The Abandoned and Terminally Ill Lady Married a Monster - Chapter 89

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“Huh?” Startled, I blurted out a question to Father. I belatedly covered my mouth and glanced sideways. Kin and Mother were suddenly engaged in an amiable discussion, seemingly plotting some sort of collaboration. Thankfully, they appeared oblivious to my outburst.

I inwardly sighed and looked back at Father, who was still peeking his face just above the table. He seemed to have positioned himself this way so I could look down at the jewels as if I were examining them. I almost cried out in surprise again.

Keeping an eye on Kin and Mother, I dipped my head slightly and whispered, “Wasn’t that what you wanted, Father?” He had even threatened to cry if we didn’t get family rings made. Fortunately, or unfortunately, no tears came, so he didn’t actually cry like last time. He did, however, contort himself into a strange posture, grunting and straining as if he could squeeze out a tear with just a little more effort. But nothing resembling a tear ever emerged.

Since he wasn’t crying, I could have pretended I hadn’t heard him, but now he was resorting to these tactics to convince us to make family rings.

“[Oh ho ho, dear child. This is what they call killing two birds with one stone! If you suggest making family rings and say you don’t want anything else, Minerva will eventually agree.]”

‘She seem to be pulling out a new catalog. Will she really agree?’ I asked Father with my eyes. He grinned and nodded. “[If my sweet daughter-in-law insists she only needs family rings, I’ll have no choice but to give in. Family rings! Even I think it’s such a cute idea! Minerva will definitely fall for it!]”

I hoped so. I worried that if I suggested family rings based on Father’s advice, we’d end up buying even more jewelry. However, not following his advice was equally concerning. Mother seemed genuinely ready to buy everything displayed here. I had to prevent that.

I could see Father’s cheeks flushed with excitement, his face beaming as if the mere thought brought him joy.

Hesitantly, I held the ring Father had indicated. He winked playfully and urged me with a bright smile to speak up.

‘Maybe it’s better to just choose any ring. Family rings have such a significant meaning.’ It felt like a confirmation, a finality, that I was truly part of this family, that there was no turning back. But that shouldn’t be the case.

Unsure of the right course of action, I tried to consult Father again. He was mid-wink when he suddenly exclaimed, “Ah!” and looked at me with concern.

“[Speaking of which, shouldn’t you be taking your medicine about now? Or did you already take it this morning? I think you coughed up blood around this time yesterday. Dear child, I didn’t quite catch the name of your illness, could you tell me what it is—]”

“Um, Mother.”

“Yes, did you call for me?”

I called for Mother before Father could inquire further. I hoped my face didn’t betray too much surprise. It was difficult to force a smile while my face was frozen in shock. But there was no reason not to smile. I’d forced smiles more often than I’d smiled out of genuine happiness, so I was used to it.

“Kin.”

“Yes.”

Kin and Mother exchanged a brief, sharp glance before turning back to me with bright smiles.

Even as I called them, I was still unsure if this was the right move. But I had already called them, so I had to say something. Finally, with a silent apology, I spoke.

“I’d like to make…couple rings, or should I say, family rings, with these. …Would that be alright?”

Mother and Kin stared down at me, frozen. They were both so tall that my neck began to ache. Did this mean they would refuse?

This was the first time I had so clearly expressed my opinion to an elder, and my ears burned with embarrassment. My heart pounded. As the silence stretched, distant memories began to surface.

‘Obedience is a virtue, they say. Why do you speak so freely?’

No, no. No, that’s not it. I’m not speaking out of personal feelings.

My fingers curled, and my breath hitched.

“….”

After several seconds of silence, Mother and Kin, almost simultaneously, began bombarding the attendant with orders. Mother started.

“Make family rings with those. I saw the couple ring design earlier, but it didn’t look like a couple ring; the two rings seemed separate. Make them look more similar, but also more ornate.”

“The inside of the rings should be engraved with each person’s initials and the word ‘Blashur.’ I’ll send the lettering design for the engraving later.”

“Show us more couple ring options. Actually, do you have any designs specifically for family rings?”