HAPPILY EVER AFTER(7)
“Oh my, Sir. Taran. How unexpected to see you here.”
Seeing the face of the middle-aged woman who was greeting him, Damian quickly plastered on the expression of a dignified and upright youngster.
“I hope you’ve been well, Marchioness.”
Marchioness Philip’s eyes were filled with satisfaction as she looked at her son’s reliable friend. If she had a daughter under her roof, she would definitely fight to have him as a son-in-law, and the fact that she couldn’t, made her feel regretful. As Bruno approached and greeted her as well, the Marchioness felt like it was truly a pity as she looked at the two dignified young men before her. Her son should have also been beside them.
‘Oh, Chris. I’m vexed because of this childish son of mine.’
What ‘traveling around the world’. This wasn’t the time to do something so useless. The Marchioness was more than a little worried that at this rate, Bruno would fully occupy the position of Damian’s closest aide.
As the Marchioness warmly discussed the current hottest topics in the social circle with them, the noblewomen who came with her covertly showed their interest and approached.
“Marchioness, you must have fate with these lovely gentlemen.”
“Goodness me, you didn’t know? Marchioness’ son is close with Sir. Taran and Sir. Matin. Very close.”
Hearing the envious voices of the noblewomen, Marchioness Philip’s mood was greatly lifted. The two young men thought to themselves that if their friend, Chris were here, he probably won’t be able to stand it.
The Marchioness was a very typical noble madam. She liked gossiping, bluffing moderately and worldly things. Chris didn’t like that side of his mother.
[It would be so good if my mom resembled half of the Duchess.]
Chris had once said lamentfully.
“What brings you gentlemen here?”
“I came to buy a cake for my mother.”
“Oh my, as expected. The Duchess must be so happy to have such a reliable and filial son.”
Damian and Bruno were being courteous towards their friend’s mother, so they quietly went along with the Marchioness’ long chat.
After they managed to free themselves, Damian stood in front of the shop’s counter to buy the cake they came for.
“Can you please write down the name of the cake you would like to buy on the order sheet in front of you?”
Damian was very relieved to hear what the staff said. He was glad he didn’t need to say the embarrassing name of the cake. As he positioned to write the cake’s name on the slightly yellowish paper like the employee said, he glanced at the note his father gave him. Damian alternated glances between the note in his hand and the bakery order sheet, comparing them. Both papers had the same size and material. He put down the pen and handed the note he was given over to the employee.
“Your order has been received. Please wait while your product is packaged.”
Damian came to the conclusion that his father had come here at least once. He wasn’t shifting the responsibility over to his son. It looks like as long as his mother was concerned, his father wouldn’t care about entering a pink looking bakery to buy a cake for her.
Damian took in the entire view of the bakery and tried to imagine his father coming inside here, alone. But he couldn’t imagine it at all. Damian really respected his father, in various ways.
In the carriage heading home, Bruno glanced at Damian’s expression. And as usual, Bruno’s eyes looked upset for some reason.
“Why don’t you just get people to go search?”(Bruno)
“Are we still talking about Chris?”(Damian)
“Not Chris. I mean, Ted. Although her real name is probably not Ted. Do you know her name?”
“…I do.”
“I said this before but, it is at times like this you’re supposed to use your power as heir to the Duke.”
“…”
“Our Ixium’s youngest Shyta is really talented, huh. Even gets to date in the Academy teeming with dudes. Since we’re on this topic, when did you find out Ted was a girl?”
“At the beginning of the school year.”
“What. So you knew not long after Ted came to school. That said, I don’t think Ted went to you and told you she was a girl herself. How did you find out?”
Damian chuckled instead of answering. Who would have thought that a girl would dress up as a man and come to the Academy? If not for an unexpected event, Damian wouldn’t have known, and he wouldn’t have paid attention to the one girl among the numerous newly enrolled students.
“Anyways, when I think about that time, I really…When I thought you were romancing a man, I was unexpectedly scared. Chris, that guy didn’t even give me a hint even though he knew.”
“…”
“Look for her. Instead of being heart-broken here.”
When they returned to the Academy after summer vacation, Ted had withdrawn from school and disappeared.
“…I only know her name.”
“You don’t know which family’s daughter she is? Or her home country?”
“No idea.”
Bruno looked at his book-smart friend and clicked his tongue.
“Well, since she enrolled into the Academy, there should be a clue there, somewhere. If you dig, it’ll show up.”
Seeing that Damian wasn’t replying, Bruno didn’t say anything more.
Ted had disappeared after leaving one letter with Damian. Bruno didn’t know what was written inside but his friend, who seems like he was going to toss everything aside and rush out to look for her, merely locked himself up inside his dorm room for one day, then
returned to his daily life like nothing had happened.
But sometimes, Bruno could sense it. Damian hadn’t forgotten Ted, he was just pressing down his emotions and enduring for now.
* * *
Lucia’s face was full of smiles as she read the letter from Norman. She opened the book that was delivered alongside the letter and read the quote on the first page over and over.
<< I dedicate this book to my dear friend and sister, Lucia. >>
It was a novel written by Norman, who had picked up her pen again after a long time. She hadn’t been writing novels since she got married.
Norman had become the mother of two children, and she was enjoying a life of happiness with the little things. Norman’s letters were packed with events where she sometimes got annoyed with her husband, or whined about her two troublemaking sons, and she made little things sound extraordinary, so her letters were as interesting as novels. Her letters were one of the ones Lucia anticipated the most.
There was another letter Lucia was happy to see today. It was a letter from Kate in the north. Kate was also already married and the mother of two children.
Initially, Lucia only exchanged New Year greeting letters with Kate. But after she went to the north three years ago due to hearing the news of Madam Michelle’s passing, the both of them began to exchange letters more frequently. Kate was very grateful to Lucia for taking the lengthy carriage journey down to the north.
After she was done reading all her personal letters, Lucia began to organize the invitations. There was still an enormous amount of invitations sent to her, but there was a difference from the past. Majority of the invitations weren’t aiming for Lucia but wanted to invite Damian and Bruno, so they intended to conquer Lucia.
There were also letters from girls who were inquiring after Lucia’s wellbeing, out of nowhere. It was very obvious to Lucia that the girls had a crush on either Damian or Bruno so they were asking even though they weren’t curious at all and after reading such letters, she couldn’t help but laugh for a while.
With the invitations organized, there were various other letters left. Among them was advertisement letters from designers. Although people thought Antoine was the Duchess’ exclusive designer, Lucia didn’t have an exclusive contract with Antoine. She just couldn’t find a design she liked better than Antoine’s. She had already thought about commissioning another designer if she found a better design. Hence why she was always interested in looking at the advertisement letters that designers constantly sent to her.
It wasn’t only cloth designers that sent advertisements, jewelers did the same. As Lucia was looking through, she caught sight of a letter from some jeweler and her eyes open wide with surprise.
- Notice – 12/24/2024 - December 24, 2024
- Emilone’s Temptation Labyrinth – Chapter 67 - December 21, 2024
- Forget My Husband, I’ll Go Make Money – Side Story 21 - December 14, 2024
Wooow so Damian already have a girl in his mind. Cant wait for him to catch her and present her to Lucia 🤣🤣🤣
Ahhhhhh!!! Damian needs to find her 😭! Thank you so much Ms Ruby. I absolutely enjoy 😉 this story ♥️.
this Ted girl ….. please appear soon so our Damian won’t be sad for too long. The duchess would glady accept you as her daughter-in-law.
And yes, Damian, you should learn from your father 😂
Huum … I feel the air of mystery and romance hovering over Damian and “Ted”…
I’m very curious about “Ted” after all had little moments that Damian is affected. Maybe it’s the little seeds?
Kkkkk It would be good for us to find out what kind of interactions Damian and “Ted” are. Maybe it’s like the old, intense or soft?
I am very excited to find out.
And thank you so much for the translation, Miss Ruby.
Ted, tú, pequeña perra…!!!
¡¿Cómo te atreves a entrar en los ojos de mi Damian?!
Woo que le pasaba
I can only think a cute teddy bear when i read ‘Ted” xD
Thanks for the chapter Ruby !
Ted sounds awesome! I hope Damian learns from his father and abu- I mean, uses his power when it is needed. Hugh has power to look into the Academy’s records, yes? I don’t think he would mind 😀
Also, I have a hard time imagining Hugh alone in the cake shop, but I can totally believe it he has been there! All for the love of Lucia, ahahaha
…
Anyway, I guess this sidestory has subplot of finding Ted.
What subplot. Main plot!
What subplot! Main plot!
Ahaha a cross dressing girl for Damian? Me like the idea! Couldnt imagine him with just a typical nobledaughter girl
Thanks for chapter!
Wow Damian already has a sweetheart! How time flies. His father would definitely ridicule him, not that he has any right considering how heartbroken he is over his ‘loveless’ marriage with his Ice Witch Vivian (“Lucia”) back in the day. 🤣
All this new discoveries over the side stories makes me want to read the novel all over again. The webtoon does a good job making it feel fresh but y’know I kinda the miss how I envisioned them in the novel. I won’t give up Jerome’s webtoon character design for the world tho. He’s my fav. 😍
Me too….. i 💟 jerome and sir krotin
so lucia might find her list pendant from the jewelry shop hihi
and damian fall for a tomboyish girl omagad
this story turned out so incredible!!
thankyouu ruby-sama for translating, hope your arms get well soon
I’m sorry but all I can think about is a meme, with someone saying to “Ted” NOW EAT (the mugwort) LOL
Never thought plots could still thicken on side stories hehe
Thanks for this again rubysama!
Ted might have done it of her own choice to trigger amenorrhea, to help her pass as a boy in a boarding school without being outed. I wonder if the author arranged this so that Damian could have a child of his own. 🤔
Oh snap, I didn’t even think of that! I could see that happening. I hope we get a side story of Damian finding her!
OMG you’re right! I want to know too if Ted takes Mugworth. I wonder though if Bruno did see Ted personally, other than this loophole I can’t see no reason why Chris is not Ted as both disappeared in Damian’s life and why he’s not bothered to look for both. No interaction or mention of Ted in other Chapters too. Damian mistook Chris’ mother for Ted. So Chris or Christine is possibly the future Duchess. I hope we can read on lols.
Can’t blame you for having a yaoi imagination about Damian’s spouse (I personally thought it will be funny to match Damian with a guy 😆), but unfortunately this story didn’t turn that way.
Bruno mentioned that Chris had already known about Ted’s real gender, but didn’t tell him. So I think this Ted had enrolled to Ixium before the time of Chris’ graduation & his ‘journey around the world’ event. Meaning, Chris & Ted couldn’t be the same person.
I think you’ve also misunderstood about Marchioness Philip (Chris’ mom) & the girl that Damian mistook for Ted. First, Damian saw & grabbed this girl, then apologized. Chris’ mom approached & greeted him after that. So they were also not the same person 😁
Ohhh a crossdressing green eyes ashen blond girl caught Damian! Im curious where this would lead. Go Damian find her! Hahah im loving these side stories. Thanks Ruby-sama!
I don’t know why I have this mix feeling when the author suddenly put Damian into romance interest… :/
I’m still not ready to let our sweet & pure boy Damian go to others hands…
And it kinda shocked me when they said that Damian date a girl in that Academy… Like boy are you for real??!!
Where’s my innocent boy go?? ㅠ ㅅ ㅠ
Plus, I wanna read his relationship with his sister more than with others who I don’t know they whereabout… Please author not this soon… 😢😢😢
Suddenly bringing up this “Ted” girl out of nowhere really is confusing… 😧
I’m not ready!!! 😭😭😭😭
Thanks for the new chapter!
Wait a second…
A girl posing as a boy…
Don’t tell me she also stopped her period!
Aaah pur Damin had grown up. Im so excited to hear more about ted! Rhanks Rubyyy
Can somebody tell me whos ted. I reaaally dont remember bout this person. Or provide me the chapter please 😭
This is the first time ‘Ted’ appears.
OMG. Before I had read this chapter, I kept imagining how Damian will meet his lady love. And I legit thought of that she’ll dress as a guy and attend the academy!!! I’m shocked I got that right. But in my mind, she has silver hair and violet eyes and a princess from another country. Hahahaha. Excited to know who Ted is in the later chapters.
Can somebody tell me whos ted. I reaaally cant remember bout this prson😭😭 Or can someone tell me the chapter pleaseeee 🤭
It seems like Chris is Ted. Other than Bruno who said he thought Damian is dating a guy which everyone presumed he saw Ted personally.
hahahaha my inner fujoshi is excited! Damian dating a “boy” at school? I wanna see that! lol …also isn’t the description of Ted like sooooo similar to Bruno’s description? hahahhahah
Sweet! the author does Not disappoint! really excited to know more about this “Ted”. a crossdressing genius beauty and the youngest shyta successor of the taran family…oof
I want to know what happened to Roy! Last we heard, a woman was trying to kill him. May he also have a happy ending.
Ted girlll, i regret your name only appear once in this series, i love to see a novel of your story and Damian detaild in another novel
Can i expect that??
Actually my mind went wild designing how the story will be written by author
She will be the last person to conceive Taran’s male seed
Or another possibility is, she is also long forgetten half sister of Taran???
Awww
I was actually actively replying to comments so that everyone shall notice what I’ve notice lols. Don’t you think Ted is Chris? Setting aside the vague statement from Bruno that he thought Damian is dating a dude which everyone assumed he saw Ted. Every clue in the story points out Chris as a cross dressing girl. He plays with his brother like no dude his age would. Except for Damian because Eve is a sister it’s different. He also is not interested in titles, why would he if she’s not a sir. Not interested in politics either again she doesn’t need to. Damian found out during the start of semester doesn’t mean she’s a new student. He likes her but she may not know. Ted is also ambiguous like Tom, Dick and Harry Damian probably chose that to conceal it from Bruno. And for all person to mistaken Ted for is Chris’ mom?
Firstly, I don’t think this novel’s genre is yaoi/shounen ai, so don’t get your hopes too high…lol…😆
And also, Damian & Bruno had been friends with Chris for quite a long time (though maybe not that long for Bruno), but there’s no way they couldn’t recognized if Chris did crossdressing 😄
And did it ever mention in the story that Chris had ashen blonde hair & green eyes? I don’t recall Chris had those physical characteristics.
Lastly, I wonder what made you guys think that the one Damien mistook for Ted and Chris’ mom were the same person? 🤔
Wasn’t it like this:
Damian grabbed a girl that looked like Ted, apologized to her, and then Chris’ mom, who stood nearby, greeted him.
Or am I the one who misunderstood the chronology here? 😅
From the king to marquis, to the count, Damian is the most wanted future son in law
Lol
ah im so happy that damian possible-love-interest is same age as him! it’s better than having selena as love interest, bc their age different is a no no. i wish damian will find ted soon 😀
Does anyone remember who Mandame Michelle is? I can’t remember her.
Too bad😢 I’d love to have seen a story about Damian’s love interest. I wonder if there’s a sequel.