Lucerne gently placed me on the bed.
“I’ve caused a lot of trouble.”
“No, it’s okay.”
I grabbed the hem of Lucerne’s clothes as he tried to move away. It was not a calculated action, and I was even surprised in that moment. Considering whether to let go of the grabbed clothes, I only subtly released the tension.
Even a slight push would make my hand fall away, but Lucerne did not pull me away.
I gained a bit of courage.
“I didn’t mind, and it wasn’t an inconvenience. Earlier… In my half-asleep state, I felt something pleasant, but it stopped, and I didn’t like that.”
“Something pleasant? What was it?”
“Well, I’m not sure exactly what it was. Since I was asleep, it felt like something swaying, fluffy, warm. I think it might have been a dream.”
“Swaying, fluffy, warm.”
Lucerne dryly mimicked my words, making my cheeks tingle. I let go of the hem I was holding and sat up on the bed.
“Yeah, it was roughly that kind of feeling.”
“I see.”
“Um, I’m sorry. I fell asleep.”
“It was my fault for not being considerate. It took longer than I thought.”
“Did you manage to do something?”
“Well.”
After a brief hesitation, Lucerne added, “I checked the remaining magical power of my sister and shared a bit of my magical power. I looked into it just in case, but, as expected, my sister’s condition wasn’t perfect. It seems that using magic forcibly during the kidnapping of Geo and moving you far away took a toll.”
“So, is that why she couldn’t use the teleportation bead earlier?”
“No. As I mentioned earlier, it’s an item designed for ordinary people without magical power. It should work properly regardless of her condition. Perhaps it was because she couldn’t properly focus on the destination while using it. I don’t think it’s related to her condition.”
“When using the teleportation bead, even for a moment, you need to concentrate on the place you want to go. If other thoughts mix in, it won’t work properly. I don’t know exactly what she was thinking at that moment, but…”
Lucerne stopped talking. Collis couldn’t focus properly, and she couldn’t completely leave the sea. What was Collis thinking at that moment? Was it about me drowning in the sea, or the desperate situation we were in? Or perhaps about her sibling who had hurt her? She remembered Collis’s face from the rocky island, the last time she saw. It was a broken and ruined face. Maybe due to the overwhelming pain, she couldn’t think of anything else.
In a pitiful feeling, I lowered my head deeply.
“Don’t worry about it. As I mentioned, my sister is the one who tried to kill you and Geo. You don’t need to show kindness to such a person.”
A large hand was gently placed on my head. In the warm touch, my heart seemed to move upwards like the gentle temperature. The pounding sound in my head echoed chaotically along with my heartbeat.
Had Lucerne’s hand been this warm before?
With the ache of gratitude, I muttered while still bowing my head.
“I’ll try my best.”
The sound of the wind rustling above my head was heard.
“I can see who Geo resembles now.”
“Really?”
Feeling pleased with the words that Geo resembled me, even if he wasn’t my real child. Perhaps Lucerne saw me as kind and gentle, mirroring those feelings in my eyes. If that were the case, it would genuinely make me happy.
Lucerne’s hand, which had been placed on top of my head, slowly swept down, brushing through my hair.
“For now, rest. According to Calib, Geo hasn’t fully recovered, so he finished dinner early and went to bed.”
“Ah….”
Come to think of it, it was already dark outside. It seemed that quite some time had passed while Lucerne took care of Collis and I waited, eventually falling asleep.
I wanted to meet him quickly and check with my own eyes if there were any sore spots.
“How is Geo doing?”
“You probably heard, other than being a bit weak from hunger, there’s no issue. However, it seems his body is still recovering, so he’ll need to eat soft foods like soup for a while, as he can’t digest regular meals easily.”
“I see.”
“Let him rest well today and we can visit tomorrow morning after breakfast.”
“Alright. It’s a bit disappointing, but Geo needs to rest, so it can’t be helped.”
“Good thinking.”
When I shook the bell placed on the table, the maids entered the room. I took a warm bath as usual, had my meal, changed into clean clothes, and then lay down on the bed.
Despite thinking I was fine, I felt more exhausted than expected. While bathing and eating, I kept dozing off. Eventually, even after lying down in bed without Lucerne using any magic, I fell asleep quickly.
Lucerne silently stayed by my side the entire time.
* * *
The next day, as soon as I heard that Geo had woken up and finished breakfast, I headed to the Palace. When I arrived at the bedroom, the kids with flushed faces welcomed me.
“Mom, ahhh! Why are you here now?”
“Mom, Mom! I found brother Geo!”
“Brother is back!”
I lowered myself to hug the kids who rushed towards me. Even though it had only been two days, it felt as if it had been ages since I last saw them.
“I heard from Mr. Calib. As soon as I heard Geo was found, I wanted to come right away, but I couldn’t because Mom arrived last night. Mom came too late, right? Did you wait?”
“Of course! Geo hyung is getting treated by the doctor last night!”
“He has no energy at all. Can’t even eat properly.”
“Oo-oo.no snacks!”
“Oh no.”
I sighed briefly with a sorrowful heart.
How much pain must he have endured not to be able to eat snacks?
Holding the kids in front of me instead of Geo, I consoled my saddened heart. The bedroom door opened as I did so. A familiar figure from the Imperial Palace revealed itself. Upon discovering Lucerne standing behind me, he quickly bowed.
“Long live Emperor Imperatoris Santos Lucerne Stria…”
Lucerne, who had been standing with a stern face the whole time, spoke for the first time, facing him.
“Has the examination concluded?”
“Yes. Would you like to come in and hear the condition?”
“Do so.”
“Sir, us too! We want to go in too!”
“We’re curious about brother Geo too!”
Amidst the children’s cheers, a voice was heard. The Imperial Guard turned to look inside and exchanged some words before bowing again.
“Geo has something he wants to discuss with the Emperor and Lady Hyerim.”
“Eh, what about us? What about us?”
“Adoo! Adoo!”
Marley and Seti looked disappointed. The servants comforted the kids. They handed a toy to Marley, a book to Rie, and a snack to Seti. The kids quickly calmed down.
Seti munched on his snack, waving his hand with a bright face, while Marley grinned.
“Wait here! Gotta go! Bye-bye!”
“Tsk. I also wanted to play with Hyung, but what can you do? The splendid Lady Malitia is waiting, huh!”
Looking at the two kids, Rie, holding the book given by the servant, hugged it to his chest and spoke with dignity.
“Mom, I’ll take Marley and Seti to wait, so please talk with brother Geobrother. Don’t worry about these rascals.”
“Rie, do you know what ‘rascals’ means?”
“Yes. It means disobedient children.”
Though calling them rascals might be too much as they were still very young, I corrected the meaning and affectionately tousled Rie’s hair.
“Okay. I’ll leave it to you, Rie. I’ll talk with Geo quickly and come back. If Geo is feeling better later, let’s all play together by Geo’s side.”
“Yeah! Sounds good!”
“I’ll be back soon.”
I kissed the forehead of the brightly smiling child and stood up.
The Imperial Guard opened the bedroom door, bowing his head.
My heart was pounding. I was worried that Geo’s condition might not be as good as I hoped, and I was anxious about the story Geo wanted to share with me.
I became nervous and curious about what might have happened.
Taking a deep breath to calm my racing heart, Lucerne approached and stood by my side. He gently took my hand, clasped in front of my chest.
“It’s okay. If Dipeume says its okay, Geo will be okay.”
“…Yes.”
“But still, if your heart hurts or you feel overwhelmed, tell me.”
What could he do if my heart hurt or I felt overwhelmed?
Lucerne didn’t offer any further explanation despite my intense gaze into his bright eyes. He just held my hand a bit tighter.
The warmth I felt from his grasp eased my mind.
Yes, he will be okay. Geo will be okay.
Gathering my resolve, I walked slowly into the bedroom. Perhaps due to being a room for the four children, as soon as I entered, a spacious area unfolded before me. A few scattered toys lay on the large tatami mat covering the floor.
As I turned around, I saw four beds in total. On one of them, Geo was sitting, leaning slightly to the side. He seemed unharmed, and his complexion was good, but he looked a bit frail compared to before. The child awkwardly raised the corners of his mouth into a smile.
My heart sank like a heavy weight.
I wanted to rush to Geo, kneel down, and apologize, but my body stiffened against my intentions. Despite my yearning to say something, my lips trembled, and no words came out.
Lucerne stood quietly by my side, not urging me to move forward.
When I didn’t approach, Geo anxiously glanced around. After a while, he looked at me while sitting on the bed, propped up at an angle.
“Um… Mom?”
In one word, I collapsed.
Lucerne gently placed me on the bed.
“I’ve caused a lot of trouble.”
“No, it’s okay.”
I grabbed the hem of Lucerne’s clothes as he tried to move away. It was not a calculated action, and I was even surprised in that moment. Considering whether to let go of the grabbed clothes, I only subtly released the tension.
Even a slight push would make my hand fall away, but Lucerne did not pull me away.
I gained a bit of courage.
“I didn’t mind, and it wasn’t an inconvenience. Earlier… In my half-asleep state, I felt something pleasant, but it stopped, and I didn’t like that.”
“Something pleasant? What was it?”
“Well, I’m not sure exactly what it was. Since I was asleep, it felt like something swaying, fluffy, warm. I think it might have been a dream.”
“Swaying, fluffy, warm.”
Lucerne dryly mimicked my words, making my cheeks tingle. I let go of the hem I was holding and sat up on the bed.
“Yeah, it was roughly that kind of feeling.”
“I see.”
“Um, I’m sorry. I fell asleep.”
“It was my fault for not being considerate. It took longer than I thought.”
“Did you manage to do something?”
“Well.”
After a brief hesitation, Lucerne added, “I checked the remaining magical power of my sister and shared a bit of my magical power. I looked into it just in case, but, as expected, my sister’s condition wasn’t perfect. It seems that using magic forcibly during the kidnapping of Geo and moving you far away took a toll.”
“So, is that why she couldn’t use the teleportation bead earlier?”
“No. As I mentioned earlier, it’s an item designed for ordinary people without magical power. It should work properly regardless of her condition. Perhaps it was because she couldn’t properly focus on the destination while using it. I don’t think it’s related to her condition.”
“When using the teleportation bead, even for a moment, you need to concentrate on the place you want to go. If other thoughts mix in, it won’t work properly. I don’t know exactly what she was thinking at that moment, but…”
Lucerne stopped talking. Collis couldn’t focus properly, and she couldn’t completely leave the sea. What was Collis thinking at that moment? Was it about me drowning in the sea, or the desperate situation we were in? Or perhaps about her sibling who had hurt her? She remembered Collis’s face from the rocky island, the last time she saw. It was a broken and ruined face. Maybe due to the overwhelming pain, she couldn’t think of anything else.
In a pitiful feeling, I lowered my head deeply.
“Don’t worry about it. As I mentioned, my sister is the one who tried to kill you and Geo. You don’t need to show kindness to such a person.”
A large hand was gently placed on my head. In the warm touch, my heart seemed to move upwards like the gentle temperature. The pounding sound in my head echoed chaotically along with my heartbeat.
Had Lucerne’s hand been this warm before?
With the ache of gratitude, I muttered while still bowing my head.
“I’ll try my best.”
The sound of the wind rustling above my head was heard.
“I can see who Geo resembles now.”
“Really?”
Feeling pleased with the words that Geo resembled me, even if he wasn’t my real child. Perhaps Lucerne saw me as kind and gentle, mirroring those feelings in my eyes. If that were the case, it would genuinely make me happy.
Lucerne’s hand, which had been placed on top of my head, slowly swept down, brushing through my hair.
“For now, rest. According to Calib, Geo hasn’t fully recovered, so he finished dinner early and went to bed.”
“Ah….”
Come to think of it, it was already dark outside. It seemed that quite some time had passed while Lucerne took care of Collis and I waited, eventually falling asleep.
I wanted to meet him quickly and check with my own eyes if there were any sore spots.
“How is Geo doing?”
“You probably heard, other than being a bit weak from hunger, there’s no issue. However, it seems his body is still recovering, so he’ll need to eat soft foods like soup for a while, as he can’t digest regular meals easily.”
“I see.”
“Let him rest well today and we can visit tomorrow morning after breakfast.”
“Alright. It’s a bit disappointing, but Geo needs to rest, so it can’t be helped.”
“Good thinking.”
When I shook the bell placed on the table, the maids entered the room. I took a warm bath as usual, had my meal, changed into clean clothes, and then lay down on the bed.
Despite thinking I was fine, I felt more exhausted than expected. While bathing and eating, I kept dozing off. Eventually, even after lying down in bed without Lucerne using any magic, I fell asleep quickly.
Lucerne silently stayed by my side the entire time.
* * *
The next day, as soon as I heard that Geo had woken up and finished breakfast, I headed to the Palace. When I arrived at the bedroom, the kids with flushed faces welcomed me.
“Mom, ahhh! Why are you here now?”
“Mom, Mom! I found brother Geo!”
“Brother is back!”
I lowered myself to hug the kids who rushed towards me. Even though it had only been two days, it felt as if it had been ages since I last saw them.
“I heard from Mr. Calib. As soon as I heard Geo was found, I wanted to come right away, but I couldn’t because Mom arrived last night. Mom came too late, right? Did you wait?”
“Of course! Geo hyung is getting treated by the doctor last night!”
“He has no energy at all. Can’t even eat properly.”
“Oo-oo.no snacks!”
“Oh no.”
I sighed briefly with a sorrowful heart.
How much pain must he have endured not to be able to eat snacks?
Holding the kids in front of me instead of Geo, I consoled my saddened heart. The bedroom door opened as I did so. A familiar figure from the Imperial Palace revealed itself. Upon discovering Lucerne standing behind me, he quickly bowed.
“Long live Emperor Imperatoris Santos Lucerne Stria…”
Lucerne, who had been standing with a stern face the whole time, spoke for the first time, facing him.
“Has the examination concluded?”
“Yes. Would you like to come in and hear the condition?”
“Do so.”
“Sir, us too! We want to go in too!”
“We’re curious about brother Geo too!”
Amidst the children’s cheers, a voice was heard. The Imperial Guard turned to look inside and exchanged some words before bowing again.
“Geo has something he wants to discuss with the Emperor and Lady Hyerim.”
“Eh, what about us? What about us?”
“Adoo! Adoo!”
Marley and Seti looked disappointed. The servants comforted the kids. They handed a toy to Marley, a book to Rie, and a snack to Seti. The kids quickly calmed down.
Seti munched on his snack, waving his hand with a bright face, while Marley grinned.
“Wait here! Gotta go! Bye-bye!”
“Tsk. I also wanted to play with Hyung, but what can you do? The splendid Lady Malitia is waiting, huh!”
Looking at the two kids, Rie, holding the book given by the servant, hugged it to his chest and spoke with dignity.
“Mom, I’ll take Marley and Seti to wait, so please talk with brother Geobrother. Don’t worry about these rascals.”
“Rie, do you know what ‘rascals’ means?”
“Yes. It means disobedient children.”
Though calling them rascals might be too much as they were still very young, I corrected the meaning and affectionately tousled Rie’s hair.
“Okay. I’ll leave it to you, Rie. I’ll talk with Geo quickly and come back. If Geo is feeling better later, let’s all play together by Geo’s side.”
“Yeah! Sounds good!”
“I’ll be back soon.”
I kissed the forehead of the brightly smiling child and stood up.
The Imperial Guard opened the bedroom door, bowing his head.
My heart was pounding. I was worried that Geo’s condition might not be as good as I hoped, and I was anxious about the story Geo wanted to share with me.
I became nervous and curious about what might have happened.
Taking a deep breath to calm my racing heart, Lucerne approached and stood by my side. He gently took my hand, clasped in front of my chest.
“It’s okay. If Dipeume says its okay, Geo will be okay.”
“…Yes.”
“But still, if your heart hurts or you feel overwhelmed, tell me.”
What could he do if my heart hurt or I felt overwhelmed?
Lucerne didn’t offer any further explanation despite my intense gaze into his bright eyes. He just held my hand a bit tighter.
The warmth I felt from his grasp eased my mind.
Yes, he will be okay. Geo will be okay.
Gathering my resolve, I walked slowly into the bedroom. Perhaps due to being a room for the four children, as soon as I entered, a spacious area unfolded before me. A few scattered toys lay on the large tatami mat covering the floor.
As I turned around, I saw four beds in total. On one of them, Geo was sitting, leaning slightly to the side. He seemed unharmed, and his complexion was good, but he looked a bit frail compared to before. The child awkwardly raised the corners of his mouth into a smile.
My heart sank like a heavy weight.
I wanted to rush to Geo, kneel down, and apologize, but my body stiffened against my intentions. Despite my yearning to say something, my lips trembled, and no words came out.
Lucerne stood quietly by my side, not urging me to move forward.
When I didn’t approach, Geo anxiously glanced around. After a while, he looked at me while sitting on the bed, propped up at an angle.
“Um… Mom?”
In one word, I collapsed.
