Published: August 10, 2026
At night, alone in my room, I sat at my desk, thinking about what I should do from here.
The options Lord Cyrus had proposed—when I heard them, I couldn't decide right away what I should choose.
The truth was, I wanted to spend every day with Lord Cyrus. I wanted to protect this happy time with my family—but would that truly make Lord Cyrus happy?
Long ago, his mother, Lady Ryuu-Ryuu, had lectured her son on my behalf.
"Your wife is a great bird. Don't lock her in a cage—let her spread her wings properly."
I was so happy to hear those words. And Lord Cyrus, following his mother's advice, gave me freedom and opportunities to learn. Unlike sudden, undeserved fortune, what I gained through my own efforts became my confidence. That is how I came to be who I am now.
...Lord Cyrus gave me freedom. Out of love, he set me free.
Do I have the right to bind him?
...Lord Cyrus has things he wants to do, too. He has responsibilities.
As Duke Granado, he must protect his territory—no, his country. And as the master who oversees many subsidiaries, he must protect the trading company's assets and the livelihoods of its employees.
He wants to protect the family he loves. If possible, he wants to protect life in this castle as well...
Spring sunlight filled the room. Every piece of furniture told the story of the time we had spent here. I understood Lord Cyrus's feelings all too well—he didn't want to lose this.
"...What should I do?"
As I muttered to myself, I suddenly noticed there was a model carriage on the desk.
Right, Hadwell had given me a gift for Lisa. Oh no, because so many things had happened after that, I had forgotten to give it to her.
I picked up the model and sat down beside Lisa, who was playing on the bed.
"Seeing it again... it really is a fine piece of craftsmanship."
Before handing it to Lisa, I stared at the carriage closely. Every detail had been carefully made, and just touching it made its sturdiness clear.
I remembered Hadwell's words: Diltz's industrial technology and craftsmanship are the best in the world.
He was supposed to be the very source of my current worries, a threat to granado trading company, and yet his words comforted me. Being praised for your own country feels this good, huh.
"To think they can mass-produce something like this... Diltz's industrial technology is truly amazing."
Muttering to myself, I offered the carriage model to Lisa.
My daughter, who would soon turn two, loved building blocks and educational toys. Every day she would happily stack and topple colorful wooden pieces. As I expected, the moment she took the model from my hands, her eyes sparkled, and she smiled as though she had found a treasure.
"Uwaaah!"
Lisa's tiny hands began to turn the model around awkwardly but with clear curiosity.
When her fingertips touched the wheels, the small wooden circles spun lightly, making a cheerful rattling sound. Lisa laughed all the more happily.
Honestly, I felt like cheering too.
This carriage was really well made. The finely crafted model looked almost exactly like a real carriage shrunk down. Small nails had been driven into the wheel axles, and thin lines were carved into the horse's mane.
I sat on the edge of the sofa and watched over her. When children are so focused on playing, it's better not to interrupt them.
Still, Lisa really does love these kinds of models.
Could she be suited to industrial craftsmanship? To making things?
She's Anastasia's niece, so I suppose it's possible. I never expected that, not even before she turned two, she'd show interest in such detailed things. Watching her tiny hands move as she worked so hard to make something, I couldn't help looking forward to her future.
Someday, when Lisa grows up, maybe she'll draw up her own designs and make something big... Imagining my daughter's future like that filled me with pride.
I'll keep watching over Lisa's growth. So that someday she can make use of her talents and do the work she truly wants to do—
Then, suddenly.
"Aah!"
Lisa shouted loudly.
"What is it?!"