Chapter 26
If audio player doesn't work, press Stop then Play button again
Chapter 26
‘If only I had not been born…’
His self-destructive feelings gnawed at the deepest part of his heart. The reason he hid the reason so far was simple. When he told her that his mother had died because of him, he was afraid that Iellie would be afraid of him.
“I see.”
And, as soon as the answer came out, Zachary was gripped with a fear that took his breath away.
Just then,
“It must have been difficult.”
“…What?”
“Our Zachary, it must have been very difficult.”
She didn’t ask for more details. The warm light inside the bud-like eyes did not disappear. She just nodded her head broadly, wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him.
Iellie whispers sweetly.
“It must have been a difficult story, but thank you for telling me.”
“Len…”
“That’s enough. It’s okay if you don’t tell me more about it.”
At those words, Zachary stiffly froze. Her body temperature, reaching him as if it were natural, was tearfully warm.
“You can do anything you want because I can wait until you feel like talking yourself.”
Finishing her words, she smiled faintly. As she looked at him, Zachary looked like he was going to cry.
“Len, but…”
“Besides, judging from the stories I’ve heard so far, I don’t think this is your fault either.”
Iellie answered firmly.
Hearing those words, Zachary stiffened. No matter how many times he heard the phrase ‘it’s not your fault,’ he was not used to it. No one but Iellie had ever said that.
“You hurt each other. And you didn’t mean it.” She said, asking Zachary.
The light green gaze was always straight forward and she shook her head.
“Why should you feel guilty about everything you’ve been trying to take responsibility for all this time?”
Most importantly, that happened when Zachary was very young. Among those with the name of Hessenweitz, very few are born with the power of the silver dragon. He couldn’t have known how to control the power.
‘Besides, neither the Duke nor the former Duchess treated Zachary like an adult.’
Iellie was dissatisfied with that.
Instead of educating the young Zachary to use his power properly, the two rejected him as a monster and drove him to a dangerous place. Obviously, he would be afraid.
‘But, even so, that’s not the way adults treat children.’
Adults should lead children like adults. But the two only abused their son.
‘I don’t think there’s any excuse for that…’
After organizing her thoughts, Iellie lifted her head. The light green eyes sank quietly without wavering.
“You’ve been hurt the same, though no one has ever taken your side until now.”
“…That—”
“So, I’ll be on your side.”
Zachary’s eyes, who were listening to her, came back to life for the first time.
She continued quickly. “Even if everyone in the world doesn’t stand by you, I will be by your side.”
“….”
“So, don’t make that face. Okay?” She said with strength.
His expression clouded in an instant and Zachary bit his lip.
“…Uhk.”
He was not worth it. A suppressed moan escaped his lips.
Iellie said embarrassedly.
“Oh God, Zachary. Why do you have so many tears in your eyes?”
While saying that, she was already naturally stretching out her hand. She patted him on the shoulder, and she stroked his back.
As the soft hand caressed his eyes, Iellie muttered while narrowing his brow.
“I mean, I didn’t mean to make you cry…”
‘My miracle. My salvation. How have I ever lived in a world without you?’
Before he met Iellie, his world was made of darkness, sadness, and despair. Because of his sins, Zachary took that cold world for granted.
However, she said, ‘It’s not just your fault.’
“But only cry in front of me, okay?”
The bud-like eyes that had been staring straight at Zachary quickly curved softly.
Zachary, who nodded his head in a frenzy, eagerly clung to her arms. Iellie hugged him tightly.
The next day.
Zachary sat in the chair in a somewhat awkward position. He was the model for Iellie’s painting. Meanwhile, Iellie, who sat in front of the easel, holding the long sharpened pencil, scolded him
“You should straighten your back, Zachary.”
“Oh, I’m, I’m sorry.”
Shrugging his back, Zachary recalled what had happened yesterday. Iellie had suffered quite a bit.
[ “I’m sorry, thank you, I…” ]
Holding on to Iellie with his frantic sobbing, he continued muttering while she patiently listened to Zachary’s whispers.
After that, she wiped away his tears and made an offer.
[ “I don’t know what you’re sorry about, but if you’re sorry, be my model.” ]
[ “Model?” ]
[ “Yes, I’ve been practicing drawing again lately.” ]
Saying that, she smiled brightly. He glanced down at her with a bewildered face, and she replied mischievously.
[ “I want to draw you.” ]
And so, that was how he became her painting model…
Zachary took a deep breath, and Iellie spoke coldly.
“Zachary, don’t move.”
“Yes.
Looking into her eyes, he straightened his posture. When he recalled what happened yesterday, his face heats up. No matter how much he thought about it, there is/was shame in showing that in front of his wife who is two years younger than him.
‘…Why the hell did I do that?’
Thinking like that, Zachary glanced at Iellie.
Her pink hair tied up in one, and pale green eyes that were slitted with concentration. He felt his heart beating once more.
‘She is so pretty.’
She’s going to hear his heartbeat.
Trying not to move as much as possible, Zachary asked a question. “Then, why did you suddenly decide to draw me?”
“Huh? Oh, your portrait didn’t hang in the portrait room.”
Iellie narrowed her brow and moved her pencil. However, it seems that she did not get a result that she was satisfied with.
“Instead, I wanted to draw it and give it to you… though I can’t capture all of your good looks with my skills.”
With a dissatisfied expression on her face, Iellie stared at the drawing she had sketched and immediately tried to put it away.
“I’ll have to throw this away, too.”
“What? No.”
He quickly shook his head.
Iellie widened her eyes as Zachary held out his hand.
“If you’re going to throw that picture away, give it to me.”
“What? This is just a sketch, I haven’t even painted it…?”
“It’s all right. That’s all I need.”
Even though she made a look of disapproval, she couldn’t bring it up because he liked it, anyway. Zachary, who received the painting previously, smiled happily. Her heart warmed.
Today, Zachary was going out to inspect the territory. Then, a voice without warmth reached his ear.
“The fortress has changed a lot.”
“….”
Zachary stared at the Duke with a cool gaze as the Duke trudged over and stood in front of him quietly. He has never met the Duke alone since they met in the portrait room. Though what was he doing all of a sudden?
“I heard that you put all your heart into the battle as well as taking care of the estate. What are you up to?”
The Duke’s blue eyes looked at his son.
Zachary tilted his head at an angle and spit his words out.
“…If there’s anything that has changed me in a positive way, it’s all thanks to Iellie.”
“Hoo. It’s because of the wife?”
“If I don’t establish a stable Heir Apparent position… she’ll be in danger.”
The Duke’s eyes, who were staring at Zachary, subtly subsided. The tip of his lips rises slightly upward.
“The stable position of the Heir Apparent… Yes.”
The Duke folded his arms. The look in his eyes, looking at Zachary with his eyes down, was exactly like his son’s.
“Isn’t that too arrogant for a monster to say?”
“Well, father never gave up on that word monster.”
He shrugged his shoulders. There was a deep wrinkle on the Duke’s forehead as he spoke lightly. “If that’s not the case, then why can’t you blame me?”
“Zachary.”
“But, to my mother, not only me but also father must have been a monster.”
“Don’t be rude…!”
Saying so, the Duke raised his voice for a moment. It was because Adelaide was the Duke’s anger trigger. Just like Iellie is Zachary’s.
“Besides, even if I’m a monster, I can cherish someone.”
If he could protect her, he could attack anyone. Even if that person is a mother who died while turning himself into a ‘monster.’
Zachary smiled bitterly.
“That’s what Ien taught me. And, isn’t the example right in front of me?”
At his son’s words, the duke glared at Zachary with a burning gaze. Though he did not avert his gaze.
“Mother considered father a monster, but father loved mother nonetheless.”
“….”
Zachary was blatantly sarcastic.
Unable to refute those words, the Duke bit his lip and glanced away.
The two looked out the window side by side.
Just outside the window, Iellie was walking with Mary. She had been to the indoor greenhouse and there were beautiful flowers in her arms. The Duke opened his mouth.
“That kid is different from Adele, is that what you want to say?”
“You haven’t seen her yet, have you?”
Despite his sharp answer, the Duke’s eyes looking out the window were noticeably softened.
Zachary thought for a moment. If it wasn’t for Iellie, the father-son might have killed each other a long time ago.
Thinking about it, he quickly turned around.
The Duke did not look at Zachary as he moved away.
“Lady. Have you ever heard of this?”
“What are you talking about?”
Iellie glanced back at Mary.
On the other hand, Mary was confident as if she was telling a very big secret. “It is said that the Heir is very popular with the residents of the fortress.”
“Really? Why?”
Is Zachary popular? A blush flashed across her face as Mary continued her words.
“This time, the Heir Apparent was said to have dealt well with the heavy snow, and the damage was small.”
“Is that really true?”
“Of course, why would I lie to you like this?”
Mary grinned. As she looked around, she whispered in a secret voice to Iellie.
“So, some gifts from the estate people came into the Duke’s Castle.”
“Gift?”
“Yes. Well, it’s fur or something. Since the butler said so, I’m sure it is.”
Her eyes gleamed with joy. Iellie was always happy to hear that Zachary is being recognized.
With that thought in mind, she picked up the flowers in her arms and headed to Zachary’s room. She was going to place the flowers in the vase.
“Ah, this one.”
When one of the familiar objects caught her eye, the woman who was putting the fresh flowers blushed and gave a small smile.
“What, I’m embarrassed. I didn’t know he was going to put it in a frame.”
In a frame hanging right next to the desk was a portrait of Zachary she had painted.
4 — On the path to adulthood (1)
Time flew as fast as an arrow out of the bowstring.
Another year has passed.
Zachary was now twenty, just before the coming-of-age ceremony.
‘Come to think of it, it snowed a lot around this time last year.’
Only a few small blizzards blew a couple of times this time, though she doesn’t think it’s going to be as heavy snow as last year.
“Len!”
“Zachary…?”
At the sound of the voice calling out to her, Iellie, who was about to take her steps towards the greenhouse, turned to look behind her.
Pure white silver hair stood out clearly under the gray sky.
Zachary strode closer to her, and he stopped beside her.
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
Chapter 26
‘If only I had not been born…’
His self-destructive feelings gnawed at the deepest part of his heart. The reason he hid the reason so far was simple. When he told her that his mother had died because of him, he was afraid that Iellie would be afraid of him.
“I see.”
And, as soon as the answer came out, Zachary was gripped with a fear that took his breath away.
Just then,
“It must have been difficult.”
“…What?”
“Our Zachary, it must have been very difficult.”
She didn’t ask for more details. The warm light inside the bud-like eyes did not disappear. She just nodded her head broadly, wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him.
Iellie whispers sweetly.
“It must have been a difficult story, but thank you for telling me.”
“Len…”
“That’s enough. It’s okay if you don’t tell me more about it.”
At those words, Zachary stiffly froze. Her body temperature, reaching him as if it were natural, was tearfully warm.
“You can do anything you want because I can wait until you feel like talking yourself.”
Finishing her words, she smiled faintly. As she looked at him, Zachary looked like he was going to cry.
“Len, but…”
“Besides, judging from the stories I’ve heard so far, I don’t think this is your fault either.”
Iellie answered firmly.
Hearing those words, Zachary stiffened. No matter how many times he heard the phrase ‘it’s not your fault,’ he was not used to it. No one but Iellie had ever said that.
“You hurt each other. And you didn’t mean it.” She said, asking Zachary.
The light green gaze was always straight forward and she shook her head.
“Why should you feel guilty about everything you’ve been trying to take responsibility for all this time?”
Most importantly, that happened when Zachary was very young. Among those with the name of Hessenweitz, very few are born with the power of the silver dragon. He couldn’t have known how to control the power.
‘Besides, neither the Duke nor the former Duchess treated Zachary like an adult.’
Iellie was dissatisfied with that.
Instead of educating the young Zachary to use his power properly, the two rejected him as a monster and drove him to a dangerous place. Obviously, he would be afraid.
‘But, even so, that’s not the way adults treat children.’
Adults should lead children like adults. But the two only abused their son.
‘I don’t think there’s any excuse for that…’
After organizing her thoughts, Iellie lifted her head. The light green eyes sank quietly without wavering.
“You’ve been hurt the same, though no one has ever taken your side until now.”
“…That—”
“So, I’ll be on your side.”
Zachary’s eyes, who were listening to her, came back to life for the first time.
She continued quickly. “Even if everyone in the world doesn’t stand by you, I will be by your side.”
“….”
“So, don’t make that face. Okay?” She said with strength.
His expression clouded in an instant and Zachary bit his lip.
“…Uhk.”
He was not worth it. A suppressed moan escaped his lips.
Iellie said embarrassedly.
“Oh God, Zachary. Why do you have so many tears in your eyes?”
While saying that, she was already naturally stretching out her hand. She patted him on the shoulder, and she stroked his back.
As the soft hand caressed his eyes, Iellie muttered while narrowing his brow.
“I mean, I didn’t mean to make you cry…”
‘My miracle. My salvation. How have I ever lived in a world without you?’
Before he met Iellie, his world was made of darkness, sadness, and despair. Because of his sins, Zachary took that cold world for granted.
However, she said, ‘It’s not just your fault.’
“But only cry in front of me, okay?”
The bud-like eyes that had been staring straight at Zachary quickly curved softly.
Zachary, who nodded his head in a frenzy, eagerly clung to her arms. Iellie hugged him tightly.
The next day.
Zachary sat in the chair in a somewhat awkward position. He was the model for Iellie’s painting. Meanwhile, Iellie, who sat in front of the easel, holding the long sharpened pencil, scolded him
“You should straighten your back, Zachary.”
“Oh, I’m, I’m sorry.”
Shrugging his back, Zachary recalled what had happened yesterday. Iellie had suffered quite a bit.
[ “I’m sorry, thank you, I…” ]
Holding on to Iellie with his frantic sobbing, he continued muttering while she patiently listened to Zachary’s whispers.
After that, she wiped away his tears and made an offer.
[ “I don’t know what you’re sorry about, but if you’re sorry, be my model.” ]
[ “Model?” ]
[ “Yes, I’ve been practicing drawing again lately.” ]
Saying that, she smiled brightly. He glanced down at her with a bewildered face, and she replied mischievously.
[ “I want to draw you.” ]
And so, that was how he became her painting model…
Zachary took a deep breath, and Iellie spoke coldly.
“Zachary, don’t move.”
“Yes.
Looking into her eyes, he straightened his posture. When he recalled what happened yesterday, his face heats up. No matter how much he thought about it, there is/was shame in showing that in front of his wife who is two years younger than him.
‘…Why the hell did I do that?’
Thinking like that, Zachary glanced at Iellie.
Her pink hair tied up in one, and pale green eyes that were slitted with concentration. He felt his heart beating once more.
‘She is so pretty.’
She’s going to hear his heartbeat.
Trying not to move as much as possible, Zachary asked a question. “Then, why did you suddenly decide to draw me?”
“Huh? Oh, your portrait didn’t hang in the portrait room.”
Iellie narrowed her brow and moved her pencil. However, it seems that she did not get a result that she was satisfied with.
“Instead, I wanted to draw it and give it to you… though I can’t capture all of your good looks with my skills.”
With a dissatisfied expression on her face, Iellie stared at the drawing she had sketched and immediately tried to put it away.
“I’ll have to throw this away, too.”
“What? No.”
He quickly shook his head.
Iellie widened her eyes as Zachary held out his hand.
“If you’re going to throw that picture away, give it to me.”
“What? This is just a sketch, I haven’t even painted it…?”
“It’s all right. That’s all I need.”
Even though she made a look of disapproval, she couldn’t bring it up because he liked it, anyway. Zachary, who received the painting previously, smiled happily. Her heart warmed.
Today, Zachary was going out to inspect the territory. Then, a voice without warmth reached his ear.
“The fortress has changed a lot.”
“….”
Zachary stared at the Duke with a cool gaze as the Duke trudged over and stood in front of him quietly. He has never met the Duke alone since they met in the portrait room. Though what was he doing all of a sudden?
“I heard that you put all your heart into the battle as well as taking care of the estate. What are you up to?”
The Duke’s blue eyes looked at his son.
Zachary tilted his head at an angle and spit his words out.
“…If there’s anything that has changed me in a positive way, it’s all thanks to Iellie.”
“Hoo. It’s because of the wife?”
“If I don’t establish a stable Heir Apparent position… she’ll be in danger.”
The Duke’s eyes, who were staring at Zachary, subtly subsided. The tip of his lips rises slightly upward.
“The stable position of the Heir Apparent… Yes.”
The Duke folded his arms. The look in his eyes, looking at Zachary with his eyes down, was exactly like his son’s.
“Isn’t that too arrogant for a monster to say?”
“Well, father never gave up on that word monster.”
He shrugged his shoulders. There was a deep wrinkle on the Duke’s forehead as he spoke lightly. “If that’s not the case, then why can’t you blame me?”
“Zachary.”
“But, to my mother, not only me but also father must have been a monster.”
“Don’t be rude…!”
Saying so, the Duke raised his voice for a moment. It was because Adelaide was the Duke’s anger trigger. Just like Iellie is Zachary’s.
“Besides, even if I’m a monster, I can cherish someone.”
If he could protect her, he could attack anyone. Even if that person is a mother who died while turning himself into a ‘monster.’
Zachary smiled bitterly.
“That’s what Ien taught me. And, isn’t the example right in front of me?”
At his son’s words, the duke glared at Zachary with a burning gaze. Though he did not avert his gaze.
“Mother considered father a monster, but father loved mother nonetheless.”
“….”
Zachary was blatantly sarcastic.
Unable to refute those words, the Duke bit his lip and glanced away.
The two looked out the window side by side.
Just outside the window, Iellie was walking with Mary. She had been to the indoor greenhouse and there were beautiful flowers in her arms. The Duke opened his mouth.
“That kid is different from Adele, is that what you want to say?”
“You haven’t seen her yet, have you?”
Despite his sharp answer, the Duke’s eyes looking out the window were noticeably softened.
Zachary thought for a moment. If it wasn’t for Iellie, the father-son might have killed each other a long time ago.
Thinking about it, he quickly turned around.
The Duke did not look at Zachary as he moved away.
“Lady. Have you ever heard of this?”
“What are you talking about?”
Iellie glanced back at Mary.
On the other hand, Mary was confident as if she was telling a very big secret. “It is said that the Heir is very popular with the residents of the fortress.”
“Really? Why?”
Is Zachary popular? A blush flashed across her face as Mary continued her words.
“This time, the Heir Apparent was said to have dealt well with the heavy snow, and the damage was small.”
“Is that really true?”
“Of course, why would I lie to you like this?”
Mary grinned. As she looked around, she whispered in a secret voice to Iellie.
“So, some gifts from the estate people came into the Duke’s Castle.”
“Gift?”
“Yes. Well, it’s fur or something. Since the butler said so, I’m sure it is.”
Her eyes gleamed with joy. Iellie was always happy to hear that Zachary is being recognized.
With that thought in mind, she picked up the flowers in her arms and headed to Zachary’s room. She was going to place the flowers in the vase.
“Ah, this one.”
When one of the familiar objects caught her eye, the woman who was putting the fresh flowers blushed and gave a small smile.
“What, I’m embarrassed. I didn’t know he was going to put it in a frame.”
In a frame hanging right next to the desk was a portrait of Zachary she had painted.
4 — On the path to adulthood (1)
Time flew as fast as an arrow out of the bowstring.
Another year has passed.
Zachary was now twenty, just before the coming-of-age ceremony.
‘Come to think of it, it snowed a lot around this time last year.’
Only a few small blizzards blew a couple of times this time, though she doesn’t think it’s going to be as heavy snow as last year.
“Len!”
“Zachary…?”
At the sound of the voice calling out to her, Iellie, who was about to take her steps towards the greenhouse, turned to look behind her.
Pure white silver hair stood out clearly under the gray sky.
Zachary strode closer to her, and he stopped beside her.
Chapter 26If only I had not been born'His self-destructive feelings gnawed at the deepest part of his heart. The reason he hid the reason so far was simple. When he told her that his mother had died because of him, he was afraid that Iellie would be afraid of him.I see.And, as soon as the answer came out, Zachary was gripped with a fear that took his breath away.Just then,It must have been difficult.What?Our Zachary, it must have been very difficult.She didn't ask for more details. The warm light inside the bud-like eyes did not disappear. She just nodded her head broadly, wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him.Iellie whispers sweetly.It must have been a difficult story, but thank you for telling me.LenThat's enough. It's okay if you don't tell me more about it.At those words, Zachary stiffly froze. Her body temperature, reaching him as if it were natural, was tearfully warm.You can do anything you want because I can wait until you feel like talking yourself.Finishing her words, she smiled faintly. As she looked at him, Zachary looked like he was going to cry.Len, butBesides, judging from the stories I've heard so far, I don't think this is your fault either.Iellie answered firmly.Hearing those words, Zachary stiffened. No matter how many times he heard the phrase it's not your fault,' he was not used to it. No one but Iellie had ever said that.You hurt each other. And you didn't mean it. She said, asking Zachary.The light green gaze was always straight forward and she shook her head.Why should you feel guilty about everything you've been trying to take responsibility for all this time?Most importantly, that happened when Zachary was very young. Among those with the name of Hessenweitz, very few are born with the power of the silver dragon. He couldn't have known how to control the power.Besides, neither the Duke nor the former Duchess treated Zachary like an adult.'Iellie was dissatisfied with that.Instead of educating the young Zachary to use his power properly, the two rejected him as a monster and drove him to a dangerous place. Obviously, he would be afraid.But, even so, that's not the way adults treat children.'Adults should lead children like adults. But the two only abused their son.I don't think there's any excuse for that'After organizing her thoughts, Iellie lifted her head. The light green eyes sank quietly without wavering.You've been hurt the same, though no one has ever taken your side until now.ThatSo, I'll be on your side.Zachary's eyes, who were listening to her, came back to life for the first time.She continued quickly. Even if everyone in the world doesn't stand by you, I will be by your side..So, don't make that face. Okay? She said with strength.His expression clouded in an instant and Zachary bit his lip.Uhk.He was not worth it. A suppressed moan escaped his lips.Iellie said embarrassedly.Oh God, Zachary. Why do you have so many tears in your eyes?While saying that, she was already naturally stretching out her hand. She patted him on the shoulder, and she stroked his back.As the soft hand caressed his eyes, Iellie muttered while narrowing his brow.I mean, I didn't mean to make you cryMy miracle. My salvation. How have I ever lived in a world without you?'Before he met Iellie, his world was made of darkness, sadness, and despair. Because of his sins, Zachary took that cold world for granted.However, she said, It's not just your fault.'But only cry in front of me, okay?The bud-like eyes that had been staring straight at Zachary quickly curved softly.Zachary, who nodded his head in a frenzy, eagerly clung to her arms. Iellie hugged him tightly.The next day.Zachary sat in the chair in a somewhat awkward position. He was the model for Iellie's painting. Meanwhile, Iellie, who sat in front of the easel, holding the long sharpened pencil, scolded himYou should straighten your back, Zachary.Oh, I'm, I'm sorry.Shrugging his back, Zachary recalled what had happened yesterday. Iellie had suffered quite a bit. I'm sorry, thank you, I Holding on to Iellie with his frantic sobbing, he continued muttering while she patiently listened to Zachary's whispers.After that, she wiped away his tears and made an offer. I don't know what you're sorry about, but if you're sorry, be my model. Model? Yes, I've been practicing drawing again lately. Saying that, she smiled brightly. He glanced down at her with a bewildered face, and she replied mischievously. I want to draw you. And so, that was how he became her painting modelZachary took a deep breath, and Iellie spoke coldly.Zachary, don't move.Yes.Looking into her eyes, he straightened his posture. When he recalled what happened yesterday, his face heats up. No matter how much he thought about it, there is/was shame in showing that in front of his wife who is two years younger than him.Why the hell did I do that?'Thinking like that, Zachary glanced at Iellie.Her pink hair tied up in one, and pale green eyes that were slitted with concentration. He felt his heart beating once more.She is so pretty.'She's going to hear his heartbeat.Trying not to move as much as possible, Zachary asked a question. Then, why did you suddenly decide to draw me?Huh? Oh, your portrait didn't hang in the portrait room.Iellie narrowed her brow and moved her pencil. However, it seems that she did not get a result that she was satisfied with.Instead, I wanted to draw it and give it to you though I can't capture all of your good looks with my skills.With a dissatisfied expression on her face, Iellie stared at the drawing she had sketched and immediately tried to put it away.I'll have to throw this away, too.What? No.He quickly shook his head.Iellie widened her eyes as Zachary held out his hand.If you're going to throw that picture away, give it to me.What? This is just a sketch, I haven't even painted it?It's all right. That's all I need.Even though she made a look of disapproval, she couldn't bring it up because he liked it, anyway. Zachary, who received the painting previously, smiled happily. Her heart warmed.Today, Zachary was going out to inspect the territory. Then, a voice without warmth reached his ear.The fortress has changed a lot..Zachary stared at the Duke with a cool gaze as the Duke trudged over and stood in front of him quietly. He has never met the Duke alone since they met in the portrait room. Though what was he doing all of a sudden?I heard that you put all your heart into the battle as well as taking care of the estate. What are you up to?The Duke's blue eyes looked at his son.Zachary tilted his head at an angle and spit his words out.If there's anything that has changed me in a positive way, it's all thanks to Iellie.Hoo. It's because of the wife?If I don't establish a stable Heir Apparent position she'll be in danger.The Duke's eyes, who were staring at Zachary, subtly subsided. The tip of his lips rises slightly upward.The stable position of the Heir Apparent Yes.The Duke folded his arms. The look in his eyes, looking at Zachary with his eyes down, was exactly like his son's.Isn't that too arrogant for a monster to say?Well, father never gave up on that word monster.He shrugged his shoulders. There was a deep wrinkle on the Duke's forehead as he spoke lightly. If that's not the case, then why can't you blame me?Zachary.But, to my mother, not only me but also father must have been a monster.Don't be rude!Saying so, the Duke raised his voice for a moment. It was because Adelaide was the Duke's anger trigger. Just like Iellie is Zachary's.Besides, even if I'm a monster, I can cherish someone.If he could protect her, he could attack anyone. Even if that person is a mother who died while turning himself into a monster.'Zachary smiled bitterly.That's what Ien taught me. And, isn't the example right in front of me?At his son's words, the duke glared at Zachary with a burning gaze. Though he did not avert his gaze.Mother considered father a monster, but father loved mother nonetheless..Zachary was blatantly sarcastic.Unable to refute those words, the Duke bit his lip and glanced away.The two looked out the window side by side.Just outside the window, Iellie was walking with Mary. She had been to the indoor greenhouse and there were beautiful flowers in her arms. The Duke opened his mouth.That kid is different from Adele, is that what you want to say?You haven't seen her yet, have you?Despite his sharp answer, the Duke's eyes looking out the window were noticeably softened.Zachary thought for a moment. If it wasn't for Iellie, the father-son might have killed each other a long time ago.Thinking about it, he quickly turned around.The Duke did not look at Zachary as he moved away.Lady. Have you ever heard of this?What are you talking about?Iellie glanced back at Mary.On the other hand, Mary was confident as if she was telling a very big secret. It is said that the Heir is very popular with the residents of the fortress.Really? Why?Is Zachary popular? A blush flashed across her face as Mary continued her words.This time, the Heir Apparent was said to have dealt well with the heavy snow, and the damage was small.Is that really true?Of course, why would I lie to you like this?Mary grinned. As she looked around, she whispered in a secret voice to Iellie.So, some gifts from the estate people came into the Duke's Castle.Gift?Yes. Well, it's fur or something. Since the butler said so, I'm sure it is.Her eyes gleamed with joy. Iellie was always happy to hear that Zachary is being recognized.With that thought in mind, she picked up the flowers in her arms and headed to Zachary's room. She was going to place the flowers in the vase.Ah, this one.When one of the familiar objects caught her eye, the woman who was putting the fresh flowers blushed and gave a small smile.What, I'm embarrassed. I didn't know he was going to put it in a frame.In a frame hanging right next to the desk was a portrait of Zachary she had painted.4 On the path to adulthood 1Time flew as fast as an arrow out of the bowstring.Another year has passed.Zachary was now twenty, just before the coming-of-age ceremony.Come to think of it, it snowed a lot around this time last year.'Only a few small blizzards blew a couple of times this time, though she doesn't think it's going to be as heavy snow as last year.Len!Zachary?At the sound of the voice calling out to her, Iellie, who was about to take her steps towards the greenhouse, turned to look behind her.Pure white silver hair stood out clearly under the gray sky.Zachary strode closer to her, and he stopped beside her.
