“Yeah, it’s all because of me.”

Seeing her crying while drunk because of their son, he felt weak again. On the one hand, he was upset that it was their son who made her cry, not himself.
However, it’s an impossible task to catch that son and vent anger. Siod sighed and hugged Ginevra. He laid her on the lab bed, passed a pillow under her ear, and as Ginevra sobbed, she said,

“If you hadn’t gotten upset, this wouldn’t have happened…”

“I’m sorry.”

It wasn’t entirely his fault. No, let’s just say it’s my fault. Siod decided to prostrate himself flat in front of Ginevra, whose face was streaming with tears.

“Don’t cry, Vera. I’m sorry. I’m sorry for suddenly appearing and pretending like I know you, and I’m sorry for coming too late.”

No matter what he said, Ginevra’s tears didn’t stop. If only we hadn’t fought like that earlier. Regretting, he spoke,

“I know you’re trying. It was cute and cool how you tried to learn something new, even saying you would give power instead of magic. I just meant to give that child a few more choices.”

After shedding tears for a while, Ginevra whispered softly,

“I wanted to pass on everything to William.”

“I understand. Me too.”

Siod wasn’t any different. He wanted to teach not only alchemy but also rhetoric, to be recognized as a dragonkin. So that they could receive the protection of all the dragonkin. The desire to protect their child wasn’t different, even though the methods were different.

Ginevra quietly went along with Siod as he pulled her. Embraced in his arms, she whispered softly.
“I just wanted to give you the good things…”

“Yeah. I see.”

Siod blamed himself as he patted her back. Ginevra still couldn’t escape the shock of the day her son died. It hurt him to see her still trapped in that moment.

“I’m sorry. From now on, I’ll always ask for your permission first. I’m sorry, don’t cry. Please.”

“Why do you know things I don’t?”

“What? About the alchemy shop? Larissa told me, that’s how I knew. It hasn’t been long, really. It’s only been a few days.”

“Why do I not know so much? Why can’t I do anything…”

Ginevra cried freely, like a child. Siod held her tightly.

“You’re my son, but it feels like you’re drifting away…”

Siod desperately searched for words to comfort her. However, instead of comfort, only the harsh truth came to mind.

“Vera, parents naturally see their children as extensions of themselves, but for the child, the parents are just beings who will eventually leave.”

“I hate that. I’m not ready to let go yet…”

“Yeah. Me neither.”

Siod hugged Ginevra, who was crying uncontrollably, like a baby. He affectionately stroked her head, kissed her forehead, and patted her back.

Siod felt like he could do anything to comfort her. If Ginevra didn’t want William to become independent, wasn’t there a way to keep him from leaving forever?
I’m sorry for William, but Ginevra was more important to him.

“I also regret not being able to see baby William’s time. Should we turn back time once more?”

“…What?”

“Let’s go back to when you were pregnant.”

“What about the dragons?”

“If they’re sleeping, I could probably handle them on my own by killing them one by one.”

“You crazy bastard.”

Ah, back to normal. Siod released the tension in his arms with some regret. Ginevra pushed away from his chest and stood up. Siod was glad to see Ginevra regain her composure, but he couldn’t help feeling a bit disappointed.

“I don’t want to regress twice.”

“Really? If we keep turning back time, William won’t have to become independent. We can keep going back to when he was cute. Now he seems a bit insolent.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. William was always cute.”

This statement seemed a bit forced. Ginevra cleared her throat, adjusted her voice, and spoke again.

“And what else? If we go back to when I was pregnant, do I have to go through labor again? Will you give birth?”

“If I could give birth, I’d want to. But that’s not possible…”

“Anyway, it’s just nonsense when you open your mouth.”

Ginevra smacked Siod’s lips lightly. Siod felt good that her mood seemed to have lifted, despite getting hit.

“Are you feeling better?”

“…”

“Vera, if you’re feeling better…”

Ginevra subtly leaned in, using her index finger to gently push Siod’s forehead and said,

“I don’t like it.”

“Why?”

“I just don’t feel like it.”
“I don’t feel like I know what to do?”

Siod complained unjustly.

“I just wanted to kiss!”

“Anyway, I don’t feel like it.”

“Then when do you feel like it?”

Only when it suits her(?), Siod felt unfairly treated. He was always ready for such situations. However, he couldn’t help but hesitate again as he looked at Ginevra’s blushing eyes.

“When the children are safe.”

Before being a woman, Ginevra was a mother. Siod couldn’t say anything, touched by her feelings. Fortunately, Ginevra spoke with strength without shedding tears.

“Anyway. Okay. I’ll allow it.”

“What?”

“Teaching alchemy. Instead, teach the child what it means to be noble. I don’t know well. You said you want to give as many options as possible, right? Can you do that?”

Thinking Siod meant it was okay to kiss, he nodded gloomily.