Chapter 139
“Hehehe, I’m really, really glad you became the guardian, sis.”
“Huh? Why are you saying that all of a sudden?”
“Because whenever we come to the capital, we get to stay at the Winston townhouse. Last time we stayed at a hotel, Mom kept nagging me not to run around or play too much.”
Eric and Leonhard were sitting close to the fireplace, listening to the crackling of burning wood while chatting.
As usual, they had come to the capital together for the New Year’s Festival.
The adults had gone out to attend a party, so only the children were left at the townhouse.
“It’d be great if Sis married Brother-in-law. Didn’t you hear about them getting married yet, Young Master?”
Even though the two weren’t officially engaged, the Frost children already called Luciard their brother-in-law. It showed how much they wished for the marriage.
Sigh. “Not yet. I wish they would though…”
Leonhard let out a deep sigh.
From the outside, it seemed like Luciard wasn’t thinking about marriage at all, so Leonhard tried taking drastic measures—singing songs about marriage every day.
But too much of anything is a bad thing.
One day, Luciard got annoyed and scolded him seriously.
Leonhard even had to write a promise not to bring up marriage again.
“Uncle is so silly. I was just trying to help.”
“Marriage isn’t something you can force. It’s up to the people involved.”
“But if Sis didn’t like him, she would’ve spoken up. Maybe only Luciard got mad because Sis didn’t mind.”
Annie and Elvin, sitting on a nearby sofa, joined the conversation.
“Yeah, Tia didn’t say anything. And she didn’t seem to dislike it either. Uncle’s the weird one. Maybe he doesn’t want to marry Tia?”
“Brother-in-law? No way. If anything, it’s probably the opposite.”
“Sis is weak when it comes to the Young Master, so maybe she didn’t say anything. When I tried it, her eyes got all sharp and she scolded me a lot.”
Leonhard tilted his head, wondering if that was true.
While the kids were passionately discussing the possible marriage between Hestia and Luciard, Elvin was quietly thinking to himself.
‘Maybe… maybe she really does like him.’
Compared to the younger kids, Elvin had known Hestia longer.
She was someone who was very clear about her likes and dislikes. Even if she was soft on Leonhard, she wouldn’t stay quiet if she didn’t like someone.
“Actually… she’s been acting a little strange lately.”
Leonhard’s words made Elvin look up.
“Strange how?”
“Umm… she avoids Uncle.”
For a few days now, whenever Hestia and Luciard were in the same room, she’d suddenly find excuses to leave. She even tried to ride in a separate carriage when coming here.
“Now that you mention it, she asked me to ride in the carriage with her instead.”
“Me too!”
The younger siblings also agreed that they had noticed Hestia acting odd.
“Gasp! Could it be… Tia doesn’t like Uncle anymore?”
“Sis is breaking up with Brother-in-law? No way, I don’t want that!”
“…You just don’t want to lose all these nice benefits, do you?”
While the kids were making a fuss about the possibility of the two breaking up, Elvin quietly closed the book he couldn’t concentrate on.
“Actually…”
He, too, had noticed how Hestia avoided Luciard.
But rather than dislike…
“…Wasn’t she just embarrassed?”
“Dear, don’t those two seem a bit awkward today?”
“What do you mean? They look great together. Last time they were too clingy—ugh!”
Derrick flinched as he got smacked by a quick slap.
“You just don’t like Tia getting close to anyone! I’ve told you many times—that attitude will ruin her chances of marriage!”
“…Alright, alright. I’ll stop.”
He was weak when it came to Anna, Derrick quickly gave in.
“Sigh, I just hope nothing weird happens today…”
Anna looked worriedly at Hestia and Luciard from afar.
But the two were handling people well enough—better than she had expected.
After all, they had fooled people for nearly three years. Even if they were a bit uneasy inside, this much was nothing for them.
The problem was when they were alone.
“Are you not going to dance?”
“I-I will later… I haven’t greeted everyone yet.”
Whenever they were alone, Hestia couldn’t sit still.
She fiddled with her dress, touched her hair, and subtly tried to put some distance between them.
Though she couldn’t go far, since she had to keep holding Luciard’s arm.
‘Ugh, I’m going crazy… why did he have to confess to me?’
Ever since Luciard confessed, Hestia had been avoiding him.
They still had to work together, but she didn’t know how to face him.
Just being around him reminded her of his serious expression during the confession, and it embarrassed her.
More than anything…
‘I don’t even know how I feel.’
If she didn’t like him, she could’ve just said no.
But she didn’t feel like rejecting him.
Still, that didn’t mean she was ready to accept his feelings either.
‘Maybe it’s because I never even imagined this could happen.’
Hestia always thought her role ended once she handed over guardianship to Luciard.
Then, she could finally be free—live the life she wanted after carrying all those burdens since her return.
But now, this unexpected option had suddenly appeared in front of her. Of course, she was confused.
As she greeted guests, her mind was a complete mess.
‘What is marriage anyway?’
‘Does he really see me as a woman?’
‘Does that mean he wants to do… things with me…?!’
Overwhelmed by her thoughts, Hestia couldn’t respond properly to people.
Luciard stepped in and finished the conversation on her behalf.
He noticed the chaos in her eyes.
Honestly, if she didn’t like him, she would’ve flat-out rejected him.
But all she did was get flustered and run away like a startled animal. It was kind of cute.
‘I think… there’s hope.’
He felt that if he just pushed a little more, she might accept his feelings.
While the two were lost in their thoughts, someone approached.
“Sir Luciard Winston and Lady Hestia Frost, it’s an honor to see you. Have you been well?”
Luciard was a bit surprised to see who it was.
“Lady Laila Humphrey.”
Hestia greeted her cheerfully, showing that they were more familiar than Luciard had expected.
Laila smiled warmly as if they were on good terms.
“You’ve gotten close without me noticing?”
Luciard whispered just to Hestia, and she flinched at his breath.
Blushing slightly, she cleared her throat.
“She’s the only one in the Humphrey family I can really talk to. And… she actually dislikes the Count and Countess a bit.”
Though Luciard thought it strange for someone to dislike her own in-laws, he didn’t get a chance to ask as Hestia started a conversation with Laila.
“I’m sorry, Lady Frost. I really wanted to invite the Winstons during our opening, but circumstances didn’t allow it…”
“That’s alright. Just the thought counts. But… the Count and Countess aren’t here today?”
“They’re not attending this year.”
“Really?”
“Yes. They’ve left this New Year’s event to us.”
Strange. Why would they miss a perfect opportunity to promote Sunset Vale?
“Are they… planning to pass on the title?”
“I haven’t heard anything for sure, but… I think so.”
Hestia smiled brightly and held Laila’s hand.
“Congratulations! Looks like you’ll be called the Countess soon!”
“Shh! Please keep it down. Nothing’s confirmed yet. I haven’t told anyone else.”
“You mean… you’re telling just us?”
Surprised, Hestia looked at her, and Laila nodded shyly.
“Actually… I hope to become closer to the Winstons.”
Laila, who used to be too timid to even approach Hestia when with her in-laws, was now speaking with courage. Hestia understood how much bravery this took.
“You know what happened between our families, right?”
“Of course. I think it was clearly my father-in-law’s fault. Things haven’t been great since, but… we can’t stay that way forever.”
Even though the Winstons were powerful in the south, the Humphreys also had influence.
That’s why Hestia never completely cut ties—she just punished them while keeping them around.
“Despite everything, you have shown kindness to my son and me by separating personal and public affairs.”
Two years ago, starting with Leonhard’s birthday party, Hestia had continued inviting the Humphreys to major Winston events.
Since the Count and Countess never came, only Laila and her husband would attend—giving Laila the chance to bond with Hestia.
“And you even remembered Zephyr’s birthday. He was so happy to receive a gift from you.”
No one dislikes someone who loves their child.
“If my husband inherits the title, I’ll make sure the same mistakes are never repeated. I’ve heard that long ago, the Humphreys used to be Winston’s loyal vassals.”
Even if the current Count messed things up, the next generation could fix them.
Laila was clearly determined to do that.
“If you just give us a chance, we’ll become loyal allies of Winston once again.”
“…The Humphreys have a bright future. I wonder if the Count realizes how hard his daughter-in-law is trying for the family.”
“If he knew, he might even get mad. So please, let’s keep this our secret.”
She put a finger to her lips playfully, and Hestia couldn’t help but smile.
“Winston will always be open to you. I hope the future we wish for really comes true.”
Luciard also felt Laila’s sincerity and replied politely.
Moved by their kindness, Laila’s eyes welled up with tears.
