Rather Than The Son, I’ll Take The Father

Ultimately, Monica did find her lost gift.

She didn’t seem to want Aedis’ help until the very end, so Shaula stood up.

Shaula found it by tracking down the scent of Monica’s perfume.

Anyway, we went straight to Cyclamen Castle, and I gave Monica and Charlie, who were surprised by the magic performed without any preparation, a room on my exclusive floor.

When Sarah, who was known to be my favorite maid in the capital, offered to serve her, Monica relaxed her frozen expression.

Monica said she would give it to me after she had taken a bath and disarmed the anti-theft magic, and she went into the bathroom.

On the other hand, Charlie said that she would relieve her fatigue first and take a bath later, and locked herself with alcohol.

Before that, Charlie had asked if only monsters like Aedis or Shaula were in the North.

I said no, but……she didn’t seem very confident.

I met Monica again while having dinner with Regen.

I was wondering if I should introduce Regen now and asked for his understanding if it would be okay, but Regen, who was already nervous, got up in a hurry.

“I’ll, I’ll leave the place!”

Then Monica, who stood by the doorway, exuding the fragrant scent of perfumed oil from her body, spoke quite gently.

“Just stay. I’m not even jealous of the Lord.”

“Uh, yes?”

Regen’s eyelids fluttered open like a rabbit.

Monica didn’t mind coming in and handed me a box that had been cleaned of dust.

“Here is the present. You know anyway, I’ll give it to you in advance.”

I took the present and looked at Regen.

“Lord, I will formally let you greet each other again tomorrow, but this is my……Well, yes my friend. Would you like to talk to her for a moment?”

Even though he was shy, when I called her my friend, Regen showed interest.

“Is it okay…… ?”

Monica greeted him lightly.

“I will greet you briefly now, Lord. My name is Monica Elaine. Please feel free to call me Monica. Lord is different from the Grand Duke, so it’s okay.”

Regen did not understand the meaning of her words that it was okay to be different from Aedis, glanced at her and looked into my eyes.

But I didn’t understand her either.

Why do you hate Aedis so much?

“Maveia, won’t you open it?”

At Monica’s urging, I untied the ribbon and opened the box.

The present she had prepared was a beautiful necklace encrusted with light blue gems.

However, there was a pattern worked into it that looked just like the hairpin, which Aedis had brought from somewhere a few days ago.

It looked like a flower, but if you look closely, it looked like a delicate weave of grass.

“It is a relic of the kingdom famous for ‘The Promise of King Menorah.’ It is the only treasure in the world.”

‘There is only one thing in the world’ Monica emphasized with a strong smile.

She seemed to have worked very hard to get it.

…… I will not wear the hairpin that Aedis gave me for the time being.

Regen rolled his eyes as soft as pudding but couldn’t contain his curiosity and asked.

“Well, what is the ‘Promise of King Menorah’?”

“It’s an old legend.”

I briefly explained.

Long ago, in the ancient kingdom of Menorah, there was a wealthy king.

The king ran away to the end of the world, riding the fastest horse in the kingdom, to avoid his death.

Then the king met a woman on the mountain.

The woman identified herself as the ‘creator,’ and she asked why he was going so quickly without appreciating the beautiful mountain scenery.

-I’m running away from death. I don’t have time to appreciate the scenery!

The king hastened on his way with aggression.

This time he met a woman on the beach.

The woman identified herself as the ‘destroyer’ and she spoke of the ephemeral nature of the rock crashing against the waves.

-I’m running away from death. If I don’t hurry, I’m afraid I’ll be worse off than that rock.

The king sighed and rushed away.

Finally, the king met a woman at the end of the world.

The king, thinking that death would not follow this far, asked leisurely.

– What’s your name?

– I am death. I was supposed to meet you here.

Eventually, the king resigned and accepted death.

“There is another story.”

When I finished, Monica told me another version of the story.

There was a stranger.

He met a woman while traveling to meet his death.

She identified herself as the ‘creator’ and suggested that they take a look at the mountain scenery together because it is beautiful.

– That’s right.

The stranger replied with a smile.

This time, he met a woman at the beach.

She identified herself as the ‘destroyer’ and said she regretted everything that had to be broken.

The traveler stopped and comforted her.

– Perhaps the sadness of all the things that are bound to break because you are watching me so pitifully will subside a little.

The old traveler arrived at the end of the world.

There he met a woman.

– I’ve seen a lot. Death, please accept me.

Death expressed gratitude to the traveler for comforting the sisters who have been alone for a long time.

-You deserve to be with us. Please tell me what you want.

“There are several theories as to what the stranger answered at this time. Anyway, the bottom line is that if someone you don’t know speaks to you, don’t be reckless.”

I was surprised how she came to such a conclusion, but Regen tilted his head as if he had the same thought as me.

“Isn’t this the lesson about how all things are equal in the face of death?”

Monica frowned.

“I don’t think death is equal. It doesn’t mean that only the results are the same. There is a big difference between starving or freezing to death without anyone knowing in a quiet alleyway, and a glorious death that is mourned by many and recorded in history and entered into a golden coffin. Anyway, I hope you like my present, Maevia.”

I happily smiled at Monica.

I don’t know why she hates Aedis, but I have to work hard to restore his image.

I need to take this opportunity to make it clear that he is not as scary as he seems.

“I love it. Thank you for giving this directly.”

Monica’s cheeks reddened fiercely as I added kind words and a soft smile.

“…… Can I help you put it on?”

“Please?”

As Monica picked up the necklace with a careful hand, I gathered my long hair that had been loosed, revealing my neck.

Monica was standing behind me holding the necklace and suddenly spoke into my ear very softly.

“Well, Maevia.”

“Why are you like that? It’s unlike you.”

If it had been Monica, she would have boasted about the gift she had given me and showed off her ability to obtain it to her heart’s content.

Monica liked to attract others’ attention to the point that she was proud of her own gorgeous red hair more than any jewelry.

I heard a sigh, and a necklace was hung around her neck.

Monica’s hand moved to find the loop on the chain.

“How is your married life?”

Was she just nervous to ask that question?

Suddenly Regen took a deep breath.

“Heup.”

Regen didn’t even blink and waited for my answer.

Hmmm, I wouldn’t have looked particularly unhappy……

I answered Regen with a smile.

“I’m happy.”

We were preparing to dismiss Gilbert at any time.

If we deal with the real father, the only thing left to do is live well.

Monica fastened the necklace and withdrew her hand.

“You knew that the Grand Duke was an unusual person and married him with that knowledge, right? Don’t tell me that you were marrying thinking he’s an old man, and got caught by accident.”

“Of course, Monica.”

Monica flapped her lips.

“The life of a Grand Duchess…….”

“Yes?”

“Oh, no. For today, I’ll just stop here.”

What. What are you going to do tomorrow?

***

That day I had a strange dream.

– I want to take care of all those who are too weak to come to you on their own. Hold my hand and tell me I don’t have to be afraid of you.

A voice so old that it was difficult to determine the gender came from my mouth.

And there was someone who felt sorry for me.

– That would be more difficult than the work I or my sisters did.

But in my dream, I persevered.

– I have come to love everything I have seen while coming here. Even the worst. Even the weakest. Even if not a person. Let me take care of you. Let me hold you.

What……?

It was so strange that even after waking up from the dream, I was dazed.

Aedis had watched me toss and turn and gently wiped the corners of my eyes with his index finger.

“Eve? Did you have a nightmare?”

“Aedis, I dreamed of being a good person.”

As I mumbled, Aedis raised his lips and smiled prettily.

“It’s a weird dream. Get more sleep.”

Hey, I’m a little sad that you’re not relentless.