Civil Servant in Romance Fantasy - Chapter 207

Chapter 207: Having Two Mothers Must Be Nice (2)

My breath was becoming shallow, and my hands trembled slightly. However, I shouldn't let my nervousness show. I couldn't appear as a trembling host in front of my guest. I needed to stay calm and act as if everything was normal.

I steadied my trembling hands and picked up the teacup. As the delicate aroma spread the closer the cup got to my lips, I felt my nerves ease a little.

Just a little.

Billy.

My grip tightened around the teacup. I couldn't help but resent Billy for not being here.

Even though I was the countess, Billy was the one with the title. He was the one qualified to greet the Mage Duchess and not me.

Despite the Mage Duchess’s desire to see me, it wouldn't have mattered whether she saw her future mother-in-law or father-in-law. She wouldn't have cared either way.

Just you wait and see.

I would never forget the way he walked out on me when he heard that the Mage Duchess was coming. Once he returned, we would have separate meals and separate rooms for a while.

...If I even had the energy to enforce that.

"What a lovely fragrance."

The gentle voice brought me back to the present, and I quickly looked up.

There, with snow-white hair and white eyes, was a woman. Her eyes curved like crescent moons, and she had a warm smile. To anyone else, she might have appeared genuinely pleased.

"I'm glad you like it."

I responded with a smile, and the woman's—no, the Mage Duchess’s—smile grew even deeper.

"Please, speak comfortably. I have great respect for you, and your formal speech makes me feel embarrassed."Expplôre uptodate stories at no/vel//bin(.)com

Her words froze me in place. Speak comfortably? What on earth did she mean by that?

Even just hearing her speak respectfully to me was overwhelming. I had heard that except for the imperial family and the other dukes, she treated everyone else as subordinates.

Given her age, experience, and rank, it wasn't surprising.

"Your words are too kind. How could I speak casually when Your Grace shows me so much respect?"

I managed to move my stiff lips to give a suitable response.

Good. This answer should be fine. If she respected me, then I would respect her in return. There was no arguing with that logic.

"Is that so? That's a shame."

Thankfully, the Mage Duchess let it go...

Is it just my imagination?

I couldn't shake the feeling that the Mage Duchess’s eyes were saying, ‘I'll let it slide this time.’

My instincts screamed otherwise even as I tried to convince myself that it was just my imagination. I might have been able to refuse this time, but one day, I would have no choice but to speak casually.

Someone who speaks casually to the Mage Duchess.

The dizziness that had subsided returned with a vengeance.

There were rumors that even the Emperor addressed her respectfully in private. Who in their right mind would speak informally to her? Certainly not me. Never.

"Ha! Now that we're family, feel free to speak comfortably! Should I start calling you young lady?"

I suddenly recalled a past event—the first time I met a duke. It was such a dazzling encounter. I could still hear his laughter echoing in my ears.

Were all dukes like this? I hadn't met the other three yet, but I felt a little scared now.

"Ma'am, your cup is empty."

The Mage Duchess reached for the teapot while I was absentmindedly staring at my teacup.

For a moment, I didn't understand what was happening.

"Y-Your Grace, let me do it."

It wasn't until Laura, who had been standing behind me, quickly intervened to stop the Mage Duchess that I finally came to my senses.

Was the Mage Duchess going to pour tea into my cup herself just now? Even though the head maid was right there?

Carl...

"They are my treasures."

At my murmured words, she replied with the brightest smile I'd seen yet.

It was a genuine smile filled with sincerity, showing how much she cherished and loved her children.

She’s someone who can smile like that.

I felt a pang of guilt. Seeing her smile so brightly after being so anxious about my unannounced visit made me feel like I had wronged her.

However, it couldn't be helped. Baby was hiding at the academy. If I went there recklessly, he would probably run off to somewhere I couldn't find him.

So, I chose this approach—building a relationship with those around him.

Someday.

Although it felt awkward now, it would become natural with time. Our relationship would shift from one of tension to one of comfort.

Slowly and steadily. It would surely happen that way.

"Trexy, it's natural to feel awkward because of our racial differences."

Mother's words from the past echoed in my mind.

"I was awkward with your grandmother, too."

“With grandma?”

I remember being surprised by those words because mother and grandmother had always seemed so close.

"Yes. But as we spent more time together, the awkwardness disappeared. Even though we were different species, we were both intelligent beings. You realize that we're not so different from ordinary humans."

She had poked my cheek and laughed softly.

"That's why it's important to think of yourself as a human, not an elf. Insisting on elven ways in human society is a burden. If you want to live like an elf, then live in an elven enclave."

Nodding along to Mother, who had actually settled into human society quite well, I absorbed her wisdom. So, I would be accepted as a human if I lived like them despite my elven blood.

"That's why I gave up the concept of elven age."

"...What?"

I hadn't understood her words back then, but now I did.

Elven age, often spanning centuries, would cause confusion in human society. Adjusting it to fit human standards made things simpler.

Mother had chosen to live with only 10% of her elven age, allowing her to be a younger daughter-in-law than her own mother-in-law.

Then, me too.

Since I wasn’t a pureblood elf like my mother, I could at least reduce my age to 20%.

Yes, my human age was 24. I was three years older than my baby and much younger than his mother.

I should approach her with this mindset. It would ease the awkwardness and bring us closer.

...Mother.

My heart swelled with emotion. Mother had always given me great enlightenment.

Her last wish for me not to experience the same sorrow led me to extend baby's lifespan, helping me find a lifelong partner.

Meanwhile, her advice to abandon my elven age to fit into human society helped me find a way to approach baby.

"Your Grace?"

The Countess asked when I stayed silent.

"It's nothing, ma'am."

I shook my head with a gentle smile.

But I felt a bit embarrassed. I had been so lost in thought in front of my future mother-in-law.

I should reflect.

I should think like a human. It was disrespectful to be lost in thought in front of an /genesisforsaken