Hansel’s Enchanted Fairytale: Fill Me Up With Magic! - Chapter 102
Secret, really.
Hansel couldn’t help but think about how much trouble Dante’s tower of secrets had caused her. Even recalling her own embarrassing history made her shudder.
“You were busy.”
“Busy? Sure, I had a lot to do, but even when I was done and came back, you were nowhere to be found.”
“I was busy too.”
……
So, while Hansel was occupied with wedding preparations, Dante had his own tasks keeping him busy. Their schedules had misaligned, leaving no time for a proper conversation for days. That’s what he seemed to mean.
Hansel let out a long sigh and dropped her arms from her hips.
“Alright. So tell me everything. What kept you so busy? I don’t like you keeping secrets from me. From now on, I won’t keep any secrets from you either. No lies, no hiding anything. Let’s promise each other, okay?”
“Okay. I went to Herodt Castle.”
“What?”
Hansel nearly jumped to her feet. Without thinking, she grabbed Dante’s face with both hands.
“W-Why? Did something happen? Are you okay? You didn’t run into any trouble, did you?”
The mere thought of that dreadful place was enough to make her worry about him. However, Dante’s crimson eyes showed no trace of disturbance.
Dante savored her touch for a moment, then finally opened his mouth and replied in his usual slow tone.
“To find a ring.”
“……”
“Apparently, you’re supposed to give one when you propose.”
Who could have taught him such a thing? Her mother? Gretel?
A soft clicking sound broke the silence, drawing Hansel’s attention. She turned her head toward it.
“What’s… that?”
Dante was holding an ivory box, a size that unmistakably hinted at its contents.
“A ring.”
Before Hansel could even ask, Dante opened the box. Contrary to the aged appearance of the box, the ring inside was unexpectedly elaborate.
He had said it was from Herodt Castle, yet there were no markings that suggested it belonged to the Herodt family. If it were a family heirloom, it would have at least bore an emblem somewhere.
The ring looked simple at first glance. However, the sides of the band were intricately encrusted with finely-cut diamonds that shimmered with precision.
Hansel alternated between staring at the ring and at Dante.
“This… this ring. Whose is it, Dante?”
“The woman who gave birth to me.”
Dante paused. His adam’s apple moved slightly as he swallowed.
“My mother… wore it.”
Dante began to recount, in his characteristic slow manner, what had happened in the past few days.
Gretel, he explained, had scolded him relentlessly for not presenting Hansel with a ring when proposing. Dante, not understanding why a ring was so important, initially thought to ask Hansel herself. However, before he could, Margaret had summoned him as well.
Both women had explained that a ring was a symbol that connected two people.
Hearing this, Dante had understood completely. This wasn’t about appearances or mere tradition—it was meaningful.
But Dante had struggled. He wanted to give Hansel a ring, but he absolutely refused to use anything associated with the Herodt family. He couldn’t stand the thought of tarnishing his precious Hansel with such a thing.
That’s when he thought of his mother.
The woman who had brought him into this world. The one person he wished could meet Hansel. His only real family.
Dante knew the chances of finding his mother’s ring in Herodt Castle were slim. But he had no choice.
When Dante arrived at Herodt Castle, he was surprised to find himself feeling calmer than he had expected. Just as he was beginning to wonder where to start his search, he encountered a werewolf.
The werewolf, who had fled the hospital and was hiding in the castle, tried to escape again. But Dante quickly captured him and ordered him to help find his mother’s ring.
Before long, Dante found it.
The ring had been left abandoned in a corner of the castle, alongside a dusty old cradle.
***
Dante knelt before Hansel, holding the ring in his hand. Hansel’s blue eyes trembled as they locked onto his.
It was a proper proposal.
“Marry me.”
Be my family, Hansel.
Hansel’s chin quivered as if she were holding back tears. The expression was so endearing that Dante couldn’t help but chuckle softly. Hansel quickly nodded and extended her hand.
“Yes! I’d love to!”
Dante slid the ring onto her finger. At first, it seemed a little loose, but then it magically adjusted to fit her perfectly. Dante had enchanted it himself.
Hansel threw her arms around his neck.
“I can’t wait to get married. Then I’ll officially be Mrs. Herodt, right?”
“No.”
Dante leaned back slightly to meet her gaze.
“I’m Dante Arsinoe.”
“……”
Because I want to be your family.
Hansel’s mouth fell open in shock.
Yes, that was how it should be. The Herodt name didn’t deserve to continue—it was a name drenched in filth and cruelty.
In a voice laced with laughter, Dante whispered softly.
“Even if we have a child, they’ll be an Arsinoe.”
A shiver ran down Hansel’s back.
She reached for Dante’s face and pulled him into a kiss. Dante’s eyes widened as she pressed her lips to his.
Flushed and slightly breathless, Hansel whispered against him.
“Dante, let’s make a baby on our wedding night.”
“……”
“Honestly, I can’t wait. I want you so much I can barely stand it.”
Dante’s mouth went dry. Even just her touch had been enough to push him to his limit, and now she was saying things like this…
“Just two more days, okay? Wait for me.”
As Hansel whispered to him, Dante struggled to suppress the fire rising in him.
Two days. Only two days.
