23
"Oh dear... I feel like I keep showing you such embarrassing sides of me."
"I'm just glad you’re not hurt! But more than that, Young Master Serge, you’re really strong!"
She said this because it's normally hard for a child to support the weight of an adult man who’s falling.
As soon as he heard that, Serge flinched.
Of course, being from the beastfolk race, he possessed strength beyond his age, but since he was hiding his true identity, he couldn’t afford to reveal that.
Thinking this might serve as a small warning, Railey smiled awkwardly, pretending not to notice anything.
Walter stepped in to smooth things over.
"My son may still be small, but he has a natural talent for martial arts. That’s why he's strong."
"I thought so! That’s really impressive."
"Yes, just the other day during swordsmanship class..."
Walter skillfully shifted the conversation and walked side by side with his daughter-in-law. Behind them, Serge’s face was filled with frustration as he followed.
"By the way, daughter-in-law."
"Yes, Father-in-law?"
"This is your first time in the capital, right?"
"Yes. The Viscount Vitence estate is in the western region, so I never had a reason to come to the capital."
"Then, how about resting well on the first day, and on the second day, you and I go sightseeing in the capital? I’ll show you around."
The moment he said that, Serge quickly stepped forward and cut in.
"…Father, you’ll be busy. I’ll guide her instead."
"I thought you didn’t like going out?"
"I do when it’s necessary."
“…”
Caught between her husband and father-in-law’s subtle power struggle, Railey felt awkward.
"Um, actually..."
"Hmm?"
"…?"
As Railey carefully spoke up, both Elestine men turned to look at her.
Feeling the pressure but managing a wry smile, she explained.
"I already have plans on the second day. I’m going to tour the capital with someone."
"You made plans to tour the capital…?"
"With whom?"
Since Railey wasn’t known to have any acquaintances in the capital, the two men looked at her with wide eyes.
"With Parnel, the younger sister of Aide Yuan."
Her unexpected answer brought a moment of silence.
Walter was the first to speak, sounding a bit sulky.
"I heard Yuan introduced the two of you… You must have gotten close."
"Honestly, Parnel is practically looking after me. I’m sure it’s a hassle for someone older to deal with someone as young as me, so I’m really grateful."
“…Then shouldn’t you not bother someone who finds you a hassle?"
"Excuse me?"
"N-Never mind..."
Serge mumbled in a small voice and looked down.
Walter, who had been itching to tease his son the whole time, gave a sly smile and said—
"Hmm. Then, dear, if you don’t mind, how about having Serge accompany you?"
Serge looked up at his father in surprise.
"Huh, Young Master Serge too?"
"Yes. I’ve got some business in the capital, so it’ll be hard to make time that day. It’d be better if we chose another day for me. But Serge doesn’t have anything scheduled, does he?"
Railey took a moment to think it over.
She did feel a bit sorry toward Parnel, whom she had already made plans with.
After all, if Serge were to come along, he'd be more intimidating than her, and it might make things uncomfortable.
However, considering that something could potentially happen to Parnel, having one more person around would be safer. So, it was a welcome suggestion.
"If Young Master Serge is okay with it, I’d be happy to go together."
"……."
At that, Serge stared intently at his wife and muttered.
"But… you thought of Parnel first, before me."
"Sorry?"
"No, I just mean… you don’t have to force yourself to bring me along."
"……."
He was clearly sulking.
Walter, watching from the side, had to turn his head away to keep from laughing out loud.
Railey, unaware of the subtle mood, was simply puzzled by her husband’s reaction.
‘Hmm… judging by how he offered to guide me around earlier, it’s not like he dislikes going out. So maybe he just doesn’t like the idea of going out with Parnel?’
After some reasonable thinking, she tried to gently reassure him.
"If going with Parnel makes you uncomfortable, you really don’t have to come. I can go out with you another time…"
"No!"
As soon as it seemed like Railey was taking back the offer, Serge hastily cut her off.
"It’s just… I thought maybe I was the one making you uncomfortable."
"Not at all. I was only concerned because Father-in-law said earlier that you don’t like going out. That’s the only reason I hesitated."
At that, Serge shot a sharp glare at his father through his glasses.
Walter once again struggled to hold back his laughter.
He knew his son wasn’t the least bit adorable in the usual sense, but this rare display was truly a sight to behold.
Still, if he kept teasing him any longer, there’d be consequences later—so it was time to rein things in.
Walter turned to his daughter-in-law with a twinkle in his eye.
"Serge just has a picky temperament. He doesn’t like being around strangers. But you’re not a stranger, dear—you’re family."
"Ah…"
Railey blushed and fiddled with her fingers.
The word 'family' seemed both awkward and heartwarming to her.
Perhaps because of the way she was raised, Walter’s young daughter-in-law would occasionally show a touching vulnerability like this.
Walter gave his son a subtle signal—one that said, Stop sulking and stop making your wife worry.
Serge, though still pouting, seemed to accept that unspoken message, and quietly closed the distance between himself and Railey.
"Yes. I want to go, too—with Lady Railey."
"That’s a relief."
"But…"
He slightly bent down and looked up at Railey with earnest eyes.
Through the lenses of his glasses, soft golden eyes shimmered.
Even a glimpse of his beauty—so reminiscent of his father’s—made Railey’s heart pound without her realizing.
"Later… could we go out, just the two of us, you and me?"
"……!"
"I was wondering if you made plans with Parnel first because you felt awkward around me… So maybe it’d help us get more comfortable with each other if we spent time together too…"
Railey was flustered by his unexpected words—and finally realized that her husband had felt left out by all this.
Even if their relationship was still childlike in nature, they were technically married. So it was natural for him to feel hurt when she prioritized a new friend over him.
"Of course! I’d love that. Let’s definitely go out together."
"…Thank goodness."
Watching Serge murmur like a wounded puppy, Railey once again felt guilty—and made a firm resolve to always put him first from now on.
Walter, observing the exchange, shook his head inwardly.
Even though Serge hadn’t transformed into his beastfolk form, it almost felt like a fluffy fox tail was wagging behind him.
Who would’ve guessed his son could act like that?
However, at the same time, he felt a profound warmth and joy.
It was as if a trickle of warm water had begun to fill the void that had lingered in his heart ever since his wife, Rima, had been gone.
Surely, all of this was thanks to the fortunate coincidence of Railey marrying into the family.
For that, he couldn’t help but feel grateful.
***
The Elestine family arrived in the capital and took a full day to rest.
The next morning, Walter went out early for work, while Railey and Serge stuck to their plan to go sightseeing.
Naturally, they were joined by Parnel.
"Parnel! We're here. Thanks for helping us today."
"I should be the one thanking you. It’s a pleasure, Lord and Lady Elestine."
Since she’d been told she didn’t have to dress formally, Parnel wore a comfortable outfit—a light tunic and pants.
With her hair tied up in a ponytail, she exuded the charm of a handsome youth.
"Hey, Parnel."
"Yes, my lady?"
Railey gestured for her to come close and whispered.
"It’s probably already tiring just looking after me, and now you have to worry about Young Master Serge too. I’m sorry."
Parnel chuckled softly at her words.
"Honestly, not only Lord Serge, but you too, my lady—you’re both far too mature for your age. It’s not tiring at all, and you don’t need to worry about that."
"Even so…"
"Please enjoy the day, see everything, eat everything. That’s what makes me happy."
"Hmm, if it makes you happy, then I’ll enjoy myself to the fullest!"
Railey looked up at her and laughed brightly.
The two of them were in a lovely, friendly mood.
But…
Serge remained completely silent—with a dark cloud hanging over him.
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