✧ʚ .·:¨༺♡༻¨:·. ɞ✧

It really hits me that Cromwell is only twenty years old.

Feeling like I should say something, I told him about a future where he lives long and healthy, but… he’s not afraid of death; he’s tired of life.

It’s amazing he lived through those 18 years in the game.

He seems to feel conflicted about going through wars and k*lling demonic beasts.

As the father of the protagonist, he couldn’t be a villain from an objective standpoint.

All the wars that occurred were neighboring countries attacking the peaceful Argo Empire first, and Cromwell was simply acting to protect his country.

The argument that without him, the damage would have been worse probably doesn’t resonate with him.

Whether he’s good or evil, the undeniable fact is that Cromwell takes the lives of others in the process.

‘He must be suffering more because he keeps it all inside.’

When you’re going through difficult times, you need to find a way to release it somehow.

Either by telling those around you, or by finding a hobby.

But he did neither. His social circle was small, and the times he opened up to others could be counted on one hand.

Filling all conversations with “I see” and “I don’t,” it’s only natural that his insides would be corroded in a way.

‘And now Emperor William is causing trouble too.’

Anyone would feel cornered.

I can clearly see the many hardships ahead for him.

‘What I can do for him right now is…’

Perhaps being someone he can confide his worries to?

It’s not a perfect solution. I don’t have that kind of power either.

But even just doing that much might help him breathe easier.

Though Cromwell’s state wouldn’t affect seeing the ending, it seems I’ve grown quite attached to him.

‘We help each other in life.’

I’m not heartless enough to ignore someone who’s suffering.

“I’ll bring you a cup of tea.”

Judging it would be helpful for him, I brought out jasmine tea.

After a few minutes of gathering his scattered thoughts, Cromwell visibly improved.

“……You said you’ve been going to battle since you were young.”

I asked as Cromwell put down his teacup.

A conversation we once had was finally continuing.

“……I was ten.”

He said in a dry voice.

Ten years.

A time that feels tediously long to some and passes in the blink of an eye to others.

Cromwell had spent half his life on the battlefield.

“My first war was the Ibala War. It lasted for four years, and I was there from beginning to end.”

He was dropped onto the battlefield under the previous Duke’s guidance. The knights were reluctant to accept the young boy.

A liability who couldn’t even pull his own weight. An annoying child they had to protect on the battlefield.

That was the welcome Cromwell received.

“Some probably wished I would die. I agree with them. No one said it outright because I was the Duke’s son, but I could feel that atmosphere.”

Cromwell spoke matter-of-factly, as if he didn’t even think it was worth being sad about.

How many experiences did he go through to talk like this?

“I met Brighton in Ibala. He took good care of me.”

He pierced together the words he had struggled to say earlier. It seems this person named Brighton has died.

Not wanting to talk about Brighton’s end, he swallowed his words.

“……”

It was a moment when I could somewhat understand why he had trouble getting attached to Anastasia.

✧ʚ .·:¨༺♡༻¨:·. ɞ✧

As the confession without absolution ended, the dawn broke.

Unlike me, who briefly closed my eyes until morning, Cromwell stayed up all night.

The second day in Lernia began.

“What are you doing?”

Though I didn’t deliberately bring up our conversation from dawn, the fact that we had shared a deep talk meant the distance between Cromwell and me had significantly decreased.

Not expecting to stay for two nights in a foreign place, Cromwell had fortunately not brought any work, and he was enjoying his leisure time.

However, unfamiliar with such boredom, he just sat straight and still, like someone who had no idea what to do.

“It’s a rare break. Aren’t you going to do anything?”

I asked while playing a flipping game with Anastasia.

From what I felt yesterday, Cromwell needed to learn about life’s pleasures more than anything else.

Having one or two small joys in life was good for mental health.

For instance, for me it was the weekly lottery number announcement on Saturdays.

Now it’s Anastasia.

—It’s not an ordinary lake. You can breathe underwater, and even if you fall in, you don’t get wet.

As I was searching for suitable entertainment for him, yesterday’s information flashed through my mind.

“Have you been to Lake Lernia?”

“No.”

Cromwell answered briefly, true to his character.

“You’ve never gone boating on such a beautiful lake? It’s a rare day off, you should go.”

Reading books on the water, eating snacks. It seemed like a good plan.

It would probably be annoying with Anastasia or me there, so he could go alone, refresh himself, and come back.

For someone who lives at odds with fun, let’s first teach him what fun is.

One can find joy in child-rearing too, but I hoped he would first experience happiness as the human ‘Jeremiah Cromwell’ rather than as a father.

“There’s a lake in Wellem too.”

“But you only work in Wellem. Or train.”

I sharply pointed out to Cromwell, who was about to make an absurd argument.

As if conceding defeat, he briefly spoke to the attendant who had been waiting:

“Prepare a small boat. I’m going to Lake Lernia with Anastasia.”

“……”

I had suggested he spend time alone, but now I was going along too.

‘I’m grateful though.’

Since I wanted to see it.

Instead of refusing, I said I would prepare Anastasia.

✧ʚ .·:¨༺♡༻¨:·. ɞ✧

The lake was completely empty.

Though not the Cromwell family’s private property, most nobles were staying in the capital for the social season, which seemed to be the reason.

A small boat was waiting for us at the lake dock.

Cromwell, who had boarded the boat first with Anastasia, helped me get on.

“Are you planning to row?”

When I settled in and reached out with both hands to grab the oars, he chuckled as if finding it absurd.

“……Isn’t that usually my job?”

The boat was packed with two adults and a baby. One of us had to row, and typically, the noble would be the one sitting and enjoying the scenery.

“Lorelai, just do your job.”

His light admonishment felt quite friendly. Cromwell took the oars.

The small boat drifted leisurely across the lake.

“Did you know? They say Lake Lernia doesn’t get you wet even if you touch it. And you can breathe in it too.”

I shared the information I had heard from Angelica, and Cromwell responded briefly as if he already knew.

As if to show that this was a holy place, the lake water was incredibly clear. Fish I had never seen before swam by.

I reached out and touched the lake.

‘Wow. It really doesn’t get wet.’

As I had heard, my hand wasn’t damp at all, not even a trace of moisture.

While I was seriously considering dipping my head in, Cromwell spoke:

“You look ready to dunk your whole face in.”

“How did you know?”

“You’ve confirmed by touching, so now you want to check if you can breathe too.”

“Haha……”

No need to deduce anything. I laughed awkwardly.

“So can I try it?”

“Do you need my permission for that?”

Cromwell asked in return. It’s not really something I need permission for.

“Could you hold the lady for a moment?”

He readily agreed to my request.

With my arms free, I leaned against the small boat and bent toward the lake.

However, there was one thing I overlooked… this wasn’t solid ground but a deep lake.

As my body moved, the boat tilted. I saw Cromwell reaching out to grab me, but his hand only grazed me.

“Lorelai!”

Behind the voice calling me in panic, I heard the sound of someone entering the water.

‘No, why is he holding Anastasia…’

Despite my rational mind questioning this, my body forgot that I could breathe underwater and held my breath.

Surfacing, I gasped and looked for Anastasia.

What if she hit the boat somewhere…!

“Anastasia!”

Imagining the worst case scenario made me want to scream and jump.

I turned around once, searching for the child. There’s the boat, and Cromwell…

“Kyaa—!”

“Haah……”

He was coming toward me, holding Anastasia.

The baby’s innocent laughter told us there was nothing to worry about.

I heaved a sigh of relief.

Cromwell, who had ended up in the lake by accident, looked at me as if to say ‘you caused trouble again.’

“……I didn’t expect this to happen either.”

I swam toward him and made my excuse.

“Be more careful.”

Since his words were absolutely right, I bowed my head in reflection.

It’s because it’s Cromwell that he protected Anastasia too; if it had been another time…

“……I’m sorry.”

“No one was hurt, so it’s fine.”

Now that we’re in the water, I want to check if I can breathe, but it’s hard to do so after making a mistake.

“So, did you breathe underwater?”

As I was thinking about getting back on the boat with Cromwell, he looked at me and asked.

“Not yet……”

“Try it now. Without falling in again.”

With permission granted, it would look strange to dive in excitedly, so I submerged just below my eyes.

Bracing myself for the burning sensation in my nose, I inhaled the water.

‘Amazing.’

I really could breathe.

“Duke! I can really breathe!”

And I just confirmed it now, but my clothes weren’t wet either. There was no discomfort. If anything, I felt refreshed, as if I had taken another bath.

“You try it too, Duke. Give Lady Tasha to me.”

I took Anastasia before he could refuse.

Since we’re already in the water, might as well do everything.

Realizing I wasn’t joking, he submerged himself up to below his eyes as if to get an annoying task over with.

His red eyes visible above the water seemed to ask, ‘Are you serious?’

“Isn’t it amazing? I felt like a fish.”

I asked as I climbed back onto the boat with his help.

The sunlight sparkled on the lake’s surface.

Drained of energy, I sat at an angle and looked at the scenery.

Somehow, I felt like this day would remain in my memory for a long time.