episode_0104

When Eleanor and Dmitri first boarded the train, their distance was closer than ever before. This newfound closeness did not just signify physical proximity.

“It’s a bit high. Be careful, Eli.”

“Thank you, Dmitri.”

As Eleanor attempted to step up the stairs in her high-heeled shoes, Dmitri gently reached out his hand to assist her. In response to his sweet gesture, Eleanor sent him a smile as pure as a sunny summer sky.

In the isolated space of the train, the two men and women who had shared a three-day journey were now closer to each other in body and mind, like ordinary lovers, amidst the awkward yet sweet atmosphere.

As the Beauregard family waited for the arrival of their precious youngest daughter on the platform, they could not help but be amazed by the sweet sight of the two men and women in the distance.

“Oh! Mother! Father!”

Descending from the platform, Eleanor raised her hand with a bright smile towards the familiar faces visible through the white waves.

However, Eleanor’s family members, who held hands with her daughter affectionately, had slightly different expressions compared to Eleanor.

Her mother, Etienne, wore a face full of astonishment. Seeing the pure child who had received the man’s jacket after losing her memory holding his hand so affectionately, she felt a sense of pride.

In contrast, her father, Hubert, and brother, Ethelros, had expressions filled with sheer astonishment as they looked at Eleanor.

Of course, Eleanor could not discern their detailed expressions from a distance.

“Um… there. Dmitri.”

“I’m fine, go ahead, Eli.”

Dmitri gently nodded in response to Eleanor’s cautious words and released his soft hand that had been holding hers.

Although Dmitri was technically the highest-ranking man in the current situation and it would have been appropriate for him to be greeted first, he did not pay attention to such formalities.

Eleanor expressed her gratitude, apology, and even sticky emotions by wrapping her hands around his waist and hugging him tightly. Dmitri also gently placed his hand on her back and patted her softly after a brief but deep hug.

After the short but profound embrace, Eleanor immediately started running towards her beloved family.

“Oh, miss. It’s dangerous to run like that! Your hat, your hat is falling off!”

Despite hearing Eugene’s voice from behind, Eleanor continued to run forward. The wide-brimmed white hat she had placed on her head to shield herself from the sun’s rays drifted away from her platinum blonde hair. Fluttering with a sky-blue ribbon, the white hat soared into the blue summer sky.

However, Eleanor, the owner of the hat, did not care about the hat left behind and instead nestled into her mother’s gentle embrace.

“Mother, I missed you so much.”

Resting her chin on Etienne’s shoulder, Eleanor expressed her feelings honestly. Since facing her true self, Eleanor had no hesitation in expressing her emotions.

In reality, Eleanor had been somewhat exhausted by the events that had taken place, although she did not show it outwardly. While there were certainly good moments, what she had experienced was too significant to simply pass by with positive thoughts.

So, unknowingly, she raised her voice, acted a bit childish, and let out her emotions while being embraced by her mother’s soft arms.

Etienne patted her daughter’s waist while whispering affectionately in her ear.

“I really missed you too, our Ellie. How worried I was about the news? Are you hurt anywhere?”

“No. I’m fine now.”

Lowering her head from her mother’s shoulder, Eleanor smiled brightly. Etienne also smiled at her daughter’s appearance.

“I’m sorry for worrying you.”

“Don’t say that. It’s not your fault.”

At her mother’s words, Eleanor felt a sense of relief. Fortunately, it seemed that the incident at the mine had been resolved properly. It was undoubtedly a situation where she was at fault.

“Still… I’m sorry.”

In any case, Eleanor apologized.

Gradually, Eleanor gently pouted her forehead on the shoulder. Even though it was her daughter’s spoiled behavior, who was almost as tall as herself, in her eyes, she looked too cute.

And the jealousy of the two men beside her turned towards their wife and mother.

“Um, there… Eli.”

“Eli… Have you been well?”

Being called by the awkward, no, persistent voice, Eleanor turned her head slightly while being embraced in her mother’s soft arms, looking at the two men.

Having already experienced her father’s lost expression once, she would probably understand.

“Excuse me for being rude on our first meeting, but it’s quite uncomfortable, isn’t it?”

“Father, and Etelos…brother, right?”

“You really seem to have lost your memory.”

At Eleanor’s words, the man standing next to Obert immediately lowered his head sullenly.

Eleanor quietly looked at her little brother. There didn’t seem to be much of an age difference.

The bright golden hair and blue eyes were much darker than Obert’s, and even more so than the nobles of Albriss. Although he seemed similar in height to Albriss, his body was much thicker compared to the lanky older brother.

Certainly, no matter what anyone said, the man standing in front of her was imposing. He was not a man who would wield a pen like Albriss.

“Yes, he is. I’m sorry, brother.”

Eleanor stepped away from her mother’s embrace and approached the two men.

Now she was able to easily bring up the word ‘brother,’ and Eleanor carefully hugged him before her father.

“Oh, no. From now on, we’ll get to know each other again.”

Feeling his trembling hand on her waist, Eleanor thought. Despite his appearance, he seemed to be as brave as his older brother Siscon.

Ah! This is a service. Albriss must have tried so hard to hear this sound.

Eleanor took a step back from his embrace and sent him a gentle smile.

“As you said, I have no memory. I hope you can tell me a lot in the future, little brother.”

Etelos was dying to hear that one word.

Even after that fateful word, Obert was waiting patiently for his turn.

“Father, are you doing well?”

“I’m doing well. But more than that, your father is worried about you.”

Eleanor gently placed her hand around her father’s waist as she approached him. His embrace was firm and rough, unlike her mother’s, but the warmth was no less.

“As I told mother earlier, I’m really fine.”

“You answer so bravely, but… kidnapping is not something to take lightly.”

His rough hand on her slender waist began to tighten.

“Eli…I’m worried that you might be hurt in your tender heart.”

The sigh that scattered from above his head was very deep and profound. From the blue eyes looking down at her, Eleanor could tell that those words were not empty.

“Dad.”

“Oh, huh? Uh, Eli?”

From father to dad. Obert was surprised at the closer title. Eleanor calmly faced his chest after hesitating with a reply.

“Dad, don’t worry too much.”

“Eli…”

“Even if I look like this, I’m from the Bearngar clan. I’m not a woman who easily crumbles over such trivial matters.”

“That’s right. You’re my daughter.”

For a while, the two women embraced each other. As the time passed, Eleanor’s face blushed slightly with embarrassment, like when she was young.

She waited to be let go, but her father seemed to have no intention of doing so. Thanks to that, Eleanor had to break free from his embrace herself.

Eleanor straightened her disheveled clothes after the successive hugs. Obert, who was watching her with a regretful expression, furrowed his brows as something reflected in the sunlight caught his eye.

The sparkling light was reflecting from the sky-blue diamond ring on the girl’s finger.

Obert approached Eleanor, who was tidying up her clothes with her mother’s help. Gradually, his voice that flowed from his lips was somewhat calm and subdued.

“So, our beloved daughter. What is that ring on your finger?”

Despite his calm voice, his blue eyes were shaking uncontrollably. Standing next to him, Etienne let out a heavy sigh at her husband’s face.

Dmitri slowly walked towards the Duke. He had no intention of interrupting the family’s tender moment, and he was a little afraid to utter the words that he had captured the heart of their daughter.

People called him the Empire’s Sword, but in reality, he was just an ordinary man.

“It’s been a while… Duke Byungbaek.”

Just like in the townhouse last spring, Dmitri tried to make light conversation, but his gaze met with Dmitri’s and he was left speechless. The pair of blue eyes staring at him were sharp, unlike the cool sky-blue eyes he had encountered on the train, which were adorable.

“Ahem. Your Grace, have you been well?”

Albert coughed awkwardly, showing a hint of discomfort. Etienne, standing beside him, bowed her head slightly at the sight of her husband.

“Your Grace, you must have had a difficult journey.”

“Your wife becomes more beautiful with each passing day. I wonder who your wife resembles from Nellie’s appearance.”

“Oh my. Thank you, Your Grace. It must be your first time in the West, so I hope you have a comfortable stay.”

Looking at her mother’s eyes different from her father and younger brother, Eleanor thought to herself.

Was it true that a son-in-law’s love was said to be the mother-in-law’s?

Following this, Albert stepped forward again towards the Duke.

“This is my youngest son, Ethelros.”

“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Grace.”

Ethelros immediately bowed to Dmitri.

In truth, he was feeling conflicted at the moment. As a nobleman, the man standing before him was his idol. The Duke’s exploits brought a strong inspiration to the young Ethelros from beyond the rugged mountain range.

But the man standing before him now was also an invader trying to take away his precious younger sister.

“Ah! So you’re the famous Golden-eyed Grim Reaper!”

“Ah, that… that’s…”

Ethelros stumbled over his words at Dmitri’s remark. Hearing that proud title from his idol’s mouth, his blue eyes were shaking uncontrollably.

In fact, Dmitri had learned of that title before departing for the West, from the profile of the Beauregard family that Daphne had shared with him.

“I’ve heard a lot about you. They say you’re a son I can trust in matters of warfare.”

“Oh, Your Grace, you flatter me. I am still inadequate.”

Contrary to his confident demeanor earlier, Ethelros now seemed like a puppy facing its master, wagging his tail.

Eleanor looked at her husband in that way and muttered to herself.

What? He was glaring at me as if he wanted to devour me earlier. Is he more infatuated with Dmitri than I am?

But Ethelros was too preoccupied with receiving his precious sister’s disdainful gaze to even notice.

“I will rely on your guidance during my stay in the West.”

“Oh, um… Your Grace, it’s an honor.”

As the introductions came to an end, Dmitri cleared his throat and glanced at Eleanor. Eleanor, who had been standing among her family, cautiously moved closer to Dmitri.

“Um, everyone…”

Albert closed his eyes tightly, expecting what was coming. Ethelros was still adoring his hero, and Etienne was looking at the two with warm eyes.

“Dmitri Verbritz is seeking to establish a good relationship with Eleanor Arène de Beauregard, the youngest daughter of the Beauregard family.”

And at those words, Eleanor felt a bit deflated. What? A good relationship? Is this a public relations interview about a relationship rumor?

“What’s that, Dmitri. Seriously!”

Eleanor puffed up her cheeks and looked up at her lover. She then grabbed his arm and hugged him close.

Do I have to say even this as a man now?

Leaning on his strong arm, Eleanor announced the truth to her family.

“I like Dmitri. Dmitri also has feelings for me. So, Father, Mother, it’s your victory. You wanted to connect me with Dmitri, right?”

And the father’s reaction to this revelation was somewhat difficult to call him a winner.