After Sikar returned, we quickly resumed our daily life as if he had always been here.

Only, there was one thing that had changed: the relationship between Sikar and Kian.

Clearly, on the first day, they seemed to be at odds, engaging in a tense standoff, but now they appeared to have reconciled amicably.

‘One really can’t predict how things will go between these two.’

Perhaps because today was Family Day, their relationship seemed even more harmonious.

For instance, during breakfast, Sikar meticulously cut up all of Kian’s meat for him, and Kian ate it while forcing an awkward smile.

Of course, both of them smiled at each other in such a clumsy way that one might wonder whether they were laughing or about to cry—but perhaps that was simply because they were still awkward around each other and trying too hard to smile.

Since today was Family Day, I had prepared something special. Of course, Sikar would probably be horrified, but just as people wear party hats on birthdays, I thought wearing this on Family Day would be nice.

It was, specifically, a headband with cute rabbit ears attached.

We had aspirations to become not a lion family, but a rabbit family—cozy and harmonious—and this was also a way to express our determination to spend Family Day in a sweet, adorable manner.

So, we planned to use the old Rosemary Game trick to force Sikar to wear the headband, since he wouldn’t be able to refuse.

But something unimaginable happened. When we met in the garden to enjoy a picnic celebrating Family Day, Sikar—who I never thought would do such a thing—appeared already wearing the rabbit-ear headband.

‘Could he have hit his head on the battlefield?’

I stared at Kian incredulously, but Kian wore an equally surprised and awkwardly flustered expression.

Why does Kian even make flustered faces so awkwardly?

Is he making that face because it’s funny but he can’t laugh?

More importantly, how did Sikar even know about this headband’s existence? Only Kian and I knew about it.

Could it be… Kian?

When I looked at Kian with suspicion, he smiled gently and said,

“His Grace the Duke kindly honored my request.”

Goodness. So Kian had thoughtfully made the request in advance to spare me the trouble. How considerate of him.

Sikar shrugged nonchalantly.

“I heard wearing this headband is the trend for Family Day.”

“You mean you personally put this on your own head?”

“Of course, I didn’t wear it alone.”

What does that even—

I soon understood why Sikar said that. Durion and Vika Lamberst soon appeared in the living room, both looking thoroughly uncomfortable.

Durion was fiddling awkwardly with the rabbit ears on his headband, while Vika Lamberst scowled as if he’d bitten into something sour.

“I’ve lived over 140 years, and this is the first time I’ve ever worn such ridiculous ear things. Why on earth are we supposed to wear these?!”

Judging by Vika Lamberst’s growling, it seemed Sikar had threatened him into wearing it.

Durion’s cheeks were slightly flushed, as if embarrassed.

“I don’t think this suits me… Is it really okay?”

Judging by how he spoke, he actually liked it?

“Master Durion. Do you like the headband?”

“Yes, Madam. Since I’ve never worn anything like this before, it feels cute and I quite like it.”

Vika Lamberst pulled Durion’s rabbit ears with an exasperated expression.

“What good is it if only you like it? If people saw you, they’d think you’ve gone mad and run away!”

“Have I really become that cute?…?”

Vika Lamberst grabbed both of Durion’s rabbit ears and shook them, looking utterly dumbfounded.

“Does that sound like a compliment to you? Huh? Who told you to be so dense just because you’re the Duke’s loyal retainer?!”

By now, Kian had become quite skilled at handling an agitated Vika Lamberst.

Kian gently pushed Vika Lamberst outside to calm him down, then stepped forward.

“Master Vika Lamberst. Please calm down. Let’s enjoy our picnic now!”

We prepared our picnic in the lush, leafy garden within the Duke’s manor.

Durion fell asleep as soon as he lay down, and even Vika Lamberst, who had been teasing him by calling him a “full-bellied pig,” soon dozed off too.

I had hoped to have some more quiet, intimate conversations today, but with both of them asleep, that was impossible.

Judging by how Kian was nodding off, the shade under the trees must have been quite refreshing.

I had planned to surprise Sikar with carnations later, but here he was, already dozing.

Still, a little nap wouldn’t hurt.

“Kian. If you’re very sleepy, why not rest your eyes for a bit? I’ll wake you up later, so go ahead and sleep a little.”

“Then, Mother. I’ll just close my eyes for a moment. I think I’m so sleepy because I practiced spirit magic with Master Vika Lamberst for a long time yesterday.”

“Alright. Go ahead.”

Perhaps Sikar thought Kian was grown up now, because he no longer placed Kian’s head on his lap when Kian wanted to sleep.

But he should at least offer his leg as a pillow.

“Sikar. What are you doing? There’s no pillow.”

Sikar finally realized I meant for him to use his leg as a pillow. He stretched out one leg and patted his thigh—clearly signaling Kian to come rest his head there.

Kian didn’t seem particularly eager, but after glancing at me once, he lay down with his head on Sikar’s leg.

Awkward relationships are mended through frequent physical affection.

It was a peaceful afternoon, with everyone asleep, sunlight sparkling through the thick foliage, and a warm breeze blowing gently.

Sikar tugged at the rabbit-ear headband on his head and said,

“Can I take this off now?”

“Don’t you see everyone’s sleeping with theirs on? Today, we’re a rabbit family—keep it on.”

“To think someone would come up with wearing something like this… The people from where you live truly have wild imaginations.”

“Well, it’s cute, isn’t it?”

Seeing Sikar turn his gaze away, palms flat on the ground with an indifferent expression, I remembered something from the Grand Temple.

A phrase I hadn’t understood back then.

“Kumama.”

At my words, Sikar flinched and looked at me.

“Kumama.”

I could see Sikar’s earlobes turning red.

According to Vika Lamberst, this word is in Elvish—but it seems it’s actually a magic spell that turns Sikar’s ears red?

Sikar looked surprised at first, then smiled as if he finally understood.

“Right. I didn’t think much of it then, but now I recall—you asked Vika Lamberst about that word.”

“Yes. It meant that, right? That’s why your face turned red back then…”

“What nonsense are you spouting? When did my face ever turn red?!”

“It’s red right now! If you don’t believe me, look through my memories. You can do that, right?”

When I held out my hand, Sikar hesitated, then pulled back.

“Never mind.”

“Oh, by the way. The Marquis will be coming over later today.”

“I wonder why that man keeps showing up at the Duke’s manor on Family Day.”

I looked at the sleeping Kian and squeezed the child’s hand.

“Because Kian needs friends his own age.”

“Kian only needs loyal retainers who will devote themselves to him completely. He may not need friends at all.”

“Kian will hear you.”

“Don’t worry. He’s sleeping soundly, oblivious to the world.”

That was a relief. Indeed, if Sikar had sensed Kian was awake, he wouldn’t have said such things.

Sikar and I silently faced the breeze and quietly closed our eyes. Gradually, my eyelids grew heavy, and before I knew it, I had fallen into a nap.

When I woke up, Vika Lamberst and Durion were nowhere to be seen, and I was nestled in Sikar’s arms.

“Where did Master Vika Lamberst and Master Durion go?”

“Since you fell asleep, I sent them to find and eliminate the nightmare spirits.”

Ah, of course. Nightmares can still occur even during naps.

“Master Vika Lamberst must be working hard.”

“If we know that, we must quickly find the cause and eliminate it. But since we don’t know the cause… we also can’t let you keep having recurring nightmares without finding the source. It’s quite a dilemma.”

As I listened to Sikar, I realized Kian was watching me with a worried expression.

“S-Sikar. Kian heard everything.”

Sikar replied with an indifferent shrug.

“Is it something Kian shouldn’t know?”

“It’ll just make him worry unnecessarily.”

Just as I thought, Kian was staring at me with deep concern.

“You’re having nightmares?”

“Oh, no, it’s not that, Kian. You don’t need to worry like that.”

But Kian’s face was already filled with anxiety.

“How can I not worry?”

“It’s unnecessary worry, that’s all.”

“There must be a way.”

“Yes. We’ll find it. Kian, you just focus on your own future. I don’t want to burden you with worry. It would be deeply shameful for me.”

Kian reluctantly nodded.

“Alright. But please let me help find a solution too. I’d be ashamed if I couldn’t do anything for Mother.”

His touching words made my nose tingle again.

“Kian, do you know you often move me deeply?”

“Mother always moves me deeply.”

“Kian…”

We embraced each other tightly, overflowing with love and emotion.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, Kian pulled away from me.

“Oh, Mother. I’ll give it to His Grace now.”

By “it,” he must mean the carnations?

Sikar looked at us questioningly, and I gave him a triumphant smile.

He probably wouldn’t particularly like it, given his personality—but it would certainly surprise him.

“Alright, Kian. Shall we surprise His Grace?”

“Yes, Mother.”

Just as expected, Kian reached into the picnic basket and pulled out the carnations. He handed them to Sikar and said,

“Thank you for taking me in and raising me, Your Grace. I grew these carnations myself.”

Sikar took the carnations Kian offered, looking slightly surprised.

Then, he reacted in a way that completely surpassed my imagination.

Sikar burst into wild, raucous laughter.

“Kah kah kah! Kian! I never expected you’d prepare something like this! Kah kah kah! Thank you, Kian! I’m so happy I can’t stop laughing! Kah kah kah!”

What… what is this reaction?

Surely Sikar didn’t hit his head on the battlefield… or has he… gone mad…?