Chapter 102

“Hayden said that?”

 

Caldeon, who had been lifting his teacup to his lips, looked at Enria with mildly surprised eyes.

 

Enria set her cup down after taking a small sip and gave a slight nod.

 

“I’m telling you. He already hates hearing nagging. It’s going to be a problem.”

 

“All children are like that.”

 

Caldeon laughed pleasantly and took another sip of tea.

 

Since Enria had, for the first time, suggested they have a tea time together, he had been in a good mood ever since he sat on the sofa.

 

Perhaps that was why, unlike Enria—who was genuinely worried about Hayden’s education—Caldeon only looked at her with eyes overflowing with affection.

 

“Aren’t you worried at all, Caldeon?”

 

“About what?”

 

“He’s already trying to dodge anything unpleasant by thinking ahead. Once he’s older…”

 

“He’s literally a fragment of a god. What’s there to worry about?”

 

Caldeon said that Hayden would never go through something like puberty the way other children did, so they wouldn’t suddenly face rebellious tantrums or headaches from him.

 

He added that since Hayden was different from the others, acknowledging and respecting that would be enough to avoid major difficulties.

 

“Well, that’s true, but…”

 

But as his mother, Enria felt it was her responsibility to teach him right from wrong and make sure he had the experiences he needed while growing up.

 

And the fact that Hayden was already trying to escape her scolding made her anxious.

 

“Hayden will grow up well. Not because he’s part of a god—but because he’s our child.”

 

Caldeon said firmly that he had no doubts about it.

 

He told her to remember when their son recently laughed and said he loved his mother and father more than anything in the world.

 

Those memories made Enria’s lips curve into a small smile.

 

She realized she’d been unknowingly weighed down by the pressure of having to raise a divine child.

 

It was their first child, and a special one at that, so she thought her responsibilities must be heavier.

 

Realizing she had been worrying pointlessly, her chest felt lighter.

 

“I guess I was stressing over nothing.”

 

“It’s natural to worry. He’s our child, after all. And the fact you called me here because of that worry—I’m glad.”

 

Caldeon laughed, still moved by the fact that she had, for the first time ever, asked him to talk.

 

Enria recalled how she had hesitated for a long time in front of his office door, feeling guilty about interrupting him while he worked.

 

But she was glad she’d gathered the courage.

 

‘If I knew he’d be this happy, I would’ve asked him for tea from time to time whenever I missed him.’

 

If he was willing to use shadows to create a copy of himself just to see her, then asking for tea once in a while didn’t seem like too much.

 

Gathering a bit of courage, Enria said: “Then… when you’re not too busy, shall we have tea together like this from time to time?”

 

Caldeon’s eyes glimmered at her words.

 

“N—not every day, of course. Only when you’re not busy.”

 

“Every day is fine. Twice a day… no, five times a day is fine.”

 

“W-who drinks tea five times a day?”

 

“You know the tea isn’t the point.”

 

His lips brushed over her cheeks, her forehead, and her jaw.

 

The teasing, fluttering kisses soon found their final destination—her lips—leaving behind a slow, lingering mark.

 

Enria wrapped her arms around Caldeon’s neck, thinking she couldn’t possibly love him more than she did in that moment, and kissed him back with joy.

 

Their sweet, ticklish kisses soon grew heated and demanding.

 

 

***

 

 

Belona, whose consciousness had been flickering on and off, finally opened her eyes properly.

 

Enria, who had been healing her with recovery magic, brightened with relief.

 

“Can you hear me, Miss Belona?”

 

Until now, Belona had opened her eyes only to close them again right away.

 

Seeing her look around the room with clear pupils made Enria let out a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding.

 

“…”

 

“Miss Belona?”

 

But the lack of response made Enria’s face quickly shift into worry.

 

Thinking Belona might not be fully recovered yet, she placed a hand on the girl’s forehead and resumed her healing magic.

 

Not knowing when she might pass out again, Enria kept speaking to her nonstop.

 

“How does your body feel? Is anything uncomfortable or painful—”

 

“Gro…en.”

 

Belona’s weak hand brushed against Enria’s arm.

 

Calling it a grasp would be generous; it was more like her hand simply fell there without strength.

 

“Why… did you only… come now…”

 

Her eyes quickly filled with tears as she looked at Enria.

 

Enria blinked rapidly in confusion.

 

“I… waited… so long…”

 

“Ah, Miss Belona. I’m Enria.”

 

Thinking Belona had mistaken her for Groen, Enria leaned in close and clarified seriously.

 

“Closer…”

 

Belona weakly lifted her head toward Enria, then seemed to give up, whispering for her to come nearer.

 

Thinking Belona wanted to see clearly that she wasn’t Groen, Enria leaned in—only for the door to burst open.

 

And in that exact moment, Belona pressed a short kiss to Enria’s chin.

 

“—!”

 

Rahar, who had entered without knocking, froze at the sight.

 

“I missed you… Groen.”

 

Belona had clearly been aiming for Enria’s lips but lacked the strength, landing on her chin instead.

 

Enria blinked rapidly, torn between confusion and sheer awkwardness, looking from Belona to the still-frozen Rahar.

 

“Rahar.”

 

“Where… have you been until now?”

 

The moment Enria called him, Belona pulled her arm, forcing her to look at her again.

 

Once she had Enria’s full attention, Belona smiled faintly, almost satisfied.

 

“You’ll… stay by my side… now, right…?”

 

“Ha!”

 

Rahar let out a disbelieving laugh the moment Belona kissed Enria’s hand.

 

“A-ah, Miss Belona…”

 

Enria called her nervously.

 

“Hey, get a hold of yourself. Enria is a woman.”

 

Rahar walked over with quick steps, sounding exasperated.

 

“It’s… noisy here… Groen. Let’s go… home.”

 

Belona stared only at Enria, mumbling softly, completely ignoring Rahar.

 

When Enria only blinked helplessly, Rahar frowned and pointed at her.

 

“Open your eyes and look properly. Does this woman look anything like Groen to you?”

 

“…”

 

“I don’t know why you’re like this again, but enough. Your Groen is already—mmph!”

 

A stream of light shot from Belona’s hand, instantly wrapping around Rahar’s mouth.

 

He clawed at the glowing bindings in a panic.

 

“This man… is he… from the Mage Tower?”

 

“N-no. Rahar is the eldest son of House Kaznaren…”

 

“Kaznaren?”

 

Belona’s eyes turned icy.

 

Everyone in the Empire knew the Kaznaren family—aligned with the Emperor—and the Mage Tower were not on good terms.

 

No wonder she bristled the moment she heard the name.

 

“Miss Belona. I don’t know if you lost your memories again, but a lot has happened. I’ll explain later. For now, we need to finish the healing, so please lie down.”

 

Enria gently held Belona’s arm, urging her to settle back into bed.

 

Belona stared at her.

 

“Groen.”

 

“I told you I’m not Groen.”

 

“I’m Enria, Miss Belona.”

 

When the two denied her at the same time, Belona’s expression hardened.

 

She clutched her head, overwhelmed.

 

“Ah…”

 

“Miss Belona? Are you alright?”

 

“Is it a headache?”

 

Enria and Rahar watched anxiously.

 

Then Belona slowly lifted her teary face.

 

Her cheeks were soaked.

 

“Miss Belona…”

 

Enria called her name softly, and Rahar stiffened at the unexpected sight of tears.

 

Belona continued crying as she stared at Enria.

 

When Enria called her name again with concern, Belona gave a trembling, broken smile.

 

“Let’s go home, Groen… I… I don’t know anything anymore.”

 

I’m scared.

 

Her last words were muffled behind her hands, but both Enria and Rahar heard them clearly.