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Chapter 48
Hayden spat out the food in his mouth like bullets, and thanks to that, grains of rice mixed with green broccoli bits landed and stuck onto Cheres’ navy formal robe.
“Ch-Cheres! Are you okay?”
“…It’s nothing. Continue.”
Without even blinking, Cheres brushed off the green rice grains stuck to his sleeve with his fingernail. Then, holding Hayden steady and lightly gripping his chin, he said,
“Now, Roana.”
It sounded like some kind of secret operation.
Taking the cue, I quickly shoved the spoon into Hayden’s mouth. He reflexively accepted it and began chewing.
Then, realizing it actually tasted quite good, he started eating properly again—like a baby bird being fed.
The sight of the most powerful man in the South struggling to feed baby food was surely something no one had ever seen before. Even the nobles who had approached to greet us paused awkwardly and slowly backed away again.
Hayden took twice as long as usual to finish his meal. It seemed the crowd had kept distracting him—there were just too many things to look at, too many things he wanted to touch.
“Bbyah!”
Hayden smiled brightly, his face completely covered in baby food. I laughed as he rubbed his eyes with those messy hands.
“You’re completely filthy now.”
The little prince I had seen this morning was already gone. I placed his tiny shoes, which had fallen off, onto the table.
Seeing that, Cheres let out a small laugh. Massaging Hayden’s tiny feet in socks, he said,
“You’ve had a hard time too, Hayden.”
“Tete! Bbyabyah?”
The child turned and buried his face into Cheres’ chest, then began climbing him like a small creature scaling a tree.
Cheres quickly lifted Hayden back into his arms.
“You really are a little bomb.”
Cheres murmured this under his breath.
Just as he said, Hayden’s mouth, my dress hem, and Cheres’ right chest were all decorated with green stains like medals of honor.
Cheres calmly wiped Hayden’s mouth with a handkerchief as if nothing had happened, then said in a tired voice,
“Harder than war.”
At that deeply sincere remark, I couldn’t help but laugh softly. Yes, raising a child really is the hardest thing in the world. How could raising a tiny human be easy?
“Congratulations on discovering the truth of the world, Cheres.”
Cheres gave a low laugh as well. His smile shimmered in the early spring sunlight.
* * *
As the banquet began, noblewomen lined up one after another just to see Hayden. I kept a polite smile while my facial muscles slowly went numb from exhaustion. At the same time, I carefully scanned each arriving noble and memorized their family crests in my mind. Somewhere among them, there were surely people who might harm Hayden. The problem was figuring out who.
After playing energetically for a while, Hayden eventually grew tired and fell asleep on my shoulder. His steady breathing tickled my ear.
“Roana.”
Cheres, who I hadn’t noticed approaching, sat beside me and handed me a glass of water. The cold water soothed my burning throat instantly. I hadn’t even realized how thirsty I was—or that I hadn’t properly eaten at all.
“Thank you. I’m glad Hayden held up well.”
“…For a first outing, he did well. And you’ve had a hard time too.”
Still cradling the limp Hayden, Cheres carefully took him from my arms. His movements were always gentle and precise.
Cheres’ kindness was always like this. He never made a show of it. But the moment I was tired, he somehow knew—handing me water, taking the sleeping child without a word. That quiet warmth kept breaking down my defenses.
In the distance, the first dance of Aethan and Chloe had begun. Aethan was still wiping away tears as he danced, while Chloe looked at him with endless affection.
Watching that scene, I felt the large shadow beside me.
I silently wished that the tragedies of the original story would be washed away by this peaceful happiness.
* * *
After the storm called the wedding passed, the morning at the Beryden estate began three times earlier than usual.
Today was the day Chloe and Aethan would depart for the Kingdom of Evelik, so we were up early to see them off.
The day’s schedule was just Lady Yurein and me. I also had something I wanted to discuss with her—preferably somewhere away from others.
In the carriage heading to the harbor, Lady Yurein and I dozed off side by side, our heads nearly touching. By the time we arrived, the harbor was already bustling with people. Countess Malate, who recognized us, cleared a path.
Soon after, the two main figures arrived. Chloe’s outfit was still as extravagant as ever. Even though it was meant to be travel wear, lace cascaded down every sleeve like waterfalls, and her hat had three ribbon bows the size of fists. She approached like a chirping bird.
“Oh my, Roana. Don’t tell me you came to cry because I’m leaving? Your eyes are all swollen.”
I’m just sleep-deprived.
But I knew whatever I said, Chloe wouldn’t listen. So I’ll just let her think I cried.
“Take care, Chloe.”
“If I’m gone, Roana won’t even have a friend left. And your taste is so bad too—what even is this outfit? Aethan’s going to develop much higher standards living with me. I wonder if the merchant guild people will even be able to match our level. Such a tiring life.”
Normally it would have been ear-splitting, but today even that felt oddly endearing. Maybe because I knew I wouldn’t see her for a while. Or maybe because I noticed her eyes were slightly red.
I stepped forward and said sincerely,
“I truly wish you happiness, Chloe. I hope both of you live long and happily together.”
Chloe’s eyes trembled. Then, looking like she might burst into tears any moment, she stared at me.
“…Honestly, at first I hated you just because you were from Hezest. But turns out… you’re just a kind-hearted bear.”
Was that a compliment or an insult?
A bear usually implies someone a bit clumsy, doesn’t it?
Chloe suddenly hugged me tightly. It was such a strong embrace that it nearly knocked the air out of me. Then she released me, grabbed my shoulders, and added solemnly,
“I like you now, Roana. Really.”
Thanks. Thinking about it, Chloe had never been two-faced. She was always consistent, never confusing. People like her are rare.
“Be good to Cheres. He’s much lonelier than he looks. I hope you two are happy too.”
It struck me again that Chloe and Cheres had been longtime friends. She probably annoyed him endlessly, but perhaps she was the only one who filled his cold silence with noise. Or maybe that was too generous a thought.
In any case, Cheres still found her annoying—but he didn’t truly dislike her.
“I already sent greetings to Cheres.”
“He didn’t even come to see me off. Hmph, so cold and stiff.”
Chloe grumbled softly.
“Goodbye, Roana! Call me whenever you need me! I’ll always be in the same place!”
I nodded.
The ship departed, and the countess burst into tears, soaking her handkerchief. I stood there until the ship disappeared beyond the horizon.
It was a very Chloe-like, spectacular farewell.
