Side Story Chapter 5 

 The child grew rapidly. 

 There was no need to worry as Calred grew up healthy. 

 Though he had to receive education at the temple occasionally with Amon, Calred never complained. 

 “Can I go see Mother after this is finished?” 

 “Of course.” 

 He acted as if fulfilling his duties was only natural. 

 However, there was something others didn’t know — that was how Calred behaved only in front of Selvia. 

 “Mom!” 

 Gone was his dignified appearance as the young boy called out to Selvia while running. 

 Selvia embraced Calred. 

 “I don’t want to go to the temple anymore.” 

 “Why?” 

 “Too many annoying things keep happening.” 

 “Isn’t that because you haven’t learned to control your power yet?” 

 At Selvia’s words, Calred firmly shook his head. 

 “They would have followed me around even without my power.” 

 Calred’s confidence surely came from his appearance that resembled Ratius. However, unable to refute, Selvia could only laugh. 

 “This is troubling. You’ll have to attend social gatherings when you grow up.” 

 “Just thinking about it is annoying!” 

 Seeing Calred shake his head, the smile that spread across Selvia’s face wouldn’t fade. 

 “And it doesn’t even work on Mom.” 

 “It has no effect on me.” 

 Ratius’s power also had no effect on her. 

 “Mom is strange. Dad’s power doesn’t work either, but why are you so head over heels for him?” 

 “That’s for the same reason I love Calred. Even without using power, Mom is always head over heels for Dad and you.” 

 Calred slightly pushed out his lips. Though she didn’t know what made him so upset, it seemed something wasn’t going his way. 

 “Calred, do you have something troubling you?” 

 “It’s just that lately, there’s a girl who catches my eye — she resembles Mom.” 

 “Really?” 

 “She doesn’t have black hair like the night sky like Mom, but her hair color is pretty like red roses.” 

 “And?” 

 “Umm. Her eyes seem to sparkle like amethysts too.” 

 Selvia watched Calred while trying to hold back her laughter. It seemed he had taken a liking to that girl. 

 “She must be quite pretty.” 

 “Not particularly.” 

 Calred shrugged while drinking his tea. She hadn’t expected him to develop feelings for someone, so she pretended not to know and asked teasingly. 

 “Does that girl hate you?” 

 “……No!” 

 “Then why are you upset?” 

 “I’m not upset.” 

 Seeing his reddened face, it seemed Selvia’s guess was right. 

 Red hair wasn’t common, so she could probably guess who Calred was talking about. 

 It must be Ophelia’s cousin’s niece. 

 “I should invite her when Ophelia comes.” 

 “D-don’t do that!” 

 Calred waved his hands frantically. Selvia tilted her head and asked. 

 “Why? I just wanted to have tea together.” 

 “……” 

 “Tell me if you want to join us, Calred.” 

 At those words, Calred lowered his head deeply and nodded. 

* * *

 While talking with Amon, Ratius casually asked. 

 “How does Calred seem?” 

 “He’s adapting well. When he grows a bit more, he should be able to control it well. Actually, rather than his ability, it seems something else draws people to him……” 

 “He is handsome.” 

 Ratius nodded while stroking his chin. Amon sighed and read the prophecy. 

 At that moment, Ratius’s gaze turned to a child entering with a scroll. 

 ‘Seems familiar somehow.’ 

 Unable to quite place who it reminded him of, he stared intently until Amon finally gestured toward the child. 

 “I greet Your Majesty the Emperor. I am Agate.” 

 Agate. 

 This was his first time seeing him in person. Ratius nodded slightly. The ring was still on the child’s finger. 

 ‘Does he not question it at all?’ 

 Of course not, since his memories were erased. Looking closely, he seemed to resemble Leliana. Occasionally showing traces of that bastard’s face too. 

 “Your Majesty. Wouldn’t it be better to return now?” 

 “Ah, yes.” 

 Reading Ratius’s mood, Amon carefully asked. He glanced at the clock before rising from his seat. 

 “You seem to have a talent for child-rearing.” 

 “……Please don’t say such things.” 

 Amon shook his head. He added that Agate had simply grown up well on his own. 

 “High Priest?” 

 Agate tilted his head while listening to their conversation. 

 “Put the prophecy over there. You did well today too.” 

 “Yes!” 

 Agate smiled brightly at the praise. He was just an innocent child. Ratius felt sorry for momentarily thinking of that trash. 

 ‘The child is innocent.’ 

 Though he felt sorry for making him live with erased memories, he had no intention of returning them. 

 Adult matters should end at the adult level. 

* * *

 “Thank you for inviting me. I am Adele Serentia.” 

 Seeing Adele curtsy with her skirts spread, Calred glanced at her before stiffly fixing his gaze forward. 

 “Thank you for accepting the invitation.” 

 “You don’t know how happy Adele was to receive Your Majesty the Empress’s invitation.” 

 At Ophelia’s words, Adele sat down with a shy smile. 

 “I hope you enjoy your time here.” 

 Adele responded with a bright smile. Seeing that, Calred creaked like a broken machine. 

 How adorable. 

 “Have you ever seen Calred like this before?” 

 Selvia whispered to Ratius. She had really invited Ophelia and her niece. 

 And when Ratius heard about it, he prepared a formal dinner, making it a bigger event. 

 The reason was that he hoped things would go well between his son and the girl he liked. 

 However, seeing the embarrassed Calred now made him want to laugh. 

 Selvia quickly noticed his reaction and whispered. 

 “Don’t tease him. He might get hurt.” 

 “If he gets hurt by something like this, he shouldn’t be a man.” 

 At Ratius’s words, Selvia narrowed her eyes and jabbed his side. 

 Fortunately, dinner proceeded pleasantly. When dessert came out, an anxious look crossed Calred’s face. 

 “The garden is well-tended. Why don’t you two go for a walk?” 

 “A walk in the palace garden sounds wonderful.” 

 “You’ll like it. Calred, will you guide Adele?” 

 “Yeah, sure. I’ll do that.” 

 Calred barely composed his expression and stood up. When the two children left the dining room, everyone burst out laughing that they’d been holding in. 

 “Aren’t they so cute?” 

 “You told me not to tease, but you seem the most excited.” 

 “Because they’re so cute.” 

 “You don’t know how much Adele has been looking forward to this day. It seems she’s pretending not to be interested in Calred.” 

 At Ophelia’s words, Selvia’s eyes grew round. 

 “What adorable children.” 

 But she had no intention of interfering. 

 “I have some good wine. How about drinking comfortably today?” 

 “I would be honored. Though Hazel will be jealous if she finds out.” 

 “It’ll be fine if we invite her separately next time.” 

 Ratius touched Selvia’s finger lightly while resting his chin on his hand. 

 “Not tonight. I’m going to play with my friend.” 

 “Rejected again.” 

 “Can’t help it even if you say that.” 

 At Selvia’s firm attitude, Ratius had no choice but to continue the gathering together. 

* * *

 After drinking who knows how much, Selvia fell asleep breathing steadily in Ratius’s arms. 

 He carefully laid her on the bed and sat on its edge. 

 Calred had returned with a bright expression, seemingly having enjoyed his walk with Adele. 

 Though he tried to hide it, Ratius could see right through his son’s heart. 

 “W-why are you looking at me like that?” 

 “How am I looking at you?” 

 “Ahem. I’m going to bed first since I’m going on another walk with Adele tomorrow.” 

 “Not saying goodnight to your mother?” 

 “Can’t help it with Dad standing guard.” 

 “That doesn’t seem right. Seeing your red face, aren’t you running to your room to calm your racing heart?” 

 “……N-no I’m not!” 

 Realizing his father had seen through his feelings, Calred hurriedly fled to his room. 

 “So cute.” 

 His son seemed to grow more adorable with each passing day. 

 Entering the room, Ratius added instructions that they should not be disturbed. 

 Ratius didn’t mind this moment now that he could finally have her to himself. Just looking at her face beside him was satisfying. 

 Even as time passed, she remained beautiful in his eyes, and his heart fluttered every time he saw her. 

 Though some might say it was impossible, that’s how it was for him. 

 Because Selvia was someone who made him tremble just by existing. 

 “Sweet dreams, Selvia.” 

 He kissed her forehead and closed his eyes. He hoped she would have good dreams.