Ivelia hurriedly entered the reception room. Then, as Faylin had said, she saw Edwick, who had arrived ahead of her.

Approaching him in a rush, she couldn’t erase the complex emotions that had risen on her face.

“Father!”

Only after hearing her impulsive shout did Edwick, who had been showing his back, turn around. Compared to the last time she saw him, his complexion was much improved.
However, Ivelia couldn’t ease her mind. Despite the improved complexion, the image of her father, who had recently suffered greatly, bothered her.

“Your Highness, I hope you have been well.”

“I want to ask that to Father. I heard through my brother that you cleared your schedule and got up. Are you really okay? Is there anywhere that still feels uncomfortable?”

Unlike her usual self, Ivelia nervously looked around Edwick here and there. Edwick couldn’t help but smile.

He had heard the story that his daughter had come to see him while he was bedridden, but the last thing he remembered was Ivelia, who was desperately crumbling and couldn’t swallow her tears.

His daughter, who had been like that, rushed to him first and took care of him at such a slow pace, making him genuinely happy. Moreover, Ivelia’s complexion seemed much better during that time.

No, it didn’t just get better, but it seemed much brighter. The reason could be easily inferred.

Probably, she had noticed the presence of the boy sitting in the prince’s seat right now and accepted him with her heart.

Since both of them had been very affectionate since their childhood, even if they met again after a long time, confirming each other’s feelings might have been a joy for Ivelia.

“I am fine, Your Highness. As you can see, I have recovered enough to come and see you.”

“But… you’ve suffered a lot, Father.”

“I must have been bedridden for a few days, so is it any wonder? But now I’ve shaken off the fever, and I’ll quickly regain my old self. Don’t worry too much, Your Highness.”

Even with Edwick’s words, Ivelia couldn’t easily erase the expression of worry. The more worried she looked, the brighter Edwick’s smile became. Then, he firmly held Ivelia’s hand and comforted her.

As if the emotions that had been suppressed by that touch were about to explode, Ivelia looked at Edwick with a choked voice.

“You must recover. You have to come back as strong as you were.”

“Of course. I’ll come back soon in the way Your Highness wishes, so you don’t have to worry if that’s the concern.”

Edwick responded with a reassuring tone once again. Only then did Ivelia lower her head a little, releasing some of her anxieties.

The back of her father’s hand, covering her hand, looked somehow full of wrinkles unlike before. Even though he looked quite robust for his age, the good physique that made him look young seemed to have withered, and it might have been a natural result.

However, it felt like it was all her fault, so Ivelia couldn’t completely let go of her father’s comfort.

Perhaps today, she had to convey the feelings of apology that she hadn’t been able to express all this time. With tears brimming in her eyes, it wasn’t easy to find the words to speak.
However, Ivelia tightened her throat. Then, she gently withdrew her hand from Edwick’s grasp, turned it around, and held her father’s hand in return, gently sweeping the wrinkled back of his hand.

“Father… There has been something I’ve wanted to tell you for a long time.”

“……. ”

“The day I last saw you has remained in my heart and hasn’t faded away. That day, I… I am so sorry. You must have felt uncomfortable about the choice I made, and I couldn’t understand that feeling. I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Father.”

Ivelia wanted to say those words. The words she hadn’t yet uttered were quite long. However, Ivelia couldn’t convey the remaining words to Edwick.

It was because of Edwick’s opposite hand, which covered the hand that had been affectionately holding him.

He covered her hand, which had been affectionately holding him, with an incredibly gentle touch that was incomparable to what she had done. Then, in a familiar and kind voice, he spoke to her.

“During that time, Your Highness, your complexion has improved a lot. Comparing it to that day, it means that Your Highness’s heart has become quite at ease.”

“……. ”

“That’s enough. If Your Highness has regained peace, this father has nothing more to wish for.”

Edwick’s voice saying so was just as kind and warm as before. However, the emotion contained in it was so thick and intense, unlike other times, that Ivelia couldn’t swallow her tears.

Unable to bear the overwhelming sob that escaped, she unhesitatingly pulled her father’s neck close. Then, she felt the gentle warmth from the back of her hand spread over her back.

Edwick repeatedly stroked his daughter’s back several times, sparing no words to assure her. Thus, Ivelia could pour out her tears with ease.

Being embraced by her father’s arms after a very long time still felt incredibly warm.