“Why did you send it… Well.”
Ian stopped there in mid-sentence. He did not want to get more involved with you. Or perhaps this was the best he could do for now. In short, it was difficult to answer without disappointing Yoon because these were the only reasons he was prepared with.
It was always hard. Dealing with children. He did not know what would make them happy or what they would dislike. This was probably because of his own childhood.
The fact that he was able to somewhat imitate a kind adult was all thanks to imitating Selena. By copying her, the only person who was kind to him, others thought he was similar to Selena. The truth was the complete opposite.
“Sometimes, I want to tell you, you don’t always have to be too nice. Strike first to win. You know? There are things that you can only win by striking first, Ian.”
Ian looked at Yoon, recalling what Selena had told him once. Yoon was glaring fiercely, seemingly very displeased that the ruffian had been let go.
“Face reality. Really, would causing a disturbance here benefit you in any way? Of course, you might feel better immediately if you took direct revenge on that man. But look at the reality.”
You would still live a miserable life as a complete underdog without that man. He swallowed the words that said becoming visible to those in power here was dangerous. It was the last bit of kindness he had left for you.
“……”
Yoon’s face soon turned as if he was on the verge of tears. Indeed, there were only two ways for a child to vent their anger: to scream or to cry. After all, a fragile being had no choice but to draw attention to communicate their feelings.
Yoon, trembling with his fists clenched, eventually turned around and ran back into the house. He seemed to understand Ian’s words with his mind but couldn’t accept them with his heart.
Since I wasn’t unfamiliar with that feeling, I felt no displeasure. Perhaps it was only sympathy for a child who had realized reality too quickly.
“Uh, Yoon is still young. I’ll make sure to properly soothe him.”
Having watched the whole scene from start to finish, Haseo awkwardly apologized in his stead.
Ian, even bending down, waved her off.
“No need to apologize. It’s fine, what do you plan to do now?”
“…I was thinking of trying to get citizenship first.”
“Are you saying you’ll report voluntarily?”
“Yes. Though I entered through illegal means, I haven’t committed any crimes, so I’m slightly hoping they’ll take that into consideration.”
Of course, it’s probably just wishful thinking on my part.
With a faint smile, Haseo then scratched her cheek.
Seeing her like that, Ian momentarily stroked his chin. He was deeply touched by her refusal to lose hope even in such dire circumstances.
But then again, perhaps this too is only possible because of humanity. Humans are the only animals capable of thinking about the future even in moments like these.
He chuckled softly and nodded.
“Right. If you ever need help later on, take this and come over to the Empire. I plan to see through anything I’ve taken responsibility for.”
“This is……”
Haseo stared at the blue pearl Ian had handed him. Engraved within the pearl, the size of a fingernail, was the Obelton family crest.
“It’s an object of the head of the family. As long as you have this, you are under the protection of the Obelton family.”
“Are you sure I can have this?”
“As long as you promise not to use it frivolously. Even if you do, dealing with someone like you won’t be a problem.”
“……I see. Then, I will gratefully accept it.”
Haseo embraced the pearl and beamed. The smile, so much like the old Seri’s, unknowingly caused Ian’s ears to redden.
Feeling suddenly flushed, Ian convinced himself it was just the heat and pulled his hood up. His bright silver hair was quickly hidden within the hood.
“Well then, that will be all.”
“Take care.”
Ian glanced at Ha-seo waving her small hand and began to walk away, secretly hoping to meet again one more time.
***
Back on the hill again.
“…”
This time, Ian looked at Serbia, who was hanging laundry. Seeing her face, which never seemed to lose its smile, looking so happy, he felt conflicted.
Thinking of Selena, he wanted to erase that smile immediately, but remembering the times they had spent together made him want to ensure the smile never left.
Ian’s gaze, as he leaned against the trunk of a tree, soon reached a little girl running towards them from afar.
“Mommy!”
“Baby!”
As the child ran towards her, Serbia welcomed her with open arms, equipped with her uniquely tender gaze.
He had seen those eyes countless times. When he was punished by the previous family head for over three hours. When he missed lunch and dinner due to swordsmanship training. When he was alone, suffering from a poisonous plant. Every time, Serbia looked at him with those eyes.
“Damn.”
Ian cursed as he saw the scales tipping increasingly to one side. He had a clear purpose when he came, but now he wasn’t sure. He didn’t know what he wanted to do with Serbia.
“So why are you happy, big sister?”
He would have been content if she hadn’t been happy.
Ian watched Serbia chat away with a child until she went inside her house, and only then did he get up from his place. Among the swirling impulses, there was a memory that stood out with strength.
“Love? That’s a difficult question…” It was the answer Selena had given when he once asked her what love was. After pondering for a while, her response in a cheerful voice was something anyone could give, yet at the same time, something no one could.
“Maybe love is the feeling where you could hate someone to death but would never dare to harm them carelessly. At least, that’s what I think.” Love is an utterly contradictory thing, always causing confusion. But if it’s confusing, then it’s love.
“Hah.” He let out a short, hollow laugh and ran his fingers through his hair.
I could never do anything about my elder sister from the start. A delayed realization hit him all over. The guilt in his heart stemmed from his ignorance.
“Haha.” Ian couldn’t hide his hollow emotions.
Love was indeed a cruel emotion. It made you want to take someone because you love them, and because you love them, you want to leave them be. Could there be any other emotion as selfish and pretentious as this?
“I should go back.”
After a long silence, the decision made was enough to shake off Ian’s lingering affection.
Ian, who had been looking at the warm-looking house for a while, turned around with cold eyes.
“Our kind Ian.”
“How did you find me?”
“Why are you crying here again?”
“I didn’t cry. Don’t think anything strange.”
“I understand you want to show only your best side to Seri. But you can show me your weak side.”
“…Why?”
“Why, you ask? Because I am.”
“…”
“Your big sister.”
***
“Mom, mom. So, I…!”
“Uh-huh.”
As Serbia listened to Rosetta’s story and chimed in, she suddenly felt a strange sensation and looked out the window.
There was nothing but the usual scenery outside.
It felt as though someone had been watching.
“Is it my imagination…?”
As Serbia murmured softly, Rosetta’s eyes widened in surprise.
“What’s an illusion?”
“Uh-huh, no, it’s nothing. It’s about time for dad to come home, so shall we go out to meet him?”
“Yes!”
At the mention of her dad coming, Rosetta beamed and jumped up from her seat.
Smiling faintly at her reaction, Serbia grabbed a light coat and left the house.
“Hmm?”
As she was leaving the house without much thought, she felt something unusual under her feet.
Looking down, she noticed a white letter crushed beneath her shoe.
“What’s this?”
“What is it? Is it a letter to dad?”
“Hmm, I’m not sure. Let me check.”
“Okay!”
Serbia, unable to contain Rosetta’s curiosity, patted her on the head and slowly unfolded the letter.
The paper, entirely blank save for one phrase, read:
[May you be happy.]
The end of the blooming season.
4. The Continuing World
“Your Majesty, here are the documents related to the epidemic in the eastern region. Please review and sign.”
“Okay. By the way, Jerome, you seem to have dressed up today. Going to meet someone?”
“No, it’s nothing like that. Rather than making small talk, please just sign quickly and hand it back. I have a lot of work to do.”
It was obviously something.
Heri sneered at Jerome, who stood at attention before him. It was clear there was something going on, given that Jerome, who usually wore loose-fitting casual clothes, had suddenly dressed up. His denial was almost laughable.
“Well, I’ll pretend I don’t know. Give it here. I’ll sign it.”
“It’s already on your desk. It seems you haven’t checked, but please give your instructions in advance next time.”
“You show little respect for the emperor. That’s quite rude.”
“Ah… Your Majesty, please check it quickly. We don’t have time.”
“I have plenty of time.”
“Your Majesty!”
Finally, unable to stand it any longer, Jerome shouted.
His face, which had maintained a stoic expression, had been red for a while now. With age, he had become accustomed to managing his expressions differently than when he was younger, but in front of family and friends, he was just the same as before.
Watching her, Hermia chuckled and carelessly scribbled an autograph. As she was about to hand over the paper, she clapped her hands as if remembering something.
“Right. Speaking of which, my parents are supposed to return today. So, make sure you come to the palace by 7 o’clock.”
“Have they already finished their trip?”
“I wouldn’t know. Anyway, you understand, right?”
“Yes.”
“Stop being so formal. Go.”
“I was planning to leave anyway.”
So annoying.
Jerome, seeing Hermia shrug, furrowed his brows tightly and left the office.
