She discovered Deymic crying and widened her eyes.

“I told Deymic that we will be leaving the mansion empty for a week.”

Instead of my answer, Stiana looked at me with a somewhat suspicious gaze.

“Deymic, is it true?”

To Stiana’s question, Deymic nodded his head while crying. Stiana sighed.

“It’s good to be close with your sister, Deymic. But it’s not good to cry over something like this. You’re the eldest son of the Marson family, right?”

“B-But if Noona leaves…”

“Speak properly.”

“…If Noona leaves, I’ll hear strange sounds.”

Hearing that, Stiana’s face stiffened. She let go of Deymic’s hand, which she had been holding, as if pushing it away.

“…Mother?”

I thought Stiana would scold Deymic harshly, but she didn’t. She left Deymic, who was still crying, as if she hadn’t heard his story. I was amazed at her indifferent departure.

‘Just like that?’

Although I heard that Stiana avoided Deymic’s peculiar words and actions, I didn’t expect her to shut her ears like this.

Left alone, Deymic had no tantrums. He clung to the hem of my clothes with his fern-like hands and suppressed his tears.

After consoling Deymic until the end, I approached Stiana’s room.

“Reese, I want to talk for a moment.”

“…Come in.”

It was my first time entering Stiana’s room. When I opened the doorknob, a rich fragrance wafted through the air.

Stiana’s room was full of potted plants, like a garden. The variety of flowers made it colorful. I thought she had no sense of aesthetics when I saw how she decorated the entrance, but it seemed that wasn’t the case.

Well-arranged flowerpots made the mood calming.

“It’s better not to speak unnecessary words.”

“If you’re going to talk nonsense, it’s better not to say anything.”

“Deymic is having a hard time. I know a knowledgeable professor. If you consult with him, he might help Deymic. I won’t force Deymic to go with me. I’ll try to convince him.”

“Deymic is… normal. Deymic doesn’t need any counseling.”

Contrary to the response, Stiana’s pupils shook.

“Do you really think so?”

“Reese. That’s just a matter of time. I’ve heard that exceptionally talented and extraordinary children are like that when they’re young. And those symptoms lead to genius. But to ruin that? Even… sending him to counseling?”

Stiana touched her forehead.

“Genius is extremely rare. This will lead to Deymic’s unhappiness. What if Deymic becomes unhappy? That talent of his is only a tiny part. If he becomes unhappy like this?”

“This village has many watchful eyes. It’s a place where even what I bought at the market yesterday spreads. But if Deymic goes for counseling, what problem he has might spread from him!”
“Still, if it’s for Deymic.”

“Didn’t you think those rumors and gazes would make Deymic even more unhappy?”

“Is that why you’re avoiding it?”

“Especially since the Viscount has been busy with collaboration work with the Master lately. He doesn’t seem to have much interest in Deymic.”

“…….”

“But if it turns out that Deymic has mental issues… we might have to exclude him from this family. You also know your father well. Right?”

Now, Stiana was choking up. I couldn’t forcefully push my opinion on what she was worried about. I didn’t know if she was avoiding Deymic for his sake or if she just wanted to avoid him.

“I’ve lived unhappily until now, and now I want to create a happy home.”

She looked straight into my eyes.

“You’re the same, aren’t you? Reese.”

Stiana persuaded me. Her tone asked for understanding of her choice. I was tired of the conflicting conversations, no matter what I said.

“I don’t want a happy home that only appears happy.”

That was something I hadn’t wished for even in my unhappy past.

Before crossing to the Polong Mansion, I had as many conversations with Deymic as possible.

On days when the governess didn’t come, I taught him chess. Regardless of Stiana’s talk about genius, Deymic quickly learned how to play chess.

Still, my heart felt heavy throughout. Resentment that was once directed at Stiana was now directed at my father. The beginning might have been different, but the end of resentment was always my father, so there was no need to be surprised.

When my father comes to his senses. If my father hadn’t been there.

‘Why am I doing this again?’

The books that seemed simple by just looking at them and the actual place were too different. Even though I roughly knew about the future, there was almost nothing I could do. The hope that things would fall into place if I just took a few steps forward was trampled.

As the days went by, I became more and more frustrated and angry with myself.

‘…A happy home, what nonsense.’

While thinking blankly alone, I looked at Deymic who was asleep. I pulled the blanket up to his neck, closed my eyes, and fell asleep. I had to wake up early and get ready if I were to go to Polong tomorrow.

“……. ”

I tossed and turned until dawn, unable to sleep. In the end, I dreamed in the achieved sleep.

It was a dream I occasionally had. The scene where I was abandoned alone in a small room, crying, and later, a scene where I was playing in a place full of laughter.

Flowers were in full bloom, and the sunlight was dazzling. People around me and I were laughing, not knowing what was so funny. My hero, Urick Penton, watched over me with a solemn expression.

I was overwhelmed with happiness.

I want that happiness.

I earnestly want it.

I’ve been through a lot and worked hard, so it’s okay to wish for this level of happiness, right? It would be too cruel to myself if I were the only unhappy one.

The words I told myself before the end of the first life came to mind.

But now,

I thought I wouldn’t just wait like someone who entrusted their happy future to others.