“The rest was incredible. Lord Aztein showed up holding a wooden club in his hand. Then, he made me sit down and every time my focus drifted, he would hit me on the butt, soles of my feet, and palms. It hurt so much that I cried from the bruises, but he never showed me mercy. Even when I told my mother and father, they never understood.”

The Duke of Saffeldrick’s shoulders looked remarkably light.

“Still, after half a year of being taught by Lord Aztein, I became able to act like a proper person. After that, I developed study habits, which allowed me to safely reach my current position.”

“Hahaha, was that so?”

“…”

Ian and I’s eyes naturally drifted towards my grandfather. His gentle smile didn’t match at all with the story he had just told. He said he had cursed, gotten angry, and even hit me?

He never raised his voice at me, nor did he pick up a cane. Even when I made mistakes, he always embraced me, and I tried harder so I wouldn’t disappoint him.

“It was really surprising and overwhelming at the time. Who would’ve thought that someone would beat the young lord of the Saffeldrick family like a dog?”

“Hahaha…”

“It’s all in the past. I was also quite fiery back then, wasn’t I?”

“Honestly, even now, it feels strange. I never thought Lord Aztein would speak to me so gently. I thought you’d always keep that personality even as you grew older.”

“After the granddaughters were born, I started looking back on my life. Wouldn’t it be better to be a gentle and soft grandfather than a violent one?”

Grandfather softly smiled and set his tea cup down. His gaze turned toward the window. The bright sunlight covered the garden, starkly contrasting with the melancholy of autumn.

“Time has passed.”

In response to Grandfather’s voice, Duke Saffeldrick quietly answered.

“I’ve heard. You’re retiring.”

“I’ve endured forty years in this position. It’s time to step down. Besides, with my grown granddaughters and the people beside them, I can leave with peace of mind.”

Grandfather, whose beard and hair were now streaked with gray, looked much older. When I saw him like this, I couldn’t help but feel the passage of time was cruel. I was just beginning, but he was nearing the end. I thought he’d always be by my side.

“I thought my life was difficult. I thought there were no good things in it. But when I opened my eyes and looked back, I realized there were many good moments.”

Grandfather, who smiled gently, turned his gaze toward me and ruffled my hair with his large hands. It felt nice, so I smiled, and he also smiled warmly.

“Now, like Vesilon, I want to step back and watch my granddaughters grow and see how their descendants develop.”

Duke Saffeldrick’s hand reached toward Grandfather. Slowly, he placed his hand on Grandfather’s knee and spoke in a low, gentle voice, accompanied by a smile.

“You’ve worked hard, my teacher.”

---

“Lorencia, may I have a word?”

I turned my head at the sound of Duke Saffeldrick’s voice. Everyone else was already in the carriage.

I glanced back at Ian, who was waiting for me in front of the carriage. He held out his hand, as if telling me to go, and I nodded before turning toward the Duke.

I approached him and tilted my head. He briefly looked over my shoulder, then back at me. His eyes were very soft.

“What happened to the pendant I gave you before?”

“I gave it to my grandfather.”

“I see. Then there must be no more pendants.”

“Pardon?”

He smiled warmly. Not understanding what he meant, I tilted my head, and Vale took a small pendant from his pocket and handed it to me.

“What’s this?”

“Open it.”

As he instructed, I pressed the pendant’s lid, then opened it. The contents inside were revealed.

“…”

“This is something I’ve kept for myself.”

Inside was a picture of my parents and a younger Duke Saffeldrick.

“You received the portrait from Rosello Bellardi, the old man, during your wedding, but your younger sister hasn’t had her ceremony yet, has she? So, I’m giving you this.”

The Duke continued in a calm voice.

“When I was trained by Lord Aztein, I often hung out with your grandfather’s children. They were kind and friendly. But back then, I couldn’t stand them. They were always together, leaving me out and showing affection for each other, which made me so angry.”

His expression softened as if recalling that time. He gave a faint smile.

“Because of that, I ended up getting married a bit earlier than I might have, but… what can you do? Still, the days I spent with those two were quite enjoyable and happy. They weren’t kids who approached me because of my family name, but friends who liked me for who I was.”

“Father, mother…”

“I still think of them sometimes. Their faces and smiles. The hands they held out to me were so warm. It’s been a long time, and I can finally say this, but it’s still a distant and nostalgic memory. But, Lorencia…”

His voice became firm, and I lifted my gaze from the pendant. The Duke’s expression was one of relief.

“I’m passing those memories to you now. I’m growing older, and I’m blessing the future of the children they left behind. If your parents were still alive, they would have blessed your sister’s future as well. So, this isn’t a gift from me, but from your parents.”

The Duke’s hand completely enveloped mine as he closed the pendant’s lid. His warm hand made me feel as though I could feel my parents’ warmth. I bit my lip, feeling a rush of emotions.

“Lorencia Aztein, I hope your future, just like my daughter’s, is filled with happiness.”

He smiled.

“Congratulations on the baby.”

• End of Side Story –