My breath was becoming shallow, and my hands trembled slightly. However, I shouldn't let my nervousness show. I couldn't appear as a trembling host in front of my guest. I needed to stay calm and act as if everything was normal.

I steadied my trembling hands and picked up the teacup. As the delicate aroma spread the closer the cup got to my lips, I felt my nerves ease a little.

Just a little.

Billy.

My grip tightened around the teacup. I couldn't help but resent Billy for not being here.

Even though I was the countess, Billy was the one with the title. He was the one qualified to greet the Mage Duchess and not me.

Despite the Mage Duchess’s desire to see me, it wouldn't have mattered whether she saw her future mother-in-law or father-in-law. She wouldn't have cared either way.

Just you wait and see.

I would never forget the way he walked out on me when he heard that the Mage Duchess was coming. Once he returned, we would have separate meals and separate rooms for a while.

...If I even had the energy to enforce that.

"What a lovely fragrance."

The gentle voice brought me back to the present, and I quickly looked up.

There, with snow-white hair and white eyes, was a woman. Her eyes curved like crescent moons, and she had a warm smile. To anyone else, she might have appeared genuinely pleased.

"I'm glad you like it."

I responded with a smile, and the woman's—no, the Mage Duchess’s—smile grew even deeper.

"Please, speak comfortably. I have great respect for you, and your formal speech makes me feel embarrassed."

Her words froze me in place. Speak comfortably? What on earth did she mean by that?

Even just hearing her speak respectfully to me was overwhelming. I had heard that except for the imperial family and the other dukes, she treated everyone else as subordinates.

Given her age, experience, and rank, it wasn't surprising.

"Your words are too kind. How could I speak casually when Your Grace shows me so much respect?"

I managed to move my stiff lips to give a suitable response.

Good. This answer should be fine. If she respected me, then I would respect her in return. There was no arguing with that logic.

"Is that so? That's a shame."

Thankfully, the Mage Duchess let it go...

Is it just my imagination?

I couldn't shake the feeling that the Mage Duchess’s eyes were saying, ‘I'll let it slide this time.’

My instincts screamed otherwise even as I tried to convince myself that it was just my imagination. I might have been able to refuse this time, but one day, I would have no choice but to speak casually.

Someone who speaks casually to the Mage Duchess.

The dizziness that had subsided returned with a vengeance.

There were rumors that even the Emperor addressed her respectfully in private. Who in their right mind would speak informally to her? Certainly not me. Never.

"Ha! Now that we're family, feel free to speak comfortably! Should I start calling you young lady?"

I suddenly recalled a past event—the first time I met a duke. It was such a dazzling encounter. I could still hear his laughter echoing in my ears.

Were all dukes like this? I hadn't met the other three yet, but I felt a little scared now.

"Ma'am, your cup is empty."

The Mage Duchess reached for the teapot while I was absentmindedly staring at my teacup.

For a moment, I didn't understand what was happening.

"Y-Your Grace, let me do it."

It wasn't until Laura, who had been standing behind me, quickly intervened to stop the Mage Duchess that I finally came to my senses.

Was the Mage Duchess going to pour tea into my cup herself just now? Even though the head maid was right there?

Carl...

I thought of my eldest son, who, like Billy, wasn't present.

I didn't resent him. Unlike someone who cowardly avoided the meeting, Carl was diligently fulfilling his duties.

But... still, what did he do to make the Mage Duchess act like this? How did he manage to captivate her?

"Thank you, head maid."

When Laura filled my cup and the Mage Duchess's, the Mage Duchess smiled warmly and thanked her.

Of course, Laura was visibly flustered by the Mage Duchess's respectful demeanor.

She's really determined.

I almost let out a bitter smile at the sight. The Mage Duchess was showing respect and friendliness to Laura, who had raised Carl.

It was clear that she was thoroughly committed to winning over everyone around Carl.

About an hour later, we moved from the reception room to the garden.

"It's such a beautiful and refreshing place. I have elven blood, so I appreciate a well-maintained garden."

"I'll be sure to tell the gardener. He will be delighted to hear that Your Grace complimented his work."

Nodding with a smile that hadn't left her face since our first meeting, the Mage Duchess looked around the garden as if trying to take it all in.

Her ears were slightly perked up, and her face was a bit flushed. Maybe elves did have a natural love for nature?

"This is the garden where baby used to play."

I quietly turned my head at the soft voice. So it wasn't her elf blood but the blood of a woman in love.

The truth was, Carl had spent his childhood not in the garden but in the training grounds, thanks to his inadequate mother.

I opened and closed my mouth a few times, hesitating to correct her and dampen her joy.

"What's that tree?"

The Mage Duchess's gaze fell on a particular spot.

Following her gaze, I saw two trees set apart from the rest. Aside from the small plaques in front of each tree, there was nothing particularly remarkable about them.

Yet the Mage Duchess keenly picked the most precious things in the garden without having anyone tell her.

"Those are commemorative trees. The one on the left was planted when Carl was born, and the one next to it when Erich was born."

I smiled slightly as I spoke. Billy had dug the holes, and I had planted the saplings. Now, like the children, they had grown tall and strong.

"I'll send these trees to their new homes when they find their partners."

These trees had grown alongside my children, and it was only fitting that they continued to be part of their lives. It would be wonderful if we could plant commemorative trees for my grandchildren next to them as well.

Feeling warmed by the thought, I said more than what was necessary.

***

I was inexplicably drawn to the ordinary-looking trees.

"Those are commemorative trees. The one on the left was planted when Carl was born, and the one next to it when Erich was born."

I nodded at her explanation.

I see.

So that was why I became curious about it. A tree commemorating baby’s birth was more precious than anything else in the world.

It was as if the World Tree, which had burned down 400 years ago, had been reborn on this land. To me, this tree was now my personal World Tree.

"I'll send these trees to their new homes when they find their partners."

My heart raced at her words.

So this World Tree would come to my territory. I should tell my butler to prepare a special place for it. This precious tree deserved the best spot.

And once we’ve planted the World Tree, we should also plant flowers around it. As many flowers as the children we would have, making the place beautiful and splendid.

"They’re truly beautiful."

"They are my treasures."

At my murmured words, she replied with the brightest smile I'd seen yet.

It was a genuine smile filled with sincerity, showing how much she cherished and loved her children.

She’s someone who can smile like that.

I felt a pang of guilt. Seeing her smile so brightly after being so anxious about my unannounced visit made me feel like I had wronged her.

However, it couldn't be helped. Baby was hiding at the academy. If I went there recklessly, he would probably run off to somewhere I couldn't find him.

So, I chose this approach—building a relationship with those around him.

Someday.

Although it felt awkward now, it would become natural with time. Our relationship would shift from one of tension to one of comfort.

Slowly and steadily. It would surely happen that way.

"Trexy, it's natural to feel awkward because of our racial differences."

Mother's words from the past echoed in my mind.

"I was awkward with your grandmother, too."

“With grandma?”

I remember being surprised by those words because mother and grandmother had always seemed so close.

"Yes. But as we spent more time together, the awkwardness disappeared. Even though we were different species, we were both intelligent beings. You realize that we're not so different from ordinary humans."

She had poked my cheek and laughed softly.

"That's why it's important to think of yourself as a human, not an elf. Insisting on elven ways in human society is a burden. If you want to live like an elf, then live in an elven enclave."

Nodding along to Mother, who had actually settled into human society quite well, I absorbed her wisdom. So, I would be accepted as a human if I lived like them despite my elven blood.

"That's why I gave up the concept of elven age."

"...What?"

I hadn't understood her words back then, but now I did.

Elven age, often spanning centuries, would cause confusion in human society. Adjusting it to fit human standards made things simpler.

Mother had chosen to live with only 10% of her elven age, allowing her to be a younger daughter-in-law than her own mother-in-law.

Then, me too.

Since I wasn’t a pureblood elf like my mother, I could at least reduce my age to 20%.

Yes, my human age was 24. I was three years older than my baby and much younger than his mother.

I should approach her with this mindset. It would ease the awkwardness and bring us closer.

...Mother.

My heart swelled with emotion. Mother had always given me great enlightenment.

Her last wish for me not to experience the same sorrow led me to extend baby's lifespan, helping me find a lifelong partner.

Meanwhile, her advice to abandon my elven age to fit into human society helped me find a way to approach baby.

"Your Grace?"

The Countess asked when I stayed silent.

"It's nothing, ma'am."

I shook my head with a gentle smile.

But I felt a bit embarrassed. I had been so lost in thought in front of my future mother-in-law.

I should reflect.

I should think like a human. It was disrespectful to be lost in thought in front of an elder.