[CHAPTER 50]
“Father?”
I blinked wide in surprise at a word I never expected.
Father nodded slowly.
“I know I said many harsh things to you. I’m sure it must have hurt you.”
Well, that part is true, but I didn’t expect him to admit it himself.
When I didn’t deny it, Father let out a small sigh and continued.
“I apologize. I wasn’t able to judge you fairly because I hated the present you for the wrongs you committed before losing your memory.”
I snapped back to focus at his next words.
“The wrongs I committed before losing my memory?”
“……You don’t need to know. It’s not something you can make up for anymore.”
If he puts it like that, it only makes me more curious about what the previous Jena had done.
So that was why he had always been so cold to me.
But he was right. There was nothing I could do to fix something I didn’t even remember, so I stayed quiet and listened.
“From now on, I won’t hold you accountable for anything. I’ll just… say thank you when I’m grateful and apologize when I’m sorry.”
Father carefully took my hand. His touch was rough, but warm.
“I apologize for doubting you recklessly during the Renée incident, and for saying you couldn’t save anyone when Aizen collapsed.”
He even brought up the past and admitted his faults. I didn’t expect him to apologize for Mother’s matter as well.
“Thank you for making Renée’s medicine and saving us with the cure. Thanks to you, our family is alive.”
“Father…”
Tears welled in my eyes.
The faint tremble from his hand told me his words came from real regret and reflection.
My dad once told me something long ago.
‘Sweetheart, be forgiving and generous with your family. That’s how you learn to forgive others. If your heart grows hardened, you’ll end up hurting yourself the most.’
Maybe someone would say I was letting go too easily, but I didn’t feel the need to resent him.
He was still my family.
“So… we’re reconciled now, right? You don’t hate me anymore?”
“……Yes.”
I had wanted to hear that answer for so long.
“Haa…”
I collapsed back against the cushion with a long breath and he panicked.
“W-why? Are you hurt? I’ll call a doctor immediately—!”
“No, no. I’m just so happy that all my strength left my body.”
“Ah… so your body is fine?”
“Yup, I’m perfectly strong and healthy.”
I bent my arm as if showing off muscles and Father let out a small laugh.
For the first time, warmth settled comfortably between us.
I couldn’t help being happy.
6. We Will Head to the Capital
A letter sealed with a golden ribbon arrived.
Aizen unfolded the paper and checked inside. Elegant handwriting contained information he had never known.
“The reason the war between Bellium and Nerdel ended early was actually because of a plague that spread in Nerdel.
Coincidentally, the symptoms are exactly like the ‘Black Breath Disease.’
By the way, the deceased crown prince of Nerdel’s fiancée sent me a secret letter.
To summarize, he has a very unfair story, and I plan to talk about it face to face.
It means you should come to the capital, Duke.
Bring your interesting fake wife as well.
If you come alone, I’ll send you back, so don’t forget her.
I’ve heard plenty of rumors and I’d like to see her in person.”
The letter ended there. Aizen frowned slightly.
He knew talented people didn’t discriminate with whom they dealt, but he didn’t expect them to be interested in Jena as well.
Truthfully, he wanted to go alone, but due to the sender’s firm stance, he had no choice but to go find Jena.
“My lady, are you busy?”
“Nope, I’m okay! Why?”
Jena lifted her head at once from her writing desk.
Aizen paused for a moment.
‘A puppy…’
It felt like a small puppy happily lifting its head because someone came to see it.
In short, she looked adorable.
“Dear?”
“Ah, yes. What were you doing?”
Aizen, who had spaced out, snapped back and sat beside her.
Jena shifted slightly so he had space.
“I was writing a reply to Duke Callard. He said he’d provide development and production funds for the cure and the preventative medicine. He told me to ask for as much as I wanted.”
“I see.”
“Would it be okay to ask for 100 gold…?”
She asked seriously with her chin resting on her hands. Aizen couldn’t help but hold back a chuckle.
He deliberately let her decide the amount so she could compensate herself with money after all her hard work, but the amount she chose was so small.
“Only 100 gold? Ask for more.”
Unable to endure it, he adjusted it himself.
“1,000 gold should be reasonable. If you can, you should receive as much as possible.”
“Huh? But it was for the public good… It feels wrong to take that much money…”
She looked startled, and now Aizen felt embarrassed.
It suddenly seemed like she did everything while he was the one trying to take credit.
“I’ll just request 100 gold.”
“……Then do that.”
He had no choice but to respect her decision.
As she sealed the completed letter, she spoke again.
“And I have a favor to ask.”
***
A few days earlier, at a dessert house in a busy district.
I arrived earlier than promised, but the other party had arrived even earlier.
“Mathias, when did you get here?”
“A-ah, My Lady.”
As soon as he heard my voice, Mathias stood up and pulled out a chair for me.
Oh. Manners.
I sat down, accepting the little gentleman’s kindness. Maybe because it had been a while, Mathias looked slightly awkward as he returned to his seat.
“Have you been well? Are you in pain anywhere? Are you even allowed to be outside?”
“Yes, I’m fine. I fully recovered thanks to the medicine you made. Thank you.”
“No, I’m glad. But why are you being shy all of a sudden? You were the one who asked to meet, you know. I’m a bit hurt.”
“I’m not shy!”
“Then?”
“I just… I think I acted rudely the last time.”
He was probably referring to when he suddenly ran away while I was talking to Tommy.
Knowing he barely survived a fatal illness, it felt pitiful to see him down over something like that.
“So you wanted to apologize but didn’t know how?”
“Yes… How did you know?”
“I could tell. It’s not hard to apologize. Just explain why you acted that way and say you’re sorry.”
He nodded slowly and spoke hesitantly.
“I thought you liked Tommy more than me… I got jealous… It felt like you didn’t care about me… I’m sorry.”
“I see. It’s natural to feel something like that sometimes. But you shouldn’t express it that way.”
Honestly, he was somehow not straightforward while also being straightforward.
It was cute, so I nodded.
“Don’t do that again. Got it?”
When I gently patted his soft golden hair, Mathias’s cheeks turned red.
With a relieved expression, he began to eat his cake. I watched him while sipping strawberry juice.
Then I glanced outside.
‘Huh? Duke Callard?’
The duke, with a sword at his waist, was walking down the street.
“Your uncle is over there, Mathias.”
“Huh? Where?”
Mathias looked around where I pointed but shrugged.
“He’s not there.”
“What? He was right there.”
He must not have seen him even though he looked in the right direction.\n
I tried pointing again, but by then the duke had disappeared into the crowd.
‘Well, Mathias might have just missed him.’
It wasn’t important, so I let it go.
Watching Mathias happily finishing his dessert was much more satisfying anyway.
After parting ways with him, I didn’t go home right away and instead headed to the trade office.
Till, who was looking at company ledgers, quickly approached me.
“Long time no see, Till.”
“It’s good to see you, My Lady. I should have gone to greet you first, thank you for coming.”
“Not at all. You said you had something to discuss?”
Till nodded with a serious look and brought the ledger to show me.
Oof… That downward curve is brutal.
“After the epidemic, sales completely collapsed. Considering that the northern economy will remain stagnant for a while, it’s a big problem.”
“Hmm… What should we do? We need a breakthrough if we want to avoid shutting down.”
“That’s why I came up with something.”
My eyes lit up as I looked at him.
“I actually have some connections in the capital. Why don’t we open a business route there?”
“So you’re saying to trade with the capital merchant groups?”
“Exactly. Your products will work not only in the north but also in the capital. I felt that from the very beginning.”
True, the tea leaves, oils, and other goods I made were all widely usable products.
And the ingredients weren’t limited by region or season.
Maybe the capital would receive them well.
“Okay, let’s do it.”
“Excellent decision!”
Till clapped his hands happily, then asked.
“Would you be willing to go to the capital yourself? You are the head of the merchant group after all.”
“Hmm… I’ll think about it.”
If I go to the capital, I’d be away for several days at least. I should discuss it with Aizen first.
“Understood. Then I’ll wait for your answer.”
“Yes, see you next time.”
I left and finally boarded my carriage to go home.
While watching the scenery outside, dry yet beautiful in a northern way, I fell into thought.
‘The capital…’
I admit, I’m a little curious about what it’s like.
