Just yesterday, they had read a book there. Now, the empty space seemed to faintly echo the image of the two from the previous day.

“What book do you want to read today?”
“This one. This one.”

The book Rian had chosen was a fairy tale featuring a bear family.

The story went like this:

Daddy Bear, Mommy Bear, and Baby Bear lived happily in the forest. One day, Baby Bear, thinking he was all grown up, decided to go on an adventure alone. While Mommy Bear and Daddy Bear were sleeping, Baby Bear sneaked out of the treehouse and explored the forest, eating fruit and honey. As he enjoyed his adventure, day turned to night, and Baby Bear got lost in the darkness.

“Mommy, Daddy.”

Frightened, Baby Bear called out for his parents.

Then, a pair of unfamiliar eyes gleamed in the darkness. It was a tiger. The tiger, who hadn’t eaten for days, tried to catch Baby Bear. Baby Bear ran desperately but was eventually caught. Just as the tiger’s sharp teeth were about to bite Baby Bear’s neck, Daddy Bear appeared and saved him.

Thus, Baby Bear safely returned home with Daddy Bear to Mommy Bear.

Lahart recalled the events of the previous day. After reading the fairy tale to the end, Rian had remained silent for a while, staring intently at the illustration of Daddy Bear carrying Baby Bear home. Normally, Rian would chatter away, but he was unusually quiet, which Lahart found strange.

After a long time of looking at the illustration, Rian handed the book back to Lahart.

“Read this part again, Uncle.”

The part Rian pointed to was where Daddy Bear appeared and saved Baby Bear.

Lahart felt a lump in his throat, sensing what Rian wanted. He tried to steady his voice, but it kept faltering.

He needed to find that book.

The secret spot in the Cardius Ducal library was meticulously organized, proving the diligence and thoroughness of the servants. Lahart carefully searched the bookshelves for the fairy tale book. Fortunately, it was placed on a shelf adjusted to Rian’s height.

When he pulled out the book, the end was slightly open. Inside, on the very page Rian had stared at yesterday, was a note. Unfolding the crumpled note, Lahart saw Rian’s handwriting.

[Baby Bear waiting for Daddy Bear, keep going, keep going]

“……”

Lahart clutched his chest. The pain was unbearable. He couldn’t even imagine how Rian felt writing that note, knowing that he was his father.

Suppressing his anguish, Lahart tried to think of the next destination. In the fairy tale, Daddy Bear appeared much later, but Lahart didn’t want to keep Rian waiting that long. He mustn’t.

Rian had already waited long enough. There would be no more waiting.

The next clue was likely in the fairy tale book. Lahart focused on the page where Rian had placed the note. Under the starry night sky, Daddy Bear carried Baby Bear on his back through the dark forest.

What was Rian thinking as he looked at this picture? Why did he focus so much on this scene and ask to read it repeatedly? Though it was a touching scene of Daddy Bear rescuing Baby Bear and returning home together, Lahart felt Rian had a different perspective.

Rescue… return together… As he pondered those words, a moment flashed through his mind.

“Thank you for helping me, Uncle King!”

It was the first time he met Rian.

He didn’t know Rian was Iren’s child back then. Seeing a group of kids gathered, he found them bullying one child. The bullied child seemed to be protecting a puppy.

From that day on, Rian had followed him closely, even giving him the strange title of ‘Uncle King.’ It was much later that Iren explained Rian’s behavior.

Rian thought Lahart had saved him. He wanted to become a strong adult like him.

Instead of being kind to the child, he was cold and harsh. The child, resembling Iren, had a very gentle nature. He was honest about what he liked.

Something was almost within his grasp. Lahart clung to his thoughts. What did he do after talking with Rian? Did he return to the carriage?

…The carriage. Yes, that’s it.

Rian hadn’t gone outside the castle. Daddy Bear carried Baby Bear on his back and returned. The day Lahart first met Rian, he got off the carriage and returned to it. When he brought Iren and Rian back to Sirencia, he had them ride in the carriage.

He threw the book down and hurriedly moved. For some reason, he felt this time he was close to the answer.

* * *

“Sniff… sob…”

In the dark carriage, the sound of sniffling echoed and then faded away.

The seat was soft and comfortable, but his heart was more restless than ever.

Don’t cry. You have to hold it in. There might not be tigers here since it’s not the forest, but there could be something scary. They said crying makes you weak. But, but…

“Mom… Uncle…”

Rian hugged his knees tightly.

Like the Baby Bear in the book he read yesterday, he wanted to bravely go on an adventure. And unlike Baby Bear, who couldn’t complete his adventure, he was confident he would succeed. When he left the note with the riddle for Uncle in the book and entered the garage, he was full of confidence.

But the garage was too dark. Occasionally, there were strange creaking or squeaking sounds.

Finding the exact same carriage Uncle had ridden was impossible. But he couldn’t give up here.

Uncle had to solve the riddle. If he was really Rian’s dad, he would definitely solve the riddle. And he would appear grandly like Daddy Bear. If he couldn’t, then he wasn’t Rian’s dad. Dad had made Rian and Mom suffer, so solving this riddle was the least he could do.

Thinking that, Rian pulled the door of the first carriage. Fortunately, the door opened, and he got inside.

But would Uncle really be able to find him? How much time had passed? Was the riddle too difficult? If it was too hard, would Uncle give up? Then would he be stuck here forever?

“No!”

Uncle said he liked Rian. He said he would protect Rian and Mom no matter what!

“Hurry… Hurry and come to Rian. Please find Rian, Uncle…”

The tears he had been holding back burst out. Rian buried his face between his knees and sobbed.

I am Baby Bear. Waiting for Daddy Bear. There’s no tiger. Tigers can’t live in the castle. I’ll count to ten and then go out. If Uncle hasn’t come by then… then he’s not Rian’s dad. Uncle doesn’t deserve to be Rian’s dad.

“One… two…”

Rian started counting while sobbing. His pace was painfully slow as he tried to swallow his tears.

His pants were getting soaked with tears, and he had just counted past five.

“Adrian!”

The door burst open, and light flooded in. Rian quickly lifted his head.

The dark garage was now brightly lit, and Lahart entered the carriage, backlit by the light. He pulled Rian into a tight embrace. His face was as pale as his hair. When Rian felt his warmth, he burst into tears again.

“Uncle, Uncle…”

“I’m sorry. You waited a long time. I’m sorry I’m late.”

Rian shook his head. Uncle had found him before he counted to ten, so he had kept his promise. But the tears wouldn’t stop.

The longing, sorrow, and resentment towards the father who had not been there for him and Mom all came out at once, but Rian didn’t know the exact reason for his tears. Lahart’s embrace was so warm, his warmth and scent different from Iren’s but equally comforting, that the tears kept flowing.

“It’s okay. Everything is okay now.”

“Is everything really okay? Uncle, do you like Rian?”

“Of course. You and Iren are more precious to me than my own life.”

“Then… will you stay with us always? Even when it’s hard?”

“Of course. I will never let you and Iren suffer again.”

“Will you promise?”

Rian lifted his face from Lahart’s shoulder.

Mom said I shouldn’t call Uncle ‘Uncle.’ She said I should call him ‘Duke.’ But Uncle was actually my dad. Did Uncle not want to be my dad? All these questions were compressed into one that slipped out of Rian’s small mouth.

“And can I… call you Dad?”

Lahart swallowed hard. The tears welling in Rian’s eyes fell. He supported Rian with one arm and wiped his cheek with the other. His reflection appeared in the child’s night-dark eyes. He looked like an ordinary father overflowing with joy and guilt, not knowing what to do.

“That’s something I should be asking you.”

Lahart hastily added, worried Rian might misunderstand. He smiled brighter than ever.

“Will you call me Dad, Adrian? Anytime you want.”

Rian’s stiff expression softened. With tears glistening at the corners of his eyes, he smiled brightly, following Lahart’s lead.

* * *

As soon as Iren saw Lahart carrying Rian in, her legs gave out, and she collapsed. Thanks to Lahart, who had barely managed to calm him down, Rian burst into tears again upon seeing Iren. Relieved, Iren also hugged Rian and started crying. Lahart, using all his limited verbal skills, tried to console the two.

Afterward, Iren scolded Rian harshly. She said she understood his feelings but that he must never do such a thing again. Rian nodded quietly. It was thanks to Lahart, who had gently pointed out his mistakes on the way from the garage to the bedroom. Rian seemed particularly shocked by the fact that he had made his mom sad.

The three of them had a simple meal on the terrace and then lay down together in bed. The exhaustion from the early morning’s chaos was finally catching up with them.

Rian, with his swollen eyes, lay snugly between Iren and Lahart, giggling. Iren patted Rian’s belly first, and Lahart placed his hand over hers. Rian apologized to both of them once again.

“I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”

“Alright. After you wake up from your nap, let’s go apologize to the others too. Everyone was very worried when you disappeared.”

“Okay. I’ll write letters too…”

“Good. Let’s do that.”

Rian rubbed his eyes and yawned softly. Lahart gave him an arm pillow. With sleepy eyes, Rian looked back and forth between the two and said goodnight.

“Goodnight, Mom… Dad.”

As soon as he finished, he pulled the blanket over his head, embarrassed. Iren and Lahart, with wide eyes, looked at each other and laughed.

Soon, the room was filled with the sound of three people breathing evenly. A gentle breeze announcing the start of a new spring swirled through the bedroom.

<After the Regret, Side Story ‘Like a Fairy Tale’ END>