* * *

Theo stared fiercely at the area below the terrace window.

Yuelina sat at a well-maintained garden table drinking tea. Camilla was with her.

That damned old hag still hasn’t gone home.

Despite saying the empire was chaotic and busy, Camilla kept delaying her departure date.

When Yuelina went on a week-long spring outing, she stayed behind claiming she would look after the household in her place.

When Yuelina returned from her trip, Camilla still hadn’t left, saying she wanted to help with household matters.

Summer was approaching soon.

In summer, Letitia was scheduled to visit the principality for her summer vacation.

Theo frowned.

The Black Mansion never had visitors when Yuelina wasn’t around.

But now, every season. No, every hour, guests were visiting.

“?”

Theo, who had been watching Yuelina and Camilla, tilted his head.

Yuelina had suddenly stood up from her seat with a flushed face.

Camilla crossed her arms as she watched Yuelina run away as if escaping. Then she shook her head, seemingly displeased.

Theo clenched his fist.

Somehow, it seemed like Camilla had scolded Yuelina.

If she had scolded her, Theo was determined not to let Camilla off the hook.

Camilla had never visited the principality when Karenrose, the Grand Duchess and Theo’s mother, was alive.

So he couldn’t understand why she was now coming to the principality and meddling belatedly.

“Your Highness, are you in?”

Just then, Ulysse visited the study with work documents.

“Ulysse. Does Camilla interfere much in Yuelina’s affairs?”

“Hmm, when Her Highness the Grand Duchess was away on her trip, she did organize all the mansion’s ledgers.”

“Really?”

Ulysse adjusted his glasses and continued.

“Yes. There were more holes than expected. She did point out all the unnecessary expenditures.”

“And with Yuelina?”

“She compiled a list of social gatherings in the principality and informed her…… Ah! She also taught her what’s needed when hosting social gatherings.”

Theo’s expression twisted into a scowl. On the other hand, Ulysse was dumbfounded.

“W-what’s wrong?”

“It’s wrong. It means she criticized Yuelina as if she did something wrong.”

“……I-is that so? But thanks to Madam Camilla, we were able to prevent useless expenditures this time…… And we could also remodel the banquet hall?”

“Who cares about that? How hurt must Yuelina’s pride be?”

Ulysse blinked his eyes.

“Her pride is hurt?”

“Yes. How would you feel if someone criticized the nest a crow-tit had worked hard to build?”

“Why are you suddenly talking about crow-t*ts again……”

“This won’t do. That woman, I need to send her away.”

Theo stood up abruptly and went outside.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Camilla was still finishing her tea.

He sat down rudely in front of her without even greeting her. She raised one eyebrow.

“Did you want to have a tea party with this old lady?”

“I’m warning you, don’t say anything to Yuelina.”

Theo raised his voice firmly. Camilla stared at him.

“What did I do?”

“Stop meddling in household matters.”

“Ridiculous.”

Camilla clicked her tongue.

“I organized tasks that she was struggling with, things she should have delegated to the servants.”

“……Anyway.”

“I advised her that a mistress should manage, while using servants for what they’re meant for.”

“……I heard you said something about social gatherings too.”

Camilla chuckled while leaning back in her chair.

“Yes. She was writing personal letters in response to overflowing invitations, so I sorted out the ones she didn’t need to reply to.”

“……Yuelina likes to do everything personally.”

“I did it because I was worried her wrist might break.”

Theo gradually lost his words.

Somehow, the more he talked with her, the more he felt like he was being pointed out as a husband indifferent to Yuelina’s affairs.

“What did you say to her just now?”

“What?”

“What did you say that made Yuelina run away with a hurt expression?”

“……You saw that? Sigh. Are you working or not? I don’t think even a doting husband would be like you.”

Camilla filled her teacup to the brim with tea from the pot.

Theo narrowed his brows.

“Don’t say anything to her. Whatever it is, if she wants to do it, she will do it.”

“Who said what?”

“……It’s honestly laughable that you’re interfering now.”

A dark shadow fell over Camilla’s previously relaxed face.

She stared at Theo with a hardened expression.

“I know. That you hate me.”

“……”

“I’m sorry. Although it’s late, I apologize if my actions have hurt you.”

Camilla was sincere.

When her son went to the principality despite her opposition to the marriage, Camilla felt as if a part of her body had been cut off.

She lived believing that the pain was right.

She had made decisions firmly throughout her life and never looked back.

But lately, she realized again and again that her personality, her actions had been wrong.

She had seen with her own eyes how Theo, who had been empty inside and only went to war, had changed.

She realized that Theo’s actions, which she couldn’t understand and found frustrating, were actually because his heart was empty, because he lacked love.

Regret always comes too late. Theo would hate her for the rest of his life, and that was something she had to bear.

“I’d like to visit occasionally, if not often. I know it’s my selfishness.”

“To come and criticize Yuelina again?”

“I’m sorry for that too. I won’t do it anymore. Even if her wrist breaks from writing rejection letters, even if good money leaks out, even if I want to see my grandchild before I die, I won’t say anything.”

“……What did you say?”

Grandchild?

Theo hesitated.

“How long do you think I’ll live? I just urged a bit because I want to see my cute great-grandchild before I die.”

“……What did Yuelina say?”

“She asked about my age, then said she would try.”

“……Really?”

Theo rubbed his face with his hands.

I see.

So that’s what they were talking about.

They were having such a meaningful conversation.

“Then why did she run away with a stiff expression?”

“When I said it would be nice to have many children and to put in effort as soon as possible, she suddenly said she had an urgent matter and ran away.”

“……”

“Do you think about having children?”

Camilla examined Theo’s expression. The corner of his mouth twitched strangely.

Thinking about children?

Was she talking about Aster and Florence?

Theo had already named his son and daughter.

No, not only had he named them, but he had also looked into estates to pass down to them.

“……Don’t answer. I can tell without hearing.”

“Yuelina’s family lives far away. They can’t meet easily.”

“I heard.”

“If Yuelina likes you, I won’t stop you from coming.”

Camilla opened her eyes wide.

“If she wants it.”

“……Yes. I understand. Thank you.”

“The title of grandmother, hear it from your great-grandchildren. I won’t stop that.”

She felt a strange tightness in her nose. Even though Theo was making it clear that he wouldn’t call her ‘grandmother’……

Strangely, she felt one step closer to him.

Camilla thought that a normal family would never be part of her life.

But perhaps, if more time passed and Camilla tried and tried again, things might change.

That thread-like hope stirred Camilla’s heart.

“Alright. Then occasionally, can I invite Yuelina to my mansion?”

“……”

“She likes flowers, so I want to show her many flowers. Of course, you can come too.”

“I’ll ask Yuelina about that later.”

Theo stood up with a composed expression.

“And mother didn’t like red roses.”

“!”

“Place lilies instead.”

He bowed to Camilla and walked toward the mansion.

Camilla tried hard to swallow her tears.

“I didn’t think you would know……”

Camilla placed red roses on Karenrose’s grave on the anniversary of her death.

It was a strange guilt.

Sometimes she felt as if her son and Karenrose had truly become unhappy because she had told her son that marrying Karenrose would bring unhappiness.

As if her wicked words had driven a nail into her son’s heart and cursed them.

At such times, she pushed herself more harshly.

But now, she couldn’t be harsh to herself.

Because her heart crumbled at Theo’s single sentence.

Camilla buried her face in her hands and cried hard.

She burst into tears thinking about her son and Karenrose’s deaths, and Theo who must have had to endure time alone and lonely.

It was the moment she finally unraveled the knot buried deep in her heart.

Theo silently watched Camilla through the study window.

For the first time, he felt the love of his grandmother, Camilla.

Looking at her, he also realized that love poured out to someone who would never return was intense and painful.

So he naturally came to know that Camilla’s love for him or Yuelina, or for the children yet to be born, would be deep and solid.

“What are you doing here?”

Just then, Yuelina tapped hia back.

Theo hugged Yuelina tightly. She hesitated. Theo’s body was trembling slightly.

“Theo? What’s wrong?”

“I’m happy.”

“What?”

“It feels like we’re really going to have a family, and that’s a bit overwhelming.”

Theo kissed Yuelina’s forehead, filled with affection.