CHAPTER 51…………..
“What?”
Ayla’s eyes went wide in shock.
If Minerva and Yd were to marry, then Minerva would become her mother.
It was something she had dearly wished for—but even so, Ayla hesitated.
“B-but then, Aslan wouldn’t get Madam all to himself anymore.”
It was because of Aslan.
She knew how much he loved Minerva, and she couldn’t bring herself to ask him to share that affection.
But Aslan, even while offering half of his most precious treasure, answered brightly:
“But then you and Uncle Yd would become family too, right?”
“Th-that’s true, but still…”
Aslan knew exactly why Ayla was wavering.
He sat down, hugged his knees, and began speaking.
“You know, I want to protect Mom. But I’m still small, and I’m not strong. So right now, Mom’s the one protecting me.”
He had become human in order to protect Minerva.
But what kind of cruel joke was this?
As a cat, he had been a dignified adult. Yet as a human, he was only a child.
It would take fifteen years before he reached adulthood.
Waiting three times longer than the life he had already lived was unbearable.
“I wish there was someone to protect Mom until I grow up.”
And he thought Yd could be trusted with that role.
He was tall, looked strong, and seemed to have as much money as Mom.
If anyone tried to hurt her, he would surely drive them away with ease.
‘And most of all, he’s handsome.’
There was nothing lacking about putting him at Minerva’s side.
So why hesitate?
“I want us to be family.”
“Aslan…”
Ayla was honestly moved by him.
In truth, she also wanted to become family with Aslan.
But one thing still bothered her.
“But Aslan… Madam once had a husband.”
There was no one around to overhear, yet Ayla whispered it.
“His portrait is still hanging in the hall. Maybe she still longs for him…”
Ah, right—that was the setup.
Aslan belatedly remembered, but when he thought it over, was it really a problem?
Because—
“He’s gone now, isn’t he?”
“Uh—what?”
Ayla stammered, flustered.
“B-but still, Madam might still—”
“Who cares? He’s dead. End of story.”
Aslan spat it out without the slightest trace of guilt.
Why bother choosing words carefully for someone who didn’t even exist, just a made-up figure?
While Ayla faltered at his borderline-blasphemous words, Aslan grabbed her hand and hooked his pinky with hers.
“Ayla, let’s get Mom and Uncle Yd together! Promise!”
“U-uh… okay.”
Overwhelmed by his determination, Ayla nodded without realizing it.
And at that very moment, far away, Minerva and Yd both shivered faintly with a sudden, inexplicable chill.
Clang!
A wineglass shattered, spilling red wine across the carpet.
The man didn’t even notice it had slipped from his hand, staring blankly as he asked:
“They’re reinvestigating the trial records?”
“Yes. Grand Duke Eckhart had an audience with His Majesty, and suddenly the Emperor has reopened the case.”
“Damn it…!”
Bang! He slammed his fist against the chair’s armrest at the woman’s reply.
Why dredge up an already settled matter?
“Don’t tell me Minerva suddenly decided she wants her title restored? She stepped down so obediently five years ago, so why now?!”
The man raked his platinum-blond hair back with a snarl, green eyes blazing with fury.
Finally, he leapt to his feet.
“I’ll go to His Majesty at once—!”
“Calm yourself, Mars.”
The black-haired woman, her hair neatly pinned up, pressed a steadying hand on his shoulder and forced him back into his seat.
Even so, Mars seethed.
“Why, Gabriel?! We have to tell him this investigation is pointless!”
“As if His Majesty would listen. Has he ever once paid heed to us?”
“Then what the hell are we supposed to do?!”
As he shouted in frustration, Gabriel gave a sly, meaningful smile.
“You know what must be done.”
“…No, you don’t mean—”
As Mars trailed off, Gabriel’s lips curved into a seductive smile as she nodded.
“We’ll pretend ignorance and let His Majesty continue his little investigation. Soon, there won’t be any need for one.”
She laughed darkly as she handed Mars a fresh wineglass.
Pour. The deep red liquid filled it to the brim once again.
Before long, a matching smile spread across Mars’ face.
The next morning.
After a simple breakfast, Ayla and Yd prepared to leave.
Thanks to the gifts Yd had brought, Ayla’s luggage was much heavier than when she had arrived.
“Thank you for everything, Madam.”
“I truly appreciate your kindness.”
Both father and daughter bowed gracefully in farewell.
With my arm around Aslan’s shoulder, I replied:
“Think nothing of it. I enjoyed it as well.”
After two whole weeks together, I felt quite a pang of regret, despite my initial reluctance.
Aslan, saying goodbye to his playmate, felt it even more strongly.
“Ayla, can’t you stay?”
“You’ll see her next week anyway, Aslan.”
Her lessons weren’t finished yet.
We’d see her again soon enough—what was there to be so sad about?
But apparently I was the only one who thought so. Ayla approached me with eyes brimming with reluctance, gently tugging at my skirt as she asked:
“Madam, even if it isn’t a study day, may I come visit often?”
I blinked in surprise.
Two weeks ago, Ayla never would have dared make such a request. Even if she had, she would’ve done it with nervous glances, afraid of rejection.
But now, there was a quiet confidence in her eyes, as though she knew I would say yes.
‘So she’s learned how to act spoiled.’
I rather liked it. Smiling faintly, I patted her head.
“Of course you may.”
“Hehe.”
Even though she’d known I wouldn’t refuse, hearing it aloud still made her blush with joy.
She released my skirt and turned to Aslan.
Clasping his hand tightly, she said:
“These two weeks were so much fun, Aslan. Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. More importantly, you remember, right?”
Aslan cast her a secretive glance.
What was with that mischievous look?
I felt an odd pang of unease…
Ayla’s face was a little stiff as she met his eyes.
I couldn’t help chuckling at the sight.
Well, a conspiracy takes two to clap.
Since Ayla looked so reluctant, perhaps I didn’t need to worry too much about Aslan’s schemes.
Once farewells were nearly done, Yd called to his daughter.
“Ayla, let’s go now.”
“Yes, Father.”
She ran to him at once.
After helping Ayla into the carriage, Yd turned to me and bowed.
“Once again, thank you for everything, Madam.”
“Not at all. And thank you for the gift.”
I was wearing the earrings he had given me.
Despite their simplicity, they were the most beautiful among my collection—and truthfully, I did like them, even if they felt a bit too much.
Yd climbed into the carriage, and it began to roll away.
“We’ll see you again next week.”
“Goodbye, Madam, Aslan! See you soon!”
Ayla leaned out the window, but Yd pulled her back inside.
I laughed at the sight, waving after them.
“See you soon, Ayla! Safe travels, Lord Mente!”
“Bye, Ayla, Uncle! Come visit again!”
Aslan waved both arms enthusiastically to see them off.
Only when the carriage had disappeared from sight did he grow quiet again.
I took his hand and asked:
“Shall we go back in?”
“Mm, Mom.”
With just the two of us returning, the house felt strangely empty.
Aslan must have felt it too, because he looked around the quiet halls and said:
“Mom, the house is really quiet.”
“It is, isn’t it.”
How could it be that just two people leaving made it feel this empty?
Most likely, it was the children’s laughter missing that made the difference.
Perhaps lonely, Aslan stuck close to me all day.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Mm? What is it?”
“Ah, this is boring…”
He pouted with mock seriousness.
All that just because I teased him once? Really.
I swallowed the tiny sting and asked:
“All right, what is it?”
Blinking his round eyes like a child begging for a new toy, Aslan spoke in a sugary tone:
“I want a dad.”
