(POV-Meltrine)
After a long journey, I returned back home. I requested my maids to groom me to the outmost and prepare a pure white dress. They all cried tears of joy.
"I never expected I will a skirt again in my remaining life..."(Meltrine)
The times I followed him on their adventures, I saw his strength. It sends chills on my spine... and fell in love. The scholars said that humans, in general, follows their basic instincts the more they are exposed harsh environments. That means it is true. My heart fell for him. For women like me, having stronger male attracts our deepest desires.
"Your highness, is the gentleman in question really that important?"(Maid A)
"Yes. Angering him might wipe our country to the map."(Meltrine)
I smile reassuringly to the frightened maidservants.
"It is fine. He have long temparament and patience and doesn't angry that easily."(Meltrine)
... Compared to me atleast.
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(POV-Shin)
While Meltrine is preparing herself, we meet her parents, King Rinos and Queen Latina. They are friendly people.
"Lord Shin, please take care of our daughter."(Rinos)
"I will."(Shin)
"Shin-sama, please love her like your love for them. I want her to be at her happiest."(Latina)
"I will keep doing my best to meet your expectations."(Shin)
I bowed deeply to the two. Meltrine thought her family don't love her anymore but the opposite is true. They told me that the nobles are displeased to her selfish actions unbefitting the royals. That is why she was shunned on purpose to protect her.
"We want her to live on even not knowing our true intentions. We all love her more than we could ever do."(Latina)
"So even it means resorting to that, we will do it."(Rinos)
I smile softly.
"Isn't it the great? You were not hated after all."(Shin)
I shift my gaze to the person frozen standing in front of the door.
"M,mom... Dad..."(Meltrine)
She hugged the two and starts crying. Some of the girls are also crying at this moving scene. I smile in melancholy.
"I guess it was not too late for you. But as for me..."(Shin)
I noticed Athena's expression.
"Shin, perhaps mine father..."(Athena)
"People have multiple intention inside. You should confirm it from him by yourself. But, I believe that your instinct are spot on."(Shin)
It is public knowledge that Zeus is super strict on raising her. But the motives behind his strictness remained unknown.
"That is still hounding you huh?"(Stella)
"His strictness is one of my childhood traumas. I want to clear all of it as much as possible."(Athena)
She made a bitter face. But still, she have a bright smile. Facing the future. I created lots of diamonds using my original spell, [Charcoal to Diamond]. It is modified from advance magic spell [Flesh to Stone]. I gave all I made to the royal couple as betrothal gift along with high class goods, spices, and cloths.
"... Aren't this way to amazing?"(Meltrine)
They are dumbfounded. Even the girls.
"This is normal. Considering the gifts I gave to parents of Athena and Aphrodite."(Shin)
[We never heard about this?!](All)
"Of course. You will refuse after all."(Shin)
"Argh... My parents are both commoners... What do you think will happen huh?!"(Rin)
They all clutched their head.
"There are normal gifts mixed in so you don't have to worry."(Shin)