Viscount Arlen remembered Ilyin's words about her marrying into a northern family.
Maybe that was the reason why there were absolutely no rumors of the northern families?
Why did Ilyin marry a merchant?
Viscount Arlen clicked his tongue.
‘How could she even think about marrying a lowly merchant?’ He shook his head.
Ilyin's rumors now turned out to be true, that she was a strange noble child who ran away because she couldn't deal with the viscount.
‘Humble blood is humble blood.’
He remembered the viscountess who came to him a long time ago.
It was a unique thing for him with a unique affection.
No, honestly, finances over affection were sweeter.
She came one day and said, “I’m going to carry your son.”
It wasn't like a resolution or a condemnation.
She talked nonsense, it wasn't that she was promising the future, but she came after seeing a future where she would have his child.
Although he didn't believe her at the time, he was interested because the bold woman was extremely beautiful.
However, a child was born just as she said, and like its mother, the child that was born was sinister.
The viscount looked at where Ilyin and Den passed again.
Then he clicked his tongue and looked away.
He didn't want to bother watching his wife die.
Just like usual, she would say it's the future or something meaningless and threatening.
He could tell people that he didn't want to be part of the reunion with his daughter who ran away and that his wife died during the reunion.
The Viscount only thought about his image during all this.
There was no hesitation when he was turning around.
***
The funeral of the Viscountess of Arlen was held with great grandeur and pomp.
As if the viscount's wish came true, the northern families who knew him came to offer their condolences.
Of course, they didn't show it in person.
It was mainly the family's vassals or the family's representatives who came in their place.
Among them were those who complained why they had to come to such a humble family, but they rationalized it as their master's great generosity and had an arrogant attitude all the time.
Ilyin's vision was slightly obscured by the black veil.
It was dark as if there was a layer of achromatic cloth on top of the bright world.
Even though she knew it was because of the veil, it seemed like a perfect metaphor for her life today.
Still, Aden was by his side the entire time.
In the world obscured by the achromatic cloth, she felt that this man was shining colorfully despite everything.
She grabbed his hand tightly.
Their stay in the hot region was involuntarily extended.
The Acid Merchant sent people to condolence to show respect to Viscount Arlen who they had just made a deal with.
Of course, this was just a cover-up, the reality is that they were sending people to serve Ilyin and Aden.
Milo moved quickly the moment he learned of Viscountess Arlen's death.
First, he unpacked everything they had packed to return north and sent the maids who served the main couple to the Viscount's mansion.
“You must be heartbroken.”
Viscount Arlen was busy receiving guests.
The guests moved around the Viscountess's coffin, but they all seemed to be doing so just out of formality, as they just silently showed respect and walked past it.
It seemed like people close to her might have come, but there was no one at the funeral who looked like her friend.
Guests could be heard whispering about how not even their own family showed up.
Even though it had been a while since they were in contact, no family members showing up at the funeral raised some rumors.
"Oh yes." Even Viscount Arlen, who was worried about the family's image, turned his head sadly upon seeing the matter; he was holding back all the excuses he could say and remained silent.
“He’s the same, even on a day like this.”
Etra and Idith were behind the two.
A person approached them and instinctively, Idith moved to block the stranger, but Ilyin stopped him.
“It’s okay, Idith.”
She looked at the lady whose face was also covered by a black veil.
She was holding a cane, but her back was so straight it didn't seem necessary.
Idith recoiled at Ilyin's words.
There was a laugh from beneath the veil:
“You married an amazing person.”
It was the same thing the viscountess said.
Aden's eyes opened a little wider when he realized who she was.
He was curious about the answer, but even for the Duke of Winter, he did not have the ability to see through a thick veil.
"Grandmother." Ilyin's voice gave the answer.
“If you’re curious about the name, call me Bertha.” Ilyin's grandmother Bertha looked directly at Aden.
Aden bowed, “Nice to meet you.”
Berta laughed again, the joyful sound that didn't match the funeral echoed lightly around the three.
“You are certainly a very different young man than the rumors.”
She looked happy.
This might be the first time in a while, no, the first time that Ilyin has seen his grandmother so happy.
They didn't communicate much.
The grandmother who moved away when Ilyin was young didn't even tell her where she was going.
‘Where are you going?’ Young Ilyin asked.
Bertha's response was as cryptic as she was: 'You'll know if you need to.'
Ilyin, even at a young age, somewhat understood what his grandmother meant.
If there was something important, the forecast would tell her.
Like now.
‘This time, my grandmother came to find me.’
Ilyin looked at the coffin in silence.
The viscountess, more tidy than when she was alive, lay there with her long shiny hair that ironically looked more alive now than when she was alive.
Roxi: I can't wait to see her father get screwed