Deep, ocean-like eyes filled with sharp intelligence.
Rodan’s beautiful gaze met Emilia’s.
Rodan was usually composed and expressionless,
but for a fleeting moment, a look of surprise crossed his perfect face.
(Our eyes met…)
Even during his time as an exchange student, she had never seen this expression on him.
She hadn’t planned to speak with him.
Right now, Emilia was nothing more than a civilian, divorced by her husband and seeking refuge in a foreign land.
In contrast, Rodan Carrick was the heir of one of the oldest noble families in Iselnare—
a lineage even older than the royal family itself.
It was said that the first king of Iselnare had refused to let go of the Carrick family’s loyalty and talents, granting them extraordinary privileges to guard the royal capital.
Even now… Rodan was here, personally leading the response to this spirit-related incident near the capital.
There was no way he had time to speak with her.
And what would he even gain from talking to her?
She was no longer the brilliant academy student he once knew.
Emilia quickly averted her gaze.
But Rodan didn’t let it go unnoticed.
Turning to his young adjutant, Terry, he spoke in a low voice.
“Terry, I’m taking leave immediately. You handle the rest.”
“Huh?! What?! All of a sudden?!”
“The knight regulations state that I don’t have to provide a reason for my leave.”
“W-Well, yes, but… Captain, you have an absurd amount of unused leave…!”
“I’m using it now.”
With that, Rodan strode toward Emilia without hesitation.
She instinctively turned away.
(…Don’t come near me.)
Her heart raced. The salty air suddenly tasted bitter.
Telling herself that Rodan was too busy had been nothing more than an excuse.
The truth was, she didn’t want him to know.
Didn’t want him to see her like this—a woman without a home or future.
She didn’t even want to understand the meaning behind his surprise when he first saw her.
Nothing was more painful than having an old friend witness your downfall.
She wanted to flee, but Ford was still watching the penguin spirit with joy.
She couldn’t just yank her son away and run.
(Please… don’t notice me.)
Her silent wish went unheard.
Rodan advanced steadily, his presence alone parting the crowd around him.
What will he say to me?
When he finally reached them, Rodan did something unexpected—
he crouched down.
“…Excuse me.”
“Huh? Mister, are you talking to me?”
Rodan, without hesitation, spoke gently to Ford.
His usual icy demeanor melted into a warm, soothing voice.
It was the kind of tone that instantly put others at ease.
Ford, caught off guard, looked up at Rodan with wide eyes.
“Whoa… you’re so cool…”
“You must be Ford. Am I right?”
“Yeah! Mister, do you know me?”
“I heard about you from someone. That you love books.”
“That’s right! I love books!”
Ford’s initial caution faded.
The moment he realized that Rodan already knew about him, his guard dropped.
Rodan then slowly lifted his gaze.
“…It’s been a long time, Emilia.”
His piercing beauty, usually so distant and cold, was filled with nostalgia.
Just that single sentence was enough to make Emilia’s heart waver.
(That’s right. I… I must have…)
But she couldn’t say it aloud.
She shouldn’t.
Rodan might have seemed emotionless, but deep down, he was a kind and sentimental person.
Swallowing her emotions, Emilia took a slow breath and finally spoke.
“It’s been a long time, Rodan.”
Ford glanced up at her in silence.
That silence grounded her, keeping her steady.
Rodan studied her carefully.
“You’ve lost a lot of weight. For a moment, I wasn’t even sure if it was really you.”
“…I have?”
Emilia blinked in surprise.
She had never given much thought to her appearance.
Sure, after childbirth, her appetite had decreased.
But back in the academy, she had been active—horseback riding, self-defense training…
“Mom, you really didn’t notice? You’ve barely been eating lately.”
“…Huh?”
“Even your hands—they’re so thin and cold.”
Ford lifted his mother’s hand slightly.
(Is this really my hand…?)
Her fingers were pale, her veins showing unnaturally clearly.
For the first time, she truly looked at herself.
“Mom, you’re really skinny.”
Ford had said the same thing earlier that morning when they left the Ordon estate.
But Emilia had never paid attention until now.
Rodan, watching quietly, finally spoke again.
“If you’d like, I could show you around the Iselnare capital. With, of course, the finest cuisine.”
“…But—”
Before she could object, Ford burst with excitement.
“Wow! That sounds amazing! What kind of food do they have in Iselnare?!”
“The kingdom is known for its seafood. Shellfish is especially popular.”
“Whoa! In Wallis, we only eat vegetables all the time!”
Wallis had no access to the sea, making fish a luxury.
And back in the Ordon estate… they had barely eaten meat.
Ford was at the age when he needed proper nutrition.
(…Was that another form of mistreatment?)
No. She wouldn’t think about it anymore.
She focused her mind on Ford instead.
He needed to adapt quickly to life in Iselnare.
If Rodan’s invitation could help with that, then declining out of personal pride would be foolish.
Taking a deep breath, Emilia bowed slightly.
“Then, just for a little while… I’ll be in your care.”
Rodan’s lips curved into a small smile.
“Compared to everything you did for me at the academy, this is nothing.”
That soft smile—
A rare expression on Rodan’s usually unreadable face.
Back then, she never could have understood what it meant.
But now—looking into his ocean-blue eyes—
She could finally read his emotions clearly.
『I want you to rely on me more.』
End of Volume 1
Thank you for reading!
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