“Ah, it’s finished.”
“……?”
A nonchalant voice came from behind. Ruska adjusted her glasses and gathered the documents stamped [Approval Complete].
“It’s the new vehicle Miss Ririn commissioned from Mr. Blaine. She said the garden was too far to walk.”
That?
That rolling slab of wood I’ve never seen or heard of before?
“……Ha. I told her not to run around, so now she’s rolling instead?”
“It’s covered in protective magical devices. Shouldn’t be too dangerous.”
Ruska, now standing beside Calek, murmured while examining the gems embedded in Ririn’s wooden board.
The pink-haired child twirled around the lobby with gleeful laughter.
A three-year-old squirmed in a maid’s arms, paddling his limbs toward his sister.
Blaine lurked nearby, hiding a miniature carriage behind his back as he waited to unveil it.
Servants clapped and cheered as they passed by……
Calek took in the chaotic scenes and felt a sudden wave of dizziness.
“This… is my mansion?”
His estate had once been the picture of solemnity and order.
When did it turn into this?
Something felt off, but he couldn’t pinpoint what.
Calek’s temples throbbed again. He set down his wine glass, untouched.
“Okay! Follow me, Theo! Let’s go show Dad!”
The shrill voice made him freeze.
He forced himself back into his seat.
Dignity. Maintain dignity.
If he looked like a fool, that brat would seize control of the mansion entirely. Time to salvage whatever scraps of authority remained.
Calek stiffened his posture, furrowed his brow, and began flipping through paperwork with exaggerated focus.
“Ugh, why’s he in a mood again? Better escape before he revokes the approvals…”
At that moment, Calek tilted his chin and narrowed his eyes at Ruska.
“You.”
“Yes?”
“Earlier… you said something.”
“What?”
“‘Ah, it’s finished.’”
“……? Yes. Was that incorrect?”
“So you knew Ririn and her father were building that contraption.”
Ruska blinked.
“Obviously. Most staff knew more details than I did.”
Calek’s hand froze mid-page turn, the document nearly tearing.
“……I see.”
“Hm?”
“……I didn’t.”
What is this bitter taste in my mouth?
After countless incidents, Ririn had charmed every soul in the mansion. A child’s innocent curiosity and relentless cheer were impossible to resist.
‘So she’s replaced me.’
The thought surfaced before he could crush it.
“Ridiculous,” he muttered, shaking his head. A child’s attention meant nothing.
Truly nothing.
Really.
……
Calek smoothed his brow and resumed reviewing documents with forced calm. His eyes drifted to the snack basket stocked for Ririn. He hastily rearranged his wine glass and pipe, then glanced at the window.
Was that—? Is she coming?
“Your Grace, the prince is expected to attend this meeting.”
“Then why isn’t he here?”
“Wait—he’s not coming?”
“What?”
“Yes?”
……
Calek tore his gaze from the window.
“Right. His Majesty mentioned sending the crown prince for observation.”
“Understood. We’ll prepare the annexes. Sign here, please.”
“Prioritize renovating the unused wings.”
“New wallpaper, curtains, and furniture refinishing. Also, will only the First Prince attend?”
“Who else?”
“Prince Arjen, the Second Prince, resides here. The princess is at the western villa.”
Calek propped his chin on his hand.
“Winterbalt’s boy.”
The Second Prince’s guileless face flashed in his mind—and the Emperor’s disapproving scowl.
“The Emperor only cares about the heir’s education. Unless formally requested, the spare stays sidelined.”
“A pity. Prince Arjen could’ve been friends with Ririn.”
Calek scoffed.
“Friendship? With royal blood?”
Best to avoid entanglement, even with exiled princes.
Ririn… that harmless child deserved ordinary joys. Friends her age. Safe play. Quiet happiness.
The image of her peaceful cottage—built by Alex for this very purpose—floated in his mind.
‘Her memories haven’t returned… but I understand now.’
Calek turned back to the window.
No candy-colored missile burst through his door. No tiny hands tugged his sleeves begging for attention. He’d have tolerated 36 hours of board-riding demonstrations.
……?
The two children who’d been racing toward him now huddled at the mansion’s entrance.
“Theo, Dad’s super busy. Let’s show Grandma first!”
“Yeah!”
“I’ve been too clingy! Bad me!”
Swish.
They darted past the main building toward Elisa’s annex.
……
Ruska gathered the signed documents.
“If everything’s in order, I’ll expedite these matters—”
She fled as the air thickened.
“……Clever.”
Calek’s lips curled. His imposing frame rose from the chair.
“Always making me chase you.”
Ririn balancing on a moving board? Not interesting.
Just routine oversight as mansion lord.
Not curious. Not marking calendar dates. Why bother?
‘Should stock more recording crystals…’
He ignored the traitorous thought.
The wooden board transformed my garden commute.
I zipped through the forest daily, tending crops.
Today was special:
Grandpa Day!
Grandpa needed construction materials. I needed fertilizer and herb seeds.
“Grandpa!”
I sprinted toward the distant figure. Blaine crouched, arms wide.
“There’s my girl!”
He spun me until the world blurred, then finished with a bear hug.
“Let’s go.”
His calloused hand swallowed mine. Theo trotted at my other side.
We bought premium fertilizer first. Children’s gardening tools were sold out—typical.
As we neared the seed shop, I remembered my mission.
“Grandpa! Let’s go there!”
My repayment plan.
He’d built my cottage and board. Today, I’d give him joy.
Blaine secretly adores kids!
So—
“Where to?”
“Where kids gather!”
His bushy eyebrows shot up.
“…Here?”
He halted before ‘B’s Toy Emporium.’
“Yes!”
I chest-bumped the air.
“This is THE spot for kids my age!”
