The Story of How I Pretended To Be A Boy and Ended Up Being Loved By A Mafia Boss - Chapter 16

A few days after parting with Ryu, Lord Ray came to visit the villa.

He seemed to be talking with my mother about something important because they had been in the study room for a while.

I wondered what they were talking about while preparing dinner when Lord Ray called me.

“Anis, could you come here for a moment?”

“Ah, sure.”

I wondered why he seemed so serious. When I entered, Lord Ray and my mother were sitting on the sofa together.

Why were they sitting there? I thought as I sat on the opposite sofa. Lord Ray looked a bit nervous as he began speaking.

“Anis, I want you to hear this without getting too shocked…”

“Okay.”

“We’ve decided to get married next month.”

“What??”

Next to Lord Ray, my mother nodded shyly.

I was so shocked that I hardly say…

“I see! Con…gra…tulations!”

When had things progressed so much between them?

“And since I’ve regained my right to the throne, I have to live in the palace… I’d like you both to come with me to the capital.”

“To the capital?”

“Yes. I’ll prepare a mansion there, and I want you two to live there first.”

“Huh? Me too?”

“Of course. You’ll become my daughter.”

“…Eh?”

I looked at my mother in surprise, and she lowered her eyebrows.

“Anis, I’m sorry. When Lord Ray proposed to me just now, I told him that you’re really a girl.”

“So… that’s why…  Lord Ray, I’m sorry for deceiving you.”

“No, you lived as a boy to protect yourself, didn’t you? Anis, I know you’ve had it hard.”

Ray didn’t get angry but was concerned about me instead.

How kind he was.

If someone like him marries my mother, I’m sure she’ll be happy.

Lord Ray and my mother could get married, even with a difference in their social standings, but why couldn’t Ryu and I do the same?

No, no! I have to celebrate them now!

“I’m so happy for you both! I’m glad you’re getting married!”

“Then will you come to the capital too?”

“…Is it really okay for me to come? Won’t I be a bother?”

“What are you saying, Anis? I’ll get mad!”

“Hehe. Just don’t regret it later, okay? And if you want some alone time, make sure you tell me.”

“Haha, Anis, don’t worry about that.”

“No way! Anis, you’re too much!”

Ten days later, we left the villa.

It would take three days by carriage to get from Nailden to the capital.

I probably wouldn’t see Ryu again.

Maybe this was for the best.

If I stayed in that villa, I might have kept hoping Ryu would visit again.

I held back my tears as I gazed at the receding city of Nailden.

Lord Ray had arranged for us to stay in a large mansion, about a 30-minute carriage ride from the palace.

“How many rooms does this place have? I might get lost!”

“On the first floor, there’s a large hall, kitchen, drawing room, and two guest rooms. On the second floor, there are three rooms with shower facilities and three private rooms. You can choose whichever room you like, Anis.”

“Wow! Living in such a big house is like a dream!”

“Haha, I’m glad you like it.”

“Yes! Thank you,  Lord Ray!”

“That’s not all. Anis, come here.”

“Huh?”

 Lord Ray led me to one of the private rooms on the second floor. Inside, there were dozens of dresses, bags, and shoes neatly packed.

“What… is all this?”

“It’s all for you, Anis. I hope they fit your taste.”

Why was Ray doing all this for me? It was just like a little while ago, we were strangers.

“Anis, what’s wrong?”

“Ugh…”

“Anis?! Why are you crying? Did you not like them?”

“No… I’m just happy.”

I wiped away my tears, and Lord Ray gently hugged me.

“There’s no need to cry. I’m sure all of these will look great on you. Would you like to try them later?”

“Yes… I’m really looking forward to it!”

“Haha, you need to decide whether to cry or laugh.”

Ray had also prepared many dresses and accessories for my mother.

I’d always thought my mother would be able to outshine any noblewoman if she wore beautiful clothes, and I was so happy for her.

Although parting with Ryu was very sad, coming to this new place felt like a good change of pace for me.

If I lived here, maybe one day I could forget about Ryu.

I smiled while holding up a beautiful dress in front of the mirror.