FMLDM 08

Chapter 08 

 You Have to Trust Me Completely

Late at night, just as I was about to fall asleep, Coral came to my bedroom—unlike usual. I guessed she remembered that we used to sleep together in a small room before moving here. After coaxing her inside from where she was hesitating at the door, I climbed into bed, and Coral wriggled under the covers beside me. Unlike before, I didn’t hear her soft breathing. Although subtle, her restless tossing and turning throughout the night clearly showed she had something on her mind.

“Did she fight with Kai?”

The pale image of Kai from earlier that day wouldn’t leave my thoughts.

“Coral, if you have worries, will you tell mom?”

I knew I couldn’t fix everything, but I wanted to listen more while she was near.

“Mom is here for that, after all.”

The silver hair poked its head out shyly, and her pink eyes rolled around before she said something completely unexpected.

“I’m very happy right now.”

“…Huh?”

“That’s my worry.”

It was really a strange concern.

‘She probably doesn’t even know that in a year, she’ll have to be separated from me…’

Thinking that made my nose sting.

‘That this happiness will last forever…’

I should have lied… I should have asked what she and Kai talked about… But without saying a word, I just blinked back tears and she fell asleep like that.

Peaceful days continued. Coral started attending the academy again, and after returning, she would often come to me and talk about the academy. Among the many older boys she mentioned, Kai was included but only about 30% of her attention. Kai, you better step up—are you listening?

When she fell asleep, Coral habitually came into my room. Seeing her still enjoy sleeping with her mom made my heart ache—it was so childlike. Today, after finishing a tough day at the academy, Coral came to my room and fell asleep quietly. I watched her for a moment, then moved her comfortably to her own room before returning.

The air was refreshing enough to go for a walk, but true to my workaholic nature, I kept fiddling with paperwork.

‘Wage issues, employment records, Coral’s education problems… most of it has been solved.’

The biggest issue was Kai’s education. After reviewing his education documents for several days, I noticed some problems. Subjects essential to a typical noble child—‘Politics,’ ‘History,’ ‘Geography,’ and ‘War Studies’—were missing. All his lessons focused solely on pharmaceutics.

‘It was all Kai’s own wish, they said.’

But you can’t always do only what you want in this world.

‘It’s not early education, but late education… How can the male lead in a novel be like this?’

The most urgent was swordsmanship. Regardless of everything else, sword training must start by age seven in the empire. Since it’s physical training, starting late is definitely a disadvantage. From what Momont told me, I roughly understood Macaron’s views on education.

“His Highness Macaron doesn’t want Master Kai to grow strong like himself. So all lessons Kai doesn’t want are excluded.”

As a result, Kai will become a unique magic pharmacist capable of healing and even manipulating human emotions, playing a major role in war. As a genius in pharmaceutics, no one in the empire rivals Kai in this field. If Kai is destined to live as a royal pharmacist, then no other education is needed, according to Macaron’s wishes. But I had another reason for going this far.

‘Kai is destined to be the emperor.’

Kai, who had never trained in swordsmanship, narrowly escaped death several times on the battlefield. Each time, his body bore the scars. Watching all this was hard on Coral, who often ended up in tears. I couldn’t bear to watch the two children suffer. Today, I planned to discuss Kai’s education with Macaron. Until now, Macaron had used outside schedules as an excuse to avoid meeting me.

‘I didn’t expect even meal times to be separate…’

It was clear Macaron was deliberately avoiding me. From my point of view, that was a relief, not a burden.

‘Still, I have to meet him today.’

Since it concerned education, the sooner we started, the better.

The west annex I visited for the first time had a very different atmosphere from the east annex. The overall temperature was cool, and the plantless space felt gloomy.

‘How can anyone sleep and work every day in a place like this?’

It was like a prison, a space where even daylight barely reached like underground. Climbing the stairs, I came to a large door at the end. I knocked carefully, and after a moment, Macaron’s low voice responded.

“Come in.”

His comfortable voice and informal tone were very different from how he had treated me before. As I opened the door and stepped inside, I noticed his pupils noticeably dilate at seeing me. Macaron normally didn’t allow others into his space, suspicious of anyone he didn’t consider ‘his people.’ Because of that, his intimidating gaze now felt as if it was piercing me. As I nervously set down the tea, he stared at me as if trying to see through me.

“Why are you… serving tea? That’s Momont’s job.”

It was expected, but his harsh tone made me hesitate. He had looked displeased ever since I arrived, replacing Momont in serving tea. But today I came prepared.

“Even with separate rooms, the household staff are already complaining.”

He crossed his arms and kept a blank expression, as if challenging me to say more.

“If you don’t want rumors about the marriage being just a contract, then please let me do this much.”

He was momentarily speechless, but the more that was the case, the more I stared at him directly.

‘Entering a tiger’s den—did he really think I wouldn’t be prepared for this?’

Since it came to this, I had no choice but to play a strong hand I hadn’t wanted to use.

“Or we can share the west annex.”

Honestly, I knew he would refuse, so this was my final move.

‘But why… does he look that shocked?’

He looked like a rabbit caught in front of a wild beast, startled.

“Ahem. Then, let’s do that.”

I thought he wouldn’t give in so easily, but it was surprisingly simple. Did sharing the annex with me really shock him that much? Even though I got what I wanted, the victory felt strangely… dirty. Trying to wash down the bitterness with tea, he gave me a meaningful smile.

“You didn’t come here just to say that… If you have something to say, say it.”

With that invitation, I got straight to the point.

“I want Kai to receive swordsmanship training.”

At the mention of Kai, his demeanor shifted from relaxed to a tense, catlike alertness as he raised an eyebrow.

“What’s this all of a sudden?”

“Other noble children start sword training younger than Kai. Shouldn’t he start too?”

His eyes glinted a sharp red, and he gave a sly smile.

“I prefer you not to concern yourself with Kai’s matters.”

Behind the smile was a firm boundary: don’t meddle.

“No, I have to.”

He couldn’t understand. It was natural. It must have seemed ridiculous that a contract wife suddenly cared about a child’s education. He looked dumbfounded.

“Because he’s my child now.”

His expression grew complicated. He furrowed his brow, lifting his head. Long eyelashes cast shadows over his smileless eyes.

“I want Kai to enjoy peace in the ducal house I create for him, instead of being tainted by the complicated noble society.”

He wanted Kai to avoid the throne and be a peaceful duke instead—just like his own conviction. Unlike other noble parents who treat children like possessions, Macaron was clearly a doting father. But his argument had a flaw.

“How do you think this peace was made possible, Your Highness?”

Macaron tilted his head, as if I said something strange. Smiling slightly, he moved a chess piece—a queen—back on the table.

“This peace exists because you have more power than the Crown Prince.”

“That’s a dangerous statement.”

“This is home, and Macaron is my husband. So it’s okay.”

Watching Macaron’s ears flush red for reasons unknown, I moved the queen piece forward again.

“Do you think peace would last if the Crown Prince grew stronger than you?”

The Crown Prince was greedy. Macaron knew this firsthand. Until recently, Macaron’s expression had been serious, but now he rested his chin lazily.

“So, you want Kai to learn swordsmanship.”

Even if Macaron successfully received the ducal title, the dukes were always seen as threats to the royal family. So this was a convincing argument.

“If you don’t build strength, no peace can last. Peace is the mercy shown by those who hold the power to maintain it.”

Macaron’s red eyes twitched slightly.

“After hearing you out, I must agree.”

Persuaded so quickly? The reaction surprised me, very unlike his usually sharp demeanor.

“But there’s a condition.”

I expected that. I didn’t think he would agree so easily, so I prepared a full hour’s worth of presentation.

“Kai must want to learn swordsmanship himself.”

No matter how good a teacher is, they can’t teach an unmotivated student. I also had no intention of forcing Kai. But this was a tough problem.

‘So he’s basically telling me to persuade Kai myself.’

His eyes curved in a mocking way as if to say it would be impossible. But I met his gaze confidently.

“Fine.”

“It will be difficult. Kai is hopeless with physical stuff and really hates it.”

“Is this from someone who knows? Are you trying to get me killed?”

“We’ll see. I’m sure he’ll do it eventually.”

Macaron smiled, amused. The die was cast, and the most important thing was Kai’s heart. And Kai’s heart… had surely already begun to lean.

“How can you be so sure?”

“I just… have a reliable hope.”

“Someone who’s never met Kai says that?”

His teasing tone was offset by a curious and surprised inflection. Well, he had to avoid me somewhat. The father and son seemed to be on a joint mission to avoid me.

“Kai still hates me a lot, it seems.”

Maybe I was too blunt. He almost spat out his tea but controlled himself and met my eyes. I added with a smile at his embarrassed expression:

“I’m new here, so it’s understandable.”

Maybe that made things harder for him. Macaron quickly reached a conclusion.

“I’ll arrange a family meal soon.”