CHAPTER 48…….
In the end, the kids took all my snacks.
They even insisted on “best two out of three,” and we played twice more—but I lost every single game.
Feeling especially bitter about life today, I asked them,
“Is it good?”
“Yeah, super good!”
“It’s delicious.”
The children, seated around the garden table covered with a mountain of desserts, nodded eagerly, as if enchanted by sugar magic.
Watching their cheeks puff out happily as they munched, I couldn’t help but smile too.
‘Well… as long as they’re eating happily, that’s what matters.’
Even if I didn’t get a single bite.
Like a miser eyeing gold, I just stared at the sweet desserts while sipping my tea.
The kids, on the other hand, devoured everything like little gluttons—probably because they’d worked up such an appetite from all the running around.
I stared in amazement.
‘How do such tiny bellies hold all that food?’
Because the games were best of three, more desserts had been added each round.
So now the spread was much larger than usual—but judging by their pace, the kids really intended to eat it all.
“Um, Madam. Would you like some too?”
Noticing my gaze, Ayla cautiously offered.
I shook my head.
“No. A promise is a promise.”
“But… you must be hungry…”
As Ayla fidgeted nervously, Aslan cut in from the side.
“Ayla. The world of competition is ruthless.”
“That’s technically true… but it’s not exactly something a five-year-old should be saying, is it?”
I was dumbfounded. A child who hadn’t even faced a fraction of life’s hardships was already talking like that.
I wasn’t even that hungry—but maybe because I looked pitiful, or because of Ayla’s big pleading eyes, Aslan finally relented like a magnanimous lord.
“Fine. Except for this, this, this, and this, I’ll let Mom pick one thing she wants.”
Of course, the ones he excluded were mostly the buttery pastries or those loaded with ham and bacon.
So easy to understand.
Still, he didn’t have to share at all—yet he did—so even if he was cheeky, I couldn’t really dislike him.
I pointed at a golden, mouthwatering tart.
“Then I’ll take the egg tart. Is that okay with you two?”
Ayla and Aslan nodded in unison.
“Yes, that’s fine!”
“Permission granted! Eat it with gratitude!”
“Yes, yes. I am most honored by your grace, my lord.”
The kids burst into laughter at my joking reply.
Before I knew it, half the desserts on the table were gone—but their stomachs still showed no sign of filling up.
“Kids, aren’t you full yet…?”
Aslan immediately answered,
“Not even close.”
“Wasting food is a sin,” Ayla added seriously.
Come to think of it, Ayla did have frugal habits unusual for a noble.
‘Id must have taught her well.’
Still, just in case, I cautioned them,
“If you can’t finish today, I’ll give you more tomorrow, so don’t force yourselves. You’ll get sick otherwise.”
Especially since Id was due back soon—if Ayla got sick right before his return, I’d feel terrible.
The children nodded firmly, as if to say not to worry, and I rested my chin in my hand, smiling as I watched them.
Aslan ate neatly, balancing sweet and salty foods in turn, while Ayla focused entirely on the sweets.
The way they both ate so happily was enough to satisfy me, too.
Then my eyes drifted to their clothes.
‘Once they’re done eating, I’d better wash them up.’
Though they’d washed their hands, their clothes were filthy from all the running and rolling around.
Especially me—I was in the worst state of all.
Sweat, grass stains, and dirt smeared my clothes and hair.
I just wanted to soak in the bath and lie down.
Just then, a soft breeze blew past.
I gazed blankly up at the sky.
The day was warm, the shade was cool, and my body was pleasantly tired.
I closed my eyes drowsily and thought,
‘Speaking of which, when is Id finally coming back?’
Today marked exactly fifteen days.
He had said if he was even a day late, I should be ready. But already, one day had passed beyond the promised two weeks.
He couldn’t possibly be dead, could he?
The uneasy thought was just settling in when—
…clop… clop…
“…?”
I raised my head and looked toward the gate.
I thought I heard something from far away.
Aslan, with his catlike hearing, also turned toward the gate.
Ayla looked at us curiously.
“Madam, Aslan, what’s wrong—”
She didn’t need to finish the question.
Clatter, clatter.
The sound of approaching carriage wheels reached her ears as well.
Ayla’s eyes widened in disbelief, darting between the gate and me.
“Madam, that sound is…”
“Yes. Looks like he’s here.”
I smiled knowingly and nodded.
There was only one carriage due to arrive at this house today.
Ayla was the first to leap off her chair and run toward the gate.
“Let’s go too, Aslan.”
“Yeah!”
Aslan dashed after her, clearly eager to see him as well.
The carriage passed through the gate and came to a slow stop.
When the driver climbed down and opened the door, the first thing visible was a pair of long legs.
A man descended with brisk, confident steps—and the instant Ayla saw him, tears welled in her eyes as she ran toward Id.
“Father!”
“Ayla.”
With a gentle smile, Id swept her up into his arms.
“Have you been well?”
“…Yes. I’ve been fine.”
Surprised at suddenly being lifted, Ayla’s nose quickly turned red, but she nodded.
Aslan, too, called out happily,
“Mister!”
“Aslan, it’s been a while.”
At last, Id’s gaze turned to me.
He’s back safe. I smiled in relief and greeted him.
“Welcome home.”
Still holding Ayla, Id gave me a soft smile and nodded.
“I’ve returned, Madam.”
“Did everything go well?”
At my question, Id nodded, looking refreshed.
“Thanks to you, it was resolved safely.”
I relaxed. Now Ayla could stay at her house in peace.
But then Id grew slightly restless, sneaking glances at me.
What is it? Could it be the family business isn’t truly settled yet?
My anxiety swelled—until Id cautiously asked,
“Um, pardon me…”
“Yes? What is it?”
I prompted him, tense with anticipation.
What on earth was he hesitating so much to say?
Finally, Id spoke with difficulty.
“Forgive me, but… why are all of you covered in dirt and grass…?”
“Oh.”
Right. We were all a mess from rolling around on the lawn.
Especially me—I looked worse than anyone.
Somehow, I was in an even scruffier state than Id, who had camped outdoors for a week on his journey back.
Ayla’s face flushed bright red. I gave an awkward laugh.
“H-ha ha… sorry, we must look awful. We were… playing ball.”
“Ball? Ayla was?”
Id stared at her in disbelief.
Of course—he never could have imagined it.
Even I hadn’t expected Ayla to get so hooked on playing ball.
But his shock soon melted into a smile.
It was the happiest I’d ever seen him smile.
“So, you enjoyed playing, Ayla?”
“Ah, um, well…”
Ayla stammered in embarrassment, but reassured by Id’s gentle expression, her cheeks flushed as she nodded.
“Yes, it was fun.”
Id chuckled warmly. Excited, Aslan chimed in.
“Mister, Ayla was amazing, you know?”
“Ayla?”
Surprised, Id looked at Aslan, who nodded vigorously.
Then he swung his arms dramatically as he relayed her exploits.
“Ayla threw the ball and hit Mom’s head, and Mom fell over! Then I hit her with the ball right after! We played three times, and we won all three! So we even got all of Mom’s snacks!”
“Th-that so. How wonderful.”
Id looked at me with eyes that were a mix of pity, guilt, and conflict.
He must have been wondering why I looked especially ragged.
Surely he never imagined that his daughter and mine had teamed up to put me through all that.
Flustered, Id quickly changed the subject.
“A-anyway, I brought some gifts back with me.”
At that, both Ayla’s and Aslan’s eyes lit up at once.
