Reidox sighed with a disbelieving, deflated expression.

Even if my friend were a mage, they would never have seen anything like this.

This space was uniquely possible only within this training room, in this entire world.

Its origin and history ran so deep that recounting them would require tracing back through eons and delivering a lengthy, elaborate explanation.

“Did His Grace prepare this?”

“Yes. Master Jeremi Iker helped, I was told.”

“Huh. His Grace has truly become a full-fledged parent.”

I agreed wholeheartedly. Who would have thought that villain would create such a space for the children?

“That’s why I called the twins here today. I thought this place would allow them to build better memories with Kian. What do you think, Marquis? Do you believe the twins will enjoy it?”

Though the answer was obvious, I asked out of courtesy, and Reidox gave a satisfying reply.

“They will be very pleased.”

“Then, let’s call the children in right away.”

Even while walking the short distance, the twins bounced around energetically. Their vivacious growth was entirely thanks to Reidox, who had raised them with abundant affection.

In contrast, Kian—too composed for his age—seemed somewhat pitiful. At an age where being carefree was perfectly natural, Kian appeared far too mature.

Upon entering the long, empty corridor, the twins simply stood there with blank expressions, muttering, ‘Where is this?’ ‘What’s this place?’

So, I flung open the door to the training room, aiming to make their jaws drop.

As expected, the children’s mouths fell open. Too stunned to speak, they merely blinked, staring into the room.

Kian was no different—he too just stared inside, his expression clearly asking, ‘What on earth is this?’

Luid, as if suddenly snapping to attention, tiptoed forward and repeatedly stuck one foot into the training room, then pulled it back out, then stuck it in again, then pulled it out.

“What are you doing?”

Lucy, watching him with genuine curiosity about his motives, asked—and Luid replied with a deeply suspicious look.

“It’s weird! I’m checking if there’s anything dangerous!”

Lucy stared blankly at Luid for a moment, then, just as he stepped forward again, she shoved him hard from behind.

Luid, suddenly thrust into the training room, crouched down clutching his head as if struck by lightning.

“Wah! What are you doing?! Ah! Dad!!! Dad!! Save me!!”

Reidox chuckled softly, walked in, and picked Luid up. Luid immediately wrapped his arms tightly around Reidox’s neck.

“Look, Luid. This isn’t a dangerous place. It’s just a play area made for you to enjoy.”

At Reidox’s warm tone, Luid lifted his head and followed Reidox’s gaze toward the vast meadow.

Dazzling, multicolored sunlight shone upon Luid’s face, where tears still lingered at the corners of his eyes.

“Really, Dad?”

“Of course. If this place were dangerous, I wouldn’t have brought you here.”

Only then did Luid smile brightly, reassured, and Reidox set him down onto the grassy field.

“Run and play as much as you like. This place is safe.”

Luid dashed off and spotted a ladybug toddling across the grass—he stared at it intently.

“A ladybug!”

This time, Reidox picked up Lucy, who was still standing there dazedly, and carried her inside. I too took Kian’s hand and walked in.

“This space was made by His Grace so you can play without fighting, Kian.”

Kian didn’t look as astonished as the twins, but he still glanced around curiously as he walked in.

“I never knew such a space existed inside the house.”

Later, when Kian grows older, he’ll probably train here together with Sikar Blake. By then, I might no longer be here.

Thinking of that made me feel strangely sentimental—perhaps, without realizing it, I’ve grown attached to this place.

“Vika Lamberst will be watching over you. Tell him anything you need. Now go and have fun.”

Reidox set Lucy down and stepped outside. The children were already busy running across the meadow, utterly oblivious to our presence.

I asked Vika Lamberst to take good care of them, and—as always—he merely gave a faint, sly smile, nodded slightly, then stepped inside and shut the door with a loud bang.

Reidox let out a long sigh, as if also feeling some concern.

“I hope they play nicely in there without fighting.”

“With the twins around, Marquis, you must be utterly exhausted every day.”

“Children always drain the life right out of adults.”

“That’s true.”

“Still, thanks to them, we get to rest on days like today.”

“Shall we go have a cup of tea, then?”

“To leisurely enjoy tea at this hour—who knows how long it’s been since we last had a tea time like this.”

Reidox and I sat before a warm fireplace where flames danced brightly, sipping tea.

My reason for having tea time with Reidox was because of Kian. I was deeply curious about his attitude and progress in lessons.

Perhaps because he was in a parental role, he spoke even before I could ask.

“You must be curious about His Highness the Crown Prince’s learning ability?”

“Yes. In fact, I’m very curious. Though I assume he’s doing well.”

“Whatever you’re imagining, he’s exceeding it. His Highness possesses extraordinary focus. He learns everything quickly. He’s already mastered quite a bit of writing.”

“Oh, he’s already learning to read and write?”

Reidox spoke as if unable to suppress his proud smile—as though boasting about his own child.

“Yes, of course. Not only does he learn writing quickly, but he shows immense interest in history, society, and economics. Even while our twins drool and sleep beside him, His Highness’s eyes always sparkle with alert brilliance.”

Imagining Lucy and Luid drooling in their sleep was utterly adorable and sweet. And picturing Kian beside them, listening to lessons with intelligent eyes—even at just seven years old, he was impossibly impressive.

Protagonist, just how much more amazing do you intend to become?!

Reidox took a sip of tea and exhaled a satisfied sigh, as if proudly showing off his own child.

“Truly, His Highness the Crown Prince seems born to be a sovereign.”

That person is destined to become your son-in-law in the future.

Anyway, it seemed Reidox and Kian’s relationship was now progressing just as in the original story. Reidox was raising and teaching Kian splendidly, and when Kian ascended the throne and became this nation’s Duke Consort, everything would be perfect.

By then, would Sikar Blake also have become Royal Consort?

What a splendid son-in-law and father-in-law pair.

Reidox, who had been wearing a bright expression, suddenly looked as if remembering something, his face quickly turning somber as he spoke.

“However, there is one troubling thing.”

“Troubling?”

“Occasionally… His Highness’s expression grows very dark.”

It must be because of Valije. I recalled Kian’s recent dream, where he suffered under the weight of guilt. Thinking of how deeply that young heart had been wounded made my own chest ache.

“Until Master Valije’s remains are found, shadows will likely remain on Kian’s face. But since His Grace is searching for Master Valije’s remains, please don’t lose heart—help Kian grow into an even more admirable person.”

“Naturally. It pains me to see His Highness, but I will educate and support him steadfastly, without wavering.”

“I can’t tell you how reassuring it is to have Marquis’s help.”

“Honestly, no matter what happened, I never wanted to become entangled with His Grace.”

Of course. They’re practically sworn enemies.

“But, the day Jeremi came to the Duke’s mansion, he said something strange—he claimed I would become His Highness the Crown Prince’s mentor.”

What? Can Jeremi see the future? Did he obtain some crystal ball that reveals what’s to come?

“Is that true?”

“Yes. That day, Jeremi said that, and added that it would be good for this kingdom’s future. It was strange—he’s never said anything like that before.”

Why do I feel as if Jeremi knows a bit of the original plot? Perhaps in the original story, Jeremi already had some foresight into the future—but I simply don’t remember those details.

Two hours slipped away as we continued talking about Reidox and Kian.

Then, Lucy—who I expected to come in beaming happily—entered with a dazed, shell-shocked expression. Luid’s face was shadowed as if he’d witnessed something horrifying. Only Kian entered quietly, letting out a small sigh.

The moment Lucy saw Reidox, she burst into tears and threw herself into his arms.

“Daaaaaddd!!! Waaaaaahhh!!”

“What’s wrong, my princess?”

The moment Reidox cuddled her, Lucy began wailing as if the world were ending.

“Waaaaahhh. Whhhheeeehhh. Weeeeehhh!!”

Her crying was so loud it stung my ears.

‘Why is she suddenly crying so pitifully?’

Reidox seemed too busy soothing Lucy to even ask what had happened. So I quietly turned to Kian, who was standing relatively calmly, and asked,

“Kian. Do you know why Lucy is crying so pitifully?”

“Well, you see…”

Apparently, at first, the children were playing with marbles. Then, whenever Luid played a prank and ended up fighting with Lucy, a Death Knight wielding a hammer would appear.

So Lucy and Luid were now crying because they’d been terrified by the Death Knight.

Ah, so that’s why Sikar Blake so readily agreed to build them an amusement park—he programmed it so that whenever the children fought, a Death Knight would appear.

Now I understood why Lucy was crying so pitifully—and the meaning behind Sikar’s deeply satisfied expression.

It was as if he were saying, ‘Touch my child, and you die.’ Seriously, what an overprotective dad! A Death Knight? Against such tiny children?!

“Kian. And what did you do? Weren’t you scared too?”

“Hmm… I wasn’t that scared.”

Well, considering he lived among wolves on snowy mountains, perhaps he genuinely wasn’t that startled. And he’s the protagonist—likely designed not to be fazed by ordinary things.

“I’m glad you weren’t scared. You’re truly admirable.”

“Yes. I wasn’t scared, but since Lucy was so frightened, I covered her eyes.”

Kian scratched his nose slightly, looking a bit embarrassed—but to me, that young protagonist couldn’t have looked any more impressive.

‘How can anyone be this amazing! Kian! You really are the protagonist!’

No wonder the female lead is bound to fall for him.

Even at just seven years old, the protagonist already radiated an aura.