# 74
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A small fern-like hand touched Elinor's cheek.
The child did not seem strange to Elinor. He didn't push her away or burst into tears.
Instead, he laughed innocently and extended his hands towards her.
As if he was demanding that she hold him tighter.
“Kaaa.”
The baby's scent, which she smelled for the first time in a while, was warm. It was exactly as she remembered it.
A young, hot body welcomes her.
Elinor lowered her head.
“Now I understand.”
My mother never really loved me.
A child you meet three months later seems so emotional.
His heart is so full that he can't control his feelings.
He felt like he could do anything for this child.
But her mother in the previous life was not like that.
Why? When I thought about why, the answer was simpler than I expected.
Her mother never loved her.
Born without a father, she may have considered her a burden.
At the same time, Elinor realized.
Unlike her mother, she really loved the child very much.
“My little one…”
The emotions she had bottled up all the way to Hilliard exploded.
Tears that she could not hold back flowed down her cheeks.
"I miss you."
She tried not to cry.
She tried to greet them steadily.
But as long as Elinor loved the child, this was impossible from the beginning.
How did you think about falling from the valley and leaving you?
You were here waiting for me like this.
You remember me until I came back.
"I missed you so much. I'm really sorry for leaving you alone."
Elinor cried softly.
The child hugged her with his little hands.
People watched their meeting with teary eyes.
Until Matthias interrupted the atmosphere with a word to lighten the atmosphere.
“But when did the baby become a girl? He became a pink princess.”
"Hahaha."
Elinor stopped crying.
She wiped her red eyes with her fingers.
“It's nice, isn't it?”
"Do you think he's cute too, sis? This baby's a boy!"
“However, it suits him.”
She raised the corner of her mouth and smiled.
Warm and comfortable feeling.
Now I understand why people call family a haven.
'Because being together makes the heart so warm.'
Elinor kissed the child's forehead.
“I'm back, baby.”
“Kaaa.”
The child laughed loudly.
Elinor smiled back.
Finally, it was back where it needed to be.
* * *
The Duke of Hilliard's family is a very large family.
This was not surprising. She had known since she was hiding in the countryside that his family was large.
I thought she was surprised enough that day.
But what Elinor especially realized today is...
“Sister, have you been to the pastry shop La Pietro in the capital? They say the earl gray cream eclairs there are very delicious. Have you tried them?”
“Brother Logan, I made a new friend in the capital, and she said she likes men with long hair. If you’re interested, I can introduce you to her?”
“Cory, give me the pepper over there.”
In a house full of people, there is never a moment of silence.
At the full Hilliard family banquet.
Elinor and the child were invited, of course.
There were those who called Hilliard “Golden Hilliard.”
Because the family members, who carry the blood of the Empire, have bright blonde hair.
In fact, except for the Grand Duchess, everyone had light blonde hair.
“They are really great.”
She tried not to stare rudely, but their star-like brilliance caught her eye.
There was no one who was not handsome in appearance.
The fourth and fifth twins in the Hilliard family, Maria and Julia, whom I met for the first time today, were also very beautiful.
'Why am I here?'
With the power of the Golden Bird, Elinor purified the border and repaired the sealing array, making her a savior in Hilliard's eyes.
But even if that were the case, wouldn't her presence in a place full of private family conversations be too much?
“Julia, please, be a little quiet...”
Logan seemed embarrassed by my presence.
Even her seat at the banquet today was right next to Matthias. The highest seat after the Grand Duchess and Matthias.
Unlike the anxious Elinor, no one objected to the seating arrangement.
Even Maria and Julia, who saw Elinor for the first time, did not object.
'Embarrassing.'
Elinor rolled her eyes.
'I want to go back to my room.'
Elinor fiddled with the food in front of her.
This scene was under the supervision of the Grand Duchess from the beginning of the banquet.
“Eleanor, have you lost your appetite?”
"No no."
Elinor was confused when the Duchess suddenly addressed her, and straightened her crooked position.
“It's delicious. As expected, the chefs of the Duchy of Hilliard are the best in the empire.”
“Then why do you only eat so little? This is worrying.”
“Eleanor doesn't like meat very much.”
Matthias answered on Elinor's behalf.
“Even when we were at the border, she didn't eat much.”
“Really? God, I should have known that earlier.”
“Salmon steak will be served soon.”
Matthias looked at Elinor's plate, which was almost unchanged;
"It will suit your taste. Eat more. This way you will become healthier."
"What? Healthier? Is Elinor sick?"
“My sister is sick?”
"my sister?!"
Suddenly, all eyes turned to Elinor.
With so many people, the attention was very heavy.
Elinor swallowed and smiled hard.
“I'm not sick. Matthias just meant for me to eat more and get stronger.”
“Mathias?”
Cornelia tilted her head.
Elinor realized her mistake and laughed embarrassed.
“I mean, Your Highness the Duke.”
“But, if that's the case, I think you should follow my brother's advice.”
Tidian said seriously.
“Look at me. You've grown 5cm since you last saw my sister. It's all because I eat so much meat.”
"That's because you're growing. Adults don't grow like you even if they eat a lot."
Cornelia scolded condescendingly.
"However, I agree that you should eat more. Do you want to try this?"
"If you prefer salmon, do you like seafood? Is there seafood in the next course?"
“A shrimp and oyster dish is scheduled to be served.”
“Hmm, no. Don’t worry about the arrangement, just bring all the prepared food. There might be something Elinor would like to eat.”
“Wait a minute…”
Before Elinor could object, all kinds of food were placed in front of her.
They all looked delicious, but were a bit stressful.
They can't expect me to eat all that, can they?
Elinor looked at Matthias for help.
Matthias smiled gently.
“Do you want me to cut it up?”
"What? No?"
“I knew, so I started cutting it up already.”
He placed the salmon fillet cut into small pieces in front of Elinor.
When Elinor hesitated, Matthias inclined his head.
“Is it still hard to eat? Hmm, should I feed you?”