He stepped closer to Kalia, completely filling her view.
His golden eyes were right in front of Kalia.
Simon looked at Kalia and spoke in a low voice, as if he was trying to suppress himself.
"You. You're lying."
Simon had been thinking about it all night.
A series of thoughts that seemed as far-flung as the universe was wide, but began to unfold into the truth, like magic.
When those thoughts, which had been buried deep by feelings of jealousy and sadness, finally connected, a light switched on in his head.
Her departure nine months ago.
Their relationship before she gave birth.
She was his first, as he was hers.
When they first embraced, it was something they both clearly knew.
After that, I don't think she met anyone else or made love.
And with the amount of mana that the baby had, it was impossible to think that Kalia had been with someone else.
If that was the case, then there was only one possibility left.
"This is my child, right…?".
The baby she was holding…
That is 'our child.
I can't believe it.
Kalia widened her eyes in shock.
It was a minute action that no one else would have noticed.
However, Simon always caught any small change in her expression.
She felt uneasy.
He's a smart person after all, so he might have noticed.
Her arms, which were holding Sasha, were tense.
Kalia looked a bit desperate, closing her eyes for a moment as she hugged her child.
Simon stared firmly at Kalia.
Gulp.
What should I do now?
She tried to say something, but her mouth was dry.
The child had already been born, and Simon could no longer tell her to get rid of the baby.
Simon's attitude to the baby in front of her had been more favorable than she expected.
However, that doesn't mean that this baby is a blessing for Duke Terroan.
Kalia knew Duke Terroan well.
Rather than judge him because of his noble blood, she knew him well due to her childhood in his house.
Though Kalia was not a part of his 'family', she still received a lot of support.
She is, after all, the girl who had rescued the Duke's precious son, who had an excellent talent in magic.
Kicking her out would have affected the Duke's reputation.
So she was given a room in the annex of the mansion.
Kalia was neither a servant nor a noble. She was just an ordinary person.
There were many people who whispered about her, but they didn't matter to Kalia.
She had no need for anything, whether it was trivial or extravagant. As long as she could survive, and eat and sleep comfortably, she was content.
Duke Terroan and his wife, Helena, had always been extremely elegant people.
Not a smile on their lips, and never rushing. The perfect aristocrats. Perfect and privileged.
We're different from everyone else.
Helena, in particular, always said those words with a smile and a sweet voice.
Funnily enough, Kalia heard those words the most.
Even though Kalia wasn't their servant and had never tried to get close to them, Helena had always been particularly fussy with Kalia.
'Kalia, we're different from you. Especially Simon. However… Since you saved our Simon's life, we will show you our gratitude.'
Whenever Simon was away, Helena would call for her and feed her delicious desserts while saying those words.
It was endlessly repeated during tea time.
And that tea time affair began when Kalia started attending the same academy as Simon.
You two seem to have a good relationship. That's good to see. Kalia, I heard that your swordsmanship is outstanding. The Duke will sponsor you generously. Because you saved Simon. Because it is your duty.'
Slide. She smiled gracefully as she pushed the steaming cup towards Kalia.
'Don't forget your duty, Kalia.'
That's what she emphasized the most.
Duty.
'Just as we will never forget to acknowledge your grace for saving Simon, you should never forget the reason our family has supported you this far. You must never be a nuisance to Simon. Like a sibling, or a friend, you must stay by his side for a long time, and continue this friendship of yours. Do you understand?'
You mustn't do anything that would harm Simon.'
"That is your duty, Kalia…'
Those were the words Kalia had heard ever since she was young, but she had no idea what those words meant.
It was only later that Kalia realized that Helena might have said them because she was wary of her.
Just in case two people who are too close with each other started to have unusual feelings for one another.
'Even if those feelings never came up, this happened…'
However, Kalia had thought about it all throughout her pregnancy.
This child was no one's but hers.
Her inability to trust Duke Terroan, and Simon's dislike towards children. Regardless of the reasons why she didn't want to burden him, Sasha was her child.
Kalia Takskate.
Her child is the only one who will inherit her last name.
She used all her strength to hold on to Sasha's hand.
"Kalia, please tell me the truth. I'm the father of this child, righ-…"
"No."
Kalia hurriedly cut off Simon's words.
And said it firmly.
"No, Simon. You're not."
"What…?"
"I said no. That child isn't yours."
"He isn't my child…?"
Kalia nodded immediately as Simon asked again.
She emphasized again and again.
"That's right, you're not. You're definitely not, Simon."
This child will never inherit Terroan's name.
I don't want that for him.
Sasha will have Takskate, Kalia's last name, as his own.
"This child isn't yours."
This child isn't yours.
At her words, Simon's stare made the room go cold.
"Hah." Simon laughed, staring at Kalia for a moment before looking away.
His gaze returned to Kalia.
His cold eyes glared at Kalia, his stare sharp enough for her to feel pain.
"Ah… Is that so?"
I see. This is what he is saying.
That low and gloomy voice, still pretending to be kind.
"Alright, then tell me, Kalia."
The anger in his voice was so cold and brutal, it could freeze everything around him.
"Then which bastard gave you that child?"
He was angry.
Kalia, who had known him for a long time, could tell.
His voice sounded as if he was trying to hold back far more than just anger.
Kalia, who could feel chills running down her back, became suspicious.
But… Is this something that would make Simon angry?
Shouldn't he be relieved that the child wasn't his?
And what is he going to do if he knows?
Embarrassed, she asked him.
"What will you do once you know who he is?"
"That bastard will never be a father…"
"That bastard…?"
"You cannot save him."
I… will brutally kill him, Kalia.
Kalia's eyes widened as Simon approached to furiously whisper.
His eyes were cold, and seemed as if he was capable of doing anything.
Even the mana surrounding him threatened to destroy everything in its path.
"So. Come on, tell me that bastard's name, Kalia."
Hurry.
Simon urged mockingly.
It was a big deal.
Looking at his flashing blue eyes, it was difficult to admit that he was the father.
"Th-that…"
Flustered, Kalia stuttered for the first time.
Simon raised his chin slightly as if telling her to go on.
"Why can't you tell me? Ah, perhaps it's someone I know?"
"What?
Simon's lips twisted upwards, laughing, before he asked sarcastically,
"Ah… Could it be Prince Louismond?"
"Whaat?"
Did those words really come out from this jerk's mouth? Goodness, no matter how crazy a person is, how can he just go around accusing people?
Kalia's eyes widened and angrily burst out,
"What a load of nonsense!"
"Aha. If it's not Louismond… then Brigham, the deputy?"
"Brigham is married!"
Kalia was shocked to hear something even crazier.
"Hmm… Who else is there? But no matter how much I think about it, of course it's…"
Regardless, Simon looked at her and unconsciously made a twisted smile.
Sharp eyes looked at Kalia, trying to uncover the truth.
"There's no one it could be, except
me."
Right, Kalia?
There was confidence in his eyes.
No matter how much Kalia denied it, he must have already known the truth.
He was wary of her rigid expression.
Her gaze, which neither denies nor affirms, meant,
"That she won't acknowledge him…"
Whether it was true or not, Kalia refused to recognize Simon as Sasha's father.
And Simon was smart enough to have noticed it.
Feeling his heart drop, he clenched his fists for a moment, then opened them again.
He felt numb as the pain settled down in his heart.
At this point, however, Simon could tell.
Why Kalia escaped somewhere far, hiding the fact that she had a child with him.
Kalia didn't trust him.
She wasn't sure if, knowing he had a child, whether Simon would be sincerely happy together or plan for their future together.
Maybe she thought he would urge her and the child to do cruel things.
For goodness' sake. Simon would bet on it.
His chest tightened.
It hurt to face reality, but he still had to accept it.
Only then could they move on.
Right, this much pain was nothing compared to when she disappeared from his world.
Simon reached out and held Kalia's hand.
His eyes became gentle, as if he was clinging on to her.
"Just… Tell me that it's me, Kalia."
He understood that she didn't trust him.
It was his fault for thinking that they would have all the time in the world, and that they could be with each other at any time.
Simon's lips gently touched the back of Kalia's hand.
His breath, hot with desire, ran through her fingers.
As if pouring out his sincerity,
"Please… Tell me that it's me."
Earnestly.