Side Story 02
“Huh?”
At the sight of Dad, I reflexively let go of Jeias’s hand.
Even though we were officially married, showing affection—especially in front of family, and especially Dad—was still embarrassing.
I could feel Jeias’s sulky gaze on me, but I ignored it and ran straight to Dad.
“Dad!”
“Are you so busy you don’t even have time to see your old man’s face?”
“Sorry, sorry. Things have just been so hectic…”
Dad smiled warmly, as if he understood everything, and gently patted my head.
“But what brings you here?”
“Nothing much. I was just thinking we could have lunch together—father and daughter—for once.”
“Ah…”
Lunch with Dad after such a long time! It was a wonderful suggestion.
But Jeias standing behind me bothered me. We had just been about to go eat together.
He even told the mansion’s chef to prepare lunch with all my favorite dishes…
So who was I supposed to have lunch with now?
It was a happy yet agonizing dilemma.
“If you already have plans, then it can’t be helped.”
Dad added quietly, his voice tinged with regret.
The way he spoke, his gaze dropping to the ground, made it feel like I’d regret it forever if I let this chance slip away.
And so, without thinking, the words slipped out.
“No, it’s fine! We can eat together!”
…A sharp, chilling gaze stabbed into my back. Without a doubt, it was Jeias’s.
Still, I trusted that kind-hearted, not-at-all petty Jeias would understand. We were together every single day, ate three meals together—surely he could let me have one lunch with Dad after so long.
If he sulked… well, it couldn’t be helped. I’d just have to make it up to him later.
“…Enjoy your meal, Senica.”
Jeias agreed, though his voice sounded strangely resigned.
That was probably just my imagination, right?
Anyway, since even Jeias had agreed, there was no reason to delay any longer. I still had afternoon work to get through.
I looped my arm through Dad’s, something I hadn’t done in a long time, and left the office.
“Dad, where are we eating? And what?”
“A picnic.”
“What? A picnic? I’ve never done that before!”
“I know a perfect place for one.”
“That sounds amazing! Let’s go!”
The excitement of my first picnic made my heart flutter. It was only lunchtime, but it felt like I was finally getting to enjoy some peace.
Thanks to Dad having everything prepared in advance, we got into the carriage right away. I thought we were going somewhere far, but the carriage stopped quickly.
Our destination was a small hill rising near the estate.
Was there a place like this on our lands?
I tilted my head as I stepped down, greeted immediately by a sweet floral scent.
Petals drifted gently down from above.
“Wow…”
I wanted to run up the hill right away. As if sensing my impatience, Dad led the way.
The hill wasn’t very high, and we soon reached the top. The wide-open estate, the blue sky, and petals floating softly through the air.
It was such a breathtaking sight that I couldn’t look away.
“Senica, come sit here.”
Dad was already seated near a large tree trunk, a cloth spread out beneath him. Of all things, it was pink and checkered, which somehow made the scene hilarious.
Laughing, I sat down beside him. The shade kept us cool, and a gentle breeze passed by.
The apple egg-mayo sandwiches and strawberry juice Dad had prepared were delicious. Even though he hadn’t made them himself, knowing he’d chosen the menu just for me made them taste even better.
After eating my fill, drowsiness set in. The place felt straight out of a fairy tale, making it all feel dreamlike.
I stretched my legs out, leaned back on my arms, and gazed up at the sky. Sunlight filtered through branches and petals—it was incredibly romantic.
“Senica.”
“Yeah?”
“There’s something I wanted to tell you. That’s why I brought you here.”
I had expected as much. Dad wasn’t the type to do something like this without a reason.
He was always kind to me, but never purposeless.
So I’d assumed there was meaning behind today’s picnic.
“What is it?”
“I wanted to tell you about something you’ve been curious about for a long time.”
Something I’d been curious about? I couldn’t guess what it was, though it clearly had something to do with this place.
Thinking it probably wasn’t bad news, I nodded.
“Erilin was a woman with a beautiful smile. Senica, you resemble that smile very much.”
Ah—Mom.
In that moment, I realized it. This place was filled with memories of Dad and Mom. That must be why it felt so special to me.
“She showered you with love even while you were still in her womb—so much that I got jealous.”
Dad, opening up memories he’d kept tightly sealed for years, spoke fondly of Mom with a happy expression.
I was grateful he shared such precious memories with me. Even though I never lived alongside her, his stories made it feel as if I had.
By the time we returned to the mansion, it was well past lunch and already late afternoon.
Dad walked me to the office door, looking refreshed, then disappeared somewhere.
Ah! There was one more thing I wanted to ask—about Dad and Vivian…
Well, I supposed he’d tell me someday.
Shrugging off the regret, I headed back into the office.
By the time the small hand of the clock passed eight, I finally finished the day’s work.
“Ugh, finally done!”
Listening to Dad’s stories had eaten up more time than planned. At least it didn’t go until midnight.
Jeias, who had worked beside me the whole time, neatly stacked the documents he’d approved on my behalf.
We left the office together to return to our rooms when—
“Whoa! You scared me!”
Turning around after closing the door, I nearly had my heart stop at the sight of someone standing in the middle of the corridor.
“Reina?”
It was Reina Peronis.
She was the daughter of Rikt Peronis—the former elder who had conspired with the previous emperor and been executed for attempting to annihilate our family—and the newly appointed elder herself.
There had been plenty of backlash over appointing the child of a criminal as an elder, but I had my reasons.
That explanation would take too long, so I’d save it for later.
“What brings you here at this hour?”
Assuming she had business with me, I asked. Reina avoided my gaze, nervously picking at a hangnail.
It was clearly not a trivial matter.
“Jeias, go on ahead. I need to talk with her.”
Reading the atmosphere, Jeias silently stepped away.
I led Reina back into the office. This wasn’t a conversation for a public hallway.
“I can’t offer you tea.”
“That’s fine.”
Serving tea meant washing teacups afterward—too much hassle. And she said it was fine anyway.
“So, what is it?”
“There’s something I wish to ask you, Head of the Family.”
“Go ahead.”
“I don’t understand your decision.”
She finally stated her purpose.
She must have agonized over it for the past week since her appointment and still couldn’t find an answer.
Honestly, only Dad and Jeias understood my choice—so it made sense she didn’t.
Still, I feigned ignorance.
“Which decision?”
“Why… why did you appoint me as an elder?”
“Because I wanted you to work by my side until you die.”
“….”
Oh? That was a joke. Was it not funny? Or did she realize I was half serious?
Seeing her stiff expression, I chuckled and added,
“I’m joking. Is there a reason you shouldn’t be an elder?”
She had no answer. There was one obvious reason—and she didn’t want to say it herself.
“Because you’re Rikt’s daughter?”
“…Yes.”
Her head drooped. I didn’t like that look.
She hadn’t committed any crime herself—so why act like a criminal?
The old me, with no self-esteem, might have thought she was right. But not now. This wasn’t an era of collective punishment—and even if it were, I wouldn’t agree with it.
Crossing my arms, I spoke.
“Honestly, I did consider that.”
“….”
“But I think it’s unfair for you to lose a good opportunity over a crime you didn’t commit.”
“….”
“I’ve also heard you’re quite smart. Useful, even.”
She frowned slightly, not fully understanding my meaning.
Smart but unable to grasp this? Well… low self-esteem can do that.
So I explained more kindly.
“I’m saying I won’t let a capable person go for such a trivial reason. I’m not that foolish of a head.”
Her eyes blinked a few times, then filled with clear tears.
“Th-thank you, Head of the Family…!”
She slid off the sofa and knelt on the rug, hands clasped, her voice trembling.
“To be honest… I was rejected everywhere I applied because of my father. I thought I’d have nowhere to work, nowhere to go… Truly—thank you so much!”
My own nose stung a little hearing that.
She’d been rude to me in the past, but proving herself through her work would be apology enough.
“So you’ll do well now that you’ve been given a chance. I’m very much like the previous head—no mercy.”
“Yes! I’ll do my utmost to be of great service to the family!”
It felt like I’d done something genuinely worthwhile—for the first time in a long while.
