Beneath the Surviving Princess's Joyful Facade - Side Story 5

A few days later, early in the morning, the carriage departed from the castle. Miesa, with her hair dyed black from dawn and her eyebrows tinted to match, looked stunningly beautiful—so much so that Eirik lost his words in admiration for a moment.

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

“Well, no matter what you do, you’re always beautiful.”

As Eirik nodded, Miesa giggled and teased him, “Don’t brush it off like that—tell me in more detail. Exactly how am I beautiful?”

Eirik sighed and obediently did as she asked. “If your original appearance was like a fairy, now you resemble a traditional beauty of Cladis. The silky black hair, the rosy cheeks… Your eyes seem even bluer now. I used to have a vague image of a beautiful woman from my childhood, and seeing you now, I realize that my imagination had its limits.”

Eirik gently tapped her cheek as he finished his explanation. Miesa chuckled, raising one eyebrow, and imitated his tone in a low voice.

“‘Are you a trader of information? You seem to demand a reward for every bit of news you give.’“

Since she often received kisses in return for his confessions, it wasn’t the first time Miesa had joked about it. But today, Eirik’s playful side surfaced as well.

Shaking his head, he pointed to his lips. “Come to think of it, saying such things wasn’t easy. To properly collect the price, I’ll need three more kisses.”

“‘Wait, listen to me. The silver coin I gave wasn’t for kissing you. No, there’s certainly my fault in saying something that could be misunderstood, but—’“

“I’ve never said such things. No, wait. Are you talking about that time…”

While Miesa’s laughter filled the carriage, Siata, her maid, and five Cladnier knights mounted their horses. The small group numbered only eight people in total.

The knights were selected from the elite, including Cullen, who was a father of three.

The second Sidate war had ended just a year ago, and during this time, Cullen had suddenly become a father of three. This happened because he took responsibility for the family of a fallen comrade, helping them out of obligation after the war.

“So, my eldest son, you see, he was practicing archery late into the night just to beat me. I was proud of him, but I ended up carrying him back and putting him to bed so he wouldn’t lose any sleep and stop growing.”

In a small inn on the outskirts of a bustling street in Kazen, as soon as they unpacked, Cullen couldn’t help but begin his story. Eirik and the knights had left for a local inspection, and Siata had gone downstairs to prepare bathwater, leaving only Cullen to stay with Miesa, and the conversation started naturally.

“I see.”

Miesa nodded slightly. In fact, Cullen often talked endlessly about his family, especially his new wife, even when no one gave him much encouragement. This time, Cullen, completely infatuated, spoke with such enthusiasm that even Miesa found it overwhelming.

Even now, Cullen continued, his rough features softening as he spoke, “When I finally returned to my room after watching the kids sleep, my wife was waiting for me… No, never mind.”

Miesa, who was listening without much interest, was startled when Cullen trailed off. It was unexpected for Cullen to start mentioning something intimate about his bedroom.

“Sir Cullen, we may have shared many conversations recently, but I never expected you to bring up such a topic.”

When Miesa narrowed her eyes and spoke with a cool voice, Cullen jumped.

“No, no! The story got cut off in a weird place, but it wasn’t like that at all!”

Waving his hands in distress, Cullen continued hurriedly, “I meant my wife was crying in the room! Because I care for the kids so much, she said she was touched. But then I realized it might sound too sentimental to tell you, my lady, so I tried to stop halfway.”

True enough. Though Cullen had fallen deeply in love with his wife, he wasn’t the type to brag about such matters openly. He was far from being crude enough to make a vulgar joke to his lord’s wife; in fact, he still feared Miesa deep down.

“Absolutely not. I would never show such disrespect to you, my lady.”

Miesa, though slightly embarrassed, fixed her gaze, making it even icier.

“Are you saying I misunderstood?”

“You were quite right to misunderstand. It was my mistake. I wouldn’t argue even if you took my head for it.”

Seeing Cullen turn pale, Miesa was satisfied with simply clarifying his mistake.

“Right? So it’s not that I didn’t understand—you misspoke, correct? Anyone would misunderstand, right?”

“Yes, absolutely. I deeply apologize.”

With her mood lightened, Miesa gestured for Cullen, who was kneeling and trembling, to rise and sit back down on the chair opposite her. Now that she had a hold on him, it was time to make use of it.

“Since you made a mistake with me, I suppose I can make one with you, can’t I?”

“A mistake, my lady?”

Miesa leaned forward, her voice lowering as she whispered to Cullen, “Actually, there’s something I’ve been curious about for a while. I knew it might be improper to ask, so I never dared to bring it up.”

“Whatever it is… depending on the question, though, it might be inappropriate for me to answer…”

“Well, you see.”

Miesa spoke in a tone completely different from when she had called out his impropriety.

“It’s just… you don’t have to answer if it makes you uncomfortable, Sir Cullen.”

“Uh? What is it that you’re curious about?”

Cullen looked even more confused. After hesitating for a moment, Miesa finally brought up the question she had long wanted to ask but never had the courage.

“Are all children adorable?”

“Pardon?”

“I mean, Sir Cullen, two of your children aren’t actually yours by blood, are they?”

“Ah, yes. That’s correct.”

Relieved as he understood the question, Cullen relaxed his previously tense shoulders. But Miesa leaned in, her voice dropping even lower.

“Even if they’re not your blood, do you find them adorable and lovely? Do you feel proud when they try hard, wish for them to be good at archery, and hope they grow up healthy and tall?”

“Of course. Is that what you were curious about, my lady?”

It was. After all, Miesa’s other maid, Madam Manere, had been completely estranged from her children since her divorce. The children resented their mother for bringing them into the world in secret after her indiscretions with their uncle.

Once, Miesa had asked Madam Manere if she felt upset after putting so much effort into her sons’ futures. Madam Manere replied calmly that their estranged relationship was entirely her fault, and she saw her life as penance. She mentioned that she avoided contact with her brother-in-law and carefully saved every penny of her wages, hoping for nothing but a chance for her children to accept her someday.

Cullen, too, responded sincerely to Miesa’s question, “Our hearts are connected. As long as I raise them with love and protect my wife faithfully, I am both a father and a husband. Blood doesn’t matter.”

“But are children really that precious?”

“Of course. Just watching them fills me with joy. Compared to walking back to an empty, dark lodging, now my home is heaven, filled with their laughter.”

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Cullen scratched the back of his head as he spoke, “I don’t think I’ve properly told you how I came to marry my wife, have I?”

When Miesa shook her head, Cullen began his story. One day, he happened to pass by and saw a child being bullied for not having a father, and though it was just a child’s quarrel, he was extremely angry.

“When I took the child home, I saw their situation was dire, but the widow was living so courageously and resiliently. After that, I couldn’t get them out of my head, and I visited several times with sacks of grain and meat.”

The widow, for her part, seemed to lean on him more and more, but Cullen had tried to maintain distance, as she was the wife of his fallen comrade.

Eventually, thanks to his younger brother, Vallek, pushing him forward, he somehow ended up taking marriage vows. In truth, Eirik had been the first to notice Cullen’s predicament, subtly encouraging him behind the scenes, but no one knew that.

“Each one of them is so precious in their own way. I can’t describe how thankful I am just to see them eat well and sleep soundly.”

Cullen’s face radiated happiness as he spoke.

“The three of them have brought warmth to my once lonely life. Becoming the father of a family and having happiness to protect has given my life a new meaning.”

His rough features were softened by a gentle smile. It was evident that the third child, expected in half a year, would grow up in an environment of unconditional love and care, just like the others.

Somewhat satisfied with her curiosity now addressed, Miesa spoke, feeling a bit awkward, “Thank you for answering, Sir Cullen.”

“It was nothing, my lady.”

“Regarding the earlier misunderstanding, let’s keep it between us, shall we?”

“Oh, thank you. Thank you very much. Thanks to you, I might be able to see my third child born safely.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t tell Eirik, I promise.”

Miesa grinned, but before Cullen, seated across from her, could breathe a sigh of relief, the door of the inn swung open.

“Now then, what exactly is it that you promised not to tell me?”

Eirik stepped in with a broad grin.

Cullen’s face went pale as a sheet, but Miesa knew Eirik trusted her completely.

“I’ll explain later. Where’s Siata?”

“She was checking on the kitchen. She should be coming up soon with dinner.”

Despite evading the topic, Eirik did not press her further. He removed the sword from his belt, placing it on the table, and stepped out to wash his hands. Not missing the chance, Miesa gestured to Cullen.

“Go now.”

“Th-thank you for sparing me.”

Cullen’s words were sincere as he swiftly left the room, but Miesa just laughed it off.