The next day.
After completing the paperwork to register Raphelion into the House of Halos, Chase tidied up his desk and rose from his seat.
Someone had come to his office to see him.
“Marquis Erden.”
Chase warmly greeted his old friend, who had come to visit after a long time.
Though his face was as expressionless as ever, the faintly upturned corners of his mouth betrayed his delight.
“Duke Chase.”
Erden, smiling brightly as he looked at his friend’s face he hadn’t seen for several years, strode over and embraced Chase.
Chase, with a reluctant expression, gently pushed Erden away.
“You never change.”
Chase grumbled at Erden, who always showed his joy through embraces, despite being told not to.
“And neither do you.”
Erden replied with a laugh. By now, Chase should have been used to this manner of greeting, but his reaction was always the same.
But it also proved that the friendship between the two had not changed.
“Father…”
At that moment, a little girl who had been hiding behind Erden’s leg clutching his trousers peeked out.
The girl, with the same silver hair and blue eyes as Erden, looked up at Chase with curious eyes.
“She’s grown a lot.”
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
“The last time I saw her, she was just a newborn.”
It was the first time Chase had seen the girl since visiting the Marquis’s estate to congratulate them on her birth.
“Aileena, you should greet the Duke.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Aileena Halvron.”
Following her father’s words, Aileena stepped forward, gracefully lifted the hem of her dress, and curtsied.
Her small lips moved with clear pronunciation as she spoke.
“Indeed, I am Chase Halos.”
Watching Aileena’s well-mannered demeanor, Chase thought of his nephew, Raphelion.
He knew the two children were the same age, but their behaviors were completely different.
While Raphelion was wild and untamed, befitting a five year old, Aileena was composed and mature.
“Sylvia wasn’t well enough to accompany us.”
Erden spoke with a bitter smile as he stroked his young daughter’s hair.
Erden’s wife, Sylvia, had been in poor health since giving birth and had been unable to leave the house for years.
Another reason Chase couldn’t meet Erden for so long was because Erden personally took care of Sylvia.
“I see.”
Chase, noticing how much thinner Erden looked, led him to the sofa with a concerned expression.
“Chase, could you have someone show Aileena around the estate?”
Not wanting to keep his daughter by his side during their conversation, Erden made this request to Chase.
Chase readily summoned Rohan.
“You called for me?”
“Show Aileena around the estate.”
At his master’s command, Rohan extended a hand to Aileena.
“Shall we go for a tour, Lady Aileena?”
“Yes. Father, Duke, I’ll be back.”
Aileena politely bid farewell before turning away. She then greeted Rohan, who had extended his hand to her.
“Please take care of me.”
Rohan smiled warmly at the adorable child.
Aileena carefully took Rohan’s outstretched hand and he then led her out of the room.
“She’s grown up too fast. I think she feels the need to be more responsible since Sylvia is unwell.”
Erden murmured as he watched his daughter’s retreating figure. His face was filled with worry.
He felt both proud and heartbroken for his daughter, who had matured too soon when she should have been playing and seeking comfort from her parents.
It felt like it was all his fault.
“She’s quite different from how you were as a child.”
Sensing his friend’s sorrow, Chase spoke lightly, deliberately trying to change the mood.
“That’s true. Aileena seems to take after Sylvia.”
Erden replied with a smile, catching on to Chase’s intention.
Erden, Chase, and Yorne had been close friends.
Having grown up together, they knew each other better than anyone else.
When Yorne passed away, Erden had been the one most concerned for Chase.
He understood why Chase had tirelessly searched day and night for Raphelion, Yorne’s child and Chase’s nephew.
For Chase, Yorne had been more than just a brother—he had been like a father.
“Have you made any progress in finding Raphelion?”
Erden cautiously asked, hoping for any progress, as he knew how desperate Chase had been, even distributing flyers to find the child.
“I found him.”
“What? Is that true?!”
Erden’s eyes widened in shock as he exclaimed.
“Yes.”
Chase lifted his teacup and took a sip.
Although he hadn’t publicly announced Raphelion’s return for safety reasons, he spoke honestly to Erden.
To Chase, Erden was the only person besides Yorne he could face without wearing a mask.
“That’s a relief. Truly wonderful news.”
Erden was delighted as if it were his own good fortune.
“Thank you. But you—what’s bothering you?”
Chase noticed that Erden’s expression had been troubled since they met.
It was evident he had come with a purpose.
“Well… I have a favor to ask.”
After a brief silence, Erden spoke with difficulty.
* * *
“This way leads to the glass greenhouse.”
Rohan kindly guided Aileena, who was still holding his hand, around the estate.
“It’s so beautiful.”
Though Aileena tried to maintain a composed demeanor as she admired the gardens, her sparkling blue eyes gave her away.
“There’s a swing over there. Would you like to try it?”
Rohan smiled as he offered another source of entertainment.
“A swing?”
“Yes, it’s not too high so it should be just right for you, Lady Aileena.”
Aileena fell into deep thought.
Although she wanted to ride the swing, it felt like something only a child would do.
She always tried to behave properly and set a good example for others. She didn’t want to do anything that might worry her parents.
“But… I really want to.”
Without realizing it, she muttered her thoughts aloud, her face looking dejected.
No matter how mature and well-mannered a child may be, they are still a child.
“Shall we go for a ride?”
Rohan asked gently, and after some hesitation, Aileena shook her head.
“No, thank you. Swings are for children.”
Rohan blinked in surprise.
Because these were not words that should come from the mouth of a five-year-old child.
He wanted to tell her that she was still a child herself, but sensing it wouldn’t help, he decided on another approach.
“I ride swings sometimes.”
“You do? But you’re an adult.”
Aileena tilted her head, her tiny face questioning him.
“Swings aren’t just for children. Adults can enjoy them too. Anyone who wants to see the sky can ride a swing.”
Technically, this wasn’t entirely true. The swing had only been installed 12 hours ago.
At Chase’s request, it had been hastily built for Raphelion, who’d been lonely after Wilhazelle’s departure.
So, Rohan had never seen or ridden this swing before.
‘But there’s no age limit for a swing, so it’s not a lie.’
He looked at Aileena, wondering what choice this cute child would make.
“But…”
Aileena hesitated, biting her lip.
She’d seen other children laughing and playing on swings but had never seen adults doing the same, which made her uncertain.
“Today’s such a clear day. Riding the swing will give you a great view of the sky.”
Rohan’s remark made Aileena tilt her head back to look up at the sky.
The weather was truly splendid.
The bright blue sky, like painted watercolors, was dotted with fluffy white clouds.
“You’ll feel wonderful looking at the sky from the swing.”
Rohan’s final comment seemed to seal the deal.
“Well… Just for a little while.”
Aileena finally relented, as if doing him a favor. Rohan chuckled as he gently led her toward the swing, holding her hand.
