Chapter 30
Several days later, Elyra had finally recovered completely. Soft morning sunlight streamed through the bedroom window, bathing the room in a warm golden glow. For once, the room was quiet, with no one else inside.
Today, however, Elyra was in an unusually good mood.
Alright...
She glanced toward the miniature wooden sword resting neatly on the bedside table.
Maybe I've been too harsh on Damnern.
A small smile appeared on her face.
The sword wasn't perfect. Looking closely, she could still spot tiny flaws in the carving. Yet somehow, that only made it more valuable.
Click.
The bedroom door opened. Maid Sasha stepped inside carrying a fresh set of clothes.
"Oh? Young Lady is already awake?" she asked, sounding pleasantly surprised.
"Ehehe."
Elyra sat upright on the bed.
"Come on. It's time for your bath. Breakfast is already prepared."
"Otay!"
Elyra immediately hopped off the bed with a bright smile.
Sasha froze for a moment.
"...Young Lady?"
Something was definitely different today. Usually, Elyra acted mature beyond her years, carrying herself with a seriousness that often made adults forget she was only a child.
But today?
Today she looked like an actual happy two-year-old.
It was... strange.
And a little adorable.
Several minutes later, after bathing and changing, Elyra arrived at the dining room. Elina and Eldern were already seated at the table. The moment they saw her, both of them blinked.
Elyra was practically skipping her way across the room.
"Is your fever completely gone?" Elina asked.
"Yep! All bettew, Mama!"
Elyra answered with a cheerful smile before climbing onto her chair beside Eldern. Elina exchanged a glance with Eldern, and both of them looked equally confused.
Why is she so happy today?
Elyra looked around the room, clearly searching for someone. Seeing this, Elina immediately understood.
"Papa has a lot of work today, so he won't be having breakfast with us."
"Oh."
Elyra lowered her gaze for a moment.
"Edennn..."
She leaned toward her brother and whispered.
"Hm?"
"Wet's go to Pa...pa's office watew(later)."
Eldern blinked.
"...Why?"
"Ehehe."
That was not an answer. Still, after breakfast ended, Eldern obediently followed her. He had absolutely no idea what she was planning.
A few minutes later, Elyra pushed open the office door without knocking. Eldern immediately stiffened.
"Shouldn't we knock first...?" he whispered nervously.
Inside the office, morning sunlight poured through the large windows. The room was spacious and orderly, with documents stacked neatly across a massive wooden desk.
Damnern sat behind it, reviewing papers one after another. His silver hair was noticeably messy, and dark circles lingered beneath his blue eyes. Even from across the room, he looked exhausted.
Only the sound of turning pages and a scratching pen disturbed the silence.
Without asking permission, Elyra and Eldern settled themselves in a corner.
"What are we doing here?" Eldern whispered.
"Pwaying(playing), of couwse."
Elyra casually stood up and grabbed a newspaper from a nearby table.
Then she shoved it into Eldern's hands.
"Eden. Read."
Still confused, Eldern unfolded the newspaper and began reading aloud.
"Sanro Gill, age forty, officially retired two days ago from his position as Strongest Warrior Number Nine."
He continued reading.
"Current Official Strongest Warrior Rankings."
"Number One: Matthias Crae."
"Number Two: Oscar Wade."
"Number Three: Noah Holt."
"Number Four: Rayyan Bartos."
"Number Five: Derrick Berwyn."
"Number Six: Bradley Conal."
"Number Seven: Galdric Erout."
"Number Eight: Cedric Garl."
Eldern paused.
"And... two seats remain vacant."
After finishing, he looked toward Elyra, only to discover she hadn't been listening at all. Her attention was entirely focused on Damnern, and a mischievous grin slowly appeared on her face.
What now, Damnern?
Let's see if you have the heart to kick us out.
As if sensing her gaze, Damnern suddenly glanced toward her. Their eyes met, and the mischievous smile on Elyra's face immediately caught his attention.
What was that about?
Don't tell me she's actually going to hold me to that promise and make me train with her.
Still, seeing her like this felt oddly refreshing. For the past several days, she had been sick. Now she looked energetic again. A small smile formed on his lips before he even realized it.
A short while later, the office door opened again. Elina entered carrying a tray of snacks and tea. She stopped the moment she stepped inside, her eyes landing on the two children sitting in the corner.
Silence.
"..."
"..."
Eldern immediately felt danger.
"Eldern."
"Y-Yes, Mama?"
"Elyra."
"Yes?"
Elina smiled. It was a terrifyingly gentle smile.
"Papa is working."
A pause.
"Get out."
Those two words were enough. Eldern and Elyra immediately stood up and fled the room.
Before leaving, however, Elyra glanced back. A bright smile appeared on her face, as though she had accomplished something.
Damnern looked up just in time to see it. His heart skipped a beat.
She's truly about to hold me to that promise and make me train with her.
That evening, around five o'clock, Damnern finally managed to escape the mountain of paperwork waiting for him—or at least most of it.
He walked toward Eldern's room. The moment he opened the door, he saw Elyra and Eldern sitting on the floor together, drawing pictures.
The peaceful sight made him pause.
I'm exhausted...
His head throbbed. Reports, meetings, letters, budget requests, political issues—endless paperwork.
Whoever thought I was suitable for this position was clearly mistaken.
What was King Arveth thinking?
Damnern wondered for the thousandth time as he rubbed his tired eyes. And then another problem surfaced—training.
He had made a promise to Eldern—especially to Elyra.
But in his current condition, there was no way he could train anyone.
"E-Eldern..."
"E-Elyra..."
The two children looked up. Damnern forced a smile.
"Papa is sorry. Papa is really tired today, so traini—"
"Otay."
The answer came immediately.
Damnern froze.
"...Huh?"
Elyra simply smiled—a warm, genuine smile. For a moment, she looked at the exhausted man standing in front of her: his messy silver hair, his tired blue eyes, the way he looked like he might collapse at any moment.
You've already done enough for me, Damnern. So rest today.
Even if she didn't say those words aloud, they were reflected clearly in her eyes.
Damnern stared at her for a long moment.
Then his lips trembled.
"E-Elyra..."
A single tear escaped the corner of his eye.
"Thank you for understanding Papa."
Before Elyra could react, Damnern immediately pulled her into a tight hug—too tight, way too tight.
"Gah—"
His face was practically pressed against hers.
"Papa is so happy!"
Now you're just making things harder for me!
Elyra shoved his face away with both hands, but Damnern's emotional tears only increased.
Meanwhile, Eldern watched the entire scene, then quietly raised his hand.
"...Should Eldern hug Papa too?"
Damnern immediately turned toward him and without a second of hesitation, he stretched out his free arm and pulled Eldern into the hug as well.
"Of course!"
"E-Eh?!"
Before Eldern could react, he found himself trapped together with Elyra in Damnern's crushing embrace. Damnern buried his face between the two children, his voice thick with emotion.
"Papa loves both of you very much."
The sounds of shouting, laughing, and struggling echoed throughout the mansion.
The room immediately descended into even greater chaos.
End of Chapter 30