FVN Chapter 35
Chapter 35
"I want to become stronger."
Sera spoke with a bright smile.
She looked genuinely happy—like someone drinking a cool beverage after suffering through a scorching summer day.
"Strong enough that you won’t have to worry about me. Strong enough to help you when you’re in trouble."
"No..."
"Just saying it a hundred times doesn’t mean anything. I should’ve waited until I became strong and reliable enough for you to lean on before saying it, right?"
"No, that’s really not necessary—"
"I got the order wrong. I must’ve been in too much of a hurry."
No, seriously, that thought has never even crossed my mind.
What Elodie wanted was for Sera to avoid hardship as much as possible.
But no matter how much she denied it, Sera had already made up her mind. She only let out a soft, self-deprecating chuckle.
"Just imagining it makes me happy, Elodie."
"......."
"I’ll try harder, okay?"
There were times when Sera felt like effort wouldn’t change anything.
But when that happened, she always recalled the moment Elodie told her, You’re not weak. You’re brave and strong.
"I want to be someone worthy of your expectations."
Elodie found herself at a loss for words in the face of that angelic smile.
Of course, she had also thought that Sera needed power.
The prince wasn’t an ordinary opponent.
He had the kind of face and silver tongue that could be used as weapons, making both men and women fall for him before they even realized what was happening.
You could call it charm.
Which was why he had so many connections—
Though, only the superficial kind.
He couldn’t maintain deep relationships because every word out of his mouth was a lie.
But even when he showed his true colors, Sera hadn’t been able to escape from him.
She had no one backing her.@@@@
More than that, no one had even reached out to help her.
Elodie had only been a mere harvest mouse.
A powerful backer...
Unfortunately, adopting Sera into the Ratson family wasn’t an option.
By the kingdom’s laws, beastfolk and humans weren’t even allowed to associate with each other.
Even if they made her an adopted daughter, it wouldn’t be legally recognized, and she wouldn’t be protected.
And asking Duke Valkyrisen to adopt her isn’t an option either.
He wasn’t a fool.
The fact that he was already treating her as an honored guest was an immense favor in itself.
As she mulled over the problem, Eisen, who had been quietly watching them with interest, suddenly spoke.
"Then, how about becoming a Valkyrisen?"
Elodie momentarily thought she had misheard.
Was the duke... a fool?
Even though he had said it casually, he didn’t seem to be joking.
"Are you serious?"
"This isn’t the first time."
Not the first time?
"Valkyrisen is a sanctuary."
Sera also seemed uncomfortable with the idea. She politely expressed her gratitude but said she couldn’t accept.
Eisen nodded, as if he understood.
"Well, marriage isn’t something that should be decided hastily."
...Wait, what?
Elodie had assumed he meant adoption and nearly choked on air.
Was this a marriage proposal?!
Thinking about it, marrying Edmund would also technically make her a Valkyrisen.
Elodie’s eyes nearly popped out of her head.
"W-Wait! M-Marriage?!"
Ack!
For a moment, she almost collapsed like the Ratson High Priest had.
"Power is power, no matter how you gain it."
But Elodie had seen firsthand just how useless political marriages were in the long run.
"There are already rumors that the two of you are engaged. Just maintain the engagement until the right moment, then break it off."
Oh. So it was just a fake engagement.
Hearing that, Elodie calmed down a little.
No lunatic would dare propose to someone engaged to the Valkyrisen heir.
The prince wasn’t the only threat.
Sera was so beautiful that she had shaken high society with a single appearance.
If she hadn’t immediately fallen for the prince, countless others would’ve tried their tricks on her.
She would’ve been bombarded with dance requests and marriage proposals.
Just imagining it made Elodie’s blood boil.
For someone without protection, that kind of attention was practically violence.
Considering that, a fake engagement might actually be the best option...
Edmund doesn’t seem like he’d ever develop feelings for Sera.
It was obvious just by looking at them.
They respected each other as people, but romantically, they viewed each other like... well, garbage.
And I know for a fact Edmund will never turn out like the prince. I’ve seen the future.
But still...
Sera had said she wanted to be strong.
Could this really be considered strength?
Sera was still young—of course, she needed help and protection.
But relying on a fake engagement as her only shield?
It was frustrating.
In the end, she would just be putting herself under someone else’s protection again.
Just like when she had been nothing more than the prince’s puppet queen.
Just like when she had been a lowly servant, scorned and abused in the Bluewood household.
Then—
"A fake engagement is fine."
Sera interrupted, her eyes shining.
Her sky-blue gaze held firm resolve—like the clear sky itself.
Even after all she had suffered, she was still standing.
Still fighting.
"But in return, I ask that you support me. I’ll repay the favor."
"Support?"
"I want to prove that I’m Count Bluewood’s true daughter. I want my name on the Bluewood family registry."