After Killian left, Veronia, who remained alone, still couldn’t fall asleep. Even though she had talked with him all night, it still didn’t feel real.

Although she had faced Killian’s sincere affection, it didn’t mean her worries had completely disappeared.

Killian said he would become her fence, that she should come and hide within his fence… But in the end, it was Veronia herself who had to face the world.

‘Am I entering a fox’s den to avoid a tiger?’

It felt unsettling to be getting closer to the imperial family when she was in a position to avoid their eyes.

‘Is it really dark under the lamp?’

That saying might be half right and half wrong. The Drea mansion would be safe, but there would inevitably be situations where she would have to expose herself.

‘If I hadn’t treated that child in the square then… Would I have made the decision to enter the Drea mansion?’

She didn’t regret saving the child in front of so many people. Rather, she would have regretted more if she had done nothing and just hidden.

But it was very upsetting that things had come to this point. It felt like her peaceful life was about to shatter into pieces.

Even though Killian was the strongest and safest shield…

‘Is it okay to drag Killian into my life?’

Veronia already had deep feelings for Killian in her heart. And she knew that Killian liked her too.

But is it okay to shake up someone’s life like this just because of affection? Am I worthy of receiving his unconditional love?

Endless questions with no answers followed. Apart from the tingling, bubbly feeling she got when thinking of Killian, there was also an aching sensation in her heart.

Among all those numerous doubts, only one thing was certain.

‘Standing before the imperial family as Nia Lampert, a commoner healer, is a hundred, no, a thousand times safer than standing as the Duchess of Drea. That method alone will protect me, and protecting myself ultimately protects Jediel.’

So, she decided to put aside any further worries or concerns. Veronia lightly patted her cheeks to strengthen her resolve.

She was a mother of a child. A mother must be unconditionally strong. She must be able to do anything to protect her child.

Just then, there was a knock-knock-knock, and as the door opened, Jediel came running in and hugged Veronia. The child, still not fully awake, looked up at Veronia with half-open eyes and said,

“Good morning, Mom.”

“Good morning. Did you sleep well, Jediel?”

Veronia asked while slowly stroking the child’s messy hair. The child, still in her arms, mumbled a tattletale.

“Grandma snored.”

Veronia couldn’t help but smile at Jediel, who casually reported something that would upset Grandma if she heard it.

“Grandma must have been very tired.”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“Come on, let’s go prepare breakfast!”

“Okay!”

Watching Jediel’s back as the child ran out of the room just as quickly as they had entered, Veronia made a resolution.

‘If there’s a dilemma with no clear answer, let’s use what’s best for Jediel as the criterion for judgment.’

That would make decisions much easier.

If she had to choose between fleeing to another region to avoid the Empress Dowager’s eyes or taking Killian’s hand, the latter was clearly the choice that was better for Jediel.

‘So don’t think about looking back, just look forward. Prepare to face things properly.’

Two carriages from the Drea ducal family stopped in front of Veronia’s house. Killian, who got out of the carriage, went to Jediel.

It was the first time he faced the child after learning Jediel was his own. He couldn’t help but feel emotional.

Killian knelt on one knee to match the child’s eye level. Looking into the blue eyes that resembled his own, Killian asked,

“May I hug you once, Jediel?”

The child nodded at Killian’s question.

The child’s small body fit snugly into Killian’s large embrace. The warm, soft sensation evoked deep emotion. Killian’s eyes became moist.

‘Jediel, my son…!’

The child was precious just for existing. Thanks to this child, he and Veronia were reunited, and ultimately, the two of them were connected as one. The child was like a great blessing in Killian’s life.

While the servants were moving the luggage, Veronia and Jediel said goodbye to Louisa and Hugo.

“Take care of yourself and stay healthy wherever you go.”

“I’ll write letters often and visit frequently.”

“Yes. We’ll always be here, so come anytime.”

“…Yes. Thank you so much… for everything.”

She didn’t want to cry, not wanting the last farewell to be remembered only with tears, but tears kept flowing. Veronia kept wiping her tears while trying hard to smile.

It was the same for Louisa and Hugo. Tears were also welling up in their wrinkled eyes.

‘It’s okay, this isn’t the last time.’

Veronia thought while being embraced by her grandmother and grandfather.

Clop-clop, clop-clop – The carriage started moving.

Veronia and Killian sat side by side, and across from them, Jediel sat between two large dolls. Jediel seemed to like the dolls quite a bit, always sticking close to them since receiving them as gifts from the dart game.

The child was already smiling brightly, having apparently forgotten the sadness of parting with grandma and grandpa. Jediel asked Killian,

“Mister Killian, what do you like about our mom?”

The two adults’ eyes widened at the child’s sudden question. Their faces also reddened a bit.

Although it was an embarrassing question, it had to be answered. Killian cleared his throat with a cough and opened his mouth.

“I can’t choose just one thing. I like your mom’s entire existence.”

Veronia’s face reddened even more at Killian’s answer. But young Jediel didn’t seem to understand the meaning well. As the child tilted their head, Killian added an explanation.

“Uncle is so happy just to have Nia sitting next to me like this. I’m grateful that I’ll be able to see her face every day from now on.”

“Ah…”

Jediel nodded as if finally understanding a little. The questions kept coming.

“Then what about me? What do you like about me?”

“You’re your mom’s son, Jediel. Just like I like your mom, I like you too.”

“Eh… What kind of answer is that.”

Killian winced at Jediel’s seemingly disappointed response. He immediately added,

“I especially like you because you resemble me a lot, Jediel.”

“Hehe…”

This answer seemed to please the child, who immediately grinned widely. Then, in a loud voice, the child exclaimed,

“Mister Killian, you’ve earned 1 point!”

“1 point? What do you mean, Jediel?”

“If you earn 10 points in total, then I’ll let you become Jediel’s dad.”

“What?”

The pupils of the two adults trembled in surprise at the innocent smile of the child. But Jediel, completely unaware of the adults’ reactions, continued speaking nonchalantly.

“Mom said that to become a real family, you have to go through various complicated processes.”

“…I see. And?”

“So… Jediel made up a complicated process too.”

Veronia looked at Killian with a troubled expression. Jediel was right. She had indeed said something like that.

That becoming a real family was a more complicated matter. To think the child remembered those words so precisely! It was admirable how clever the child was, but also a bit embarrassing.

Perhaps amused at surprising Veronia and Killian, Jediel kept smiling, swinging short legs that didn’t reach the floor.

“How is it? It’s complicated but fun, right? You do it too, Mister Killian. You give me points too. If I earn 10 points, please make me your son.”

Jediel said confidently, puffing out their chest proudly. The child’s eyes shone brighter than ever.

Killian saw his chance. So, with a charming smile like someone making an offer that couldn’t be refused, he opened his mouth.

“Alright. Let’s see… Jediel has chubby, cute cheeks, so that’s 2 points! And… your eyes are blue like mine, so that’s another 2 points!”

“…”

“You’re your mom’s son, so that’s 2 more points! You’re a clever child who speaks well, so another 2 points! And lastly…”

Killian was so busy coming up with points to give the child that he didn’t notice Jediel’s expression gradually cooling.

“Hey, that’s not fair! That’s too easy. No way. I don’t like it!”

“…”

“I want to earn more plausible points. I’m confident, you know.”

Jediel shook their head quite firmly. Killian looked slightly hurt, a sullen expression rarely seen on his face appearing clearly.

But Killian couldn’t give up here. After all, he wanted to quickly earn 10 points from Jediel and be acknowledged as the child’s father.

He turned his head and looked at Veronia with eyes seeking help. But Veronia didn’t have any brilliant ideas either. She shrugged and opened her mouth.

“Our Jediel is lovable and clever in many ways, so it’s okay to score with higher standards. Even so, Jediel will be able to earn 10 points quickly.”

“Ah… I see.”

Killian replied in a somewhat deflated voice. He nodded, but even his neck seemed to lack strength. Veronia spoke in a gentle voice, as if comforting him.

“And don’t worry too much about your score, Your Grace. You’ll probably be able to earn 10 points soon. Jediel is usually generous, and since they like you a lot, they’ll be especially generous.”

“We’ll have to wait and see about that.”

A strict tone, contrasting with Veronia’s kind voice, flowed from the child’s mouth.