Chapter 61

"Mom, what should I do?"

Before bedtime, as Cynthia entered the room, Mariever spoke in a desperate tone.

Cynthia braced herself, thinking it must be something very serious.

She sat down gently beside Mariever, who was still sitting up in bed.

"What's wrong?"

"It's Alro. He laughed out loud yesterday."

"Really?"

That was good news.

Alro might smile, but Cynthia had never seen him laugh out loud. Not even once.

It was a very joyful thing.

But why was she so troubled by it?

"I had a hard time holding back my tears. After all, if I cried when Alro finally laughed, it would ruin the moment, wouldn't it?"

Cynthia tried not to smile. This was a touching moment, but Mariever was taking it very seriously.

"——Why did you feel like crying?"

"I don't know. ...Maybe because I was so happy? Alro laughing out loud was a first, right? He looked so happy and carefree—no, being happy and laughing is something so normal. But just seeing that normal thing made me feel... I didn't want to make it seem so precious... Oh, what am I saying?"

"I understand."

It must have been a dramatic moment.

Cynthia could imagine the children's faces, filled with surprise and joy.

She knew they had tried various things to make Alro laugh. The best part was that they weren't forcing it; they were just enjoying themselves naturally.

It was a truly childlike and pure concern.

They felt it was normal to be happy, so they naturally wanted to share that happiness.

"So, why did you feel like crying, and what should you do about it?"

"It's not that."

"Then, is there something else you're worried about?"

Mariever looked down at her hands, puzzled.

She didn't seem particularly distressed. Cynthia waited.

"Alro's laughter... it won't leave my head."

"His laughter?"

"Ha, ha. A bit higher than usual. The sound keeps echoing in my mind. And when I think about it, my chest hurts so much, I can't stay still."

Cynthia nodded silently. Mariever continued.

"And then, I can't look at Alro's face properly. What should I do, Mom!!"

"Well, what should we do...?"

Cynthia covered her mouth, but for a different reason.

This was a happy moment. It was Mariever's first love.

Until now, her "liking" was just a matter of preference. It had gradually turned into a deep affection, something irreplaceable, but it was still a form of fondness.

Rias reacted to Mariever's "liking" and seemed uneasy. But to Cynthia, it was just the affection between children, far from anything romantic. So she found it endearing.

Now, Mariever had finally fallen in love with Alro.

Cynthia had thought it might happen eventually.

It was a joyous sign of Mariever's growth, even though she was still a child.

At the same time, it was complicated because Alro was the one she had fallen for, and there were many obstacles between them.

—But still.

They were only 8 and 12. It was too early to worry about such things.

Mariever had put her whole heart into helping Alro recover.

There was no doubt about the strong bond between them.

Cynthia laughed and laid Mariever down in bed. It was well past bedtime.

"Close your eyes."

"I can't sleep. When I think of Alro's face, my heart starts racing."

"That's a problem."

"But it's not a bad feeling. I feel light and like I can do anything. But I'm also scared. Ah... and it's embarrassing."

"You're busy."

Cynthia chuckled.

"Alro laughing is a wonderful thing. Nothing but good things have happened, so there's nothing to worry about, right?"

"But I'm not sure if I can laugh properly in front of Alro from tomorrow."

"You'll be fine."

Cynthia stroked Mariever's head.

"You love Alro so much, you'll be able to talk to him. And even if you can't talk well or can't look at his face, Alro won't dislike you for that."

"Dislike... me?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

"Really."

She said it with conviction and strength.

Cynthia's reassurance seemed to ease Mariever's anxiety a bit.

"Now, go to sleep. You can't study with Alro tomorrow with dark circles under your eyes. Alro will worry."

Mariever closed her eyes.

"—Mom, it's really good that Alro laughed."

With a deep, heartfelt sigh, Mariever said.

"Yes."

"I want to do more and more fun things. I wish Alro could laugh every day, to make up for all the days before."

"Me too."

To make up for all the days before. That must mean the 12 years since Alro was born. Cynthia agreed wholeheartedly.

After a while, Mariever finally fell asleep.

Cynthia returned to the bedroom and took off her gown.

It was already quite warm.

In the bedroom, Rias was waiting to take her gown.

"Today was long."

Checking on the children before bed was Cynthia's daily routine. After that, she would spend time in the bedroom.

"Marie—"

Cynthia hesitated.

She and Rias had always discussed everything.

The environment for raising children, the servants around them, the first manifestation of magic, and when Aidan showed a glimpse of light.

But this time...

She looked at Rias's face.

Her husband might overreact when it came to their daughter.

"Marie had a hard time falling asleep."

"Is something wrong?"

"Alro laughed. Out loud."

Rias put on the gown and came back, sitting beside Cynthia.

The bedroom had two two-seater sofas facing a table, but only one was usually used.

"I'm glad the things we were worried about didn't happen."

He slowly massaged her shoulders. Rias's warm, large hands felt very comforting.

Seeing Cynthia's relaxed expression, Rias also relaxed.

"I want to hear Alro's laughter. —I hope the children can grow up happily and remain close."

"Yes."

Cynthia leaned against Rias. His hands stopped and slowly combed through her hair.

"Soon... I want to think about Alro's future."

"Yes."

Alro was smart. It would be a waste to keep him as just a servant. He should receive proper education and eventually support Pencilia.

Once Alro is more settled, I want to proceed with the guardianship procedures.

Such people are not uncommon.

Rouban is one of them. He supports children who don't have the financial means for education, investing in their future.

"—Changing the subject."

Cynthia said, and Rias's hands stopped.

"The spring festival is coming soon."

"Yes."

The spring festival in Fandrag.

The temple in Fandrag worships the goddess Lucretia.

In ancient times, Lucretia bestowed magic on humans and then left for the realm of the gods.

The path from Lake Royer to the Grand Temple in the capital is said to be Lucretia's path.

During the ceremony, the royal family rides in a flower carriage along this path, and people scatter flowers on the road behind them, creating a beautiful flower-lined path.

The main street of the capital is lined with stalls, and the festival becomes a once-a-year celebration.

It's a large-scale festival that marks the end of winter.

"This year, Lady Iena is pregnant, so Titi and Alex will ride in the flower carriage."

"Is that so?"

"Titi asked me to join them."

"Everyone together?"

"Yes. They said Alex is calmer when we're there."

"The spring festival is... the most difficult to secure."

The spring festival is when the people are closest to the royal family. The flower carriage has no roof.

"Didn't you participate every year when you were a princess?"

"That's... true."

Rias had also been involved in the security.

Cynthia's joyful face, surrounded by flowers, was still vivid in his memory.

Her silver curls sparkled in the sunlight, and her golden eyes shone with joy. She waved to the cheering crowd.

She was like an angel.

"When you look back from the flower carriage, you can see the beautiful flower-lined path forming."

Cynthia had a distant look in her eyes, as if recalling the scene.

The flower-lined path is considered the path of the gods, so no one tramples it until the next day.

The way it is quickly covered with flowers is breathtaking.

"It feels like we're creating the flower-lined path ourselves. I thought it would be nice for the children to see such a beautiful scene."

"......"

After a moment's thought, Rias slowly nodded.

"We'll make the security a bit stricter than planned. Since we were supposed to wait at the castle, we can mobilize the knights there."

There was still plenty of time before the festival.

Cynthia smiled, relieved.

"And after the ceremony, I want to visit the stalls."

"You must be joking."

Rias immediately said, and Cynthia looked at him curiously.

"I'm serious, though?"

"Cynthia... please don't say things that will shorten my life."

"That's a problem. I need you to live a long life."

Cynthia made a sad face and looked up at Rias.

Rias swallowed hard.

This was the final step.

Cynthia slid onto Rias's lap.

Rias was startled. She smiled and reached out to touch his shoulder.

"Rias, with you, I can go anywhere, can't I?"

It was a festival she had always wanted to go to but couldn't. Even going to the city, Rias would immediately tighten security, so she had to be careful and only go occasionally.

The children were growing up, and she was becoming more free. A little bit, with Rias.

"Let's change our hair color, wear city clothes, and go quietly? Just the two of us."

"You... you can't be serious."

Rias had never expected Cynthia to say such a thing. Even after 12 years of marriage, there were still times when he didn't understand her.

Sometimes she seemed to see through everything, but other times she was like a mischievous girl.

Cynthia blinked.

Her shining golden eyes were fixed on Rias.

"That's not fair. Even with that face..."

Rias tried to look away—Cynthia grabbed his cheeks.

Cynthia's eyes looked at him lovingly.

"At the night stalls, there are rare items from foreign countries, and fireworks are set off. Let's go on a date, just the two of us."

A date, just the two of them, at night.

They had never done such a thing. Going out incognito without guards was something he had never even considered.

He always approached everything with perfect, impenetrable security.

Rias groaned.

He was so close to being kissed. His mind wasn't working.

There was no way he could resist Cynthia's expectant gaze, and in the end, he nodded.