WCMBI - Chapter 226: Distant Memories (Patreon)

"I thought you had caused a colossal disaster, but it's merely a minor verbal slip."

"I'm truly sorry to have upset Melissa, more than Matap Majesty."

"What are you saying?"

"I believe Ian, that rascal, will come here."

He didn't explicitly mention Ian's involvement. Even if he had, it wouldn't change anything. Melissa's painful memories wouldn't just vanish because of that.

"So, that means you blabbered before the Duke?"

"Yes."

"Sigh, what am I going to do with you?"

"I apologize, Matap Majesty."

"While I don't particularly wish to interfere with them, sometimes you go too far with your actions."

Pedro could only bow his head in response to Lucia's cold words.

He knew it too. That it was not he who suffered the most from the wounds. In a way, he, too, had been a spectator.

"I wish we weren't deprived of the portion of anger we rightfully deserve."

"I'm sorry."

"Ahem.," Melissa finally spoke, cradling Adella, who had fallen asleep around the time the conversation had drawn to a close.

"Pedro has every right to be upset," she began.

"Why is that so?" Pedro asked, genuinely curious.

"Well, yes, it's my issue, but despite that, Pedro has taken the time to tend to my wounds. Sometimes through jests, and at other times, with warm glances," Melissa explained.

"Well, he did impress those sorcerers in Matap," Pedro shrugged, somewhat bashfully.

"Yes, precisely. Shouldn't I be pleased?" Melissa replied.

"Should you?"

"Having someone who supports you, who understands your emotions, is incredibly comforting."

"If you say so, and as long as you're alright."

"Yes, I am alright. But, Pedro," Melissa paused, hesitating a bit.

"Yes, Melissa?"

His body was still trembling from her compliments.

"What does it mean when you mentioned that someone might come looking for him? Does it imply knowledge of Matap's whereabouts?"

"No! That's not possible. The location of Matap remains known only to the sorcerers within Matap itself. It should never be disclosed recklessly."

"Then would there be a problem?"

At first, Pedro struggled to grasp Melissa's question, but Lucia immediately understood and erupted with a confident assertion.

"Indeed. Unless I grant permission, no one can enter."

"Of course?"

Lucia's words filled Melissa with a sense of trust, making her feel content. Indeed, she had chosen her successor wisely. Proudly smiling, Lucia was slightly delayed in realizing Pedro's last statement, which he screamed out with a final burst.

"Aaaah! Such profound meaning!"

"Uuugh!"

Adella, who was peacefully slumbering in her mother's embrace, jolted awake at Pedro's shriek. Despite the accident, Lucia, who hadn't spoken much despite causing the incident, flicked his nape.

"Ouch, I'm sorry, Princess. Your uncle yelled too loudly, didn't he?"

"You should quiet down."

"Sorry."

"Hush now, let's go back to sleep," Lucia cooed to Adella.

"Mm..."

"Sleep tight, our dear little one."

Until that moment, Melissa had given little thought to Ian. She hadn't bothered to exert any effort in recalling someone who had already become a distant memory.

However, not only Melissa but even Lucia and Pedro couldn't have foreseen what was to come.

The depth of Alpha's fixation, and Ian's unwavering determination to find Matap—such were the fateful matters at hand.

* * *

"Rest well, dear Dia," Ian spoke, observing the child now completely nestled. Only then could he rise from beside the bed. His own fairly grown fingers briefly clasped his hand, and a fleeting smile graced his countenance.

After tidying the child's blanket, Ian gently released Dia's held fingers and then issued a command to the waiting nanny at his side.

"Remain always on standby in the adjacent room, and promptly come when Dia seeks me."

"Yes, Your Grace," replied the nanny.

With a weary face having emerged from his son's room, he bypassed his own quarters and left the main residence.

Lately, he could not find restful sleep. His bedroom had become a place devoid of her traces, making slumber elusive. Thus, the guesthouse became his nocturnal abode.

Passing through the still-damaged green rose garden, he entered the guesthouse. Unseen by others, it remained chilly due to their prohibition.

In front of the room where Omega had once resided, he hesitated momentarily, and after knocking as if someone were inside, he spoke.

"May I intrude for a moment, Mel?"