After that incident, Seo Yeon and the twins came to the Duke’s manor.

Sikar Blake and Reidox were so busy with palace affairs that they couldn’t even properly see each other’s faces.

Later, I heard from Vika Lamberst that Pasium had tried to self-detonate while embracing Sikar Blake.

Because I touched the cage, Pasium was forcibly summoned, which prevented the explosion from occurring.

If that self-detonation had happened, Sikar Blake and Vika Lamberst might not have survived in this world. And if that had occurred, little Kian Blake, still so young, would have died helplessly—just thinking about it was horrifying.

I can’t express how fortunate it is that Sikar Blake and Kian Blake are alive, thanks to my choice.

Durion repeated this story several times over the dining table.

“Honestly, if Madam hadn’t insisted on storming Pasium’s hideout back then—ugh! Just thinking about it gives me chills.”

Watching Durion shudder violently as if recalling that moment, Vika Lamberst shuddered even harder, as if he himself felt even more chills.

“I’m the one who should be shuddering. If that Duke had died back then, I too would’ve…”

Vika Lamberst chewed his meat aggressively, as if gnawing on Sikar Blake himself. Understandable—given his perspective, he had every reason to grind his teeth.

“By the way, Durion. Wasn’t it exhausting riding the broomstick here?”

Durion shuddered again, as if repulsed.

“At first it was rough, but I eventually got the hang of it—my legs didn’t drag too badly. Still, I’d rather never ride that thing again.”

Luid, who had been quietly listening to our conversation, cautiously opened his mouth as if gauging the mood.

“You rode a broomstick? Could I possibly ride one too?”

Durion, staring blankly at Luid, suddenly clapped his knee as if struck by a brilliant idea.

“I shall give the broomstick to Young Viscount.”

“Really?”

Durion responded with a warm, satisfied smile, as if deeply considerate.

“Of course. It seems an excellent item for Young Viscount to travel with.”

Normally, Lucy would have jumped into the conversation saying she wanted to ride the broomstick too—but today, her expression was unusually serious.

“Um, Duchess?”

“Yes?”

“Is Kian Blake really His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince?”

I smiled softly, charmed by Lucy’s use of “His Royal Highness.”

“Just call him ‘Your Highness.’”

“Oh… yes, Duchess. But Father said Kian Blake will soon become king—is he really going to become… king?”

It was time, I supposed, to finally tell the twins.

I explained that Kian Blake was indeed the Crown Prince of this country, and that I had entrusted his royal education to Reidox.

Lucy’s mouth fell open. Luid, who had been cheerful just moments before, now wore a near-tearful expression.

“S-so… does that mean Father also knew Kian Blake was His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

The twins exchanged glances with gloomy faces.

“Luid, what will you do now? You were the one who bullied Kian Blake the most!”

“I’ve been getting along fine with him lately!”

“But don’t you remember how you used to torment Kian every single day?”

Thanks to Lucy’s heavy scolding, Luid sighed repeatedly, his food seemingly stuck in his throat.

He never imagined the child he’d treated so casually was actually the king. Even in the original story, Luid became noticeably more cautious after learning this truth.

In the original story, Kian Blake never cared about such trivial matters—he was that magnanimous a child.

Even if Kian would eventually forgive him, it was best to comfort Luid now.

As I moved to console Luid, Seo Yeon winked at me and skillfully reassured him herself.

“His Young Highness, now destined to be king, won’t trouble himself over such minor matters. Don’t worry, Young Master.”

“But history shows that petty kings envy and resent their subjects, harass prosperous nobles out of jealousy, and conspire to confiscate their wealth!”

“I guarantee His Young Highness would never be such a person.”

“Can I trust the nanny’s word?”

Luid, apparently unconvinced by Seo Yeon’s assurance, turned to me—and I nodded firmly.

“Of course you can trust her. And I guarantee Kian Blake will never scold you for such things.”

Hearing this, Luid finally looked relieved and raised one hand triumphantly.

“Yes! Then I won’t worry about that anymore!”

“Right. That worry was entirely unnecessary.”

Just as I thought I’d eased Luid’s concerns, Lucy asked with a worried expression.

“But, Duchess!”

“Yes?”

“Then how should we address Kian Blake from now on? Should we call him ‘Your Majesty’?”

It must be quite bewildering—thinking of him as a friend one moment, then suddenly as the sovereign of a nation. But it was unavoidable.

“Yes. After the coronation, we must honor him as the sovereign of this land.”

The twins didn’t immediately respond. They glanced at each other with awkward expressions, then nodded weakly.

“We don’t quite feel it yet… but we understand. It might feel strange at first, but we’ll address him that way from now on.”

“You’ll probably feel it more once the coronation is held.”

Lucy and Luid sighed again and began eating quietly—their expressions clearly showed they had no appetite.

Come to think of it, I too must now call him “Your Majesty.” I won’t be able to see Kian Blake at the Duke’s manor anymore.

That thought alone made my appetite vanish. Seo Yeon, watching me quietly from beside me, seemed to pity me and asked with concern.

“Is it because you’ll now be completely separated from Kian Blake?”

Indeed, after that incident, I haven’t even seen Kian Blake’s face since he left for the palace.

I knew this day would come someday, but now that it’s here, a deep loneliness fills my heart. I smiled wistfully.

“Yes. I’m not feeling well. I think I’ll go up to my room first—I should start packing Kian Blake’s belongings.”

Seo Yeon simply nodded quietly, as if helping me prepare properly for my final moments with Kian Blake.

Kian Blake’s room still held all our memories intact—the dreamcatcher Sikar Blake made, and the origami we folded together.

Memories of tucking Kian Blake into bed every night after first bringing him to this house.

Whenever I told him scary fairy tales, his frightened, adorable face would come to mind—and each time, I reminded myself more firmly that it was time to let him go.

If my own heart feels this way, how much worse must Veronia’s be?

Veronia must be meeting Valije in the snowy mountains right now.

Veronia detested banquets.

She disliked everything about the royal palace—most of all, the tiresome political struggles.

Since banquets were merely extensions of the political arena, Veronia frequently fled whenever one was held.

She could leap off balconies even while wearing floor-length gowns.

As she prepared to jump off the balcony as usual, someone grabbed the collar of her dress.

“Who dares?!”

Instinctively, Veronia pulled out a hairpin and aimed it at her assailant’s throat.

The one who grabbed her was none other than Valije, son of the recently deceased Captain of the Royal Guard.

“I know you. You’re the son of the late Captain of the Royal Guard, aren’t you? Everyone’s naming you as his successor.”

Despite the princess’s threat, Valije remained completely unfazed and calmly replied.

“If Your Highness keeps fleeing like this, your handmaid will be scolded again.”

“Scolded again? That’s never happened—who’s scolding my handmaid?!”

“Your handmaid hasn’t spoken of it, but she has apparently been reprimanded by Her Majesty the Queen.”

“Who’s spreading such nonsense?!”

“His Young Highness.”

Veronia looked where Valije pointed. The little boy staring boldly back at her, unflinching despite their locked gazes, was Sikar Blake, Young Master of House Blake.

Sikar Blake, now about five years old, stared stubbornly at Veronia with wide eyes, as if insisting he was right.

‘What a reckless child.’

“They say the Young Master of House Blake sees straight into people’s hearts—so that boy is him.’

“He’s a good child. Being deep-hearted, he naturally perceives others’ inner thoughts.”

“So, must I now worry about my handmaid’s welfare too?”

“If Your Highness ignores how your misguided actions cause your handmaid to bear the punishment in your stead, that wouldn’t be considered proper human conduct.”

“Do you dare lecture me—the primary heir to this kingdom?”

“If Your Highness doesn’t understand the duties of a sovereign, it is my duty as your subject to teach you.”

No one had ever spoken to her like this. Strangely, Veronia didn’t dislike this audacious spirit mage.

Veronia awoke to find tears gathering at the corners of her eyes.

It had been a long time since she dreamed of Valije.

In that old dream, she also saw the young Duke Blake.

‘Back then, the Duke truly was reckless.’

Veronia sighed softly and turned her gaze out the carriage window.

The entirely white, snow-covered mountains made one feel lonely just by looking at them.

Upon arriving at the snowy mountains, Veronia stepped down from the carriage and trudged toward where Valije lay. Porters followed behind her.

Among them were Jeremi Iker and Roen. Veronia had declined their help, saying she was fine—but Sikar Blake had paid them a substantial sum and instructed them to guide her well, so they had no reason to refuse.

Moreover, since they knew the refuge Sikar Blake had prepared, they had no choice but to guide her.

Sikar Blake had asked Veronia to stay in the refuge he prepared, in exchange for revealing the location of Valije’s remains.

Entering the snowy mountains, Veronia gazed at the white peaks blanketed in snow and asked,

“Where is his body?”

“Right beside the refuge. Please follow me.”

Without hesitation, Jeremi Iker led Veronia to where Valije’s remains lay.

Both the remains and the refuge were inside a snow-covered rock.

Sikar Blake, preparing for contingencies, had established Kian Blake’s refuge in the snowy mountains. While searching for a suitable location, he spotted a large rock and ordered laborers to hollow it out, placing the refuge inside and Valije’s remains beside it.

From the outside, it looked like an ordinary snow-covered rock—perfect as a hiding place.

The refuge even included a storeroom enchanted with preservation magic, keeping all provisions fresh.

“The Duke prepared the refuge thoroughly, didn’t he?”

As Veronia smiled with renewed emotion, Jeremi Iker carefully adjusted the door to the resting chamber.

“Then, let me show you Lord Valije.”

Jeremi Iker placed his hand on one side of the snow-covered rock and muttered something—the rock opened.

As the door opened, inside the rock, within a coffin, lay Valije, eyes closed as if peacefully asleep.

All the porters, including Jeremi Iker and Roen, stepped aside to give Veronia space.

It was her husband—whom she hadn’t seen in ten years.

She wondered if she’d only ever meet him again in dreams. He was the husband she missed so desperately every day.

If she called out “Darling,” he’d surely open his eyes instantly and ask if she’d slept well—but today, he seemed merely asleep, as if exhausted and oversleeping.

If she cried “Ouch,” he’d immediately fuss over where she was hurt—but now, he lay asleep, oblivious to the world.

Veronia stroked Valije’s cheek with trembling hands. The chilling coldness whispered that he was no longer among the living.

Only then did her tears begin to pour.

Veronia clung to sleeping Valije and wept uncontrollably.

She shed in one moment all the tears she hadn’t been able to cry for the past ten years.

Outside, Jeremi Iker and Roen also heard Veronia’s wailing.

Roen, overwhelmed with emotion, burst into tears and buried herself in Jeremi Iker’s arms. Jeremi Iker stood motionless, letting his own tears fall unchecked.

The princess’s sorrowful lament echoed fully across the snowy mountains.