Kian had thought several times about knocking on Sicar’s study door.
However, every time he looked at the tightly closed, massive door, the coldness that had surrounded Sicar became apparent.

So, he couldn’t approach. In Kian’s eyes, it was a door that would never open.

“So, it’s a bit late, but I’ll tell you now. Please treat my mother well.”

“Then treat me well too, so that Yura can like it.”

“I already told you that if you don’t treat my mother well, I won’t heal the Duke’s statue.”

“If you act like that, Yura will dislike it, and ultimately, it won’t be good for your mother either.”

Kian was troubled. Although it had somewhat subsided, there was still coldness emanating from Sicar.

He couldn’t treat someone instinctively emitting coldness warmly.

Because no one likes someone who clearly dislikes themselves.

However, Sicar’s words about showing a good relationship for his mother were not wrong. So, Kian had to find a way.

“Fine. Then, I’ll treat the Duke well in front of my mother.”

“I’ll treat you well too in front of Yura. However, if you suddenly change, and Yura asks what happened, say that you just want to get along well with me.”

“Okay. I’ll keep it a secret, so please keep it a secret too.”

“Don’t make fun of me. By the way, are we going to get along now?”

“Yes. But if you make my mother cry, everything will be over.”

“There’s one more thing you don’t know. It wasn’t me, but you who made Yura cry the most.”

‘Me? Made my mother cry?’

Kian, who had been acting quite grown-up until now, was surprised and asked with wide eyes at the news that Yura had cried.

“What? My mother cried because of me?! Why, why?!”

She cried occasionally because it was sad and heartbreaking. But there was no need to mention that.

“When you become a parent, it’s natural to shed tears for your children.”

As if caught, Kian widened his eyes and glared at Sicar.

“But Duke, you didn’t cry because of me.”

“That’s right. Men shouldn’t shed tears recklessly! Can a man shed tears anywhere? Remember this too. Tears shouldn’t be shed easily.”

“Why shouldn’t men cry…?”

“Didn’t you not cry when Lued cried in the training room before?”

“Yes, Duke.”

“Back then, why didn’t you cry?”

“Because there was nothing, neither warmth nor cold. I realized it was like an object without substance.”
“I see that you can recognize fakes and not cry. Anyway, that’s also your ability, meaning you were stronger than Lued. So, a man must be strong. Crying makes you weak. Only the strong can protect their loved ones. So, remember. If you want to be the one who protects your mother, grow up strong. Don’t shed tears over trivial matters. Got it?”

For the first time, Kian felt the coldness disappear from Sicar. For a moment, the Duke’s words felt genuinely warm.

His desire to protect his beloved family was sincere.

For a brief moment, Kian couldn’t deny that Sicar, in expressing the unyielding will only found in strong men, seemed like a truly strong man.

For the first time, Sicar looked cool to Kian. And perhaps he might even come to admire this man.

“I will. I will definitely become a strong man who can protect my family with my own hands.”

Sicar chuckled and extended his hand toward Kian.

“Well then, now that the walk is over, shall we return to your mother?”

During the walk through the temple, they had to appear comfortable whenever they encountered people. So, they would hold hands when there were people around and let go when there were none, repeating the process. Thus far, Kian had reluctantly held hands, but this time, it wasn’t entirely awkward.

So, with an awkward fake cough, Kian firmly held onto Sicar’s hand. Sicar, too, held Kian’s hand with a similar awkwardness.

Although they both never considered each other as perfect partners, to onlookers, they seemed to resemble a well-matched couple.

‘Why are these men like this?’

After entering the temple, did they suddenly receive the blessing of the gods, resulting in an inexplicable bond?

I could only look at the two men in front of me and wipe my eyes.

Grandmother had gone to get the requested fabric and materials, leaving the space empty. Meanwhile, Sicar and Kian, who appeared out of nowhere, were not the familiar wealthy men I knew.

If I wasn’t mistaken, without anyone telling them to, these two men were holding hands right now, even laughing harmoniously.

Living in this world, it seems such things happen. No, even after living for a long time, unexpected events like this could still occur.

I quietly called Kian.

“Kian. Were you, by any chance, threatened?”

“What? Threatened? Me? Who would threaten me? Your mother?”

Kian’s expression as he said this seemed so innocent and naive.

“Oh, no. Kian. It’s nothing. It’s better if nothing like that happened.”

His overly innocent smile made him even more suspicious. It felt as if he was following a script that had been prepared in advance.