The Monster Duke Mistook Me for His Wife Chapter 155 - Side Story Chapter 12

I’ve always thought—my father has never been helpful in my life.

‘When I begged him to cancel the engagement, he wouldn’t. So why now, of all times?’

The emperor, worried his youngest daughter might run away again, had come in person and taken her hand.

“Daisy. My little flower. Let’s go home now.”

“…”

Daisy bit her lip in silence.

If she left with her father now, did that mean she’d be parting ways with Ivan?

‘I don’t want that.’

For Daisy, breaking up with Ivan was never even an option.

‘Right. I’ll just take him with me.’

He wanted a shop, didn’t he? I can open one for him. He can bake bread, and I’ll visit him every day.

‘Or I could just have him work in the palace. That way, I can see him whenever I want.’

No matter how she went about it, Daisy had no intention of letting Ivan out of her sight.

“When do we have to leave?”

Finally speaking after a long pout, Daisy made the emperor’s face light up.

“Anytime. Whenever you want. If you wish, we can go right now.”

“Not yet. There’s someone I need to see first. You’ll have to wait, Father.”

“Then I shall. I’ll wait as long as you need.”

Relieved but cautious, the emperor gently asked,

“You… will come back, right?”

“I don’t lie, like you do.”

“…I see.”

Leaving the sulking emperor behind, Daisy dismissed the knights who tried to follow her and made her way to the beach.

“Ivan.”

“…You’re here.”

Ivan’s face looked just like the day they first met—clouded and heavy.

“I thought you wouldn’t come…”

“Why wouldn’t I? We always meet at this time.”

“…But His Majesty came…”

Once again, Daisy thought, her father really was no help.

He had made such a scene that now everyone knew.

‘That’s why he looks like that.’

Ivan tried to smile, but to Daisy, it still looked like he was about to cry.

“You’re leaving, aren’t you?”

“Yeah.”

“I knew it…”

Muttering quietly, Ivan stood and bowed deeply to her.

“Thank you. For everything.”

For praising his pathetic bread, for standing up to his bullies, for chatting with him every day.

His eyes welled up as he recounted each memory.

Taking a deep breath, Ivan forced a wide smile, his cheeks flushed.

“Thank you for making me smile when I was always crying. It’s all thanks to you.”

He unfolded a cloth bundle from his arms and held it out. Inside was a small but beautiful cake.

“I really wanted to make you a proper cake at least once.”

His trembling hands reached toward her.

“This is the last time, so there’s something I really want to say.”

Daisy blinked, stunned by Ivan’s radiant smile.

“I like you. I really, truly like you.”

And in that moment, Daisy realized it.

That she liked him too.

That what she felt for him wasn’t just friendship—it was love.

As the truth of her heart hit her, she couldn’t hold it back.

“Ivan, will you come with me to the capital? No—you have to come with me.”

“I won’t be able to see you anymore, but I’ll always—wait, what?”

Ivan, who had been speaking with his head bowed, looked up in shock.

“Y-you will?”

“I like you too. That’s why I want you by my side. I want to see you every day after I return.”

“Uh, uh…”

His mouth opened and closed in disbelief—and then tears burst from his eyes.

Daisy stared, amazed. How can someone cry like a waterfall?

Even more tears than the day they met. Smiling, Daisy handed him a handkerchief.

But Ivan didn’t wipe his tears. He hugged it tightly—and cried even louder.

“You never stop crying.”

“S-sorry. Hnghh…”

“It’s fine. It just makes you cuter.”

“I like you. I really like you. I love you, Your Highness.”

“Call me Daisy.”

“Daisy… I love you.”

As Ivan awkwardly squeezed his huge frame into her arms, Daisy blinked at the pounding in her chest.

Was it his heartbeat, or hers?

So this is what it feels like.

So this is what love feels like.

With a satisfied smile, Daisy hugged Ivan tightly.

And in that moment, she made a promise to herself—

She would definitely marry this adorable bunny.

 

 

 

****

 

 

“His eyes and nose turned all red while he confessed—it was so cute.”

Though it had been five years, Daisy’s eyes softened fondly as she said she’d never once forgotten that day.

“…Your Highness, Ivan’s not here anymore.”

“He gets so embarrassed. Every time I bring that story up, he runs away.”

Ivan, who usually seemed like he’d never leave Daisy’s side, had vanished the moment she started reminiscing.

Understandable.

Their love story was adorable, fun, exciting, and full of heart-thumping moments, but…

It was a bit much. Especially when it came to how extensively Daisy described Ivan’s “cuteness.”

‘No wonder he didn’t want her to tell it.’

If Dillian ever started describing our first meeting in vivid detail in front of others?

I would’ve dragged him out mid-sentence with my hand over his mouth.

Ivan couldn’t do that—so he ran away instead.

“It’s a good thing Cassis proposed this time. Once that fool finally gets married, I can marry Ivan.”

If she could’ve, Daisy would’ve married him five years ago. But having just broken off an engagement back then, she didn’t want Ivan dragged into gossip. Her plan was to wait until Crown Prince Cassis got married and shifted all the attention onto himself—then quietly tie the knot.

But who would’ve thought that would take five years?

Daisy clenched her fist.

“My goal is to get Cassis married this year.”

At her lofty ambition, I found myself at a loss for words.

‘That might be a problem… I don’t think Ainah plans to marry any time soon.’

Oh well. Who am I to worry about others? I’ve got my own problems.

After chatting with her while picking out a ring, I hugged the velvet box close and bowed deeply to Daisy.

“Thank you so much for your help!”

“Go knock his socks off with that proposal.”

“Wishing you all the best.”

With their encouragement, I beamed and waved goodbye.

Watching their retreating backs for a moment, I turned to Madame, who had come to see me off.

“Madame, you’ll keep it a secret that I came here today, right?”

“Of course. I’ll keep everything strictly confidential.”

“Thank you.”

I returned straight to the mansion and quietly made my way to my room, hoping to avoid running into Dillian.

“Miss Ria.”

But somehow, he found me instantly. I clutched the bag with the ring inside tighter.

“Y-yes?”

My voice squeaked in surprise, and Dillian’s suspicious eyes darted toward my bag.

Thankfully, that didn’t seem to be his reason for stopping me—his gaze soon returned to mine.

“Are you busy tomorrow?”

“No, I’m off tomorrow.”

“Perfect. Would you like to have dinner together? I’ve made reservations at a nice place.”

“Yes!”

I nodded eagerly with a bright smile.

Perfect. If Dillian picked the restaurant, it was bound to be romantic.

Tomorrow was my chance.

Blissfully unaware of his plans, I kicked my feet with excitement as I flopped onto the bed.

 

 

 

 

****

 

 

 

 

The next day. The restaurant doors slammed open, and a man stormed in, shouting.

“Why the hell do I have to be doing this?!”

“Shut it, Sir Harris! Use that energy to throw the flower petals!”

Maymie snapped at him, and Harris gritted his teeth as he tossed flowers.

“I said to keep it classic—not go this far…!”

Renting out the entire restaurant was one thing—but clearing out the whole street and covering it in flower petals?

“Anyone looking at this would know it’s a proposal!”

“Exactly! It has to be this grand. Though the Duke will definitely owe me for making me do all this!”

Schumann grumbled as he finished casting enchantments throughout the restaurant.

“Schumann, get it together! This is way too plain. He’s a duke, and this is his proposal? I refuse to accept something so modest!”

Right before Maymie could go full rabid beast mode, Schumann stuffed a handkerchief in her mouth.

“Be quiet. You help more by just staying still.”

“Mmff! Mmph!”

With her hands magically bound, Maymie snarled and chewed the handkerchief.

“What do you think about offering a blessing once the proposal’s done, Lord Nathan?”

“That’s a wonderful idea, Aaron. Please do it.”

The two elders sipped tea calmly—utterly useless in this chaos.

“I can’t take this anymore. I’m leaving.”

“You’ve done the most prep and now you’re acting like you’re bailing?”

“Don’t talk to me.”

Ignoring Schumann’s giggling, Harris grabbed the door handle—just as footsteps sounded from the other side.

He quickly pulled his hand back and whispered sharply,

“Hide!”

For the first time, everyone moved in unison, quickly diving for cover.

A split second later, the door opened.