Chapter 48: This Resentment Runs Deep Through the Years (5)

The Emperor fell silent.

The entire Audience Hall waited for him to change his decision.

Yes, all the Nobles believed he would change his mind.

Though the Emperor was the supreme ruler of Yilansiya, it was the Four Dukes and their Duchies that formed the foundation of the nation.

A resolution opposed by all Four Dukes at once—such a decree, even for him, was impossible to enforce.

“I have already decided. The Hero is a benefactor of the entire continent, and to Yilansiya and the Royal Family as well. We must treat his wife and descendants generously. You may go… but remember, do not take all of the Royal Army from the Imperial Capital. The safety of the Imperial Capital and the vigilance of the surrounding Region are equally important duties.”

“…I will follow Your Majesty’s will.”

The Four Dukes offered no further objections.

Since even the united pressure of all four could not make the Emperor change his mind here, continuing to pester him would only be futile.

Moreover, the Emperor had imposed certain restrictions on her military authority… For them, this outcome was already acceptable.

They exchanged glances, then withdrew into the crowd.

“Thank you, Father. Once I have assembled the troops, I will depart at once.”

Vera bowed deeply to her father.

She knew just how much pressure he had shouldered to make this decision—for someone in his position, he was not supposed to show favoritism.

That was why she felt so apologetic toward him in her heart… because she did not intend to obey the conditions he had set.

If she did not use overwhelming power to intimidate those with ulterior motives, they would never give up their schemes.

Leaving the now noisy Audience Hall behind, she departed.

She did not need to look to know what kind of resentful and poisonous gazes and whispers the Four Dukes and the Nobles and factions behind them were casting her way.

But what did it matter?

Nothing in this world could stop her from returning to Meliya’s side now… because her child was about to be born.

…

……

…….

The three hundred sixty-fifth day since his disappearance.

Vera had spent some time clearing out those pests and hyenas from the northern borders.

By the time she finally had the chance to return to the Farm, more than two months had passed since Meliya’s expected due date.

The Servants she had left at the Farm to protect them had long since informed her of the news—Meliya had given birth safely, and the child was a girl.

“Meliya…!”

Without even bothering to change out of her armor, she rushed into the parlor where she herself had spent an entire autumn and winter.

During those two hundred plus days and nights stranded in the Imperial Capital, she had never stopped longing for the peace, tranquility… and for the person who sat in that rocking chair.

“Iyue…? Why are you—”

The woman in the rocking chair was not the one she expected, but she was no stranger.

The Fairy Ranger Iyue put a finger to her lips, signaling her not to disturb the child sleeping in her arms.

Vera instantly fell silent.

She moved her feet as slowly as possible, afraid that the hard soles of her boots on the wooden floor would make a sound and wake the child.

Can I… can I touch her?

Vera asked with her eyes, and Iyue smiled, nodding lightly.

With trembling fingers, she prepared to touch the little one whose fine, light reddish hair had already begun to grow on her head—

Then she suddenly realized she was still wearing dust-covered gloves.

She hurriedly took them off, folded them neatly beside her with the smallest movement, and after checking again and again that her hands were clean, finally dared to touch the child’s cheek.

Boop.

The sensation at her fingertips left her almost dazed.

How could there be something in this world so soft, so warm, so adorable?

She poked once, then wanted to poke a second time, a third…

“Uuh?”

Awoken by the poking, the child opened her tiny eyes, looking up with a big confused stare at the strange woman frozen before her.

“Waaaahhhhhhh!!!”

Then, with a loud wail, she started crying.

“I-Iyue… what do I do? What do I do?” Vera plopped down onto the floor in despair.

Iyue had never seen this young officer show such a helpless side and couldn’t help but stifle a laugh.

“There, there… baby, this is your Aunt Vera. She just looks a bit fierce… she’s not a terrible villain, you know? Don’t cry anymore.”

“Who are you calling fierce-looking!”

“Waaaahhhhhhh!!!”

“Alright, alright, I’m the fierce one… I’m the fiercest… please, just don’t cry anymore, okay…!”

Under the child’s wailing protest, Vera, who had been defending her looks, immediately surrendered.

All she could do was watch nervously from the side as Iyue expertly rocked the baby back and forth until she finally stopped crying.

“You… you’re really something.”

Seeing the noisy little thing actually soothed by Iyue, Vera couldn’t help but feel a kind of admiration and awe for her.

“Right? Not to brag, but when it comes to looking after kids, I’m a pro.”

Iyue’s face was full of pride.

If her hands were free, she would surely be thumping her chest for effect.

“But you haven’t even been married, right? Where did you learn these skills…”

“Wh-what do you mean, not married at my age? I-I just haven’t met the right person yet…”

“No one mentioned your age, did they?”

Vera couldn’t figure out why she blushed so suddenly.

As the two bantered back and forth, the ignored child puffed up her cheeks again, ready to burst into tears—

“There, there. I’m here.”

At that moment, a young woman walked over… no, perhaps “young woman” was no longer the right word.

Meliya took the baby from Iyue’s arms and smiled gently at her.

Vera could no longer recall her own mother’s face, so this was the first time she had ever been so shaken by the sight of a mother’s smile.

How many emotions could be contained in that simple expression?

The confusion upon learning she was pregnant, the endurance and hardship of carrying and giving birth, and now, faced with the world’s most precious little life, the happiness overflowing in her eyes.

“Lian En. Can you see this? Isn’t this child just the cutest—”

She wanted to share the surprise she’d found with that person.

So she couldn’t help but turn around and blurt out those words, searching for him… as if he were still here.

Meliya and Iyue were both stunned.

There was confusion in Iyue’s eyes, while in Meliya’s, once filled with unblemished happiness, something quietly fractured and faded.

She immediately realized how foolish she had been.

How could she not know?

Her Servants had already told her.

Even now… that person had not appeared, had not come back.

But how could such a thing happen?

“Vera… thank you for coming back for me. You must be tired, right? Why don’t you rest first?”

As she stood there in confusion, Meliya approached her with the child in her arms.

The smile she had directed at the child now turned unwaveringly toward Vera.

How had her gaze become so resolute?

How could she be so strong?

You should be even more… ten times, a hundred times, a thousand times more…!

Vera suddenly felt as if she no longer recognized the woman before her.