Rather Than The Son, I’ll Take The Father
chapter-157

I was worried and asked the chick to send Shaula and Paimon back first.

Paimon panicked as his form began to blur.

[“Kek, Eve! Aren’t you going with me?”]

“Ppii!”

“I’m going back to the castle, but I’m going straight to Aedis. See you later.”

And I said to the chick

“Can you move me, too? To Aedis’ lap.”

The chick made a puzzled expression at the fairly specific destination choice.

“Pppiii.”

“Yes, you did a good job, too.”

I stroked the fuzzy back gently with my index finger, and the chick chimed in showing that it liked it.

Before long, I moved through space and landed lightly on Aedis’ lap.

It was a perfect landing.

I smiled reflexively at the familiar chest and sweet scent.

“Aedis—”

Eh?

I greeted my husband and stopped.

Aedis’ hands hugging me were kind, but the surroundings were too quiet.

I didn’t know why, so when I turned my head, I saw all the northern vassals gathered.

“…….”

Khhm, hmm.

There was Viscount Ella, whom I met when I inspected the estate, and there was also the new lord of the Rosa estate.

All of them had their heads bowed like helpless believers, but it was not difficult to recognize them.

I was embarrassed for a moment, but I shamelessly composed my expression.

The vassals must have heard my voice, but they couldn’t raise their heads. Dozens of eyes were fixed on Aedis’ shoe nose.

The reason was obvious. They were afraid of Aedis.

It was surprising because I expected that he would work with Toliman as he entrusted his vassals to a partner.

He was so enthusiastic. For some reason, I think they might have gathered purely for my birthday…….

Aedis opened his mouth while holding my hair, which was somewhat disheveled by the wind, in his hand.

“You may leave now.”

It was a cold voice, devoid of any warmth.

With Aedis’ permission, the vassals immediately rose.

Oops. Anyone who sees it will think that a person died here.

Ignoring as the vassals bowed and left, Aedis spoke to me in a friendly voice smeared with honey.

“Did you enjoy walking your pet dog?”

The vassal, who was about to leave for the last time, stumbled when he heard a voice that was completely different from when Aedis was talking with them.

He was inclined to believe that he had heard it wrong.

I shrugged.

“I can’t comment because I don’t think Shaula would be upset at all if she heard that."

Rather, it was clear that she would confidently demand not to be stingy on the food expenses because she was a pet dog.

The door was closed carefully.

When we were alone, Aedis tried to kiss me on the forehead, so I pulled back.

“Eve?”

“Why?”

I laughed softly with a face that I showed unaware.

Unfortunately, your wife is no longer satisfied with kisses. In addition, she’s also quite annoyed.

I got down from Aedis’ lap.

“I just came to say that I had a good trip. My parents will be arriving soon, so I’ll check the party venue and come later.”

“…….”

I leisurely left the office. While taking the chick, I was reunited with Paimon, who had caught up with me, and I arrived in front of the party venue smoothly. But I never had the courage to open the door.

“…… The door is golden.”

[“It’s not plated? The whole thing is golden.”]

Paimon was also impressed. Moreover, from inside, the music of Rivet Kingdom, which Toliman had invited, seemed to be rehearsing.

May- maybe it wouldn’t be necessary to open this door now?

I was absurd even though I enjoyed luxury to my heart’s content as the heir of a large family. Paimon tapped the doorknob with his chubby paw.

[“They only did special treatment here.”]

Besides that, Paimon eagerly snooped around and gave me news I didn’t expect.

[“Wow, the inside is no joke? The jewels were spread thinly and made into curtains…….”]

It was not a curtain decorated with jewels, but a curtain that was the jewel itself. It was so beyond absurd that it was almost terrifying.

I cut off Paimon.

“I’m suddenly busy, so I’ll have to take a look later. Let’s go, Paimon.”

[“Yes.”]

“Ppii!”

“Yes, you come with me, too.”

“Ppii, Ppii!”

* * *

My parents arrived just before the end of the day.

Due to using the movement magic several times, both of them were clearly exhausted.

“Mother, Father.”

Mother struggled to smile with a pale face.

“I’m glad you look good.”

“We need to talk later but get some rest.”

As I glanced at them, the butler and the servants approached. They were already ready to escort my parents to the VIP room.

However, one more person moved in later, a visitor who I did not expect to come today.

It was Prince Euraus, with blonde hair that had grown quite a bit, and fair skin that hadn’t seen exercise or rigorous training a few times.

The sleek face gave a gloomy impression, and there was no such thing as a cool-headed or clever image.

He also didn’t have the qualities of a monarch who can control people, so if left on the street, he’s just a handsome guy, and no one would guess he was a member of the imperial family.

I sighed and asked.

“Prince? I hadn’t heard that you were accompanying my parents.”

The butler, who was as active in preparing for my party as Aedis, sent an invitation to the imperial palace with enthusiasm, but honestly, it didn't matter if they didn’t come. I really didn’t know if they would come.

Let’s start with interrogation rather than greetings.

“I acted recklessly because I wanted to meet you as soon as possible. In the meantime, you have become even more beautiful.”

What…….

It seemed that he wanted to change his image in his own way, but it was a tone that only sounded icky.

Euraus cleared his throat at my cold gaze.

“Khmm, so the imperial family came, but where is your disrespectful husband who doesn’t even greet me?”

Even my parents, who had been silent, seemed at a loss for words.

Aedis was by my side with Regen.

It wasn’t even that he hid his presence.

Euraus intentionally didn’t look at him and continued to speak condescendingly.

“How cheeky.”

“…….”

“It was arrogant enough to allow me to move directly into the Grand Duke’s castle. I am afraid that your husband will keep the gates wide open even if an enemy shows.”

No one would hurt a finger of mine if I left the bedroom door open, let alone the gate.

I wondered how long he would deny reality, but after looking around, Euraus finally met Aedis’ eyes.

And Euraus fainted just like that.

“…… Throw him, no, take him to the right room.”

I pretended not to know the servants who were telling each other to do it.

He was such a pathetic fellow that even though he’s twenty-four, he hasn’t been given the title of crown prince.

I introduced Regen to my parents while leaving the other nobles who would arrive later to Toliman.

“Mother, Father, this child is Regen.”

“I am…… Regen Kalakis.”

Perhaps because he was in front of my parents, Regen was very nervous. Mother responded with a faint smile.

“Nice to meet you, Lord Regen. But I’m very tired right now. Would it be okay if we put off the formal greeting until later?”

The same goes for Father, but it was a miracle that he did not vomit due to the aftereffects of the movement magic he used several times.

Noticing Mother’s increasingly graying complexion, Regen spoke quickly.

“Yes, yes! I’ll show you to your room!”

“Thank you.”

When the two went into the bedroom, I was about to ask the chick for a brief recovery. Sarah called me with a grim face as if she couldn’t put it off any longer.

“Your Grace, now you have to choose a dress to wear at the celebration!”

It was a little late, but it was inevitable because I had been messing around with Kadan…… I thought.

But for some reason, the dressing room that I arrived at with Aedis and Regen was packed with beautiful dresses that would bewitch even the fashion-conscious aristocrats of the capital.

“What are these dresses?”

All of them were to my taste. Besides, it looked crucially warm. The jewelry was not just for showing off and randomly attached so it was suitable for dancing.

I pulled out an elegant velvet dress and put it on.

It was already perfect, so it seemed that there was no need to mend it, to remove or add decorations.

It seemed that at least three of the best dressing rooms in the north had been utilized for it.

“Hmm, it seems like someone carefully selected them?”

I tilted my head, and through the full-length mirror I saw the culprit start.

“…… Aedis, when have you seen this?”

“When the wife was busy, little by little.”

“You seem to know my taste very well…….”

I turned to my husband, who was still clinging to his black outfits. He was a perfect husband who was impeccable, but it was regrettable that he only wore black clothing.

“Choose five of these. Then I’ll pick out the clothes. How is it?”

Aedis nodded his head willingly. He must have been hung up on the fact that I had refused the forehead kiss earlier.

Annoyed is annoyed, but my husband is really cute…….

I ignored the handmaid’s astonishment at my expression. Sarah had a happy expression because she was quite used to it.

“Your, Your Grace.”

Regen lightly tugged at my clothes with a small hand. I smiled at Regen.

“Will Regen pick out the clothes for me to wear?”

“Yes!”

Regen also smiled broadly.