By Zephyria 
The trust shining in a respectable face is truly difficult.
It would have been easy to say I would return to you no matter what.
However, I had lived as a warrior in both my past and present lives. Of course, I now possessed strength and power that made me not worry about the end of my life. But where is the flower that does not wither for a thousand years?
Naturally, I want to stay by Ruben’s side for my entire life. But if, by some slim chance, I were gone, I wished for Ruben to be healthy and happy. With such feelings filling me, I gently kissed the child’s lips instead of speaking of an unforeseen end.
Meeting his eyes again, once more. And then again.
The child, who had been contemplating, corrected his words.
“…I’ll practice waiting… more healthily…”
“Yes.”
“…”
“…”
“Don’t laugh…”
“I’m proud. Proud and because you’re so lovely.”
Having already seen him drunk and disheveled several times, I worried even more. It would be fine as long as he didn’t drink to the point of harming himself. I murmured softly, and the child readily agreed. He looked pitiful and adorable, just smiling at the sudden prohibition of alcohol.
Ruben squirmed a little more in my arms before suddenly sitting up. He even tightened his knees around my thighs and looked down at my face. I willingly rested my cheek in Ruben’s hand and opened my mouth to greet the child.
Ruben’s tongue tasted more bitter than usual. Was the alcohol quite strong?
Ruben, who quickly noticed me lost in thought for a moment, pouted and urged me on. I held the child’s waist tightly and took him in as much as I could.
How much time had passed? Ruben, slumped like a satiated cat, asked,
“How were things with your family? What did you do?”
“I heard precious words and simply kept them company. I walked around the garden of Valentia’s townhouse twenty times.”
“Twenty times?”
“Yes. Walking with one person, strolling with another. Still, it’s fortunate that everyone is in good health.”
“Wasn’t the former Duke of Valentia a little over seventy?”
“Yes. Seventy-five? Seventy-six? I recall it was around then.”
“And the former Countess Ernhardt?”
“She’s about eight or nine years older than that.”
The child, after a moment of thought,’s eyes sparkled.
“Should I host a meal for all the adults next week?”
“Even our grandparents?”
“Yes. Next weekend, I should have some time, so a luncheon, not too late…”
“Then it would be good to invite your mother and sister as well. Since we’re making an occasion, it would be better to have them join.”
“…Even though it’s customary for families to exchange contracts through their servants before marriage…”
“I know. I also know well that it’s not common to invite grandparents for a meal before marriage.”
“…”
Does he need to look at me every time my mother-in-law is mentioned?
Ruben, who had grown quiet, looked pitiful and cute. I chuckled and lightly stroked his cheek, then tidied the hair falling over his forehead and tucked it behind his round ear.
“I’ve also become quite close with your mother. My younger siblings like your mother a lot too. And my mother always admired your mother since she was young, so it would be good to see them together.”
“That’s…”
“I know Ruben wants to be especially good to me and my family. But that shouldn’t make those who were always by your side feel neglected. If you’re embarrassed to be suddenly affectionate, it’s okay to act as you normally do. I will do better.”
“…Yes.”
If I am to take care of my family, it is only natural that I should also take care of Ruben’s family. Come to think of it, I wonder what kind of family traditions the Marquisate of Antines has. Marriage is a union of families, so I am simply delighted to have a strong bloodline suddenly expand.
It’s perfect timing. Since Lucilla and my siblings will be serving as flower girls, I wanted to introduce my family to Ruben in advance so they wouldn’t be surprised before the wedding. Ruben will prepare the luncheon, so it will be perfect without any omissions, but I should write the invitation to his mother and sister myself.
As I was rambling about these thoughts, Ruben mumbled,
“I want to get married soon.”
“Haha, me too.”
“…I don’t want to work. I just want to be with you.”
“Let’s do that.”
“But I have to…”
I’ve seen all sorts of amusing complaints.
It wasn’t drunkenness, but a spoiled plea born of infatuation, revealing a delicate and fragile side. I left several small kisses on the child’s eyes and cheeks.
Ruben, who had his arm around my shoulder and was swaying back and forth, whined again.
“Just pick me up and run away with me.”
“Shall I?”
“…You shouldn’t…”
Even as he says no, he presses himself close, as if urging me to pick him up and run away quickly. Wondering how I could make Ruben smile, I pondered for a moment, then scooped him up and stood. Then, like a docile young lamb blinking his eyes, I whispered into Ruben’s ear.
“I can’t go far, but I have a place in mind.”
“…Where?”
Instead of answering, I gently bit and released his thin earlobe. The startled child, without asking further, wrapped his arms around my neck and obediently accepted the not-quite-kidnapping.
The newly adult children of the capital celebrated their Debutante and the New Year at the Opal Palace. The buildings of the Opal Palace had seven horns, each topped with a beautifully crafted round roof.
From the Crystal Palace to the Opal Palace, and up to the high spires, I saw seven Imperial Knights and about forty maids and servants, but I passed them all by. These were paths I had walked with Ruben several times before. Even after a long time, I navigated without getting lost and opened the door.
Ruben, looking around at the furniture covered with white cloths, laughed in exasperation.
“…I didn’t know the Imperial Palace’s security was this lax…”
“It’s not lax security; it’s because my power is high. If you wish, I can ask Spiritus to set up proper warding magic.”
“…No, I like it that you came like this, so I’ll leave it be.”
“You’ve made a good decision. So, how does it feel to be kidnapped?”
“Ah. …Am I kidnapped now?”
“Yes. You are trapped here.”
I swept the cloth covering the sofa onto the floor and set Ruben down.
Ruben, leaning back on the plush sofa, blinked and started to sit up, so I playfully nudged him back down. Instead of trying to get up again, the child reached out his hand for me to lift him. I grasped his wrist tightly and kissed the inside of his wrist all the way to his palm with a loud smack.
Ruben’s voice melted away again.
“…Who kidnapped me?”
“Hmm… A monster?”
“Can I not go anywhere now?”
“Yes.”
“…And marry a monster?”
“Yes.”
I playfully bit the tips of Ruben’s fingers several times. The child no longer attempted to get up. Seeing his long hair spilling over the side of the sofa, I calmly arranged it and draped it over his shoulders.
“…Your hand is so hot.”
“So you don’t like it?”
“No, so… I like it.”
Ruben giggled. I found myself laughing along, then put on a stern expression and asked,
“Why aren’t you running away?”
“…I ran away to get here… Where else would I go?”
“That’s true too.”
I re-buttoned Ruben’s shirt, which made him laugh heartily. Pretending ignorance, I held him like a doll, commanding him to listen to me, and then we sat side-by-side again. It was fortunate that I had the skill to draw the curtains without having to stand up.
We stayed like that, keeping the child confined, until dawn broke through the pouring starlight.
❖ ❖ ❖
“…Why are you here?”
“Where did you go?”
I looked calmly at Asdel, who was sitting with his eyes wide open.
He dazedly lifted his feet from the window and stepped into the room. It was just past five in the morning. Fearing discovery by others, I had returned leisurely, suppressing my regret. I had not expected this brat to be sitting in my room at this hour, nor that my nocturnal excursion would be discovered.
Hesitating, unable to find words, I closed the window behind me. Asdel then extended what he was holding in his arms towards me, so I accepted it.
“…What is this…”
“I thought you haven’t been sleeping well lately, big brother, so I made you a trendy cushion…”
“…”
“So that’s why you haven’t been sleeping.”
“…”
“Sigh.”
I felt immensely embarrassed, caught in a debauched state in front of my young sibling. Instead of saying more, I squeezed the soft, squishy cushion in my arms. Asdel, who had been staring at me, let out another big sigh, “Aigoo,” and patted his skirt before standing up.
“You worried me for nothing.”
“…Does it show when I don’t sleep?”
“You just seemed spaced out a lot. Still, please bear with it for about another week. If Hael finds out, he’ll whine again.”
Come to think of it, it’s strange. I asked, still bewildered.
“…I don’t understand why you’re fine, but only Michael is so heartbroken.”
“Why do you think? It’s because you practically raised me.”
“Hmm?”
“Anyway, today is the day we all go on a picnic to the temple. Hurry and get ready.”
“…Yes, I will.”
I played with the cushion a bit longer, then tossed it onto the bed. I wondered if Ruben might like something to play with instead of me, but quickly dismissed the thought, deciding it was best for me to be in his arms.