Chapter 3

Eidan was an unfortunate child. From a young age, he lacked the love of his parents and faced numerous calamities, despite possessing the power of light, his heart was tightly closed in darkness.

The Pencillia family, with their red hair and brown eyes, was a lineage of earth magic, known for their combat prowess and knightly heritage. Cynthia despised this, seeing it as earthy and barbaric.

The barbaric husband, the barbaric child. She had belittled the child, who resembled his father, believing he could not inherit the power of light. A protagonist shrouded in shadows, a lonely young man who never opened his heart to anyone, never knowing love—

"No, that's not right," I muttered to myself in the empty room. My body was heavy and hard to move, but what I needed was rest. I wasn't sick.

The pain that had once eroded my entire body in my previous life was no longer there. I couldn't do it for my three daughters. I wanted to pour all my love into them, to be a very ordinary mother. This was a second chance, a chance to love a child.

"Eidan... my child."

I will pour all my love into you. I won't let you grow up without knowing love.

---

Cynthia's—my—health slowly, frustratingly slowly, recovered. Though I couldn't leave the bed easily, I could now hold Eidan. This was a significant improvement. Compared to my declining health in my previous life, the thought of recovery was heartening. My complexion was still poor, and my nails were brittle, but my skin was still that of a teenager, smooth and soft.

"Hey, Eidan. When you start walking, will Mommy be able to walk too?"

"Abu, buuu—"

Eidan had recently taken a liking to making lip sounds. He ignored my words, pouting and making "buu buu" sounds.

"Eitan, hey!"

"Bu, buu..."

"Ei—oh, I can't stand it."

I held Eidan and buried my face in his soft, fluffy belly. Ah, it felt so good. He smelled so nice.

"Bu! Ah!!"

"Okay, okay, sorry, sorry."

I immediately pulled away when he told me to.

---

Since then, Eidan, who had met his mother for the first time in half a year, didn't cry the next day and came to me. It took a while before he would let me hold him, but now he sometimes even asks for it. He started to glance at me while playing with toys on the bed.

"Hey, what's wrong? Eitan, it's Mommy."

I smiled as much as I could, and Eidan's lips twitched upward.

"Ah! Eidan! You smiled! You smiled at Mommy. I'm so happy."

I took the opportunity to rub my cheek against his. His warm, soft cheek. Ah, so soothing...

"Abu!"

"Okay, okay, I'm in the way."

Eidan turned his back on me. Cold... but that small, round back... Ah, how cute.

I poked his soft shoulder and back. Eidan ignored me and continued playing.

You are my fourth child, my adorable youngest.

"Haah..."

My body was getting tired, and I flopped onto the bed. This bed was enormous, allowing me to stretch out and sleep even while Eidan played beside me. I closed my eyes, pinching the hem of his clothes. I really wanted to lay a futon on the floor, but I was afraid of falling.

"Au, uu!"

Eidan rolled over, protesting.

"Alright," I decided and rang the bell.

Recently, I spent my days with Eidan alone. The healer was hesitant, but they allowed it on the condition that the nurse would take care of him. Meia was busy and couldn't always be nearby.

If Meia were around, I would have put on a better front. I wouldn't be this mushy.

"Did you call for me?"

Meia came in.

"Eidan might fall off the bed."

"Yes."

The nurse who followed her picked up Eidan.

"Meia, I'm getting out of bed."

"H—huh?"

"If Eidan falls off the bed, it will be a disaster. I'll put a low cushion and sleep there."

"Wh—what are you saying! That will harm your health!"

"I'll sleep in the bed at night. During the day, when I'm with Eidan, I'll do this. If I get tired, I won't be able to watch Eidan."

"Don't let yourself get tired. Laying the princess on the floor is out of the question."

"I'm not a princess anymore."

I told her to call me "madam."

"You are a duchess!"

"It's fine."

I stated firmly.

"I want to see Eidan. But my body is weak, and I can't sit up. There's no other way, is there?"

I pushed through.

In the end, if you insist, there's nothing that can't be done. Power is scary.

I could do whatever I wanted, but I couldn't choose my marriage partner. Well, that's how it is. I was a princess of a country, after all.

---

When Eidan finishes nursing, the milk dribbles from the corner of his mouth as he half-sleeps. His warm, plump cheeks rest on my shoulder, exhausted. I love it...