MEET HER FAMILY

The preparations don't take too long. She was dressed casually, but I was dressed in my gown. After all, I'm supposed to look stunning in front of everyone. But I can be handsome in my knight suit at the same time. Aphrodite and Zeus must've spilled all their blessings upon me during my creation.

I thought we could ride the carriage peacefully, but an uninvited guest suddenly pops out of nowhere. "Father, what do you think you're doing?" He nods while he looks around.

"Me?" He pointed at himself. "Not your mother?"

"What? No, What are you both doing out here?" They exchange glances and hand gestures as they finally look at me. "Camilla, tell your father that I greeted him." mother said as father took my hand in his.

"Tell Camilla's mother that I greeted her." What is wrong with these people? "You shouldn't get back too late! Have a nice visit!" Father waved his hand, smiling at me with such an energetic expression.

"They seem to keep an eye on you these days." Camilla laughs as I stare out the window. More like they're being a nuisance. "Are you planning to get close to your father now? He seems really concerned about you." We had a couple conversations about it. I even assured him that we'd start over from the beginning. But this time, I might give his wish some thought.

"People who are about to die are like that. They normally begin by being pleasant and spoiling you in order to be forgiven." He's unlucky and lucky at the same time. The only thing that he has is money. But the brain? He doesn't have that.

"What if he dies? Will you cry?" With a puzzled expression on my face, I look at her. "Are you asking if I'm going to cry for a useless person?" I might cry if he's a decent father, but he's useless. "I'd be happy to see him off." People are going to die. We are all doomed to perish.

We just don't know when.

"Don't speak too early, Your Highness. You might get attached to your father. So I hope you'll treasure the time." She said it while smiling as if it could change my mind in a snap.

The carriage began to fill with silence as the voyage continued. "Are you sleepy?" I asked as I saw her yawning. She wiped her eyes while she sat next to me. "Don't expect me to carry you."

"I know you will," she chuckles as she wraps her arms around my waist and sleeps on my thighs. I simply stroked her hair while carefully examining her features. She might be the average woman I get to know, but there aren't many men that can be compared with this woman.

The carriage stopped after an hour as I decided to pat her head gently. The carriage door was flung open wide as the knight started to cough. "Wake her up and I'll make sure you'll lose a title." I whispered. He bows aggressively, leaving us as if he doesn't see what's inside.

"Your Highness!" Camilla wipes her eyes as she slowly wakes up. "Carien." I smile widely. "Yes, Your Highness?" He seems to be confused while looking at me with an innocent face.

How can the future Duke of the Rosenblitz family be this soft? "When did the carriage stop?" Camilla stretches her arms and stares out the window. "CARIEN!" She leaps out of the carriage, embraces her brother, with excitement.

"How do you know we're here? It was supposed to be a surprise!" The ground has eyes and ears for everything. "Cynthia saw the carriage and told me about it. How can we not recognize these kinds of greetings?" Camilla smiles awkwardly, looking at me as if it's my fault.

"Is father inside? How about mother?" She must've missed her family. As someone who grew independently, I don't think I'll miss someone. "They're preparing. You didn't even give us a notice. We should've prepared earlier."

"That's why it was supposed to be a surprise!" Carien looks at me as if he was apologizing for his sister's manners. He has no idea that I am accustomed to it. "Shall we go inside?" Camilla sighs as she takes my hand.

She openly hugged her parents as soon as she saw them through the open door. And once again, the couple's eyes beg me to forgive their daughter's behavior. If that's Lithia, then I'd be wearing my disgusted grimace.

"Greetings, Your Highness. I'm sorry for the late preparations. Please come this way." The Duke points his hand in the dining room as Camilla gets back into my arms.

We sat quietly as the food started to fill the table. "What brings Your Highness to our place?" I take a bite of steak while looking at the Duchess, who appears perplexed by our unexpected presence.

"I made a promise to your daughter that I would accompany her here. She wanted to surprise you, but it seems like her mission failed successfully." Camilla chuckles while shaking her head slightly.

"It's been a while and I have to admit that I miss this manor." Why does it sound like I'm not allowing her to go outside? "If you wanted to see us, you should just inform us. We would be happy to pay you a visit." Cynthia said as she ate her meals. The conversation is natural, unlike the other families that I've met.

Somehow, the other nobles would brag about how their children were good at anything and would tell me how they could benefit me. But this family is a pleasant sight to my eyes.

Although I'm not really used to this kind of atmosphere,

"But you wouldn't stay for too long. What's the point?" Camilla responded instinctively as the couple exchanged glances with each other. "But you have to understand that we also have our own duty and this manor is our home. I beg your pardon, Your Highness. But we want to clarify that we're rejecting the offer." I'm not sure whether I want to be mad, but after all, it's their decision.

"If that's what the Duchess' wishes. I respect the decision." Carien looks at me as if he's wondering why I let it off so easily.

Well, there is a difference between other people and the people who can benefit me in the future. "Thank you, Your Highness." The conversation went on, and the room began to fill with joy and laughter.

I could tell Camilla was enjoying their conversation, so I excused myself for some time to roam around their manor. Until my feet unexpectedly led me to a room. As curious as I was, I twisted the doorknob. And a portrait of her family was painted on a large canvas hanged on a large picture frame.

That sincere smile with a pinch of warmth.. That's something I couldn't achieve. "It's rude to go inside without permission, Your Highness." The Duchess stated, while focusing her attention on the picture frame on the wall, "Why don't you hang this picture in the living room?" I asked out of curiosity.

"That's easy to say, Your Highness. The artist, however, was the Duke's former lover. I'm afraid that he'll remember her whenever he looks in this picture." I chuckle for a moment.

"Pardon me, Duchess. But I think he will not stick to you if he loves the first one. They just change when they find the right one. And that one is you." My father, although he was married to Lithia's mother. His eyes were still focused on my mother.

And that's how things work. We would hurt the first one because of our own selfishness. Sometimes, we just fall in love easily and regret it later on.

"That's why I'm leaving my daughter in your care, Your Highness. I hope you won't hurt her as we raised her with attention and care. She might look innocent, but you can count on her every time." I refocused my attention on the frame once again. The interior of this room may be gloomy, but the image says it all.

"I'm not going to make any promises. It depends on the circumstances. However, I'm not unreasonable to hurt her easily."

"After all, loving your daughter became a part of my daily routine." She smiled as we decided to leave the room. We just wander around their manor and talk about Camilla's likes and all. It feels like she's explaining why her daughter acts in that way and that I shouldn't give up on her.

She's afraid I'll abandon her daughter one day. What a lovely mother she is. It's not pleasant, but not hateful either. "I'm glad that I'm able to talk to you, Your Highness." The Duchess' bows slightly.

"The pleasure is mine, Duchess Meltem." The Duke was confused as the Duchess chuckled. We bid our goodbye peacefully, while Carien just smiles. Is it a smile of acceptance?

"Take care, Your Highness." I give a tiny nod, taking Camilla's hands in mine as I guide her back to the carriage. "Until then, Duchess and Duke Rosenblitz," they wave their hands as Cynthia bows. The carriage started to move as Camilla smiled.

"Thank you." A simple act of gratitude, yet it feels nice. If it comes to her, that is. I caressed her cheeks mildly as I looked at her eyes. "Your Welcome, Your Majesty."