Special Side Story – Episode 2

Of course, Elze was genuinely happy that Dante showered Jeremy with so much love.

However, Dante’s efforts did come across as a bit excessive at times.

‘Really, he could stand to try just a little less…’

Elze looked as if she had reached a state of resignation.

Dante’s obsession with Jeremy had become enough of a topic that it even sparked quiet gossip in social circles.

They said the Marquis of Offenheir adored his wife and son so fiercely, he would practically die for them if asked.

And those rumors weren’t entirely untrue—Dante was extremely involved in Jeremy’s education and daily life.

He had even personally interviewed candidates for Jeremy’s nanny and tutors.

With his legs crossed and arms folded, Dante would stare at the applicants with a blank expression…

“I-I’m sorry!”

His intimidating aura was so intense that many of them ran off in fear.

Elze, who had sat in on those interviews, had scolded him in disbelief.

“These are the people we’re entrusting with Jeremy, and they fold from something like that?”

Dante had only widened his eyes and looked at her, confused.

“I wasn’t trying to scare them. I was just looking at them.”

At that protest, Elze had to suppress a deep sigh rising from her chest.

‘Can you please be aware of your own presence…’

Although Dante had mostly stepped away from his illegal dealings after marrying Elze, the infamy he had built up over a lifetime couldn’t disappear just like that.

To the public, Dante was still viewed as a figure who ruled the empire’s underworld—almost a personification of evil.

And honestly, that reputation wasn’t entirely undeserved.

Still, Dante’s obsessive nature had its uses.

With his unwavering determination to find the best for Jeremy, he eventually discovered the perfect nanny.

Though… it couldn’t be denied that Liam had to suffer from overwork during that process.

Elze murmured under her breath, almost like a sigh.

“Really, I feel like I owe Liam quite a bit.”

“Not at all.”

Liam shook his head firmly.

Elze fell silent for a moment at his reply.

It wasn’t entirely false.

There had been long-standing conflict between Elze and Dante.

And although it hadn’t been his intention, Liam had contributed to that conflict for quite some time—

by faithfully carrying out Dante’s commands.

Elze paused to gather her thoughts, then turned her head.

Fixing her gaze on Dante and Jeremy laughing in the distance, she spoke in a calm voice.

“Time is such a strange thing, isn’t it?”

“…Pardon?”

Liam looked puzzled by the sudden remark.

Elze continued serenely.

“No matter how painful time may feel, eventually, it all passes.”

She had escaped the curse of endlessly repeating time and had finally reached the age of twenty-six.

And still, time continued to flow.

Now, Elze had become a lady in her thirties.

The many scars etched into her heart were now buried beneath a snowfall of happy memories.

Though the wounds might never fully disappear, she could finally accept them.

Which meant—

“I’m saying… I’m okay now.”

Because the people she loved were by her side.

Because she could now trust that they wouldn’t abandon her again, that they would stay with her forever…

She could believe that—without hesitation.

As Elze looked at her husband and son, warmth like spring sunlight filled her amber eyes.

“More than anything, when it comes to Dante, I’m honestly grateful he cherishes Jeremy so much.”

The man who had gone his entire life without ever truly loving anyone— had become someone who could now smile brightly in front of a child.

As if showing off, Elze added with a proud tone.

“I’m not just saying this because he’s my husband, but he’s truly a gentle father, don’t you think?”

Even with his busy schedule, Dante always made time to eat with his family.

He’d pack a lunchbox and go on picnics with Jeremy, ride horses with him, and every summer and winter, they would always take a family vacation.

Elze knew just how incredible that really was—

because Dante truly was a very busy man.

And the reason he now willingly did all the things he would’ve once dismissed as a waste of time—

‘It’s because he truly treasures me and Jeremy.’

That’s right.

Even if you set aside any lingering guilt or sense of duty Dante felt toward Elze— at his core, he behaved this way because he genuinely valued his family.

Elze, momentarily lost in thought, asked Liam in a lighthearted tone.

“So, what brings you here today, Liam?”

At the same time, Liam realized that Elze had deliberately changed the subject to ease the discomfort.

“Ah, right. I keep forgetting things like this.”

Matching her mood, Liam responded with a lively chuckle.

“Lord Jeremy’s birthday is coming up soon, isn’t it?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The day Jeremy had been eagerly awaiting.

For nearly half a year, he had been singing about wanting a new toy rocking horse.

So, starting a month before his birthday, Dante had already sent people to every toy workshop in the capital.

“A gift arrived from the Schmeichel merchant guild. And also from the Duke of Kalleid.”

“…”

Elze fell silent for a moment.

Two men who had left a significant mark on her life.

‘Lucien. Benedict.’

Since the day they shattered the curse of repeating time,

Elze had maintained only minimal contact with both the House of Kalleid and the House of Luneburg.

Both families were among the most prestigious in the Empire, so it wasn’t possible to ignore them completely.

Occasionally, they would cross paths at social gatherings.

Whenever that happened, Dante would become visibly uneasy.

“It’s been a while.”

If one of them greeted her politely,

“…It has indeed, Marchioness of Offenheir.”

The other would return the greeting just as formally.

Of course, Lucien and Benedict were not entirely composed.

Every time they faced Elze, they wore expressions full of unsaid words.

Nevertheless, beyond the standard greetings, they never tried to start a deeper conversation.

And Elze was quite satisfied with that distance between them.

‘That’s enough.’

The kind of acquaintances who could exchange greetings without blushing when they ran into each other by chance.

Elze had finally reached a place where she could forgive them—at least to that extent.

“Madam?”

Ah—she’d gotten lost in thought.

Elze answered gently.

“Please handle the return gifts, Liam. And pass along our thanks as well.”

“Understood, Madam.”

Liam bowed his head with practiced grace.

“It’s nothing.”

Elze shook her head lightly.

“Ah! Uncle Liam!”

Jeremy came bounding over and threw himself into Liam’s arms.

A gesture typical of a child raised with love—completely uninhibited.

“Oh my, young master!”

Liam broke into a wide smile as he lifted Jeremy up high.

It was a bright afternoon, about a week before Jeremy’s birthday.