episode_0044

The lady of the house went out for a walk holding hands with her son.

Among the nobles who valued propriety, it was uncommon for a parent and child of different genders to go out alone together.

Therefore, even between parents and children, strolling hand in hand without a servant was considered unusual behavior.

However, the special relationship between the two mothers was well known not only among the nobles but also among the people of Bayoren, so there was no one particularly objecting to it.

While others thought nothing of it, Darin, the actual party involved, was reluctant to go out. However, it had been a long time since she had any say in the matter. She could only choose the best option from the choices her son provided.

– Outdoor sex in the Bayoren garden.

– Date in Bayoren Castle.

Naturally, Darin had to choose the latter.

It wasn’t just that she disliked the forced outing. Rather, it was almost beyond her expectations. Since going out, Cael hadn’t treated her disrespectfully or tried to harass her.

– Sigh.

He simply held her delicate hand and guided her around.

“You look especially lovely today.”

“…Go away.”

“Mother, why are you avoiding conversation?”

“Don’t speak. Don’t call me mother either.”

But fortunate or unfortunate, she was both. Darin was quite annoyed. She must have realized yesterday that Cael had always seen her as just a woman.

In the end, having a son didn’t exist in her life. Biological ties were separate from emotional realms. From the latter perspective, she had a half-hearted son.

“Why shouldn’t I call you mother?”

“That’s what you did, right? You never treated me as a parent. You’ve always seen your child as a means to an end.”

Cael’s face showed a hint of offense. It wasn’t entirely wrong, but the expression was too harsh.

“Not as a means to an end, but as a beloved woman whom I’ve cherished for a long time.”

“In my position as a mother, there isn’t much difference.”

It was pitiful how Cael’s mother clung to a negative attitude. Simple persuasion wouldn’t soothe her anger.

“Well, throwing a tantrum. Not that I dislike it.”

Darin might have wanted to embarrass her son, but Cael’s emotions were like those of any other couple, engaged in a ‘lover’s quarrel.’ Being new to love, everything felt fresh and exciting.

“Why are you so adorable?”

This crimson-haired lady would eventually become his wife. Spending such intimate moments during this process wasn’t all bad. Getting along and understanding each other wasn’t a bad thing.

Cael slowly took his mother’s hand. The reason for such pure physical contact was partly due to being watched, but ultimately, it was to cater to his mother’s preferences.

He was strategizing on how to slowly win over his mother. Pushing too hard wouldn’t win her heart. Cael was in the midst of implementing the strategy of playing hard to get, as his mother always advised.

“It’s a bit chilly today.”

The sun was blazing, so what was he talking about? As soon as Darin made a displeased face, the man pulled her slender waist closer. His gaze upon the girl was more intense than the sunlight.

“Uh, Cael, you’re too close. Everyone else can see.”

Her lips kept tingling under his blatant gaze. She was afraid of kissing him in front of others, and the rising sense of anticipation was irritating.

“Surely you were told not to call me mother.”

“…”

“Then, should I call you Darin?”

“…What?”

“If you say you’re not used to it now, please refrain from such talk. You discarded the title of ‘mother’ because it’s you.”

“No, wait, Kael, when did I?”

With pumpkin-colored eyes widening, surprise flashed within them. Of course, it was he who had insisted not to be called ‘mother’ out of anger.

But giving up that title? Darin didn’t intend to go that far. He just wanted his son to reflect a bit and see him even a little as a mother.

“Was I wrong?”

“Not exactly, but…”

“Then I will call you Darin from now on. Outside or inside the mansion.”

“Just a moment!? Wait!”

As Lady Darin’s voice rose, more and more people around began to look in their direction. Darin tried to shake off his son’s arm, but Kael remained resolute. Persuasion seemed impossible with firm determination.

“K-Kael… Please don’t do this…”

The lady’s pitiful figure drooped. She softly caressed her son’s hand and arm, thinking it wouldn’t work. Darin knew it was a strange situation where the victim was consoling the perpetrator, but there seemed to be no other option.

A man calling a woman by her name was reserved for siblings or lovers. It might have been fine for complete outsiders. However, since the residents of Bayorenling knew the relationship between the two, if he called her by name, it would undoubtedly seem suspicious.

Moreover, to do such a thing even within the mansion?

In front of others using her mother’s name???

The girl with crimson hair couldn’t bear the situation.

“Call me mother.”

Darin whispered softly in his son’s ear. For some reason, even that one word felt oddly sweet, and a soft laughter escaped Kael.

“Haven’t you said you don’t want me to call you mother?”

“S-Sorry. I won’t do it again.”

“Just with words? I’m still upset.”

“What should I do then?”

The girl looked desperately at her son. Since her son wouldn’t stop calling her, reverting the title was urgent.

Kael stopped wrestling and looked around. This place was a mix of tourism and resort, the only tourist area in Bayorenling.

The sparkling artificial lake and frost-covered trees created a beautiful scenery. Compared to the tourist spots in the capital, it was nothing special. But to the local residents, it was a rather special sight.

And this was the place the lady with crimson hair brought him to every birthday.

It wouldn’t be bad to create one more memory in such a place.

“Mother, do you remember? We used to make snowmen under that evergreen tree.”

“I remember somewhat.”

Confusion appeared on the face of the lady with crimson hair. After hurting her, he suddenly became sentimental?

But Kael just expressed his wish, regardless of how his mother looked at him.

“Now that I’m all grown up, I want to create new memories under the evergreen tree.”

“W-What…? You can’t be serious?”

In Lady Darin’s mind, she pictured the wish her son was about to propose. Having outdoor intimacy in broad daylight? Under this evergreen tree where people openly walked around?

“Hahaha!”

As an earthquake seemed to occur in his pumpkin-colored eyes, Kael burst into laughter upon seeing her reaction. It was clear that the cute lady was imagining something peculiar.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Haha, that’s not what Mother is thinking. You’re not very composed. Is it because of me?”

“…Ugh!”

The girl’s face swelled up like a red radish at her son’s scolding. She felt not only embarrassed but also unjustly treated. It wasn’t because she was a disorderly woman, but because that boy had been tormenting her incessantly, wasn’t it?

– Thud.

Kael slowly rose from the bench and walked leisurely under the giant evergreen tree. Since the weather was gradually warming up, there wasn’t much snow. But he could still make a snowman to show his mother.

– Swish, swish.

In no time, a fairly neat snowman was built. The son waved to his mother, shouting if she wanted to build it together.

“Huh…?”

Darine made a puzzled expression for a moment…

– Tap, tap, tap, tap.

Before long, she joyfully trampled the snow, playing around. Kael seemed enchanted by his mother’s “feminine charm.” Darine, in turn, found Kael’s “son-like qualities” endearing.

“Hehehe…”

Darine chuckled with delight at the thought of her son understanding her feelings. If he didn’t look at her maliciously, they wouldn’t get along so well.

Quietly observing, Darine’s actions were slowly losing coherence. Crying one moment and laughing the next—could this be an early sign of bipolar disorder? Perhaps her mind was already deteriorating, merely trying not to show it outwardly.

For her mental stability, she would need her son’s complete care. For example, treating her entirely as a mother.

Though Kael would never do such a thing.

“Kael~! Look at this! The snowman is so pret…oh!?”

Darine, enjoying the simple time with her son, burst into laughter. She pushed the completed snowman, intending to bet with her son on who made it prettier, just like in the past, but…

“Let go of this!”

Suddenly being dragged into the forest by her son, the plan fell apart. The nicely groomed snowman was smashed on the ground, and Darine was led to a secluded spot where no one could see them. Deeper into the woods.

– Rustle, rustle, swoosh…

Unable to contain his desire for his mother, the son greedily kissed her lips. Darine blinked her crimson eyes in confusion. Just moments ago, they were having a peaceful time…

– Swoosh, swoosh…

Feeling a strange hand subtly exploring her waist, she realized what this was about.

This was the new memory Kael desired.

I had once again foolishly fallen for my son’s deception.

‘Oh, what is this…’

Sorrow welled up beneath the girl’s eyes, unable to hide her disappointment. She must be careful not to let out any sound.

In the end, I am this child’s mother.