By Zephyria 
“Why are you asking me this?”
If the one asking me this question had been Marianne, I would have retorted, “What do you think?” and if Ruben had asked me the same question, I would have hugged him tightly, saying, “It’s natural for you to be distressed; don’t be upset for too long.”
But with Kate, the person involved in the incident and my prospective mother-in-law, I couldn’t bring myself to speak. I fumbled, opening and closing my mouth a few times.
She still didn’t spare me a glance. Her gaze was fixed on the inside of Melatia’s house, which was wide open. A few flowers were arranged in a small earthenware pot on a shelf.
A thin gust of wind swept through the empty alley.
“What is love, I wonder?”
“…”
Again, I couldn’t answer. The woman, swallowing a deep breath, spoke again as if murmuring.
“I don’t want my son to suffer.”
“I feel the same way.”
“Love. Such a weak word…”
The woman scoffed.
“…Is there any other word in the world so ill-suited for that child?”
“…”
I didn’t know if she was speaking to me or just to herself. Flustered, I had no reply. I awkwardly raised my gaze and looked into the house where Kate’s eyes were fixed.
The houses on 58th Street had no fences. Opening the front door led directly into the living room. It was small enough to know its layout without using my Qi sense. At the end of the living room would be the kitchen, and beside it, a small bedroom and a storage room—that was all.
It seemed like it would be quite arduous for a woman to live alone without help, yet I could hear her humming a tune from inside. The sound of her footsteps, rustling as she bounced around the small building, echoed cheerfully. As if she had never learned any etiquette.
Melatia is a much brighter and more cheerful person than I thought. I mused.
In contrast, Kate Anti Sieron was an elegant woman. Every movement of the mother-in-law was surprisingly curved. Even the act of dabbing her tears and folding the handkerchief to tuck it into her small bag was as fluid as if drawn with a brush. Her graceful hand movements were filled with the marvel of yielding strength.
This was even more so after she had wiped away all her tears. Kate’s impression changed drastically simply by straightening her shoulders and back and tucking her chin. She wasn’t short to begin with, but now she looked like a giant. It was hard to believe she had been acting like a tiny mouse just an hour ago.
Her gaze slowly met mine. I remained silent.
Her clear green eyes looked at me, filled with poison.
“I had hoped Lord Ernhardt was not a rash person.”
“I…”
“That child is greedy, you know.”
I tried to say something but was cut off. The woman shot back as if making a declaration.
“You have many people to take care of.”
“…”
“How on earth do you plan to manage?”
But.
Before I could say anything, the sound of approaching footsteps made me close my mouth. Melatia handed Kate a rustling bag of cookies and warmly embraced her.
I was inwardly horrified, but Kate patted her back a couple of times quite familiarly before stepping back half a pace.
Melatia smiled brightly, her eyes shining kindly. “See you next time, Grace. Please be sure to thank Countess Austin for always entrusting me with her orders. If it weren’t for the Countess, I truly…”
“Think nothing of it. Then, take care until we meet again, Melatia. Thank you for the cookies, I’ll enjoy them.”
“Yes.”
As I stood quietly listening to their pleasant exchange, Kate turned, and I hastily followed her side as if escorting her. From beyond the door that clicked shut behind us, a sigh so faint I could only hear it because it wasn’t me, escaped.
My mother-in-law extended her left hand again, and I immediately offered my arm. There was still some distance to the road where carriages could pass. We walked past seven houses in the narrow alley like that.
Once we were completely away from Melatia’s house, Kate let out a hollow laugh and asked, “Did you see?”
“What, may I ask?”
“That woman. She pretended not to recognize Lord Ernhardt.”
“…What?”
“Even if she’s cut herself off from high society, is that possible…?”
“…”
The bag of cookies in Kate’s hand passed to mine. The cheap paper bag had a pretty ribbon at the top, but it was so tightly gripped that the top of the bag was crumpled.
Melatia pretended not to recognize me. Did Melatia also know Kate’s identity well? Why had Kate insisted on bringing me when she met Melatia? Was it her intention to reveal her identity to me now? Or did they already know each other?
The minds of those two women were more difficult and complex than a thousand-foot cliff. I had no idea.
After that, neither of us spoke for a long time.
She kept looking straight ahead, and so did I. We reached the main road and called for a carriage. Kate, who accepted my escort and got into the carriage, closed the door without hesitation. I knocked on the window in great surprise to get her attention.
“Wait, uh, Empress Dowager. …Aren’t you taking these?”
“Lord Ernhardt, would you discard them for me?”
“…”
“Thank you for today. I’ll see you at Sapphire Palace next time.”
“Ah, yes! Yes. I will pay my respects.”
The coachman, looking nervous, bowed to me, and I returned the bow.
I carefully unfolded the knitting in my hand. The scarf, with its beautiful and dense floral pattern meticulously embroidered, was soft. I stood alone on the street, dumbfounded for a long time. Watching the carriage recede, I felt dizzy, as if I were dreaming or bewitched.
❖ ❖ ❖
What was the use of agonizing alone?
Without hesitation, I decided to tell Ruben everything.
I deliberately dismissed all the attendants during dinner. Then, I recounted in detail my meeting with the Empress Dowager, the process of going to Melatia’s house with her, and what I had heard and seen.
Ruben looked utterly bewildered upon hearing the story.
The child held his cutlery but couldn’t eat anything, so I spooned another spoonful of stew into his mouth. Then, Ruben also placed a piece of neatly cut meat into mine. I ate it obediently.
Ruben let out a short, choked laugh and mumbled in an awkward tone, “…My mother went to see her…”
“Yes. Uh, I didn’t know what to do, so I just stood there stupidly and came back.”
“No, no. You did well, Mika. What could you have said there?”
“Did you know, Ruben, that my mother-in-law visited Melatia’s residence?”
“…No. I didn’t have the leisure to pay attention to that. The 58th Street area doesn’t have personnel from the Nobility Yearbook management department stationed there, so we only rely on telegrams from Countesses. I merely requested a few wealthy noble families to ensure she wouldn’t face financial hardship or be harmed by those around her. Just as Beneto did.”
That’s right. The Nobility Yearbook management department doesn’t concern themselves with those without titles.
Ruben fell into deep thought again, so I cut a bite-sized piece of his favorite salad and fed it to him. After eating three bites like that, Ruben spoke again.
“I knew Countess Austin had become my mother’s Maidservant relatively recently… I thought it was because my mother had to get involved in welfare projects after stepping down as Empress. Countess Austin has deep ties with the temple.”
“…Ah.”
“At the time, I had more important things to deal with than Melatia, and I didn’t know how to handle it even now, so I deliberately tried not to pay attention… Should I have done something beforehand?”
“I don’t know… but it feels like this was something my mother-in-law took direct action on.”
He was a son she had raised with great care. If Ruben had mishandled anything, it would have seemed like he was taking his father’s side. Wouldn’t that just reopen his mother’s wounds?
Ruben, who immediately understood what I meant, scattered a troubled smile.
“…That’s true, I suppose… Hearing something so unexpected from you… I feel a bit ashamed. Did my mother say anything else?”
“…That is.”
Should I tell him this?
Ruben hid nothing from me. Therefore, I felt it was only right that I do the same.
“She said she was worried I might cause Ruben distress.”
“What?”
“She said she was worried because I have many people to take care of. I read her concern that I might not be able to give my all to Ruben, and I’ve thought about it a lot.”
“…What? I know that, Mika. But I…”
Ruben’s expression turned urgent. I clasped his hand as he waved it away. Looking into his clear, dark eyes, Ruben closed his mouth hesitantly. Looking at his face filled with worry and anxiety, I continued what I wanted to say.
“It’s natural for a mother to see her child as vulnerable, no matter how great they seem. But Ruben, I’ve already heard about the world you want to create.”
“…”
“One who doesn’t know how to wield a weapon may fear a sword. But Ruben, you already know how to use me well, so I trust you to use me in the right place at the right time.”
“…”
“If I were to go down a path you don’t want, please just tell me so. Then I will return to your side, anytime, anywhere. That’s the strength I’ve acquired, and the realization I’ve gained, so use me freely.”
I couldn’t say this in front of my mother-in-law, as it would sound presumptuous. How could I claim to know her son better than she did? But Ruben was a stronger and braver young man than she thought.
I wished that at least Ruben would truly understand the meaning of my decision to stay by his side.
Now, Ruben sat in thought, his hand resting on mine. I paused, my thumb tracing the boy’s soft hand. Ruben, now visibly relieved, looked at me with playful eyes.
Ruben asked, “What if I give a wrong order? If I try to go down the wrong path? Will you stop me then?”
“Then…”
I let out a cough, embarrassed. It was fortunate that I had dismissed everyone.
“…Shall I sing you a lullaby?”
“…”
Ruben’s eyes would turn red first when he blushed. Whatever he was thinking, his eyes, then his cheekbones, white cheeks, firm jaw, round, thin earlobes, and straight neck, all turned red in an instant.
The boy, who had been opening and closing his mouth, tapped the fruit plate. He immediately received a solemn command and picked up a small fruit, placing it in Ruben’s mouth. After eating food like that two more times, the boy leaned his lips against my fingertips and gave a few small kisses. Then, as if all his worries had melted away, my heart softened.
Ruben gripped my fingertips tightly and chattered, “…Yes. Let’s do that.”
“I’ll behave prettily so that my mother-in-law has no reason to worry, so don’t worry.”
“…You promised.”
“Yes.”
I’ll have to think more about how to charm my mother-in-law.
With half my worries transferred to Ruben, my heart felt truly at ease.
532 – 532.
Wednesday of the second week of March.
It was a very early dawn, so quiet not even birdsong could be heard. For some unknown reason, my spine tingled and my stomach churned today. I couldn’t just lie there, so I sat up.
Ruben, who always snuggled up to me the moment I shifted even slightly in my sleep, once again nuzzled his forehead against my waist and tugged at the hem of my shirt.
Almost simultaneously, I sensed the presence of a servant hurrying towards me from the stairs at the far end of the corridor.
Before the servant could even knock, I pulled the bell cord beside the bed, granting permission to enter. The servant, who took a deep, audible breath at the door to steady their nerves, opened the door silently and stepped inside. Despite their composed demeanor, they were out of breath. They must have run up the stairs.
The servant reported, “Count Ernhardt and his family have just arrived at the Imperial Palace’s main gate. Shall I help you prepare?”
“…My family?”
Ah.
I thought they wouldn’t arrive until tomorrow or the day after.
Thinking of my family made my chest feel heavy, and I couldn’t answer promptly. It felt like indigestion, a heavy weight pressing down in my chest. They could have taken their time, come at a leisurely pace. Why rush so much, risking an accident, to arrive here without a proper night’s sleep?
“…Lord Ernhardt? Preparations…”
“No. I will handle it. Philip, you go now and prepare the east and west reception rooms. Bring three types of tea that will help calm the mind and body.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Ruben answered in my stead, as I sat there blankly, unsure what to say.
Ruben, who had been holding my waist, now had a face completely devoid of sleepiness. I stared at him blankly. The boy, who had seemed to furrow his brow for a moment, diligently added more instructions.
“What time is it now?”
“It is 4:20 AM, Your Majesty.”
“Tell the kitchen to prepare breakfast at 30-minute intervals starting at seven in the morning. Meals should be served immediately whenever the guests wish.”
“Will Your Majesty be joining them?”
“No. Today, they should spend time with their family. In case of any issues, exclude all strongly scented herbs and prepare easily digestible foods. Lady Ernhardt is allergic to shellfish, so please be especially careful.”
“Yes.”
Asdel was allergic?
It was a fact I never knew. In the Ernhardt Earldom, a landlocked region deep inland, there wasn’t much opportunity to encounter seafood. I, who had spent most of my growing years away from home and paid little attention to family matters, could only stare blankly at Ruben.
Then, the boy took my wrist.
“Let’s go, Mika. I’ll pick out your clothes.”
His gentle voice melted my ears and heart.
I put on the new clothes Ruben brought out and draped myself in a well-tailored cloak. After adding various accessories and styling my hair.
I wondered if I really needed to dress up so elaborately to meet relatives I could be completely at ease with, but I also wanted to show my family, who must have worried about me for so long, the best and most splendid version of myself, so I complied obediently.
❖ ❖ ❖
I headed to the reception room, guided by a servant.
Despite changing and preparing as quickly as possible, my relatives had already arrived. Through the open door, muffled voices thick with tears and sobs continuously leaked out.
Hearing the children’s voices comforting their mother and their father’s heavy breathing, my heart grew urgent, and I practically ran into the inner chamber. There, my mother, who had collapsed onto the sofa, sat up abruptly and looked at me.
Her blue eyes were filled with salty seawater. Seiren’s dazed gaze was fixed entirely on my face. I recalled seeing her crying face for most of the day when we last met, and the thought that she had cried again this time made me uneasy.
Instead of my mother, who couldn’t move, I stood before her. I took both her hands to support her.
“I am sorry for being late.”
“…Mikael?”
“Yes. It is me, Mother. I was trying to return home, but you had already departed.”
“…You, you wicked child…”
My mother leaned into my embrace, half-collapsing. I could tell how much she had suffered in the past few years; her already light body had become so frail it seemed it could blow away. As I patted her back, stroking her arms, I slowly surveyed the faces of my family.
My father’s eyes, already red, were now wet like a rabbit’s, crimson. The children’s faces, which had grown unfamiliar, were also full of tears.
Mikael, trying to be a man, kept staring at the ceiling, holding back his tears, his chin forming little walnut-like wrinkles, which was both cute and amusing. Asdel, dabbing under his eyes with a handkerchief, glared at me, so I beckoned him closer.
Asdel slowly shook his head. Then, with a soft chuckle, he gestured with his chin towards my mother.
Everyone must have worried greatly, but how could anyone compare to her, who had almost lost her grown child? I embraced Seiren tightly once more, then let go and looked at her face. Her chin was trembling. Just as I took out a handkerchief, unable to bear looking at her tear-streaked face any longer.
My mother opened her mouth, her voice trying to remain calm.
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
“I am unharmed. It was an easy battle.”
“A trap, you fell into a trap… The gods, they said you wouldn’t be able to return…”
“They are all young for gods. They are tender-hearted and know little.”
As she seemed on the verge of gasping for breath, I gently helped my disoriented mother back onto the sofa. Mikael quickly handed her a glass of water, which made me laugh again. He had truly grown so much. Truly.
Seeing my smiling face, my mother let out a playful remark like a sigh.
“…I should have pulled out all those dragon scales myself.”
“Haha, I will pull them out for you later.”
“I, with what heart…”
“I am sorry. I hurried as much as I could to return early, but it turned out this way.”
“No. You, what fault could you possibly have? You…”
My mother clasped my hand and stroked it tenderly.
Mikael quickly made space for me on the sofa next to my mother, as I stood awkwardly, only bowing my waist, and stood up. Now seventeen, the grown Mikael had become a young man over six feet tall. I savored the affectionate light filling his gentle blue eyes.
“How was it, brother? How did it feel to fight a god?”
“It was good.”
“I knew it. If it were you, ssup, heu… I knew it would be like that.”
“Yes. You are the only one who believes in me.”
Laughter erupted again. My mother, burying her forehead on my shoulder, began to weep uncontrollably once more. Asdel, squeezing his soaked handkerchief, also let out a sniffling laugh.
“Ah, what is this? You could have enrolled on time. You ruined everything because of me, brother.”
“Yes, it’s all my fault. If I had known it would take this long, I should have told you beforehand.”
“That’s right! What, I, I thought my brother…”
Asdel, about to say more, swallowed his words and grinned. It was a mischievous face.
“You have to come to the entrance ceremony and boost my morale, brother. That’s why I deliberately postponed my enrollment.”
“Alright.”
“I’m going to the academy in Valentia’s territory, not the capital. You’ll come all the way there.”
“Yes, I promise.”
“…”
“So please stop crying.”
“Hoohoo… I don’t need a hero brother. You know? Just a strange, handsome brother is enough…”
Now Asdel also clung to my other arm. Seeing me sitting with two women clinging to my arms, Mikael, with wet eyes, smiled and then quickly climbed onto my lap, making me burst into laughter. Even standing, I could easily bear the weight of three people, but I couldn’t shake them off.
I raised my head and looked at my father, William Ernhardt.
Then, my father, who had been patiently waiting his turn, strode forward and placed his hand on my head. I was surprised, as he hadn’t ruffled my hair like a child since I was over ten. He continuously stroked my hair, examining my face, his expression not unlike how he’d inspect grapes for quality.
“Thank you for returning, Mikael. You’ve been through a lot.”
“Yes. I missed you too. Were your travels not arduous?”
“What hardship could there be when you are alive…”
“Still, it would be best if you didn’t rush the carriage at night next time.”
At that, my mother grabbed my wrist and pulled, lifting her tear-filled face.
“Will there be more of this in the future?”
Oops.
“No, no. It’s all resolved now. I won’t have to be away from the Empire for long anymore. I apologize for causing you unnecessary worry.”
“Why should you apologize, why.”
“Hmm.”
I was truly glad Ruben had brought several handkerchiefs. Even after distributing one to each family member, there were still handkerchiefs left.
Seeing this, Mikael let out a disbelieving laugh, and my mother, realizing the situation belatedly, looked down at the handkerchief in her hand with a coy expression. Everyone here knew best that I was not adept at handling such small matters.
Indeed, her tears gradually stopped. Her weary voice was tinged with a hollow laugh.
“You said you had already departed and wouldn’t be coming to the Earldom.”
“Yes?”
“It seems you were doing well. Has His Majesty already proposed?”
“Um, well… I proposed first.”
“Huh?”
“Now that there seem to be no more dangers, I got a little greedy. I couldn’t wait any longer…”
“What? The ring?”
“…Um.”
There was a thud, not a snap.
Though it was the first time my mother had hit me on the back, I only felt joy. I laughed out loud, shaking with her exclamations of “How could you!” My startled younger siblings looked back and forth between my mother and me with wide eyes.
I was finally back in my place.
Finally, I knew these were my mother and my father. Realizing this fact overwhelmingly made me feel nothing but cheerful and amused. It was as comforting as being submerged head-to-toe in hot water.