The Villainous Family Loves Me Too Much!

“Is there something bothering you about me?”

“Oh, no.”

“Then why do you keep staring? Let’s eat.”

The Archduke looked at me with a puzzled expression.

Wow, that cheeky attitude.

But, at the same time, there was a unique decadent charm, usually associated only with bad boys.

It was becoming awkward now that I was aware of the Archduke, whereas when it was about someone else, it was no big deal.

His disheveled silver hair, a well-defined chest peeking through the slightly wet shirt, and the subtly seductive gaze. Ever since I organized the prophecy contents, I’ve noticed that the Archduke has been consciously coming to my attention.

[If those with the power of light, magic power, or a piece of God’s power cannot combine their abilities, the entire continent will be destroyed.]

When it was someone else’s business, I didn’t think much about it, but now that the target was the Archduke and me, it felt strangely embarrassing.

A stout chest visible through disheveled silver hair and white shirt. Underneath it, even the tight-set abs that are barely visible.

It seemed that the dormant desire within me had awakened because of the contents of the prophecy.

I kept thinking that if I could just save Felosite and save this desire, wouldn’t it be better for my new family, sister-in-law, and everyone else?

The Archduke, whether aware of this feeling or not, was glaring at me with a very annoyed expression.

Tang!

Then, a metal tray flew and aimed at the back of the Archduke’s head. However, with one hand, he quickly swatted the tray away, and it embedded itself deeply into the wall.

“You should treat my granddaughter more kindly!”

The culprit was my mother-in-law.

“Why does he have to resemble him so much? This guy has no idea how affectionate your father was, right?”

For a moment, my mother-in-law gazed at the portrait of my father-in-law on the wall with a distant expression.

Today’s gathering had a special meaning as it marked the return of my mother-in-law, who had been away from Felosite Castle for a while. It was a rare occasion when the family gathered for breakfast together.

I had imagined a warm and harmonious atmosphere, but as usual, this family was quite unique in various ways.

“I don’t need to know anything about your married life.”

The Archduke still remained distant towards the family.

“Mind your own business. If you have eyes, take a look at the sister, Brother. She seems to be so afraid of you that she’s all jittery!”

That’s not it, Sylonne.

I had purposely relaxed my gaze to hide my eyes filled with black thoughts, but it seemed I had unintentionally given rise to misunderstandings.

“That’s not the case. These days, the princess has been quite courageous. Tell me, was I really that scary?”

The Archduke’s gaze upon me was chilling.

“No, not at all.”

He had brought me here for a purpose, and even after our marriage, he had never touched me.

‘It must be something that a man and a woman truly have to go through their hearts. Even if we try the ritual, will it really work?’

In the end, he only brought me here to prevent destruction, and he wouldn’t have any feelings for me.

That is Archduke Felosite.

Of course, there was a moment when our distance had lessened, but he hadn’t approached me with any ulterior motives, and I had simply tripped by mistake

Still, I would eventually have to bring up this matter; it concerned the survival of Felosite and my own life.

At that moment, the Archduke addressed everyone:

“I have made a decision regarding our wedding.”

As always, it was an announcement rather than a discussion.

“Through our wedding with the princess, I intend to reveal Felosite to the Empire. And—”

“That’s absolutely not happening.”

Up until then, grandfather-in-law, who had been quietly cutting his steak, suddenly set down his knife and fork.

“Everything that Felosite has maintained until now is based on secrecy.”

“I didn’t ask for your opinion. I’m merely informing you of what’s already been decided.”

The atmosphere in the dining room grew heavy.

Grandfather and the Archduke glared at each other as if sparks would fly from their eyes.

“This morning’s meal is over, sister.”

Sylonne signaled to me quietly.

As the tension between the two grew before it could erupt, the rest of the family members began to quietly leave their seats, casting glances at each other.

“Let’s talk separately.”

When I rose from my seat in response to Sylonne’s signal, the Archduke, who had risen abruptly, grabbed my wrist and left the dining room, passing by grandfather. I nodded politely to grandfather and mother as I passed by.

“Ah…”

My poor wrist. It seemed like it was continually suffering since I’d been transmigrated into this novel.

Well, what could I do? It was my own fault for being born in this era.

Once we were in his office, the Archduke finally released my wrist.

“Oh, by the way, my wrist.”

My wrist, which had been held by the Archduke, was reddened from the pressure.

“I’m sorry.”

Well, I had walked without turning back or taking a breath, so it was only natural that he didn’t know.

“Let’s call the doctor.”

The Archduke took out a communication stone and sent a message with a quick tap.

It wasn’t like he was giving me a prescription or medicine.

I rubbed my sore wrist and looked around.

“What did you bring me here to talk about?”

We hadn’t been to the Archduke’s office once in the six months we’d been together.

“We’re inviting the Emperor, as well as the nobles and representatives of the Empire, to our wedding.”

There were hundreds of envelopes with Felosite’s emblem stacked on the Archduke’s desk.

“Even the Second Prince and the Crown Princess.”

“What are you thinking, Lucian?”

I looked at the piled-up envelopes on the desk with a bewildered expression.

“It will need the approval of the Emperor and negotiations, but by revealing Felosite to the outside world, we will be able to start open interactions.”

The Archduke, who sat lightly on the sofa, answered confidently.

“Once that happens, all residents of Felosite’s territories will have access to the Empire.”

Residents of Felosite’s territories having access to the Empire.

It was easier said than done.

The prejudices against Felosite deeply rooted within the Empire, the mutual animosity, and unresolved issues would undoubtedly pose significant challenges.

Above all, there was the policy maintained by the father-in-law, the former family head Henry Felosite, since ancient times – to keep Felosite’s technology and advancements hidden from the outside world.

Even though I was familiar with it, seeing the novel’s depiction of modern Felosite had caught me off guard, and I could easily imagine the Empire’s reaction.

Especially if the Emperor and Imperial nobility were to see it.

“Revealing Felosite is not a good idea. I know more about the Empire than anyone else.”

However, the Archduke seemed to have already made up his mind, nodding as he turned his head left and right.

“You must have understood from the prophecy, but the imminent destruction of both the Empire and Felosite is due to the Great Demon. Moreover, given the current trends, it is likely that Lady Piaget will be the one to create the demon.”

“Colin probably met Liam. I understand. However, there’s a way we can resolve everything without that.”

“What do you mean?”

I took out the small pieces of parchment hidden in my bosom and spread them out on the desk. It was a notebook where I had summarized the prophecy contents.

“You and I, we just need to combine our powers.”

“Combine?”

Combine.

This word held multiple meanings, but in the world of this novel, it generally referred to the act of confirming each other’s love and mixing abilities.

Physical contact, such as a kiss, was usually required, but above all, sincerity towards each other was crucial, as I knew. Especially in the case of a bonding ceremony between individuals with abilities like divine power or magic, it was an essential and delicate process.

When the word left my lips, Lucian had no idea how he should react.

Due to the unexpected bombshell, his entire body had turned a bright red.

“What’s wrong all of a sudden? What kind of illness is causing you to blush all over and have a fever like this!”

Karena, shocked by Lucian’s sudden transformation, headed for the door to call for butler Delgado in her haste.

In his growing anxiety, Lucian started to stammer, which was unusual for him.

“Wait!”

He had only intended to stop any unnecessary comments about himself.

But he tripped forward unintentionally, and unexpectedly, he found himself pressing his face into Karena’s soft bosom.

While being cradled in Karena’s arms (?), Lucian fell to the floor together with her. Fortunately, the thick rug on the floor made the landing not too uncomfortable.

Now, she’ll probably push me away with a ‘Kyaa!’ thought Lucian as he closed his eyes.

Strangely, however, for quite some time, he didn’t hear any sound from Karena at all.

Instead, beyond the rapid rise and fall of her chest as she breathed, he could hear her heartbeat perfectly.

“Uh, huh…?”

When Lucian, feeling strangely, opened his eyes, something moist had already overlapped his lips.