Chapter 12

In this world, allergies to nuts, flour, or even sunlight were common. Therefore, believing that an allergy to red hair could also exist, Adrian nodded understandingly and handed over his handkerchief.

“That is quite a rare allergy indeed.”

“I was so frantic to see Raon that I forgot to take my medicine beforehand. I’ve made a clumsy mistake,” Ramona replied.

Watching Ramona cover her nose with the handkerchief, Aria wore an incredulous expression. She then informed Adrian that she would be heading out.

“You went out just a few days ago, and you’re leaving again?”

“Yes, it’s suffocating here. And that child won’t listen to a word I say… Sigh.”

Letting out a deep sigh, Aria brushed past Ramona. Ramona caught her eye briefly, then turned to Adrian and tossed out a seemingly casual question.

“How long is a fire fox’s tail, I wonder?”

“A fire fox? If you mean a red fox, I’ve heard their tails are slightly longer than those of other foxes.”

“I see. They say if a tail is long, it’s bound to be caught eventually. I wonder if it’ll be alright.”

As Ramona glanced back slightly, Aria, who had been walking away confidently, flinched for a split second. It was Ramona’s first and last warning. She only hoped the woman would interpret it correctly.

“Ms. Ramona, do you perhaps need a red fox muffler?” Adrian asked.

He recalled a friend telling him that women often speak in circles when they want something. He remembered that in the past, red foxes were nearly wiped out because their long tails made them easy to catch.

“Pardon? I don’t need a fox muffler. Though, when winter comes and my back gets chilly, I find myself desperately wanting a large wolf pillow to lean on while I sleep.”

With a small chuckle, Ramona arrived at Raon’s room under Adrian’s escort. The firmly closed door felt like a reflection of Raon’s heart.

“Raon, it’s your father. I’m coming in for a moment.”

Raon did not yet know that Ramona had arrived. When no sound came from within, Adrian opened the door. The room revealed through the gap was like another world entirely.

Ramona scanned the surroundings and spotted a mound in the bedding where Raon had tunneled in, refusing to come out. She called out softly.

“I wonder where our Ugly Prince is?”

At that single sentence, a head of black hair popped out from under the blankets. Raon’s eyes scanned the room, and the moment they landed on Ramona, he lunged toward her without a second thought.

“Mom!”

Tumbling into Ramona’s arms, Raon immediately began to cry. He had been holding it in so well, but seeing her caused all his tension to snap. Overwhelmed with joy, he buried his face in her chest and sobbed.

“Oh dear, you’re already an ‘ugly’ prince, but if you cry this much, you’ll get even uglier. What if I can’t recognize you?”

“Sniff… Mom, you can’t not recognize me!”

Hastily wiping away his tears, Raon nuzzled his face against her. As Ramona soothed him, her eyes were filled with nothing but infinite motherly love.

The servants watching from a distance marveled inwardly. Ramona could have demanded compensation for life, especially since no one knew Raon was of the Cassius bloodline. Even after sending the child here, she had never asked for a single thing. It meant she hadn’t raised the child expecting a reward.

“My baby, our Ugly Prince? Are we done crying now?”

“Mm-hmm…”

Raon, acting more spoiled than usual, leaned into her as Ramona wiped his eyes with a smile.

“My sweet child, have you eaten?”

Growl—

As if on cue, Raon’s stomach let out a loud rumble.

“I told you never to skip meals even if you’re upset. Now that you’re here, have you stopped listening to me?”

“N-no! I’m going to eat. I really am. It’s just… I wasn’t hungry until just now.”

Seeing Ramona’s crestfallen expression, Raon immediately looked at Adrian. To show his determination to eat so his mother wouldn’t worry, he signaled his intent. Adrian looked at Adiel.

“It’s nearly lunchtime. Have a meal prepared in the dining hall.”

“Yes, My Lord.”

Adiel, who had been worried sick about Raon’s refusal to eat, looked relieved, seeing that “prescribing” Ramona had worked instantly.

“Ms. Ramona, why don’t you rest here and talk with Raon until lunchtime?”

Though they had only been apart for a few weeks, Raon had a mountain of stories to tell her. Once Adrian gave them some space, Raon sat Ramona on the sofa, sat right beside her, and leaned in close.

“You’ve turned back into a real baby since coming here.”

“I’m only like this when Mom is around.”

Resting his head on Ramona’s lap, Raon beamed. Ramona found him so adorable that she stroked his black hair. Her hands were rough, but Raon smiled continuously, basking in the warmth they provided.

“I tried so hard to endure it because I didn’t want Mom to worry…”

“Yes, I know you did.”

To a mere six-year-old, Ramona’s absence must have felt like a profound sense of loss.

“The other day, Auntie Aria told me I had no manners because I didn’t have a mother. So I told her my mom is much cooler than hers.”

“Oh, Raon! No matter how mean your father’s fiancée is, she is still an adult. You shouldn’t speak like that.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll reflect on it.”

Raon’s spirits plummeted at the unexpected rebuke from Ramona, whom he thought would take his side. But then, Ramona stroked his face and offered a different tactic with a mischievous smile.

“In times like that, you should say: ‘My, Lady Neyno, even with a mother, you’ve only reached this level?’ or ‘I suppose the Lady’s mother must be of a similar level.’ That’s what you should say.”

She could not tolerate anyone insulting the child she had raised. If a child phrased it that way, the adult couldn’t get angry or hit them without admitting the insult to their own family hit the mark.

At Ramona’s “pro” level of counter-attacking, Raon’s gloom vanished, replaced by a grin.

“As expected, there’s so much to learn from Mom! Oh! And the teachers said I’m really good at studying. I told them I learned it all from you.”

Ramona gave a small smile and nodded at Raon’s pride-filled words.

“I just want our Raon to eat well, stay healthy, and grow up strong. Though, it’s certainly better if you’re good at your studies too.”

“I’m going to work hard at everything and grow up big. Then I’ll let Mom rest. I’ll let you sleep in, buy you lots of pretty clothes…”

Raon’s face was pure innocence as he listed all the things he wanted to do for her. Forgetting himself and speaking only of Ramona, he sat up and kissed her on the cheek.

He was so precious and lovely. While they were enjoying their time, a knock came at the door.

“It is time for lunch. Please head to the dining hall.”

At Adiel’s voice, Raon jumped up and extended his hand.

“My Lady, would you grant me the honor of escorting you?”

“Gladly, my Ugly Prince!”

Taking the hand of the boy who looked so dashing in his fine clothes, Ramona matched her pace to his. Their conversation didn’t stop for a moment on the way. Watching them, even the guards following behind couldn’t help but smile.

“Ms. Ramona, welcome. Raon, your face has brightened up in such a short time.”

Raon, who usually looked gloomy, only seemed to blossom when he was next to Ramona.

“Mom, sit here.”

Raon pulled out the chair next to him, and Ramona sat down. When the food was served, she began to eat slowly. However, Raon only poked at his plate despite the gourmet meal.

“Raon, my Ugly Prince! I believe I told you not to be a picky eater.”

“But I want to eat what Mom makes… Mom’s food is the most delicious in the whole world.”

Raon pouted, having secretly hoped Ramona would cook for him now that she was here.

“Raon! Ms. Ramona is here as a guest, so you shouldn’t ask her to—well, it was very delicious. Ahem.”

Adrian, remembering the potato dish he had once tasted, looked at Ramona with a hint of expectation. Ramona patted the boy’s head and stood up.

“Butler Adiel, could you find the lunchbox among the bags I brought? And could someone please lead me to the kitchen? Ah! Young Duke, I’ll be borrowing your kitchen for a moment.”

Once she described the lunchbox, Adiel dashed off, grabbed it, and led her to the kitchen. There, Ramona was already busy finely chopping and sautéing various vegetables and beef.

She took rice balls from the lunchbox and stir-fried them with the beef and vegetables. The kitchen staff looked on indifferently at the simple cooking method, but they soon gasped when they saw the finished product.

She plated it on a wide dish and returned to the dining hall. At the sight of what Ramona was carrying, Raon’s face lit up with a brilliant smile, and he practically started drooling.

“Mom, Mom! A heart on the Omurice, please!”

At Raon’s request, Ramona drew a heart on top with the ketchup she had brought. When the knife sliced through the soft, trembling top of the omelet, it unfolded naturally, draping over the rice like a blanket.

The onlookers swallowed hard involuntarily. They had seen omelets before, but a rice dish wrapped in such a delicate, fluffy omelet was a first. The sight of the ultra-soft Omurice seemed to melt their very hearts.

“Mom, thank you for the food!”

Taking a bite of the Omurice, Raon looked as though he possessed the entire world. Seeing Raon colored with happiness, Adrian looked a bit crestfallen. He had hoped there might be a portion for him too, and seeing only Raon’s plate made him envious.

The potato dish had been amazing—how delicious must that soft, yellow Omurice be? Before he knew it, he found himself asking Raon:

“Raon, is it good? Could you give Daddy just one bite?”

“No. Anyone who says they’ll only take ‘one bite’ of my mom’s food never actually stops at one bite!”