Without knocking, the door burst open and Sandra entered, fuming. Though he had anticipated her appearance, Caspian tensed.

“I told you to restrain yourself!”

Caspian flinched at the high-pitched shout as soon as she entered. But he quickly replied in a calm voice.

“I gave a fitting punishment to the criminal. What’s the problem with that? I don’t understand why everyone is making such a fuss over nothing.”

Watching Caspian speak as if it were no big deal, shrugging his shoulders, Sandra felt her blood boiling inside.

“It is a problem! It was just a pickpocket who could have been thrown in jail without any issues. The patrol members were in the process of arresting them, weren’t they?”

“…”

“Then why did you kill them and create this problem? And in front of so many people!”

Sandra yelled, unable to contain her anger. But Caspian, trying not to be intimidated by her fervor, straightened his back and spoke boldly.

“It wasn’t a simple pickpocket. It was a thief who stole Princess Espin’s handbag.”

“What? Is that true?”

For a moment, a glimmer of hope shone on Sandra’s face. If it wasn’t just a pickpocket but someone who stole from royalty, the situation was different. Seeing the change in her expression, Caspian spoke triumphantly.

“Yes. That’s what I’m saying. Moreover, they caused a carriage accident. A child under the carriage almost died.”

“So did the child die?”

Sandra’s expression and voice were full of expectation. If a young life had been lost due to the accident caused by the pickpocket, killing the thief wouldn’t seem so unreasonable.

“They almost died, but some healer appeared and saved the child.”

Sandra was momentarily disappointed to hear the child hadn’t died, but she didn’t show it.

“A healer?”

“Yes. It was a young woman who used holy power to treat the child, even though she wasn’t a priestess.”

“Really?”

A faint smile appeared on Sandra’s lips. Her mind was racing, looking for a breakthrough.

“Is that so?”

Sandra thought that if they could prominently feature this healer and weave things together well, it might make for a good story.

Clop, clop-

The carriage carrying Killian, Espin, and Jediel was heading towards Jediel’s house.

Jediel was sitting among dolls as big as herself, and the sight was so lovely and adorable that Espin couldn’t take her eyes off the child.

On the other hand, Jediel’s expression was quite gloomy as she worried about her injured mother. So, in an attempt to cheer up the child, Espin spoke in a cheerful voice.

“Jediel, you look so young, but you remember your home address well. You’re a cute and smart little one, aren’t you?”

“Of course I should know my home address.”

Jediel replied as if it were nothing special. Even that response was so cute that Espin wanted to say more, but she held back. It seemed it wouldn’t be easy to cheer up the child right away.

This time, Killian opened his mouth, determined to soothe the child’s mood.

“Jediel, did you have fun today? This uncle will practice his dart skills and beat Uncle Onyx next time.”

At those words, Jediel responded with a faint smile.

“I’ll cheer for you, uncle. But Uncle Onyx isn’t easy, you know. You can’t practice half-heartedly.”

“…I see.”

Killian almost burst out laughing at the child’s serious response but barely managed to hold it in. It didn’t seem right to laugh when the child was giving sincere advice.

Still, Killian and Espin were inwardly relieved that the child’s mood seemed to have improved a little. Espin, who had been looking back and forth between Killian and Jediel, tilted her head and blurted out.

“By the way, you two look a bit alike. Haven’t you heard that before?”

At Espin’s words, Jediel suddenly brightened up and spoke in an excited voice.

“The kindergarten principal said last time that I look like uncle.”

Hehe, the child laughed brightly, seemingly in a good mood. Surprised by how the gloomy child was now smiling broadly, Espin asked.

“Jediel, are you so happy to hear that you look like Uncle Killian?”

“Of course! Uncle is handsome, isn’t he? When I grow up, I want to be tall and handsome like uncle too.”

“Oh my, Jediel is already handsome.”

“Really?”

Hihi, the excited child laughed, even wiggling her bottom. Watching this silently, Killian became lost in thought.

‘I guess Jediel and I do look alike.’

He had never thought about it himself, but it was strange to keep hearing such comments. It made him feel peculiar.

“Uncle, do you like broccoli?”

“No.”

“Oh! Me neither! We’re alike in that too!”

The child expressed joy with her whole body, swinging her short legs that didn’t reach the floor.

“Then what about onions? Do you like them?”

“Yes, I like them.”

“Aw, we’re not alike in that.”

She seemed disappointed for a moment, but soon the child fired off more questions.

“What about eggplant? Lamb?”

Jediel’s questions kept coming. Thinking it was fortunate that the child wasn’t feeling down, Killian answered diligently.

“When’s your birthday, uncle?”

“November.”

“Our birthdays are different too. Mine’s in April. Oh dear.”

As the differences outnumbered the similarities, the child openly showed her disappointment on her face.

‘Born in April, four years ago…’

Killian recalled that night he spent with Veronia five years ago. Remembering that unforgettable last night of June made his chest feel tight.

‘Considering that a woman’s pregnancy typically lasts about 10 months…’

It seemed quite likely that he could be Jediel’s biological father. Although he had resolved not to dwell on who the child’s real father might be, it was hard to control the thoughts that suddenly flooded in.

As many questions and answers were exchanged, the carriage came to a stop. It seemed they had finally arrived at the house.

‘So this is the house where Veronia has been living all this time. It was so close…’

Killian’s heart felt unsettled as he stood in front of the modest two-story house.

Louisa and Hugo opened the door and came out at the arrival of the carriage. They seemed quite surprised to see Jediel with strangers.

“Grandma! Grandpa!”

Jediel immediately ran towards them.

“Welcome home, Jediel.”

“But where did your mother go?”

In response to Hugo’s question, Killian carefully explained the situation. He told them that Veronia had injured her ear and gone to the doctor with Onyx, which is why they had brought Jediel home.

Seeing Killian’s face as he spoke, Louisa couldn’t help but be surprised.

‘Oh my goodness! How can this be!’

Louisa had been the one caring for Jediel most closely since she was a newborn. She knew as soon as she saw Killian’s face. That this man was Jediel’s biological father.

But she also knew well enough not to interfere in their story when she didn’t know the exact circumstances. So she decided to keep her mouth shut. Still, she thought it would be alright to offer some tea.

“Oh my, so that’s what happened. Thank you for taking care of our Jediel.”

“Why don’t you come in for a cup of tea?”

Killian had intended to say, ‘It’s alright, I’ll be heading back now.’ He thought Veronia might be very flustered if she came home to find him inside the house.

But Espin’s response was faster than Killian’s.

“Thank you for the invitation.”

Seeing Espin cheerfully lead the way into the house, Killian put his hand to his forehead. And then he had no choice but to follow them.

“Be careful. Take it slow.”

As Veronia was about to board the carriage, Onyx, who was beside her, extended his hand to her. Her eyes widened briefly at this unusual behavior, but she soon realized it was special treatment for a patient and took his hand.

“Thank you.”

Once the two were seated in the carriage, it began to move.

Veronia’s face, now wearing the new piercing Onyx had brought, was once again marked with burn scars and tattoos. Onyx, who had been staring intently at her face, opened his mouth.

“I heard something at the magic item workshop today.”

“What did you hear?”

“The owner’s acquaintance received a request to create a magic item five years ago. The request was for an item that could see the original appearance, not the magically altered one.”

Veronia’s heart sank. What if that person was Killian? What if he had seen her original appearance from their first meeting? The mere thought was too horrifying and gave her goosebumps.

“So I went there, but they said they absolutely couldn’t reveal the client’s information. It’s the first time I’ve met someone who refused even when offered money.”

“…”

“Wait just a few days. I’ll find out who that client is, no matter what it takes.”

“…Alright.”

Veronia replied briefly in a weak voice. She felt her blood run cold.

‘No way… It can’t be…!’

Terrible possibilities kept churning in her mind. No matter how hard she tried to shake off these bad thoughts, it wasn’t as easy as it sounded.

She clenched her molars and kept repeating to herself inwardly.

‘It can’t be. It’s impossible. Yes, it can’t be…’

As if trying to brainwash herself.

Killian hurriedly boarded the returning carriage to avoid encountering Veronia when she returned home. Espin expressed disappointment, wanting to meet Veronia once more, but he had no leisure to indulge her whim.

Clop, clop-

Inside the moving carriage, Espin, who had been watching him closely the entire time, finally spoke up.

“Lord Killian, may I ask you something?”

“Yes.”

“What kind of relationship do you have with Lady Nia?”

“…”

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Killian hesitated, unable to find an immediate answer. Instead, Espin added another comment.

“It doesn’t seem like an ordinary relationship. Just… the atmosphere felt that way.”

“…I have strong feelings for her.”

His deep voice resonated softly. Even though it wasn’t a confession directed at her, Espin’s heart fluttered for a moment at Killian’s earnest confession and expression.

“I see… So that’s how it is. I thought so.”

“…”

Espin nodded slowly, murmuring as if to herself.