“Should we go wash up with Daddy?”
“I like baths…!”
Elia, who was in Kael’s arms, let out a faint smile as she stepped out of the hut.
Soon, the sound of footsteps faded away.
The end.
Ruina, who had been watching the scene with a satisfied expression, then shifted her attention from the two of them, who had disappeared in the distance, to Zenre, who was standing right next to her.
‘What exactly was the conversation about that made him ask for some privacy?’
It wasn’t directly a request to leave, but Zenre’s request for a conversation was clearly aimed at that.
That’s why Kael had also stepped aside with Elia.
But what was he intending to talk about that he wanted them to leave?
Ruina looked at Zenre with curiosity, and the next moment, she was left utterly stunned by the answer.
“I will help you with everything I have, Lady Ruina. Confess to the Master.”
She clearly understood every word, but it took a few seconds for Ruina to grasp the meaning of it.
And the moment she fully understood Zenre’s words, a surprised question slipped out of her mouth without her realizing.
“…Huh?!”
In an instant, Ruina’s face turned even redder than when Kael had announced their parental relationship earlier.
Her face turned as red as if she could fry an egg on it, and Ruina fanned herself in a flurry.
When did everyone figure out that she liked Kael? And what was that bold statement?
Ruina’s mind, tangled by Zenre’s single remark, went into overdrive.
But despite Ruina’s reaction, Zenre calmly opened her mouth and spoke.
“Everyone among my fellow disciples already knows that you like the Master, Lady Ruina. It’s only the Master who is so clueless that he’s completely unaware. Of course, I was also quite surprised today to find out that you became his wife, even if only by name…”
“R-really? You all knew?!”
“Yes, even though you’re shy, it’s obvious to anyone who sees it that you like him.”
“Th-that’s…”
Ruina thought her face had already turned as red as it could get, but with Zenre’s confirmation, her face turned even redder.
It was terribly embarrassing to think that everyone around her had already figured out her feelings.
“Don’t worry, though. Only we disciples know. Almost no one else knows. It was bound to be found out sooner or later, wasn’t it?”
“That’s… true…”
Still, anyone would feel embarrassed if their hidden feelings were exposed like this.
But as Zenre had said, it was bound to be revealed eventually, so Ruina cooled her hot face by fanning herself.
And while Ruina was doing that, Zenre continued speaking.
“Anyway, that’s not the important thing, Lady Ruina. You must confess to the Master while you have the chance.”
“Uh, huh? Is there really a need to rush…?”
Ruina tilted her head in innocent confusion at Zenre’s insistence that she confess immediately.
After all, both she and Kael were immortals, so they had all the time in the world.
However, as if reading her thoughts perfectly, Zenre narrowed her eyes and asked,
“Could it be that you think there’s no rush because you have all the time in the world, since you’ll live forever?”
“How did you know?!”
“Sigh… Lady Ruina. Do you have any idea how many noble daughters in the capital are after the Master?”
“…Really?”
Ruina asked back, her face stiffening in surprise at Zenre’s words.
Since the war had ended, Ruina had been so busy within the Elf tribe that she hadn’t paid much attention to the news from the capital.
She had been too focused on visiting Kael and Elia, so she wasn’t aware of recent developments in the capital, especially gossip about the noble daughters.
But now, hearing that they were targeting Kael?
A cold killing intent flickered in Ruina’s eyes.
It was the same killing intent she had when she had cut down thousands of demons with her bow and arrows on the battlefield.
Zenre, though it wasn’t aimed at her, unconsciously stiffened and nodded her head, forcing her body to move.
“…Right now, most of the noble families are trying to tie the Master with a betrothal. There are also many who genuinely admire him. For now, Prince Enoch is protecting him, but…”
“So, once Kael goes to the capital, the protection will end?”
“Yes, definitely. The noble families will flood him with letters and even visit him in person. And it won’t just be the nobles in the capital.”
Kael. The weight of his name was far from light.
Kael’s contributions to ending the war were unmatched by anyone, and the king himself had awarded him the title of War Hero, along with land, titles, and wealth.
Moreover, Kael’s overwhelming strength.
No one on the continent dared to challenge him, and just having such power made him untouchable by other noble families.
So, the noble families wanted to tie him down with a betrothal, hoping to control him politically.
But that alone wasn’t a problem.
Those who were approaching for purely political reasons could be easily rejected by Kael.
However, Kael was, frankly speaking, quite handsome.
With a perfectly sculpted body, sharp facial features, and long black hair tied back, not to mention his fierce golden eyes…
With such fame, it was no wonder that many noble daughters were infatuated with him.
So, what would happen if Kael went to the capital?
Ruina’s teeth clenched as she imagined the situation.
And as expected, Zenre, sensing the reaction, barely controlled her trembling body and said,
“Master still has no experience with women. This is something I found out by asking him directly, so it’s certain.”
“Is that really true?”
“Yes, so this is the only opportunity left before he goes up to the capital. There’s still some time, but since those obsessive noble families might even come all the way here, it would be best to confess as soon as possible.”
“Th-That’s…”
Confession.
At the mention of that word, the murderous look on Ruina’s face softened once more.
Ruina’s gaze shifted away as if embarrassed.
And from within that embarrassment, Zenre could sense the hidden emotion.
“What if… I confess and end up failing…?”
Fear.
The fear of failing in her confession.
Ruina and Kael were maintaining their current relationship under the pretense of being comrades who had entrusted their backs to each other in battle.
That’s why Ruina was afraid that if she tried to take a step forward from their current relationship, it might all crumble to the ground.
She feared losing even the relationship they had now.
From Ruina’s perspective, that was entirely understandable and reasonable.
But Zenre knew better than anyone that Ruina’s worries were completely unnecessary.
“Lady Ruina, did you know?”
“What? Know what?”
“Our master actually doesn’t have very high standards. Of course, he does care about appearance, but he’s not expecting an overwhelming beauty. More than looks, he values a person’s character and inner qualities.”
“H-How would you know that?”
“Well, back when I was learning swordsmanship from our master, these were the kinds of things we’d ask him about during breaks.”
After all, what could be more entertaining in a master-disciple relationship than hearing about the master’s love life?
Of course, when Zenre and the other disciples first asked about it, they didn’t even get a proper answer.
If anything, they were lucky if they just got a playful flick on the forehead.
But as time went on, and as they grew closer to Kael, he started to give more honest answers to their questions.
Thanks to that, the disciples knew exactly what kind of person Kael’s ideal type was.
“You should have more confidence, Lady Ruina! Actually, I’d say there’s no woman in the world besides you who could steal our master’s heart so completely!”
“S-Stop it… That’s embarrassing…”
Appearance? Ruina’s beauty was unmatched, just like her exceptional archery skills.
Character? While she could be firm when needed, there was no one more considerate and willing to yield to those around her than Ruina.
And it wasn’t an act—it was genuine.
Besides, Ruina and Kael weren’t even fully at the level of close friends yet.
In other words, their current relationship was at the perfect stage to transition from friendship to romance.
“I’ll give it my all to help you! You should confess before some other woman tries to steal him away, Lady Ruina!”
Zenre confidently declared, full of certainty.
“…”
Ruina fell silent at Zenre’s words, momentarily lost in thought.
Hesitation isn’t something that can disappear instantly.
Zenre knew this, so she simply stood there quietly, waiting for Ruina’s answer.
But Zenre was already half-confident about what Ruina’s answer would be.
She had clearly explained how precarious the situation was and how little time they had left.
Announcing that Ruina and Kael were Elia’s parents?
That wouldn’t stop the noble families from targeting Kael.
If Ruina didn’t truly marry Kael, Kael would eventually reveal that their relationship was just a nominal one for Elia’s sake.
And once that truth came out, the noble families would immediately pounce.
That meant Ruina only had two choices.
Would she take the risk of confessing to Kael and possibly failing?
Or would she stay silent and let Kael be taken by someone else?
“…Alright, I’ve made up my mind.”
And naturally, out of the two choices, Ruina’s decision was obvious.
“I… will confess to Kael.”
To become Kael’s true lover, to build a real marital relationship.
It was an obvious conclusion, but it was a decision Ruina had arrived at after deep contemplation and resolution.
Zenre grinned broadly at her determined answer.
“Don’t worry, Lady Ruina. I’ll make sure everything works out!”
As Kael’s disciple and as a knight who respected Ruina…
Zenre had no intention of letting Ruina’s decision end in failure.
No matter what it took, she was determined to make sure that their relationship succeeded.
Zenre was just as resolved as Ruina.