The Monster Knight wants Parental Leave

“Everything is prepared. You may now enter the carriage,” the approaching coachman of the Ruins family informed her, relieving Lucia of her resolute demeanor.

Without bothering to greet the curious girls, Lucia swiftly boarded the carriage, disregarding proper etiquette.

As they ascended the hill, her thoughts were consumed by Iren’s intentions. She pondered incessantly, examining her attire for any traces of blood.

‘What does he hope to achieve by wanting to grow closer to me?’

The emperor passed away, and the crown prince who succeeded him tragically died at a young age, not even reaching 40. 

Moreover, Lucia had barely interacted with him, apart from a brief escort mission. Yet now, he claimed to have observed her every day and expressed doubts about the existence of the child.

After dismissing the carriage, Lucia wandered around the vicinity of the lodging. From there, the royal palace was visible, and as Iren had mentioned, the prince’s residence was the closest. While the accommodation itself might not be discernible, one could clearly spot the training field with the aid of a telescope.

“…So, it is true that he watched me every day.”

The crown prince had assured her that it was a secret. Though she remained uncertain about placing trust in him, his words implied that he would keep the secret until he revealed his true intentions.

At that moment, an odd cry echoed from inside the lodging.

“Heehee, heeeiiing!!”

Reacting swiftly, Lucia entered the building with a meaningful expression on her face.

Upon opening the door, she was met with a distressing sight.

“P-Please, save me. Commander…!”

Vernon lay prostrate with strange scribbles adorning his face, and a child energetically climbed onto his waist.

“Animals can’t talk! Do as I tell you and run!”

“He, heeeiiing…..!”

Vernon’s pitiful imitation mirrored the earlier sound, indicating Vernon as its source.

With her red hair braided and tied into a round shape, the child appeared contented as she relentlessly hit Vernon’s light blue hair.

“Vernon, who is this child?”

“Who is this, sister?”

Before Vernon could respond, the child inquired innocently, her eyes wide open.

-Smack!

“Ouch!”

“Ivanna! How dare you speak to the commander like that?!”

Lucia’s voice rang out as Gilliana, rushing from the kitchen, struck the child’s head with a ladle.

“Why are you hitting me?! I’m going to tell my mom?!”

“What did you say, you little rascal?!”

Despite Gilliana’s intimidating demeanor, the child, bearing a striking resemblance to her, showed no signs of backing down.

“What is happening here? Who is this child?”

“Ah, Commander. Well, um… This is my niece, Ivanna! We had an unexpected family event, and we suddenly needed a lot of help… She insisted on coming along with me. That’s why…”

Gilliana, who was usually outspoken, now crouched down and timidly sought permission. Her family, known for their catering business, often required extra help during significant events, causing Gilliana to frequently take time off. Today seemed to be one of those days.

Lucia could sense Gilliana’s nervousness, knowing that she preferred not to bring outsiders into the accommodation. However, Lucia had long given up on enforcing that rule since the day they all decided to come here. The other members of the group seemed oblivious to the sacrifices Lucia had made for them.

“Where is Nia?”

“Nia isn’t here!”

Lucia looked around at Ivanna’s confident statement and found that Nia was hiding beneath the visible dining tablecloth.

‘Are they playing hide and seek?’

Nia had surely been looking for a rag like a maid as soon as she woke up.

Lucia didn’t understand why she wanted to go back to the orphanage so badly. She had come at a pretty early time to prevent that, but the child seemed to be having fun playing with her peer friend. 

“Well then, I’ll go u–“

“I’m here! I’m here!”

“Wow! Ivanna found her! Woohaha!”

The child ran out and hung onto Lucia’s thighs, whining, and Ivanna, holding Nia, shouted excitedly.

Nia was on the verge of tears, and Ivanna couldn’t contain her victorious excitement and stomped her feet.

Even in the midst of the chaotic scene, Lucia remained as stoic as she was in the morning when she first encountered the child. It wasn’t that she disliked the warmth of the child clinging to her, but she was unsure how to respond to such an assertive child.

“…Huuu. I’m here… So, so…”

The child, shocked that Lucia pretended not to know her, clung to Lucia’s leg and refused to let go.

“Auntie. Auntie Gillie. Who is this sister? She’s pretty, but she’s silent. Is she angry?”

The child’s candid speech appeared to be a family trait.

“I’m… Lucia. I’m this child’s mother.”

Feeling awkward with the child, Lucia introduced herself with the utmost gentleness she could muster. But in response, she was met with a face full of doubt.

“Huh? That’s not true! You’re not an auntie, right? My mom is an auntie? She’s so big…!!”

Ivanna started describing her mother, gesturing wildly with her short arms.

Gilliana chuckled and whispered in Ivanna’s ear, “Ivanna, be quiet. If you say another word, your mom, Auntie Julie, might come with a cane.”

“Eeek! Auntie Gillie. Ivanna won’t say anything.”

The disobedient-looking child widened her eyes and pretended to zip her mouth shut, as if learning the lesson. It seemed that such incidents had occurred before.

“I’m Ivanna Berna. The second child of the Berna Baron family. Please take care of me.”

“Nice to meet you.”

Despite being a child from a noble family, Ivanna knew how to greet properly.

Meanwhile, Nia, who had stopped crying, was approached by Ivanna.

“Do you like your mom, Nia?”

As Nia wiped away the tears in her eyes, she nodded.

“…Nia likes Lucia.”

‘…?’

Lucia was taken aback by the child’s genuine thoughts, which she heard for the first time. 

But before she could react, 

“Lucia? She said she’s your mom? Not mom?”

Nia seemed to recall something and quickly shook her head.

“Why do you call her by her name, not ‘mom’?”

‘Ah, this.’

The pupils of Nia, who had nowhere to go, and the twinkling eyes of the members who were watching.

Lucia had anticipated this day would come, but she hadn’t expected it to start with a question from a young child.

Nia still didn’t address Lucia as her mother.

Because of this, Lucia had tried to keep others at a distance. However, since even the other members didn’t bring it up, Lucia had let it go as well.

“Huh? Why? Why aren’t you calling her that? Ivanna is curious. Can Ivanna also call her mom by her name? Aunt Gillie?”

Gilliana’s puzzled reaction made the members realize that it was strange they hadn’t questioned it before.

But now, more pressing than that was the vulnerable little one.

And then, it happened.

“…It won’t come out. Why?”

The child raised her small, chubby hand to her chest, and golden droplets fell from her big, upward-looking eyes.

“…It hurts so much here that I can’t speak. I’m sorry. I’m sorry….”

Something precious and treasured.

There are children who cannot openly express love for something just because it is precious, treasured, and good.

Young Nia had spent most of her life in an orphanage, where children with nothing would steal or be stolen from whenever something new or eye-catching appeared.

The pillow she used now, the toothbrush, the toys—everything here was filled with good things that had to be kept silent and hidden.

Accustomed to hiding these things, the child would enjoy them when no one was around but had never learned to share that happiness with others.

To Nia, that word was the most precious word she couldn’t say, even to Mia, whom she believed in.

It wasn’t easy to utter that word, which was difficult to say even when alone, in front of people.

But in front of a tearful Nia, Ivanna’s eyes widened.

The child seemed quite angry about something.

“What? Are you sick? If you call her mom, will she hurt you? Hey, sister! No, Nia’s mom! Can’t you hold back?!”

Ivanna’s small body trembled as if she were about to charge at Lucia at any moment.

Then,

“…Sister!”

Nia stepped forward, blocking Ivanna in front of Lucia as if protecting her, using her tiny body.

It was the first time they heard Nia’s voice raised so loudly.

As an awkward silence filled the air, Gilliana, unable to bear it any longer, grabbed Ivanna by the collar.

“You brat! Ivanna. Listen carefully. Nia’s chest trembles when she tries to call Commander ‘mom’ because she loves her so much. Got it?!”

‘…?’

Is it because of love?

Another person surprised by Gilliana’s words was Lucia herself.

Looking at Vernon and Gilliana as if to confirm with her surprise, they nodded firmly, placing their hands on their chests as they looked at Lucia.

Lucia had thought that the reason it was difficult for the word “mom” to come out of Nia’s mouth was because she herself had never acted in a motherly manner.

But those who witnessed this mother and daughter couldn’t help but know.

No matter the circumstances, the person whom young Nia’s eyes were always directed toward was Lucia alone.

“Hmm. I understand. Whew, but Nia is in a bind. Of course, I love my mom too… but not that much. My goodness. When my mom gets angry, she’s like an orc from a picture book…”

“Ah, Ivanna. Imagine if your mom were here. You wouldn’t have any earlobes left, would you?”

“…Yes! Ivanna won’t say anything!”

Ivanna quickly raised her hands as if to protect her head, her braided pigtails shaking vigorously.

In the small front yard of the lodging, the wildflowers bloomed abundantly, bathed in the soft glow of the sunlight.

Pushing aside the delicate flowers, Nia and Ivanna had laid out a small mat, pretending to sip tea from tiny teacups filled with dirt.

“Madam, isn’t this tea said to be grown in the Gorne region?”

“Yes, y-yes…!”

“Oh, that’s right! And don’t forget to lift your pinky finger while sipping.”

“……Yes!”

Following her own instructions, Ivanna delicately sipped the imaginary tea, fluttering her pinky finger. Then she playfully scattered the dirt from her teacup.

Watching this, Nia also carefully brushed off the remaining dirt from her own teacup.

Amused by something, Ivanna happily flopped down on the mat, basking in the warmth of the sun, her body fully content.

“Nia! Your house is amazing! My mom never buys toys like this. Can I come again with Sejar?”

As Ivanna asked Nia, she glanced at Lucia in the distance, seeking approval.

Upon hearing Ivanna’s enthusiastic voice, Lucia waved her hand vaguely, indicating her understanding.

“Oh, your mom is like a tree stump, huh? She’s quite cool during these times?”

“Tree stump…?”

“It means she’s straightforward. Anyway, that’s great! When Sejar comes next time, let’s build a secret base with these toys.”

Ivanna spoke, her eyes fixed on the miniature house set scattered around the premises.

That too was one of the gifts bestowed by Leon.

Observing Ivanna clenching her fists in excitement, Nia blinked her eyes.

‘…She laughs, she eats well, and she has many friends.’

This was what Hiss had described as becoming ordinary.

To Nia, Ivanna seemed to perfectly embody the description given by Hiss.

Nia silently watched Ivanna, whose face was filled with emotions, and a strong sense of envy, enough to bring sadness, welled up within her.

And then, suddenly, Ivanna thrust her face in front of the bewildered Nia.

“Ugh, it shouldn’t be like this.”

“……?”

“Nia, you always agree with everything I say.”

Ivanna’s casual remark caused Nia’s expression to darken rapidly.

And deep within her young mind, a familiar voice echoed, perhaps reflecting a situation she had anticipated becoming a reality.

‘Why do you always do whatever I tell you to do? It makes bullying you no fun.’

The words she used to hear from her peers at the orphanage had now escaped Ivanna’s lips.

(TO BE CONTINUED)