Chapter 130
Chapter 130: Missing You Even When I See You Every Day
[The Black Dragon’s energy seems to have grown stronger lately.]
“That’s right, Vernon.”
Benya nodded calmly in response to the sacred beast’s words.
‘The Black Dragon’s energy has grown stronger…?’
When Elena looked at the boy with questioning eyes, Benya provided a brief explanation.
“We couldn’t find the Dragon Lair in the Ice Gorge last time because the Black Dragon’s energy was weak.”
During winter, Elena and Lupeon had visited the Ice Gorge with the children but failed to discover the Dragon Lair.
To find out why, the boy said he had requested some ancient books about the Black Dragon from his family home and found the answer there.
The Black Dragon’s sacred beast, born in spring, was particularly strong during spring. Therefore, the Black Dragon’s contractor also experienced amplified power during spring.
When the Black Dragon’s energy strengthens, the surrounding barrier breaks down, apparently making it possible to find the Dragon Lair.
[Child, we should go there together when the weather warms up.]
“Yes, I’ll talk to Lupeon about it.”
“Talk to me about what?”
Elena startled at the low, deep voice from right behind her and turned around.
“Lupeon…?”
Now she realized he must have come straight here after finishing his state affairs, having heard that his sister’s friend was visiting.
‘He must have been quite worried about Anasha.’
Elena wore an awkward smile as she glanced at the man with his piercing gaze.
Either unaware or unconcerned, Benya pointed to a white flower blooming in the garden and shyly said:
“Anasha, somehow this flower reminds me of you.”
The man watching quietly raised one corner of his mouth.
“Hmph—”
It seemed it would take considerable time before their friendship would gain his approval.
* * *
That night, Anasha spoke in a pearl-like voice after spending an enjoyable time with her long-unseen friend.
“Big sister, thank you for helping me meet Benya today!”
Elena had relayed the message for the child who had felt uncomfortable asking Lupeon directly about inviting her friend.
She couldn’t help but smile remembering Lupeon’s wariness of his young sister’s male friend.
‘Though convincing Lupeon wasn’t exactly easy.’
“I was happy to see Lord Kailros after so long too!”
At those words, the child smiled brightly before her eyes sparkled as if remembering something.
“Oh, big sister! I have a question.”
“What is it?”
Anasha pointed shyly to the blue velvet ribbon tied in her silver hair.
“You told me before, remember? That this was originally mine!”
Elena finally realized what her young lady was curious about.
Besides, now that Lupeon knew everything, there was no reason not to explain to the child.
“Actually…”
She revealed to Anasha that she had been Lupeon’s childhood friend.
The child’s eyes grew round in surprise as she asked:
“Is that really true?”
“Yes, it’s true. Though I never imagined I would end up engaged to Lupeon.”
As Elena showed an awkward smile, seeming embarrassed, Anasha gave a soft, smiling laugh.
“Looking at that, we must have been destined to become family!”
Elena gently curved her lips at the child’s clear voice.
Perhaps, unlike the original story’s progression, a different destiny had been set for them.
‘Come to think of it, Anasha should have the pendant…’
Suddenly, Elena remembered the gift she had prepared long ago for the then-unborn princess.
However, despite spending more than a year with Anasha from the north until now, she had never seen the child’s pendant.
Thinking she might have broken or lost it while playing with it, she carefully asked the child:
“Miss, do you still have the pendant with the blue jewel?”
“Hmm? What’s that?”
“When you were young…”
‘No, it would be more accurate to ask Lupeon.’
Since Anasha seemed to know nothing about the pendant, Elena decided she should ask her fiancé.
After all, Lupeon was the one she had given the gift to back then.
Perhaps tired from playing excitedly with her long-unseen friend, Anasha soon fell fast asleep.
Elena, sitting on the bed, gently stroked the child’s head before standing up.
As she was tidying up scattered books, a man leaning against the half-open doorway gave a light knock.
“Lupeon, you’re here?”
When Elena welcomed him with a bright face, Lupeon nodded and showed an elegant smile.
“Yes, but were you waiting for me?”
Elena gave him a playful glare at her fiancé’s seemingly mischievous voice.
After briefly considering how to counter, she soon made her golden eyes sparkle.
Then she whispered softly to him as he approached:
“Of course. I miss you even when I see you every day.”
“…”
At that moment, Lupeon’s body stiffened, and his earlobes began to turn red.
Even Elena, who had spoken playfully on purpose, felt her face heating up at his reaction.
‘Ahem, I’m getting a bit embarrassed even though I said it myself.’
Rolling her eyes around, Elena decided to change the subject. She had something to tell him anyway.
They soon settled on the balcony in Elena’s bedroom.
“Lupeon, I plan to visit the Marquess’s mansion tomorrow.”
“The Marquess’s mansion?”
As Lupeon slightly raised his eyebrows as if questioning her intentions, she calmly answered.
“Yes, it’s Mother’s death anniversary.”
“…I see.”
At that moment, Lupeon’s blue eyes trembled slightly before his face showed signs of dismay.
He seemed troubled that he couldn’t visit the Marchioness’s grave due to state affairs.
His concern alone was enough for Elena, who maintained a gentle smile.
Since it hadn’t been long since Lupeon ascended to the throne, she had intentionally planned to keep the family event quiet.
“It’s alright, Lupeon. I deliberately didn’t mention it.”
“Then from next time, I’ll adjust my schedule so we can go together.”
“Alright. Then I’ll properly introduce you to Mother.”
Elena smiled brightly and tilted her head against his shoulder, and Lupeon gently took her hand.
“What kind of person was your mother?”
‘Come to think of it, I’ve never told Lupeon about her.’
Except when mentioning family circumstances, she had never properly told him about her mother.
Wearing a tender smile while recalling the past, Elena soon looked at him and said:
“My mother was like warm sunshine.”
The Marchioness Rohenbach, who loved her family more than anyone and treated servants without discrimination, was widely respected.
The Rohenbach couple, though arranged by political marriage, quickly opened their hearts to each other and fell in love, they said.
‘There was a time when I wanted to have a love like theirs.’
Elena had naturally encountered alchemy by following the Marchioness, who possessed magical power.
She developed her dream of becoming an alchemist with help from her mother, who was like a mentor.
She had a reliable presence right beside her who unconditionally supported whatever choices Elena made.
Lupeon, who had been quietly listening to her story, finally seemed to understand as he gently pulled up his lips.
“So your kindness comes from your mother.”
Pleased at being told she resembled her mother’s nature, Elena blushed slightly and scratched one cheek.
She had often heard she resembled her mother’s appearance, but this kind of praise was a first.
“Thank you for saying that, Lupeon.”
After expressing her gratitude to him, Elena carefully shared her conversation with Anasha from today.
About how the child had enjoyed time with Benya, about the blue velvet ribbon, and…
Suddenly remembering something, Elena looked at the man sitting beside her.
“Come to think of it, there’s something I want to ask you, Lupeon.”
