I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess – Chapter 177

Sonia returned to her mother’s side just as dinner time approached.

Edgar had momentarily called Helene, leaving Ariel to guide Sonia to Katria with her attendants in tow.

“Mommy!”

No matter how comforting an older brother or sister might be, the warmth of a parent’s embrace is the sweetest for a child.

Sonia was no exception, so as soon as she spotted Katria, she rushed over and nestled into her arms.

“Did you have fun? Sonia.”

“Yep! Today, a super huge uncle played with me!”

“Uncle? What kind of person was he?”

Just calling him an uncle would have been fine, but with the added description of ‘super huge’, Katria’s interest piqued.

On one hand, it made me wonder if that’s why embellishments in sentences are important.

“Well… I don’t really know. But he was a really nice uncle. He said he’d play with me again!”

“What a good person. Make sure not to be a bother if you meet him again.”

“Hehe… okay!”

Katria affectionately patted her daughter’s head as she excitedly relayed her adventures, feeling a wave of warmth wash over her.

However, when she finally caught sight of Ariel, she fell silent and momentarily detached Sonia, bowing her waist in gratitude.

“I-I apologize for the late thanks, Your Highness. I hope my child didn’t cause any trouble…”

Previously, Katria had called her casually by her name, but she seemed to revert back to formalities as if her memory had momentarily faded.

More accurately, she had elevated her address from ‘Lady’ to ‘Your Highness’.

In any case, Ariel wasn’t particularly pleased with it.

No matter her esteemed position, what prospective daughter-in-law would want to be treated with such formality by her future mother-in-law?

“Don’t mention it. Please, call me as you did before. Mother.”

“I-I’m sorry for that…”

However, Katria had her own unavoidable circumstances to consider.

Back then, Ariel hadn’t even undergone her coming-of-age ceremony, and most importantly, her position as the head of the family had yet to be passed on, making their statuses closer than now.

There was a significant difference between being the heir and the head of the family.

Ariel recognized this, causing her to hesitate for a moment.

Wondering if it was too much to ask her, considering they hadn’t even had a wedding ceremony yet—and there was already a family history between them, so destroying that bond wouldn’t be wise.

‘No. I need to do it now.’

Yet, it didn’t take long for her to realize that thought was mistaken.

Looking back, Katria had always treated Ariel with respect and courtesy since her childhood.

Even though it seemed their relationship had tightened somewhat after Ariel’s visit to Ardenum, that alone couldn’t flip a dynamic that had been in place for over ten years.

In other words, if things continued as they were, the rigid boundaries would only become more solidified and never break down.

In the worst-case scenario, even if she married Edgar, this peculiar relationship might persist indefinitely.

If it festered and became awkward, a situation would arise where they would awkwardly face each other.

‘Before that, I must act.’

Therefore, Ariel believed that now was the right time.

Honestly, it felt overdue, but at the very least, she knew she couldn’t afford to delay any longer.

‘It’s complicated.’

On the other hand, Katria felt similarly conflicted.

She had long harbored doubts that the friendship between the two wouldn’t last.

Not because Ariel was inherently ill-spirited or because Helene might change her mind, but simply because she thought things would eventually revert to their original roles.

As children, they could play as equals, ignoring their social ranks.

But as they grew and began to understand their respective places, it seemed inevitable they would drift apart.

Thus, she hadn’t tried to close the gap with Ariel early on, looking only to see her as the noble daughter to be served.

In the event that Ariel rose to a place out of reach, she didn’t want to experience internal confusion.

If her son’s friend became someone she had to serve, it made sense to keep that thought firmly in her mind.

‘It’s gone on too long.’

Katria recognized this.

Of course, how relationships between people unfold is uncertain, but now that the two had become genuine friends and progressed toward romance, she couldn’t hold onto that old perspective.

As the two children devoted themselves to their relationship, how could she simply stand off at a distance indefinitely under the pretense of uncertainty?

“Your Highness.”

“Mother, it’s not ‘Your Highness’…”

When Katria opened her eyes, having had them closed in thought, and uttered that title again, Ariel hurriedly tried to stop her.

Yet, Katria’s slight shake of her head rendered her speechless.

“No. For this one time, please allow me to call you this. It’s likely to be a title I won’t use again…”

“If that’s the case… yes, please go ahead, Mother.”

Understanding her meaning, Ariel nodded lightly, a faint smile appearing on Katria’s lips.

“Honestly, I’ve tried to keep my distance from you for some time. It’s not that I viewed you negatively, but I thought at least I found it awkward.”

“That’s to be expected. Given the complexities of family relations, you could say my mother is the unusual one.”

Of course, Helene’s superior status allowed her to easily extend her hand toward those beneath her.

When lower-ranked individuals reach out to those above, the psychological resistance is usually much more significant.

Katria didn’t particularly disagree and gave a slight nod.

However, the essence of what she wished to convey was markedly different.

“Perhaps that’s true. But I believe Lady Helene has always looked at you both with sincere eyes.”

Helene perceived their relationship free from the constraints of family, status, or wealth.

Though whether they would return to the relationship they were originally meant to have remained uncertain, she believed it was ultimately their decision.

Up until then, she had simply treated them equally, encouraging their friendship.

Katria couldn’t claim with certainty that this was the right choice.

However, at the very least, one could say that Helene genuinely had the interests of her children at heart.

“Thus, I might have been a lacking mother. After all, it means I didn’t truly treat you well, nor did I trust my son.”

As a parent, she couldn’t provide anything for her child, nor could she even offer her trust.

Katria lamented that fact above all else.

How could she not consider that her child, no matter the circumstances, would be capable of maintaining relationships smoothly regardless of whom they were with?

“Yet, despite being such an inadequate mother, I sincerely wish for that child’s happiness more than anyone else.”

“…Yes.”

While no parent wishes for their child’s misfortune, Ariel saw Katria as one of the most devoted mothers around.

Even her own mother, Helene, loved her children fiercely, but Katria was certainly no lesser.

“Therefore, I apologize for the boldness of my request, but may I ask you one thing? Would you grant me this…?”

“Of course. Please feel free to ask me anything.”

Ariel nodded as if it was the most natural thing in the world, ready to entertain any request.

Not just to reassure her but also to showcase her own intentions and sincerity.

With anxious anticipation, waiting for Katria’s next words, at last, Katria’s closed lips parted, and she bowed her body once more.

“Please ensure you make that child happy for a lifetime, without parting ways.”

A statement typically made before a wedding by a potential father-in-law.

Yet, it was a wish a parent naturally wanted and expected.

At that, Ariel hesitated, trying to confidently express her agreement but pausing.

Somehow, it felt wrong to respond lightly to such a heartfelt plea from a mother.

So, step by step, she slowly approached Katria, gently taking her hand and meeting her gaze.

Their eyes, reminiscent of Edgar but uniquely different, seemed to imprint a myriad of emotions deep within her heart.

“Mother, actually, I made a promise with Ed when I returned from the Imperial Palace not long ago.”

“A promise…?”

“Yes. Are you curious about what kind of promise it was?”

“W-well, a little bit…”

Not just a little but very curious; however, in this context, Katria held back and maintained a semblance of decorum.

Ariel continued with a gentle smile as she explained in a calm tone.

“At first, he spoke to me first. He said that there would be tears but he wouldn’t let me regret being with him.”

“…That sounds like him.”

“Right? Do you wanna know how I responded?”

“Well…”

No particularly suitable response came to mind.

As Katria tilted her head in a puzzled fashion, Ariel raised her index finger, beaming with confidence.

“Since yesterday is but a distant memory, I promised I’d make him happier tomorrow. I vowed on the name you and father gave me, and the name of our family cultivated by generations.”

“Oh…”

The reason Ariel shared these words was simple.

She wanted to show Katria that she wasn’t just giving a showy answer; it contained the genuine feelings she had already shared with Edgar.

“Therefore, don’t worry. I will make him so happy that he won’t even think of other women, let alone want to escape my embrace.”

Ariel’s red eyes, usually sharp and piercing, now radiated warmth and softness.

Katria, silently gazing into those eyes, let out a soft gasp and gently caressed Ariel’s hand.

No longer was it a matter of formality toward the head of the dukedom but rather warmth directed toward her child’s beloved.

“Thank you, new daughter.”

“Not at all.”

With that exchange, the two locked gazes and simultaneously whispered that it would be a secret from Edgar, sharing a quiet moment between them.

After all, it was something they both felt shy about revealing to him, whether as a mother or as a lover.