Side Story 2. Family Resemblance (1)

On a peaceful weekend afternoon, Aster looked down at Camilla, who was sleeping soundly in his arms, and Raphael, who had squeezed himself between them.

Last night, Raphael had barged into their bedroom, claiming he had a bad dream, and taken the best spot. Having his mom and dad on either side was the biggest indulgence for the five-year-old Raphael.

‘He’s so cute I could die.’

Aster felt a twinge in his chest every time he looked at Raphael. It still felt surreal that this tiny being had come out of the womb and was now walking and running around.

Raphael was utterly adorable. His chubby cheeks looked like a hamster’s, as if he were hiding something in his mouth. Even the occasional droplets on his nose, which would burst and reappear, were endearing.

It wasn’t easy for a son to be this cute, but Raphael managed it. It wasn’t just because he was Aster’s son; even the other servants shared the same sentiment. They would exclaim in delight just from watching him breathe.

The saying that the world revolves around your child once you have one turned out to be true. Aster discovered this side of himself only after Raphael was born.

At the same time, he felt infinite affection for Camilla, who had given birth to their child. Without her, he wouldn’t have been able to experience this joy.

“Ash?”

At that moment, Camilla murmured with a drowsy face. Her half-open eyes still showed signs of sleepiness.

“Did you wake up? You can sleep more.”

“Where’s Raphie?”

“He’s still sleeping.”

Only then did Camilla notice their son wriggling beneath her and let out a quiet laugh. They had both slept lightly, taking turns comforting their frightened child throughout the night.

It was fortunate it was the weekend. If they had to go to work, neither Camilla nor Aster would have been able to lounge around like this.

“I think it’s because of the fairy tale book Catherine showed him.”

“Fairy tale book?”

“Well, she bought him a collection of gruesome fairy tales for adults for Raphael’s birthday, saying he needed to learn about the bigger world.”

“That’s so Catherine.”

Catherine had similarly tormented Edith, who was shy as a child. Of course, Catherine, who adored Raphael, wouldn’t have given him a harmful gift intentionally.

She probably thought Raphael was too cute and naive, giving him the book out of an overprotective concern. She didn’t consider that he was only five years old.

“I took it away later, but he had already read a chapter.”

“Our son must be a genius since he’s reading such difficult texts already.”

“Aster, is that what’s important right now?”

Camilla scolded Aster, who smiled lazily. His indifferent attitude only made Camilla more frustrated.

“A child should grow up like a child.”

“So, did you enjoy exploring forbidden alleyways as a child, my dear?”

Camilla glared at Aster’s question. He had no right to speak, having been her partner in those explorations.

Pouting, Camilla puffed out her cheeks and said,

“If I hadn’t gone there, I wouldn’t have met you.”

“On second thought, it was a childlike adventure, Lala.”

“Hmph, it’s too late now.”

As Camilla tried to turn away, Aster’s large hand held her shoulder. He then lifted his upper body and kissed her lips.

Warm breath and a moist tongue slipped through her lightly held lips.

“Mm.”

Camilla gently pushed against Aster’s chest as the kiss deepened in front of Raphael. Aster, yielding with playful eyes, whispered,

“This is my favorite kind of adventure.”

“Pervert.”

“Raphael is asleep.”

“What if he wakes up?”

“Then I’ll just kiss you.”

With that, Aster kissed her again. Though embarrassed, Camilla didn’t push him away. She knew that even if there was an earthquake, once Raphael was asleep, he wouldn’t wake up.

After enjoying a round of passionate affection, the couple got up from the bed with satisfied faces. They each kissed the forehead of the stirring child.

“Raphie, time to wake up.”

At the sound, the child stretched and blinked several times. His blue eyes, like the clear sky, sparkled brightly.

“Good morning!”

Aster responded to the child’s cheerful greeting.

“It’s already noon.”

“But I just woke up, so it’s morning for me!”

“Our Raphie’s day starts late.”

Camilla laughed and wiped the sleep from Raphael’s eyes. He snuggled into Camilla’s arms familiarly.

“Mom, I’m sleepy.”

“Aren’t you hungry?”

“I’m hungry….”

Yawning, Raphael rubbed his face against Camilla’s shoulder. The frightened little boy who had been scared of bad dreams last night was now just a sleepyhead.

* * *

The next day, Raphael ate a hearty late breakfast and wandered around Francis Castle as usual.

Francis Castle was enormous for a five-year-old to walk around. Exploring different sections of the castle was a delightful adventure for him.

This time, Raphael moved eastward. Wearing his explorer’s backpack and overalls, he really looked like a little adventurer.

“Hello, Explorer Raphael. Are you enjoying your adventure today?”

“Yes! Last time, I found the snacks that Uncle Eddie hid!”

“Oh my, what a great discovery!”

The servant covered her mouth and laughed. It was a secret that Edith had hidden the snacks in an obvious place for Raphael to find.

Feeling proud from the praise, Raphael puffed out his chest. His excited face showed anticipation for what he might discover today.

After walking for a while, he eventually reached the Francis Tower. This was his mom’s workplace.

Due to a previous incident, Camilla, now the manager of the Command Tower, had connected all the towers through the Command Tower to control and manage them anytime.

Technically, her workplace was not the Francis Tower but the Command Tower. But Raphael, who was unaware of this, considered this his mom’s workplace.

“Young master? What brings you here?”

“I came to see Mom!”

“Did you get permission?”

“Permission?”

Raphael tilted his head in confusion. It was difficult for a five-year-old to grasp the concept of permission.

But instinctively knowing the knights wouldn’t let him in, Raphael lowered his head and mumbled,

“I wanted to see Mom….”

“Ugh.”

At that moment, one knight clutched his chest and staggered. Raphael, who resembled both Aster and Camilla, possessed a lethal combination of beauty and cuteness.

A knight, who had a nephew Raphael’s age, was already half-turned away.

“I’ll guide you to the reception room. I’ll inform the young master separately.”

“Thank you, Uncle Knight!”

Raphael smiled brightly and grabbed the knight’s hand. The knight flinched and staggered again at the tiny hand’s touch.

Raphael curiously looked around the tower for the first time. Something felt different the moment he entered.

It was the effect of the magic cast inside the tower, but Raphael couldn’t know that. He was following the knight’s guide to the reception room.

“Hmm?”

Raphael absentmindedly pressed a protruding brick on the wall. As the wall easily gave way, Raphael was transported to another space.

“Whoa!”

Startled, Raphael let go of the knight’s hand and found himself in an unknown place. It was the knight’s negligence. Knowing the child was curious, he should have carried him.

The brick Raphael pressed led to a subspace used by the tower’s mages for research. It was a space where no one could enter or leave until the set time.

“Wow.”

Unaware of this, Raphael’s eyes sparkled. The place was filled with flowers and fluttering butterflies. Since Raphael had entered, the space was essentially his creation.

Forgetting he was lost, Raphael played and rolled around in the flower field.

“Meow.”

“Oh, a kitty!”

Raphael curiously looked at the suddenly appearing cat. The pink-furred cat had blue eyes like Raphael.

Mesmerized by the cat’s unique fur color, Raphael cautiously approached. When he got within a hand’s span, the cat suddenly ran away.

“Oh no, kitty! Where are you going!”

Contrary to his expectations, the cat was swift and agile.

“Stop right there!”

Determined, Raphael chased after the cat, tripping over his own feet and rolling through the grass.

Thud, thud, thump.

“Meow!”

Startled, the cat approached Raphael. It licked the scratch on Raphael’s hand and let out a pitiful cry. But Raphael didn’t care about the scratch.

“Gotcha!”

With a mischievous grin, Raphael successfully caught the cat. His bright smile marked his victory in the chase.

* * *