Cabelenus moved his thumb and pressed the side of the pendant.
When he applied a bit of force, the pendant opened with a click.
"…Looks like she’s still painting."
Although her skills had improved significantly compared to before, he recognised at a glance that it was Alicia’s painting.
Even now, Alicia’s paintings remained in Schwarhan.
"Yeah, Mum is a painter."
"A painter?"
"Mum paints, and Uncle sells them."
He had wondered how they managed to make a living in such a small village.
Cabelenus gave a wry smile at the woman smiling inside the pendant.
"I’m not bragging, but Mum’s paintings are popular these days. That’s why she’s getting offers from the Painters’ Associations in the big cities."
"...Then why is she still here?"
"Mum says she’s not that skilled. I think she paints really well, but she said she wants to practice more."
“...”
“But Uncle said this. He said Mum is meant for bigger things, that she should be working somewhere greater than here.”
Cabelenus kept his mouth shut as he watched the child chatter on, unaware of anything.
He couldn’t know exactly why Alicia wasn’t leaving, but he had a rough idea.
Because Alicia’s top priority was Michael.
"Mister, when you see Mum’s paintings later, make sure to praise her. Okay?"
"Okay."
Cabelenus began to nod, but froze mid-motion.
There seemed to be a space inside the pendant, behind the picture.
Cabelenus instinctively moved his fingers to take out the picture, but stopped.
If he forced it, the picture would get crumpled.
'...It probably doesn’t mean anything.'
It wasn’t the work of a craftsman — just an ordinary mass-produced item anyone could find on the street.
It wasn’t particularly suspicious. After all, it was common practice to leave the inside hollow on purpose to save materials.
"I’ll say it again, I’m only lending it to you. You can’t have it. Okay?"
"If you’re that worried, take it back."
"But…"
As Michael hesitated, Cabelenus moved first.
Michael instinctively touched the pendant now back around his neck.
"You shouldn’t hand over something precious so easily."
"...It’s not that precious."
Michael spoke with added force.
"For something that’s not, you sure didn’t want to let it go."
"That’s because Mum made it. Do you really think I’d like something that belonged to my dad?"
"Dad? Your father?"
"Isn’t it funny? This is the only thing my dad left behind. And even that, Mum made it."
“...”
"I wear it out of respect for Mum, but honestly, I don’t really like it."
Michael scowled and snapped irritably.
But even then, the child’s small hand was gripping the pendant tightly.
・・・・・
"How have you been, Alicia?"
“You’ve finally arrived.”
Alicia saw James through the open window and gave a faint smile.
"Where’s Michael? Did he go out to play again today?"
"Of course he did. Especially today — he even took a lunchbox, so he’ll probably be back late."
"I brought a bunch of candies that Michael likes. What a shame."
"Really? Michael will be thrilled when he finds out. Would you like some tea?"
"Before the tea, I’d appreciate it if you could open the door first."
"Of course. Just wait a moment."
Alicia quickly moved to open the door.
Though he had travelled a long way and might have looked weary, the silver-haired man was still as striking as ever.
"How long has it been since we last met?"
"Almost two months, I think."
"Only that? I thought it had been longer."
James smoothly took off his hat and coat and hung them on the wall.
Alicia busily put water on the stove to boil in a pot and took the tea leaves out of the cupboard.
"Why were you so late? You said you’d arrive around last week, didn’t you?"
"Renegotiating the contract terms took longer than I expected."
"James, a new contract?"
"Not me, for you."
“...”
Alicia’s hand, which had been putting tea leaves into the teapot, stopped.
"Recently, the Painters' Association has started selecting the next generation of painters. A generous grant will be given, and they’ll prepare a studio so you can work in a much better environment. Of course, it will also help build your reputation."
"There must be many painters better than me."
"The president of the association wants you. She likes your paintings, and she has high expectations for you."
“...”
"It’s a good opportunity."
James whispered softly.
Alicia hesitated for a moment, then finally sighed.
"Thank you for giving me such a good opportunity. But you know my situation. It’s not possible right now."
"How long are you going to keep saying it’s not possible?"
"Once Michael’s a bit older…"
"I know how much you’ve dedicated yourself to Michael all this time. But if you keep letting opportunities slip away like this, you’ll definitely regret it."
There was undeniable regret in James’s voice.
Alicia had plenty of talent.
Though still modest, the number of people in the capital interested in her paintings was gradually increasing.
If she had the proper environment, she would surely establish a firm position as a painter.
"I know you’ve been putting things off because of Michael. But Michael’s old enough to take care of himself now."
"Michael’s still a child."
"He’s eight now. His growth is slow, but he’s definitely eight."
"But you know. Michael is..."
"I know what you’re so afraid of. But all of that is in the past."
James let out a short breath.
A child born different from others, abnormally so.
He still vividly remembered what Michael looked like when he was born.
"...The past?"
"Yes. It’s in the past. In fact, Michael hasn’t had any problems so far."
"But…"
“A lot of time has passed. No one knows what Michael looked like when he was born, and even if they did and talked about it, who would believe them?”
James stepped closer and placed a hand gently on Alicia’s shoulder.
Alicia’s gaze trembled with anxiety.
"But you never know."
"That’s why you kept wandering, never settling down. You only just managed to settle in this village."
“...”
"You’ve done enough. You don’t have to keep hiding anymore."
“...”
"People need to experience bigger places in life. This isn’t just for you — it’s something Michael needs too. You can’t live in a small countryside town like this forever."
James glanced at the worn-down cabin.
Knowing how Alicia was treated by the villagers made his throat tighten.
Neither the old, shabby house they had paid so much for nor the villagers eager to belittle Alicia could be called a good environment.
He couldn’t keep her in a place like this forever.
"I’ll help you."
“...”
"Let me do that. We're like family, aren't we?"
James gently took Alicia’s hand.
Eight years ago, when he reunited with Alicia, who had nearly died in the snowy wilderness, he never imagined they’d become like this.
At that moment, he only saw in Alicia a reflection of his older sister, who had passed away.
But as time went by, her presence became something natural to him.
Through all the hardships, sorrows, and joys they shared, they naturally became family to each other.
Even if Alicia’s idea of family was different from his.
"...Actually, I wanted to ask you for a favour.”
"A favour? What kind of favour?"
“He’s here.”
“...”
James’s pupils shook.
Alicia took a quick, deep breath and then spoke without hesitation.
“Cabelenus von Schwarhan Blanche. Master of Schwarhan, and Michael’s biological father.”
“He knows? That Michael is his child?”
"No. He doesn’t."
Alicia shook her head weakly.
“It’s impossible not to know.”
“I lied. I told him Michael's six. Luckily, Michael is smaller than most kids his age.”
“He actually believed that?”
James furrowed his brows.
“Madame Morco once told me this. She said that he already knew about the child. And…”
"And?"
“He said the child would be born with black hair and golden eyes. But Michael doesn’t have either. He might have doubts, but it’s hard to be certain.”
The Cabelenus Alicia remembered was a man of strong conviction.
He wouldn’t easily change what he believed.
“So you’re going to keep it a secret?”
"Yes. Absolutely."
Alicia’s immediate response showed no hesitation.
“You still think he’ll try to kill Michael?”
"...I don’t know."
"You don’t know?"
“Strangely enough, he’s been getting along quite well with Michael.”
The corners of Alicia’s mouth drooped.
"Besides, Michael’s really fond of him. Even though he doesn’t know the truth, it’s like he instinctively knows that man is his father — he follows him like it’s the most natural thing. It’s so clear to see, I just can’t bring myself to tell him to stay away."
It would’ve been easier if they were distant.
Unbeknownst to her, a bond had already formed between Cabelenus and Michael.
At least for now, Cabelenus didn’t seem like someone who wanted to kill Michael.
“If that’s the case, then rather…”
“But as long as there’s even the slightest chance, I don’t want to take the risk.”
Alicia gave a bitter smile and shook her head.
If Cabelenus was being kind to Michael, it was probably because he thought he wasn’t that child.
“When I was pregnant with Michael, he was the one who said we should just go for adoption. That it would be better that way."
“...”
"I’m scared. A person who hated Michael that much back then — if he finds out the truth, I don’t know how he’ll react."
Alicia’s hands trembled.
A child born not as a human, but as a beast.
It would have been hard to believe if she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes — but Michael was born like that.
In the form of a beast resembling the very monsters Cabelenus loathed.
"Michael’s done nothing wrong. He was just born that way."
Michael’s beastly appearance lasted only a short while.
As time went on, he became more and more human, and by the time he was two, he looked completely like any other child.
The child had spent more time in human form than in the form of a beast, and that fact would not change in the future.
To be treated like a monster just because of how he was born — that was wrong.
But that was only Alicia’s perspective, not Cabelenus’s.
"He won’t understand. If he finds out Michael was born like that, he’ll be convinced he’s a monster — and in the end…"
Alicia couldn’t bring herself to say the rest and instead pressed her hands tightly over her mouth. Just imagining the possibility of her child dying made her whole body tremble.
"…So, what do you want me to do? If you need anything, just say the word. If it’s from you, I’ll do anything."
"Honestly, I want him to give up first — but he’s not that kind of person."
“What you’re saying is…”
"I’m planning to leave this village soon. Of course, without him knowing."
"Can you help me?"
Alicia looked up at James, her eyes reddened.
James’s throat tightened.
"I’ll help you as much as you need. But let me choose the destination."
"James."
"You said he’s the type who won't give up. That man even came all the way to this remote village. Just hiding won’t mean anything."
“...”
Alicia’s eyelashes trembled noticeably.
It was just as James said.
Considering Cabelenus had come all the way here, simply hiding wouldn’t be enough.
“Why don’t you come with me to the capital instead? We can go there, create new names and identities, and start fresh.”
"…Is that really possible?"
"What I realised while staying in the capital is this: as long as you have money, there’s nothing you can’t do there."
"I don’t have that kind of money…"
"Don’t worry. You’d be surprised how much I got from your latest painting."
James smiled gently.
He would gladly open his wallet if she wanted, but Alicia didn’t like that kind of help.
She was content with him simply selling her paintings for the best price possible.
"How much did you make? 3000 galen?"
"No. Much more than that."
"Then maybe, 10,000 galen?"
"No, 100,000 galen."
"What?"
Alicia’s eyes widened in shock.
James beamed proudly, his smile deepening.
"I told you. That piece would definitely sell for a high price."
"But 100,000 galen is just too much…"
The total earnings from paintings sold over the years so far amounted to just under 20,000 galen.
100,000 galen was an almost unimaginable amount.
"Don’t be surprised.100,000 galen is just the start. If you build your reputation, you’ll be able to sell for much more."
“...”
"You said you wanted to send Michael to the academy when he turns ten, right? If you keep earning like this, you won’t have to worry about tuition all the way through graduation."
James’s eyes curved softly into crescent shapes.
After hesitating, Alicia finally nodded.
⋆｡˚ ☁︎ ˚｡ ⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆
If you notice any errors or broken links, please let me know and I will get that fixed~ Additionally, if you would like to support me, I have a Ko-fi ~ Thank you! 💖