My grandfather nodded approvingly, seemingly pleased with my appearance.
“It suits you very well.”
“Grandfather, you chose it, so of course it suits me.”
“Of course, naturally.”
Grandfather and I exchanged mischievous smiles, just like old times.
“I’m sorry if you’ve been stressed because of the adults’ issues, Cherry.”
“No, I feel bad that I couldn’t be more helpful…”
“You don’t need to worry about that. At your age, it’s most important to eat well, sleep well, and grow up strong.”
Grandfather gently patted my head as he continued speaking.
“I won’t be able to visit the mansion often from now on. I need to return to the Kratyn Forest.”
“…Grandfather!”
The mention of Kratyn Forest made me shiver.
Until then, I hadn’t thought much about it, but now the name filled me with dread.
Although I knew it was unlikely, I feared that, like Aunt Diana, Grandfather might not return.
Seeing my concern written all over my face, Grandfather laughed heartily.
“Have you forgotten who I am? I’m the only Sword Master on this continent. A walk in the Kratyn Forest is nothing more than a stroll through the garden for me.”
“But Aunt Diana…”
“It’s okay.”
Grandfather cut me off firmly, his voice filled with unwavering certainty.
“It’s okay.”
“……….”
Grandfather’s voice had an indescribable power.
His simple reassurance gradually calmed my anxious heart.
“I feel bad that I won’t be able to see you often, but you should continue as you have—laugh a lot, get angry a lot, and fight a lot.”
“Fighting a lot? What’s that about?”
“Swordsmanship is all about fighting.”
“If Mom hears you, she’ll get angry again.”
“Haha, your mom doesn’t like it when I talk like this.”
I glanced at Grandfather cautiously. Had he reconciled with Mom since that day?
It was the first time I had seen them fight so earnestly, and it worried me.
“It’s all because of Duke Gray. I really hate him.”
I directed all my pent-up anxiety at Jade Gray.
From my perspective, he was to blame for everything.
It was because of Jade Gray that Enoch couldn’t stay with his mother, and it was also because of Jade Gray that he endured false hope. The reason I couldn’t go to comfort Enoch, who had lost Aunt Diana in an instant, was also because of Jade Gray, who had made an absurd accusation against Grandfather.
“Is that so?”
To my surprise, Grandfather responded calmly.
It was unlike him, who usually got riled up at the mere mention of Jade Gray.
Seeing him so peaceful was shocking, given that it was Jade Gray’s false accusations that had forced Grandfather to give up his title as Duke.
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. As I blinked in confusion, Grandfather spoke in a low voice.
“I know Jade Gray better than anyone in this empire. His intentions are so transparent it’s almost boring.”
“But I heard you were angry…”
“No, I was only angry because he acted on his own without consulting me. That’s always been Jade’s problem.”
Grandfather clicked his tongue in disapproval as he continued.
“I’ve watched your mother struggle alone between the Emblem and the Grays. I’ve been a lousy father, never supporting her, always getting in the way.”
“…..That’s true.”
When I quietly agreed, Grandfather burst out laughing.
Every time Mom tried to mediate between the Emblem and the Grays, Grandfather would fight with Jade Gray and then come back to take out his frustration on the innocent knights.
It wasn’t just empty words.
“So I thought I shouldn’t interfere anymore. But Jade Gray isn’t cooperating, which is naturally infuriating.”
“Grandfather.”
“Hmm?”
“Have you ever thought that the situation worsened because Grandfather got angry?”
Even when Jade Gray made unreasonable claims, it would have been enough to simply deny them.
Instead, Grandfather threw a fit, talking about leaving the empire, saying that the dukedom was filthy and despicable, and he wouldn’t have anything to do with it.
He forgot how valuable he, a Sword Master, was to this empire, and because of his words, the entire country is in an uproar.
All the efforts Mom put into uniting the Emblem and Gray families have now gone up in smoke.
“Haha! I have always had a short temper. Once I get mad, I can’t control myself.”
“………….”
The one who truly disrupted Mom’s efforts was not Jade Gray but Grandfather.
I wonder if he noticed that my gaze toward him had grown a bit colder.
He tapped my nose with his finger and spoke as if he felt embarrassed.
“Don’t look at me like that, Cherry. You’re just like me.”
I couldn’t deny that, but quietly, I adjusted my values a little.
I also have a hot temper and act rashly when I’m angry, but I vowed never to be as bad as Grandfather.
Not knowing my resolve, Grandfather picked me up again.
“Take good care of your mother.”
In novels and movies, people usually die after saying lines like that.
Listening to Grandfather, I felt the same foreboding.
“Don’t talk as if you won’t come back. It’s scary.”
“It’s just that I can’t visit often; it doesn’t mean I’m leaving for good.”
“Still.”
I don’t believe in superstitions, but it felt unsettling.
“Grandfather, take care of your daughter. I’m only seven years old.”
“Haha, okay, okay.”
Seeing that I was scared, Grandfather nodded without saying more.
I loved his tenderness. How would I live without his strong, broad shadow?
Just thinking about it brought tears to my eyes.
“No matter how busy you are, you must come back for my birthday every year. I was a bit disappointed when you weren’t here for my birthday this year.”
“……….!”
Grandfather’s eyes widened in surprise at my words. Seeing me pouting, he bent over and burst into laughter.
“Oh my, my baby! How cute you are!”
Grandfather picked me up and spun me around.
My vision whirled rapidly.
“I promise. No matter what, I will come for Cherrya’s birthday every year.”
“Do you promise? Really?”
Even though I was dizzy, I firmly made Grandfather promise.
“Of course!”
I etched his confident, smiling face into my memory and smiled brightly.
Then,
“Ugh.”
I threw up everything in my stomach.
“Oh, my baby!”
“I’m nauseous….”
“Oh dear!”
Grandfather, panicked, carried me and ran into the mansion.
Listening to his hurried calls for a doctor and for Jessia, I quietly laughed to myself.
As long as Grandfather kept his promise, an Emblem would remain the Emblem. It wouldn’t change. That certainty erased all my fears.
And then,
“Uweeeek.”
“Oh baby! My dear baby, I’m so sorry!”
I emptied my stomach completely.
All that remained within me was the intense impression of Grandfather’s spinning.
