Lilith pinched Helio’s arm lightly and deliberately spoke in a loud voice.

“It’s because Lilith was scared! I told my brother we should go to Mom and Dad!”

Helio hesitated for a moment, then approached Carl and gently stroked his small head.

“You’re so mature, Carl. Always protect your little sister.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Your mother and I will protect you in return.”

Helio spoke warmly as he extended his hand to Carl. Carl straightened his shoulders, perhaps to appear more grown-up. But he didn’t forget to firmly grasp the hand Helio offered.

Looking up at Helio, who seemed impossibly tall, Carl asked,

“Father, is Mother asleep?”

Helio cleared his throat, looking slightly troubled by his young son’s question.

“Your mother is…”

Lilith was more mature than most children, but that didn’t mean she remembered everything from her past life. In this life, her memories of the past were particularly hazy.

She knew that adults made babies in secret from children, but she had never really thought about the real reason behind it.

Seeing Helio flustered, she decided to help him out.

“Is Mom too tired because she’s been working a lot?”

At Lilith’s question, Helio immediately nodded.

“Yes. That’s why I decided to bring you two up to her. She was happy to hear you were coming, so let’s go.”

At Helio’s words, Carl smiled brightly. No matter how much he tried to act mature, he was still just a seven-year-old child. Holding his father’s large hand seemed to reassure him, making him look much more at ease than before.

Helio held Carl’s hand and carried Lilith as he left the parlor. However, instead of heading straight to the bedroom, he gently asked the two of them,

“Carl, Lilith. How about watching the rain for a little while?”

“The rain?”

“Would it be too scary?”

Carl cautiously looked up at Lilith. Lilith blinked as if to say it was fine, and Carl, understanding her signal, immediately shook his head.

“No. I’m with you, Father.”

The three of them made their way affectionately down to the Empress’s palace hall. Instead of the front entrance, they headed toward the back, where a breathtaking view awaited them.

Because Liliana loved gardens, the imperial palace had many beautiful ones. Among them, the Aris Palace, where she had spent much of her time, and the Empress’s current residence were the finest.

The garden behind the Empress’s palace was especially magnificent when it rained. The transparent roof created the illusion of walking through the rain while still remaining dry, preserving the dignity of the imperial family.

It was the perfect garden for Liliana.

For the two siblings, this place held warm memories of walking together with their mother. Lilith recalled how Liliana would extend one hand outward, gathering raindrops while holding Lilith in her other arm.

That peaceful and loving moment would remain in Lilith’s heart forever.

Helio must have been thinking of Liliana as well, as a gentle smile played on his lips before he looked down at the two children.

“Carl, Lilith.”

“Yes, Father.”

“What is it, Daddy?”

Carl was already trying to act like a dignified prince, while Lilith remained as innocent as ever.

Helio, finding the two so different yet so alike, scrunched up his face in an affectionate smile.

“Do you know why thunder and lightning occur?”

Lilith, of course, knew. Her past life memories were faint, but she had read countless books in this life, so she naturally knew a lot.

However, she was curious about what Helio would say.

Would he try to comfort them by saying that thunder was actually the roar of a lion living on the moon?

Or perhaps he would tell them that the sun and moon were fighting inside the clouds?

With a perfectly innocent expression, Lilith asked,

“Why does thunder and lightning happen when it rains?”

But Helio’s answer was completely unexpected.

“The elementalists say that within the clouds, the energy of water and the energy of ice coexist. When these two forces collide, they create a strong light. The sound of thunder is like an explosion caused by that collision.”

“Huh?”

“What?”

Carl and Lilith widened their eyes in surprise, staring up at Helio. Seeing their reactions, Helio uncharacteristically looked flustered and cleared his throat.

“Was that not what you were expecting? I suppose I should ask your mother about it again.”

He stared off into space for a moment with an awkward expression before continuing,

“In any case, thunder and lightning are simply part of nature, so there’s no need to fear them.”

Ah, so that’s what he was trying to say—there was nothing to be afraid of.

Lilith couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Before she met Helio, she had thought of him as a terrifying tyrant. A cold-hearted father, devoid of blood or tears, had seemed like an obstacle she needed to overcome.

But when she actually met him, he was nothing like that.

Helio carried a love deeper than anyone else, and he was learning how to express it.

“And of course, whenever there’s a storm, you can always come to us.”

And because his efforts never went unrewarded, his love always reached his two children warmly.

At Helio’s words, Carl blinked and tightened his grip on his father’s hand.

“Even though it’s just a natural phenomenon that isn’t scary at all?”

“Yes. I still want to see my children being adorably frightened for a long time. So please, even if you’re not scared, say that you are. Otherwise, your mother and I will feel disappointed.”

“I will, Daddy.”

Lilith grinned and kissed Helio on the cheek.

Helio smiled happily and then bent down, offering his other cheek to Carl as well.

Carl glanced around shyly, then, after confirming that the attendants and maids had turned away, he stood on his tiptoes.

Receiving loving kisses on both cheeks, Helio smiled contentedly. His gentle, affectionate gaze reassured Lilith.

Even without knowing the future, just having someone who would stand by her side no matter what hardships came was incredibly precious.

Helio glanced behind him for a moment and exchanged a look with one of the maids.

“Carl, Lilith. Shall we head up now?”

Carl nodded obediently, but Lilith, looking puzzled, stared at the maid. It seemed like they had exchanged some sort of signal—what did it mean?

As Lilith kept looking back at the maid, the maid’s head lowered more and more. Helio gently cupped Lilith’s cheek and turned her to face forward.

“Lilith, little princess. If you keep looking back like that, you might trip and hurt your pretty nose.”

“Daddy, I’m not a princess. I’m an imperial princess.”

“My apologies. Your Highness the Imperial Princess, please look ahead—it’s dangerous.”

“How could it be dangerous when you’re holding me? Why can’t I look back?”

Lilith spoke with a fluency that was hard to believe for a four-year-old. Helio always found himself delightfully caught off guard by his young daughter’s eloquence.

“Well, the imperial princess of the Carlo Empire has no need to look back.”

It was a flimsy excuse, as if to say she could keep asking questions for as long as she wanted.

Lilith giggled and hugged Helio’s neck tightly.

“Alright, I’ll let it slide.”

“I am most honored, Your Highness.”

Helio exaggerated his words as he adjusted the small child in his arms. Then, turning to Carl, he playfully extended his other arm.

“Your Highness the Imperial Prince, the stairs can be dangerous. May I carry you as well?”

The stairs in the imperial palace were as grand as its dignity. For an adult, they were a familiar sight, but for a young child, they were undoubtedly daunting.

Even so, Carl shook his head and simply held Helio’s hand tightly.

“Just hold my hand, Father. I can walk on my own.”

His mature yet endearing response made the surrounding maids want to squeal in delight, but they remained composed and held their positions.

Seeing them restrain themselves, Helio smiled proudly and began ascending the stairs at an exceptionally slow pace so that Carl could keep up.

By the time the three of them reached the Empress’s chamber, the door opened, and Liliana appeared. She stood with her usual grace and warmth.

It was hard to believe she had just woken up—she looked perfectly composed.

It was curious that she wore a thin scarf at this late hour, but even that suited her dignified presence.

“Carl, Lilith. Come here.”

Liliana kissed Carl and Lilith on the cheeks one after the other. Each time she drew near, a floral scent surrounded them, making the two children break into bright smiles.

She playfully poked Carl’s nose and asked,

“You said you were afraid of thunder and lightning, but you don’t look scared at all. You actually came to protect your mother and father, didn’t you? How brave of you.”

At that, Carl’s face turned red.

In truth, he had been scared of the thunder and lightning, but Liliana always pretended not to notice and instead praised the children’s courage. That alone made courage well up within them.

Liliana called for Minelli, the head maid of the Empress’s palace.

“Minelli, could you help them change into fresh clothes? And bring some extra pillows.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Your Highnesses, this way, please…”

As Helio set Lilith down, Carl immediately took her hand as if he had been waiting for this moment. He now brimmed with determination, as though it was his turn to protect his younger sister.

Lilith giggled and followed Minelli with Carl. Just before the bedroom door closed, she glanced back.

Helio was reaching for Liliana’s scarf when she shot him a sharp look and lightly smacked his chest.

“I told you not to touch my neck…”