T K H C

🍁 Chapter 45

Chapter 10. Freya’s Appearance and Sharon’s Awareness

“Carol, did you sleep well?”

“Yeah…"

The awkwardly smiling Carol was dressed more elaborately than ever. Her light yellow dress matched her rose corsage.

White pearls were placed on her gray hair. Carol looked much more lovely than usual with an application of milky-white powder and pink lips.

And the dark green emerald necklace, which appeared to match her green eyes, doubled Carol’s beauty.

The pendant, which was larger than Carol’s eyes, hung on a simple platinum chain and shone brightly on her neck.

Our Carol was so pretty.

“Don’t be too nervous about today. You’ll do well.”

"Of course."

Finally, the day Carol and Julien would become engaged had dawned.

I felt like I was sending my dear daughter off to get married. The emotion was bittersweet.

It wasn’t like it was the real marriage yet, so why was I like this?

Marriage…?

My heart dropped for no reason.

Ah, really. I was being silly.

I soothed my empty heart by hugging Carol.

I sighed. Carol, you need to live a good life.

“…Can you stop looking at me like that? It’s awkward!”

“What, is our little puppy rebelling?!"

I placed a tiara on Carol’s head as she pouted.

"You’re so pretty, Carol. The prince will fall in love with you all over again."

"Him? With me?"

Carol snorted. That kid didn’t know the truth yet.

She was so beautiful today.

Furthermore, she was wearing the tiara that Julien had brought over.

He wouldn’t be able to help himself from falling again.

“Now, shall we go?”

Heart pounding, I held Carol’s hand.

Today, I would finally meet the real heroine, whom I had pushed out from the plot.

***
Because Duke Gratoni was escorting Carol for the engagement ceremony, they were riding in the same carriage.

An uncomfortable air filled the space between them.

The atmosphere was so heavy that Carol could feel it pressing on her shoulders.

Though the relationship between her and her father was improving, it had been years since they had turned their backs on each other.

They couldn’t completely fix their relationship

right away.

Duke Gratoni opened his mouth.

"Will you be all right?"

“……?”

Carol silently turned to him with a puzzled expression.

She didn’t know what he was suddenly talking about.

“The engagement, that is. You said you didn’t want it.”