The Tyrant Won’t Let Me Go Chapter 130 - Side Story 14

Even though he had only been away from them for a short while to greet the guests, seeing them again seemed to lift his spirits.  

 

“The prince’s name is Caspian, right?”  

 

“Yes, that’s correct.”  

 

“And the princess is Ciana?”  

 

“Right.”  

 

“Both are lovely names. You must have put a lot of thought into choosing them.”  

 

Just then, the door opened, and one of Ackeleta’s servants entered as quietly as possible in a hurry.  

 

“Your Highness, here are the items needed for the ceremony—”  

 

“Ah, thank you. I was just about to ask for them.”  

 

Persephine took the pouch from the servant, and both Cedric and I turned our attention toward her.

 

Before long, a rustling sound came from the direction of the bed.  

 

“Ah. Caspian, you’re awake.”  

 

Caspian, who still looked heavily drowsy, blinked his eyes and alternated his gaze between us before breaking into a faint smile.  

 

“Sorry. Mom and Dad must’ve been talking too loudly. Go back to sleep quickly, and later with Ciana—”  

 

Midway through whispering to the smiling Caspian, I noticed his expression suddenly stiffen.  

 

‘Huh?’  

 

The moment I flinched and stepped back, I realized Caspian’s tear-filled eyes were fixed on Felix standing beside me.  

 

‘Oh no…’  

 

And soon after—  

 

“Waaahhh!”  

 

Caspian burst into tears. The sound of the child’s crying echoed through the room, drawing everyone’s attention toward him.  

 

“Uh, uuuh…”  

 

Felix, seemingly realizing that Caspian had started crying upon seeing him, took a step back with a flustered expression.  

 

Pitifully, his face was gradually turning pale.  

 

“Oh dear, our baby. What’s got you so upset, hm?”  

 

I soothed him, holding Caspian as he shed pearly tears.  

 

Normally, he would stop crying quickly and start laughing when held like this, but today, he must’ve been genuinely startled—he clung tightly to my clothes, sniffling incessantly.  

 

‘He must’ve been really shocked…’  

 

I patted Caspian’s back, lost in thought. He was already a bit shy around strangers, and seeing someone completely unfamiliar must’ve startled him.  

 

On top of that, people dressed head-to-toe in black like Felix were rare even in the imperial palace.  

 

“I-I’m sorry…”  

 

Felix stammered an apology, looking helplessly at Caspian sobbing in my arms.  

 

I reassured him it was fine, but Felix still fidgeted uneasily, “Felix, if you keep fidgeting like that, you’ll scare His Highness even more.”  

 

Eventually, Persephine stepped in, unable to watch any longer.  

 

“First, step back a little and soften your expression. That way, you’ll seem less intimidating.”  

 

“O-oh, right…”  

 

Meanwhile, Cedric approached Caspian with a handkerchief in hand.  

 

“Your face is all messy with tears and snot.”  

 

Though his voice was flat, Cedric’s hands were gentle and meticulous as he wiped the child’s face.  

 

“Huu…”  

 

“There. All done, all done.”

 

Caspian tightly shut his eyes and let out a faint whimper as his cheeks and the corners of his eyes were touched, but he didn’t pull away from Cedric’s hand.  

 

Then, suddenly, he pointed toward the bed and began to laugh, his face still red from crying earlier.  

 

“Ya, ahh!”  

 

“Hm?”  

 

When I turned around, Ciana was already sitting up, her blue eyes blinking sleepily as she stared at us. Her gaze, which had been slowly taking us in, soon landed on Felix and Persephine, causing Felix to gasp sharply.  

 

Then, he froze in place.  

 

As if worried that his presence might make Ciana burst into tears as well.  

 

“Ah, she’s fine.”  

 

Cedric naturally scooped Ciana into his arms, reassuring Felix.  

 

“Ciana isn’t as shy around strangers as Caspian.”  

 

“I see, that’s a relief.”  

 

Persephine widened her round blue eyes, watching Ciana sit quietly in Cedric’s embrace, and sighed in relief.  

 

“There, Felix. You heard him? You can relax now.”  

 

“I’ll… try my best.”  

 

Felix scratched his head awkwardly as he replied.  

 

“Ah, since the children are all awake now, shall we proceed with the ceremony?”  

 

At my words, Cedric, who had been patting Ciana’s back, nodded in agreement.  

 

“Good idea, Your Majesty.”  

 

“If that’s what you both wish, I’ll prepare right away. Please take a seat on these chairs while holding the prince and princess.”  

 

While Cedric and I settled in, Persephine brought forth a pouch and stood before us.  

 

“Then, I’ll begin now.”  

 

She reached into the pouch and pulled something out.  

 

‘That’s…’  

 

What she held was none other than an olive branch.  

 

“O new life descended upon this land. You, more beloved and radiant than any other being.”  

 

Holding a branch in each hand, Persephine began the ceremony in a solemn yet gentle voice.  

 

“You, who are nothing short of a blessing, may happiness follow your path.”  

 

Then, she knelt to meet the children’s gaze.  

 

“Your Majesty, could you extend the prince’s hand for a moment?”  

 

When I took Caspian’s hand and held it out toward Persephine, she began tracing letters onto his palm with the blunt tip of the olive branch.  

 

It was Caspian’s name.  

 

“Now, may I have the princess’s hand as well?”

 

And then, she slowly wrote Ciana’s name on Ciana’s hand.  

 

“Even if you ever find yourself unable to believe in who you are, remember this token and know that you are blessed and loved.”  

 

Finally, Persephine placed an olive branch in the hands of both Ciana and Caspian. Upon closer look, the olive branches each bore the engraved names ‘Caspian’ and ‘Ciana.’  

 

“There, it’s all done now. Quite simple, isn’t it?”  

 

I shook my head at Persephine, who was smiling brightly, and replied,  

 

“Simple? Not at all. You went out of your way to prepare the olive branches and even came all the way to Deamant to perform the ritual.”  

 

That was true. Persephine had visited the Deamant Empire today to bless our newborn children.  

 

Shortly after their birth, Persephine and Felix had been unable to come to Deamant due to minor unrest in their country, but they had sent congratulatory letters and gifts instead.  

 

Perhaps feeling regretful about that, Persephine had proposed performing Ackeleta’s traditional blessing ceremony for our children, wishing them a bright future before they turned one year old.  

 

Having missed Persephine and Felix for so long, we gladly accepted her offer.  

 

“Thank you for caring so much for our children.”  

 

“Oh no, blessing a new life’s future is only natural.”  

 

Persephine straightened from her kneeling position and smiled.  

 

“Ah, right—please keep those branches safe and give them to the princess and prince once they’re old enough to take care of their own belongings. That’s how we do it in Ackeleta.”  

 

“Of course. We’ll do as you say.”  

 

Cedric listened carefully to Persephine’s words before responding.  

 

“We’re truly grateful for everything today.”  

 

“Not at all, Your Majesty.”  

 

Though it might have seemed like a routine exchange, I knew Cedric meant every word.  

 

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have spoken with such warmth in his eyes.  

 

“Now that the ceremony is over, we’d like to at least treat you to a meal.”  

 

And so, the ritual came to an end, and the four of us sat together for a meal, sharing conversation.  

 

For a very long time.

 

💫

 

“That Caspian kid—he cried so much when he first saw Felix, but later, he didn’t even react when Felix reached out to him.”  

 

Cedric shook his head as if he couldn’t believe it. Watching him, I burst out laughing.  

 

“You didn’t like that?”  

 

“No, it’s just… His attitude changed so quickly. Isn’t his adaptability a little too fast?”  

 

“Could it be you felt threatened, worried he might take your place as ‘dad’?”  

 

“Come on, Ciel, it’s not like that.”  

 

“Strong denial often means strong affirmation, you know.”  

 

At that, Cedric let out a small sigh.  

 

“Fine. You’re right. It’s not quite a crisis, but… I did feel a little disappointed.”  

 

Cedric glanced at the wall connected to the next room, where the children were asleep.  

 

“That kid always gives me a blank look, but when he saw Felix in the evening, he smiled. Can’t help but feel a little hurt, you know?”  

 

Biting back a smile, I patted Cedric’s shoulder as he vented.  

 

“Just try harder to get closer to Caspian. Don’t be too upset. If you wait a little longer, things will get better.”  

 

“I hope so.”  

 

Cedric leaned his head against my shoulder with a soft thud.  

 

“This wounded dad needs someone to heal his heart with love…”  

 

“Yeah, yeah, I’m comforting you right now, aren’t I?”  

 

But Cedric shook his head.  

 

“No. This isn’t enough.”