Chapter 133
“He’ll win with a clever strategy.”
“Can you see that?”
“Yes. I can.”
The one Jason pointed to was the smallest of them all, both in height and build.
While heavier competitors would gain speed, making them advantageous on the slope, it was surprising that Jason chose the one who seemed like the slowest athlete.
‘I guess we’ll find out soon.’
Whether Jason’s prediction was accurate would soon be revealed.
* * *
The result was astonishing.
Just as Jason had said, the small athlete initially appeared to be lagging behind, but he quickly grabbed the flags and received extra points, finishing in first place.
“Hmmm. I suppose it’s time to take him out for a bit,” Igmeyer said after confirming the results.
Jason looked up at Igmeyer with eager eyes.
“Really?”
“Yeah, you need to learn how to hunt too.”
“Wow!”
Although Amber was worried about Jason being so young, she couldn’t bring herself to stop him.
He wasn’t her own son, and Jason wanted this; besides, matters outside were Igmeyer’s domain.
Instead, Amber gently hugged Jason and whispered.
“Be careful. Don’t wander off alone when you’re excited, don’t rush into things, and don’t disobey orders. Okay? I’ll worry.”
“…Okay. I will.”
“Promise me?”
As Jason gazed at Amber’s concerned pink eyes, he playfully smiled and extended his pinky.
“Sure!”
“Thank you, Jason, for promising me.”
Amber wanted to protect Jason, thinking of him as a child, but she always respected him and never underestimated him.
That was why Jason adored Amber so much.
Watching the warm exchange between them, Igmeyer found himself lost in thought rather than smiling.
‘Amber will truly be a wonderful mother. The real question is whether I can be a good father.’
Honestly, Igmeyer felt uncertain about parenting.
Even when he subtly asked other knights who already had children, they all just shook their heads. No one offered any concrete advice.
Raising a child is much different from what one imagines. Reading books doesn’t mean you know everything. You just have to accept it. If you don’t understand, you should try to make sense of it.
He found himself muttering what felt like useless advice.
However, having never truly seen a ‘great father’ in his life, he had no real idea.
What was he supposed to do once he had a child?
All he knew were a few neglected remarks thrown out half-heartedly.
In Igmeyer’s memories, his father—the former Grand Duke—was a stubborn man who thought only of the North, day and night.
‘I don’t want to be like that. I don’t want to leave all the education to Amber and just sit back.’
He wondered what it would be like if he had a son.
But what if a daughter, resembling Amber like a fairy, were to be born?
How would he treat her?
Just looking at her would likely make it hard for him to breathe from sheer adoration.
‘A son is one thing, but a daughter… especially one with blonde hair and pink eyes like Amber’s.’
He could imagine himself offering his heart for that child.
No, if it came to it, he would willingly cut his own throat. He was sure of that.
He wouldn’t feel a thing if she was as precious as that. He could walk barefoot over a thousand thorns or scorching stones without a care.
For the sake of his wife and daughter, he could do anything, be anything.
He would gladly become a demon if it meant protecting them, and if necessary, he could kill that demon and wear its skin to survive.
He worried if it was too much to feel this way for a daughter who hadn’t even been born yet.
He might not want to let her marry later. Especially if it meant seeing her cry over some boy…
‘Maybe I should just make her a strong warrior, have her marry three men, and keep ten lovers.’
He knew it was ridiculous, yet Igmeyer found himself thinking seriously about it.
“Igmeyer?”
Amber called him softly. Shaking himself back to reality, Igmeyer cleared his throat and slowly continued speaking.
“I’m thinking of being away for three days starting tomorrow.”
“Oh, I was thinking the same. Don’t worry about the castle; just leave it to me and enjoy your trip.”
“Little pea, you’re coming along too.”
When he leaves the castle, he has someone he can trust.
A warm and gentle presence, the Mistress of the castle, who will protect it.
How can he possibly express this sense of security?
I love you.
I love you.
I love you with all my heart.
He couldn’t bear to hold back the words swirling in his mouth any longer tonight.
Gently pushing aside the little pea, he turned his attention to his wife, pulling her waist close and murmuring with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“How about we have a drink tonight?”
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