Chapter 22

On the way to the embroidery meeting in the carriage, Cain had Dian sitting on his lap, and they were looking out the window together.

Elise thought to herself, "They are just good siblings, aren't they?"

The two of them look very similar. They have golden hair inherited from their father and blue eyes inherited from their mother. Although their eyes are slightly slanted, they are large and round, giving them a gentle and adorable appearance.

Cain often has a distorted face when dealing with Dian, but usually, he smiles brightly and kindly. Dian, being a four-year-old child, laughs loudly and heartily. Her expressions change rapidly—crying, getting angry, or being surprised—making her quite different from Cain.

Because of this, they are sometimes told by relatives that they don't look much alike, but when they quietly look out the window like this, they are almost identical.

"Be sure not to pay too much attention to Dian. Cain, you must participate properly in the embroidery meeting."

"I understand, even without you reminding me multiple times. My goal is to master embroidery and apply it to Dian's wedding dress."

After giving Cain the usual warning, an unexpected response came back. Elise's eyes widened in surprise.

"Cain, you... were planning to marry Dian off?"

Upon hearing this, Cain smiled wryly.

"What do you think I am? Dian's happiness is my greatest wish."

"I thought you were too obsessed with her and had no intention of letting her go."

"That's not true. Making Dian happier than anyone else is my life's goal. I want her to be happier than anyone else, no matter what it takes."

Cain smiled with a faintly dark look in his eyes.

If the princess is engaged to the crown prince, the crown prince will choose the heroine, and the old woman will be given to her. If the heroine falls in love with a squire, she will be possessed by the demon king and killed. If the heroine falls in love with a magic candidate, she will be used as a test subject for mental magic and suffer a mental breakdown. If the heroine falls in love with an assassin, everyone except the heroine will be killed.

Over and over again, whenever the heroine falls in love with someone, the villainess suffers.

He has made Dian suffer many times.

It's just a scenario from a game he played in his past life.

This world is similar, but for him, it is reality. It doesn't necessarily follow the scenario, and there might not even be a heroine.

Still, Cain made a vow in his heart.

This time. This time, he will make Dian happy.

"Anyway, shouldn't you have your own arranged marriage before Dian's?"

"...Do you want to get married?"

"As the heir of a duke's family, I have no choice. Well, if the age difference is about three years, a sister-in-law might be acceptable. Perhaps my engagement can't be decided until the crown prince's engagement is finalized."

"Sometimes, I forget you're only seven."

Elise sighed, placing her hand on her cheek.

Cain diligently follows a study schedule that even his parents find too intense, and all his tutors praise his quick learning.

He rarely acts selfishly and takes good care of his sister, making him a capable older brother.

He does everything on his own, so his parents might not have paid him much attention. He might be fulfilling his emotional needs by pouring his love into his sister.

Thinking about this, Elise considered pampering Cain when she got home.

"Do you have any preferences for a wife, Cain?"

"Someone who can love Dian and me, and won't be jealous even if I prioritize Dian."

"...Are you really planning to get married?"

"Will you get a wife, big brother?"

"Maybe someday. Not soon. I'll be by Dian's side as her big brother for a while longer."

"Can I be your wife, big brother?"

Dian tilted her head adorably and looked up at him.

Light poured from behind Dian, and the carriage was filled with blooming flowers and dancing butterflies. Angels descended, blowing trumpets of blessing and scattering rose petals. A warm, gentle breeze blew, gently fluttering Dian's hair, and white wings sprouted from her back, spreading wide.

"Cain, compose yourself. We'll be arriving at the palace soon. Dian, don't be too clingy to your brother in the palace for the sake of his dignity."

"Understood."

"If you want your brother to look cool, don't be clingy in front of others."

"Okay!"

The carriage passed through the palace gates and arrived at the building where the queen's guest salon was located.

When they entered the salon, the queen was already there.

She was a woman around the same age as their mother, wearing a simple yet obviously high-quality dress. The emblem of two wolves was embroidered on the armband she wore over her shoulder, clearly identifying her as the queen.

"Cain and Dian. I've been looking forward to meeting you."

"Thank you for allowing us to participate. It is an honor to meet you."

"Thank you, it's an honor."

Cain bowed deeply, and Dian mimicked him, bowing politely. When Dian bowed, her arms stretched out behind her.

"Hehehe. You're very well-mannered. But during the embroidery meeting, it's a free-for-all. Please raise your head."

Her gentle smile was filled with maternal warmth, befitting a queen.

Cain had never seen the king or queen in the game, so this was truly their first meeting. The thought that this kind and gentle woman's son would grow up to send his fiancée to a distant land because he fell in love with someone else made Cain feel a bit conflicted.

"Hello, Your Majesty."

"Hello, Elise."

Seeing the queen and Elise exchange a brief greeting, it was clear that it was indeed a free-for-all.

"Is it really okay to have a free-for-all in the presence of the queen?"

"It's fine because only those of the rank of marquis or higher are present."

Even in a free-for-all, it was probably fine because only the children of high-ranking nobles, who were thoroughly trained in manners, were present.

Elise sat down at one of the chairs arranged around a large round table. The salon was spacious, with half of it facing the garden, resembling a greenhouse with a glass roof and walls. A large, soft rug was laid out, and there were picture books and building blocks for the children.

After seating Cain, Elise gently pushed Dian towards the rug, encouraging her to play with the other children. Cain watched Dian run to the already playing children, greet them, and join in the fun with a wistful look.

"Dian needs friends her own age."

"I understand. I'll work hard on embroidery for Dian's wedding."

When most of the seats around the large round table were filled, the queen gave a welcome speech, and the embroidery meeting began.