TOOCM | Chapter 019

Episode 19

“You’re calling me crazy now too?”

“No, what do you even think marriage is? You rushed into it for that reason? You, who swore you’d never marry!”

Since childhood, Kaiden had declared he’d never marry, much to their parents’ chagrin.

Thankfully, Aiden had wanted to marry, so they’d settled the succession issue amicably.

Yet, Kaiden had now eloped, stirring up the Northern Council.

And all for some oracle?

For the first time, Aiden doubted his brother’s judgment.

Though Kaiden’s bold moves always had deeper meaning, Aiden couldn’t approve of using marriage, such a significant ritual, in this way.

Seeing Aiden’s obvious resistance, Kaiden scratched his cheek and said, “Well, it’s a marriage that’s not bad for either of us. Plus, she’s kind of interesting.”

As he smiled, thinking of Reina, Aiden made a face like he’d bitten into something sour.

“Marriage is a game to you?”

“Sure. Must be nice to have experienced fiery love.”

“Don’t tease me. This isn’t something to laugh off.”

Aiden grumbled, his face flushing.

Talking about love was admittedly embarrassing.

Unlike Kaiden, who’d delayed marriage endlessly, Aiden had married early for passionate love.

Though it ended in loss, he never once regretted meeting Amy.

Having a child together only deepened that sentiment.

He’d secretly hoped his brother would marry for love, so the disappointment was immense.

Yet, part of him thought this was very much like Kaiden.

Given his usual indifference to women, he likely wouldn’t have considered marriage otherwise.

Plus, Aiden’s impression of Reina from their chance meeting yesterday had been decent, so he gradually calmed down.

After a pause, Aiden asked cautiously, “What’s Princess Reina like?”

“Why the sudden interest?”

“I ran into her by chance yesterday. Dahlia mistook her for Amy.”

“Oh.”

Kaiden let out a low sigh as Aiden rubbed the back of his neck and continued.

“Dahlia was quite a handful, but she didn’t seem bothered at all. She seemed fond of kids.”

“Really?”

Kaiden’s face lit up with interest at the mention of Reina, then he added casually, “She’s unpredictable in some ways. Never a dull moment with her.”

“Hmm.”

Aiden stroked his chin, listening.

Kaiden’s demeanor seemed different from someone in a purely contractual relationship.

The fact that he showed interest in a woman at all was rare.

On impulse, Aiden spoke up.

“If it’s alright with you, can I bother the princess a bit? I’m curious about the oracle, and I also want to see if she’s a good match for you.”

“What, planning to chase her off if she’s not?”

“Depends on the situation.”

“Don’t chase her out. She’s got nowhere to go.”

“Nowhere to go? Her father’s the emperor of this empire.”

“She doesn’t seem to get along with the emperor.”

Kaiden murmured lowly, recalling how happy Reina had been leaving the palace.

“So, just be nice to her if you can.”

“As if I’d actually chase her out. I’m just asking for permission to get to know her.”

“When have you ever needed my permission?”

“She’s your wife, after all.”

“If Reina’s fine with it, I don’t care.”

With Kaiden’s approval, Aiden grinned.

Honestly, Kaiden welcomed the idea of his brother, who’d been buried in research since losing his wife, having a new companion.

“Just don’t pester her too much.”

“You think I’m you?”

Aiden pouted, putting his lab glasses back on.

Taking the hint to leave, Kaiden quietly exited the study.

Just then, Rose, who’d been waiting outside, stepped forward.

“Kaiden, I heard you were back. Sounds like you caused quite a stir.”

***

After a brief game of hide-and-seek, Reina spotted Dahlia catching her breath on a bench.

Careful not to startle her, Reina approached and spoke gently.

“Hello?”

Flinch.

Dahlia stared at Reina with wide eyes.

Then, noticing the sketchbook in her hands, she held out both arms.

“G-give it back.”

Her averted gaze suggested she’d been scolded by her father for yesterday’s incident.

Reina plopped down beside her and said, “If it’s okay, can I take a look?”

Nod.

When Dahlia slowly nodded, Reina opened the sketchbook.

Inside were various drawings of a blonde woman’s face.

The child’s longing for her mother, while trying not to show it, was palpable.

She must be around five years old.

It was clear she still needed her mother.

It was heartbreaking to see her, at an age where she could be spoiled, constantly mindful of adults’ reactions.

Reina asked cautiously, “Who did you draw?”

Caught off guard, Dahlia didn’t answer right away.

As Reina waited patiently, a small voice replied, “My mommy.”

“Your mother’s beautiful. What was she like?”

Dahlia’s face brightened at the mention of her mother, and she began to chatter.

“Yeah! My mommy was the prettiest in the world. When she was healthy, we went on walks every day, and she read me bedtime stories. And also…”

But her excitement didn’t last long.

Her lively lips gradually closed, and she murmured with a gloomy expression, “My nanny said not to talk about Mommy…”

“Why?”

“‘Cause if Dahlia keeps looking for Mommy, it makes Daddy sad. She said I should hold it in for everyone’s sake.”

It seemed the nanny had scolded her for constantly seeking her mother.

But for a child who’d only recently lost her mother, it was too harsh a demand.

Suppressing even the desire to express her longing would only fester inside.

“You can talk to me about her.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Reina gave a warm smile, and Dahlia hesitantly began sharing stories about her mother.

As Reina listened to her clear, canary-like voice, Dahlia’s face fell again.

“But I can’t see Mommy anymore. She left me and went far, far away.”

Her voice trembled as if she might cry any second.

Her teary eyes brimmed with longing for her mother.

Her inability to accept her mother’s death was heart-wrenching.

Recalling how she’d clung to Reina last night, mistaking her for her mother, made Reina’s heart ache even more.

Reina gently handed her a handkerchief and said, “Your mommy must miss you a lot too.”

“That’s a lie. If she did, she wouldn’t have left me. Mommy’s a liar!”

Dahlia shouted, burying her face in her lap.

Noticing tears dripping endlessly onto her knees, Reina silently patted her back.

Dahlia’s sobs grew louder as she continued, “Hic, actually, Dahlia knows. That Mommy was really sick, sniff, and couldn’t keep her promises with me. I know it all. Waaah!”

“…”

“Sniff, people are careful about talking about Mommy in front of me. Sob, especially my nanny—she won’t let me mention Mommy in front of Daddy.”

“I see.”

“Daddy gets a sad face whenever Mommy’s mentioned. So even though I miss Mommy, I can’t say it. I miss her, but I don’t want Daddy to be sad.”

Even while longing for her mother, the child was thinking of her father.