One peaceful morning, the eldest daughter, Ayla, brought up a topic at the breakfast table.

“Father, Mother, I was thinking of inviting the royal painter to create a new family portrait for our upcoming seventeenth birthday.”

“Oh my, is that so?”

“Yes. I think it’s about time we updated our family portrait.”

“That’s true. It’s been quite some time, and you’ve all grown so much.”

Kael smiled with satisfaction, his expression filled with pride. Amidst the warm atmosphere, the youngest daughter, Claire, spoke up.

“Oh! Great-grandmother mentioned something! Princess Roselia is coming to visit!”

“Oh my, really? Will Queen Jahad and her husband be joining her as well?”

“I’m not sure about that, but the princess sent this letter ahead of time.”

“Let me see.”

Claire handed the letter to Aella, who squinted at the handwriting, trying to decipher it.

“Is this supposed to be writing or a drawing?”

“Kael.”

“Ahem.”

Handing the letter back to her daughter, Aella asked if she understood its contents.

“Of course not~ That’s why I was going to ask, sister! Can I borrow your translation glasses for a moment?”

“…Claire, if I give them to you, they’ll never survive. Hand it over. I’ll translate it for you.”

“Tch… Fine, here!”

“Hm… It seems the princess has written something akin to a painting.”

“Ayla, come on. What does it say?”

“Just a moment.”

Ayla put on the glasses and began reading.

“Oh my…”

“What’s wrong?”

“It seems Princess Roselia has feelings for Noah. She’s coming to confess and is asking Claire to help her out.”

“What?!”

The dining room fell silent in an instant. Aella turned her gaze toward Noah, his expression unreadable.

“I’ll speak to the princess and handle it.”

“Noah, you know what the princess is like.”

“So? What? Are you saying I should accept her feelings?”

“No! That’s not what I meant…”

“Noah.”

“Apologies. I’m sorry, Claire.”

“No, it’s fine, brother.”

Aella, unsure of how to proceed, looked to her husband for help.

“Noah.”

“Yes, Father.”

“I trust you.”

“Yes, Father.”

Noah turned to Siana, gently cupping her cheek before placing a kiss on her forehead. Aella’s eyes widened in surprise.

“D-Dear?!”

“Trust me.”

“Ah… I don’t know anymore!”

“Siana!”

As the two left the room, the dining hall filled with the laughter of Kael and Claire.

“My apologies, Duke. And to you as well, madam.”

“There’s no need to apologize, Ian. Or should I say, future in-law?”

“D-Duke…”

“When Noah inherits the title of Viscount, we’ll arrange the engagement for those two.”

Aella smiled warmly as she watched the couple express their gratitude to her husband. Her attention shifted to her youngest daughter, Claire, who spoke in a voice filled with dissatisfaction.

“Why, Claire? What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong? Isn’t it obvious?! This is so unfair! When I said I wanted to get engaged to Terry, you were so against it!”

“Were you that upset about it?”

“Of course! Really… sniff, sniff…”

As Claire covered her face with both hands and began to cry, Ayla sat beside her, comforting her. Aella glanced at her husband.

Kael stood from his seat, knelt beside his youngest daughter, and took her hands in his, meeting her gaze.

“Claire, my precious youngest.”

“Sniff, sniff…”

“You know how much your father loves you, don’t you?”

Claire nodded silently, and Kael pulled her into a warm embrace, cradling her head gently.

“Honestly, I’d love nothing more than to keep you and your sister by my side forever. But I know I can’t do that, and it pains me deeply. I’m sorry for being so narrow-minded. Forgive me.”

“Father…”

“When the day comes for my beautiful Claire to become the Crown Princess, I’ll make sure you’re the most stunning woman in the world. I’ve already started having a dress made just for you, and I’ve asked His Majesty to build a villa within the palace grounds just for you.”

Hearing this, Aella covered her mouth in surprise, a smile spreading across her face.

“Father! I love you so much! Truly!”

“I love you too, Claire. Now, Ayla…”

“I’ll be heading out now.”

“That one… Haha, who does she take after?”

Kael laughed awkwardly, and Aella couldn’t help but join in.

—

After the meal, Derek, the grandfather, spoke to his grandson Terry.

“Terry, I hear you’ve been learning swordsmanship from the Duke of Hormons.”

“Yes, Grandfather. Once I master the magic sword, he said he’d teach me summoning techniques as well.”

“Haha, good, good. I’m so proud of you. By the way, it’s a shame about Amy suddenly catching the flu.”

“My apologies, Father. It’s my fault as her mother for not taking better care of her.”

“Why would you think such a thing, Elena?”

“Mother… But how could I not know my child had a fever? What if Amy thinks I neglect her because I’m not her biological mother?”

Unable to hold back her tears, Elena apologized and bowed her head.

“We’ll take our leave now.”

“Very well.”

“Elena.”

“Yes, Mother?”

As Elena raised her head, Alenoa, her mother-in-law, approached her. Her son stepped aside as Alenoa gently embraced Elena, patting her back.

“No matter what anyone says, Amy is a princess of this royal family and the daughter you and Julius have embraced with your hearts. Never forget that.”

“Mother!”

Watching the two women cling to each other, Julius smiled softly before turning to his father.

“I hear you’ve been getting along with the Duke of Hormons lately. What’s changed?”

“Well, it’s about time we both started acting our age, don’t you think?”

As his father laughed, Julius chuckled as well, and Terry glanced out the window.

‘I miss you so much, Claire. I wish time would pass more quickly. I don’t want to be apart from you for even a moment.’

—

Later, upon hearing the news that Princess Amy was bedridden with the flu, Aella hurried to leave the house.

“Mother.”

“Ayla? What is it?”

“I’ll go with you.”

“To the palace?”

Ayla nodded silently, and Aella found it curious. Her daughter, who usually avoided such trips, now wanted to accompany her.

As they boarded the carriage, Aella asked why Ayla was so willing to go to the palace this time.

“The Empress sent me a letter.”

“The Empress?!”

“Yes. She said she has a request for me.”

“I see.”

Though she couldn’t imagine what Elena might want from her daughter, Aella decided to wait and find out.

‘Still, Ayla reminds me more of Kael as she grows older. No, perhaps she’s even more like him…’

As her eldest daughter grew quieter with age, Aella found herself feeling more distant from her. But then, Ayla spoke up.

“Mother.”

“Yes, Ayla?”

“I have something on my mind.”

“Tell me, my dear. I’ll listen to anything.”

“Well…”

For the first time, Ayla opened up to her mother. After hearing everything, Aella covered her mouth with her hands, tears welling in her eyes.

“Mother? Why are you crying?”

“Ayla, I was worried you’d spend your life alone. That’s all.”

“Oh, Mother, don’t cry.”

“Alright, alright. My apologies. So, Ayla, you’re saying Joshua has been on your mind?”

“Yes. After hearing what Noah said, I can’t stop thinking about him… I can’t act normal around him anymore.”

Aella smiled softly.

‘This child truly takes after her father in every way.’

Reaching out, Aella gently held her daughter’s wrist.

“Mother.”

“Why not try expressing your feelings to Joshua? Just as you are now.”

“I’m worried it might burden him.”

“It’s better than being awkward. And I think it’s the right thing to do. Trust me, Ayla.”

“Yes, Mother. Thank you so much.”

Holding hands, the two shared a warm smile.

When they arrived at the palace, Aella immediately treated Princess Amy’s flu.

“Oh, Aella! Thank you so much! Truly!”

“Please, don’t cry, Your Majesty. By the way, why did you call for Ayla?”

“Oh, it’s a shameless request, but for Azet…”

“I see…”

“I’m sorry.”

“Your Majesty, really.”

After comforting the apologetic Empress, Aella and her daughter went to see Azet.

“I believe that with regular infusions of divine power, pregnancy may be possible.”

“R-Really?! Lady Ayla!”

“I’ll do my best, so please don’t lose hope.”

“Thank you so much!”

As Ayla infused divine power into Azet, Aella watched her daughter with pride.

‘She’s truly amazing. I’m so proud of you, Ayla.’

Aella recalled Ayla’s infancy, remembering how she had protected her younger siblings even as a baby.

Imagining her daughter, now a renowned archmage admired across the continent, Aella felt her heart swell with emotion.

After finishing their tasks, Aella and Ayla prepared to leave but decided to visit the Emperor and Dowager Empress first.

“It’s been a while, Your Majesty, and Dowager Empress.”

“Welcome, Duchess. Thank you for curing our Amy’s flu.”

“It was nothing.”

Suddenly, the Dowager Empress laughed, leaving Aella puzzled.

“Alenoa, what’s so funny?”

Even the Emperor seemed confused, but Alenoa simply smiled at Aella.

“Duchess.”

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

“Congratulations.”

“Pardon?”

Seeing Aella’s surprise, Alenoa spoke again.

“This time, you’re carrying a son who looks just like you.”