CHAPTER 51

How hastily must one have been to write in such a font? I trembled as much as the handwriting that needed interpretation, and even Father’s hand shook. Only a few words caught my eye, and although I didn’t understand their meaning, Father’s breathing became so unstable that it stopped.

What does this letter mean?

In a space so shocked that even my breath ceased, Father swallowed dry saliva. Then, taking deep breaths, he alternated between looking at the letter and me.

“Father?”

“I, I’m sorry. Ah, Father is… I’m so confused right now… I feel like my mind is going to unravel.”

Father, unable to even tear the letter, clung to several sheets of paper and bit his lips tightly. Although it had been only a few months since I had seen Father, this was the first time I had seen such an expression.

His eyes, tinged with subtle guilt and as if they were about to crumble, seemed to shimmer with something, as if ready to overflow.

“Oscar, contact Erica and her father immediately. It seems this message isn’t meant just for me.”

“They must be getting ready to come now. The young lady wanted to see them, so I contacted them a little while ago, and they said they would be here soon.”

“W-Well then, that’s how it is. Right… our daughter is truly amazing. I hadn’t even thought of something like that… Phew, when Erica and her father come, please show them to my room.”

“Yes! I understand.”

Typically, guests would be received in the reception room. However, the request to lead them to one’s room carried a significant meaning, signifying family even for Grandfather, if it was true.

“And Vance, you should come along as well. Justin Hamel will be waiting.”

“Yes! I understand.”

Still looking at me with complicated eyes, Justin Hamel stood there absentmindedly until Father’s words fell, then immediately dropped his forehead to the ground. In an absolute act of submission, Father walked away without looking back.

“Your Grace, may I inquire about the contents that prompted such a reaction?”

Seeing Father’s unusual demeanor, Vance, slightly surprised, followed and asked, but Father didn’t say a word. He simply pressed the letter to his chest and kissed my forehead.

As always, my heart clenched tightly, hoping my interpretation was correct. It seemed like a wish was written, a wish that the child in the womb would be a daughter.

The rest seemed like something that needed a closer look. However, Father didn’t unfold the letter while walking, so I didn’t have a chance to examine it closely. Yet, I couldn’t ask him to read the letter left by his wife in the heavy atmosphere, so I quietly leaned against his chest like a perfect fit.

“There’s a wish written here, a wish for the child in the womb to be a daughter.”

“Yes.”

“Also, it seems that she told the child about everything that has happened so far.”

“Well, that’s what she did. But why did you call me?”

“It was just to call you with a brief message. So, be quiet for a moment and follow me.”

Vance’s face became so serious that it seemed burdened, and he sank heavily. Clutching the paper that had confused everyone, Father entered the room and remained silent. 

Vance, standing behind Father, usually tried to be cute and take me back to his house whenever I was around, but that side of him wasn’t visible now. It was because he had become so pressed for time.

As the silence continued to envelop us, without my realizing it, my head began to droop. Despite having eaten and not been very active, my feeble body couldn’t bear it.

Looking at other kids, they seemed to have the energy to zap around like Energizer bunnies and even bring adults to their knees. But for a magician who sat and studied all day, my stamina felt like a mouse’s shadow.

“Rafi, if you’re sleepy, you can go to sleep.”

Upon hearing Father’s inquiry about my condition, I nodded my head hesitantly. 

“I’m fine, Father. Sister and grandfather will be here.”

“Well, if you’re asleep, I’ll wake you up, so you can sleep peacefully.”

He even shielded my eyes from my stubborn refusal to sleep. And then, I felt Cie in my arms. As I drifted off to sleep in the warmth of his fluffy body, I heard a knock on the door.

Knock, knock, knock — 

“Rafi!”

Before even getting Father’s permission, those who burst into the room flung the door wide open and called my name.

“Grandfather. Sister. Hello. I miss you.”

Although sleep was overwhelming me, I forced myself to hold back and, pulling away from Father’s embrace, I put my hand on my belly button and lowered my head to greet them.

“Rafi said she wanted to see me and came running. Our little one is so adorable. Looks like you got bean flour all over you today.”

Grandfather, holding me in his arms with my yellow dress, planted a soft kiss on my cheek.

“Then our sweet red bean paste will drop as well. Come here, our little sister.” 

This time, when Sister opened her arms, I moved in that direction. After lifting me, she unreservedly pressed my face against her cheek.

“But why did you call us here? I was planning to meet Seraphina and play with Rafi before leaving.”

Seeing Grandfather asking why he had been called here, Father let out a sigh.

“You didn’t hear anything?”

“When we came here, the steward said you would tell us. Oh! Is it alright to bring Daniel in from outside? I tried to come alone, but he insisted on coming with me.”

“Yes, you can bring him in.”

With Father’s permission, the door opened, and Daniel entered slowly. 

“Aunt, have you been well?”

Carrying something in his arms, Daniel greeted Father, then gave me a slight wink as a greeting. Responding to his subtle wink with a weak smile, I stifled a yawn.

“Rafi, if you want to sleep, go ahead.”

“Uh-huh, I’m fine, but…”

Before I could finish my sentence, my eyes closed involuntarily. Even though I had been called to show me the letter, my eyelids became unbearably heavy. Before I knew it, I was already dozing off, succumbing to a drowsy slumber.

* * *

As Rafi drifted off to sleep, Erica gazed at her younger sister with affectionate eyes and gently stroked her curls.

Knock, knock, knock —

In response to the soft knocking sound, Duke Panteur nodded his head, and Vance opened the door himself. Oscar brought the tea, set it down on the table, and strode out.

The briefly eased atmosphere was once again laden with tension due to the paper offered by Duke Panteur.

“Justin Hamel came earlier.”

“What? Justin Hamel, the one who used to be Mother’s guardian knight…?”

At Erica’s question, Duke Panteur’s throat moved slowly up and down.

“I couldn’t see the body, so I thought he was dead…”

Duke Panteur explained in detail what had happened earlier, then placed a letter on the table. Judging by its considerable thickness, it wasn’t just one or two pages.

“It’s Seraphina’s testament.”

Duke Tigris and Daniel, who had been sipping their tea, froze in their places. Likewise, Erica halted her comforting hand that had been caressing Rafi.

“What does that mean? Are you saying our daughter left a testament?”

“Yes, I’ve read the letter she left for me… but she also left letters for you, Father, and Erica. Would you like to see them?”

Duke Tigris’ trembling head barely managed to nod as he looked at the bundle of worn papers.

“Grandfather, if you’re finding it difficult, should I read it for you?”

“N-No, it’s alright. You can’t read Seraphina’s handwriting. She had such terrible penmanship.”

Despite being trained in magic since childhood to become a mage, Seraphina was better with a sword. Intending to become a successful mage requiring a decade or more of training, she hastily switched to being a knight to expedite marriage and neglected practicing handwriting. 

As a result, few could recognize Seraphina’s handwriting. Duke Tigris, who defeated Daniel, personally held the letter and read it aloud.

[Father. Mother. It’s been a while since I wrote a letter. But this might be the first and the last time I do so. Currently, I’m amidst a fierce battle outside, but it’s under control, so I’m writing in a hurry.

Mother, Father! I’m pregnant. However, I didn’t know anything and went into battle. So, please don’t blame Joshua. He also joined a battle somewhere else, so he received my news late.

The necklace you gave me when I was young… Does it truly have an effect? If so, I want to save my baby’s life instead of my own. I believe that if it’s you, Mother and Father, you will grant me this request.

Father, Mother! The child will surely resemble me. So, if you ever hold our little red bean paste, please hold her just like you held me when I was young. Despite the arranged marriage and driving a wedge between you, I am sorry for doing something so unforgivable. However, if it means saving only our baby, I would do it again. So, please love our baby.

Mother, Father… I truly love you. I will love you even in death.

P.S. That Daniel guy has a habit of trying to act older than he is. Please scold him. It’s me saying this. I don’t know how Helena ended up with that kind of guy. Anyway, thanks to Helena, I can relax. That child… I love him as much as a speck of dust.

If Aiden and Jaden dare to disrespect our daughter, know that they will face consequences beyond their imagination.]

Having read the letter, Duke Tigris couldn’t hold back his tears any longer. 

“My daughter, my child…”

Standing behind Duke Tigris, Daniel didn’t fully understand everything, but upon reading the postscript, he clenched his lips tightly.

“Aunt, I’m sorry… Aunt… I won’t do that anymore. Aunt…”

Daniel, too, began shedding tears uncontrollably. Witnessing this, Vance received a single piece of paper from Duke Panteur.

[To Count Vance Christopher.

I’m writing a letter to Count Christopher for the first time.

I’m young, and it’s embarrassing to write while in a rush, but there are things I need to say. He might be a bit overbearing, and Eugene might have absorbed some of his personality, making it difficult to work, but please assure them it’s not entirely the case.

Please take care of my husband and the children.]

Upon seeing the messily written letter, which revealed the deeply concerned heart for Duke Panteur, Vance pursed his lips.

“Haah, I told her to practice her handwriting…”

At her much younger self’s comment, he merely smiled. It seemed her handwriting hadn’t changed much since then, likely because she hadn’t practiced it. As he deciphered the words and read the letter, it was painful and nostalgic.

“Why are you shedding tears over a letter like this? What if the child had been awake?”

Though she hadn’t even read the letter yet, Erica suddenly panicked and blurted out. To her, Duke Panteur handed over another piece of paper.

[To my beloved daughter Erica,

I suddenly recall the first time I saw you. I handed you candy when you were hurt, but you burst into tears, and I found myself apologizing.

Although I didn’t give birth to you myself, you’re still my daughter, no matter what anyone says. So, stay strong even at the Aquila Duchy. If anyone mistreats you, let me know. I’ll crush them, even if it’s only in my dreams.

I’ve seen Joshua unable to sleep for days at the thought of sending you away while you’re still so young. So, don’t resent him too much. He’s not skilled at expressing emotions, but he loves you dearly. It’s just that he’s unable to say it. 

I wish I could stay in this world a bit longer to see Colin grow up and to watch over how that son-in-law of mine treats our daughter, but it seems I won’t be able to.

So, I’ll be sending away the soft and tender child. You’ll probably recognize your younger sibling right away with just one look. You’re siblings, after all. Every day, I’ve been gently caressing my belly, telling her everything I’ve been through. Maybe this child will approach you just like I did when we first met.

Ideally, I should be the one raising her, but it seems I won’t be able to. So, please take care of your siblings in my place, Erica. Do you know that Mother loves you? Joshua loves you too.

I want to write more, but the situation has suddenly taken a turn for the worse. I’ll have to stop here. Erica, please tell your father that I love him…]

How desperate must one have been to not even be able to write properly and just cut off mid-sentence? Dew flowed from Erica’s eyes as she read the last letter, cascading from Erica’s pupils onto Rafi’s sleeping face.

Sitting by weeping Erica’s side, Duke Panteur comforted her silently, patting her shoulder. Erica, who had always stood strong in that spot, turned a sigh into the shadow of her father’s unwavering presence and, choking back her emotions, spoke.

“Father… I love you.”

The final phrase that Seraphina hadn’t managed to write was at last completed after four years, borrowed from Erica’s lips.