After Putting the Slayer of the Night to Sleep, I Ran Away - Chapter 96

The reactions of the people were divided.

Half were convinced that the rumors were true, and the other half disbelieved it, saying it couldn’t be.

Marcus warned with a stern expression.

“Put that magic tool away. Even if you are a prince, this is an insult to me.”

“I brought it because I couldn’t stand the rumors either, Uncle. There’s no need to carry the disgrace, is there? I don’t want to see blood on this good day, so if you have nothing to hide, please give me a strand of your hair.”

Edward waited calmly.

Marcus, unable to do either, eventually bit his lower lip and plucked a strand of his silver hair, handing it to him.

Claudia and Shuelle could only watch the scene with pale faces.

Edward turned and approached Isla.

Isla was looking at him with an unreadable expression, and Leo was holding her hand tightly, raising one corner of his mouth.

“Edward.”

“Yes, Brother.”

“Did you say this was for me?”

“Yes, Brother. You also have the right to know the truth.”

“The truth.”

Leo chuckled and stroked his chin.

Then, he leaned slightly and brought his face close to Edward’s ear, whispering in a small voice.

“Little brother. The truth that the person involved isn’t curious about doesn’t affect the present.”

“…….”

“Unfortunately.”

Leo straightened up and patted Edward’s shoulder.

Then, looking around, he uttered a word.

“I’ll say this: the choice of whether or not to do a paternity test is solely up to the Duchess. I won’t stop her if she wants to, but no one can force her if she doesn’t.”

Leo, as if declaring war, folded his arms and stepped back.

Now Isla and Edward were facing each other, and Isla was looking at him with an expressionless face.

“Before I give you my hair, there’s one thing I’d like to say.”

“Speak, Duchess.”

“I only want to say it to Your Highness, so could you come closer for a moment?”

At Isla’s calmly smiling words, Edward readily stepped forward.

Isla brought her mouth to Edward’s ear and whispered softly.

“Your wedding gift is quite impressive. I won’t forget this touching moment for a long time.”

Then, stepping back, Isla plucked a strand of her blue hair and held it out.

Edward, who had been frozen for a moment, took her hair and turned around.

“Then, let’s check.”

He placed the magic tool on the floor and carefully placed the two strands of hair on it.

At the moment when the tension in the chapel reached its peak, the magic tool began to work, emitting a faint light.

‘Nothing is easy.’

Isla lowered her gaze with a thoughtful face.

Of all days, the revelation of her birth, which had been chained to her ankles like shackles for her entire life, was happening today.

And from Edward, whom she had saved even at the cost of her own injury.

Still, it was fortunate that she had informed Leo of the truth about her birth first.

But how would Leo react when this fact was revealed to the outside world?

Anxiety crept up. Isla clenched her fingertips tightly to hide her trembling hands.

At that moment, a warm warmth quietly enveloped her hand.

Surprised, she looked up and saw Leo looking at her.

‘You’re worrying about unnecessary things again.’ At the look in his eyes that seemed to say that, Isla raised the corners of her mouth slightly.

Yes, he was this kind of person. With him, she would be able to overcome any crisis calmly.

‘Let’s stay calm.’

Isla took a deep breath and recalled the situation before her eyes.

The chaotic expressions of the gathered nobles were clearly visible. Curiosity, shock, agitation, contempt…

What about her parents?

They would be angry because the past they wanted to hide had been revealed because of her.

What about Count Lucas and Leo’s knights? How much did they know?

They might say they couldn’t accept her as the mistress of the North.

The Emperor, with his brow furrowed, might oppose this marriage.

But Isla knew. There were people here who believed in her and worried about her.

Leo, who was holding her hand tightly, and Vivian, who was fidgeting and ready to run to her at any moment.

Even Bella and Dex, who were glaring at Edward as if they would devour him…

‘So it’s okay. I can handle it with composure.’

Isla made that resolution and looked down at the magic tool enveloped in light.

And…

“…That can’t be.”

Edward’s trembling voice broke the silence.

At the same time, the nobles burst into murmurs.

“What, it’s red?”

“Oh my. What a surprise. I thought it was real.”

“I knew it. There’s no way the Duchess is a bastard, right? Look at her dignified posture.”

“I wondered what was going on. But why is the Prince acting like that all of a sudden?”

“Didn’t you hear? Lord Rodrigo provided the information.”

“Oh my, what a pathetic man.”

The chapel became a scene of chaos.

In the center of it, Isla was staring at the magic tool with wide eyes.

It was definitely red.

‘That can’t be…’

Isla’s fingertips trembled.

‘I’m a biological daughter?’

The moment he confirmed the red light of the magic tool, Leo also widened his eyes.

‘What is this…’

He had heard the story that there was such a magic tool in the secret vault that only the imperial family could access. However, only the Emperor and Empress were allowed access, so this was the first time he had seen it directly.

The fact that a magic tool that only the imperial family could use had been revealed to the world was astonishing in itself.

But Isla was Marcus’s biological daughter…

After glancing at Isla, who was in shock, Leo squeezed the hand he was holding with her. Then he immediately turned his gaze to Marcus.

Countess Claudia had a relatively calm face, but Marcus was staring blankly at the magic tool.

‘Marcus Everett really didn’t know.’

After grasping the situation, Leo looked straight ahead with a cold face.

“This is impossible. This can’t be happening.”

Edward, who had caused this mess, was frozen in front of the magic tool, as if he couldn’t believe it.

“It seems this is a fake, Mother. I was sure she was a bastard. There’s no way it would shine red…”

“Enough, son.”

Tatiana said with a solemn expression.

“Unlike what we were worried about, Isla is definitely your cousin. The magic tool is real.”

“Mother…”

Edward’s face contorted in despair.

Tatiana looked at him and said as if coaxing a child.

“Isn’t it a good thing? If those rumors were true, how surprised would everyone here be?”

Leo snorted quietly as he watched the Empress comforting Edward.

‘I wondered why that guy was acting like that.’

The puzzle pieces fell into place in his head.

What if the Empress knew Edward’s feelings?

And if she knew that Isla was Marcus’s biological daughter?

Tatiana would have gladly put that magic tool in his hands to make Edward give up.

Leo sighed and stepped forward.

“Edward.”

At the cold voice that seemed to cut across the chapel, Edward flinched and looked up.

“The reliable information you mentioned was false.”

“Brother!”

Edward, who had been moving his lips, eventually lowered his head.

Leo turned his gaze as if there was no more value in speaking.

“Now there’s no objection to this marriage, right?”

At Leo’s cold confirmation, Edward’s shoulders slumped.

“…Yes.”

It was an answer that didn’t need to be confirmed.

Leo glanced at his father, Friedrick, one last time.

He had a troubled face, but he didn’t seem to want to get involved in this.

Leo turned his head towards the priest.

“Finish the consecration ceremony.”

At the suddenly given role, the priest hurriedly straightened his posture.

Leo turned towards the priest, holding Isla’s hand tightly, and the priest hurriedly raised his hands over the two people’s heads and raised his voice.

“Under the protection of the goddess, I declare that Leomond Zigranta and Isla Everett have become one in a sacred marriage from this moment on.”

With the priest’s declaration, the applause of the gathered nobles was heard.

Leo lowered his head and met Isla’s gaze, who was standing beside him.

Looking at Isla, whose stiff expression had not yet eased, Leo gently raised the corners of his mouth as if to say it was okay.

“Did I tell you?”

“Tell me what?”

“That I’m glad my bride is you.”

“…….”

Isla’s eyes widened.

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