"Ha. . . ! As expected, Ryzen is the best."
We stayed in the capital for another month after Erdin's baptism and then returned to Ryzen. Breathing in the fresh air from Mount Piliac, I enjoyed the feeling that i finally back home.
In the capital there's all sorts of convenient things and you could buy a variety of things, but Ryzen was the place where Killian and i felt attached too. But it wasn't just the fresh winds of Mount Piliac that awaited us.
"I expected it, but. . . .it's really a huge pile of work."
"Because we stayed in the capital longer than we planned to."
Killian and I let out a small sigh, but we didn't intend to linger. Because we have a long way to go. We are also working hard to promote the medical health insurance and spurred the development of Piliac mountain roads projects.
To ensure security in the territory, a police station was established in each village, and doctors and nurses were also recruited to create a treatment center that could be used by the people of the territory.
At first, those people who dissatisfied with the futile activities of the young lord and his wife began to hope for a better life on the estate.
Although everything is still in the early stages, I was happy every day because I feel like I'm getting closer to what I dreamed of.
I couldn't forget the event at the day when I went to check out the increasingly expanded treatment center.
"Thank you, Madam."
A skinny girl held out a freshly picked yellow flower to me as I passed her. It was a weed that looked like a rape flower, but it was as beautiful as the girl's smile.
"My goodness, it's so beautiful. Are you giving it to me?"
The child nodded shyly.
Anyone who saw her would have the feeling that she was a child with an obvious illness, but there was a glimmer of hope in the girl's eyes. I thought I had seen such clear and beautiful eyes somewhere before.
"Thank you. I'll make sure to put it in the vase."
At those words, the child blushes in shy and turned her body, running back to her mother who stand behind her. While i was watching that, Sir Altens, Killian personal aide and my aide today, spoke quietly beside me.
"That girl is a child who has Croso's disease and she almost on the verge of death. Thanks to her parents who actively participating in public service for medical insurance, the child was able to be treated as soon as the treatment center was built."
"Ah. . . . !"
"It's still to early to say that she's fully recovered, but it's true that she become more healthier than before. And those people around her who seeing that child's case, also reacting positively to health insurance."
Maybe she heard sir Altens explanation, the girl mother lowered her head and greeted me with a trembling voice.
"Our daughter was the reason my husband and i live. But if it wasn't for medical insurance, we wouldn't be able to pay for her treatment. I'll never forget the grace of my lord and our madam."
Hearing those words somehow made me want to cry.
And then I remembered where I had seen such beautiful eyes as that child eyes.
As the child poked her head out from behind her mother's skirt and smiled, I saw the image of the dead child, the girl who said she envied me because i was so lucky that i receiving my brother's bone marrow transplant.
"Edith? Is something wrong? Why are you crying. . . ."
Killian, who came late next to me, was surprised when he saw me and asked. It looked like she was literally in tears.
But I couldn't be happier.
I think I was finally could relieve some of my lingering guilt.
* * *
"Mom! Lilia keeps doing. . . !"
"Brother-!"
When we had two children, our house was never quiet. Same as today when I was busy preparing thing to leave for the capital.
Erdin, who was gentle from the womb, grew up into a gentle and affection son. However, our second chlid a daughter, Lilia. I could fell there's a tomboyish aura about her even thought I haven't say anything yet, so i wonder she resembles with whom.
Erdin came running to me with a sad face after being tortured by his younger sister who had just learned to run?
"Why Lilia?"
"Lilia kept jumping on my back and pulling my hair! Look at this she's drooling! this is my new clothes. . . ."
Erdin frowned as if about to cry and pointed to his damp shoulder.
Erdin's hair, combed neatly in the morning, was tangled like a bird's nest, and his light green jacket had a palm-sized dark spot on his shoulder. His cheeks also have a fingernail scratches.
Despite being beaten like that, he'd come running slowly to match with his sister step.That was Erdin's natural he so sweet and kind.
"I think Lilia really likes her brother so much, that why she always follows you every day."
"Yeah, that's true, but. . . ."
Erdin had no choice but to stomp his feet to vent his frustration.
Erdin is five years old, and Lilia is three years old. Because there are no peers in our castle, Erdin and Lilia have no choice but to play with each other.
For some families, they have to worry about their daughter getting hurt because of the different strength, but in our family situation, it was opposite.
Lilia who is always energetic often disturbs Erdin who likes to read books and play quietly by clinging to her brother all day.
Therefore, Erdin would play with his younger sister and tolerate with her, Lilia's mischief is getting worse as the day went by, and recently Erdin often runs to me with a face like he was about to cry as he does now.
Erdin's face was so cute when he tries to hold back his tears like he's about to cry. He must be wondering why his mother didn't take his side. But I pretended not to notice that, because he might really cry it i do so. I also didn't force him to accept his younger sister behavior unconditionally.
I held Lilia in my arms with a stern expression on my face and spoke. "Lilia. No matter how much you like your brother, you shouldn't do this! You brother having a hard time because of that."
Lilia who realized that I was scolding her, shut her mouth, which had been babbling so loudly earlier, and turned her eyes on the button of my dress and started rummaging through it. She pretended not to hear me and looked like an innocent angel. But I'm not fooled by that.
"Lilia Ryzen! You didn't suddenly forget to say anything, did you?"
"Umm. . . .I was just bored. . . ." And suddenly Killian answered Lilia disgruntled tone. "If you go to the capital, you will have many friends your age, Lilia."
"When did you come?"
Killian, who had gone to meet the knight leader, entered the room without any sign.
"Just now. It looks like Erdin lost to Lilia again today."
"I didn't lose! Lilia is still baby, and I'm her older brother!"
"Yes, well done, Erdin. You should be careful and be a gentleman, especially for those who are weaker than you."
Killian gently stroked Erdin's head who responded angrily and fixed his messy hair. Erdin immediately felt relieved again, and a smile came out of his tightly closed mouth. Of course, it wasn't just Killian's praise that made Erdin smile. We're leaving for the capital's mansion today, and Erdin was excited that he will be able to meet many of his peers.
"Having to live in the capital and on Ryzen at the same time felt a bit daunting."
"But most nobles live like that. it is the same as the education of children, and we can't completely ignore the social world."
In the capital, we plan to stay in the newly purchased mansion. A nice mansion had been left without owner for a long time, so we bought it and renovated it inside and out over the past year. It's not far from Duke Ludwig's residence, so it's not difficult to bring the kids to see the duke and the duchess.
When we heard that the preparations were finished, we made our way to the capital, and received farewell greetings from the servants in the castle and those who had come to see the territory. The 10-day trip to the capital was a bit hectic, but the kids were all excited. Killian and I were getting tired of their constant questions of "What is this?" and what is that?" But I'm also quite excited about the good weather, and the food we eat outside is always delicious.
"It's been 2 years since Cliff got married, right?"
"I think it's around that times. When I went there for Lilia's baptism."
"I hope he doing well"
"I'm sure he doing well. When I saw him at the wedding, and the letters I received from him, it seemed like he feel really comfortable."
I nodded. Cliff married a completely different type of woman than Lizzy. She was a viscount daughter with dark chestnut hair, clear green eyes, and a round face with a gentle expression.
She wasn't a person who has a great beauty and not someone who could attracted the attention of many men, so at their wedding day there quite a lot of rumors wondering about the combination. However, after meeting her and exchanged a few words, I realized why they got married.
She has a personality that makes people feel at ease and she was very intelligent. Also she loved Cliff more than anything. Cliff also loved her very much, not as the heir of the Ludwig family, but as a man named Cliff. It wasn't a burning love he had with Lizzy, but a love that he thought, 'he will be happy forever.'
Lizzy are. . . . .
"Have you heard any news from Rodante Monastery?"
"Yes. Lizzy seems more comfortable now."
Lizzy, who had been behaving strangely as if she had lost her mind, became quiet after hearing the news of Cliff's marriages.
According to the letter sent by the abbot, her face seemed to have cast aside all the burdens of the world.
I prayed that her soul will also be saved. Even with a god we don't believe in. . . .
"Mom, Mom! I can see a village over there!"
I immediately come back to my senses from a long thought when Erdin screamed. The two children looked out of the window with sparkling eyes, Killian half leaning towards the children to keep an eye on them just in case they were unharmed, the crisp spring breeze, and the bright sunlight.
Suddenly, I laughed.
"Killian. This. . . . I think it's a common possession."
"What do you mean?"
Killian, who watched over the child, tilted his head and looked at me.
". . . .well, there is something like that."
It's a common story about a main character overcome the hardships of the original story, who is finally get the male lead and live happier.
It may be a cliche to all the readers, but to me, it's a life that neither obvious nor common. This is a life that I risked my life to achieve the ending.
I will continue to live hard here for the happiness of myself and my people. 'Beyond the word completion, until the day when our breath stops, forever.'
~The end~