Chapter 36

That means you can just live your life the way you are.

If mother was still alive, would she have said the same thing as Madam Jane?

She probably would have. In Elena’s memories, her mother was as kind and caring as Madam Jane, if not more so.

Struggling to hold back the lump in her throat, Elena replied, 

“Yes. I’ll make sure to do that.”

Madam Jane smiled brightly, seeming satisfied with her answer.

Although the Christian mansion wasn’t the place where Elena had been born and raised, for some reason, it now felt like she had finally returned home.

***

The Earl Christian, Felix’s father, could only be seen during dinner time.

With the same ash-blue hair and gray eyes as Felix, the Earl’s appearance was an exact replica of his son.

‘Well, technically, Felix must have inherited his father’s looks.’

As a knight, the Earl maintained a lean physique even in middle age. To be honest, even Elena found him to be quite charming.

Would Felix look like that when he got older?

Lost in thought, she stared at the Earl and forgot to greet him.

Realizing her mistake, she belatedly bowed.

“It’s been a while, Your Lordship.”

“Yes, Elena. It’s been half a year since we last met, so I’m very glad to see you.”

The Earl smiled warmly as he greeted her.

Now that she thought about it, something seemed odd. Both the Earl and Madam Jane were so kind and amiable, so why was Felix the way he was?

Could personality traits not be inherited, unlike appearances?

“What are you staring at?”

Felix, who had been receiving her curious gaze, furrowed his brows.

“Nothing.” 

Elena replied, shaking her head as she sat in the chair pulled out for her by a servant.

The appetizers were served shortly after. Throughout the meal, the Christian family exuded warmth and joy.

The Earl and Madam Jane spoke animatedly, as if they hadn’t seen each other in days, sharing even the smallest details of their day.

Lindsey and Tony also chattered away. Felix remained silent, simply listening to their stories. However, he didn’t seem annoyed.

It was a stark contrast to the Bellote family, where meals were as quiet as a mouse.

It was a delightful dinner, one that made Elena smile just by watching them.

But she couldn’t smile entirely.

‘Our family used to be like this too.’

At least, until her mother passed away. Her mother’s death had changed so much.

“So, Elly, what are you planning to do?”

While Elena was lost in thought, Madam Jane suddenly asked her a question.

“Huh? What were we talking about?”

“Sorry, the food was so delicious that I wasn’t paying attention.”

Fortunately, Madam Jane wasn’t offended and instead laughed like a child.

“I’m glad you like it. I was so worried it wouldn’t suit your taste.”

“There was no need to worry. It’s absolutely delicious. By the way, what were we talking about?”

“Oh, I was asking if you’ve decided on your thesis topic since you’ll be in your final year when the semester starts.”

“Ah, the thesis.”

Graduating from Verka Academy was as challenging as getting in. One of the reasons was the graduation thesis.

In their final year, 8th-year students were required to write a thesis, and the professors were notoriously demanding about its quality.

“I’m planning to create a moving toy.”

“A moving toy?”

“Yes. I thought that by combining magic and alchemy, I could create a toy that moves.”

The idea had come from her father’s toy business. However, the specific inspiration had surprisingly come from Little One.

Little One was quite fickle, quickly losing interest in toys.

But how many toys could they possibly own? To calm the temperamental Little One, Elena had shaken the toys energetically.

That caught Little One’s attention, giving her the idea.

‘Let’s make toys that move for children!’

Although magic had advanced to the point where trains existed, moving toys were still rare. While they weren’t entirely nonexistent, the ones available were very simplistic.

Most mages were rather prideful and didn’t want to use their intellect to create something as trivial as children’s toys.

But Elena thought differently.

‘What’s wrong with making toys for children?’

She believed that playing with a variety of toys from a young age could inspire children to dream of magic. The more mages there were, the more the Empire would prosper. Encouraging children’s dreams seemed like a good idea.

“But I’m not sure if it’ll work.”

Scratching her cheek, Elena let out a sheepish laugh. This was her first time sharing the idea with Madam Jane.

She had no idea how Madam Jane would react.

Fortunately, Madam Jane seemed intrigued.

“That’s a great idea. So, what are you planning to make?”

Excited, Elena started sharing her thoughts.

“I’m thinking of making several things, but I want to start with a train.”

This idea was indeed inspired by the moving train.

“Since I know how trains work, I thought I could scale them down to create a toy. Plus, if I design it so children can build their own tracks, it’ll make playing even more fun.”

“When you’ve made it, could you gift one to Lindsey and Tony?”

“Of course. They’ll be the first to receive one.”

The twins, who had been secretly playing with their forks under the table, reacted to her words.

“Really?”

“You’re the best, Sis!”

“Didn’t Mom say not to play with your forks?”

“Ahh!”

“Mom’s mad!”

Elena couldn’t help but laugh at Lindsey and Tony, who ignored even scoldings.

She couldn’t wait to make the moving train for the two children.

Oh, come to think of it…

“Felix, what about you?”

“What about me?”

“What’s your thesis topic?”

Felix stared at her for a moment. He didn’t seem annoyed or irritated by her question.

Instead, his expression was unreadable.

Before Elena could ask why he looked like that, he answered.

“You don’t need to know.”

The words escaped her lips before she could stop them.

“Wow, that’s mean.”

What was so important about his thesis topic that he had to keep it a secret?

Elena let out a huff.

“I wasn’t really curious anyway. I was just asking for formality’s sake. Did you really have to be so serious?”

“If it’s just formality, don’t ask in the first place.”

“You two…”

At that moment, Madam Jane, who had been resting her chin on her hands and watching them, interrupted.

Elena thought she was going to scold them for bickering like children, but what she said was completely unexpected.

“You two still get along so well.”

Both of them shouted at the same time.

“With him/her? No way!”

“Mother!”

Then they looked at each other and scratched their arms.

Ugh, being associated with him/her? Gross!

***

After the commotion, Elena returned to her room. Technically, she was a guest here, but Madam Jane and the Earl Christian considered her like their own daughter.

Whenever she visited, they had a room prepared just for her.

Before Lindsey was born, Madam Jane, who had always wanted a daughter, had lovingly decorated the room for her.

As a result, the room at the Christian mansion was larger and more luxurious than her room at the Bellote estate.

‘No matter how many times I see it, I can’t get used to it.’

Elena flopped onto the bed and reflected on the day.

It had been the busiest day since the start of the vacation. After spending days in the quiet Bellote estate, coming here had been overwhelming.

Still, she liked it. Except for the occasional moments when she envied Felix.

She suddenly got up and pulled out her diary.

Flipping to the page after her last entry, written the day before Saint Esna’s Festival, she began to write about the happy memories of the day.

[Seeing Lindsey and Tony today reminded me of Little One, whom I had almost forgotten. How is Little One doing?

If Little One had been here, it would’ve been so nice. They would’ve gotten along well with Lindsey and Tony, being around the same age.

I’m sure the twins would’ve liked Little One.]

With that final sentence, she set down her quill.

She missed Little One tonight.

***

On an ordinary weekend morning, Elena was awakened by a sound that was both unfamiliar and familiar.

“Ba-ba-ba. Kyaa!”

At first, she thought it was Lindsey or Tony. But the voice was younger than the twins’.

It was closer to a baby’s babbling than a child’s shouting.

The moment she heard it, tears welled up inexplicably. She sat up in bed and looked toward the source of the sound.

On the cluttered floor, amidst scattered toys, sat a baby with their back to her, playing with a doll.

Although she could only see the back, she somehow knew who the baby was.

“Little One?”

Her voice barely above a whisper, the baby turned at the sound of her voice. Gray eyes, chubby cheeks, and lips smeared with drool.

He had grown since the last time she saw him, but she recognized him instantly. It was her Little One.

The moment she realized it, the tears she had been holding back began to flow like a waterfall.