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His expression was so serious that it bordered on reverent. It seemed he had gone too far in playing the role of an adopted daughter.

In Heron’s heart, there lay several heavy burdens.

Ever since he heard Hixson’s words, his chest had felt heavy.

“Hmph! You mean to say the training grounds aren’t a public place?”

“You thought of it as a date spot with your cute daughter, didn’t you?”

A whole year spent using that kind of place as a date venue—there hadn’t been a trace of mood or romance! Heron thought of the training ground as a date spot for true, honest communication with his daughter. He genuinely believed that was the case.

But as time passed, he found himself questioning that notion repeatedly. Eventually, he decided to seek help.

“Wasn’t she an ex-lover of Quesa Quilton?”

“Yeah, it’s a story from when we were kids. But why?”

The person he sought advice from was none other than Mercenary King Kaiser. “She still seems to have feelings for you, though.”

“She’s lonely, you see.”

“Only a few people across the continent could express her that way.”

Thanks to Kaiser’s confidence, Heron felt a glimmer of hope. “Cute animals are the best.”

“Cute animals?”

“Yeah, but it can’t be forced.”

Kaiser straightened up, lifting his chin and looking down at Heron. “If you truly have love for animals, the hearts of women will naturally follow, Thousand Kills Duke.”

Kaiser shook his head. “But as I said earlier, it can’t be forced. Pretending to like something just for show is nothing but a facade. It seems that’s something impossible for you, Duke Heron, so perhaps my advice is moot?”

Kaiser sighed.

Heron and cute animals—a combination that felt quite mismatched.

“Sorry, I don’t think I can be of much help.”

Contrary to Kaiser’s expectation, Heron gained a significant insight.

“Cute animals.”

There was a secret no one knew. In the ‘Beast’s Hall’ protected by a seven-layer magical barrier, there were cute hedgehogs.

So he gathered his courage and said, “Viola, do you remember what I mentioned before?”

“…Which one?”

“Why don’t you like spending time with your father?”

“Oh, I remember.”

Back then, he didn’t know if the egg tart went through her nose or mouth. “Upon reflection, I think I was wrong.”

“…….”

“Hixson taught me.”

“How adorable is she? But isn’t it harsh to dwell on swordsmanship and growth at a time like this?” Upon looking back, he felt that statement was correct.

His love for his daughter was genuine, but he acknowledged that the approach had been wrong.

“So there’s a place I really want to take you.”

Viola’s eyes narrowed. It seemed like a lot had changed about Heron’s character and setting.

“Dad.”

“Yes?”

“Are you asking me out on a date?”

Viola was almost ready to cheer in her heart. A date with her favorite—oh, what a blissful reincarnation.

“Huh?”

But then something astonishing happened. Heron’s face turned red.

Since losing Rael, emotions had vanished from him, yet now, the face of the duke known as Thousand Kills was flushed.

“Holy moly.”

To see such a sight from a duke with a sharp and fierce demeanor—surely, this must be heaven.

Heron cleared his throat. “Anyway, there’s definitely a place I want us to visit together.”

That place was the secret area of Winter Castle, protected by a seven-layer magical barrier. A special space that only Heron could enter.

The ‘Beast’s Hall.’

*

Medea sipped her warm black tea.

A man with a long scar across his face.

One of the influential figures in Winter Castle, a loyalist favored by the duke.

It had been a while since her tea time with Chief Butler Carlton.

“I’ll get straight to the point.”

“Sounds good.”

“Princess Viola headed to the Beast’s Hall.”

Medea’s body jolted. Frankly, she was surprised herself.

The Beast’s Hall was Heron’s private secret space.

No one knew what treasures lay within or what was hidden there.

Even Duchess Isabella, who managed the affairs of Winter Castle, was unable to access the ‘Beast’s Hall.’

“What does this mean?”

“Isn’t it the father’s determination to solidify the position of the heir?”

“I think so too.”

Heron’s space all to himself. He had invited Viola there.

A great stir had erupted within Winter Castle.

“Princess Viola is heading to the Beast’s Hall.”

“Princess Viola?”

“Isn’t this the first time?”

“At this point, she must be recognized as the heir.”

The servants buzzed around quickly spreading the rumor, and it bled throughout all of Winter Castle. “There must be some heavy political calculations behind this.”

“That would make sense.”

Everyone interpreted it as a politically calculated move. Otherwise, there was no way to explain why Heron had taken Viola to the Beast’s Hall. Carlton asked,

“What do you think about this, Princess Medea?”

Carlton observed Medea. Depending on her reaction, the tides in Winter Castle could shift.

“I’m happy.”

…Huh? Medea smiled brightly. “It means that Viola has been acknowledged.”

“You have been fighting harder than anyone for the position of heir, haven’t you? This could render your efforts pointless.”

“Uncle.”

Calling him ‘uncle’ rather than ‘Chief Butler’ shifted the dynamic. It was no longer ‘Princess Medea’ but simply ‘Medea.’ “You’ve watched me since I was little. You cared for me a lot.”

“That I did.”

“Would you be disappointed if I gave up the title of duke?”

Carlton pondered for a moment. “If someone possesses the qualities to lead Winter Castle, then it is my role to serve whoever it may be.”

“Be honest with me.”

Medea placed her teacup down and locked eyes with Carlton.

An unspoken conversation unfolded between them.

“Medea.”

This time, he called her simply Medea, not Princess.

Medea’s smile deepened.

It had been so long since they shared a private conversation, dropping the titles of Chief Butler and first princess.

“I wanted you to be happy.”

“I understand that sentiment well. I’m always grateful to you, Uncle.”

“You were excessively desperate, charging forward with no respite like a candle flickering to snuff out.”

“No. You were more like a child clinging desperately to a flickering flame.”

“Calling me a child in the White Cold Wind?”

Medea shrugged. “But it’s not bad that you see me that way.”

Medea was meant to be proud and lofty. As the next ruler to lead Winter Castle, she had to solidify her position.

But that wasn’t what Medea desired. “So I aim to empower Viola.”

The Second Prince Garcia had died. The Third Prince Kundo was far too lacking compared to Medea.

The Fourth Princess Hela was already supporting Viola.

The Fifth Prince Bichen had no particular interest in the heir’s position.

Even Carlton saw that the one fitting for the heir was the Sixth Princess Viola.

“Just go as you wish, Uncle.”

“Do you want that?”

“I desperately do. That child wants that too.”

“What if Viola doesn’t want it?”

Medea shook her head. “That won’t happen. That child was born to become the lord of Winter Castle.”

“But what if Viola dislikes it?”

Medea closed her eyes, pondering for a moment. Although it felt unlikely, if Viola truly did not want the position of heir…

“Then I would have to become the heir myself. Because her happiness is my happiness.”

* The forbidden zone, the Beast’s Hall, which nobody could access.

There, seven hedgehogs were bustling around.

Viola’s eyes widened as she spotted the hedgehogs.

“How cute!”

They were all palm-sized and, strangely enough, white. “Can I touch them?”

“Yeah.”

As she gently petted them, their fur was incredibly soft. “It feels like fur, not quills.”

“Looks like you’re quite fond of them.”

The quills of the hedgehogs that grew in the Beast’s Hall were naturally very sharp. They were evolving to possess such formidable and durable quills that no beast dared to hunt them. Yet, upon touching Viola, they became soft as silk. ‘Kaiser, you were right.’

Viola looked genuinely happy. Even Heron could see it.

One particular hedgehog showed special affection for Viola.

It burrowed and rubbed up against her, something that had never happened with Heron.

“That one’s name is…”

Heron’s face turned red again. It felt as if a secret he shouldn’t know had been exposed.

“Olada.”

“Olada?”

Its little paw pads were pink. The white hedgehog with pink paw pads climbed all over Viola.

“It tickles.”

Viola burst into laughter. Heron gazed at the scene, spellbound.

He watched that moment for quite a while.

“Dad?”

“Dad, are you crying?”

Heron’s eyes were red. Viola had seen him cry before.

Back then, Heron answered, “I cried because I was afraid I might lose you.”

Heron looked at Viola with his reddened eyes.

‘It’s different from before.’

Back then, he had cried out of fear. Now, he was crying because she was precious.

You were so precious that tears flowed.

Your smile filled him with gratitude.

In this moment, everything felt too good and happy, and without realizing it, tears escaped.

Countless words exchanged in his heart, yet he couldn’t bring himself to speak them.

“Just come back safely.”

His daughter was heading to the ‘Sacred Ground of the Ancient Warriors.’ She claimed it was something only she could do.

“I wish I could do it for you,” he thought, yet that was impossible. All he hoped for was Viola’s safe return.

For her to come back and spend time together again.

That was all Heron wished for at that moment.

“Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere, Crybaby Dad. I’ll be back soon.”

Three days passed. It was the day Viola would leave for the ‘Sacred Ground of the Ancient Warriors.’