TIDSF 32

Chapter 32

Honestly, it’s not just Dad—why is everyone in this household so emotionally forward?

‘If he acts like this with that face around others, I bet he’s already made a bunch of girls cry…’

Should I be the one to fix that part of him?

As I was thinking that—

“Whenever I’m feeling down or struggling, Dad always does this for me. And…”

This time, he hugged me.

‘…Wow.’

I never thought I’d end up getting hugged by a little kid.

‘I didn’t realize I was this small.’

But…

‘It’s warm.’

A comforting warmth.

Is this how warm the child of a protagonist born in a love-filled family can be?

“When I get hugged like this, I feel better. How about you?”

“Yeah, it’s nice.”

I gently smiled and returned Aiden’s hug.

When I left the study feeling so gloomy earlier…

“I’m glad! That’s a relief.”

His usual sharp expression softened immediately when he smiled—it really changed his whole vibe.

“So what are you going to do now?”

“Hmm. I think I’ll go back to the study! I’ve got to keep trying.”

I clenched my fist with resolve.

I didn’t want to live with regrets. I’d do my best, and if it still didn’t work out—well, then I’d accept it.

“Then let’s go together.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll come with you.”

“You—wait, really? You will?”

“Yeah.”

Aiden nodded confidently.

“Let’s go! When I got a little sister, I promised myself I’d protect her.”

And so, led by him, I headed back to the study.

“What are you looking for?”

“Just… anything. Medicine, a cure, anything that might help. I’m fine with whatever if it can heal the illness.”

“Got it! I can read too! Let’s look together! Where should we start?”

“I already read up to here, so maybe that side…?”

“Okay! Sit tight! I’ll bring them to you! I’ve gotten super strong lately!”

Aiden clenched his fists as he spoke.

Then, striding confidently to the bookshelves, he began hauling over heavy books—three at a time—grunting with the effort.

“Here!”

He repeated the process a few more times, wiping away the sweat on his forehead and sitting beside me with a proud smile.

“See? I’m strong, right?”

Drip.

He wiped the sweat with his sleeve.

As he crouched and looked at me with bright eyes, I couldn’t help but pat his head gently.

And Aiden beamed.

“You’re praising me, right?”

“Yep.”

We opened the books.

The letters were densely packed, and the content was complicated and difficult.

Flip flip.

Flip flip.

Watching Aiden stumble over the words slowly, I began skimming the pages more quickly.

Yaaawn.

How much time had passed?

Ssshhh, ssshhh.

The sky had turned a soft red.

Ssshhh, ssshhh.

Hearing gentle breathing, I lifted my head.

“Oh dear. The baby fell asleep.”

Aiden had fallen asleep, slumped over an open book.

Yaaawn.

Just watching him sleep made my eyelids feel heavy too.

Maybe it’s because I’m in a child’s body…

“Maybe just a little nap…”

Drowsiness overcame me.

My mind faded to black.

Creak.

Before long, the door quietly opened. The rusted hinges groaned.

“Master Aiden, Miss… how long have you been here…?”

Calyx paused.

“…Oh dear. The little ones must be tired.”

He smiled softly and crouched beside the two children.

Calyx gazed at the peaceful sight of the two kids fast asleep, holding hands.

His large hands gently stroked their heads.

The study was a mess, books pulled out and scattered everywhere.

[The Panacea and the Legendary Dragon]

Calyx stared quietly at the book left open by the children.

For a long moment.

Eventually, he gently picked up the children—one in each arm—and left the study.

Six Months Later

Altard Ducal Estate, Dining Room

Clatter.

“You picked the wrong utensil. For fish, you should use the second one.”

“Ah.”

Calyx quickly corrected his mistake, furrowing his brows.

It had been six months since he began etiquette lessons with Wood Refere.

In that time, they had gradually adjusted to life in the Altard household, slowly becoming part of it. They had also gotten more used to noble customs.

They had already learned the basics of etiquette. Now, the focus was on integrating that behavior into daily life, so they spent most of their day with Wood Refere.

As he ate, Calyx glanced sideways at Wood Refere, following the stiff rules of table manners.

His complexion, growing paler by the day, didn’t look good at all.

“How’s your health lately? The physician was someone your daughter scouted from all over.”

But even with notices posted everywhere, no one applied to be a permanent court physician.

Perhaps that’s why?

That reckless daughter of his, as if receiving some divine revelation, had once tried to set off on her own with a huge load of luggage.

He barely managed to stop her and went with her—that was two months ago.

In some rundown rural corner, they had found a so-called mad scientist, convinced him with promises of a private lab, and brought him in temporarily as a “court physician.” That had been a month ago.

“I’ve been coughing less, and the pain’s eased too. The doctor’s a bit eccentric, but doesn’t seem like a bad person.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Wood Refere slowly put down his utensils and looked at Calyx.

“But… I don’t have much time left.”

“…”

Their eyes met.

Calyx resumed cutting the thick fish fillet and brought it to his mouth.

After a short silence, he set his utensils down.

“You already knew, didn’t you?”

“No one knows my body better than me.”

“…”

“Maybe that’s why Eve brought you here. She must’ve known.”

He sighed softly.

Calyx looked at Wood Refere, who hadn’t even finished half his meal.

He was visibly thinner than when they first met.

“I doubt it. She said she just wanted you to be comfortable.”

“…She’s always claimed she wasn’t doing something, only to end up doing it for someone else. Seems like that trait runs in the blood.”

Wood Refere sighed, furrowing his brow.

“…What’s Eve been up to these days?”

“She’s buried herself in every medical text she can find, trying to save her father. She’s so smart, I feel like I’m being left behind.”

Calyx said it in a light tone, with a trace of teasing.

At his casual remark, Wood Refere gave a soft smile and sighed again.

“She’s wasting precious time.”

Pause.

“She’s not wasting it. She’s doing everything she can, because she’s desperate. She doesn’t want to have regrets. And you shouldn’t talk like that when your adorable granddaughter is working so hard.”

“…You’re right. That was careless of me.”

Wood Refere’s honest admission made Calyx shrug lightly.

Of all the elderly people Calyx had met, he found Wood Refere the most reasonable.

Unlike those who stubbornly clung to outdated traditions, ignoring change and refusing to listen to others, Wood Refere listened and taught patiently without judgment.

Calyx genuinely liked him.

Despite being a commoner with a child and accepted into the family only because of his granddaughter’s insistence, Wood Refere had never looked down on Calyx.

He never mocked him for what he didn’t know—just calmly taught him.

Whether or not some dreamlike guardian spirit had chosen him, Calyx knew how rare and difficult such understanding was.

“My father-in-law is truly a good man.”

Though they shared no blood and he hadn’t been formally adopted, Calyx called him father.

“And the other retainers of the ducal house, too. Honestly, if I were in their shoes, I would’ve hated someone like me suddenly acting like a superior.”

Wood Refere smiled faintly.

His smile was gentle and kind, but carried a trace of bitterness.

“Those who’ve hit rock bottom have nothing to fear. The remaining retainers here have given up their futures, honors, and ambitions—they stayed only out of loyalty.”

Their eyes met.

“They’ll accept anyone who can lead and revive the house. And… Eve is still a child.”

He spoke with a quiet but firm voice.

“Everyone knows she’s too young. Do you understand why she made you her proxy?”

“…”

“The accusation of treason hanging over Altard… The weight of being branded a ‘traitor’s house’—even if that child speaks the truth, people will mock her.”

Wood Refere let out a long breath.

“The storm she’ll face will be brutal. It’ll be too much for such a small body to endure. So…”

Slide.

He stood and moved beside Calyx.

“Please—just stay by her side until the day she comes of age.”

Then, for the first time, the head he always held high bowed, and his straight back bent with humility.

“I won’t ask anything more. I don’t know what she did to get you involved, but I know you’re caught up in something. Still, I… don’t have time.”

There was an edge of desperation in his plea, and Calyx furrowed his brow.

“Just being there is enough. She’s a clever girl who handles everything well, no matter the difficulty. But… she’s also lonely. She always tries to shoulder everything alone and rarely talks about her struggles. So please, offer her your warmth from time to time.”

Calyx was certain.

This old man already knew.

He had sensed his impending death.

And he was afraid of the future he wouldn’t be there to see.