Chloe skillfully patted the small back that was squirming, wanting the bowl returned.

Even amid the brief commotion, Elliott was still carefully chewing and swallowing his remaining portion of chestnuts. Chloe burst into joyful laughter at the contrasting twins.

Just then, a maid who crossed the threshold with quick steps announced Andert’s arrival.

“My lady, the duke has just returned home.”

Roman, who had been distracted watching the young lady and young master, only then checked the time. But it was an earlier return than the duke’s known schedule.

As he hurriedly left the reception room with proper etiquette, Chloe also slowly moved. She held Gloria and Elliott’s hands on either side.

The fragrance of flowers that had crossed through the wide-open window filled the air everywhere. At the end of the corridor illuminated by the late spring sun that had not yet set, Andert appeared.

“Daddy!”

“Daddy.”

Young voices calling him simultaneously burst from between plump lips.

Chloe slowly released the hands she had been holding firmly. As if they had been waiting, the two children toddled toward their father on the opposite side.

Andert bent his waist and waited patiently for the short-strided steps to reach him. Though this greeting was repeated almost every evening, the emotion of this moment remained the same.

When the two children with their plump baby fat rushed into his arms, an indescribable feeling would surge.

“Gloria, Elliott. Did you have a good day today?”

Speaking to them alternately with a voice mixed with laughter, he rose with the children in both arms. Then, as always, he kissed Chloe’s cheek as she approached. It was like a greeting with a set order, but each part was too precious to be done carelessly.

However, his gaze meeting Chloe’s eyes was suddenly blocked by a small head that intruded.

“Me too. Me too.”

“Mommy.”

At the same time, short arms firmly wrapped around Chloe’s neck. Soon after, Elliott and Gloria, held by their father, began competitively showering their mother with kisses.

Chloe’s cheeks were soon covered with saliva left by small lips. Andert, who had been watching with satisfaction as Chloe was captured by two baby angels who were lovely but aggressive, couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Children’s chattering and laughter, which had now become part of everyday life, spread throughout the space that had been silent for a long time.

* * *

After Elliott and Gloria’s first birthday, Chloe gradually began taking on work again. Of course, this was only within limits that wouldn’t worry Andert or strain her body.

“My lady, forgive my presumption, but allow me to speak out of turn. Please reconsider any work that involves staying up all night or accumulating excessive fatigue as you did before.”

When she mentioned resuming work, Roman made this resolute request as if he was already afraid. Since Chloe had no intention of doing so, she calmed his anxiety with a composed answer.

“Of course, don’t worry. I won’t do that.”

Continuing to move forward for a dream she wanted to pursue was meaningful time spent. But not at the expense of sacrificing the happiness she felt now.

Fortunately, Andert didn’t immediately shake his head but offered calm encouragement.

“Go ahead.”

His words gave her more strength than any grand speech could.

Chloe, who resumed the column series she had handled until giving birth, sat down at her typewriter. Soon, the repetitive typing sounds filled the study.

Chloe’s work continued until evening when the sun began to set outside the window. But when the clock passed 6 PM, she closed her unfinished manuscript without regret and stood up. This was also a promise she had made to herself.

After neatly arranging the pens she had used to one side, Chloe left the study. As soon as she took one step down the stairs after passing through the corridor, she heard the children’s giggling laughter from downstairs.

Chloe paused briefly on the stairs illuminated by the reddish sunset. This everyday life that she encountered so naturally was sometimes overwhelming. And precious.

“Me too, me too.”

Even during that brief moment, Elliott and Gloria’s giggles as they pleaded didn’t stop.

It was an age when they rejoiced as if they had gained the world even for simple towel games. This time, they seemed absorbed in yet another game.

Just then, hurried footsteps followed as if someone was being greeted. There was only one person who would visit House Dietrich at this hour.

“Andert.”

After calling this familiar name, Chloe began descending the stairs again. It was time to meet her favorite moment of the day when her beloved family gathered together.

* * *

Chloe gently wrapped her fingers around the necklace chain handed to her.

They had gone for a walk after leaving the two children, who had headed to their bedroom earlier than usual, in the care of their nannies. This was thanks to Gloria and Elliott, who had been running around all day, falling early into dreamland.

What emerged from Andert’s pocket as they walked hand in hand slowly was a necklace. But its appearance was somehow familiar.

It was the necklace in which she had kept his photograph.

Though it looked very similar, it wasn’t the same one. The dangling medal was larger, and the platinum chain and body gleamed much more intricately.

“I asked them to make it as similar as possible. I wanted to formally gift it to you.”

At Andert’s words, Chloe nodded slightly. Click—opening the delicately finished locking mechanism revealed the image of their family of four.

“It’s our…… photo.”

What was contained on both sides of the medal was a picture taken a few months ago. On one side were herself and Andert smiling brightly. On the other side were Elliott and Gloria dressed adorably.

Chloe looked with deepened eyes at the photograph taken to commemorate the children’s first birthday.

“Please cherish this necklace, Chloe.”

Andert calmly conveyed his small wish.

“Please throw away the necklace. It’s an item that left my possession since I left it behind.”

These were the words Chloe had said when they reunited in Bergen that day in the past. But even afterward, he would often gaze endlessly at his photo contained in the medal.

Because the necklace left behind seemed like Chloe’s heart that had been completely directed toward him for a long time.

And now he wanted to gift Chloe with images of them together. Along with unchanging love.

“Thank you…… so much.”

As he gazed intently at Chloe whose eyes had reddened, he gently caressed the corner of her eye.

She was someone who expressed gratitude for small things and never forgot to return that feeling. If they were counting things to be thankful for, he was clearly the one with an overwhelming debt to repay.

“I’ve done so many wrongs to you that I don’t think I can repay them all in this lifetime……”

Andert added these words softly, feeling a rising numbness.

Recently, he had attended a play with Chloe. The performance, which lasted over three hours, was a passionate love story where the male and female protagonists met again even after repeated lifetimes. Until the curtain call rang and the performers finished their greetings on stage, only one thought occurred to him.

‘The next life.’

If it were possible, he would certainly want to meet Chloe again, even if he had to sell his soul.

Although he couldn’t be certain whether such luck would be granted to him. But one thing he could know precisely was what version of himself would face Chloe in the next life.

He could clearly envision himself trying desperately to win her heart, even if he received an unsatisfactory response, because that’s who he was.

“So please meet me again in the next life too. Don’t discard me.”

The tenderness melting into his slightly cracking voice added gentle ripples to Chloe’s heart. Chloe, firmly grasping the necklace, nodded without hesitation.

“I will. Andert, I promise. I’ll probably fall for you without fail on any day.”

Andert’s perfect smile spread at her reply, which came back like a pledge that she would recognize him first.

Chloe, holding his straight-jointed hand, stepped again onto the walking path dyed with greenery.

As flower petals that had poked their heads out in the breeze bowed, insects raised their voices as if they had been waiting. As dusk settled, the rose scent tickling their noses deepened.

“Chloe.”

At the familiar call from beside her, Chloe raised her head habitually.

Andert’s eyes, which became clearer as the surroundings darkened, held his beloved person completely. At the end of their gazes meeting, Chloe’s gentle smile melted in.

Even without saying everything explicitly, their hearts warmly intertwined now, and she felt happy. The summer evening, full of fresh vitality, was both an ordinary day and a special moment.

Like one of the many days Chloe would face with her beloved family in the future.

<END>