It's Not A Childcare But A Contract Marriage - Chapter 20 Part 2

At the time when the epidemic was still raging.

With my own identity as an imperial citizen, I delved into research using the pharmaceutical division at the top level.

It’s not necessarily a sense of mission to create a cure that will end the infectious disease. I had invested in this effort with the mindset that since I had the capability to conduct research on medicine, I should make an effort to the extent possible…

Luckily I succeeded.

The development of a cure for infectious diseases can be said to have contributed to the empire as much as the knights who fought on the battlefield with their own swords.

This could be considered a meritorious contribution worthy of being recorded in imperial history… …

Back when I was wracking my brain due to the epidemic, it wasn’t for the sake of developing a cure. It wasn’t even in the commercialization stage; I had only succeeded in producing a prototype. Nevertheless, I received an imperial letter right away.

“?… … Submit the main representative of the organization that has shown success in developing the treatment.] This seems to be the key point.”

When I read the letter with the imperial emblem on it and raised my head,

What I encountered were the bright eyes of my family.

“Oh my! To think that even the imperial family acknowledges it!”

My mother, with a very excited expression, came over and hugged me tightly.

“You’ve achieved something truly remarkable! Our daughter.”

“Well done, youngest.”

“Your hair is as adorable as ever, Pudding.”

My eldest brother nodded approvingly, and my second brother playfully ruffled my hair.

“I was wondering if you were playing some kind of prank with something like a little mouse, but you brought me this cute gold nugget!”

“Brother Doulian!”

“Oh, I see. I see. You don’t want me to tease your commoner friends, right? Anyway, Pudding is quite soft-hearted.”

When I glared at him in a warning tone, my second brother raised both his hands and waved them as if he was surrendering.

‘Ugh. Brother Doulian, it would be nice if you just fix that habit.’

Even though I corrected it several times.

My second brother, who had a mischievous personality in everything, would not listen to anything serious.

Perhaps it’s because he’s a noble born in a fantasy world, but he keeps trying to downplay things at work of the top level.

“Anyway, congratulations! Is today the Pudding celebration feast?”

“Yes! Good idea, Doulian. I’ll have to tell the kitchen to make our daughter’s favorite snacks.”

Despite everything, my family recognized me like this, showering me with support and love.

Although my father, who was always busy with work, was not present, the rest of the family praised me and treated me well throughout the meal.

“Youngest.”

Before heading back to my room after a delightful meal,

My oldest brother, who called me over, put his hand on my head with a bright smile, unlike his usual expressions.

“You’ve done well.”

The warmth that seemed to come from a higher place made me think.

‘Family is truly a wonderful thing.’

It was a time when I thought that the affection given by my biological family was much sweeter than the caramel pudding I just ate.

“This achievement will be a source of pride for our family.”

* * *

“At that time, I thought you meant that you were proud of me.”

A twisted laugh inevitably came out.

‘Proud, a bit embarrassed, and happy back then?’

With eyes like a dead fish, I counted the emotions I felt at that time, folding my fingers one by one.

It was a soft sentiment with nothing left now.

“I was stupid.”

Chiaville’s words emphasized the importance of the ‘family’ rather than being proud of me.

It wasn’t me they were proud of.

What made Chiaville happy was that the value of the family he would inherit had risen through my work, using me as a tool.

“I didn’t know at the time.”

It would have been obvious if I had just taken one step away.

It was a harmful effect of the adolescent emotions that were intoxicated with the idea of ‘family.’

At that time, I was under the illusion that they were a family that was proud of me, and I just enjoyed the compliments they gave me.

‘Like a fool, I didn’t even know the main problem would come later.’

That afternoon.

I was filled with happiness and welcomed my mother and Doulian who came to my room.

I had no idea what they were talking about.

“Yes? The representative person in charge is in my brother’s name?”

“My daughter, don’t you know? How pitiful the second-born children of the family are… … .”

The mother spoke for a long time about how embarrassed and anxious her second son was, as he was unable to inherit the family.

Why did Doulian, who had been pretending to listen attentively with his mother in front and only his ears perked up in the back, look pitiful at that time?

“Why would I pity him? It’s more pitiful that he thought he was getting something for nothing. I didn’t even realize I was being used!”

Thinking that it was being taken away from me, I vented my anger during my foolish family days. 

I armed my mind once again to never forget it.

Sympathy is a luxury!

Let’s not delude ourselves into thinking that I am in a better situation.

‘Who else is more pitiful for daring to be generous with someone?’

Unfortunately, Evely didn’t know that in the past.

Even though she was pestered with all sorts of pleas and guilt attacks for days.

The teenage girl, who had taken on the role of the pitiable youngest daughter willingly yielded her glory to her brother as before.

“Ha.”

Thinking back, I was touched again and let out a deep sigh, trying to erase the remnants from my heart.

“Tsk. I can’t tamper with the records of the imperial palace.”

I grumbled and shook off all the remaining regrets, and decided to focus on what I had to do now.

“Anyway, this is my first appearance in society as Ivernum’s official fiancé, so I need to prepare properly.”

In the process, I could also steal all the attention that the family, who must be very excited, was expecting.

* * *

Time passed quickly, and a few days later, it was the day of the Imperial Banquet.

When I first stepped into the banquet hall. I realized that people’s gazes had changed since the last time.