On the day Cesar realized his feelings for Belinda, he made a vow to himself.

That he would never prioritize these feelings over his duty.

That he would never reveal that he had taken her into his heart.

He had responsibilities to bear, and he could never allow Belinda to become entangled in those duties.

On that night of betrayal, standing before the graves of his parents and siblings, hadn’t he sworn after keeping vigil for three days and nights?

That he would annihilate everything beyond the forest.

Cesar truly believed that was the reason he had survived.

Cesar had lived solely for that purpose, but ironically, he had never once imagined what life would be like after achieving his goal.

Thinking about what awaited him after exterminating all the beasts beyond the forest, what he would want to do, what he should do—it all felt as overwhelming as drifting on the vast ocean with only a small ferry to rely on.

But at this moment, Cesar felt as though he had spotted a lighthouse beam in that vast ocean.

“The direct line of Baluasten is born with the ability to resist curses.”

As if to prove Cesar’s words, his eyes slowly turned red.

It was an ominous, eerie light, far more sinister than the sunset glow that had tinged them before.

Belinda, who had hesitated momentarily, slowly reached out toward Cesar.

“The method of controlling this ability is quite simple. I merely need to think of what I cherish and value most in the world.”

When Belinda’s fingertips finally touched Cesar’s cheek, his eyes regained their original blue color, as if dark clouds had cleared.

“Lady Blanche… you allow me to remain human. That is why I wish to stay by your side.”

At those words, Belinda quickly withdrew her hand, recoiling like she’d been burned.

Even seeing Belinda’s strangely contorted expression, Cesar did not regret what he had just said.

No, in truth, he regretted it to his very bones. Nevertheless, he would never change his meaning.

“Sir, do you realize what you just said?”

“Yes… I told you that I wish to stay by your side for the selfish desire of wanting to live as a human.”

He was still bound by duty.

The only difference now was that after all his duties were fulfilled, he had developed the desire to survive as a human and remain by Belinda’s side forever.

Cesar called it a selfish desire, but it didn’t sound that way to Belinda.

Cesar hadn’t realized that, depending on how one heard it, his words were essentially a confession that Belinda was what he cherished most in his world.

His awkwardness ultimately made Belinda smile.

She let out a short laugh and nodded.

“I’ll allow it.”

Cesar’s expression, which had seemed impassive but was actually concealing tension all along, crumbled.

Like sunlight breaking through cracks in a glacier, Cesar smiled.

“So, Sir Cherry, you must return. As a human, to Leo’s and my side.”

“I will certainly keep my promise.”

Cesar knelt on one knee and brought Belinda’s hand to his forehead, making a knight’s oath.

That day, Cesar departed, leaving his heart by Belinda’s side.

***

When all the Luzel trees surrounding the square came into full bloom, the plaza became crowded with people who had come to see the flowers.

While the people of the royal capital were enjoying spring, only Leo sat desolately on a bench in the shadow of a massive Luzel tree, sniffling gloomily.

Having bid farewell to Sir Cherry this morning, Leo had spent the entire morning sniffling under the covers.

Unable to bear it any longer, I took the child’s hand and brought him to the square to cheer him up, but it didn’t seem to be having much effect.

“The knight, sniff, the knight…”

I hurriedly placed a sweet treat in Leo’s mouth as he was about to shed tears again with his puffy fish-like eyes.

While Leo reluctantly melted the sweet in his mouth instead of spitting it out to continue his sorrowful crying, I patted the child’s back and asked.

“Leo, are you that upset that the knight has left?”

Having delayed his answer while dissolving the caramel in his mouth, Leo finally nodded.

“I thought the knight would stay with us forever. Because…”

Leo fidgeted with his hands clasped in front of him as he continued.

“The knight said he wanted to remain as Lady Belinda’s knight no matter what price he had to pay. So I thought Lady Belinda and the knight would stay together for a long, long time…”

A sweet scent wafted from the child’s mouth every time he spoke.

Feeling a strange tingling in my fingertips, I twirled Sir Cherry’s ring on my finger and asked again.

“Sir Cherry, no, Sir Penadel… said something like that?”

“Yes, sniff.”

Feeling as though I had heard something I shouldn’t have, I cleared my throat and gestured to Terry, who was standing guard behind us.

“Terry, bring that over.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

While Terry went to the carriage parked nearby, I placed another candy in Leo’s mouth and looked at the ring on my ring finger.

“It’s a token of my promise.”

Before leaving the royal capital, Sir Cherry had given me a ring set with a deep blue gemstone.

More transparent than sapphire but reflecting light like a diamond, it was extraordinarily beautiful.

However, I was more taken aback by Sir Cherry’s demeanor, which seemed almost like a proposal, than by the value of the ring with its unidentifiable gemstone, making it difficult for me to accept it readily.

“Tokens like this are exchanged by those who lack confidence in keeping their promises. Surely you don’t lack confidence in keeping yours?”

“Not at all. Please use it merely as a reminder of the promise.”

“The appearance of this gem seems unusual… Surely it’s not some rare gem or family heirloom?”

“It’s merely a secondhand item.”

Somewhat relieved by his words, I reluctantly tried on the ring. It fit my finger perfectly, as if custom-made.

And as Sir Cherry had said, the ring he gave me became an excellent reminder of his promise to return.

Soon, Terry returned to us carrying gift boxes stacked higher than his own height.

Leo, who had been dissolving the candy with tears still welling in his eyes, opened his eyes wide when he saw the gift boxes stacked higher than himself.

“What is all this?”

“Your birthday presents. Though this is just the appetizer.”

After looking around with his puffy eyes, Leo belatedly pointed at himself with his index finger.

“Me? Today is my birthday?”

“Yes. Your adoption papers were officially approved today. So now I can introduce you as Leo Blanche anywhere.”

Luzel flower petals showered down like snowflakes onto Leo’s jet-black hair as he stood there with a blank expression.

Confirming that Leo’s age in the status window had changed to 10 years old as of today, I said to him.

“Congratulations on turning 10, Leo. Everyone is waiting for you to return to the mansion.”

“I… actually have a birthday…”

After muttering those words, Leo finally seemed to realize it and raised his voice.

“Lady Belinda, today is my birthday! Hehe.”

After wiping away the tears from the child’s face, which had become a mess from crying and then laughing, we got up from our seats.

Leo insisted on carrying his birthday presents himself and struggled to lift the stacked gifts.

As I anxiously watched the child, worried he might trip since his view was blocked by the gift boxes.

Through the intense fragrance of Luzel flowers pouring down like a downpour, a familiar line struck the back of my head.

“How could you treat a child so roughly? That’s too harsh.”

I stopped reaching out to Leo and turned my head.

Through the Luzel tree petals falling like snow, she stood there.

Short hair gleaming like silver work.

Pink eyes holding spring flowers and attire somewhat detached from the kingdom’s fashion.

Though her clothes showed signs of wear from what seemed like a long journey, her posture remained straight, revealing her noble status.

I froze as if doused with cold water the moment I saw her.

The Luzel trees are in full bloom.

Leo is turning 10 years old.

How could I have forgotten?

Today, when the Luzel trees in the square bloomed, was the day Ophelia arrived in the Kingdom of Genos from the distant Empire.