Even as the world changed three times, Raymond was always by her side.

Because even in the moment she thought was her last, she had survived thanks to his strength.

Thus, the two were each other’s saviors. Faith holds power. Yerpi believed in Raymond more than anyone.

‘I never thought I would come to love like this.’

She remembered the first day she set foot in Growen, carrying only fragmented memories.

His cold gaze, and her own self who had tried to give up on everything, now seemed like distant, hazy memories of the past.

Time, which had long stood still, began moving once again.

She didn’t know what fate awaited ahead, but what mattered was that she was with her partner.

Raymond lifted Yerpi’s hand. Like a young creature, he rubbed his cheek against the back of her hand, then pressed his lips to the soft flesh on the inside of her wrist.

His upturned golden eyes shimmered. When their gazes met, her cheeks flushed involuntarily.

Due to the height difference, looking up at him only brought forth admiration at how handsome his face was.

But now, seeing him from above, she noticed an elegant charm as well. Realizing this, she found it hard to know where to rest her eyes.

Hearing a soft chuckle, as if he understood her thoughts, a quiet laugh escaped him.

“Yes. Just as you have protected me.”

The man’s lips brushed against her sensitive skin as he spoke of being each other’s support.

His alluring face drew closer. Once again, heat and a deep sweetness spread through her bitten lips.

It was around the time when night dew began to dampen the grass. Seeing the moon tilt, Yerpi rose to her feet.

“We should head inside now. Dante might wake up.”

“…Yes, we should.”

Reluctantly, Raymond stood up. Seeing his expression, Yerpi smiled.

Standing side by side once more, the height difference of more than a head reappeared.

Rising onto her toes, Yerpi gently kissed his neat cheek as if to soothe him. The two returned to their chamber, continuing the conversation they had left unfinished earlier.

“Somehow, I feel all the answers lie there.”

“Yes. Your words are always right. I’ll send a letter to the Winter Lands. We must prepare to depart soon.”

“Thank you for believing me.”

She was grateful he believed her, even though it was all just speculation. But there was something she needed to do first.

“First, I should reassure Dante.”

After all, every beginning started with regaining inner peace. At her words, Raymond turned his attention to her.

“Is there a way?”

“I’m not sure it’ll work, but I think it’s necessary—for the child’s sake.”

Though it had just come to her mind, she believed Dante would like it.

Whether it could fully comfort the child’s heart remained uncertain, but trying was the right thing to do.

For Dante. And for the two of them as well.

“Yes. You were the one who first opened Dante’s heart. Tell me anything you need.”

His promise to support her unconditionally felt more solid than ever.

Yerpi straightened her shoulders, renewed with strength. With him by her side, she felt capable of anything.

The galaxy reflected in her eyes, filled with fulfillment and exhilaration, shone brilliantly.

As they continued talking, they soon arrived at the door of their chamber.

Yerpi stopped him as he turned to leave. Dante not only followed her everywhere but also fiercely demanded her full attention.

If he woke up and found Raymond there, he would surely be in a sour mood from morning onward.

But Raymond couldn’t keep yielding forever.

“Shall we sleep together?”

“Yes. We can’t do much else.”

Raymond smiled and kissed the nape of her neck. Pressed gently against him, she soon found her back against the corridor wall.

Closing her eyes carefully and wrapping her arms around his neck, she deepened the kiss.

It took a long time before the two finally opened the chamber door and stepped inside.

The next morning.

Upon opening his eyes, Dante immediately became sour at the sight of Yerpi lying beside Raymond.

Yet, he clung tightly to her embrace, refusing to let go—just like a fledgling bird following only its mother.

After calming the child and finishing breakfast, afternoon arrived.

It was a slightly hungry hour. Yerpi headed toward Growen’s kitchen.

Dante, clinging to Yerpi, entered the kitchen bewildered, having no idea why they were there.

[Huh? Why are we here? To get peaches?]

Normally, he only came to the kitchen to get peaches.

His wide-eyed expression was so adorable it made her want to bite him.

While the maids stifled their laughter, the head chef, as if having been waiting, guided Yerpi forward.

On the long table in the spacious kitchen, ingredients for baking—flour, butter, high-quality peaches, and others—were neatly arranged.

The head chef smiled contentedly and pointed at the table.

“I’ve prepared everything in advance so you can make it comfortably.”

“Thank you.”

Her effort to give notice earlier that morning had paid off. Shortly after, Raymond also entered the kitchen.

Dante was even more puzzled by the arrival of a man who seemed utterly out of place in a kitchen. Finding the boy adorable, Yerpi kissed the top of his round head and placed him on the table.

“Today, we’re going to cook together. The menu is peach pie—your favorite. What do you think?”

[Peach pie? …All of us?]

Dante’s ears perked up. Drooling slightly as he imagined peach pie, he quickly snapped back to focus on the word “together.”

“Yes. All of our family. It feels like we haven’t spent enough time doing things as a family lately.”

Though Dante always followed Yerpi, they rarely had time to do things together.

Hearing Yerpi say today would be a rare day for the whole family to spend time together, Dante’s eyes sparkled brightly.

[…I like that.]

“I do too. I’m excited to see what kind of pie we’ll make. Right, Raymond?”

At Yerpi’s question, Dante’s gaze turned to Raymond. He gave a small chuckle and gently pressed down on Dante’s head.

“Yes. I’m curious to see how well this little one can make it.”

[Don’t press my head! I’m not short!]

Dante flailed his arms to protect his head. Raymond stopped pressing and instead gently ruffled his hair.

Seeming not to mind, Dante didn’t pull away this time. Looking around the kitchen, Dante broke into a wide smile.

[Let’s make it right now!]

It was a lively voice she hadn’t heard in a long time. Yerpi smiled and asked the head chef for help. The chef approached Dante and explained his task.

“Now, young master. For fruit pie, the fruit is important, but the crust is what truly matters. Could you gently knead the dough with the ingredients I mentioned?”

[Like this?]

“Exactly! I’ll handle the fruit syrup since it’s dangerous. But I’ll trust you with the most important part—the crust. I leave it to you.”

[Of course. I can do it well!]

Dante clenched his small fists, eager to take on the task.

While Dante diligently mixed the ingredients, Yerpi carefully peeled the ripe peaches and removed the pits.

Slicing them thinly into crescent shapes was Raymond’s role.

After completing their tasks, they would use Dante’s dough to shape the pies.

The head chef rolled the dough thinly with a rolling pin, not forgetting to praise him for doing an excellent job.

The next step was the most fun part of making the pie.

Flower and star, bird and butterfly—various dough molds were prepared on the table.

Yerpi picked up a butterfly-shaped mold and demonstrated by pressing it into the dough.

“See, you press the mold like this.”

[What do I do next?]

“Then you place it on top of the peaches. Once baked, the dough will form a cover for the pie.”

Yerpi pointed to the peaches already placed in the pie tins.

Once the mini pies were covered and baked, the peach pies would be complete.

Excited, Dante picked up various molds and pressed them into the dough.

With many cute shapes appearing, it was as if a little fairytale had come to life on the dough.

After placing the finished pies into the oven, a delicious aroma filled the entire kitchen. During baking, Dante refused to leave the oven’s side.

The freshly baked peach pie was delicious. Though the chef recommended waiting for it to cool slightly for even better taste, Dante devoured three small pies while they were still hot.

It had been a long time since she’d seen the child so joyful. Yerpi accepted a piece of pie Dante offered and took a bite.

Sweet and rich, the pie was delicious. Gazing at the remaining pie, she stroked the child’s shining hair and said,

“I will always be by your side, Dante. So you don’t need to feel uneasy.”

At her words, Dante’s eyes turned to Yerpi. His startled eyes widened in surprise.