Until when do you plan to sleep in this room?

I opened my eyes to find Sikar Blake frowning down at me.

Lately, I had been sleeping almost every day in Kian Blake’s empty room.

At first, I fell asleep here after packing Kian’s things and recalling how we had once slept together in this room; then, thinking I wouldn’t see Kian often anymore left me feeling empty, so I kept returning here to sleep.

Sikar had told me to stop, but feelings aren’t something you can just switch off.

I worried whether, despite promising to find my mother, I’d somehow ended up pushing her further away—and above all, not having seen Kian’s face even once in over a week made my heart ache even more.

“Anyone looking at you would think you’ve been heartbroken.”

“No, this is sadder than being heartbroken.”

After arriving here, I’d been inseparable from that child—and then suddenly torn away overnight. It wasn’t even comparable to heartbreak.

“It’s not like you’ll be separated forever—no need to be this devastated.”

“But still… since he went to the palace, I haven’t seen his face even once…”

Sikar studied me carefully, then chuckled knowingly.

“You must feel slighted by the king.”

More than feeling slighted, I was genuinely curious whether Kian had been asking about me at all.

“Has Kian… maybe asked how I’m doing, or anything like that?”

Sikar grabbed both my cheeks as if handling a child.

“Yura Blake. Surely you don’t think Kian has forgotten you?”

I wriggled free from Sikar’s devilish grip and pouted.

“Who said that? I just asked because I hoped he’d miss me when he had time.”

“In that regard, you needn’t worry. I told Kian that if he wants to see you even a day sooner, he must finish all his duties as quickly as possible. Right now, he’s busy learning everything about the palace and its people since he’s only just arrived—so don’t take it personally.”

“So you’re saying he’s working hard to learn faster so he can see me, and that’s why he hasn’t visited?”

“Yes. Feeling better now?”

Better? He should’ve led with that from the start.

I beamed as if all my troubles had vanished in an instant, and Sikar chuckled softly too.

“And since the coronation is set for tomorrow, you should practice wearing the crown today.”

“Wait. What? When is the coronation?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Oh, so the coronation is literally tomorrow—and you’re telling me today so I can prepare today?”

“Exactly.”

Is there anyone else in the world this ‘thoughtful’? Of course, that’s sarcasm.

I clenched my fists tightly to suppress the rising anger.

“Sikar. I know you’ve been busy lately, but don’t you think you should’ve mentioned this a bit earlier? Leaving me with barely a day…”

“Well, the coronation date was set with barely a day’s notice.”

Currently, because Kian is still young, all authority has been transferred to his royal consort, Sikar Blake.

Then surely Sikar himself must have set the coronation schedule—so why speak as if someone else decided it?

“Who set the coronation date?”

Sikar chuckled and replied,

“Your son did. He insisted on tomorrow because he couldn’t wait even an hour longer to see you.”

Those words melted my hardened heart like snow under sunlight.

“Did Kian really move up the coronation date just because he missed me?”

“Yes.”

After everything that had happened—and not even knowing whether Kian was alright—those words were profoundly touching.

He scheduled the coronation just to see me sooner. Foolishly, tears welled up again—and without my permission, Sikar pulled me into a tight embrace.

“If you’re crying from感动, it’s still too early.”

“Too early? Why?”

“Because Kian personally sent the outfit you’ll wear at tomorrow’s coronation.”

“The outfit I’ll wear at tomorrow’s coronation?”

The garment made my jaw drop.

The dress brought in immediately after my question was dazzling enough for a goddess from myth.

The mantle to be worn over it was so long it swept the floor like a carpet with every step, and the sleeves were attached seamlessly to the dress itself.

Clothes like this—I’d only ever seen them in paintings.

“Am I really wearing this tomorrow?”

“Yes. It’s the kind of garment you might wear only once in your lifetime—at a coronation. Not something money can simply buy. Ah—you might see it again when Kian gets married.”

Oddly enough, seeing the dress made me feel, somewhat, like the queen mother of the king. Of course, I’ll feel it even more strongly tomorrow.

Just looking at the dress made me tremble as if stage fright were already setting in. Sikar firmly took my hand.

“Don’t tremble. You’re the queen mother of this land’s most powerful ruler—you have no reason to fear anyone. From now on, hold your head high and look down upon everyone. Remember the expression I taught you?”

Sikar, for the first time in ages, tilted my chin upward—a haughty, almost vicious, villainess-like expression.

Back then, that expression had felt unbearably awkward; now, it didn’t feel awkward at all.

I followed Sikar’s lead, lifting my chin and slightly lowering my gaze.

“How’s this? Am I doing it well?”

“You look too gentle. That won’t do. Better to go with benevolence.”

Even I thought benevolence suited me better. No need to practice that.

“What if you, Sikar, tried a benevolent expression too?”

“I can’t. I must assist Kian in governing state affairs. If nobles don’t fear their sovereign, the king’s authority will collapse—I must teach Kian the solemn dignity of rulership.”

If anyone can pull that off, it’s Sikar.

“Finally… I’ll see Kian tomorrow. I can’t believe it.”

Sikar, who had been gazing at me with a pleased expression, suddenly stiffened. He frowned seriously.

“I’ve occasionally seen you smile while lost in thought. Turns out… it wasn’t me you were thinking of, but Kian.”

Is he referring to having seen my memories?

“My memories?”

“Yes. I used to feel secretly pleased, thinking you were recalling me—but now I see I was wrong. Didn’t you say you’d grown kinder to me?”

“That has nothing to do with kindness, Mr. Sikar.”

“Then what does it have to do with?”

It’s deeply tied to love.

Of course, I had smiled thinking of Sikar too—but somehow, those words just wouldn’t leave my lips.

And I didn’t feel like saying them to this man who still hadn’t uttered a single “I love you” to me.

“Why won’t you answer?”

“Being kind means doing good for others; smiling means feeling happy—they’re entirely different matters. I hoped you’d realize that yourself.”

While Sikar mulled over “I see…”, Andrea burst in with a wide, cheerful grin.

“Master! Madam! Tucker has woken up!”

Right. That day, Tucker had collapsed and been brought here. I’d been too overwhelmed to even think of it.

Sikar also smiled brightly, evidently satisfied.

“Tucker’s awake? I should go see him myself.”

No sooner had Sikar spoken than Tucker entered the room, scratching the back of his head with an awkward smile.

“No need to come out—I came to you first.”

“Tucker! Are you alright?! I was so shocked when you were carried in unconscious that day!”

Unlike me, Sikar stared at Tucker as if he were seeing a ghost.

“You rascal. So you were alive. No wonder the search parties I sent to recover your body kept coming up empty—you were perfectly fine, living in my house all along?”

What is he talking about?

“What do you mean, Master?”

When I asked, both Sikar and Tucker recounted in detail everything that had happened that day.

The story I heard from Sikar astonished me. Tucker had risked his life for Sikar—all because of a single carriage I’d gifted him.

Andrea, listening alongside me, gaped in amazement.

“Tucker risked his life for you, Master! Admirable! Truly admirable!”

Moved, Andrea grabbed Tucker’s arm repeatedly, while Tucker just smiled sheepishly.

Sikar, evidently pleased with Tucker, chuckled softly.

“So. How did you survive?”

“Right—I’m curious too. Wasn’t that place impossible to escape if swept away by water?”

Tucker grinned radiantly, not at all like someone who’d nearly died.

“I survived thanks to the Duchess. I’ll never forget this debt.”

“My doing? What are you talking about, Tucker?”

“I survived because of the medicine Madam secretly gave me.”

“Medicine…?”

“The medicine you prepared for me back then.”

Since I couldn’t recall clearly, Sikar prompted my memory.

“You mean the magic essence? I’d meant to ask about it but was too busy. Why on earth did you give it to him?”

“You said I couldn’t give jewels since they were your gift—so I gave magic essence instead. Andrea was giving gifts too, and as the Duchess of this estate, I couldn’t send him off empty-handed.”

“Magic essence isn’t easy to obtain. Its rarity makes it valuable. If you need it desperately and don’t have any, it’s a real problem—next time, just give jewels.”

“But I have more magic essence than jewels.”

“You don’t seem to realize I went through great trouble to obtain all that for you, my dear?”

He stared at me intently, but didn’t seem truly angry—just slightly disappointed.

“I’ll give jewels instead next time.”

“So you’re not saying you’ll never give anything again.”

“Of course not. I must live generously. Only by giving can I earn even a little good fortune.”

Realizing he wouldn’t get the answer he wanted from me, Sikar turned his gaze to Tucker.

“But what effect did it have?”

Tucker, looking thrilled as if recounting an epic adventure, lifted his heels.

“It had buoyancy. Suddenly, my body floated right up onto the water’s surface.”

Sikar nodded, as if that made sense.

“It’s auxiliary magic essence, used by mages when low on mana. Even if Tucker can’t cast spells, it could’ve helped him float on water using residual mana.”

The magic essence I’d given to help with household expenses ended up saving a life—I felt immensely proud.

“Tucker! Well done! But honestly, it wasn’t because of me—it was thanks to your noble heart.”

“It’s all thanks to Madam. I’ll never forget your kindness for as long as I live.”

Sikar crossed his arms, looking contemplative, then nodded.

“The Duchess’s boundlessly generous altruism saves many lives. Very well—I won’t stop you from giving moderately from now on.”

He doesn’t go back on his word, so no need to ask for promises. I gave Sikar a prim look.

“Thank you.”

Now it seemed he wouldn’t object even if I spent every last jewel. Sikar told Tucker to stay a little longer at the estate until fully recovered, adding he could expect a very generous reward.

Tucker didn’t seem particularly expectant—but I certainly was.

Sikar’s promising a big reward? I’m truly curious what it’ll be.