Ch.160The Age When Pink Buds Bloom (2)

“…I think I know why you’ve come to see me, but would you mind answering directly?”

“I believe I have a general idea of what this is about, Your Highness.”

Hearing Evan’s tone colder than usual, Kaisel let out a small sigh.

What was he supposed to do about children’s matters? While he understood Evan’s feelings about cherishing his only daughter, this… was enough to call him an overprotective parent.

What would 8-year-old kids know anyway?

“It’s been years since you called me by name—”

“Your Highness.”

“What did Kyle say that made you come complain to me? It’s just kids’ stuff… confessions can happen multiple times. You received plenty yourself back in the day.”

“That’s true, but… Robelia is still young. And I heard that Your Highness provided some very close guidance.”

“…This is the first time I’ve learned Kyle has such a loose tongue. Yes, I helped him. He asked me what it means to be mature, so I took the opportunity to teach him various things. It was just teaching him manners—why are you looking at me with… with those eyes?”

At those words, Evan cleared his throat softly and looked at Kaisel again with a relaxed expression.

It seemed that because it concerned his daughter, he had forgotten that he was speaking to the Crown Prince due to his sensitivity. If they hadn’t been friends, he would have been arrested for disrespect long ago.

“I came because there’s a problem.”

“A problem? Did you come to tell me about barbarians stirring up trouble in the north?”

“That’s not a problem. Barbarians can be suppressed in a day. The problem is that my daughter is thinking about Kyle differently than before.”

Different than before. Kaisel’s ears perked up at those words.

The fact that Robelia’s feelings toward Kyle had changed from seeing him just as a younger brother… it pointed to only one thing. When Kyle smirked, Evan frowned and grumbled.

“Ahem.”

“I’m very serious. Robelia said Kyle might be a little cool.”

“Of course he is—he takes after me. You know that.”

“He’s not as handsome as I am.”

Unable to refute that statement, Kaisel frowned and clicked his tongue.

Was there really a need to bring that up? But despite hearing such words,

Kaisel only felt glad to see his old friend after so long.

Though he initially grumbled about their children, it was only momentary. Evan didn’t really consider it that important either.

He had just used it as an excuse to visit Kaisel, wanting to let the children resolve their own issues.

Of course, he couldn’t help thinking that Robelia was a bit more precious compared to Kyle.

Since Robelia resembled his former little sister whom he remembered, it was inevitable that he felt a bit more attached to her.

“So, what have you been up to these days? I’m so busy I can barely see Scarlet’s face.”

“I’ve been busy with various things too. Once I finish training this knight order, I plan to step back from development work.”

“…Then I’ll have to find another suitable person. That’s quite a task in itself—aren’t you leaving too many things for me to handle?”

“I haven’t been able to spend much time with Airin lately. Even though she seems fine on the outside, she’s probably feeling neglected.”

With their wedding anniversary approaching, Evan had been giving it quite a lot of thought.

She always said she didn’t need gifts, so he’d only given small things, but he felt guilty about always giving such simple presents.

This year, he wanted to do something special for her, but he wasn’t sure what would be good. While the children needed attention too, Airin had always been Evan’s top priority.

Since 8 years ago—no, from the moment he first met Airin, he had vowed that would never change.

“So, did you come to see me just to visit a friend?”

“No, I really did come because I got worked up about Robelia.”

Kaisel gave Evan an incredulous look, but Evan merely shrugged his shoulders.

What was strange about a father visiting because of his daughter?

#

“Did you go see the Crown Prince?”

When Evan returned, Airin was alone in the office reviewing documents.

Although the territory had stabilized considerably and there wasn’t much work to do, Airin was still fulfilling her role as Duchess.

Having received the title of not only the Shield of the Empire but also the Sword, she had even more responsibilities than before.

“If you’re busy, I’ll leave.”

“…Do I look busy right now?”

Seeing Evan’s playful smile, Airin let out a deep sigh.

The territory was already as stable as it could be, and her job mainly consisted of stamping documents that came in.

While she had been busy during the first five years after becoming a duchess, these days Airin had enough free time to play with the children.

Evan knew this too, and noticing Airin’s gaze fixed on him, he naturally sat down beside her.

Just like when Airin used to be in his room, Evan looked at her with the same posture as back then, making Airin chuckle.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Just looking. The reason isn’t important, is it?”

Before they became lovers, he might have made excuses to avoid answering, but now they were in an open relationship.

It had been almost 10 years since they married, so the fresh feeling of their early relationship was no longer there between Evan and Airin.

They both knew this, and Airin collapsed onto the bed. Then, spreading her arms wide, she patted her slender arms and spoke.

“Won’t you lie down? There’s an empty spot next to me.”

“Of course.”

As Evan quickly took his place beside Airin, she closed her eyes while embracing his head.

When was the first time she had offered her arm as a pillow like this? Probably when Evan had been seriously injured.

Airin smiled faintly as she recalled the memory. Back then, she couldn’t even embrace him like this,

but now it had become comfortable. Airin often held Evan like this.

The freshness had disappeared, but comfort had taken its place. Someone they could trust and rely on more than anyone else in the world.

Both Evan and Airin knew what a great blessing it was that this person was the one they loved.

“Should we just fall asleep like this?”

“The children will be home soon.”

“We can leave them with Ropena… I’m sleepy.”

“If it’s the Duchess’s order, I must obey. I’m just a marquis after all.”

Even as he said this, Evan naturally buried his face in Airin’s collarbone.

They had done this so many times that it was now more comfortable than lying side by side.

When the children weren’t around, this would naturally lead to lovemaking, but since the children had grown up, it had become inconvenient in many ways.

Once, Arthur had caught them, and they had been properly scolded when they couldn’t find an explanation.

Realizing it was time for the children to return from the academy, Airin pouted in disappointment, but there was nothing they could do.

“Your breathing tickles.”

“I’m doing it to tickle you. How long has it been since we’ve been like this… Haven’t you been neglecting me lately?”

In reality, it was Evan who had been busy training the knight order, but hearing Evan’s grumbling, Airin gently stroked his hair.

Evan’s appearance hadn’t changed at all. He might even look younger than when she first saw him.

But the same was true for Airin. Perhaps because they were together, time seemed to pass by these two people while affecting everyone else.

While Ropena had become much more mature, Evan and Airin’s appearances hadn’t changed since they first got married.

Their extended lifespans might seem good now, but it was also somewhat bitter. While they stayed young,

others would age and leave before them.

As the same thought crossed both their minds simultaneously, silence fell between them as they embraced without words.

“What should we have for dinner tonight?”

When Airin asked this, Evan naturally opened his mouth to answer.

“Well, I think it would be nice to grill steaks after so long.”

“Grill some asparagus for me too. It was good when we grilled it last time.”

“I’m not a chef…”

“So, you don’t want to? Should I stop hugging you?”

At that not-quite-threat, Evan couldn’t help but laugh. Despite her words, the strength of her arms around his waist was actually increasing.

“…It’s time for the children to arrive.”

“Let’s go out a little later. Ropena will bring them anyway.”

At those words, Airin clicked her tongue in disappointment, and Evan rolled over on the bed once while still embracing her.

Although Airin frowned at her now-disheveled hair, she didn’t mind it that much and smiled.

Through the window, they could see the sun still high in the sky.

Summer was fading, but autumn was still far away.

How long could this daily life continue?

As they each felt a sense of responsibility while staring blankly out the window, they simultaneously turned their heads toward the corridor that was becoming noisy.

An ordinary afternoon of an ordinary day.

Evan and Airin were happy. As always.