I Regressed to My Ruined Family
Chapter 187

I Regressed To My Ruined Family Chapter 187

＃When I returned, my family was ruined (188)

After entering the room.

What engulfed Ilya’s heart was a sense of self-reproach. Why did I remain silent the entire time I came here?

Surely he didn’t say that to the Duke himself? It was just a mistake.

You say something like that and then just look sulky, like you’re a sulky girlfriend.

Is it really true that I am over 100 years old?

As soon as I laid my head on the soft pillow, I felt ridiculous. He was a fool. He’s also an extremely emotional idiot.

‘fool! idiot!’

Do you try to brighten the mood by saying even nonsense words? If I end the day like this, how am I going to face the Duke the next day?

Suddenly, I felt afraid.

The duke was a cold and cold man. What if yesterday’s cold attitude makes you think of yourself as an annoying woman?

If you think about it, it was like that. Even though he was respected by the world as a crafting mage and all, to the duke, he was not a great ally that he had to acquire.

Even with his skills, isn’t he on the verge of transcendence?

If she continues like this, wouldn’t she be kicking her out, calling her a troublesome woman? So what should I do? Should I smile casually, say that I had fun, and leave the territory?

If that happens, what should we do from now on?

Should I go back to the damp cave and spend another long time in the guise of an old woman?

‘I… don’t like that.’

My hidden true feelings came out.

It was like that. Life spent in a small cave was not very enjoyable. Although I was a little happy when I achieved magical enlightenment.

In the end, the only thing I could call a friend in my life at that time was the magical knowledge I had devoted my entire life to. It was a life so lonely that I came to think of knowledge as a friend.

I learned the joy of hanging out with people. Elena always gives a warm smile. Sylvia may be cold, but she listens to most requests. Melaisis is a very foolish wizard, but her skills are useful in her own way.

When they come face to face with the administrators of the territory who ask for favors, the knights greet them with big smiles.

Lastly….

even the duke who hired him.

My stay on this earth was only a moment, less than a year at most, but the flow of time in my heart was so intense that it could not even be compared to living in a cave.

I’ve lived a very lonely life. It was only when Ilya thought she could leave this place that she realized that fact.

“Ilya are you awake?”

Suddenly I heard a familiar voice. Surprised, Ilya pulled the blanket over her head.

It was clearly the duke’s voice.

For what reason did he come here on this late night?

no way.

Could it be that he came to take out a notice of dismissal?

If that’s the case…

She trembled and kept her mouth shut. If I didn’t answer now, I might have thought he was sleeping and walked away.

tomorrow.

let’s talk tomorrow.

After a day or so, the duke’s thoughts might change. No, we will definitely make it happen.

There were still so many items to be developed. If I had time to sort out my complicated brain, it wouldn’t be that difficult to show my usefulness…

That was back then.

“I’m going in.”

The door burst open. My heart sank. My hands and feet instantly became cold. Could it be that the desire to abandon oneself has grown so great that one cannot even wait for a moment?

Step by step.

Step by step.

The footsteps gradually got closer.

Ilya closed her eyes tightly.

He exhaled softly as if he was deeply asleep. At one point, only her breathing was heard quietly in the room.

“I know Illya is awake.”

I flinch.

The tone sounded even colder today. As if he knows everything about you. His words, which at first glance sounded omnipotent, struck Ilya’s heart hard.

You can’t wake up.

The two hands holding the blanket were filled with strength. For some reason, I felt like crying.

I was embarrassed.

Even if we face it, now is not the time. Isn’t it possible to be thrown away in misery while crying?

“I came here because I have something to tell you, so please stand up.”

“….”

“…Shouldn’t we try to resolve what happened yesterday?”

Before I woke up, I didn’t seem to move a single step. Ilya quickly wiped his eyes and removed the blanket.

“…Duke, it’s a bit hard to say it with my own mouth, but… I still think I should say it.”

“Tell me.”

“I think I have contributed a lot to the territory while living in the duchy so far. is not it?”

“That is correct.”

“…So dismissal is unacceptable. never. Do you understand?”

“…fire?”

Ethan tilted his head.

Why are you suddenly getting fired?

Although there are many outstanding wizards, there are very few who have experienced as much time as Illya. Time was experience. Of course, there was no intention of kicking out an experienced and good wizard. Where do you go to replace a crafting wizard like that?

“I have no intention of doing so.”

“…!”

Ilya’s eyes wavered aimlessly like a ferry boat caught by waves.

That too for a while.

Her eyes widened.

“…Really?”

“Did you steal some items without my knowledge? “If that’s the case, tell me now.”

“…What do you make of this body! “Do you think he would have done such a despicable thing?”

Ethan shook his head.

Although I hadn’t seen it for a long time, I knew that all wizards were servants with their own pride.

Ilya, who is praised as an archmage who has lived for over 100 years, would have that attitude even more.

but.

“I asked because you were suddenly fired.”

“That…”

Ilya said after wiggling her fingers for a moment.

“I thought you would kick me out.”

“wherefore?”

“…didn’t it disturb the duke’s mind?”

“I’m not particularly disturbed.”

Relief and bitterness passed through me at the same time.

In that the duke had no negative feelings about it.

Also, despite acting like that, he seemed so calm.

Anyway.

I was fortunate in that I didn’t think I would be fired.

“…Really?”

“okay.”

“…Then did you come here because you had something to say?”

It was then.

Ethan, who was staring at Ilia, suddenly asked a question.

“Do you like me?”

Ilya’s eyes became so round that they could no longer grow.

“W…what is that…!”

“It’s the same question.”

“….”

Silence followed. It was not a question that even a wizard who had lived for a long time could answer right away.

Ilya, who was looking into the Duke’s eyes, hastily lowered her head.

It was truly embarrassing.

It felt like those cold eyes were penetrating my inner thoughts.

I hesitate.

After not being able to answer for a long time, she asked again.

“…If that’s the case, are you going to say no?”

“I don’t really have any intention of doing that.”

Regardless of how one’s mind flows, isn’t that personal freedom? Even arguing about it is just ridiculous.

“I just wish you would refrain from confessing with such an appearance.”

“…Is it not that good?”

I haven’t heard anywhere that I’m ugly. It was like that even when she was in the form of an old woman. The most common opinion was that just by looking at her appearance, she had aged gracefully. Ethan sighed at her question.

“…At most, he looks like he was in his early 10s.”

It was not uncommon for nobles or commoners to get married at a young age, but it was not considered desirable. Even if it was politically entangled, it was something worth sighing about.

This was even more so if it was an autonomous situation.

“…So there’s nothing else to worry about other than age?”

“It’s not like there isn’t one. However, we will not close the possibility.”

I’m still just as busy.

This was the reason why he did not accept despite many courtships. But one thing was clear. I have no intention of living alone for the rest of my life.

How much I regretted that fact at the last moment. I was filled with thoughts of wanting to start a warm family someday, if I had time.

Ilya thought for a moment after hearing Ethan’s answer. The biggest reason she went around in the form of a girl was because she had the appearance of a time when she had memories of her mother.

That’s why it maintained this appearance even in the cave made into a dungeon when it wasn’t facing people.

‘If it was because of this appearance that I rejected it….’

What can I do?

A thirsty person must dig a well.

For Illya, who was of mixed race with her doppelganger, appearance was nothing more than an element that could be changed at will at any time. Of course, some scenes contained memories.

“…Duke. “Could you please leave for a moment?”

“Sure.”

Ethan opened the door and came out.

Ilya, who was waiting until the door slammed shut, took advantage of the characteristics of the race. The doppelganger’s blood begins to change each cell.

Procrastination.

Before long, even his face gradually changed.

‘…Is this enough?’

She said after looking at the mirror for a while.

“It’s okay if you come in.”

Squeak.

The door opened.

Ethan’s eyes widened slightly when he saw Ilia. For a moment, his appearance changed significantly, as if he was six years older.

In his past life, he had alternately seen the appearance of an old woman, and in his current life, he had alternately seen the appearance of a young girl and an old woman, so it was the first time for him to encounter such an appearance.

“How…what is it like? Does it suit you?”

Ilya asked, braiding one side of her hair. It’s been such a long time since I’ve seen something like this. It was the first time in almost a hundred years that the exterior was revealed.

Ethan, who had been silent, answered.

“…much better than before.”

In her previous appearance, there were no emotions to be felt other than that she was simply cute.

But it was different now.

Ilya’s appearance, as I see it now, is that of a woman of great beauty. At least it wasn’t a sentiment that could end in simple emotions like before.

“Anyway, there’s something I’d like to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Is a year for a mixed-race doppelganger a similar concept to a human year?”

“…It’s not similar. In terms of human years…”

Ilya muttered.

How big will it be?

Mixed blood between a doppelganger and a human was extremely rare. Therefore, even she did not know much about the exact lifespan.

Still, I will live a little longer than I have lived so far.

Assuming that they have lived for a little over 100 years so far and will live a little more than that in the future…

the average lifespan of nobles was approximately 60 to 70. Taking that into account, he would be roughly in his early thirties.

‘…Isn’t that too much?’

Wouldn’t he be just 20 years old if he were to do the work right now? Ilya, who was contemplating, spoke with her eyes tightly closed.

“I don’t know the details either. Still, if I were to guess roughly… teenagers….”

“…teenagers?”

“… seems a bit young, probably around early twenties.”

For the duke’s sake and for himself, now was the time to tell a white lie. It would be better to have a small age gap if possible.