Epilogue – Dazzlingly Beautiful (Part 4)

Eden sipped his warm cocoa while keeping a close eye on the view outside the window. Since coming to Lapton, this had become a sort of ritual for him.  

Outside, the baby birds chirped as they received food from their mother. These were the birds he had been looking after.  

To Eden, these birds were special. When he first arrived at Agaphel Castle and was given his own room, the birds had also settled and built their nest here.  

His mother had said they were migratory birds that had lost their way. They should have flown south before winter came, but instead, they had found a warm place to nest.  

Hearing that, Eden couldn’t just leave them alone. Since the birds had built their nest right outside his room, they were safe. Eden worked hard to make sure they wouldn’t freeze to death.  

When the birds laid eggs a while later, he even felt a lump in his throat. He was so devoted that he covered their nest with blankets to protect them from the cold.  

Perhaps because of his care, the tiny eggs hatched, and the chicks, once helpless, now chirped happily. Witnessing every moment of this miraculous process, Eden’s heart still fluttered.  

He was happy to see new life being born right before his eyes, and the sight of the harmonious bird family often reminded him of himself and his parents.  

In truth, Eden still felt like it was a dream to be living with his father. He had imagined his father returning one day, but he had never expected it to feel this real.  

Just as his father had promised, he was a very wealthy nobleman. It wasn’t until Eden arrived in the Kingdom of Yelhen that he truly understood how remarkable his father was.  

The enormous castle, almost like a palace, and the rows of servants who greeted them warmly—it was an overwhelming experience he could hardly put into words.  

Moreover, all the servants were kind to Eden. When they praised him as the future Duke, he felt so flustered that he wanted to twist his legs in embarrassment.  

It was during this time that Cornel, who had recently been assigned as Eden’s attendant, leaned out the window and asked,  

“You’re watching those birds again?”  

“Yeah. They’re cute.”  

“They’re just noisy, if you ask me.”  

Cornel looked at the featherless baby birds with a gaze that showed no understanding. He couldn’t fathom what was so adorable about those scruffy creatures that Eden would watch them every single day.  

Placing his empty cup on the table, Eden replied brightly,  

“They have a dad too.”  

“Of course they do.”  

“And I have a dad too.”  

“Yes, yes, and he’s a very rich and handsome dad.”  

Cornel muttered under his breath, then shut his mouth. He realized he might have sounded sarcastic without meaning to.  

Fortunately, Eden didn’t seem to mind at all. Instead, he looked delighted that Cornel had acknowledged the Duke as his father.  

“That’s right. I now have both a dad and a mom.”  

“Lady Anna is your honorary grandmother too.”  

“Grandma Anna! That’s right, I even have a grandmother!”  

Eden grinned as if he had just discovered something new. He really liked Grandma Anna. Whenever he visited her, she would sit him on her lap and tell him fascinating stories.  

Especially when she talked about his dad and mom, his eyes would sparkle with excitement. Those were his favorite moments.  

While Eden was busy boasting about his family to Cornel, there was a knock at the door, and Elizabeth entered.  

“Eden.”  

At the sound of her voice, Eden jumped off his chair like a bullet and ran to hug his mom tightly. Sensing the mood, Cornel quietly left the room.  

Elizabeth wiped the cocoa from Eden’s mouth and said,  

“Watching the view outside the window again?”  

“Yeah! The baby birds are flapping their wings so well now. They might fly away soon!”  

“You’ll be as happy as if you were flying yourself when they do.”  

“Of course! They’re my siblings, after all.”  

Eden answered confidently with a wide grin, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Touched by his response, Elizabeth stroked his head and said,  

“The lost migratory birds will have a warm winter thanks to your kindness. You’re amazing, my Eden.”  

“Hehe.”  

Blushing at the praise, Eden beamed before holding out his arms, asking to be picked up. Elizabeth easily lifted him into her arms.  

Though he had grown quite heavy, she could still hold him without much difficulty. But just as she began to feel she couldn’t hold him any longer, someone took Eden from her.  

“Give him to me.”  

Kiern took Eden from Elizabeth and lifted him effortlessly. Unlike her, who had struggled slightly, he made it look like it required no effort at all.  

Eden, surprised by the sudden change in perspective, widened his eyes and looked at his dad. Meeting his son’s gaze, Kiern said,  

“A big boy like you, clinging to your mom like that.”  

“Mom, is it hard to carry me?”  

“Not at all.”  

“See? She said it’s not hard.”  

Eden pouted and grumbled, puffing out his lips, to which Kiern responded by lifting him up and down.  

“Dad’s just jealous. You don’t hug me like that.”  

“Liar.”  

Even as Eden lightly tapped Kiern’s shoulder, he couldn’t stop the smile tugging at his lips. A moment later, he burst into laughter and buried his face in Kiern’s chest.  

Amused by his son’s reaction, Kiern looked up at Elizabeth as if to say, ‘Look how adorable he is.’

“Who does he take after to be this cute?”  

“I think he takes after you.”  

“Me?”  

Kiern let out a disbelieving chuckle. The idea that the great Kiern Agaphel could be described as “cute” was utterly absurd to him.  

Elizabeth leaned down, cupped his cheek, and kissed him. Her sudden kiss froze him in place. Seeing this, Elizabeth smiled faintly and said,  

“Look at you now. You’re cute.”  

“Dad, your face is red!”  

Eden peeked out and pressed his tiny finger against Kiern’s flushed cheek. Embarrassed, Kiern muttered,  

“It’s just because it’s cold.”  

“Hmm? But my room is warm and cozy.”  

“…Eden, are you going to keep talking back to your dad?”  

“It’s not talking back. It’s the truth. Right, Mom?”  

Eden looked at Elizabeth for confirmation, his eyes wide with expectation. In response, she showered him with kisses, making him burst into giggles.  

Kiern, not wanting to be left out, held the squirming Eden tightly and kissed his other cheek. For some reason, he felt an urge to join in the warm bond between mother and son.  

With both cheeks claimed by his parents’ kisses, Eden blushed and pouted his lips. Just as their playful banter continued, Eddie, who had been silently watching the scene, turned to Aena with a cold expression and said,  

“It’s lonely.”

Even the cold-hearted Duke built a family, yet here I am, working like an ox all this time. 

That thought suddenly overwhelmed Eddie with sorrow.  

And the reason he had been working so hard was none other than the Duke himself, which made Eddie grind his teeth. 

Who had been by his side all these years, enduring endless toil? None other than me, Eddie Partridge!  

“Because of him, I’m still single…”  

Hearing Eddie’s muttered lament, Aena patted his shoulder and said,  

“Shall I find you a nice young lady?”  

“Yes, please.”  

Eddie barely responded, rubbing his dry eyes. He was so envious that he couldn’t even cry.  

Meanwhile, the Duke, who had just finished a round of chasing, held Eden in his arms and said,  

“Why are you still standing there?”  

“You haven’t told me to go home yet.”  

“Go home. I’m about to have dinner now.”  

At Kiern’s dry dismissal, Eddie looked at Aena as if to say, ‘See what I mean?’ But Aena’s attention had already melted at Eden’s adorable antics.  

“Eddie, see you tomorrow! Bye-bye!”  

The way Eden waved his little hand was utterly lovable. With a face so much like the Duke’s, yet wearing such an innocent expression, he looked like an angel.  

How could such a cute son be born to such a cold man? No, it must be because he was Elizabeth’s son.  

Eddie gave Kiern a brief glare and then said to Eden,  

“Young Master, please take after your mother. Not the Duke.”  

“Why?”  

“Well, the Duke is… ugh.”  

Eddie couldn’t finish his sentence and took a step back because Aena had pulled him by the arm.  

“Go on. If you leave now, you’d already be home instead of wasting time talking nonsense.”  

“You’re so harsh.”  

“Don’t worry. I’ll find a young lady who’s perfect for you.”  

With a resigned expression, Eddie bowed and left. Aena followed him, patting his shoulder a few times, but it wasn’t a particularly interesting scene.  

Kiern, holding Eden in one arm and Elizabeth’s hand in the other, said,  

“I should give him some time off soon. He’s been complaining more and more.”  

“That’s a good idea. Eddie does need a break. He’s been working nonstop.”  

Elizabeth nodded lightly as she looked in the direction Eddie had disappeared. Suddenly, Kiern stopped and said to her,  

“Elizabeth, wait.”