BGFV 140

Chapter 140

After Laila left, Luciard asked Hestia,
“You hate Humphrey so much, yet you still talk with that woman regularly… was this the reason?”

“I can’t say no. But I never expected her to actually take our side like that. I just thought it would be nice if we could improve our relationship, even just a little.”

While talking to Laila, Hestia had sensed that she was dissatisfied with the Count and Countess of Humphrey.
It wasn’t just typical in-law conflict; more than that, it seemed like she couldn’t understand their political decisions.

And it wasn’t just Laila—Arthur was the same.

“The House of Humphrey is essential to the South. There’s no benefit in being at odds with such a house.”

So if there’s room for reconciliation, it’s better to take it.
Dragging issues from a previous generation into the next is also rather strange.

“Well… If they continue acting like this, it might make things easier for Leon when he inherits the title,” Luciard admitted.
Dealing with Arthur and Laila would certainly be easier than handling the current Count Malrus.

As Luciard gazed at Laila and Arthur from a distance, he muttered,
“…You’re amazing.”

“What?!”
Hestia blushed at the sudden compliment.

“If I were you, I wouldn’t be able to do it. I’d just keep pressuring Humphrey, picking fights, and dragging them down until they hit rock bottom.”

Luciard was incensed at the mere mention of Malrus’s actions, but Hestia had witnessed them firsthand.

“Ah… so that’s what you meant,” she said, giving a bitter smile.
“I hate the Count of Humphrey too. I want to do exactly what you said. But… I know how painful and unfair it is to carry the burden of things you didn’t even do.”

Hestia hadn’t forgiven Malrus and Anna. She still believed they should be punished.
But only the ones who committed the crimes should pay—not their children or grandchildren.

Because she and her siblings had to die simply for being Frosts—and that had been unbearably unfair.

If Arthur or Laila had been involved in what Malrus did, she might have felt differently.
But Malrus had been the one in power, and his son had no voice in the family.

“Also, Laila told me before… that when the Count tried to push me out, she and her husband opposed it.”

“Really?”

“She said they worried that if a guardian could be forcibly changed once, it would encourage others to do the same in the future.”

Whether that was true or just flattery, Hestia wasn’t sure.
But at the very least, she was certain Arthur and Laila would lead the family differently from the current Count and Countess.

So maybe the future Humphrey family could become an ally.

“…I think I finally get it,” Luciard said, smiling softly as he looked at her warmly.

“Get what?”

“You asked me before if there was a moment when I fell for you.”

“…Huh?”

“I think it was these little moments—one after another—that made me fall for you slowly.”

Hestia sharply inhaled. As she froze, Luciard leaned in and whispered,
“And just now, I fell for you again.”

“You—you really say embarrassing things so casually…!”

Bright red, Hestia quickly covered her ear where his breath had touched.
She glared at him, but Luciard just smiled slyly and gently played with her hair.

“You two look closer than ever today.”

As Hestia was panicking, wondering how to escape the atmosphere, a voice cut in like a lifesaver—
But the moment she saw who it was, her face hardened again. Luciard’s expression did too.

“Lord Gabriel… It’s been a while.”

Yes, it was none other than Gabriel.

Instinctively, Hestia clung to Luciard’s arm.

“If you step between us, people might get the wrong idea.”

“I just want to get along. Who cares what people think?”

Gabriel calmly responded and then turned to Hestia, smiling with his eyes.
He kissed the back of her hand.

“You’ve become even more beautiful than last time, Lady Frost.”

Hestia frowned slightly and quickly pulled her hand back from the lazy kiss.
“I guess it’s because I’m loved every day by my fiancé. You know how people say that being loved makes one more beautiful.”

“Indeed, they do. A shame I didn’t notice sooner. I actually went to the South two months ago.”

“Oh… really?”

“Yes, I was invited to Sunset Vale. I thought I’d see you and Luciard, but neither of you were there. Was something going on between the Southern noble houses?”

“No, nothing like that. You must’ve gone during the gala opening?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Well, only investors were invited to that party. Since our Winston family didn’t invest in Sunset Vale, we weren’t invited. But our relationship is good, so there’s no need to worry.”

“That’s a relief. I was concerned that you may have fallen out with the House of Humphrey.”

Hestia smiled politely, though she couldn’t shake her discomfort.

He sounds like he already knows everything about our relationship with them.

“If I had more time, I would’ve visited your estate.”

“Even if you had, we wouldn’t have met.”

Gabriel finally turned his gaze to Luciard.

“Why not? Something happen?”

“No, we were out scouting the South at the time.”

“Ah, makes sense. You should check the center of the South at least once a year.”

The two exchanged some light conversation, and Gabriel finally stopped focusing solely on Hestia.
She felt like she could finally breathe again.

Ugh, I really hate him.

Malrus and Albert were awful, but Gabriel was even worse.

Despite having everything—looks, skills, wealth, noble birth—there was just something repulsive about him.

Actually, she felt a similar disgust toward other men who showed her interest.
But Luciard…

Even though their first meeting had been a bit tense, she had never felt uncomfortable or repulsed by him.

Now that I think about it, maybe Luciard really is special…

Hestia glanced sideways at Luciard.
Gabriel, who’d been watching her the whole time, noticed the change in her expression and narrowed his eyes.

Then, looking at both of them, he asked,

“By the way, I’ve been wondering… when are you two getting married?”

Luciard and Hestia both froze.

Gabriel, noticing their reaction, smiled slyly.
“Marriage, I mean.”

“Yes…?”

“You’ve been engaged for a while now. Isn’t it about time people started hearing about the wedding? A lot of people are curious.”

Hestia was thrown into mental chaos. Luciard had already confessed and even proposed, but she hadn’t expected this question so suddenly.

Just when she was floundering, not knowing how to respond—

“Don’t worry. It won’t be much longer.”

Gabriel’s eyes widened at Luciard’s words. Hestia turned to him in surprise too.

“You really mean that?”

“You asked, so why are you shocked? Did you think we wouldn’t actually marry?”

Gabriel gave a short laugh but quickly recovered.

That’s a lie.
They had even faked their engagement to trick others—lying about a wedding would be easy too.
If they were really planning one, Luciard would’ve said, “We’re getting married soon,” not “It won’t be long.”

So clearly, this was just an act. And Luciard said it without Hestia’s agreement.

But when Gabriel looked at Hestia, his hand twitched.

Because her expression wasn’t confusion or panic—it was something else.
It was a look he had seen many times before, though never from her.

A woman in love, flustered and shy.

Gabriel was suddenly filled with anger.
He couldn’t stand that she made such a face—not for him, but for someone else.

“How about it? Satisfied now?” Luciard asked confidently.

Gabriel clenched his jaw, veins visible in his neck.

“Sure… that’s great news. But don’t get too relaxed. Nothing’s certain until you’re standing hand-in-hand at the altar.”

“Thanks for the advice. But that won’t be a problem.”

“What? You’re getting married?!”

As tension crackled between the two men, a cheerful voice cut in.
Luciard and Gabriel both turned in surprise.

“Y-Your Majesty…!”

It was none other than Emperor Sylvester.

Luciard and Hestia froze in déjà vu as Sylvester beamed at them.

“So you’ve finally made up your minds!”

“Um, Your Majesty, well…”

“To think I heard about your wedding from your own mouth! Wonderful! Make sure I’m the first to get your invitation, alright?”

The Emperor’s words spread like wildfire.
Everyone in the hall, always watching his every move, heard loud and clear.

“Wedding? Who’s getting married?”

“Oh my! Luciard and Lady Frost are really getting married!”

“Didn’t someone say they’d break up soon?”

“Nooo! If they’re getting married, then I really have no chance!”

“Never seen His Majesty so excited over a baron’s daughter’s wedding before…”

Before Hestia could do anything to fix it, rumors of their wedding filled the entire hall.

“What?! Who’s getting married?!”

“Why is my daughter’s name involved?!”

“Oh my! Tia! You should’ve told us first if it was something this wonderful!”

Friends and family popped up from every direction.

Kenneth was so shocked his glasses sat crooked on his face.
Derrick’s jacket was stained red from spilled wine.
And Anna was smiling so brightly her cheeks looked ready to burst.

Looking at them, Hestia had no idea how to fix this mess.