At least adults could act on their own judgement, but children had no choice but to be swayed by those around them. Despite knowing this, she was still planning to use him like a pawn on a chessboard.

Was it guilt?

The idea that she still had the capacity for guilt was almost laughable.

Nevertheless, the thought that Zephion’s affection might one day turn to hatred stayed with her.

It was only because he was the first child she had ever dealt with; nothing more. That’s why it was bothering her a little.

Reina steadied her thoughts.

The river had already changed course. There was no way to turn it back now.

She couldn’t kill Zephion now, nor could she abandon him. All she could do was run towards the ending she had envisaged from the beginning.

“Reina, when I grow up, I’ll definitely take responsibility for you.”

“Ha.”

A dry laugh escaped her lips.

“I’ll help you walk and massage your leg, too.”

They were childish words, yet they made her feel unsteady.

She reached out and tousled his damp, dark hair, which was still slightly sticky with sweat.

“All right.”

The sunlight was pleasantly warm and the breeze cool and crisp.

Reina stole a glance at Zephion, who was sitting beside her, before turning her gaze back to the sky. He had quite adamantly insisted that they go on a picnic when the weather was nice, claiming it was a rule he had learned somewhere. And so, the two of them ended up in the garden together.

‘This isn’t so bad.’

After happily tucking into the snacks that Rose had packed for him, the child attempted to read a few lines from his book. But it wasn’t long before he began to nod off, eventually falling asleep.

Was being around children always this peaceful? Or was Zephion simply that kind of presence for her?

Reina found herself lost in thought, then shook her head slightly.

She didn’t want to disturb the peace she had achieved.

She had been enjoying the slow, quiet afternoon when she saw a man approaching with determined strides. This made her rise to her feet. Perhaps sensing something in the air, the child beside her stirred and slowly opened his drowsy eyes.

“Reina?”

A small hand clutched at the hem of her skirt.

Reina leaned on her cane and stood up. Zephion, still blinking in confusion, frowned when he caught sight of Kaelid.

“Reina, I thought playing house wasn’t really your thing.”

The man who had approached her scoffed lightly and lowered his head towards hers. Reina offered no reply, merely dipping her head slightly. There was nothing more she could say to a man who had never bothered to hide his displeasure whenever she was with the child.

“If it’s a family game you want, I don’t mind joining in.”

A large hand gripped her arm. Seeing this, Zephion tightened his hold on the hem of her skirt.

Reina gently tapped the back of his small hand. The boy’s shoulders slumped and, after hesitating for a moment, he released the fabric he had been clinging to so tightly. Reina exhaled quietly in relief.

She had warned Zephion on more than one occasion not to interfere when Kaelid came to take her away. There was no benefit in provoking him further. If he ever decided that he could no longer tolerate Zephion’s presence, she had no idea what might happen.

Until Zephion was able to protect himself, she would have to keep her head down and endure. She had asked Yuta to watch over the child, but no amount of caution could guarantee their safety while living under the same roof as Kaelid in House Berend.

Reina stumbled as Kaelid pulled her forward by the hand. Her cane slipped from under her, throwing her off balance, but the man offered her no support. He didn’t even reach for her.

Zephion, who had been left behind, instinctively stepped forward, but froze at once under her silent gaze, which told him not to follow.

“When you have your own child, playing house will probably be a lot more fun.”

“I don’t need any more family.”

At these words, Kaelid let out a low chuckle, seemingly amused.

“Ah, right. You and I are already family, aren’t we?”

“……”

“My sweet little sister.”

He lightly tapped her on the cheek. Reina turned her head slightly to avoid his touch and frowned. Displeased by her reaction, Kaelid’s lips twisted.

“I hear you’ve been spending time with him lately.”

“Not that much—”

Before she could finish, his large hand clamped tightly around her jaw. As always, Kaelid’s grip was merciless. His fingers pressed so hard that her cheek ached under the pressure. With a mocking smile, he leaned in closer.

“Just a brat, is that it?”

Instead of answering, she gasped; her jaw felt as though it might shatter under his grip.

“I told you before. Even if he’s just a brat, he’s still a man.”

“You say it like I actually have feelings for him.”

“Go on. Tell me it’s not true.”

Reina couldn’t help but laugh. The moment the sound escaped her lips, Kaelid’s face twisted with fury.

“It’s not.”

Although she did feel pity and guilt towards the child, as well as a strange sense of comfort, she had never experienced the feelings that Kaelid was suggesting.

“You’re disgusting.”

She met his blue eyes squarely and spat the words out clearly. Then she slapped his hand away sharply. To her surprise, he let go without resistance.

“You belong to me.”

“You don’t sound so sure. The fact that you’re so threatened by a child speaks volumes.”

She almost laughed again. What would he do if he ever found out that she had slept with countless other men?

Yuta had stayed closer to her than anyone else, hiding in plain sight, and slept with her countless times. Perhaps Kaelid had never considered that possibility. After all, Yuta was loyal to House Berend, wasn’t he? So loyal, in fact, that Kaelid trusted him implicitly.

How laughable. Did he not know that loyalty could waver in the name of love? That vows of allegiance could become blurred the moment desire was introduced?

Kaelid reached out and grabbed a fistful of her hair, yanking hard.

“Ah—!”

Reina cried out, her head jerking back as a sharp pain lanced through her scalp. Her neck arched sharply, but the pain didn’t subside.

“Don’t get cocky, Reina.”

Kaelid whispered, his voice slow and deliberate despite the violence of his grip.

“The more you care about that thing, the more it’ll cost you.”

It was a threat—clear and cruel. It meant he could snuff out Zephion’s life at any moment and feel nothing. And if Zephion truly was the last heir of Baltgar? All the better. He’d likely relish it.

“You don’t have to threaten me, that’s not something you need to worry about.”

‘At least… not with Zephion.’

“I only took him in because I pitied him.”

“When have you ever pitied anyone?”

Kaelid’s voice dripped with disbelief. Reina stared at him quietly.

“You’re right, I don’t pity him.”

She was too hardened inside to be capable of feeling something as selfless as compassion. Didn’t she feel the same way when she first met Zephion? It was simply the inevitable tide of the times.

“Still, you said I could have anything.”

She glared into his cold blue eyes, which seemed ready to snap the boy’s neck at any moment.

‘Did he even suspect that one day Zephion might strangle her instead?’

When that moment came, she intended to laugh loudly and cruelly in Kaelid’s face. Of course, she would be the next to die. But what did it matter? Once her revenge was complete, even death would be welcome. After everything was over, life itself would lose all meaning.

“You said I could have whatever I wanted as a spoil of war. You knew better than anyone that he was the only thing I could take.”

Perhaps the way she spoke of the child as if he were an object amused Kaelid — he burst into laughter.

“What I do with him is up to me. He’s mine, after all.”

Reina grabbed his wrist. She couldn’t break free from his grip, but his iron-like hand finally loosened its hold on her hair just a little.

“Even if he is yours.”

He murmured, leaning in so close that she could see the change in his blue eyes.

“Don’t forget – you’re mine.”

“It’s not like you ever let me forget.”

Kaelid kissed her parted lips and pulled her tightly into his arms. His tongue slipped past her lips and pushed deep inside her mouth.

“Mm… ugh…”

A faint moan escaped her as his tongue stroked the inside of her mouth. Her eyes shifted slightly — Zephion was still standing where he had been before.

The child stared at them, his eyes wide, trying to make sense of what he was seeing and understand the meaning of this act.

Reina pushed hard against Kaelid’s chest, but he only held her tighter, crushing the breath from her lungs. She tried to twist her head away, but he tightened his grip on her hair again.

“Ugh… hngh…”

Kaelid frowned at her reaction, then slowly turned his head to look at Zephion.

Their eyes met. A long silence passed.

Then Zephion was the first to run. Clutching his fists tightly, he ran as fast as he could.

Kaelid almost said something mocking about how pathetic it was to take a child so seriously. The words rose to his throat, but he didn’t speak them.

Instead, he turned and began walking towards the spot where Zephion had stood, still gripping Reina’s arm tightly.