IMLM 13

Chapter :13

Perhaps it had been an unexpected question, because Enoch’s face was visibly flustered.

Of course, I hadn’t originally planned to ask Enoch about the moral of the story.

From what I’d heard during the meal earlier, he was sixteen—exactly the same age as Loreina. What kind of question would you ask a kid that young?

Still, I asked because I genuinely wondered whether that was really the end of the story.

“I was wondering whether the monster had done something so wrong that it deserved to die. Did it kill people or something?”

At my words, Enoch hesitated for a moment, then made a strange expression.

“…No. There was no such story.”

“Then that monster is really pitiful. It was killed by the hero simply because it was strong, even though it hadn’t done anything wrong.”

“……”

“And there wasn’t even a single person who mourned its death.”

As soon as I finished speaking, a long silence settled over the room.

‘Ah… maybe this was too heavy a topic to bring up right now.’

But even so, there were too many things that bothered me to just stay quiet.

The way everyone had cheered at the monster’s death felt exactly like the current situation after the fall of the Derkian imperial family.

It was obviously a story meant to glorify the history of humans taking power—and it felt ridiculously blatant.

‘They were the ones who begged to live here in the first place, even though this land had originally been given to the dragons as their domain.’

It was laughable how they’d carefully removed anything that might inconvenience them.

In truth, the Kailum Empire had long maintained its prosperity thanks to the power of the dragons who had served as emperors.

Because of their strong life force, crops of every kind grew well, and the land was filled with scenery so beautiful it looked deliberately designed.

Yet after the last dragon emperor died and a human emperor ascended the throne, the land slowly began to wither.

It was because a ruler unsuited to the land now sat upon it.

But perhaps unwilling to acknowledge this, those who seized power after Khalid’s death concealed the truth.

As a result, people believed the land had always been that way and continued living in quiet resignation—

Until Leonard arrived at the imperial palace and saw rain falling everywhere.

“Ah—indeed, miss, you are truly kind-hearted! To think so deeply about even such matters. But Sir Enoch’s story was also wonder—”

“…No.”

Cutting off Gilbert, who was trying to lighten the mood, Enoch spoke weakly.

…This was why having a good memory could be unpleasant at times. You end up remembering what someone’s face used to look like.

How much darker his complexion had become compared to earlier. How much his shoulders had drooped. How the sparkle in his eyes had dulled.

All of it.

“Loreina is right. I never thought about it that way.”

Enoch murmured quietly, burying his face into the pillow.

‘…Did I say something I shouldn’t have?’

Enoch’s reaction felt excessive for someone who had merely learned something new.

Unless his entire worldview had just been shaken.

Once again, a strange tension filled the room. The one who stepped in to smooth things over was, once again, Gilbert.

“…Well then, how about we end the story here and try making dessert together?”

As if trying to refresh the atmosphere, Gilbert clapped his hands and stood up.

Naturally, Enoch—who loved desserts just as much as I did—took the bait.

“…We’re making dessert ourselves?”

Thanks to that, his drooping eyes regained their original liveliness. Thank goodness. I’d been worried.

“Yes. Today, I’ll be teaching you how to make my special dessert. Shall we all head to the kitchen?”

As if enchanted, Enoch rose from his seat and followed Gilbert. As expected—Gilbert really was good with kids.

I was about to follow them when suddenly Zen grabbed the hem of my dress from behind.

What he whispered into my ear next made a smile bloom on my face without me even realizing it.

“I really like your stories.”

The kid really knew how to say sweet things.

For several months after that, our days repeated in much the same way. We had quite a lot of fun during that time.

We went boating on the lake beside the estate and splashed water at each other more than once. All three of us came back soaked, much to Mary’s dismay.

As summer passed and autumn arrived, we picked apples. Naturally, none of us could actually reach the apples on the trees.

Thanks to that, Gilbert and the knights worked hard. Carrying us on their shoulders must have been exhausting.

We were all fired up about recreating Gilbert’s special apple pie with the apples we picked, but in the end, none of us managed it.

Just how did he get that flavor? We watched the entire process from start to finish, so why couldn’t we make it taste the same?

As we vowed to uncover the secret someday, autumn passed and winter arrived.

And around that time, someone left the Amelio Count’s territory for the first time.

“Take care. And make sure you write, okay?”

“…Okay.”

Zen nodded, white breath puffing from his mouth. Surprisingly, the first person to leave was Zen.

Of course, he’d stayed for nearly half a year, so it wasn’t exactly a short visit. Still, I’d thought Enoch would leave before him.

‘Come to think of it, he seemed mostly recovered by now.’

There had been several letters from the imperial palace calling him back. The rewards for saving the crown prince’s life had come with them, after all.

…No, wait. Even if resting was important, wasn’t he staying a bit too long?

“If anyone at home gives you trouble, come back here. No—just write to me. I’ll come get you.”

“Don’t worry. That won’t happen.”

He really was careless. In most novels, illegitimate children are treated badly. And that happens plenty in real life too.

This place was a novel world—there was no guarantee it wouldn’t happen here.

But as if my worry were completely unfounded, Zen spoke calmly and firmly.

“And even if something like that does happen, I won’t hide behind you anymore.”

After saying that softly, Zen slowly lifted his head.

It was a chilly winter day, yet as I met his gaze, I felt strangely warm all over.

“Never.”

With that, Zen turned and walked off with the knights from the Hentison family.

I watched him quietly, only moving when he was just about to board the carriage.

“Zen!”

Afraid I might miss him, I ran with all my strength. Fortunately, Zen didn’t miss my voice and turned around right away.

The problem was that I’d been so focused on running fast that I hadn’t adjusted my speed at all.

“Ah—”

Right in front of the carriage, I stumbled and fell forward.

Zen rushed out in surprise and tried to catch me, but it was no use.

He wasn’t big enough to hold me up completely, and in the end, we both fell to the ground.

“Be careful! Are you okay?”

Zen grabbed my shoulders and looked me over anxiously—even though he’d taken the worse fall himself.

Instead of asking if he was okay or saying that I was, I smiled slightly and asked something else.

“…Let’s definitely meet again someday. Okay?”

I’d run all this way to say it because I had a strange feeling.

Like today might be the last time I’d ever see Zen.

Still holding me, Zen sat there and looked down into my eyes.

The silence stretched on long enough that the knights started approaching, wondering what was going on—then Zen smiled.

So brightly it almost didn’t seem like the Zen I knew.

“Okay.”

With those words, Zen boarded the carriage. Enoch left two weeks later.

I’d been happy, thinking I was finally free of kids to look after—but the next morning, after Enoch left, I burst into tears.

The dining table where we sat for breakfast felt unbearably empty.

Only then did I realize how important the past six months had been to me.

And that those children hadn’t just been people I was responsible for—

But perhaps, for someone with a limited lifespan like me, they had been my first and last “friends.”

Time passed quickly, and before I knew it, I was welcoming my sixth winter since arriving here.

It had been four years since Zen and Enoch left.

‘And this year, I finally became an adult.’

The loneliness that had once felt unbearable after they left had eased considerably.

Partly because Enoch faithfully sent letters every week—but mostly because my body had adapted again to its original way of life.

In my previous world, I’d lived without a single friend to talk to.

Now, at least, I had the people of the estate.

‘Still, it was hard to keep refusing Enoch’s letters.’

He often added requests asking whether I could come visit the capital.

At first, I’d said I was busy, but…

‘…That excuse only works so many times.’

No matter how busy I was, I couldn’t possibly be busier than the crown prince. I’d run out of excuses—what should I do now?

…Ah, whatever. I’ll figure something out.

“Mary, this black tea is excellent. You brewed it, didn’t you?”

“How did you know? Hehe. I tried it the way the butler taught me. I’m glad you like it.”

“It’s really good. How did you do it? Teach me too.”

“Well, um…”

As I sat listening to Mary’s explanation, a letter on the table caught my eye.

It bore a dragon crest, making it immediately obvious who it was from.

‘Oh, right. It’s about time for Enoch’s letter.’

The last one mentioned he was heading to the Kingdom of Allen, I think. I set down my teacup and picked up the letter.

Enoch’s letters were always green—the exact color of his eyes.

Carefully unfolding the paper, I saw his neat handwriting, just like him.

To Loreina, whom I hope will come visit the capital someday,

I burst out laughing as soon as I saw the opening line. Of course he’d start like this.

I trust you’ll take the above as a joke and overlook it. How have you been?

Of course I’m doing well. I feel like I’ve even gained muscle from chasing Gilbert every morning just to get one more dessert.

As I mentioned last time, I’m currently in the Kingdom of Allen on my father’s behalf. The palace was in an uproar—they clearly didn’t expect me to come personally. I had a hard time stopping them from throwing away the prepared dishes and bringing out even better ones.

I could clearly picture him flustered despite his gentle face.

‘Why refuse better food?’

I clicked my tongue softly in frustration. After that, the letter continued with nothing particularly unusual.

That the Kingdom of Allen was very different from the Kailum Empire. That he struggled for days because the food didn’t suit his taste.

That a pink flower, reminding him of my hair, was blooming beautifully in the palace garden.

That if magic still existed like it had 300 years ago, he wished he could record it and show me.

And at the very end, there was a name I’d grown quite used to seeing.

Enoch Odellia Defron

Seeing that the letter was unchanged from before made me feel oddly content.

As if I’d watched Enoch grow up right beside me.

I finished reading the letter—

‘…Wait, what’s this?’

Lowering my gaze, I noticed a final line added at the very bottom, as if written after some hesitation. Sensing something ominous, I set down my teacup.

The moment I read it, I nearly dropped it.

P.S. On my way back to the imperial palace, I’m thinking of stopping by the Amelio Count’s territory.

…W–What did you say?