Chapter 16 Marriage

"Well, you can touch it if you want" Flora said casually, not really paying much attention to it.

She looked at the little girl who stared back at her in shock, not thinking it was a big deal.

Besides, when she thought about it, Ellie had never met her parents.

Ellie, who had never experienced the closeness that other children had with their parents from birth, made Flora's heart ache a little.

Flora knew well that there was a stark difference between children who grew up feeling the warmth of their parents and those who never had that experience.

She had seen many children fleeing from war, some of them very young, who had lost their parents to the war and became orphans.

It was tragic that she couldn't do anything more for those children than providing shelter and food to keep them going.

"So, do you want to touch it?"

Flora extended both arms and hugged the little girl close to her. Ellie hesitated, unsure, before finally replying.

"Y-Yes..."

Seeing the little girl agree, Flora adjusted her position and pulled Ellie closer.

Ellie flinched as she was suddenly drawn near but slowly reached out to touch Flora's chest with a look of embarrassment.

"Is it soft?"

Flora asked, feeling a little strange about letting someone else touch her chest, but since it was Ellie, her adopted daughter, she didn't think it was unusual.

"Mm-hmm..."

Ellie replied softly, her hands continuing to squeeze Flora's chest with curiosity and interest.

"It feels like soft bread..."

"R-Really?"

"It's soft and warm... your skin is so warm."

Ellie mumbled softly, as if talking to herself.

Flora watched the little girl, whose eyes were now shining as she kneaded her chest, with a smile.

"That's enough... that's enough."

Flora stopped the little girl and hugged her tightly. The little girl seemed to really enjoy the warmth from her body, which made Flora very happy.

"If you want to touch it again, you can do it before bed... okay?"

"And we've been soaking in the water for quite some time, you might catch a cold."

She playfully pushed the tip of Ellie's nose, and Ellie, who was teased, obediently stopped.

Flora got out of the bathtub and lifted Ellie out.

She grabbed a towel and walked straight out of the room, helping Ellie to dress herself up.

However, before she could put on the clothes she had prepared, Ellie approached her with fidgeting fingers, looking at her with a pleading expression.

"C-Can I not wear it...?"

"Ellie, you don't want to wear your pajamas?"

"N-No, I mean... this."

Ellie pointed to the underwear lying nearby.

"Why don't you want to wear it, Ellie?"

Flora asked curiously, hugging the little girl and kissing her cheek.

"Well... it's uncomfortable... I can't sleep well..."

"Hmm~"

"It really is uncomfortable..."

Ellie said with a desperate tone, using her eyes to plead with Flora.

This made Flora giggle.

"You can't, Ellie."

"You're a girl, you should wear it all the time."

"Besides, this isn't our mansion, we should wear it at all times."

Flora said, gently patting the head of the little girl now wrapped in a towel, trying to explain the reasons why wearing underwear was necessary. Ellie eventually agreed to wear it.

But Flora, seeing Ellie's reluctant expression after agreeing to wear it, couldn't help but smile affectionately.

"Alright, alright..."

"When we get back to our mansion, you don't have to wear it, but you have to sleep with me every night, okay?"

As soon as Ellie heard Flora's words, the little girl smiled broadly and showed her happiness, making Flora sigh affectionately.

At least, if Ellie wasn't going to wear underwear, it had to be only when she was around.

As Flora was dressing Ellie, there was a knock on the door.

"Lady Vasselieu, it's time for dinner."

"Understood."

Flora hurriedly helped Ellie get dressed before putting on her own white nightgown. It was a thin, V-neck gown that revealed a bit of her cleavage, and it reached down to her feet.

Flora and Ellie wore matching designs, their nightgown different only that Ellie's gown covering her neck completely.

Flora lifted Ellie and opened the door, following the family maid of the Astassec household.

It didn't take long for them to reach the dining room of the mansion.

The maid opened the door and bowed, allowing Flora to walk inside.

In the dining room, her father and Marquess Astassec were seated, along with Gulle, all of them engaged in conversation.

Flora carried Ellie inside and sat down next to her father.

Gulle looked at her with a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Your daughter has arrived. Count"

"Then let us begin our dinner" the Marquess said warmly, though his eyes did not match his tone.

Everyone in the dining room began eating immediately. Her father started discussing business and investments in maritime expeditions with the Marquess.

Since Flora and Ellie weren't part of the conversation, Flora used a knife to cut the steak and fed it to Ellie.

Ellie's eyes sparkled as she looked at the steak Flora offered, her tail wagging excitedly.

As soon as the steak entered Ellie's mouth, she wiggled with happiness, making Flora smile warmly.

Whenever Ellie ate something delicious, she would always wiggle like that.

"Is it that good?"

"Mhm! It's delicious! You should try it!"

Ellie replied, still chewing the steak, making Flora giggle.

Her daughter was just so adorable.

Flora spent some time feeding Ellie pieces of steak before noticing that Gulle had cut a piece of steak and was offering it to her.

He extended the piece of steak to her with a smile.

Flora chuckled inwardly, aware that Gulle was trying to act like a gentleman since her father and Marquess Astassec were present.

She wanted to refuse the steak Gulle had cut for her, but she noticed the gaze of Marquess Astassec, so she reluctantly accepted it.

"Thank you."

She thanked him curtly.

"By the way, Count, don't you think we should expedite the union between our families?" the Marquess said abruptly, drawing Flora's immediate attention to the conversation.

"What do you mean, Marquess?" Grandolf spoke with a calm tone, though there was evident concern in his voice.

It was true that the engagement had been orchestrated by the royal family. He had prepared many things to a certain extent.

But there were still some aspects that were not ready, and the main issue was the unclear intentions of Marquess Astassec.

"Oh, it's nothing, Count... It's just..."

"As a father, I want to see my child settled."

The Marquess said with a smile, pretending to wipe away tears that weren't there.

"Besides, I see this as a good opportunity, as once our families are united..."

"The Astassec family could support the Count in some areas of resources, couldn't we?"

"And we could also expand our power further."

Grandolf remained silent for a moment before responding.

"Indeed... So, Marquess, how soon do you think the wedding should be?"

Grandolf asked, having grasped some of the meaning behind the Marquess's words.

It seemed that the reason was being pushed from higher up... or rather, the royal family.

Perhaps it was because the royal family had become aware of the threat from the liberal factions, leading them to hasten the political union between the Vasselieu and Astassec families.

As Flora listened to their conversation, she felt the sweat forming on her forehead.

She turned to look at Gulle, who was now smiling at her with a cheerful expression.

It seemed Gulle knew about this beforehand, which made her anxious.

"In three days from now, what do you think?"

The Marquess said with a broad smile, causing Grandolf to set down his knife and fork.

"That's too soon."

"It's not too soon, Count. We've been engaged for two years already, haven't we?"

"I believe it's time for us to become one family."

Grandolf remained silent, then turned to Flora.

He feigned a troubled expression and spoke with a sorrowful tone.

"Marquess, I understand, but as a father... it is so painful to send my daughter away in marriage."

"I do not know what will happen after she marries... or when we will meet again."

"A father's worry... I hope you understand. I still need a little more time."

Grandolf wiped away the tears he had expertly feigned, his performance convincing enough to make Marquis Astassec sigh in resignation.

"Then I can only give you five days," the marquis conceded.

"Thank you for your understanding"Grandolf replied, letting out a sigh.

The additional two days were enough to gather crucial information.

If this marriage weren't an urgent matter, it could have been postponed for several months. However, the fact that the delay was granted only for two days indicated an immediate and pressing need from the royal family.

When Flora heard the number of days, her face showed clear concern.

She now understood what Gulle had hinted at during their conversation in the flower garden.

In just five days... she will have to get marry.

Flora glanced at Gulle, who was now openly smiling, his eyes shamelessly lingering on her chest.

Ellie, sensing Flora's discomfort, looked at her with worry.

Her appetite vanished completely, and seeing this, Flora picked Ellie up into her arms.

"Father, I'm full. May I be excused?" she asked.

"Go ahead" Grandolf replied in a steady voice.

Once she received permission, Flora immediately left the room with Ellie in her arms.