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Chapter 26
To our daughter Youth, who becomes more beautiful with each passing day, and whom I miss even more.
Youth, are you doing well?
They say no news is good news, but how could you not send even a single letter to your father? Hmm?
Your father always wonders what you are doing, what you are eating, and whom you are meeting—every little thing. I’m always waiting for a message from you.
At first, you sent letters regularly, but lately, the frequency has dropped.
Of course, I’m not suspicious. I’m just a little worried, so I send one more letter to check in. Heh heh.
Recently, I’ve started learning how to cook. They say men who can cook are very popular these days. Of course, I don’t have a crowd of women to impress, nor do I wish to. I simply want to cook for you myself when you return.
I wonder when you’ll come back. Maybe it means the place you’re at now is so comfortable that you don’t feel the need to come home. But of course, I trust you.
If anything is troubling you, come back immediately without looking back. This home will always be waiting for you. Understand?
Always loving you,
Your father.
Youth read and reread her father’s letter, which had arrived that morning.
She had been so busy lately that she had forgotten to reply, and it seemed her father, Liam, had been a little disappointed.
“Ha, Father is the best.”
As she read the letter, she imagined the scents and warmth of her hometown, recalling life there.
“Miss.”
Veila, watching her, asked subtly,
“When do you plan to return?”
“Huh?”
“I meant, when do you intend to return to your estate?”
“Why?”
“Pardon?”
Youth looked at Veila with wide, blank eyes, showing no trace of emotion, as if she truly didn’t understand what Veila meant.
“Well… not permanently, but I thought since the lord would like to see you, you might visit even once.”
“Hmm…”
Youth slowly nodded as she understood Veila’s point.
“You’re right. It seems Father misses me, and I do feel a little nostalgic for home too.”
“Then when will you go?”
“Well… I should ask Killian first. I’d like him to meet Father at least once. It’s been a long time since Father saw Killian, hasn’t it?”
Just thinking about it made her smile softly, her face blossoming with a rosy glow.
“A meeting between Father and Killian… just thinking about it is wonderful. It’s the meeting of the two men I love most in the world, isn’t it?”
“Exactly…”
Veila nodded at Youth’s words.
“Now that you mention it, I should tell him quickly.”
“Huh?”
Youth jumped up immediately.
“I have to go see Killian!”
Although Youth boldly declared she would go to Killian, she realized he hadn’t returned to the mansion yet and briefly considered going to his office.
She had even been to the palace where he worked.
But she had already promised Killian once that she wouldn’t enter the mansion’s office.
Naturally, Youth didn’t want to incur Killian’s displeasure. She didn’t want to see him angry.
So instead of barging in recklessly, she chose to wait patiently.
During that time, Youth went to the garden to rest and began reading the book that Floheta had recommended, How to Love You.
“Hmm…”
As she read slowly, she noticed something.
This novel was completely different from The Rosy Lakeside.
“Youth!”
Just as the story reached its climax, someone interrupted her reading.
“Huh?”
“Long time no see!”
Floheta waved at her with a bright smile.
“Long time no see? We just saw each other recently.”
Youth smirked at Floheta’s playful act and shook her head.
“Well… if you don’t see someone for even a day, isn’t that considered a long time?”
Floheta shrugged and sat across from her at the desk, resting her chin on her hand.
“Didn’t you miss me?”
“Just a few days. What kind of joke is that?”
Youth brushed off Floheta’s question, assuming it was just another playful tease.
“You went to the palace, right?”
Floheta seemed to pick up on Youth’s thoughts and changed the topic.
It felt as if there were no secrets in this mansion. Even though she had told no one, it seemed everyone knew.
“Yes.”
“What did you talk about?”
“What?”
Floheta’s expression had turned serious.
“Don’t tell me… the Empire has noticed your abilities?”
“What?”
Youth considered the implication and shook her head vigorously.
“Flo, I know what you’re worrying about, but that’s really not the case. Haha!”
“Really?”
“That’s a secret that absolutely cannot be revealed. I can’t let anyone find out.”
“Y-Yeah?”
Floheta seemed reassured by Youth’s confident words, smiling back at her.
“And very few people even know this secret. If the identity of the one who leaked it were discovered… well, you know what would happen.”
Youth didn’t need to explain the consequences in words; her eyes spoke clearly enough.
“I know…! I got it.”
Floheta nodded vigorously, pretending to be distracted.
“But I trust you, Flo.”
“Huh?”
Youth continued, and Floheta asked back.
“I know how important I am to you. So I know you’re not the type to go around talking about my abilities or do anything bad.”
“Haha.”
Floheta let out a small laugh at those words.
“You trust me that much… I’m grateful.”
“Well, you’re my friend.”
Floheta’s expression became ambiguous—not quite laughing, not quite crying—but Youth decided it was just her imagination.
“Oh, right.”
A thought crossed Youth’s mind.
“I’ll be going back to my hometown, the Duchy of Berchia, with Killian soon.”
“Going back?”
Floheta’s expression became serious for a moment.
“No, I mean… just visiting. I want Killian to meet Father at least once.”
Youth smiled softly.
“So, do you want to come along too?”
“Me too?”
Floheta’s eyes widened.
“Yes. Though it was only during childhood, you were my last friend, so my father remembers you. And don’t you miss the Duchy of Berchia, where you grew up?”
“A little… yes.”
“Right?”
Youth shrugged and lightly tapped him on the shoulder.
“Come with me.”
“Okay, sure.”
“When do you plan to go?”
Killian asked as he returned just in time for dinner.
Youth expected him to respond immediately with a simple yes or no, but her expectation was completely wrong.
“I want to go as soon as possible, but I know you have your schedule. We can go whenever it’s convenient for you.”
Youth spoke cautiously, watching Killian’s expression.
“Is that so?”
Killian asked in return.
Youth quickly nodded repeatedly.
“Of course.”
“It’s about to get busy, so going quickly now might not be a bad idea.”
“Really? That’s great!”
Youth smiled at Killian’s willing answer.
“Good. Then we’ll go and return promptly.”
“Very well. I’ve been thinking that I should pay Lord Liam a visit anyway.”
Killian nodded in agreement.
“Oh, and can Flo come along too?”
“Flo…?”
Ah.
For a moment, Killian’s smile faded slightly.
Youth could feel it.
She had just made a small slip of the tongue.
