Chapter 14
‘I ruined this child.’
He had completely destroyed the dreams of such a pure, kind boy.
Why had he eaten candy in the carriage that day and caused all that trouble? Even just taking him to the hospital would have changed the future.
But that moment would not repeat itself.
Erkina shook her head, erasing the shadow of the past once more.
“And someone who wants to become a knight shouldn’t show dark feelings like jealousy,” she said, speaking gently, almost as if teaching.
Fortunately, Ilyas listened carefully. It was hard to believe this was the same boy who used to do the exact opposite of what she said.
“Ah, that’s true,” he admitted.
“Of course. Just look at the Marquis. He’s reliable, steady, and doesn’t reveal his thoughts or emotions carelessly.”
“Indeed. Uncle is the model of every knight.”
“You too, Ilyas, must grow into a fine knight,” Erkina said sincerely.
This was also her wish. Ilyas becoming a great knight would be a symbol that she had changed the future.
When Erkina smiled warmly, Ilyas scratched the back of his head.
“Yes… I understand.”
The brown-haired boy smiled innocently. That warm smile resembled his uncle’s so much. Even as a knight-in-training, his neat hair and tidy clothing reflected it.
Meanwhile, Caligo’s clothing was more free-spirited—typical for those living in the tower.
But with his silver hair, Caligo carried the shadow of Jerthermion strongly.
Watching them side by side, Erkina recalled the two men in the parlor: the clean-cut Marquis of Verden and the slightly sloppy Jerthermion.
Even though Jerthermion’s robe was neat, why did he look so disheveled?
‘Of course… it’s the beard. That’s the problem.’
The answer was clear. The question was how to fix it.
“Why is the Marquis so neat?” Erkina suddenly asked Ilyas.
Both were unmarried, with no wives. Why did the Marquis live so orderly, while Jerthermion seemed to let things slide?
“Why do you ask?” Ilyas said.
“I wondered if Mom disliked teachers because of a messy appearance. Is there a secret?”
“Hmm… the butler takes care of him.”
“Ah…”
Of course. There’s a big difference when someone serves you.
Even as royalty, Erkina had maids attending her, allowing her to dress neatly.
In the tower, she had often tied her hair messily out of laziness.
“Hmm… then why doesn’t the Marquis grow a beard?”
Ilyas thought that a knight would spend more time training than grooming.
“That’s probably my fault. One day, after returning from winter training, my uncle cried the moment I greeted him,” Ilyas said, scratching his head awkwardly as he recalled the day.
Erkina was momentarily stunned.
Such an easy solution—why hadn’t she thought of it?
Though their bond wasn’t deep yet, maybe a cute eight-year-old could somehow make it work.
“Ah, of course. That’s the best way,” Erkina said, clapping her hands and looking at Caligo.
A suspicious smile, golden eyes sparkling.
“Don’t show Erkina any of this,” Mernelia said stiffly as they returned to the garden.
“Of course,” Jerthermion replied.
Temporary cooperation.
But the tense rivalry, visible to others, wasn’t over.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have accepted you as Erkina’s teacher,” Mernelia muttered.
“Since I am her teacher, it’s fortunate,” Jerthermion said without uttering a word, never flinching.
That irritated Mernelia, but she had no choice but to accept it.
She didn’t want him near Erkina, but for now, there was no alternative.
She bit her lip and glanced at the Marquis of Verden, who nodded knowingly.
‘Now is the time to endure,’ his gesture seemed to say.
Mernelia understood well.
In the Empire—or rather, the Northern Continent—she would need to control both the best swordsman and the strongest magician to achieve her goals.
But her pride refused to allow it.
-That night, she had to seize any woman she could.-
She would have felt less miserable if she had just played with them and let go.
The absurd memory of being used and abandoned cruelly scraped at her heart.
She didn’t need to become Emperor.
It was better to give up than to hold the hand of that brat.
Mernelia focused her gaze. In the distance, she saw Erkina playing in the garden with the Marquis’s nephew.
The child had grown up nourished by the pure love Erkina poured into her—her precious child.
Even though it complicated the imperial succession, this was the only sanctuary she had to protect.
For Erkina, her pride could be crushed.
A mother’s daughter is her heart, her blood, her very air.
“I don’t trust you,” Mernelia said.
“Then so be it.”
“But Erkina trusts you. Don’t betray her trust. This is my request as her mother.”
“…”
“Consider it an order from royalty.”
The Marquis of Verden watched from a step back as two sworn rivals growled at each other.
Whatever the story, it wasn’t his place to intervene.
He just hoped the innocent children wouldn’t get hurt by the adults’ conflicts.
After some time, the adults emerged.
Erkina nervously examined their faces.
But reading the emotions of adults, skilled at hiding them, was difficult for her.
She hoped her foster father would express his feelings out of jealousy, but the distance between the two adults hadn’t changed much, which was a relief.
“Mom!”
“Yes, Erkina. Were you having fun?”
“Yes. But what did you talk about with my teacher?” Erkina asked cautiously, trying to probe.
She even looked scared on purpose.
If they fought, she planned to cry. Acting like a spoiled child might hurt her a little mentally, but for now, it was the most effective tactic.
Mernelia couldn’t ignore a crying daughter.
Her foster father, too, had tolerated much in raising her. If Erkina cried, even a little, he would feel troubled.
“We talked about the royal family.”
“Really?”
“You have nothing to worry about.”
They must have fought.
Erkina glared at her mother and father. Jerthermion refused her gaze and called Caligo.
“I’ll take this one back to the tower,” Jerthermion said, pulling the struggling Caligo with him.
“Oh… yes, Teacher. Please go carefully.”
Erkina instinctively greeted him.
‘No, this isn’t right!’ she thought, rushing toward Jerthermion.
Her goal was his cheek.
But Jerthermion, unaware of her intentions, merely nodded and turned.
“W-wait a moment…”
“Then, goodbye…”
“No, Teacher, wait a moment.”
Erkina reached out toward him.
Jerthermion, finally noticing his pupil’s struggle, bent slightly in confusion.
Erkina lifted her heels as if whispering in his ear. The plan was set: kiss, then put on a serious face.
‘Perfect!’
Then—
Suddenly, oblivious Ilyas stepped in front of Jerthermion. He must have been thinking about it the whole time.
The boy bowed resolutely.
“Please accept me as the Tower Master’s disciple!”
The would-be knight made his uncle’s heart shatter.
