I summoned the Death Knight illusion to correct those twins’ behavior, yet you covered their eyes. Pathetic.

I covered them because they were startled.

If you wanted them startled, you should have let them be startled.

One reason Lucy fell for Kian Blake is that he always protected her. Kian Blake will instinctively want to protect Lucy too. That’s why, before, when he saw the scribbles on Lucy’s face, he immediately turned away pretending not to notice, so Lucy wouldn’t feel embarrassed. That’s why he’s the protagonist—he’s that cool.

Is that all it takes to be cool? Truly cool would be drawing your sword against the Death Knight right then.

Of course that would be cool too, but Kian Blake’s way of protecting is also cool.

Wanting someone to protect you is something only the weak-minded do.

They’re still young. Lucy later becomes an exceptional swordsmanship prodigy, but I’m worried seeing the Death Knight might startle her and derail her future.

If she’s that weak, she should step down from the heroine’s position.

Does Sikar Blake dislike the twins because they’re the protagonists who eventually cause his death? Or is it simply because Kian Blake truly is the young master of House Blake?

If the latter, it means Sikar Blake fully considers Kian Blake as one of his own family.

Sikar, you seem to dislike the twins. May I ask why?

You’re asking an obvious question. They dared to touch our family.

This meant he viewed Kian Blake not as a protagonist trying to kill him, but as family.

I felt my heart flutter slightly. Even if Sikar Blake hadn’t opened his heart fully, he still seemed to regard Kian Blake as a member of the family.

Even if he initially accepted Kian Blake out of having no other choice, now he truly considers him part of the family!

Just thinking about it made my heart flutter with excitement.

At any rate, I hope today’s incident helps correct the twins’ behavior somewhat.

You should only plant good memories in children’s minds. This time, you were too harsh.

Too harsh? This is a strict class society. Even children cannot be allowed to disrespect heirs of higher houses. Those mere children of a marquis should feel relieved their punishment for touching my duke’s child was merely an illusion.

Ah, right. This is a class society. But you ignore all that.

Sikar Blake, who mocks the king relying on his own power; Durion, the knight who grabs marquises by the collar; and Vika Lamberst, the hybrid who pretends to observe etiquette while disregarding it.

These three cared nothing for kings or titles. Gillian had long given up expecting manners from them and only used them as disposable tools.

Even if the original story says so, I can’t just leave things as they are.

You haven’t forgotten your promise to listen to me regarding Kian Blake’s upbringing, have you?

If you have something to say, don’t hesitate—just say it.

Leave the twins’ issue to me too.

So you want me to just watch while Kian Blake gets beaten up again?

That’s exactly what I’m asking you to leave to me.

So you want me to become a scarecrow of a father.

I want you to focus solely on raising Kian Blake well—cherishing him, loving him, things like that. You can fish together like before, or play ball together.

Sikar Blake stared at me with a face that clearly disagreed, then placed his hand atop my head.

Peaceful solutions aren’t always right or good. But I’ll respect your determination to resolve things peacefully.

After saying that, Sikar Blake turned and walked out of the corridor.

‘So that means he agrees?’

I felt the corners of my mouth curling up slightly.

Apparently, Kian Blake quite liked the training room, because when I asked him the next day what he wanted to do for fun, he said he wanted to go back to the training room.

But the Death Knight appears there. Are you sure you’re okay?

It had no emotions at all. It felt like an object. Objects don’t hurt me.

So that’s why Kian Blake calmly covered Lucy’s eyes.

Did you enjoy playing there?

Kian Blake nodded vigorously, as if just remembering it made him happy.

I’ve never seen a garden like that since I was born. I’ve always been in snowy mountains, and even when I came down here, everything was covered in snow… I knew grass could be that green, but I’d only ever seen it in fairy tales… Of course, even that was probably magic…

Kian Blake said this with an embarrassed expression, but my heart ached for him. Though he’s the protagonist and has everything, he also grew up deprived of things he should have naturally enjoyed.

‘When summer comes, I must let him play with insects in a place where lush green grass truly lives!’

While I was making this resolution, Sikar Blake blurted out something without understanding my thoughts.

Then why not do real training while you’re at it? Since you claim to distinguish illusions from reality, I’m curious how far that discernment goes.

No training today. Today, our little family will only play happily together with Kian Blake.

Sikar Blake made a deflated expression but didn’t break his promise to me.

Since only our little family was entering the training room, Vika Lamberst was happy to rest. Durion regretted not joining, but today was specifically for our little family to bond, so it couldn’t be helped.

We sat on a grassy hillside, facing a garden where rainbows appeared, feeling the breeze.

I placed the pre-drawn rosemary I’d prepared in the center. I couldn’t find real rosemary suddenly, so last night I drew rosemary flowers on paper and cut them out.

This is the game we’re going to play now.

I handed each of the drawn rosemary sprigs to Sikar Blake and Kian Blake.

The meaning of rosemary is “family happiness.” With the intention of wishing happiness for our family, each person will pluck one flower in sequence from this stem. Whoever plucks the last flower must say “I love you” to the person on their right.

The person to Kian Blake’s right was none other than Sikar Blake. Kian Blake looked to his right, sighed, then looked at me on his left and smiled.

Okay.

Then shall I start? Let’s each pluck one flower from the stem in turn.

And so the game began. Starting with me, we took turns plucking flowers clockwise, and as planned, Kian Blake was the one left with the last flower.

Before plucking the final flower, Kian Blake sighed once, lowered his head deeply, and only managed to say “I…” before suddenly whipping his head toward me and saying,

Love you. Mother!

This isn’t right… I should scold him for breaking the rules…!

Kian Blake’s cheeks, flushed pink like a shy peach, were unbearably cute.

Far from being angry, the moment I heard Kian Blake say “Love you. Mother!” my rational circuits completely shut down and my mouth gaped open.

I nearly hugged Kian Blake tightly from overwhelming emotion, but regained my senses thanks to Sikar Blake putting down the rosemary and muttering, “Calling this childish thing a game.”

I initiated this game precisely to use play as a pretext for everyone to say “I love you.”

They say that saying “I love you” can open even the most closed hearts.

First, I hoped Kian Blake would break the ice and say it to Sikar Blake. Then, by rearranging positions and continuing the game, I aimed to maneuver Sikar Blake into saying “I love you” to Kian Blake too.

So letting things slide like this was very problematic. I steeled myself and spoke to Kian Blake in a slightly stern voice.

Kian Blake. You must follow the game rules. What did I say? You must say “I love you” to the person on your right. I’ll let it slide this time, but next time, you must follow the rules exactly.

Kian Blake didn’t answer readily—he only lowered his eyes firmly. Guessing he was reluctant, I firmly held his hand.

It’s just a game, Kian Blake.

Seemingly somewhat persuaded by that, Kian Blake looked at me and nodded with a faint smile.

And so the game resumed, and this time, I was the one left with the last flower. Kian Blake’s face instantly brightened, completely different from moments before.

Kian Blake beamed happily, while Sikar Blake fiddled with his rosemary dismissively.

And I whispered the words I knew Kian Blake longed to hear.

Kian Blake. I love you.

Kian Blake, grinning ear to ear with happiness, turned red even to his earlobes and covered his face with both hands, cheering.

Hwah!

I grabbed Kian Blake’s arm and teased him further.

What’s wrong, Kian? Are you embarrassed?

Hwah! I-I don’t know!

What am I to do with this adorable son, flustered beyond measure by hearing “I love you”?

Unable to suppress my grin stretching ear to ear, I bounced my legs gleefully as I laughed.

Is the game over now?

Afraid Sikar Blake would say, “Enough of this childish nonsense,” I immediately stopped teasing Kian Blake.

No! We’ll continue. This is a family game meant to bond our little family.

Fine.

Sikar Blake handled his rosemary as if about to tear it apart, then straightened it again.

I picked up the rosemary beside me, redistributed them, and this time made Sikar Blake start first.

We looked at each other again and plucked one flower each in turn. Internally, I pleaded, “Please, let Kian Blake be the one this time!”—but oddly, this time Sikar Blake ended up with the last flower.

Would Sikar Blake really say “I love you” to me?

The very idea of Sikar Blake saying that to me felt so bizarre I decided I wouldn’t mind if he just mumbled something vague.

Sure enough, Sikar Blake froze as if cursed had manifested over his entire body.

Of course, no actual curse had manifested. He simply hadn’t expected to be the one stuck with it and was now awkwardly frozen.

Seeing him so stiff, it was clear how difficult saying those words must be for him. That only made me want to tease him more.

Time to make him pay dearly for all those times he threatened me with a sword.

Sikar Blake? What are you doing? You must follow the rules.

Looking awkward, Sikar Blake covered his lips with his fist, coughed a few times, and finally managed to say,

Perhaps a curse suddenly activated—my pronunciation isn’t working well.

You’re speaking very clearly and articulately.

‘Feels like your tongue’s paralyzed trying to say words you’ve never said before, doesn’t it?’

I was secretly delighted. This must be a first in Sikar Blake’s life.

Sikar Blake. Kian Blake is watching too. Are you planning to break the rules?

Who said I’d break the rules? I’ll do it. I’m just thinking of a more sophisticated way.

Trying to say something you’ve never said in your life must feel like dying.

I’d love to see that sophisticated method soon, Sikar Blake. Even our patience has limits.

Perhaps because I pressed him, Sikar Blake suddenly, and rather flusteredly, drew his dagger.

Why are you suddenly drawing your dagger?!

To engrave.

‘Engrave what? Where?’