CHAPTER 31
Right now, I felt like my soul had been completely wrung out.
“Then I’ll be on my way.”
Compared to earlier, Id looked much more at ease as he stepped out of the house. As I saw him off, I made sure to firmly hammer in one final reminder—just in case.
“It’s only for two weeks. A month at most. No more than that.”
“Yes, Madam. I’ll return as soon as I can. I won’t forget this kindness.”
“Let me be clear—this is only for this time. Don’t you dare try this again.”
“Understood.”
He looked as if he was making a solemn vow that this would never happen again. Just as he was about to climb into the carriage, he paused and hesitated—like something was still on his mind.
“Um, Madam.”
“What now?”
What was he going to ask this time?
I gave him a sharp glare, and he quickly waved his hands in defense.
“No, no, it’s not another favor, I swear.”
“Then what is it?”
My tone might’ve come off a bit short-tempered, but Id didn’t show the slightest hint of offense. Instead, he asked,
“…It just feels wrong not to repay you somehow. Are you really not interested in any jewels?”
So that’s what he was hesitating over? Seriously?
My shoulders slumped slightly as I let out a sigh.
“It’s fine. Honestly, getting paid in jewels just for watching a child feels excessive.”
“Even so, I really think you should accept at least something…”
He trailed off, glancing at me nervously.
Why was he so desperate to give me jewelry?
I squinted at him suspiciously.
Does he run some kind of gemstone business or something?
No, that couldn’t be it. If he did, he wouldn’t be stuck out here in the countryside.
Now that I thought about it, he did seem unusually well-off for a rural noble. The time I visited his estate, the quality of his and Ayla’s clothes—it all hinted at wealth.
Still, I shook my head firmly.
“If Ayla found out I accepted jewelry just for taking care of her for two weeks, it would hurt her feelings. It’s better that I don’t.”
He looked genuinely surprised, like the thought hadn’t even crossed his mind, and his shoulders drooped.
“I see… Still, I’d really like to thank you somehow…”
Oh, come on. This is getting awkward.
If he was going to be this persistent, he could at least stop being so good-looking. With that face, he looked like a sad puppy in the rain. I felt guilty even though I hadn’t done anything wrong.
My conscience started to prick at me, and I figured maybe I should accept something small.
Something that wouldn’t feel like a burden… Something Ayla wouldn’t be hurt to hear about…
I thought for a while.
Then suddenly, something occurred to me.
In the original story, Ayla’s parents were the Count and Countess of Wolfgang.
Meaning… Id might die any time before Ayla turns 14.
He could even die on this very trip to the capital.
If only I knew exactly when he was supposed to die…
It’s strange—I hardly remember anything when it comes to Ayla.
Considering she was the heroine, I should’ve remembered her best, but the character I remembered most clearly was Leona.
Trying to recall more made my head throb.
As I stood there clutching my forehead in silence, Id—halfway into the carriage—called out to me with concern.
“Madam?”
I looked up. That ever-handsome face gazed at me curiously.
“Are you unwell?”
“Oh, no, it’s not that…”
I shook my head.
Then what is it? he seemed to be asking with his eyes.
Now he was looking at me with worry, when he was the one headed into danger.
I called to him softly.
“Sir Mente.”
“Yes, Madam?”
“Since I’m taking care of Ayla, I’d like to ask you for something in return.”
He looked visibly relieved at the thought that I did want something after all, and nodded eagerly.
“Of course. Whatever it is, just name it.”
I knew what I was about to say wasn’t something to smile about.
But I said it anyway.
“…Please be careful of carriage accidents.”
“Pardon?”
His voice pitched up in surprise, his expression completely blank.
Clearly, the idea had never even crossed his mind.
But accidents strike when people least expect them.
I repeated myself, reminding him of what I said earlier.
“Remember what I told you before—if anything happens to you, Ayla will be left all alone.”
“Ah…”
“So be careful. Take every precaution. Come back safely. That’s all the thanks I want.”
His expression turned solemn in an instant.
Maybe it sounded like a curse in disguise, and I regretted saying it right after it left my mouth.
But Id didn’t raise his voice or take offense.
“I will. Thank you for your concern.”
He even thanked me before heading back to his estate.
Watching the carriage disappear into the distance, I found myself thinking:
He can be pushy sometimes… but he’s not a bad guy.
There are plenty of good-looking men who are awful on the inside, but Id seemed to be genuinely decent.
Even if he is doomed to be a widower.
Whoever his wife was, I couldn’t help but envy her just a little.
With that silly thought, I headed back inside.
There was a lot to do to prepare for Ayla’s arrival. The staff would be busy.
Meanwhile…
“Father!”
As soon as they returned to the mansion with the blue roof, Ayla came running out in a hurry.
“So? What happened?”
She looked anxious as she questioned Lloyd.
Unable to help himself, Lloyd smiled softly and replied,
“You’ll be staying for about two weeks, so we’ll need to pack quite a lot.”
Ayla’s face slowly lit up.
“Then that means…!”
“I’ll send Lawrence and the maids up to help. Make sure you don’t forget anything. And if anyone treats you badly, it’s not under my orders—so make sure to tell me.”
Her nose turned red at those words.
But soon, she smiled brightly and nodded vigorously.
“Yes, Father!”
Clearly thrilled, she bounded up the stairs like Aslan, nothing like her usual dainty self.
Lloyd watched her with affection before turning to his own preparations for tomorrow’s departure.
While Ayla packed dolls, books, and clothes, Lloyd’s baggage mostly consisted of camping supplies.
He had to take a shortcut to get there quickly, and even securing a room at an inn would be lucky—he was prepared to sleep outdoors most nights.
Lloyd silently watched as the gear was loaded into the carriage.
A certain noblewoman’s words kept echoing in his ears.
“…Please be careful of carriage accidents.”
Honestly, when she said it, he thought it was bizarre.
Shouldn’t the coachman be the one worrying about that?
He’d traveled rough roads before without a single mishap.
“If anything happens to you, Ayla will be left all alone. So please, take every precaution and come back safely. That’s all the thanks I want.”
Minerva had emphasized it over and over again—avoid carriage accidents. Don’t leave Ayla behind.
He’d brushed it off as overprotectiveness, but then he remembered something else she once said—
“Take care of yourself. We’re all the kids have.”
And at that moment, Lloyd finally understood why Minerva had been so persistent.
He thought back to the man he saw in the portrait hanging in the hilltop estate—brown hair, blue eyes.
Not especially flashy, but his gentle expression hinted at his character.
That was the man Minerva had loved.
She said he died before Aslan was even born.
Minerva had given up the throne and fallen into Mars’ schemes, all to be with the man she loved—just so she could have a quiet, ordinary, happy life with him.
And then, that happiness was stolen away in a senseless accident.
Now, the only thing Minerva had left was Aslan.
To Lloyd, it seemed that Minerva was still grieving the loss of her husband.
She just hid it well—for Aslan’s sake.
So she could be a strong pillar for her daughter.
