My Husband Hid His Regression, So I Hid Mine Too Chapter 61

Perhaps, it had been more acting than necessary.

Odely became embarrassed as well and looked away, and a brief silence fell between them.

It was just when they were awkwardly facing each other.

Castia looked back and forth between the two of them and muttered as if speaking to herself.

“……When I first heard the rumors, I thought someone had made up some ridiculous story.”

You saw right through it.

Castia still looked at the two of them with that same cold gaze before seeming to reach a conclusion.

“At least, it seems your feelings are genuine.”

Did it work?

At least their acting as ‘young lovers who are crazy about each other’ seemed to have been quite convincing.

Castia’s expression, which had looked ready to throw them out of the castle, softened slightly.

More precisely, she looked like she had a terrible headache.

Yet her eyes still held the same stubborn judgment as she looked at the two of them.

“Yes. You probably want to believe that the fate of a family means nothing in front of words like love and destiny.”

Her voice was calm.

But there was a trace of cynicism underneath it.

“Love is an invincible feeling when things are good. But when you cannot take responsibility for it, it becomes more powerless than anything else. And the North is not a territory that can be managed by mere emotions.”

She turned her gaze toward Odely.

“You said you were strong yourself, did you not? Then prove it. Until then, I will not recognize you as the Grand Duchess.”

To be exact, Odely had only said that she was not as weak as she looked.

Castia deliberately twisted the meaning and continued.

“And……just because the father is strong does not mean you can be sure the child will be healthy. I still believe it would be better to welcome a perfect Grand Duchess without any flaws.”

“…….”

Odely glanced at Ludville.

The irritation and annoyance in his eyes were slowly fading.

His violet eyes were becoming dark, like the deep night.

‘……This is bad.’

Odely felt cold sweat forming on her forehead.

Forget everything else, the former Grand Duchess was now increasing the chances of getting herself locked up.

Castia, however, did not notice the sign at all and continued speaking.

“The North is not a place where you can survive by guessing. Even more so if you are to become the lady of this place.”

Her tone quietly drove the final nail into the coffin.

Even the way she continued to address Odely as ‘Young Lady’ with perfect politeness was her way of keeping a clear distance.

She turned her gaze away, then looked straight at Ludville.

“Ludville. I took you in as my son because I believed you would become a strong shield that could protect the North. ……And you know as well, do you not? It was also a decision made to carry on the name of Exception in a stronger and more proper way.”

“…….”

“If you are that kind of person, you can no longer treat the responsibility and honor of the family as someone else’s problem.”

Then she turned her gaze back to Odely.

“Whatever result the two of you’s choice may bring, it is no longer a private matter. Until the day I am convinced that you can bear such a weight, I cannot accept this marriage.”

With those words, Castia quietly turned and walked away.

Leaving her opposition to the marriage clear until the very end.

‘……So that’s why she was imprisoned.’

Odely could now fully understand why she had never once seen the former Grand Duchess.

That did not mean she thought he had been right to do it, though.

Knowing Ludville’s personality…….

“I hope you can bear with her. I heard that after giving up the position of Grand Duke, she has been living in the western territory. Please make sure to send her safely back there after the wedding.”

“…….”

“Ludville?”

“……I’ll try.”

Was even that something he needed to try so hard to do?

Odely held her throbbing forehead and swallowed a sigh.

Now, she wanted only one thing.

Please, just bear with it quietly until the wedding.

 

One day before the wedding, a grand eve celebration for the distinguished guests was held at Exception Castle.

Drinks, music, conversation, and laughter continued late into the night.

The center of attention was, of course, Odely, who would soon become the Grand Duchess.

More precisely, it was the love story of her fatefully tangled relationship with the Grand Duke of Exception.

‘Nonsense.’

The purifier had never once left the underground of the Cardel family.

Love?

Gawin Cardel sneered inwardly.

‘It seems even the Grand Duke of Exception wants the purifier.’

But the expression on his face remained gentle, and his gaze was soft.

His words and actions did not cross the line of politeness by even an inch.

‘A mere purifier has become the center of noble society.’

Since when had the world become so disorderly?

With a calm smile, Gawin walked toward the center of the banquet hall.

He raised his glass, toasted with several nobles, and skillfully led the conversation.

Before long, more and more eyes began to focus on him.

He stopped beside Odely.

Even while receiving a gaze so cold it could freeze him, Gawin smiled smoothly.

“You are truly beautiful, Odely.”

“…….”

“I am simply happy that I can show you off in front of so many people. I never thought this day would come.”

“…….”

““Ah, are you upset because Father did not come? Do not be like that. Father is simply disappointed. His beloved daughter is suddenly getting married.”

Odely did not answer.

Gawin did not care about her silence and continued with a light laugh.

“Our Odely has always quietly done her best in her place. It truly hurt my heart to watch you endure everything alone with your weak body. There was nothing I could do for you…….”

He gave a bitter smile, like an older brother who truly cared for his younger sister.

“At least, it seems the Grand Duke of Exception is making you happy.”

His expression showed mixed emotions.

As if he was shocked by the foolish thing his beloved younger sister had done, yet still wished for her happiness.

‘I have to admit, he is good at acting.’

He had become much more skilled in the meantime.

‘He would have been better suited to being an actor in a theater troupe.’

Yet he was working this hard to play the role of a ‘savior,’ even though it was not suited to him at all.

Odely calmly thought to herself as she looked up at him with an expressionless face.

“But Odely.”

Gawin continued, pretending to look concerned.

“I heard about your ‘new ability.’ It is truly amazing and admirable that you awakened such an unprecedented unique ability, but…….”

A new ability.

It was a phrase that crushed hundreds of years of purification power into just a few words.

He had declared it here as if it had nothing to do with ancient magic.

‘So that’s how you are going to play it.’

If he dressed it up as a unique ability, it could seem special at first glance.

But the word ‘new’ also meant that it was untested and unstable.

He continued speaking gently while looking at her with a worried gaze.

“Your health is not normal either, so this new ability must be a great burden for you. Even if it was something you absolutely had to do, I cannot help but worry as your older brother. I wonder if using your ability is unstable, or if there might be any side effects…….”

He stepped closer and gave her a gentle smile.

“I hope you do not push yourself too hard. My sister, who was weak from the moment she was born. I wonder if this harsh North will be able to protect you…….”