episode_0012

The workers’ families knelt before their father and gathered around.

Their faces were already filled with tear stains, looking quite worn out from not having proper meals and sleep.

The sadness of losing a family.

The sadness of losing a loved one.

On the day the civil war ended, the families of the deceased soldiers had the same appearance.

Their image still remains vivid in my mind.

No, it shouldn’t be erased.

Even if they were to come back to life through time, the fact that I drove them to death wouldn’t change.

I must forever remember those who worked for me.

Is it because of my past experiences?

Seeing them in front of me made my heart heavy.

Tears shed for me came to mind, and tears welled up for no reason.

Father approached them and knelt down beside them.

Placing his hand on the shoulder of the person in front, he said, “The rescue is going smoothly. So please don’t worry too much.”

“Sob, sob… Please, I beg you…”

“As a lord, I promise to do my best.”

A duke kneeling in front of a commoner was something that should never happen.

Not even if it’s just one knee.

It’s about order and law.

All nobles must stand above commoners and take care of them.

But perhaps because he was a father from a commoner background, there was not a hint of hesitation in his kneeling.

His appearance was so radiant that it even evoked awe.

Swoosh-.

Father stood up.

“At least have a meal for now. You should take care of your health for the returning family, shouldn’t you?”

Having said that, Father instructed Earl Arus to prepare a meal.

They said my parents didn’t manage the estate well, but I think differently.

My parents did their best. It’s just that the situation wasn’t favorable.

That’s when it happened.

Sniffle-.

With a crying sound, I felt as if my pants were being tugged.

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

He looked quite mischievous, as if he had been playing with dirt nearby.

Sob… Dad said he would have dinner with me… but he didn’t come…

Oh, I’m sorry!

Someone among the gathered people rushed out and grabbed the child firmly.

Then, bowing deeply, they apologized.

From their actions, it seemed like they were the child’s mother.

How could this…?

It was a natural thing, but there was dirt where the child’s hand had been.

The child’s mother, confirming this, stiffened her expression.

Gulp-.

As if making a resolution, she slowly knelt down.

“It’s my fault as an unworthy mother. Please, please at least the child…”

“Mom…?”

The child shook his mother’s body.

Soon after, tears began to well up.

Even those who had just desperately pleaded to save their family members fell silent.

Everyone’s tense gaze felt piercing.

A heavy silence filled the air.

If I hadn’t been a failure, if I had been seen as a good and upright son of the family, wouldn’t their tension have lessened somewhat?

At the end of it all, wouldn’t the child’s mother have knelt in front of her son?

Of course, it’s all just my speculation.

But one thing is certain.

Until now, my actions haven’t led to bad outcomes.

So, I decided to do the same this time.

I’m not a failure anymore.

“It’s okay. Please, get up.”

“B-but…”

“It’s really okay. You can always buy another pair of pants. But you can’t compensate for a child’s sadness with money, can you?”

Of course, the pants weren’t cheap.

They were quite expensive even by my standards.

Perhaps they cost as much as several years’ worth of their living expenses.

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

I’ve never been a parent, so I don’t know for sure, but it must be that way. Because a parent’s love isn’t light.

It was just a little disappointing that what Melina had worked so hard for had gone to waste.

“Well then, despite my shame, I will accept your kindness.”

The child’s mother stood up.

Upon doing so, the child tightly held onto her hand.

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

An uneasy gaze met mine at a similar height.

“Hey, little one.”

“Yes…”

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

“Really…?”

“Well then, I promise.”

As I said this, I reached out my hand, and the child hesitantly did the same.

We hooked our pinkies and stamped with our thumbs, a meaningful gesture representing a cherished promise from childhood.

“Listen to your mother and grow up healthy.”

“Yes…”

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

I simply responded with a smile as the child’s mother bowed repeatedly in greeting.

Father took steps forward, followed by me and Earl Arus.

While continuing the inspection around the mine, my father spoke.

“You’re doing great. Until now, I’ve been worried about entrusting the family to you, but now I can rest assured.”

“That’s too kind of you, Father.”

“Become an even greater person. Although I haven’t taught you anything, I believe you can do it.”

I was acknowledged by my father as the heir to the family.

Outwardly, I expressed humility, but inwardly, I was filled with pride.

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

Thinking this, Luna, who had turned me from a wastrel into a respectable person, came to mind.

It’s all thanks to you. It’s because of you that I live a life touched by happiness.

So, I will create your happiness.

With these thoughts, I took in the surrounding scenery.

This place that my parents have diligently cultivated.

This place filled with things I must protect.

This place where memories with you will accumulate.

The family estate was an immensely precious place to me.

* * * * *

After the mine inspection, my father and I immediately boarded a carriage and headed to our next destination.

The carriage raced on, and the scenery outside the window changed rapidly.

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

Perhaps because it was a bit away from the mountains, rather than feeling the intimidation of rugged mountains, the grandeur of the landscape came first.

One might say it was truly beautiful.

“I will guide you.”

“Good, let’s go see somewhere.”

I set out with my father.

The atmosphere wasn’t very pleasant, perhaps because the village was close to a mining area.

It must be due to the incident where miners were buried.

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

“Moonflowers…?”

A flower that wasn’t fully bloomed even during the day.

Seeing the delicate bud, I was certain.

The plant sold at the flower shop was moonflowers.

I wanted to gift Luna a potted plant anyway, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.

I’ll have to stop by on my way back.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

Though momentarily distracted, I resumed walking towards our destination.

Eventually, we stood in a desolate wasteland, a bit away from the buildings.

It was not very suitable for agriculture, with lots of rocks and hard soil.

But as a hot spring, it wasn’t bad.

“Here we are.”

“Here? Are you saying this empty place is it?”

“Yes, the surrounding scenery is nice, and it’s quiet being on the outskirts. It would be popular with travelers seeking a peaceful rest or nobles wanting to appreciate the beauty.”

“Yes, if there’s hot water here…”

My father still seemed uncertain.

As someone who already knew the outcome, it was frustrating, but if I put myself in his shoes, his reaction wasn’t much different.

But since the future is unknown, he might have had a point in being cautious.

In that moment of worry, did my earlier actions have a positive effect?

My father readily responded.

“Alright, let’s check it out.”

“You may need to dig quite deep.”

“Alright, make sure to convey that.”

I cheered inwardly.

It would take some time, but this was the first step to restoring the family line, and it was done autonomously.

That fact filled me with genuine emotion.

Now, only one thing remained.

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

“Flowers?”

“Yes, it seems Lady Luna enjoyed the garden walk, so I’d like to give her a small gift.”

“Alright, then do so.”

With my father’s permission, there was no need for hesitation.

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

“Moonflowers are surprisingly sturdy, so it’s okay not to water them a lot. If the surface soil seems dry, just water them once in a while.”

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

I never knew that such delicate plants could be so resilient.

The more I look, the more I feel like they resemble you.

Swoosh-.

Unconsciously, the corners of my mouth lifted.