Episode 5:
I felt how much my dad loved me and smiled to myself.
This time, I didn’t want my mom and dad to worry only about me. I also wanted them to think well of Ian.
Instead of sending me away to the North like in the past, I wanted them to believe I chose to marry Ian because I liked him.
“I almost got badly hurt when I fell into the lake, but Prince Ian of Vesperd saved me like this!”
I hugged my dad’s shoulder and waist with my short arms and copied Ian’s movements.
My dad’s face looked scary like he was thinking, ‘He dared to touch my daughter?’ — but I didn’t give up.
“He was… really cool.”
Ah, maybe I meant it too much. My cheeks started to feel hot.
“Oh no, Miss! Your face is red! Are you getting a fever?”
Maybe my cheeks really turned red. I quickly fanned myself with my tiny hands in embarrassment.
“Was Prince Ian really that cool?”
“Yes…”
“Why?”
“He saved me… his fire was cool… and…”
“And?”
I giggled and squirmed a little.
Looking shyly into my dad’s eyes, I whispered,
“He’s as handsome as you, Daddy.”
“Aww, my daughter’s standards are so high because of me, and now she likes Prince Ian because of that…”
“Dear!”
Dad looked proud for a moment, but Mom scolded him loudly.
Ian will grow up to be known across the empire for his good looks. If I said I liked his face because of Dad, of course my dad would be happy.
Even if Dad was good-looking, he couldn’t compete with Ian.
“And he was really kind too!”
“How was he kind?”
“He must’ve been cold too, but he gave me his cloak to cover myself!”
Mom and Dad looked at me with mixed expressions.
“Dad! Mom!”
I ran up to them again.
Dad picked me up and held me close.
Then I told them seriously,
“I want to properly thank Prince Ian and the Grand Duke for helping me!”
“You want to thank the Grand Duke of Vesperd and Prince Ian?”
“Yes!”
I looked at them with shining eyes.
Mom and Dad quietly waited for what I would say next.
“If Prince Ian didn’t help me, I could’ve gotten really hurt! You always say we should thank people who help us!”
There’s a saying that adults shouldn’t even drink cold water carelessly in front of children.
Dad didn’t answer right away.
Everyone saw the Vesperd flame with their own eyes. If Dad, Baron Daylrose, goes to meet the Grand Duke, it could mean something important.
I held Mom and Dad’s hands tightly with my small ones.
They weren’t strong, but I wanted them to know how serious I was.
“I really want to see Prince Ian again!”
Ian must be feeling confused and scared after everyone saw his secret power. I wanted to comfort him.
And if I wanted to join that household soon, I had to win over that scary future father-in-law.
I kept those thoughts inside and stayed determined.
The next day.
The Grand Duke of Vesperd and my dad sat facing each other in the parlor, with serious expressions.
There was a strong tension between them. I nervously swallowed.
Winning the Grand Duke’s favor so I could marry Ian early — that was my goal.
By marrying earlier than in the past, I wanted to stop the family from falling apart or heading toward disaster again.
Now that Ian’s power was revealed, and the Grand Duke was feeling shaken, it was the perfect time to impress him.
But… would it work?
Would flattery from a 10-year-old girl really matter to someone like him?
When I got close enough, I gathered my courage and said,
“Prince Ian must be so amazing because he takes after you, Grand Duke!”
“What?”
The Grand Duke looked confused, like he couldn’t believe what I said.
Even Ian’s eyes widened.
Honestly, I was surprised too.
Was this guy really this weak to compliments from kids?
“Ria, you shouldn’t talk like that to the Grand Duke,” Dad warned me gently.
I closed my mouth tightly.
“Let her speak. I’m not a monster. I don’t want the child to be scared of me for no reason.”
The Grand Duke cleared his throat and waved for me to continue.
Since my first plan worked, I decided to try my next one.
“Your Highness, you can use even bigger flames than Prince Ian, right? That’s so cool!”
“Of course. That’s the power of House Vesperd.”
He straightened up proudly.
Well, he had every reason to be proud.
Their fire power was so strong, it gave them real control — even the royal family feared them.
“Then… can you show me? I’m really curious.”
“Ria!”
“I just really want to see it… please?”
Dad shouted in surprise at my sudden request, and I pretended to be shocked and teared up a little.
But the Grand Duke’s reaction was strange. He looked like he wanted to test me.
“Why should I show you my fire?”
Yep, that’s the Grand Duke of Vesperd I remember.
Cold, strict, and always pushing for perfection — even with a child.
In the past, I was too scared to even look him in the eye.
But now I knew what he truly wanted.
“A member of House Vesperd must boldly take what they want, no matter where they are.”
He believed that was the true value of his family. He wanted that from Ian, and from me — the future duchess.
I failed to prove myself to him before. But now, I had a chance to change that.
“I feel like I’m getting a cold… I’m really chilly. Can’t Your Grace make me warm?”
“Ria!”
Ignoring Dad, I acted even more like a little girl and squirmed.
Ugh, it’s really hard living as a ten-year-old again.
It’s been so long since I had a coming-of-age ceremony — acting cute like this made my brain hurt.
I was trying to hold myself together when…
“Hah, interesting. Why should I help?”
The Grand Duke’s eyes lit up with amusement.
“Because it’s the fastest and best way! And… it’s cool too!”
The Grand Duke slowly smiled and then said,
“Cool, huh…”
“Yes! It’s really cool!”
Before he could change his mind, I quickly said it again.
The Grand Duke opened his hand — just like Ian did by the lake.
From his palm, a controlled flame appeared.
It wasn’t dangerous, but still powerful and beautiful.
“How’s that?”
“Wow! That’s amazing!”
I shouted in excitement, loud enough for Ian to hear.
“It feels like a warm, gentle power.”
Ian had always hated the power he inherited instead of his older brother. He believed it ruined everything.
But in this life, I was going to tell him clearly:
The Vesperd flame chose you.
And that power is your warmth and your light.
As I watched Ian out of the corner of my eye, I heard the Grand Duke speak again.
“You’re so small and used to warmth. You might have a hard time living in the cold North.”
“Huh?”
“When you feel cold, ask Ian to light a fire for you.”
I blinked at the Grand Duke.
Wait… even though the North is cold, the mansion has fireplaces and heating.
And he wants me to use the amazing Vesperd flame… as my personal heater?
“If he refuses, just tell me.”
Tell you… what?
The Grand Duke’s unexpected words left my brain spinning.
“I’ll scold him. Or do it myself.”
Ah. I did it.
If things keep going this way, I’ll be able to join the Vesperd family without a problem.
I smiled big, cheering inside at how open the Grand Duke had become.
“Yes!”
If I could go back and tell my past self that this scary Grand Duke would be this kind, she’d never believe it.
I smiled softly and looked at Ian.
Because there’s something I really want to say to him while looking into his eyes.
“Your power is so warm and amazing!”
At that moment, a small flame flickered from Ian’s hand — maybe he lost control.
“Wow! Your flame is warm too, Your Highness!”
Fwoosh. Right after I said that, Ian’s flame grew larger.
I looked at him with wide eyes, and he looked just as confused.
Maybe because of the two burning flames… Ian’s ears turned red.
