barat is injured.”

“Injured?”

“Yes, I detected the smell of blood.”

Brynn said.

“In that case, his clothes have to be taken off first. The princess and I can’t do that.” 

Brynn gave Lauv a pointed look. 

Lauv lowered his gaze to Lilica and swallowed a sigh at the sight of her not knowing what to do.

“Alright.”

After a while, Lauv exited the bedroom with a tired look.

Lilica, who was waiting in the living room, jumped up immediately.

“How is it? Is it a serious wound?”

“His upper body was covered with scars. It’s like a variety of weapons were being tested, from the oldest ones to the newest, it’s relatively systematic—”

As he was speaking, the sight of Lilica’s face turning pale caused him to stop. 

Brynn shot Lauv an undisguised frown and then said. 

“I’ll go and get some medicine and bandages first. Have you done any basic treatment?”

When Lauv nodded, Brynn tilted her head, saying, “Didn’t you say that you knew how to speak?”

Lauv cleared his throat. 

“Although I’ve done some basic treatment, the wound has to be cleaned again and rewrapped with bandages after medicine has been applied.” 

“I see. Would you like to come with me, princess?”

“No, I’ll wait here.”

Lilica shook her head.

“Alright.”

After Brynn walked out of the cabin at a quick pace, Lilica looked at Lauv with a glum face.

“Did it seem really serious?”

Lauv pondered how he should answer her.

Honestly speaking, it was too cruel for the young princess. However, it wasn’t a part of his nature to lie to his lord.

While he hesitated and was unable to answer her, Lilica closed her eyes and reopened them.