episode_0012

The workers’ families gathered and knelt in front of their father.

Their faces were already full of tear stains, and they looked quite exhausted as they had not been able to eat or sleep properly.

The sadness of losing family.

The sadness of losing a loved one.

On the day the civil war ended, the families of the dead soldiers also looked like that.

Their images still haven’t been erased from my mind.

No, I shouldn’t have erased it.

Even if I go back in time and they come back to life, it doesn’t change the fact that I sent them to death.

I must forever remember those who worked hard for me.

Is it because I had such an experience in the past?

When I saw the people in front of me, I felt my heart sink.

I was reminded of the tears you shed for me, and for no reason, tears came to my eyes.

The father approached them and knelt down on one knee.

He then placed his hand on the shoulder of the person in front and said.

“The structure is smooth. So don’t worry too much.”

“Huh, huh… . Please, please… .”

“I promise to do my best as your lord.”

It was unacceptable for a duke to kneel in front of a commoner.

The same applies even if it is only on one knee.

Because that is order and law.

Every noble must stand above the commoners and take care of them.

But is it because his father was a commoner?

There wasn’t even the slightest hesitation in kneeling.

It looked so bright that I felt a sense of awe.

Sigh-.

My father got up.

“Please at least eat first. Shouldn’t we take care of our health for the sake of our families who will return?”

After saying that, the father ordered Count Arus to prepare a meal.

My parents said they didn’t take good care of Yeongji, but I think a little differently.

My parents did their best. However, the situation was not good.

It was then.

Sniff-.

I felt like my pants were being pulled down along with a crying sound.

When I turned my head, there was a little child standing there.

He looked quite dirty, as if he had been playing in the dirt nearby.

“Sniff… . Oh, my dad asked me to have dinner with him… . Didn’t come… .”

“Oh, my! Sorry!”

Someone among those gathered rushed out and grabbed the child.

And he repeatedly bowed his head and apologized.

Judging from her actions, it seemed like she was the child’s mother.

“How do I do this…? .”

Of course, there was dirt where the child’s hand had touched.

The child’s mother confirmed this and her expression hardened.

gulp-.

She swallowed as if she had made a promise and slowly got down on her knees.

“It’s my fault for being a bad mother. Please, please at least have a child… .”

“Mom… ?”

The child shook his mother’s body.

Then, soon, I started to shed tears.

Even those who had been pleading with their hearts to save their families up until just moments ago remained silent.

Everyone’s nervous gaze approaches.

A heavy silence flows.

If I wasn’t an asshole, if I had a good and upright image as the son of the family head, wouldn’t they have been a little less nervous?

In the end, the child’s mother won’t even have to kneel in front of her son.

Of course, this is all just my guess.

But one thing is certain.

So far, I have never had any bad results from changing my behavior.

So I decided to do that this time too.

‘Cause I’m no longer a fool

“It’s okay. Please wake up.”

“Ha, but… .”

“It’s really okay. Because you can buy as many pants again as you like. But money can’t make up for a child’s sadness, right?”

Of course, these were not pants that were easy to buy.

Even by my standards, it was quite an expensive item.

Maybe it’s equivalent to several years’ worth of living expenses.

However, it was nothing compared to the feelings of a parent kneeling in front of their child.

I’ve never been a parent, so I don’t know the details, but I’m sure it is. Because a parent’s love cannot be light.

The only thing that was a little disappointing was that Melina’s hard work to decorate it had gone in vain.

“Then, despite my shame, I will obey your orders.”

The child’s mother stood up.

Then the child grabbed his mother’s hand tightly.

In a situation that made me feel happy, I approached the child and lowered my posture.

Uneasy gazes meet at similar heights.

“Kid.”

“Yes… .”

“Don’t worry too much. Dad will be back soon.”

“Really… ?”

“Then, I promise you.”

When I said that and stretched out my hand, the child hesitated and stretched out his hand as well.

Place your little finger and stamp with your thumb.

It was an action that signified a precious promise that I made many times when I was young.

“You must listen to your mother carefully and grow up healthy.”

“Yes… .”

After finishing the conversation with the child, I got up and returned to my father’s side.

When the child’s mother repeatedly bowed her head in greeting, he simply responded with a smile.

My father takes a step forward, followed by me and Count Arus.

While continuing to inspect the mine, my father said.

“It was great. Until now, I was worried about whether I could entrust the family to you, but if things continue like this, I can rest assured.”

“That is too much to say, father.”

“Become a better person. Even though I haven’t taught you anything, I believe you can do it.”

He was recognized by his father as the successor to the family.

Although he expressed humility on the outside, he was extremely proud on the inside.

I never thought the day would come when I would hear these words.

When I thought about that, I thought of Luna, who turned me from a brat into a human being.

It’s all thanks to you. The reason why I live a life full of happiness.

So, I will create your happiness.

With that thought in mind, I took in the surrounding scenery.

This is a place that my parents worked hard to maintain.

This place is full of things I need to protect.

This is where memories with you will be made in the future.

The family estate was a very important place to me.

* * * * *

After inspecting the mine, my father and I immediately took a carriage and went to our next destination.

The carriage rushes by and the scenery outside the window changes by the minute.

Eventually we arrived at a village not far from the mining area.

Perhaps because it is a little far from the mountain, the majesty came first rather than the intimidation of the rugged mountain.

It would be nice to say that it is truly beautiful.

“We will guide you.”

“Okay, let’s go somewhere.”

I took steps with my father.

Perhaps because it was a village close to a mining area, the atmosphere was not very good.

It must be because of the incident where the workers were buried.

At that time, in the dark atmosphere, something caught my eye.

‘Evening primrose… ?’

A flower that is not in full bloom even though it is daytime.

Looking at that delicate flower bud, I was convinced.

The plant sold at the flower shop was evening primrose.

Even so, I wanted to give Luna a flower pot as a gift, but I happened to see it at the right time.

I’ll have to stop by and buy some when I go back later.

“What’s going on?”

“No.”

Although I was distracted for a moment, I started walking towards my destination again.

For a moment, we stood in the wasteland a little away from the buildings.

It was not a very good place for agriculture because there were a lot of rocks and the soil was hard.

But for a hot spring, it wasn’t bad.

“Here.”

“Here? This place where there is nothing?”

“Yes, the surrounding scenery is nice and it is quiet because it is outside the city center. It will be popular among travelers who want to relax and aristocrats who want to appreciate beauty.”

“If hot water comes out of here like you said, then it really does… .”

My father still seemed unconvinced.

It’s frustrating for me because I already know the outcome, but if I changed my stance, I would have reacted the same way.

But since I didn’t know what the future would hold, I didn’t know if my father would say no.

The moment I felt that kind of worry.

Did what I did earlier have a positive effect?

My father readily gave me an answer.

“Okay, let me check it out.”

“You’ll probably have to dig quite deep.”

“Okay, I’ll pass that on too.”

I cried out in joy.

It may take some time, but it was the first step to returning the family to its original state. And that too, independently.

That fact really touched me.

Now there was only one thing left.

“Father, can I buy some flowers on the way back?”

“Flowers?”

“Yes, Princess Luna seemed to like the walk in the garden, so I would like to give her a small gift.”

“Okay, then do it.”

Since I had my father’s permission, there was no need to hesitate.

I went straight to the flower shop I had seen on the way.

“Evening primrose is surprisingly strong, so you don’t need to give it a lot of water. If the top soil seems to be drying out, you can water it once in a while.”

While listening to the store owner’s explanation, I looked at the flowers planted in the pot.

I never thought this delicate plant would be so strong.

The more I look at it, the more I think it resembles you.

Sigh-.

The corners of my mouth went up without me knowing.