Chapter 188

Epilogue (1)

The Young Master, who was celebrating his fourth birthday this year, had one big problem.

Irit Linerio.

It was no exaggeration to say that his future had already been solidified as the next successor to the Duke of Linerio. He could have everything he ever wanted and at the same time, everything he wished for would come true.

However, Irit was not arrogant at all. It was thanks to the sweet but strong Duke and that amicable yet well-educated Duchess.

Some had said that he was a gifted child after having inherited his mother’s brilliant mind. Nevertheless, Irit was full of complaints since he couldn’t deal with some problems that had been occurring since quite a long time ago.

“Irit.”

The child’s eyes were closed tightly at that gentle call. His plump cheeks were already being buried in his mother’s chest.

“I heard you’ve gotten some compliments from your teacher today.”

The touch of those head pats had revealed a sense of pride to him. Compliments were always sweet no matter how much he had heard of them. The end of the child’s mouth opened wide as if it got caught in his ear already.

“Every single time, you keep on getting compliments for being brilliant.”

“I got a perfect score this time as well.”

Molitia’s face had become tenderly relaxed by the shy child.

“Good job. I’m very proud of you.”

The child, who was sitting on her lap, was being really discreet with himself. He was very mindful of the fact that he might hurt his mother’s body.

Irit was young, but he already knew that his mother was fragile.

The elder butlers and servants all seemed to be heedful in front of his mother. Just like a delicate task, the whole family was being really cautious in front of the Duchess.

As the people around him had always been very careful, Irit then naturally imitated those actions. He trod conscientiously in front of his mother and he also played with prudence.

Until his mother, Molitia, began to see it all with a sad look on her face.

“My lovely child.”

Her pats on the back of his hair that swept past similarly to a fine-like silk thread had been rather comfortable.

Molitia wanted Irit to behave much like a child. She praised him for eating better than she did for his math skills and she adored his bright smile more than him getting 100 points on the exam paper.

The brilliant child had already been rewarded in his learning, but it wasn’t bad to show what his mother actually wanted. Furthermore, whenever he was in the arms of his sweet-scented mother, he wanted to be just like a flighty baby.

He dug into her soft chest and began breathing in the flesh. The child’s chubby finger was touching her chest softly.

The calm smile on Molitia’s mouth widened as if she didn’t mind Irit’s childishness at all.

“Molitia.”

Irit’s serenity was immediately shattered by that familiar voice. Molitia stopped stroking with her hand and started raising her welcoming face instead.

“You’re here already?”

“Yes, I finished work pretty early today. More than that…”

Raven’s eyes slowly turned to Irit, who was still sitting on her lap. The child pretended to be ignorant and dug further into his mother’s arms, but it didn’t work at all.

“Your mother must be tired now. Come here, Irit.”

Whenever he saw Irit, he would somehow try to separate the two of them. Irit, who was usually in her arms, was now falling off.

Irit’s cheeks were full of grievances.

“It’s okay. It’s only been a while since I hugged him anyway.”

“But still, you can’t. It’s only been a while since your wrist has gotten better, you can’t have it bandaged again.”

The child’s body flinched noticeably at his father’s words.

“Irit, you have already grown up to some extent, so it’s now time for you to stop looking for her arms.”

Raven was being strict, though he did think of it as something to say to a four-year-old. And Irit knew of that. Molitia had carried him around far too much. The ligament in her wrist got overstretched when she was carrying him strenuously.

Even a child could comprehend that his mother was sick due to himself.

“Mother, you are sick again…”

“No way.”

Molitia just waved at her crying son. This time, he didn’t hold onto her, but he kept staying on her lap instead. Therefore, the ligament in her wrist wouldn’t be stretched again.

“Then, can I stay in your arms?”

“Of course.”

“No.”

Molitia and Raven had simultaneously said those words. The eyes of the two of them began entwining each other in the air.

“I’ll hold him for you.”

He used to say that his father’s arms felt good, but he was now different. The child had stubbornly sought out for his mother’s arms. The hands that had been clutching tightly onto the hem of her clothes were held on firmly.

“Irit Linerio.”

The voice that called him by his full name had loosened Irit’s biting hands. The child was aware that his father just wanted to let him have one last chance. And assuming the fact that he were to miss this opportunity, Raven would then harbor a huge disrespect for his own child.

The child eventually turned around, albeit sullenly. A smile was drawn gently around Raven’s mouth as his drooping shoulders were now reaching for his father.

Then, while naturally holding his child in one hand, he reached for Molitia softly.

“Have you eaten?”

“No, I’ve been waiting to eat with you once you return home.”

As she stood up without any hesitation while holding Raven’s hand, she softly flashed a smile.

The child, who had made it obvious that he just didn’t want to proceed towards him, was already in his arms—better than he actually expected.