The Regret Novel Female Lead with Unbreakable Mentality Chapter 32

8. The Problem of Being Liked Too Much by My Father-in-law

It was inside the annex of Duke Kalinos’s House, known as the ‘Grave of the Patriarch.’ I stared into space, eyes wide with disbelief. Wait, was there a place like this in the Kalinos mansion? And the precious Duke Kalinos is still alive?

 

According to the current Duke Kalinos, there’s a hidden place in the Kalinos Family’s capital mansion that no one knows about. A dangerous place, shielded by a barrier that only those with a certain level of mana can see, making it nearly impossible for anyone to approach. It’s where the patriarchs of the Kalinos family stay—those who died or were injured in the war against monsters—until they’re on the brink of death.

 

Neslan Kalinos has been staying there, secluded as if dead, for over five years now. It’s said to be a place where one stays until just before death, but why he’s been living here alone for five years is unclear.

 

Neslan Kalinos, standing before me, looked frail but not like someone on death’s door. The contradiction only deepened my confusion. It seems like there’s quite a story behind this, and I’m curious.

 

But I’m just an employee. I didn’t want to openly pry into my employer’s circumstances. Back when I worked part-time at a convenience store, I listened to my boss’s troubles and ended up closing the store alone on weekends and weekdays.

 

Hmm, let’s refocus. We were supposed to make our marriage vows here, right?

 

Anyway, I was confident that if I thought like Yuliana and showed an effective display of sincerity, it would work out. But soon after,

 

I must have underestimated this world.

 

I glanced at Count Florette, Yuliana, Duke Kalinos, and my father-in-law, Neslan Kalinos, seated around the round table in the annex.

 

“A sudden marriage, how did this come about… Cough, cough!”

 

Neslan’s long hair fluttered delicately in the breeze. If Count Florette was a muscular middle-aged man with sharp features, this man was a delicate and slender middle-aged type. In normal circumstances, having someone like him as a father-in-law would be considered a stroke of luck. But seriously, how do I even act up in front of someone who’s sick! I looked at him awkwardly as he pulled out a handkerchief and coughed lightly.

 

“So, this is the lady. Cough, cough.”

 

…Is he coughing up blood? Definitely not someone I can make a mess over easily.

 

“Yes, Father. I am Giselle. Giselle Florette. I was adopted into the House of Florette as the daughter of Count Sehera. Soon, I’ll become Giselle Kalinos.” I spoke stiffly, like I was being interviewed.

 

Count Florette chimed in quickly. “Well, that’s something we’ll have to see in the future, isn’t it?”

 

In a society with a class system, only someone as bold as Count Florette could dare to challenge a duke’s family like this. Yuliana’s expression turned noticeably uncomfortable.

 

I watched the situation unfold with interest. Count Florette is causing a ruckus on my behalf. I’m quite satisfied.

 

Meanwhile, Neslan Kalinos was beaming as if he had met his real daughter-in-law. “Aah, my apologies. But Sehera… does that mean you’re the daughter of the famous archmage, Count Sehera?”

 

“That’s correct. She’s the only descendant of the great Archmage, Count Sehera.” Count Florette was speaking for me. I just nodded comfortably.

 

“I see. While I was confined to the annex due to my illness, that daughter has grown so much. I, too, was one of those who admired Count Sehera’s magical abilities.”

 

Upon hearing that, a gleam appeared in Count Florette’s eyes. “You have a discerning eye.”

 

“Of course. I’m just delighted to welcome our new daughter-in-law.”

 

“Ahem, ahem.”

 

“I’m grateful that you’ve sent such a well-raised child to our family. Rest assured, we’ll treat her better than anyone else.”

 

Though Count Florette still glared, his hostility had lessened somewhat.

 

I sighed inwardly. There’s no other way. I’ll go with the concept of a foolish but kind nuisance, a silly daughter under a great father. I waved my hand with a bright smile. “Nice to meet you! I’m Giselle, the one who carries Count Sehera’s blood~ Father~♡”

 

“…Haha, calling me Father.”

 

I caught the subtle lift at the corners of his mouth.

 

“You’ve never said that to me before.”

 

Only Count Florette, my reliable ally, seemed to be sulking! First attempt: total failure.

 

“Giselle was actually considered the black sheep in the House of Florette after my father passed away!” I tried to create a chilly atmosphere with my second attempt, but…

 

“Yes, yes, that’s true.”

 

…I ended up stabbing Count Florette in the heart again. Second attempt: failure!

 

“You’re my son’s first choice. I’ll treat you well. I trust Vientin. You must be hungry after the long journey. It’s not much, but let’s eat and talk.”

 

“Huuuuh? Not much? For Giselle, it’s a la~vish feast~!”

 

Third attempt: ‘using a silly voice’ begins. But Neslan’s expression remained unchanged. Only Yuliana, who already disliked me, couldn’t hold back and snapped.

 

“What are you talking about? It’s a grand feast.”

 

“Tch, whether it’s a grand feast or a lavish feast, what’s the difference? They both have the same ‘feast’ sound~!”

 

“That’s… never mind.”

 

Regardless of Yuliana’s scolding, I was too busy devouring crumpets. I even performed the feat of eating a crumpet with one hand! My table manners probably looked quite improper. Please dislike me, please!

 

But Count Florette was the first to laugh and say, “Giselle eats so adorably, don’t you think?”

 

Neslan also smiled gently and pushed a plate toward me in agreement. “Indeed. It’s truly delightful. Shall I call the chef to bring more?”

 

“Oh no~! If Giselle’s belly gets too round, I won’t fit into my wedding dress~!”

 

Saying this was quite rude. Yet, Count Florette and Neslan couldn’t stop smiling.

 

“That’s alright. My son will love you anyway, won’t he?”

 

How can he smile so divinely? Even without sunlight, it felt dazzling. It was like shedding old grime and being hung out to dry in the sun. Just looking at him felt purifying, and I barely managed to tear my gaze away as I pondered my next mischief when Duke Kalinos spoke lightly.

 

“Yes, Father. Do you approve?”

 

“Of course.”

 

Despite Count Florette’s grumbling, Duke Kalinos spoke bluntly. “Then, Father, I anticipated your approval and came prepared. Here’s the marriage pledge.”

 

Even Neslan seemed unable to maintain his composure at this point. His expression turned a bit awkward. “Really? So soon?”

 

“Yes. We plan to hold the wedding once Grandfather arrives, but we want to start with the marriage pledge.”

 

“Isn’t that too fast? Shouldn’t there be a process…?”

 

“Of course, there should be a process. Perhaps about 1,179 steps before we can marry, don’t you think?”

 

Despite Count Florette’s sarcastic support, Duke Kalinos remained shameless.

 

“This is the process.” Duke Vientin Kalinos, my employer, or rather, my husband, pulled out the marriage pledge. “I’ve already obtained the House of Florette’s consent, and I met with His Majesty this morning to report on the marriage.”

 

“…His Majesty granted you an audience? Didn’t he faint last time?”

 

It seemed to refer to the incident where he beheaded a troll in front of the emperor.

 

“Naturally. His Majesty is fond of me.”

 

“…”

 

Even I couldn’t agree with that… Did he forget that the emperor once fainted after seeing a troll?

 

“His Majesty blessed our marriage and promised to keep it a secret, though we didn’t intend to keep it a secret…”

 

I guess the emperor kept it a secret out of fear…

 

“He even called in the registrar to secretly register the marriage.”

 

Duke Kalinos is as relentless as when he bulldozed his way to get my approval for the marriage.

 

Listening to their conversation, I finally found my rhythm and clapped my hands with a bright smile. “Aah, yes! That’s my darling! I understand why you couldn’t bear to be apart from Giselle even for a day~♡”

 

“Right. Without Giselle, I’d die.”

 

Well, dying is a bit too much.

 

He was always one step ahead of me.