~Chapter 37~
Isabella used to think that her son, who had returned after being missing for four and a half years, had only grown physically but was still emotionally immature.
Johann had become a Swordmaster around the time he graduated from the Royal Academy and went to the North as the commander of the monster subjugation forces.
Even though he was young and talented, his awkwardness with people made her worried.
“When will he experience real love and mature emotionally?” she often wondered.
So when Leah showed up at the duke’s estate with a girl claiming to be Johann’s daughter, Isabella was shocked.
“That stiff son of mine got married and had a child while he was missing?”
It was hard to believe that it wasn’t a political or arranged marriage, but a marriage built on real love.
Even if he’d lost his memory, a person’s true nature doesn’t just disappear.
“Maybe it’s being born into a grand noble family like the Blumhardt that made Johann that way.”
Since losing his memories and becoming Duke Blumhardt, Johann had been cold and distant not just to the woman from his past but also to their child.
Her late husband had also been emotionally closed-off and rarely showed affection to their children.
“And now my son is just as cold to his child… Maybe even colder.”
Though Isabella was too overwhelmed at first to pay much attention to her unexpected granddaughter, she hoped her son would treat his child better than her husband did.
“…Maybe I’m expecting too much from a son who’s just like his father.”
But after winter passed, something started to change in Johann.
Whatever Leah did while she was here, it seemed to help.
He began acting less like he was fulfilling a duty and more like a real father.
Then, today, he canceled all his plans to stay by his sick daughter’s side.
“It’s like he’s finally starting to understand what it means to be a parent.”
Looking back, she hadn’t been very affectionate to Johann either.
She treated her youngest, Penelope, with more warmth—but even that was limited.
Her parents and grandparents had always put their noble duties above being “parents,” and she had turned out the same way.
But Leah…
Even though Johann couldn’t remember her, she kept teaching him how to love their child.
“I’m truly grateful to her.”
When she returned, Isabella made a mental note to properly thank Leah—for everything.
Not just with words, but with actions.
“Otherwise, I’d be a terrible parent.”
After checking in on sick Raphaella with Johann for a while, Isabella went back to Penelope, reminding him not to overdo it.
—
Johann stayed by Raphaella’s side for the next two days.
He personally fed her oatmeal and fever medicine, and read her storybooks.
The maids handled things like bathing her, but Johann took care of everything else he could.
As he nursed his daughter, he felt a mix of guilt and affection—emotions he wasn’t used to and found overwhelming.
They were feelings he’d barely experienced before.
Luckily, Raphaella started recovering quickly.
Isabella and the head maid laughed, saying, “She really is Johann’s child.”
“Johann never got seriously sick except when he had mana fever. He even avoided all the contagious illnesses kids usually get. Raphaella must’ve inherited that strong Blümhart blood.”
“Yes, my lady. It seems she has.”
The mage said her fever had dropped enough that she didn’t need any more medicine.
“She should be okay to leave the room now.”
“But she still feels warm,” Johann said, touching his daughter’s forehead with a sharp tone.
“Ah—then it’s better she rests one more day,” the mage quickly corrected himself, realizing it was smarter to say what his employer wanted to hear.
Raphaella did want to go outside the moment she felt better, but seeing her dad’s worried face, she decided to stay in bed for one more day.
“Raphaella, what story should I read today?”
She felt happy with how gentle her dad was being—it reminded her a little of their time in the cabin.
“Read The Baby Pig Under a Magic Spell!“
To keep her from getting bored, Johann had servants bring every children’s book they could find from the library.
Raphaella was completely hooked on all the new stories.
Thanks to the books, she forgot all about wanting to go outside.
“…Once upon a time, there was a baby pig named Fiona…”
Johann’s low voice filled the room.
He was less awkward than before, speaking in a softer, more natural tone.
That change was all thanks to Raphaella.
“Mom doesn’t read like that!”
“That was so boring!”
“You used to change your voice for the characters!”
After several complaints, he finally got the hang of it.
“I’m probably the best story-reader among noble parents now.”
Maybe it was because they had spent two whole days together, but Raphaella seemed more comfortable around him.
His wish to make her feel safe was finally starting to come true.
“…Daddy, I’m sleepy now.”
“You are? Then I’ll finish the story later.”
He set the book down and tucked her in gently.
He’d seen the maids do it before, so he copied them—it looked pretty convincing.
As he adjusted the blanket, he suddenly froze.
“Ugh, another headache…”
“Goodnight, Rafi. Sweet dreams.”
“Goodnight, Daddy. See you in my dream.”
“Yeah. Let’s meet in our dream.”
With the headache came another strange flash of memory—this time of him tucking in a younger Raphaella and wishing her goodnight.
The voice calling her nickname sounded so natural. It didn’t feel awkward like now.
“Did I really… used to do that?”
He stared at his sleeping daughter, quietly replaying the memory in his mind.
—
That evening, Leah’s carriage arrived at its final stop—Winstor, a small town closest to Mt. Lorem.
It was also the first town she passed through when she left for the capital with Raphaella.
After a light dinner at the inn, they all went to bed early—they were exhausted from four days of riding a high-speed magic-powered carriage.
“Sir Harry, I think it’s best if you wait for me here while I go to Mt. Lorem.”
She said this while chewing an omelet.
“You’ll be okay going alone?”
“Yes, don’t worry.”
There was no reason for Harry to go through the trouble of climbing a mountain.
He was a knight with great stamina, but he still looked exhausted from driving the carriage.
He’d worked harder than her, after all.
“I came as your escort. I feel uneasy letting you go alone.”
“Seriously, Mt. Lorem isn’t dangerous. I promise.”
She reassured him again.
“I’m more worried about you, Sir Harry.”
“Me?”
“Yeah. You look pale—probably from driving the magic carriage nonstop for four days.”
While Leah ate her meal just fine, Harry barely touched anything except some fruit.
“As a knight, it’s kind of embarrassing to be this pale…”
“Don’t be silly. Of course you’re tired after driving that long.”
“…Alright. Then I won’t argue and I’ll wait here.”
“Good. Please rest well.”
“If anything happens or you need help, come find me right away.”
Leah nodded with a small smile—she didn’t expect any problems but appreciated his concern.
She went to bed early and woke up before dawn, had a quick breakfast, packed her bag, and headed to Mt. Lorem.
She was worried it would be tough, but the climb went smoother than expected.
On her way back, she ran into some villagers.
“Leah! You disappeared on us!”
“It’s so good to see you again!”
Since she’d only told her closest friends, Alma and Raul, about her sudden trip to the capital, most people were surprised and excited to see her.
“Didn’t you say you’d be gone for a year or two? You’re back already?”
Alma asked, holding a basket full of wild strawberries.
“I just dropped by to take care of something.”
“Something?” Alma looked at her curiously.
“You know the drop flower plant? I came to collect some.”
“Dropflower? Why?”
“…Hardt’s little sister is sick.”
“Oh no. Are you really going to help the little sister of the man who abandoned you?”
Alma grabbed her shoulders, shocked.
“There were circumstances. And his sister is actually a really good person.”
“Yeah, right.” Alma muttered, clearly unhappy.
“Don’t worry, Alma.”
“You suddenly said you were going to leave Rafi with that husband and just left—how can I not worry?”
“I get it. I’ll explain everything when I have time.”
“You better! And it better make sense!”
Alma wanted to keep talking, but Leah looked tired, so she let her go.
“Leah, stop by sometime soon, okay? Don’t just disappear again.”
“I will. Oh—by the way, has it started raining in the mountains instead of snowing?”
