Chapter 7

Gasp, what was that?!

I quickly threw on the invisibility cloak and held my breath.

‘Who is it?’

My heart pounded from the unexpected situation.

Since they weren’t coming straight to the laboratory, it probably wasn’t Daddy Kyle.

Still wearing the invisibility cloak, I quietly crept over and pressed my ear against the door.

Step. Step.

A series of light footsteps echoed through the hallway.

Creeeak—

Soon after, the sound of another door opening and closing followed.

Judging by those footsteps…

‘It’s probably Daddy Derek.’

Come to think of it, Daddy Derek’s room was next to the stairs on the first floor, making it the closest room to the basement laboratory.

‘So he wasn’t asleep yet.’

If I’d left my room even a little later, I might’ve been caught.

A chill ran down my spine, and my shoulders trembled.

Still, thank goodness he didn’t check my room.

All those years of being a well-behaved child weren’t for nothing.

‘It should be safe to leave now, right?’

I waited until every trace of movement had disappeared, grabbed a few more items, and quietly left the laboratory.

Good. Now all I have to do is carefully make my way back to my room—

“Presence.”

At that exact moment.

A door suddenly flew open, and Daddy Derek’s voice struck my ears.

Startled, I instantly stopped breathing.

‘I definitely heard several doors open and close earlier. I thought he’d gone back into his room.’

Why are you still standing in the hallway?!

“…”

Pressing a hand against my wildly beating heart, I continued holding my breath and stared at Daddy Derek.

He was also staring straight at the spot where I stood.

“…”

A deep silence hung in the air without even the faintest sound of breathing.

His unreadable golden eyes gleamed sharply.

I’m definitely invisible.

I should be invisible.

Then how is he looking directly into my eyes so accurately?

Is this what they mean by a hero’s instincts?

‘Scary, scary.’

If I moved even slightly, it felt like I’d be completely exposed.

I stood frozen, unable to do anything as my breath gradually grew shorter.

Then…

“What are you doing standing there?”

Daddy Harzen’s voice suddenly came from the side.

Only then did Daddy Derek’s gaze pass over me and turn toward Harzen.

“…It was you.”

Whew, thank goodness.

He must’ve mistaken Daddy Harzen’s presence for mine.

I’ll use this chance to quietly return to my room…

“It seems your thoughts are troubled as well. Since Yuria is about to leave for the imperial palace, perhaps that’s only natural.”

…Or maybe I should listen to this conversation a little longer.

Clutching the items tightly against my chest, my eyes sparkled.

“…Danger.”

“Yes, it may be dangerous.”

Even though the word had been spoken abruptly and without context, Daddy Harzen seemed to understand and nodded.

“There are certainly many enemies there. The problem is that we can’t identify every single one of them perfectly.”

“And yet—”

“And yet she must go.”

Daddy Harzen’s eyes gleamed as he quietly continued.

“Because it’s what Yuria wants.”

“…”

“Hasn’t it always been that way? If it’s what she wants, all we can do is follow her wishes.”

My mouth fell open.

‘Wow. That’s amazing.’

The dads really couldn’t escape being original-story male leads, huh?

This was like watching a legendary novel scene unfold right in front of me!

“And besides, nothing major is likely to happen during a trip that lasts only a few days.”

But those words immediately made me gloomy.

You know that, Dad?

Something very major is going to happen after only a few days…

“If anything does happen, I certainly won’t stand by and do nothing.”

Not only will you refuse to stand by.

You’ll end up destroying the world…

Of course, Mom dying and the world ending probably wouldn’t happen immediately.

‘Though I don’t know exactly when Mom dies.’

Since her trip to the imperial palace seemed to be the starting point of the side story, something was definitely going to happen there.

Something that even Archmage Harzen couldn’t stop.

Something that would ultimately lead to Mom’s death.

Something absolutely terrible.

‘That’s why I have to stop it.’

I’m the only one here who knows the future.

I have to do something.

Save Mom.

Save the world.

And reclaim my happy future.

Honestly, considering even the dads couldn’t stop it, I wasn’t sure whether I really could.

‘But I have to try.’

I can’t just sit back and watch Mom die.

I have to do something.

‘I can do this!’

I, Cece.

Am already a fully grown child who’s passed her seventh birthday!

No matter how impossible a problem looks, I’ll solve it step by step, bravely and steadily—

“That reminds me… Since we won’t be seeing Cece’s face for several days, perhaps I should go take a look at her now.”

Gasp.

I immediately stopped thinking and flinched.

Don’t tell me he’s planning to go to my room?

Please, anything but that!

“…Light sleeper.”

Just as I was about to slide along the wall and sneak away, Daddy Derek stopped him.

Fortunately, Daddy Harzen understood immediately and chuckled.

“That’s true. I don’t know who she takes after, but our little princess has always been an exceptionally light sleeper.”

Oh my, what do you mean who I take after?

I take after Mom and all of you dads equally.

‘Anyway, that’s a relief.’

My plan almost ended before it even began.

As I slowly crept toward the stairs, I let out a sigh of relief.

Maybe this was the world’s way of reminding me not to get complacent.

I had to stay vigilant until the very end.

For Mom.

And for the world!

* * *

The following morning.

“Is this all of your luggage?”

Count Leonard asked while looking at the trunk placed before him.

Still looking displeased, Harzen spoke coldly.

“We’ll be returning before long anyway. There’s no need to burden ourselves with excess baggage.”

“Harzen.”

Yuria lightly scolded him and gave an awkward smile.

“As Harzen said, I don’t intend to remain in the imperial palace for very long. I made a promise to my child.”

For a moment, Yuria closed her eyes and recalled the previous evening.

Even with her cheeks puffed up in a sulk, Cece had still nodded when told she’d be back after ten nights.

Just remembering it made guilt prick at her chest.

After finishing her sentence, Yuria glanced toward the second-floor balcony.

“Is she still sleeping…?”

“With all this noise outside? No way she’s still asleep.”

Kyle clicked his tongue and looked toward Cecilia’s room as well.

“She’s obviously pouting. She’s been upset ever since yesterday.”

She had even stubbornly refused Yuria’s offer to sleep together.

Normally, she would’ve clung to Yuria’s pant leg and begged to share a bed.

She must’ve been far more upset than usual.

Then again, she took after her mother.

Kyle glanced at Yuria, who was now pouting herself, and clicked his tongue again.

The two of them were equally stubborn and equally adorable.

“So what now? Want me to drag her down here?”

Yuria shook her head and smiled brightly.

“…No, it’s fine. We’ll see each other again soon anyway.”

“Then at least take a communicator with you. It’s obvious she’ll start crying for her mom after only a few hours and make a whole ♬♪ fuss.”

“Oh goodness, that’s not necessary either. It’s best not to give the imperial palace any excuse to use against us.”

We’re already attracting enough unnecessary attention as it is.

Yuria smiled faintly after speaking.

Count Leonard seemed to understand the meaning behind her words and bowed deeply.

“…I sincerely thank both of you for your cooperation. While you remain at the imperial palace, we will ensure that you lack for nothing.”

“Yeah, sure you will.”

“That’s enough, Kyle.”

Wearing a troubled smile, Yuria turned to Kyle and Derek.

“Anyway, we’re heading out now. Take good care of Cece, all right? And don’t do anything strange while I’m gone. Make sure she eats properly and doesn’t become picky. And don’t take her too far away…”

“We got it already, so just go.”

Kyle shook his head as though he’d had enough and pushed Yuria forward.

How much time passed after that?

Just as the enormous magic circle activated by Harzen appeared beneath the feet of Harzen, Yuria, and the imperial palace knights.

“…”

Derek, who had remained silent the entire time, suddenly strode into the house.

Kyle jumped in surprise and hurried after him.

“Hey, hey! Where are you going all of a sudden? They haven’t even left yet!”

“…Need to see them off.”

“The hell does that have to do with—”

“Cece too.”

Derek climbed the stairs with long strides and stopped in front of Cecilia’s room.

The rustling of blankets.

The faint sound of sniffling.

It certainly sounded like she was crying alone in her room.

“Cece.”

A moment later, Derek opened the door and approached the bed.

“…?”

The instant Derek saw what was lying on top of it, he froze completely.

…Why was there a pile of scrap metal on the bed instead of a child?