“I don’t know exactly what’s going on inside this country… perhaps a power stronger than the king?”

At his guess, Enoch, who was puffing out cigarette smoke, chuckled.

“Your Highness, it’s perfect for a misunderstanding if someone hears that.”

“I’m good at joking, aren’t I?”

“Oh? You said it with such confidence that I almost really believed it. Ho ho ho.”

Dalina forced a laugh.

Enoch denied it, but Alexander had hit the nail on the head.

It could be seen as a matter of treason. Knowing that, Dalina’s spine was dripping with cold sweat.

(This is a time marker.)

After the sun went down, Philip, Marlboro, and Laila sat around the tea table in the reception room where the lights were out.

But Ellen’s candles gave off a soft glow, so the reception room was not dark.

The three kindled candles and blossomed conversation with Ellen’s story. Two candles had already disappeared, but the intimate conversation did not seem to end.

Finally, Philip lit a red candle.

As the faint rose scent began to bloom, Laila repeated her admiration as if talking to herself.

“Sigh, the more I look at it, the more beautiful it is.”

Marlboro smiled sweetly. It was natural for Philip to be pleased to see such a scene of them.

“Do you like it that much? Laila.”

“Yes, Father.”

Laila spoke with further admiration about how wonderful Ellen was.

Beautiful appearance, strong character, unparalleled Taekwondo skills, abundant ideas, and business sense…

Then, Laila passionately praised even Ellen’s way of looking somewhere, gesturing, and simple walking.

“Sigh, how can my mother be so outstanding? How great that such a cool person is my mother…”

“It’s like you became Ellen’s fan.”

“Of course! I’m a passionate fan of my mother! I wish I could live with her forever!”

At Laila’s spirited answer, Marlboro smirked.

“Laila, I understand your feelings, but isn’t that impossible?”

“Why?”

“Father and Mother, in a week…”

Marlboro swallowed the words ‘divorce finalization date.’ Laila knew what he meant without saying it.

Then Laila, with wideopen eyes, countered.

“Mother won’t go, will she?”

“Huh?”

“Mother loves Father so much. Ah!”

Then Laila looked carefully at Philip as if realizing something.

“Do, did Father already…”

Had he stamped the confirmation? It was a question. Marlboro also naturally looked at Philip.

“Hoo.”

With a sigh, Philip shook his head.

“I haven’t stamped it yet.”

Laila’s face brightened.

“Ah! Thank goodness! Father, you’re going to stamp the cancellation, right?”

‘Still?’

Marlboro was surprised by Philip’s words but soon smiled broadly at the happylooking Laila.

He had thought Philip had stamped the confirmation long ago. Everyone had hoped that Philip would please do so.
But Ellen had changed, so the people thought it was okay for Philip and Ellen to cancel their divorce.

In the brightened atmosphere, Philip awkwardly sipped a mouthful of tea.

“Um… I heard the wife has stamped the divorce confirmation.”

(This is a time separator.)

Normally, Laila would come early before class to practice what she had learned or do basic strength training.

But today, she was waiting for me with a sad face.

“Laila?”

“Mother!”

As soon as I spoke to her, Laila sobbed as if she had been waiting, and hugged me tightly.

‘Oh?’

Though perplexed, my safety increased with the protagonist’s growing affection, so I comforted her by patting her shoulder.

“What’s wrong? Did Marlboro by any chance deceive you?”

“…….”

Laila couldn’t continue speaking and simply hugged me.

Naturally, I thought, ‘Wasn’t the sweet potato section of the original work around here?’

Preparing for the courtship would undoubtedly lead to stress.

I tenderly whispered to Laila,

“If Marlboro acts frustratingly, don’t hesitate to kick him. If real practice doesn’t seem to work, slapping or stepping on him with a shoe heel is also fine.”

After all, what does it matter? You’re the protagonist.

No matter what wicked thing you do, Marlboro will be thrilled with you.

‘You are the first woman to do this to me,’ he might say.

But Laila was startled and put her hands up.

“No, that’s not it.”

“Then what?”

“…….”

Laila looked at me with eyes as if she was about to cry.

“This class will end in a few days.”

Ah, so that’s what it was.

She must be sad that she can’t learn Taekwondo anymore.

“Yes, this class will end in a few days. It was a shortterm course, but I’ve taught you everything, so if you continue training, you’ll get stronger.”

“…….”

“So, let’s start the lesson first.”

Laila nodded her head weakly.

“Yes.”

“Shall we start with meditation then?”

I sat crosslegged facing Laila.

Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath, suddenly Laila’s affectionate voice reached me.

“Mother, I love you.”

“……?”

At the unexpected confession, I opened my eyes to see Laila’s gaze fixed on me, looking somewhat distant.

I was puzzled and rolled my eyes for a moment.

Then, Laila firmly said,

“Mother, I can’t live without you.”

It was an unusually strong appearance.

‘Uh… Um…?’

Perhaps I courted Laila’s favor too much?

‘Goodbye! Dead Flag, Sir! I cast off the burden of the original work and seek freedom and happiness!’

I cheered inwardly, smiling broadly.

“I love you too, Laila.”

I closed my eyes again to meditate.

While calming my breath, Laila asked me,

“Mother, have you stamped the divorce confirmation?”

“…….”

Laila’s voice was gentle now, but distinctly different from her usually tender demeanor.

She was wearing training clothes, but her gentle and confident breathing.

‘Oh my, our child has changed?’

I recognized that appearance.

It was similar to the feeling when, in the latter part of the original work, Laila overcame all adversities and sat on the throne beside Marlboro.

“Yes, I stamped it.”

As I answered, I diligently searched within for the reason behind Laila’s changed appearance.

Perhaps it’s because learning Taekwondo, which helps cultivate a healthy body and mind?

Have I ever taught someone so well?

I was moved by this realization and opened my eyes wide. Simultaneously, Laila slightly shivered.

“I’m, I’m sorry. Mother, I must have disturbed your meditation.”

Eh? Why did her energy drop again?

“Disturbed? Not really?”

“That’s good. I will meditate quietly.”

“……?”

Before I could even speak, Laila quickly closed her eyes and regulated her breath.

‘Why is she acting like that?’

Just as I was about to ask her something, Philip came in.

With a cheerful face, Philip entered and rolled his eyes at Laila and me.

He seemed to be grasping the atmosphere, and his expression quickly fell.

“Hmm.”
He coughed softly and raised one hand. It was a sign to continue the class. And then he went quietly to the gallery and sat down with his arms folded.

‘Why is Philip doing that again?’

The eyes staring at me seemed a little sad.

Did our atmosphere look bad?

“Ha ha, Laila. Your father is misunderstanding something…….”

He was going to say that it was a misunderstanding.

But on Laila’s face were tears like pearls.

“No, why are you crying?”