Side Story 15 

After visiting the training ground, Evelyn went to see Woody, who was having an art lesson.

The brush moved effortlessly across the white canvas. It seemed he was painting a garden scene. Though not intricate, the painting, full of a child’s raw perspective and innocence, appeared quite complete.

“Oh my, it’s wonderful.”

Only when Evelyn spoke did the focused Woody turn his head.

“Mom! When did you get here?”

“Just now. I was watching you paint. Are you painting the garden?”

Woody nodded.

“You won’t let me do embroidery.”

“As I said, needles are still dangerous.”

Her words were firm, but inwardly she was pleased, thinking that one day her son might embroider something for her.

It had been her dream to teach swordsmanship to a daughter and embroidery to a son.

Evelyn looked at Woody’s painting and said,

“The painting is very impressive! It’s much better than last time.”

Woody’s eyes sparkled at the praise.

“Painting is a lot of fun.”

“Our son might become a famous artist someday!”

Even among the nobility, there were those who became artists.

With the growth of the art market, the status of artists had solidified, and with the development of commerce and trade, they began to earn substantial money. As a result, nobles started learning painting and musical instruments as part of their education.

‘Well… it’s too early to discuss careers with a five-year-old.’

At that moment, Baroness Ross, Woody’s art teacher, approached quietly.

“Madam, I have something to discuss with you.”

At her discreet voice, Evelyn left Woody in the room and stepped out into the hallway.

“What is it?”

“Though he’s still young, Woody’s artistic talent is extraordinary. There’s a major exhibition by the Art Association coming up, and I was thinking of submitting Woody’s work.”

“…Are you serious? Woody is only five years old…”

Evelyn asked, genuinely surprised.

“Age doesn’t matter in art. Ten years ago, a seven-year-old child achieved high marks at the exhibition.”

“I see…”

“Even if he doesn’t win, it will be a good experience.”

If the Baroness was sincere, there was no reason to refuse.

Woody was still young, so there was no pressure. There was nothing to lose.

“Alright. Let’s do that.”

Evelyn happily accepted her suggestion.

That night, after a relaxing bath, Evelyn didn’t go straight to bed. She sat at her desk, dipped a fountain pen in ink, and wrote a letter.

[Dyffrin, 

Do you know what happened today? Baroness Ross wants to submit Woody’s work to the exhibition. At first, I thought it was absurd. To be honest, I’ve been holding back from saying this because I didn’t want to seem boastful, but it seems our son has an artist’s talent. Otherwise, how could a five-year-old receive such a proposal? Ellia is the same. She wasn’t intimidated at all while sparring with a knight twice her size. I’m sure she’ll succeed brilliantly as a diplomat in the future.]

As Evelyn excitedly wrote down the events of the day, she suddenly wished Dyffrin could have shared in this happy day.

Her hand, which had been moving the pen, became calmer.

[I hope you return soon to see this for yourself. By then, the children will have grown a bit more.]

What could Dyffrin be doing right now?

Evelyn looked away from the letter and gazed at the round moon shining brightly in the darkness.

[There’s a full moon tonight. Perhaps you’re looking at the moon too. I wonder what the moon looks like from where you are.

– From Evelyn, who misses you dearly-]

Feeling a surge of longing for Dyffrin, Evelyn hurriedly finished the letter.

It had already been six months since Dyffrin left for the Stranraer Empire.

He was doing his job excellently, as reported in the newspapers, which covered the hidden situations in Stranraer daily. Thanks to this, the momentum had shifted in favor of the Colclough Empire.

‘At this rate, Dyffrin might return within a year.’

Evelyn comforted herself with this thought as she folded the letter.

* * *

Time passed, and the children grew like small trees in the field, basking in the fresh sunlight and breeze.

Ellia had started her formal training as an heir, making it hard to see her.

Woody submitted his work to the exhibition. Though he didn’t win, it garnered considerable interest and was discussed in artists’ salons and published in academic journals.

Baroness Ross advised that as Woody grew older, it would be better to find a renowned art teacher for him.

Another season passed, and news came from the Stranraer Empire across the sea.

It was revealed that Stranraer had been behind the pirate activities, and the Colclough Empire used this as a pretext to lower tariffs. The benefits from exports would be much greater in the future.

Naturally, one of the biggest beneficiaries of this was the Duke of Liwonoc. It meant lower tariffs on diamond exports.

However, for Evelyn, the best news was that Dyffrin would be coming back.

Evelyn calculated how long it would take for Dyffrin to return.

‘It takes a week to get from the capital of the Stranraer Empire to the port… about three days by ship to enter the country… and another week from the port to the duchy…’

It would be about three more weeks before she could see him.

Evelyn bit her lip.

She wanted to go meet him, but she couldn’t leave the children without someone to care for them.

At that moment, Merrilyn knocked on the door.

“Madam, Lord Dunswell is here.”

“Father?”

This was unexpected. Evelyn quickly got up and welcomed the unexpected visitor, Dunswell.

“Father, what brings you here suddenly? Is something wrong?”

Dunswell shook his head.

“Dear, I came to take care of Ellia and Woody.”

“Why would you…”

“Did you read the newspaper? Dyffrin will probably enter the country soon.”

“…Yes.”

“You want to see him as soon as possible, don’t you?”

Evelyn, moved, teared up.

“Father…”

“If you leave now, you’ll arrive at the port around the time Dyffrin enters the country. Pack your things and go.”

“Thank you!”

Evelyn hugged Dunswell tightly. Initially surprised, Dunswell soon smiled kindly and patted her back.

“Dyffrin must be eager to see you too.”

“It has been too long.”

Evelyn released the hug.

“I’ll be back. Please take good care of the children.”

“Go safely.”

Dunswell watched Evelyn leave to pack with a kind smile on his face.

* * *

Evelyn told the children that she was going to meet their father and that they should listen to their grandfather while she was gone, and then she left the castle.

She took only one escort with her. There would be some maids who had accompanied Dyffrin, so it was fine to travel light.

Evelyn’s heart was light and sweet like cotton candy as she headed to the port where Dyffrin would arrive. Though the waiting and anticipation made time seem to drag, she could endure it happily.

She even came up with a fun plan on the way.

She would disguise herself with a wide-brimmed hat and clothes she didn’t usually wear, hover around Dyffrin, and quietly approach him.

He would be so surprised.

It was a childish plan, but she wanted to welcome him in a special way. He wouldn’t even dream that she would come to meet him.

As soon as she arrived, Evelyn went to a boutique and chose a light pink, airy dress and a wide-brimmed hat adorned with flowers—something a young lady who liked to dress up would wear.

Not only her attire but also her heart was different from usual, beating like a young lady waiting for her first love.

Evelyn watched as the ship carrying Dyffrin docked and waited nearby for people to disembark.

Many people poured off the ship.

She worried about missing Dyffrin in the crowd, but she soon realized it was unnecessary. He was always someone who stood out, easy to spot.

Evelyn felt tears well up at the sight of Dyffrin after so long. But she couldn’t cry just yet.

She held back her tears and took in the sight of him.

He looked a bit tired, but his steps were quick.

Evelyn struggled to keep up with his fast pace but quietly followed him.

She planned to reveal herself when he got into a carriage.

‘I wonder what expression he’ll make.’

As her anticipation grew, she watched Dyffrin’s back. Suddenly, he stopped.

Amidst the bustling crowd, Dyffrin’s sudden stop seemed odd.

‘Why is he…’

Then Dyffrin looked around.

Just as Evelyn thought, ‘Could it be?’ Dyffrin’s eyes fixed on her.

Evelyn tried to pull her hat down further, but before she could, Dyffrin strode over and grabbed her wrist.

When she looked up, she saw Dyffrin frowning.

Of course, Evelyn was just as surprised. How on earth had he recognized her in this crowd, even in disguise?

“…How did you know?”

Dyffrin didn’t answer but instead pulled her into a tight embrace. Her hat fell to the ground.

“I missed you. You appeared in my dreams every night.”

Evelyn buried her face in his familiar embrace.

“I missed you too.”

Dyffrin slowly pulled back and examined Evelyn’s face closely.

“It’s really you…”

“Didn’t you know right away?”

“I hesitated because you weren’t dressed as usual.”

“I wanted to surprise you by sneaking up in disguise, but it didn’t work.”

Evelyn picked up her fallen hat and asked,

“How did you recognize me?”

“I felt your presence nearby.”

“Did you develop some strange ability?”

“Maybe.”

Dyffrin smiled as he answered. Their trivial conversation felt incredibly enjoyable.

Looking into Dyffrin’s eyes, Evelyn spoke softly.

“I love you, Dyffrin. I missed you so much.”

“Saying ‘I love you’ feels quite natural now.”

“It’s about time, isn’t it?”

“It is.”

Dyffrin lowered his head and kissed Evelyn’s lips.

Passersby’s gazes turned towards them, but Evelyn didn’t mind.

“I love you, Evelyn.”

This moment was perfect.

<The Goal is Alimony> Side Story Complete