Ten years had passed.

With their success in cultivating Sylphy flowers, the Westmont territory developed new products such as spices, perfumes, and medicinal herbs, making them a wealthy territory. Furthermore, the modification of vegetable varieties progressed—and thanks to the expansion of farmland, shipments to other territories increased and trade flourished. At the same time, the Zion territory also cultivated Sylphy—just like the Westmont territory—and became an affluent territory.

Silas had passed his title on to his son and had taken up residence in the Westmont territory. After all, there were still undiscovered creatures and plants on Mt. Ilica. Upon hearing that Silas wished to devote himself to exploration and research, Mareena was overjoyed—so much that she built a small house for Silas in her territory. Unfortunately, Silas had already built a small hut on Mt. Ilica, so the fine house had remained vacant.

After tea time, a carriage bearing the crest of Westmont stopped in front of the mansion. Kingston—Mareena’s son, a boy with silver hair and handsome features—alighted.

When he entered the mansion and spotted Johan, he lit up instantly.

“Johan.”

“Welcome back, Young Master.”

“I’m home, Johan. Where’s my mother?”

“Lady Mareena should be in her office.”

“Okay, thank you.”

Kingston rushed up the stairs and towards the office. When he knocked on the door, there was no answer. But in the next moment, the door quietly opened, and his maid—Beth—peeked out.

“…Young Master.”

“Is my mother inside?”

When Beth spoke in a quiet voice, Kingston understood immediately. He peeked inside the room, and saw Mareena sleeping on the sofa.

“She decided to get some rest and asked me to wake her up after a 30 minute nap.”

“Alright, I’ll stay with her. Beth, you may leave.”

“Understood.”

Thus, Beth quietly withdrew from the room. Such an exchange wasn’t uncommon. Since his mother was quite busy, he barely had any time to spend with her. Beth tacitly left the two alone.

Kingston pulled a seat in front of Mareena and admired her sleeping face. He loved his mother dearly.

His mother—who seemed younger than her actual age—seemed so lovable to Kingston. At the same time, her work mode was both bold and generous. Kingston was proud of having such a mother, a person who was well-respected by her people.

Hence why he always wondered about her tears…

He had only caught glimpse of his mother’s tears a few times, and it was only when she was asleep.

His father wasn’t around. No one spoke about him, and Kingston had never seen his portrait.

—Unfortunately, recently, a classmate took a jab at him and said that the man his mother divorced was a good-for-nothing. While he didn’t care what others said about him, he wouldn’t forgive anyone who dared insult his mother.

In a fit of rage, Kingston punched him, leading to Mareena being summoned to the academy. Upon arriving, Mareena only gave a helpless smile.

However, the next day, the person he hit cowered as he apologized.

Afterwards, he spent his time doing homework until his mother woke up. Kingston would soon be 10-years old. He’d be considered an adult—or so Mareena said. Not only that, once he turned ten, he’d be able to freely board the carriage on his breaks, with an escort, of course.

—Which was why, he wanted to become ten as soon as possible!

“It’s about time for you to wake up.”

Gently leaving his seat, he touched Mareena.

“Mother, please wake up, Mother…”

To wake his mother, he softly rocked her. After some time, Mareena opened her eyes.

“Sir, Lewis…”

—Sir Lewis.

“Mother.”

“…Kingston?”

“Yes, Mother. I just got home.”

“Welcome back, My Angel.”

Slightly dozing off, she embraced Kingston. The scent of his mother soothed his heart.

“You must be tired.”

“I pulled an all-nighter yesterday, but I’m alright now.”

“I’ll ask Beth to brew some hot tea for you.”

“That’s an excellent idea. Let’s eat cookies together.”

“Alright!”

Kingston shared his day with his mother over Beth’s warm tea and some fragrant walnut cookies.

“At the upcoming tournament, I’ll be participating in the swordsmanship division.”

“Wow, that’s amazing, Kingston! What an honor! I’m definitely going to cheer you on!”

“Really—!? But aren’t you busy…?”

“What are you talking about? I’ll be sure to cheer you on. I’ll finish up all my work before then.”

If she truly could finish it quick, she wouldn’t have been working late into the night every day. Nevertheless, his mother wasn’t the type of person who’d go back on her own word. She’d definitely come.

—Then, I can’t afford to lose.

Kingston was in his second year of elementary school, but due to the tournament system, if he won, he’d be able to compete against senior students—a.k.a. the third years.

“I’ll do my best.”

“I’m looking forward to it. Do remember to not force yourself.”

“Got it!”

…I’m looking more and more like that man.

It was an open secret.

—That he wasn’t Mason’s child.

Still, no one mentioned anything about it. Instead, they kindly watched over him.

However, that wasn’t the case outside the mansion. Rumors spread; and sometimes, they even reached the children. Only his hair color resembled Mason’s. The handsome Kingston bore no resemblance to that man who had mediocre features. Despite that, the color of his eyes, along with the shape of his ears were definitely Mareena’s.

Everyone who knew Mason spoke about Mareena’s infidelity.

Nevertheless, when the source of the rumors were discovered, they always suffer some kind of retribution, either from Westmont, Liddle, or Zion. Thus, people opted to keep their mouths shut. They dared not mention a word about Kingston’s birth.

But sometimes, it failed—just like what happened at the academy the other day.

“Mother, I’ll be 10-years-old in a few days.”

“Yes! What’d you like as a present?”

“The right to board the carriage all by myself.”

“What about the escort?”

“Of course, with an escort.”

“Hehe, then it’s alright. But that’s a promise from before, isn’t it? Then, it won’t count as a present.”

“But it’s enough for me.”

“What a selfless child. Then, let mother decide for you.”

“Uhm, wait, if that’s the case—”

“Do you have anything in mind?”

“Give me a day of Mother’s time.”

“My time?”

“I want to spend time with my mother.”

“…”

---

***T/N: teeeeen yearsss timeskippppp in myyy romance storyyyyy

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