Even though Liazell had fallen asleep, she didn’t loosen her grip.
Philome said it was fine, but Kaien tried to pull Liazell away. However, each time he did, Liazell tightened her grip even more, so Philome had to continue their conversation with Liazell still clinging to her.
“I’m really sorry.”
As soon as Bear sat down on the sofa, he bowed deeply toward Philome.
“I misunderstood the lady on my own. I’m sorry. And… thank you so much, really.”
Since Liazell awakened as a transcendent, Bear had been particularly sensitive about her health. Of course, he knew that it was impossible to find a suitable partner for her, given that her true identity was still unknown to the public.
But knowing something and feeling it were different. Recently, Bear had started to feel increasingly dissatisfied with Kaien for keeping Liazell in such a place.
At that moment, he heard the news of Kaien’s engagement.
Moreover, when he heard rumors that Kaien was getting along well with his fiancée, Bear felt very anxious.
He was worried that Kaien might forget Liazell.
However, Kaien continued to visit Liazell. Although they still awkwardly exchanged no words, Bear was relieved that Kaien hadn’t forgotten her.
The problem arose during their last meeting.
Liazell had another seizure, and unfortunately, she was holding a teacup at that moment, which caused Kaien to get seriously injured. Even though Kaien insisted he was fine and left, for some reason, Liazell’s seizures didn’t calm down.
With her fever continuing to rise and not dropping, Bear broke the rules and went to the Duke’s residence.
‘Ah, Miss.’
There was only one person referred to as “Miss” at the Duke’s residence.
Kaien’s fiancée.
The moment Bear saw the haughty expression on the fiancée’s face, he realized that she had no idea about Liazell’s existence.
And as he hurried back to the villa, Bear’s anxiety grew.
He was afraid that she would tell Kaien to get rid of Liazell. That night, while he was restless, Kaien and his fiancée suddenly showed up.
Bear was terrified that his anxieties would become reality.
But it was the opposite.
‘Liazell, you won’t hurt anymore.’
Philome whispered as she gently hugged Liazell, who was desperately clinging to her.
Liazell, who had never once said she was in pain except during her seizures, was sobbing and clinging to Philome.
Now she was free from pain.
Bear belatedly realized how greatly he had misunderstood and made a mistake.
“As the Duke said, you are Liazell’s person, so I can understand why you would think that.”
Philome gently patted Liazell’s small back as she spoke to Bear.
Even she, who had met her for the first time today, felt sorry for her and was worried, so Bear, who had been with Liazell since she was born, would feel even more so.
Philome decided to generously forgive him, as she understood his feelings.
Besides, it had all worked out for the best since they had cleared up the misunderstanding.
“Bear, Emma. I’m planning to take Liazell to the Winthbell estate now.”
At Kaien’s words, Emma asked worriedly.
“Is it okay to reveal the young lady’s existence?”
“Ah, I’ve already talked to Philome about it.”
Kaien glanced at Philome before looking back at the two.
“It’s time to reveal the truth anyway. Winston has returned.”
At those words, Bear and Emma’s expressions changed.
The two stared at Kaien with stiff faces.
Winston’s return meant that Kaien’s revenge was about to begin in earnest. If that were the case, there was no reason to keep Liazell, who was close to his weakness, outside the Duke’s estate. Instead, she needed to be brought inside.
“Besides, if Philome makes contact with Liazell, she won’t have to be in pain anymore.”
Kaien sighed with concern as he looked at Liazell’s frail body.
She had been unwell, and she seemed to have lost more weight than she had the last time he saw her because of her suffering these past few days.
“Once Liazell recovers her health, we will start training her to become the successor.”
At those words, Bear and Emma felt completely relieved.
Kaien’s statement implied that he still viewed Liazell as the next Duke of Wintbel.
“Then I will make preparations so that when the young lady wakes up, she can go directly to the Duke’s estate.”
Bear and Emma left the parlor to get ready.
Meanwhile, Liazel was still fast asleep, and when Kaien picked her up, she gently slipped away. She had been clinging to Philome so tightly that her body felt warm, prompting Philome to lightly fan her with her hand while holding her small hand.
“It’s done, Philome.”
“Just in case, let’s do a bit more.”
“Philome.”
Kaien shook his head firmly.
“That’s enough. If you do more, it will be difficult for you.”
As Kaien said, Liazell’s pale face was starting to regain some color.
Since Philome was feeling a bit tired herself, she didn’t insist and let go of her hand. The child, lying peacefully on the sofa, looked serene.
“Shall we step outside for a walk?”
“Yes, that sounds good.”
As they exited the villa, Jake approached them.
However, Kaien raised his hand to stop him. Jake halted in his tracks, and Philome and Kaien walked down the path.
The path was like something out of a fairy tale. The sky was painted with hues of red as the sun set, making the scene even more beautiful.
She was wearing a light dress, so it was no problem to walk on the path.
“Okay.”
As Kaien extended his arm, Philome naturally linked her arm with his and looked around curiously.
She looked like a squirrel searching for food, and Kaien had to stifle a laugh that was about to burst out. After taking in the sight for a while, he finally spoke.
“Thank you.”
“Huh? For what?”
Philome, distracted by her surroundings, missed Kaien’s words and asked back.
“For accepting Liazell without any hesitation.”
Philome awkwardly smiled, unable to confess that she felt sorry for Liazell, who hadn’t even appeared in the original story.
Of course, that wasn’t the only reason, but it was the starting point, and her conscience pricked her a bit.
“It was a gamble for me too. I didn’t know if Liazell and I would be compatible. I’m glad it worked out.”
Then she added playfully, “I guess I have a talent for gambling.”
Kaien smiled lightly.
“Even though I said I would take full responsibility for Liazell…”
Kaien stopped walking.
Philome, who was linked arm in arm with him, naturally stopped walking as well.
Kaien’s hand brushed back some stray hair from Philome’s face behind her ear. His fingertips gently grazed her round ear before pulling away.
The warmth left a lingering sensation.
Philome felt a tickle and wanted to rub her ear, but she remained frozen, unable to take her eyes off him.
“You are still the most precious to me.”
A breeze blew in.
With a soft whoosh, the wind slipped between them.
The hair obscured her vision, but Philome couldn’t even think of brushing it away and blinked instead.
“…Since when have I become the most precious to you?”
If she were to hear the reason, it might be akin to walking a path from which she could never return.
However, Philome knew it was already too late for her to go back, and she didn’t want to return, so she asked.
“Well, I don’t really know either. It just happened at some point that while I was looking at you, I wanted to see you more, and even when I wasn’t looking. I kept thinking about you. I wanted to see you smile without going through any hardship.”
He didn’t know exactly when it began.
It had happened quietly, like a dandelion seed floating away on the wind, without anyone noticing.
Not being used to revealing his true feelings, he felt embarrassed and brushed the back of his neck with his palm.
“And I’ve also developed the desire to hope that you feel the same way as I do.”
Kaien liked the way Philome had linked arms with him. He felt a strange sense of satisfaction from the fact that she hadn’t hesitated to take his arm when he offered it.
“What do you think?”
Philome felt like Kaien’s eyes were burning with intensity.
His usual deep purple eyes were the same as always, but the heat emanating from them made her face feel flushed.
If she wasn’t mistaken, the heat coming from Kaien was emotional in nature—a desire for her or a possessiveness towards her.
Apart from that, Kaien’s expression was calm. It made her think that maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to muster up some courage.
