IBTHM Chapter 6

While Hades was holding the handkerchief and laughing as if absurd, Abel arrived.

Hades quickly composed his expression, shoved the handkerchief into the drawer, and stood up.

He acted as if nothing had happened in front of Abel. His expression, which appeared somewhat rigidly set, made Abel worried.

"Um... Father, you called for me?"

"Yes. Why did you come looking for me?"

Abel had expected to be scolded. Though he'd had something to say, he just trembled fearfully.

"Abel?"

"I-I'm sorry for being rude. I shouldn't have barged into the room like that..."

Watching Abel mumble and bow his head, Hades felt dazed.

Come to think of it, he'd sternly reprimanded Abel when the boy had come to visit.

Hades had always told Abel he was welcome to visit his bedroom or study comfortably. Strictly speaking, Abel had done nothing wrong.

He'd raised his voice in his fluster upon seeing Aisha, who'd been so startled she'd even staggered...

Hades immediately said soothingly, "The young lady seemed startled, so I think I scolded you a bit harshly in the moment. I'm sorry if I frightened you."

Hades approached the thoroughly cowed Abel and sat down to meet his eye level.

The hand stroking his head was so affectionate that Abel finally relaxed.

Since it was quite different from the Duke of Ruvermonte's image known to many, many would be surprised to see this father-son relationship.

But Abel was accustomed to it. Though known as a frightening and cold person, Hades was a better father to him than anyone else.

Finally catching his breath, Abel said, "Actually, I heard the maids talking. They said Father had decided to marry Lady Esclife, so... I went to congratulate you..."

"Ah, word travels fast. Yes, I was planning to tell you right away too. I intend to prepare the wedding with Lady Esclife as quickly as possible. It'll probably be a good decision for you too. Rather than just having Father..."

"Um... Will the young lady like me?"

Abel asked, immediately becoming gloomy. Simultaneously, Hades, who'd been trailing off, also looked worried.

Aisha had liked him so much that she'd followed him around for over a year.

He didn't know what had initially attracted her to him, so her feelings for him must have existed much longer than that.

Though she'd never received a single glance from him, wasn't her heart truly desperate and constant?

One reason for his impulsive decision to marry was that he could glimpse Aisha's sincere heart.

If she was the kind of woman who would still like him even if he lost all his background like title and wealth, perhaps she could also accept Abel.

Having observed her for a year, Aisha had indeed purely liked him without any sinister ulterior motives as expected, which was why Hades didn't regret his impulsive proposal at all.

Though he'd never particularly thought he needed a mistress for the ducal house, if someone had to fill that position, Aisha seemed like a good choice.

If the vacant duchess position could be filled and he could be free from his retainers' nagging, that would be good too.

"...Well."

But still, Abel couldn't help but weigh on his mind.

What woman could truly love her husband's illegitimate child?

Though it wasn't even a child made through adultery after marriage and wasn't actually his biological child either, he couldn't know whether Aisha would be generous enough to consider all that and view Abel kindly.

Therefore, Hades couldn't assure the worried-looking Abel that it would be alright.

At Hades' vague response, Abel's complexion darkened.

"I don't know well yet, but Lady Esclife isn't a bad person. Perhaps after you become close, she might cherish you as much as I do. Of course, you'll have to make an effort too."

"Yes..."

"How about you? Do you perhaps dislike the young lady..."

"M-me? No, not at all. What would I have to like or dislike? Please don't say such things. If the young lady found out... she might be offended."

Abel waved his hands frantically, his face drained of color.

Suddenly, Abel recalled Aisha's face.

Though he'd felt it when seeing her from afar when she first came to the duchy, she was a tremendous beauty.

Though Abel had seen the faces of quite many nobles while following his father Hades around here and there, he'd never once seen a beauty like Aisha.

Up close, even her eye color, exactly the same as her blue-silver hair, was fascinating and beautiful, constantly drawing his gaze.

Her pale skin, so white she looked somewhat ill, was a bit worrying, but even that made her seem like a snow mountain's fairy queen.

If she married Hades, she'd be someone he'd have to call mother, so Abel desperately wanted to make a good impression on Aisha.

But hadn't he already buttoned the first button wrong...?

When he'd approached her closely, Aisha's expression had truly been terrible.

Recalling her deeply frowning face and how she'd covered her mouth with her hand as if displeased, Abel unconsciously let out a deep sigh.

Though Abel was young, he was mature enough to know.

How much of an eyesore his existence must be to many people.

To his father, Hades, he was like a burden.

Abel knew that Hades couldn't even find a suitable marriage partner because of him, known as an illegitimate child.

That such a Hades had finally found a bride—it should be celebrated.

Though he must look disagreeable in Aisha's eyes, he had to do his best to win her favor somehow.

So as not to become a son who caused trouble...

Finishing his thoughts, Abel spoke with determination in his eyes.

"Father, I'll work hard. I'll make an effort so the young lady will view me favorably."

Hades, who'd been quietly watching Abel, chuckled and ruffled his hair.

"You don't need to try too hard. You're already a child lovable enough as you are. If I haven't misjudged Lady Esclife, she'll find you endearing even without you trying to do anything in particular."

"B-but I'll still try as much as I can! Um... Father, about that... Could I possibly pick just ten flowers from the greenhouse garden?"

Abel, who'd been hesitating, hurriedly added as if worried he might be refused.

"Um... I know Father treasures the garden, but I'll thank the flowers before picking them. Since I received such a precious gift from the young lady, I really want to repay her somehow... Is that not allowed?"

Watching Abel mumble and redden his cheeks, a laugh burst from Hades' lips.

His son truly was so lovable he couldn't help but adore him.

Hades nodded and said, "Of course. I planted the flowers in the garden for you. It's all yours, so what would be precious about it?"

At Hades' beaming smile, color returned to Abel's face.

He planned to make a pretty flower crown suited to Aisha and give it as a gift.

That incident—the one that became the decisive moment establishing me as a blessed successful fan—occurred the day after I'd visited Hades' study.

That day too, I'd finished lunch and was taking a walk with Ann.

Though the barony I'd lived in had reeked of cow dung, the weather and scenery were lovely, so taking a walk once a day without fail had become a habit.

That habit didn't change just because I'd come to the North.

After meals, I'd bundle up warmly and then chat with Ann for twenty or thirty minutes while strolling behind the annex.

Of course, eighty percent of our conversation topics were Abel's adorableness and loveliness.

"I feel like my embroidery skills have gotten even worse than before. What I embroidered previously was much prettier..."

"Huk, my lady!"

"Hm?"

Ann, who'd stopped suddenly, gasped in surprise and tapped my shoulder. Tuk-tuk.

For some reason, Ann's strange gaze was directed over my shoulder.

Following her gaze, I turned my head.

"Ah..."

"L-Lady Esclife! Hello. Were you... taking a walk?"

There—yes, Abel was there.

No, I was so confused about whether it was Abel or a mirage created by my fervent longing for him that I looked back at Ann standing beside me.

As if understanding my feelings, Ann nodded vigorously with eyes even more overwhelmed than mine.

What on earth was happening?

God, if you're watching me right now, tell me the answer.

Is what's before my eyes really Abel?

Moreover, this time the obstructive Hades wasn't even visible. Being a loner, Abel had no attendants following him.

On the quiet walking path, there was only me, Abel, and Ann.

Gulp. Dry saliva went down involuntarily from nerves.

My mind began to grow hazy again like during our first meeting.

I forced strength into my eyes and answered.

"...Yes."

I was taking a walk. And our adorable, lovely Abel? Have you eaten? Did you have dessert?

Swallowing all the thoughtless questions trying to burst from my mouth, I barely managed to execute restraint.

Abel shuffled closer.

"Um... About my rudeness at our first meeting—I wanted to apologize. I was so flustered then... I don't think I greeted you properly. I'm sorry, my lady."

"What? No..."

"I-I know I must not be to your liking, my lady. But I absolutely won't cause you any trouble."

What? Excuse me? What is this...

"Um, young master. I..."

"This! This is... er, it's not much compared to the gift you sent, my lady, but I wanted to repay you somehow..."

Abel gave me no chance to explain, rushing through his words.

With his eyes squeezed shut, he suddenly pulled out something he'd been hiding behind him and thrust it forward.

No wonder his hands clasped behind his back had looked unnatural.

"Ah..."

What Abel handed me—what he handed me was...

That is to say, a flower crown woven together with sky-blue spring flowers somehow found in this perpetually-winter North.

A flower crown.

Yes, a flower crown...

A gift.

A tribute.

This was that... the fabled...

'Reverse tribute?!'

Good heavens.

"Co-compared to the gift you gave me, my lady, it's incredibly hum-humble, but... Ah!"

As always, my glass body, shocked, swayed. Tilt.

Startled, Abel reflexively threw aside the flower crown he was holding and reached out his hands.