“Your Holiness. It’s troubling when you suddenly act like this.”

“Earl. In that case, make a donation.”

“…Haven’t I already made a donation to the Great Temple this year?”

Boston had been consistently making donations to the Great Temple.

The documents I reviewed when taking over showed that donations had already been made.

“I’m saying you should give it directly to me, not the Great Temple.”

But asking for a donation meant he wanted it given secretly.

“If you give it in gold bullion, I’ll resume your child’s saint education. You also won’t have to return the bracelet.”

The Pope’s eyes flashed with greed as he demanded gold bullion.

‘As expected, he’s asking for gold bullion to use as a slush fund.’

I hesitated to rashly give gold bullion, remembering the content of the original work.

‘Erna secretly gave gold bullion to the Pope to save the prince, but later even abdication was discussed by the imperial family.’

It was dangerous to get involved in a matter where even the mother who lost her prince was subject to strict investigation.

‘That won’t do.’

I took the bracelet from Blanche’s hand and gave it to the Pope.

“…Earl?”

“I’m afraid there might be problems if I give the donation in gold bullion, so I’ll have to decline your recent request.”

The Pope’s face reddened when I indirectly suggested he might be embezzling donations.

‘Even if he goes berserk, it’s fine since Jade has gained holy power.’

Just as the previous Duke Rowe did, Jade could absorb Blanche’s holy power.

Instead, even if I could no longer hide it from Jade, I didn’t need help from the Pope who made such petty threats.

“By the way, there will be no more donations from Boston after this time, Your Holiness.”

“Are you threatening me with donations because I’m not giving saint education to your unqualified child!”

“You were the one who threatened first, Your Holiness.”

The Pope seemed flustered, not expecting me to openly say I’d cut off donations as well.

Blanche bowed her head, startled by the Pope’s raised voice.

‘Blanche seems very scared. We should leave quickly.’

The Pope hastily grabbed me.

“Earl! Don’t do this, let’s sit down and talk calmly… I’ll just give the bracelet to your child…!”

“Would you please let go of my hand?”

I removed the Pope’s hand with a smooth smile.

“When your child goes berserk one day! Even if you come looking for me! The doors of the Great Temple will not open!”

He threatened, spitting out each syllable while his body trembled.

Jade, who had been watching the situation with an interesting expression, whispered in the Pope’s ear.

The Pope, whose complexion had worsened since earlier, could only open and close his mouth without making a sound.

Upon leaving the Great Temple, Blanche burst into tears.

“Mama. Shu Shu worked so hard writing the scripture… I endured the hand pain. It’s not Shu Shu’s fault.”

I patted Blanche’s back.

“Of course, Mama knows best. Our baby always works hard at everything. It’s not your fault. Don’t worry, Blanche.”

Walking beside us, Jade tapped Blanche’s cheek with his index finger.

“What did I say last time when you cried after your block tower collapsed?”

“If, if I cry. You said other people will look down on me…”

“So what should you do now?”

“I shouldn’t cry… Shu Shu won’t cry anymore!”

Blanche immediately stopped crying.

It was always amazing to see how Jade’s values worked.

Jade spoke as he helped Blanche into the carriage parked in front of the Great Temple.

“Jade?”

“I just realized I have some things to sort out at the Great Temple.”

“Should I wait here?”

“No. It might take a while, so go ahead first.”

Leaving those words, he went back inside.

‘If he’s telling me not to wait and go first, does he have a lot to sort out?’

I watched Jade’s retreating figure before getting into the carriage.

Two hours later.

I had returned to the Boston estate and was in the study writing a letter to Jade.

I just couldn’t find the courage to directly reveal that Blanche was his daughter.

So the method I chose was a letter.

I don’t have the courage to say it face to face, so I’m writing this letter.

You see, Blanche is actually your daughter.

I know it’s hard to believe a child could be born between a wolf and a sparrow…

I was shocked at first too. It’s impossible, right?

So, what I want to say is… ]

“There’s so much I need to say, it’s hard to organize it well.”

I crumpled the letter, unsatisfied with what I had written.

I still couldn’t figure out what to write.

“Mama!”

The door burst open with Blanche’s energetic voice.

Startled by Blanche’s sudden entrance, I spilled the inkwell.

“Blanche. You should knock before entering the study. You scared Mama.”

As I wiped the ink from my hands, I looked up at another shadow on the floor.

“…When did you get here, Jade?”

Jade was with Blanche.

It seemed he had finished sorting things out at the Great Temple and come straight here.

“Just now. What kind of letter is it that you’re crumpling it?”

I unfolded the letter and put it in a document at his curious glance.

“Just some scribbles.”

I was planning to rewrite it anyway since I wasn’t satisfied with the content.

“Scribbles?”

“Mama! Shu Shu made sandwiches with Mary, let’s have a picnic! The flowers in the garden over there are so pretty!”

Blanche’s timely interruption diverted Jade’s suspicious gaze.

“Sh-shall we?”

“Young Master should come too!”

“…Alright.”

We headed to the garden with a basket packed with sandwiches, milk, and macarons Blanche had made.

We spread a pink blanket in the shade under an elm tree.

“Mama! Wait here a moment!”

Blanche crouched down by the flower bed in full bloom.

She was puffing her cheeks in deep thought, making something.

The scent of spring wafted gently.

‘…How peaceful.’

My complicated feelings from writing the letter washed away.

“Larien. The Pope said earlier.”

“The Pope? What did he say?”

“…That he wants to meet you to clear up the misunderstanding.”

I scoffed at how easily the Pope’s attitude had changed.

“What did you say to the Pope earlier when you left?”

“That Rowe would cut off donations too. We were giving about a year’s worth of the territory’s budget to the Great Temple.”

I was shocked to learn Jade had been making donations too.

“…You were making donations too? That much? Si-since when?”

No wonder the Pope was dumbfounded and speechless.

“Four years? It wasn’t really a loss to the family finances.”

There was a reason the Pope, who hadn’t explained his late arrival, started talking when he saw Jade.

‘He says pouring in a year’s worth of the territory’s budget annually isn’t really a loss…?’

I knew he owned a clothing shop and was the owner of Rendezvous which bought and sold jewels.

I was newly amazed by his wealth that defied estimation.

“Why do you make such large donations when you don’t even believe in god?”

“…I had no choice if I wanted to use the prayer room privately.”

“The prayer room?”

What reason could there be to use the Great Temple’s prayer room privately?

“I made a memorial space there.”

“…Don’t tell me. For me?”

Jade silently lowered his eyes.

‘I asked just in case, but it was true…’

After the initial surprise, I felt sorry and grateful.

“Jade. Why did you go that far?”

My throat choked up with emotion.

“Because I couldn’t forget you. You were always present for me. Just as you were at twenty.”

He answered without a moment’s hesitation.

With what mindset did he remember me, suspended in frozen time?

“Mama! Try on what Shu Shu made!”

I wiped away my tears and hugged Blanche as she ran over.

Blanche was holding something in her hand.

It was a delicate flower crown woven with purple and blue flowers.

Blanche’s round fingernails were stained with various flower colors.

“Mama, how is it?”

“It’s so pretty! Hehe, I’ll make Young Master’s after Shu Shu eats a snack because I’m hungry!”

“I’m fine−”

“Ssup!”

Blanche wrinkled her nose as she inhaled.

“…I’ll look forward to it.”

Jade immediately signaled his surrender.

I lay back and took in the blue, clear sky.

“Mama, what are you doing?”

“The sky is so pretty.”

Blanche neatly placed her shoes aside and lay down on the blanket.

“Wow! It’s so pretty!”

She followed me exactly, rolling her eyes and exclaiming.

‘Maybe I’ll take a short nap.’

I kept feeling drowsy.

“Young Master! Please take out the macarons for Shu Shu!”

“Here.”

I heard the sound of macarons being taken from the basket and handed to Blanche.

“Mmm! Macarons are always so delicious!”

Blanche’s happy voice filled the air.

“What is this.”

Jade’s surprised murmur followed.

‘Why is he like that?’

I slightly opened my eyes to look at Jade.

“Jade?”

Following Jade’s hand as he touched Blanche’s head, there were large…

Wolf ears sticking out.

“Larien.”

Jade flicked Blanche’s wolf ears.

“…Jade, that.”

“Was this child mine?”