It was none other than Justyn who first suggested they take a walk. Whether it was because she was touched or simply excited, Hillein flitted about the room for quite some time before she finally finished getting ready.
…She’s a ghost. It’s not like she even has anything to get ready with.
The thought popped into Ries’s head, but he didn’t say it aloud. He had enough tact for that.
Four people set out together. The two main figures, Ries who would help them communicate, and Sefiut, who insisted on tagging along just to observe.
Thanks to that, the group was quite lively. Mostly due to Hillein, who couldn’t stop expressing her admiration every step of the way.
But when they finally reached their destination, even Ries couldn’t help but let out a soft gasp through slightly parted lips.
“Wow…”
It was true that he hadn’t come here much lately. When was the last time? He wracked his brain, trying to recall.
He had come with Justyn that time too, hadn’t he? Heard words so ticklish they made his heart thump, noticed Hillein secretly tailing them… It hadn’t been all that long ago, yet it felt oddly distant now.
Maybe it was because of the sight before them.
— Wow! They’re in full bloom already!
Buds that hadn’t even shown signs of blooming had suddenly burst into full bloom in that short time. The floral scent in the air was richer than before.
Hillein, her eyes sparkling, flew forward with a flutter. Naturally, Ries—who couldn’t fly—lost his grip on her hand. Her half-formed body, awkwardly materialized, melted right back into the air.
She must have realized it too, because she rushed right back.
— Sorry! I got too excited…
Her sheepish smile had the faintest hint of youth. Not that she looked especially young… No, it was more that she seemed innocent, pure, childlike.
It was so different from the poised and mature image she’d shown so far, yet strangely fitting. Surely Justyn felt the same.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t be staring at her like that, completely entranced. Ries let out a weary sigh and grabbed his hand firmly again.
In case you’re wondering…
— Tsk tsk, you’re gonna bump into something, you two.
…the three of them were walking hand-in-hand now. And because Justyn wouldn’t let go, they ended up strolling side by side through the garden like that.
In other words, Ries found himself awkwardly wedged between mother and son.
I mean, I was the one who grabbed his hand first, but still…
Was this really okay? An odd feeling crept in.
But the little prickles of doubt faded quickly. The voices of the pair chatting on either side soon stole his attention.
— I never thought I’d see these flowers here, in the estate. I used to spot them occasionally back home before I got married… It’s been so long, and seeing them like this with you makes them even more beautiful! You’ve really put a lot of effort into the garden, Justyn.
“…It was the gardener’s hard work, not mine.”
— Hmm, then let’s say you’re a fine lord for having such reliable people under you. If it weren’t for your permission, I would’ve never seen this lovely sight again. Right, Ries? Don’t you agree?
“Huh? Oh, yes, absolutely.”
Ries realized he’d been unintentionally listening in and hastily nodded at Hillein’s cheerful voice, which had casually pulled him into the conversation.
Their chatter continued in a cozy murmur.
Talk of the weather, the meanings behind the flowers, even rumors that had once stirred the social circles.
Some of them had happened more than twenty years ago, but the speaker’s voice was so engaging that time slipped by unnoticed.
Naturally, their pace slowed, and the now-cooler breeze brushed gently against their skin. As if snapping back to reality, Hillein gave a small shiver.
— Oops… Was I talking too much about myself? Sorry. You probably didn’t care for it. It must’ve been boring…
“Not at all. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
— …Really?
“Yes.”
— My son is such a kind one.
Her face fell for just a second, but it passed. At Justyn’s gentle reply, Hillein came to a stop and turned to face him.
A soft smile hung on her lips. A sharp gust of wind swept through, rustling all the surrounding grass.
— I know. I’ve been watching. I couldn’t not know. I died right after giving birth to you. My husband and that brother of his tormented you. The servants all ignored you. No one gave you the warmth you deserved…
“…”
— And yet you turned out to be someone so kind. That must mean your heart is full of warmth, right? You… you’re truly amazing. I’m so proud of you.
She twirled in a small circle and stepped forward, pretending to pat his head. Whether he could actually feel her touch or not, it looked like Justyn’s hair was being gently tousled beneath her hand.
Justyn simply stood there, dazed, accepting the gesture. But Ries saw it. He saw Justyn awkwardly lean forward, ever so slightly, as if to make it easier for her to reach.
“…”
— …
No more words were exchanged—but in that moment, the two of them really did look like family. From a step away, it was even more apparent.
They shared blood, but from the day Justyn was born, their paths had never once crossed. It hadn’t even been a week since they were finally able to face each other and talk.
Such a short time. And yet—
So much has changed.
Ries thought it before he could stop himself.
Hillein, who once couldn’t even bear to look at her son out of guilt, now reached out and touched him first. And Justyn, who had always been distant, had been the one to suggest they spend time together.
— I’m so happy we get to share these moments.
Like a normal parent and child, enjoying an ordinary day. Even as he took in that warm image, Ries couldn’t quite shake the bittersweet feeling in his chest.
It’d be perfect if I weren’t here.
Sandwiched between a mother and son who were just beginning to reconnect, he felt embarrassed, awkward—like someone utterly lacking in social awareness.
Perhaps sensing his mood with uncanny accuracy, Hillein leaned toward him and whispered.
— Of course, you too, Ries. This is all thanks to you. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have had the courage… and Justyn would still be a boy who didn’t know how to smile. Thank you.
“Huh? I—uh…”
Ries hesitated. The sudden spotlight was a bit overwhelming. And to top it off, Hillein moved her hand to pat his head, too.
Just like his master had done, Ries awkwardly ducked down—and in the end, admitted it cleanly. His head bobbed up and down in a vigorous nod.
“That’s true.”
— Hehe.
It was true. He had played a big role in their reunion. As he confidently admitted it, eyes shifting left and right, a soft chuckle followed.
“…Yeah. Thanks to you.”
A fleeting touch, light as the breeze, a firm hand clasped in his once more, and a voice as calm and sure as truth itself.
As he dwelled on each of those things, the awkwardness melted away as if it had never been there. He took their hands again and walked on.
And finally, just as the walk was nearing its end, the conversation resumed.
In the peaceful silence, at the far end of the garden, Justyn suddenly came to a halt. Ries and Hillein both turned to look at him.
Their faces were different, their features unlike—but strangely, the expressions they wore felt eerily similar. The old Justyn wouldn’t have noticed, but the one who’d chosen to open up did.
That was the look of someone who loved deeply.
“…There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask.”
And so, the question he’d buried for so long finally reached his lips. Their faces silently urged him on, giving him the courage to speak.
“Have you… ever resented me?”
— Hm? What do you mean by that?
“I was told… that you died because of me. That the curse meant for me is what killed you… No—actually, I heard that your body was already weakening even before I was born, because of me. Didn’t you hate me? Weren’t you afraid? Did you ever… wish I hadn’t been born?”
The words spilled out without pause.
Of course they did. It was the first question that had ever formed in his mind when he was still just a child, buried under whispers and resentment he’d only half understood. But he was a sharp child.
I shouldn’t ask that.
Father would hate it. Uncle would, too. The servants might find it creepy and kick him out.
So he had locked the question away deep inside and never once brought it up. And now, after all that time, finally letting it out—of course his tongue would stumble.
But the one hearing it didn’t falter.
— You’ve… thought that way?
Hillein drew in a deep, slow breath. At first, her ears couldn’t believe it. Then her breath caught in her chest like someone winded. Finally, her eyes filled with tears.
— No. No, not at all.
She shook her head desperately.
— I never hated you. I never resented you. I wasn’t afraid of you. Everyone told me to give up, said I had to give up—but I, more than anyone, didn’t want to.
“…”
— I just… I was just…
A single tear formed in the corner of her eye and fell, trickling down her pale cheek. With a voice raw and cracking, her words came out between clenched teeth.
— I was afraid I’d never meet you. I was afraid I’d never get to call the name I gave you. I was afraid I’d never get to say I love you, never see you grow up, never hear you call me “Mother”…
Carefully, she reached out. Her pale hand hovered in the air before finally grasping Justyn’s sleeve, trembling as if terrified of being rejected.
— That’s why… I wanted to live.
His crimson eyes followed her touch. They took in the trembling fingers, the tightly clenched jaw, the eyes still brimming with tears—one by one.
