Three years later.
The sunlight resting on one side of the playground gently shone down on the earth.
“Kyaruruk.”
The laughter of children drifted along the wind. Among them, the most eye-catching child was none other than Kaiel de Juan.
A child who inherited his mother’s orange-tinted hair, shining even more brilliantly under the sun. His small face held the sharp features of his father, creating a striking balance.
Though still young, Kaiel’s smile carried an unusual sense of maturity.
Kaiel was running between the trees while holding hands with a girl named Rina.
“Kaiel, let’s go play more inside those bushes!”
Rina’s silver hair fluttered in the wind as she pulled Kaiel along. But at that moment, her arm got scratched by a sharp tree branch.
“Ah!”
A bright red wound quickly appeared.
“Uwaaah!…….”
Kaiel suddenly stopped in place and looked at Rina crying.
“It’s okay, Rina.”
“Huuuuh…… it hurts……!”
“I’ll make it better.”
Kaiel calmly stared at his friend’s wound, his gaze unwavering, then slowly reached out his small, gentle hand.
A warm energy flowed from his fingertips as they passed over Rina’s injury. A soft stream of light drifted across her arm and soon disappeared without a trace.
“……?”
The warmth lingered only for a moment before the wound slowly began to heal.
“Huh?”
Strangely, as if nothing had ever happened, the wound vanished completely. Rina stopped crying and looked at Kaiel with a surprised expression.
“Thank you, Kaiel……”
“It’s nothing.”
“You’re such an amazing friend!”
With a voice full of joy, Rina shouted and tightly hugged Kaiel. Her small body shook with the force of the embrace, and with a wide smile, she said,
“When we grow up, let’s get married!”
“……”
However, Kaiel showed a thoughtful expression at those words. Despite being just a child, he responded in a surprisingly mature voice.
“I’m sorry, Rina.”
“Huh?”
“I want to meet many more girls first and then decide.”
Kaiel’s eyes held a slight mischief but also a depth that seemed to be pondering something more seriously. In that brief silence, the playground remained filled with the laughter of children.
Just then, a familiar voice called out from afar.
“Kaiel!”
Ertel and Icarus had arrived to pick him up from kindergarten. The moment he saw them, a bright smile spread across Kaiel’s face.
“Mom! Dad!”
Kaiel ran quickly toward them. His small hands grabbed each of his parents’ hands.
Ertel smiled warmly and stroked Kaiel’s head.
“What happened today?”
Looking up at his mother proudly, Kaiel answered,
“Rina got hurt, and I healed her!”
He raised one hand and pointed to it. A trace of the healing energy still lingered faintly in his small palm.
Ertel looked closely at her son’s hand. Her eyes carried a gentle pride.
“My beloved son.”
Kaiel’s healing ability was undoubtedly inherited from his mother. However, the heavy power of the Kaiya Stone no longer passed on to the child.
Over generations, that power had softened into a gentle and warm healing gift, allowing Kaiel to live free of its burden.
“Kaiel, let’s go to the Aronder Palace.”
“Yes, Mom.”
“His Majesty has prepared a banquet for us.”
Beyond the low kindergarten wall, the sunset light stretched faintly into the sky.
Kaiel lightly jumped as he grabbed Icarus’ hand and climbed into the carriage. Dangling from his father’s arm, he eventually made it safely inside, his innocent laughter spreading through the air.
As the carriage moved slowly, a gentle breeze flowed through the window. On both sides of the long road, green fields and colorful wildflowers swayed like a living painting.
***
The evening sky had already begun to darken, and countless stars started to reveal themselves one by one.
When the carriage arrived in front of the palace steps, Kaiel got down while holding his mother Ertel’s hand.
“Kaiel, you must behave politely today,”
Icarus said, gently patting his son’s shoulder.
“Yes, Dad.”
As the doors of the grand marble hall opened, the King and Cogette came to greet them.
“Welcome.”
Pedro walked out slowly and carefully observed the Juan family. Upon seeing Kaiel for the first time, the King’s face lit up with a pleased smile.
“This child is Kaiel?”
He admired the lovable child’s face and smiled warmly with his eyes.
“He’s already so handsome—he looks just like his parents.”
Kaiel bowed deeply at those words.
“Hello, Your Majesty.”
His voice was small and gentle, but it carried respect. King Pedro laughed heartily and gently patted the child’s head.
“To meet the eldest son of the Juan couple like this—what an honor for me as well.”
Cogette also welcomed them and quietly observed her nephew.
“Our Kaiel, how adorable you are.”
With those words, she softly pinched his cheek. Kaiel blushed slightly, embarrassed, but his eyes still sparkled with mischief.
Icarus stepped forward and bowed respectfully before the king.
“Your Majesty, we sincerely thank you for inviting our family to such an honorable occasion.”
“The House of Juan has always been a cherished guest of the Royal Family. And now, you’ve brought such an adorable son—today’s gathering shines even brighter.”
Juan’s hand rose naturally to his chest. From deep within his heart, the respect he held flowed through his fingertips. His hand lingered there, clenched slightly over his chest.
“Please, everyone, take your seats.”
Pedro gestured as he led them to the grand banquet table.
Under the light of the chandelier, a variety of dishes were beautifully arranged on the long table. Fresh fruits and meat dishes were served on golden plates, and the aroma of wine filled the room.
Icarus gently took Ertel’s hand and spoke.
“You eat first. I’ll take care of the child.”
“What about you, Duke?”
“When you’ve had your fill, then it’ll be my turn.”
Ertel paused at his words for a moment, but upon seeing the look in her husband’s eyes, she nodded. Carefully bringing the first bite to her mouth, she closed her eyes and savored it.
Meanwhile, Icarus held Kaiel in his arms and stepped back slightly to watch the others enjoy their meal.
The king observed the scene fondly.
“To see a couple who care for each other so deeply—it’s a beautiful sight.”
As the banquet progressed, Pedro naturally guided the conversation. He was especially curious about Kaiel’s upbringing.
“How do you plan to raise Kaiel in the future? If you haven’t decided yet, how about having him serve in the Royal Court?”
Ertel replied to the question.
“Our Kaiel is going to become a knight.”
“A knight, you say.”
“For the record, that’s my husband’s wish.”
Naturally, the king’s gaze shifted toward Juan.
Even while feeding Kaiel spoonfuls of soup, Icarus spoke in a serious tone.
“A man should experience the battlefield at least once. I will let Kaiel gain honor as a knight, and afterward, he may choose the path he truly desires.”
“A fine choice.”
Kaiel stayed nestled in his father’s broad and warm arms for a while, then suddenly stirred. With his small hand, he tugged lightly at Icarus’ sleeve.
“Where do you want to go?”
The child’s eyes were fixed on Cogette. Soon, he wriggled out of his father’s arms and waddled over to her.
With a beaming smile, Cogette opened her arms wide.
“My dear nephew, come here.”
Without hesitation, Kaiel leapt into her embrace.
“Hehe. Your hair is so pretty.”
As soon as his small body was nestled in her arms, Cogette held him tightly and gently stroked his cheek. Watching from across the table, Ertel laughed in disbelief.
“Well now. He’s a boy, but he already knows what’s pretty.”
“Hahaha.”
The banquet hall filled with cheerful laughter.
Ertel and Icarus quietly clasped each other’s hands. In their eyes, locked in mutual gaze, lay the trust and affection built over the years they had shared.
She handed him a fresh spoon and plate.
“Icarus. It’s your turn to eat now.”
The king had witnessed countless relationships and connections over his long life, but he had never seen a couple who cherished and loved each other as deeply as the two before him.
A love so sincere that one could only nod in acknowledgment.
“May fortune and happiness fill your days ahead.”
And may the unwritten future of the Juan couple shine as brilliantly as the stars pouring down outside the window.
~~End of My Husband Is Trying To Kill Me~~