Chapter 68

"How to organize a party well?"

Rudia, who was looking at the design of glass lamps for a new garden party, turned her head at her daughter's question.

"Yes, I want to learn."

"Oh my."

Rudia felt her heart melt instantly.

Lilica, who had been trying to protect her, seemed to finally be leaning on her a little. Now, she even wanted to learn something from her mother.

Rudia was delighted to feel that she had earned Lilica's approval.

"Of course, I'll teach you anything."

Thinking about spending time preparing for the party together made all the accumulated work and worries suddenly seem insignificant.

"The most important thing at a party is the food."

"The food."

"Right. So—"

After all, what gets people excited at a party you host is the sight and the food.

For a small party, selecting the right people is important, but for a large party, it's different.

"A small party that Lilica might host would also need to consider the people. First, avoid those who are too entangled in the social scene. It's also best to avoid representatives of various factions."

Lilica nodded repeatedly. For the next few days, Lilica received special training on parties.

Spending two hours a day with Lilica, Rudia's face never lost its smile.

"Hehehe"

"Your Majesty, what is so amusing?"

"No, I just find my daughter so adorable. You see, my daughter—"

The women gathered at the tea party thought she was even more of a busybody these days.

Her servants and the people she met could easily tell that she was in a very good mood.

"I've heard you've been spending time with the princess lately."

"Yes, Tan, you see, my daughter."

Tan nodded, listening to the praise. After a while, when Rudia sighed, he asked,

"So, what's the matter?"

"Ah, it's about the merchant guild. It's good that they're expanding in the north, but I want them to stay within limits."

The head of the Wolf family spoke. Rudia hummed, thinking for a moment. Since it was a matter between the merchant guild and the Wolf family, the reason it was reported to her was because the merchant guild knew she was their backer.

"Has the merchant guild crossed the line?"

"The fault lies with the encouraged fools, but you can't plant sugar beets on all the land, can you?"

"Ah, yes, it is the fools' fault, I suppose."

"Yes, but I have to talk to them."

Tan looked embarrassed, and Rudia nodded.

"Family matters are for you, the head of the family, to handle."

Tan smiled.

"Then I will do so."

Rudia narrowed her eyes and looked at Tan Wolf.

Under her intense gaze, Tan became increasingly flustered and asked,

"Is there something on my face?"

"Hmm, no, nothing."

Since Lilica said she wanted a father, Rudia had been looking for a father candidate.

Altair wasn't bad, but wouldn't the good-natured Tan Wolf be better as a father?

'But there would be too many siblings.'

Rudia, who couldn't imagine a house full of children, wondered if it would be good for Lilica.

As she pondered, Tan's face gradually lowered. Only then did Rudia realize she had been staring at him for an impolitely long time.

"Ah, sorry. You can go now."

"No, it's fine."

He answered in a low voice and hurriedly left. His face felt hot.

'It won't do.'

Knowing it wouldn't do.

Tan sighed deeply.

* * *

Altair glanced at Rudia, who was humming a tune while brushing her hair.

In the mirror, she looked very happy. He quietly watched Rudia.

—Love isn't like that.

He remembered the somewhat arrogant little voice.

Thinking about it now, perhaps his willingness to follow her advice was due to the pureblood mage's counsel.

After declaring 'I will love you' out of pride, he had tried various ways to court her, but Rudia had only recoiled. He found it one of the more interesting pastimes.

Whether it was love or anything else, she was his wife, and he was the one who had her all to himself.

But.

'Tan Wolf.'

Seeing Rudia standing and talking with him, she looked happy. Later, when she stared at him intently, that foolish wolf bowed his head and blushed, which was just—

Something unpleasant boiled up inside him.

A new feeling, different from any he had felt before.

Definitely not pleasant.

He had come to scold the queen for her behavior, but seeing her so happy—

'Lately, Lilica also looks happy in magic lessons.'

She would chatter about what she did with her mother.

Though the magic lessons sometimes ran long, listening to the child's stories was surprisingly not boring at all.

Lilica, with her flushed cheeks, sighed and finished her story.

"Mother is amazing to do all that."

"Right, she is."

Rudia's parties were well-known in society.

The initial skeptical looks at the new queen vanished after one party.

Her parties were always comfortable and fresh.

Altair knew how much effort Rudia put into them. He would suppress with force, and Rudia would persuade.

Though he didn't say it, using force was much easier.

Lilica glanced at Altair and said,

"Your Majesty."

"Speak."

"Will you attend my next party for a while?"

Altair smiled.

"If it's a party hosted by my daughter, I'll come."

Lilica's face turned red, and her eyes sparkled. Though she looked shy and awkward, her joy was evident.

'So cute.'

Rudia's habit of calling people cute had definitely rubbed off on her, but cute is cute, so what can you do?

Lilica awkwardly cleared her throat and said,

"So, what will we learn today?"

"Shortcuts."

"Shortcuts?"

"Shortening long spells, that's what. Hmm."

Altair thought for a moment and said in a low voice,

"Let the thunder roar. Let the lightning strike. Shake the earth and break it so no one can walk."

Lilica's eyes widened as she listened. Altair continued,

"Imagine translating such a spell into ancient language and reciting it. It's too long, right? So, you shorten it. The more detailed and longer the spell, the more powerful it is. It allows for a stronger visualization."

It's not just 'thunder' but 'roar' because it makes the meaning clearer when said.

"But reciting it would get you killed by the enemy."

"True."

"So, you gather the essence and create your own shortcut."

"I understand."

"Good, then—"

Altair began to teach her the method step by step. He already knew Lilica's magic power was extraordinary.

She might.

Break the curse.

But did he really want that?

A bitter smile escaped him. Lilica, who was creating a shortcut, suddenly thought of something and asked,

"Your Majesty, you said Barat was doing something interesting last time."

"Yes."

"Can you tell me roughly what it is?"

Altair stroked his chin.

"Dragons are made of fire and air."

Lilica recalled the dragon she saw in her dream. The massive creature flying freely in the sky.

It made sense that dragons were made of fire and air. She nodded, and Altair smiled.

"Isn't something missing?"

"Huh?"

"Fire and air. Isn't something missing?"

Lilica pondered and cautiously answered,

"Fuel...?"

"Right."

Dragons are dragons because they can create flames. They inhale air and fill themselves with fire.

"Barat is researching this in various ways. It's quite interesting."

Lilica couldn't understand what was interesting about it. She was more worried about the scorching heat in Fjord.

Gently stroking her daughter's worried face, he said,

"Come, let's try again."

Pointing to the notebook, Lilica nodded. If she could help Fjord in any way, it would be through magic.

'Let's work hard!'

Lilica began to create shortcuts, frowning in concentration. Altair watched her with a faint smile.

It's always enjoyable to see someone work hard on anything, especially when it's someone you're teaching.

The garden was still quiet. The forest, past its peak, was taking a breath, waiting for autumn.

The sound of small birds bathing in the fountain could be heard.

The stepmother and stepdaughter— the one and only dragon and the one and only mage—sat side by side, sharing deep wishes and eternal prayers.

Only the trees listened to their quiet conversation.

* * *

"Hehe, how is it?"

"Like a lovely noble lady."

Bryn wore a satisfied expression at her work.

Today, she and Diara were going to see the play 'The Song of Pearls.'

Without revealing her identity as a princess, they planned a secret outing. She was embarrassed to go to a play based on herself.

She didn't want to announce it.

Moreover, the entire process that came with being royalty was cumbersome. At Lilica's request, Rudia thought hard and nodded.

A carriage from the Wolf family was to pick them up.

It was rare to go out into the city.

No matter how vast the palace was, it had become boring. Going out was always enjoyable.

Dressed in civilian clothes, Diara smiled widely at Lilica.

"Princess, you look so cute."

"Thanks, Diara. But outside, don't call me Princess, call me Nara."

Giving her middle name, Diara nodded and held her hand tightly.

"Let's hurry up