Chapter 10: Between Friendship and Love (6)
After resting for a full day, both Chloe and Leila felt much better.
The two families gathered in front of the grand ducal residence with their excited children.
Carriages and knights were already prepared.
It was finally the day of the picnic to the ice lake.
“Wow, Chloe, I guess we’re getting old! Back then, we could drink a lot and feel totally fine the next day. Now we need a whole day just to recover.”
Leila joked as she approached Chloe, dressed in comfortable clothes for skating.
“…I guess so.”
Chloe replied, trying hard to keep her expression normal.
Every time she looked at Leila, bitterness rose in her chest—
But she forced herself to smile.
“If you know that, then learn some restraint.”
Frederick commented dryly from the side.
Chloe felt like she was being scolded too.
“Dad! Are you coming with us today?”
Endnoah asked, his eyes full of hope.
“Sorry, Noah. I don’t think I can today.”
Frederick spoke gently.
Renesia, who had been listening, looked disappointed and fiddled with his clothes.
“I wanted to go with you…”
“My princess, next time I’ll definitely come with you.”
“…Promise?”
“Yes, I promise.”
“Me too!”
“Yes, you too.”
Smack, smack.
Frederick kissed their foreheads like sealing a contract.
“Herais.”
His tone changed instantly—
cold and commanding.
“Yes, my lord.”
Herais knelt.
“Protect them with your life.”
“I swear it. I will protect them with my life.”
Chloe stiffened.
Why is the knight commander coming along for a picnic?
It felt excessive—
and uncomfortable.
“Sir Hume.”
Frederick called Aiden next.
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Aiden knelt beside Herais.
“My knights are already escorting them. Is yours really necessary?”
Frederick clearly disapproved.
“Our lord ordered us to protect them with our lives. We will follow them anywhere.”
Aiden replied calmly.
“…Tch.”
Frederick clicked his tongue.
He didn’t like it—
but couldn’t refuse.
“Very well. Anata protects with their bodies; Blanchett with their lives. Let’s see you prove those words.”
“Yes, my lord.”
The picnic began—
under heavy protection.
* * *
“Mom! Help me!”
Abel flailed on the ice.
trying not to fall.
“Ah, Abel—wait!”
Chloe tried to reach him—
But she was slipping too.
She couldn’t move forward.
She looked around—
But no one could help.
Leila and the children had already gone far ahead.
The Blanchett knights—
couldn’t skate.
Some even slipped trying.
At that moment—
A large hand reached out.
“Take my hand, my lady.”
Herais Moore.
His red hair and golden eyes stood out sharply against the snowy surroundings.
Chloe hesitated—
but not for long.
“Please take me to Abel.”
“Of course.”
With his help—
She reached her son.
“Abel.”
“Mom!”
He clung to her leg.
“It’s weird! My feet keep slipping!”
“…”
She didn’t know how to teach him.
“Shall I teach him?”
Hera is offered.
“…But…”
She didn’t want to get involved with him.
“What about your duties as escort?”
He glanced over.
“They’re well protected. Besides, our lady is a knight. I’m more concerned about you and your son, who have no one to teach you.”
That was true.
“…Then please.”
“Abel, say hello.”
“Hello, I’m Abel Blanchett.”
Still clinging to his mother.
“I am Herais Moore, knight commander of Anata… and someone who once had a one-sided love for your mother.”
“Wait—!”
“Unrequited love?”
Abel blinked—
then glared.
“But my mom only likes me and my dad!”
“…Haha. That’s why I gave up.”
Herais laughed lightly.
Chloe held her head.
* * *
He began teaching Abel seriously.
“First, lean on me and walk.”
“Like this…?”
“Good. Now push your feet in a curve.”
Chloe watched them.
A strange feeling rose inside her.
If I had married him… would I see this every day?
Maybe—
she was suffering
because she chose against her “fate.”
Hera—
was the man she was meant to end up with in the “book.”
* * *
By the time they could skate—
It was lunch.
The Blanchett knights had set up a tent.
“Mom! Can we go skate again after eating?”
Renesia asked, holding Abel’s and Noah’s hands.
“Go ahead—but stay with the knights.”
The children ran off.
Abel looked happy.
At least he was enjoying himself.
“Kids really have endless energy. Shall we have tea?”
Leila smiled.
“…No.”
Chloe answered sharply.
She had planned to talk calmly—
tomorrow.
But now—
She couldn’t hold back anymore.
She had reached her limit.
“…Huh? You don’t want tea?”
“…No. I need to talk to you.”
Chloe said coldly.
Everything was clear now.
All that remained—
was to hear it
from Leila herself.
