When a baby is born, there are so many things you want to say.

How much Elaina and I love you. How we will do anything for you, because we love you so much. Also, how Elaina went through so much hardship just to meet you…

But when I finally had the wriggling baby in front of me, there was only one thing that came out of my lips.

“…I truly love you.”

Sinclair continued in a gentle voice.

“And that will never change for the rest of our lives. Absolutely never.”

Strangely enough, tears burst out without me realizing it.

The features that looked exactly like Elaina’s face, and on the other hand, the golden hair and golden eyes that were the same as mine, were all so lovely.

…No, even if the baby didn’t resemble us, I surely would have loved this child. I would have come to love the baby. Sinclair thought.

“Oh my, the young master is smiling.”

The doctor said with a smile.

“The baby can’t see yet and probably doesn’t understand what we’re saying. Isn’t it amazing?”

“……”

“It seems the young master is very happy to be held in father’s arms.”

Father……

At the doctor’s words, Sinclair did not answer. He just slowly lowered his head while holding the new world tightly in his arms.

In addition, Elaina clearly saw.

Transparent tears were dripping down onto the wriggling baby’s body.

Elaina looked endlessly at the father and child with slightly teary eyes. A faint smile lingered.

She was looking forward to what new stories this small baby, who came like a gift, would bring to their lives.

Several seasons passed in peace.

During that time, Sinclair and Elaina had quite a hard time. Of course, they had expected that raising a child would not be easy, but when they actually experienced it, the difficulty was much greater than they had imagined.

Judith, Anna, Rex, Schuler, Glen. And even Chaz. If all the people staying in the Imperial Palace had not taken care of the baby with love as if raising their own child, it would have definitely been harder.

The baby grew well, putting on weight like ripening autumn crops, and learned to stand up. Then the child also learned to walk, and grew up lovely, receiving overflowing love from everyone.

Seltin.

It was the name of the goddess of love who never fails to appear in the very old legends of Edenbell.

Also, it was the name that Sinclair personally gave to the baby.

Anyway, the family helped and loved each other, spending happy days together.

Today was no different.

“These came from the branch family.”

In the Emperor’s office at the Imperial Palace.

Sinclair, sitting in front of a large table, was carefully checking several documents handed over by Schuler.

“As you can see, they are all related to orphanages. Lady Anneli seems to have been very impressed by Her Majesty the Empress’s school and says she wants to build an orphanage as well.”

In fact, the school Elaina established was receiving high praise. It was thanks to the outstanding abilities of the teachers, but above all, it was due to the influence of the Empress who devoted herself to everyone without discrimination.

Even after becoming the Empress, Elaina continued to live frugally and diligently saved the funds allocated to the Empress Palace.

Then, every six months, she would release that money, using half of it to distribute relief goods and the other half to donate to the school.

The donations were usually used for scholarships for children from poor families. Among them, there were students who used the money to study abroad.

“She seems to be thinking of building one in the southern region where the Haywors duchy is located, and one in the Imperial City.”

Schuler continued.

“She said she sent several letters to Lady Elaina as well. It seems she wanted to get advice one way or another.”

Anneli no longer regarded Elaina’s existence as a stain or weakness of Sinclair.

Some time ago, after capturing Hister and his remnants and returning safely, when Elaina had just become the Empress, Anneli visited Elaina and very politely apologized for what had happened.

Of course, Elaina readily accepted that apology.

However, Anneli’s apology was not simply because Elaina’s existence was important to Sinclair.

She also gradually realized that Elaina herself was an excellent person with many things to learn from, unlike the royals Anneli had seen before.

“Tell Anneli that the Imperial Palace will also provide support.”

Sinclair said, putting down the documents.

“If orphanages are established, it will also provide a lot of stability for children who have been wandering around with nowhere to go. There is nothing better than that.”

“…Yes, she said you would say that. And she also asked me to convey this separately.”

“What is it?”

“Lady Anneli herself has no intention of using the orphanages to launder funds like Hister did in the past, but for everyone’s peace of mind, she will compile and submit expense details every month without fail.”

Sinclair chuckled.

Anyway, it was still the same that she did things without being told to do so. But if she keeps her word, it will be more reassuring to operate the orphanages in many ways.

“That’s all you need to review for today, Your Majesty.”

Schuler said, looking at Sinclair.

“These days, Edenbell is literally peaceful and serene to the point of no comparison, so there is nothing for Your Majesty to worry about separately.”

“That’s true.”

Sinclair answered, shrugging his shoulders.

“With an exceptionally capable Emperor, and an Empress who is not only benevolent but also wise, there can be no issues arising.”

…It was a bit surprising how they could praise themselves so nonchalantly like that. Although he had that thought, there was not a single bit of falsehood in what Sinclair said.

As Schuler and Sinclair were smiling at each other like that.

“Papa!”

Along with the sound of cute, urgently approaching footsteps, someone’s voice filled the office.

As the two of them turned their heads together to look at the door, it wasn’t long before Seltin came running in with her hair all disheveled.

“Hello, Sir Schuler.”

Seltin politely greeted Schuler after catching her breath. Her lovely appearance made it seem like laughter would burst out for no reason, but Schuler suppressed it with all his might and said,

“Hello, our dear Princess.”

“Seltin.”

As Sinclair smiled brightly and looked at her, Seltin approached him with quick steps.

“Um, Papa… are you very busy?”

“Hm?”

“You know what, there are so many flowers blooming outside.”

Seltin chattered seriously.

“Since you went to work, I went out for a walk with Mama. But the scenery was so beautiful. Maybe because it’s spring, the wind is also very warm.”

“……”

“So… uh… Papa, if it’s okay, maybe…”

“Of course it’s okay.”

Before his daughter could finish her words, Sinclair jumped up from his seat and said,

“I just finished work a moment ago. Thank you so much for coming to get Papa like this.”

Sinclair picked up Seltin and said,

“Thanks to our daughter, I’ll be able to see a wonderful scenery.”

“Anna packed a lunch box too!”

Seltin said with a bright smile.

“She packed only the foods that Mama, Papa, and I like. It will be so delicious if we all sit together and eat.”

“Yes, yes. I should thank Anna as well.”

“Mama must be waiting. Let’s go quickly.”

Sinclair nodded and started walking while holding Seltin. Elaina would be waiting for them as Seltin said, so they should hurry and go.

Then suddenly, he stood at the door and abruptly looked back at Schuler.

“Schuler.”

“Yes, I’m listening. Please speak.”

“Go see the flowers or something with Judith. Don’t just stand there. The weather is very nice, you know.”

“Yes…?”

“Anna said that these days, whenever you see Judith, your face subtly turns red.”

Schuler flinched greatly and looked at Sinclair.

“Yes. Just like right now.”

Sinclair said with a laugh, looking at Schuler’s reddening cheeks.

“Go and talk to her right away. She’ll probably say yes. I overheard Judith saying something the other day.”

“Wh-what did she say?”

“She asked Rex if Sir Schuler is still very busy these days. While sneakily checking.”

“……”

“Well, I have no intention of interfering in the private lives of my subordinates, but watching it made me quite frustrated.”

“…Thank you, Your Majesty.”

By now, Schuler’s face had turned almost as red as a beet. All the way to his ears.

“Why does your face turn red when you see Judith?”

And Seltin, who was held in Sinclair’s arms, asked with a puzzled expression.

“And Judith isn’t even here… Why now…?”

If they continued this conversation any longer in front of Schuler, it seemed like his face would explode with a bang. So Sinclair left the office with his daughter and told her as he closed the door,

“That’s because both Judith and Schuler are good people.”

“……”

“Good people are naturally attracted to good people. That’s why he’s acting like that. Because he wants to become close with Judith.”

“I see.”

Although it felt a bit like a poor excuse, thankfully Seltin, who was still young, did not ask further questions about this matter.

So Sinclair started walking with a gentle face along with Seltin. To go to the lovely Elaina who would be waiting for them.