Episode 108
she replied calmly.
“Can it be compared?”
He nodded his head happily.
“Good.”
“…….”
“Would you kiss me if I hit you one more time?”
“I do not like it. You always hit.”
“You don't have to put your tongue in.”
“…… Then I'll think about it.”
Lucerne smiled and hit the next arrow in the same spot. Then she grabbed Elisha by the chin and kissed her in one breath. She, of course, stuck her tongue out soggy. Elisha felt cheated.
Elisha covered her lips for no reason as she heard a sound coming from her side and her lips dripping.
Her butler cleared his throat. And she pretended not to know, and she saw a bird flying in the sky.
Elisha seems to be in a good mood in Lucerne, so she decides to bring up a sensitive subject.
“Lucerne, it's spring now. There are many nobles who give and receive gifts starting from the Spring Spirit Day, so I want to send a gift to the distinguished guests.”
“Do it yourself. See the list later.”
“There is fortune teller Muto on the list.”
Lucerne's eyebrows twitched. Elisha squeezed his hand before he could say anything.
“I trust him to go to whoever he is. So there's nothing wrong with making our side.”
“He is an impostor.”
“Lucerne. I'm just doing my job It's my job to help you.”
There was a man called the fortune teller Muto. He was the priest of the demon god, one of the extinct ancient gods. The demon god was an ancient subordinate god who was subordinate to the main god. One of them was the shadow monster, the guardian deity dwelling in Lucerne's body.
Muto's official job was to notify the family when a demon god descended from the divine realm, and to hold a ceremony for the demon god. However, like Lucerne, there were more generations where the descendants of the Demon God were not born.
The demon god was also the god of astrology. So, Muto's actual role was to give fortunes and act as a counselor for family heads.
Sometimes he even gave out fortune-telling that matched perfectly. However, most of his divinations were unfounded.
“I heard that the fortune teller Muto predicted and reported things that would anger the head of the family in his youth. The householder beat him and threw him out, but as time went on, he found his divination matched. From then on, the family trusts him very much.”
Elisha said quietly.
“Do you know what that fortune-telling is?”
“It is a famous story. Even collateral like me, who used to work at the laundry, knows that anecdote.”
That was the fortune teller Muto's fortune telling that angered the family head. That two of the family's sons will die.
Thus, the eldest and youngest sons of the head of the household really died. The eldest son was Jacob's father, and the youngest son was Lucerne's father.
Now, the head of state has moderated Muto. Gaju was such a person. Suspicion was constant, but later praised Muto for not withdrawing his fortune-telling even under torture.
“Lucerne. You know what? When Muto was little, he predicted your birth. I foresaw that your guardian deity, the Shadow Demon, descended to the ground. At that time, the patriarch found out that you were born while your father and mother were on the run.”
“…… By the way?”
“If you didn't, you might have died without even knowing it at the hands of your uncles.”
Lucerne was silent. During the escape, Lucerne's father, Michelan, died first, and Lucerne was raised and discovered by his mother. If the head of household did not know of its existence, no. Lucerne at that time was a child who would have been in a situation where it would not be strange if a guardian spirit did not dwell in Lucerne, even if it died without knowing mice or birds.
“Anyway, Muto saved you. Even if it's a coincidence, such a Eun-Won relationship has meaning. The rules of the world aren't always right. Repaying Muto will not be a losing business.”
Muto did not have a noble personality. Anyway, he is a life saver, but when Lucerne did not repay him, Muto harbored a grudge. Lucerne was a reasonable man and he never believed in divination. He even despised Muto, a sleazy fortune teller who rather reveals money.
On the other hand, Carola and Arien always bribed Muto with large sums of money.
So, Muto spoke badly of Lucerne to the head of the household. He didn't even report that he had good fortune for Lucerne. Muto also contributed to the growing estrangement between Lucerne and the household in his previous life.
'It will be different this time.'
Now Lucerne also had a wife who would help out.
'Sending a gift to a fortune teller is my help. What a strange family.'
However, Elisha knew what kind of wealth Muto liked. And it wasn't difficult for her to send a gift.
'If Lucerne becomes the head of household, he'll throw Muto away anyway, so what's the point of giving him a little gift now?'
So, what's the problem with giving Lucerne a little money? He could not survive in this family if he insisted on being virtuous alone.
“You can do it, Lucerne.”
Elisha held Lucerne's chin softly and kissed her gently. Because he seemed to want a kiss right now. Lucerne said with an expressionless face.
“How much do you need?”
“About two or three gold bars.”
“…… To Muto?”
Side.
Elisha was a little bothered to convince him so she kissed him one more time. It was very rare for her to kiss Elisha first. Lucerne's body stiffened, and after a few seconds she answered.
“Will that be enough? Send more if needed.”
Lucerne said coldly. Elisha also thought that Lucerne was very difficult. Sometimes it seemed that the feeling at the time was more important than rational words. How crazy would she have to see her kisses affect.
“I think that should be enough. I'll take care of the rest.”
Lucerne wrapped her arms around Elisha's waist. He lightly nodded her head.
“I'm glad you understand. Lucerne.”
“Then try one more time in that sense.”
“I do not like it.”
“Only once.”
Elisha reluctantly kissed Lucerne. He raised the corner of her mouth. This time, Elisha's cheeks turned red. She quietly averted her eyes and pretended not to know.
* * *
So Elisha packed Muto her thick present and sent it.
“Ahem. The general's new wife knows manners.”
Muto was overjoyed and ran to the head of the family, telling them a lot of good things he had recently predicted about Lucerne.
* * *
He was lost in thought throughout dinner. He remembered their meeting yesterday afternoon. Said the fortuneteller Muto.
'I read the fortune telling about Lucerne. Merha committed a crime and killed the prophet of God. But the family tragedy will not dwell. Because something auspicious will happen.'
'He is Lucerne's son, so great……. A child will be born who will receive the protection of the guardian spirit. Even that guardian deity is a higher level god than the shadow deity dwelling in Lord Lucerne!'
'This is a very good thing that happened to Mr. Lucerne……. And because of the big change!'
The same thing could have been said differently. Muto hates that Lucerne doesn't bribe me, so he used to talk badly all the time.
This time, too, he was able to say, 'The illegitimate son of Lucerne will have a guardian spirit, so we must take action.' However, Muto said good things about Lucerne.
Of course, the gifts Elisha sent were incomparable to those given by her other daughters-in-law. In addition, the gifts were all Muto's favorites, from trivial snacks to enormous gold bars. It was as if someone who knew his tastes in detail from a long time ago took care of them.
He couldn't even sleep at night thinking about it.
'Perhaps……. If a monster of a higher level than Lucerne's guardian deity dwells in its child.'
Even the demons, the guardian spirits of the family, had a class. A shadow monster dwelling in Lucerne. That great monster thought for himself and used magic. It was the highest-ranking monster among the guardian deities dwelling in successive families.
'But the guardian deity dwelling in Lucerne is not the highest in rank among the demon gods.'
The shadow monster of Lucerne was the second-ranked monster among the gods of the same family. The guardian deity descended from the world of monster gods, and the second king of that world, monsters.
However, there was a monster close to the first king and a true god. Just as the shadow has the body in reverse. The god's name was 'Ramun'.
Ramun was said to have the power to transcend time and space and control the world. The one who received Ramun's protection was to truly become the owner of the family.
When Kaju heard the prophecy, his heart trembled and he could not calm down.
'Will a child with Ramun really be born between Lucerne and Elisha? Then our family……. As a mysterious lineage, they will be respected and worshiped by the people of the world.'
A good change that happened to Lucerne. Needless to say, it was a marriage with Elisha.
'Even though Elisha is wild. Compared to stupid Arien, her qualities are amazing. Lucerne is capable. You can't even compare your eyes to other grandchildren. It really is a double-edged sword. An outstanding illegitimate child is the root of the family. But I'm too greedy.'
Carola, who had been watching the householder throughout dinner, asked softly.
“Head of the household, what are you thinking?”
“Ah. I was doing her thoughts on Lucerne.”
“…….”
“It seems that Lucerne has become a little kinder to me after getting married, doesn't it? Lucerne's new bride seems to be doing very well. Rumors reached my ears that he was good at helping out. Besides, seeing that she even sent a letter announcing her attendance at the Imperial Palace Hunting Festival this time. Elisha, she is more friendly than she looks.”
It was an old etiquette of high-ranking aristocrats to report to the oldest member of the family before participating in an event at the imperial palace. The time when these manners were openly enforced was when the imperial power was stronger than now.
Once in the imperial palace, he could do various things in the name of the family, so he could become a member of the family and increase his reputation. Therefore, it was polite to receive permission from the head of the family before entering the palace. However, it was an etiquette that was rarely followed recently when the social world was active.
Lucerne was not the right-hand grandson of the enemy, so there was no obligation. However, Elisha sent her a letter of greeting for spring and wrote a very polite letter mentioning her attendance at the hunting festival.
In the eyes of adults, even duty is pretty. However, Elisha did more than that.
She said, 'She was a girl who knew how to do things prettier than she looked, Elisha.'
The housekeeper was in an unusually satisfying mood for a few days. Moreover, most of the contents of the letter accurately followed the etiquette of high-ranking nobles, and the head of the family was admirable.
“Stupid Marco.”
He took a sip of wine and clicked his tongue.
“Merha is also very bad. Lucerne is doing well……. Plus she saved her life for Merha, who hated her so much. Does she have a thing called flexibility?”
A troubled smile crossed Jacob's face. When Marco, the only candidate for the head of the family who threatened him, fell, Jacob, who thought he would naturally rise to success and secure the position of successor, was unreasonably threatened by Lucerne.
Even if Lucerne dies and wakes up, he cannot become the head of the household. The first reason is that his mother is a lowly citizen. This was the most compelling reason, and the second was that her parents were born out of wedlock.
But when a child is born to Lucerne, the story changes. If……. What if the family head goes crazy and takes Lucerne's child and uses it? It could have been if Lucerne bought favor.
Jacob and Carola exchanged glances.
“But Carola……. It's scary when Lucerne gets angry. You seem to be angry these days. He has changed a lot. I originally recognized his nature. His nature will be virtuous, befitting a ducal blood.”
Caroline smiled and said. She mentioned Lucerne's anger, reminding the householder of Lucerne's arrogant attitude from before. Moreover, the talk of the duke's blood was nothing more than highlighting Lucerne's identity as an illegitimate child.
The family head understood what Carola meant. He didn't answer, and Carola grew more anxious. The head of the house talked to herself.
“There was a property I gave to Arien……. A flour refinery in the middle of the capital. That was it.”
Caroline's hands trembled. Although the scale of the flour refinery was small, the annual income was quite solid, and there were many people who used it, so even a low-ranking noble family could live without problems.
“I must give it to Elisha.”
“My lord! But it's a precious family property……. Leaking it outside is a bad thing. Carola is worried. She doesn't know how much Elisha can trust her……. If I had to break up with Lucerne…….”
Carola was waiting for the day to receive the refinery, but when the family owner said this, she felt like a thunderbolt from the sky. She stopped revealing her true feelings.
“What?”
“That is……. She's Carol, though she doesn't think so. They say that men often divorce contract brides.”
She said Carola hesitantly. She always had the attitude of conveying other people's opinions, not her own. The housekeeper was annoyed.
“Carola. Do you think i'm stupid Of course, it is awarded on the condition that Lucerne and Elisha return it when they get divorced. In a little while you will try to teach me.”
Carola was upset with her shallow moves. Carola was shocked. This is because she rarely hears hateful voices from the family head.
'Why do only bad things happen to Carola when she gets involved? It's not fair! She'll die doing laundry. Oh, I'm really angry.'
But she, Carola, pressed her heart and held it in.
“Jacob. Take good care of your wife Elisha knows how to treat a grown-up, but she spoils your wife.”
Jacob stood there with a bewildered expression and said.
“Carola. The lord of the family must have a will for everything. Be careful what you say in front of the head of the household!”
“Yes. I know. Carola was wrong……. But the head of the family seems to be the only pretty daughter-in-law now. Too please! We always try to show filial piety.”
The housekeeper felt a little relieved when Carola acted stupid and put on a sad expression as usual. She has no one seriously offended by dogs or cats. She was Carola, and she knew how to make good use of it.
“Still, aren't you the elder in Elisha's family in terms of rank? She has to lead him. If she is jealous like a child, she will write.”
“I know.”
Carola reluctantly nodded.