The Escort Knight Who Is Being Obsessed Over by the Villainess Wants To Run Away - Chapter 229



83. Always like this

While Elijah went off to take care of the piling up work, Judah was sitting.

The north side of the barn where Yuel and the spotted puppies live.

There was a wide open field there.

Amor was sitting on his lap as always.

Even though he was 9 years old, Amor’s love for his father never stopped.

‘I hope it stays like this in the future…’

My heart aches every time I think about how long this will last.

In the meantime, Judah faithfully braided Amor’s hair.

This is the hairstyle I decided on today.

Amor quietly laid his head down while drawing a picture.

May exclaimed from the side.

“Wow. Your skills are incredibly intricate. Your Majesty, you braid hair really well.”

“As I did it every day, it naturally increased.”

Judah and Amor were not the only ones at the table.

May. And her husband, Dylan, the captain of the guard, was there too.

Sitting on Dylan’s lap was a three-year-old boy.

The name is Patrick.

He is the son of two people.

Judas glanced at Patrick while braiding his hair.

‘Maybe Patrick and Amor will get involved later… .’

Yes, that’s right.

I’m on guard.

Meanwhile, Dylan didn’t notice Judas’ alertness.

“Hmm… Patrick’s drawing skills are extraordinary. Should he receive early training as an artist from a young age?”

He was busy admiring Patrick’s painting.

Judas glanced at the picture.

It’s a drawing that could be called a graffiti if it were nicely packaged.

‘… Did I do that too?’

Having high expectations and being anxious about your child’s results may be something that all parents have in common.

‘But our kids are true geniuses… . Among them, Amor is truly, absolutely a genius. Is this an exaggerated delusion that I have because I’m Amor’s father? No, but Amor is a genius… .’

Even after I eventually found out the truth, it was difficult to look back and examine myself objectively.

“What is this drawn?”

A woman next to me said.

Beninita.

She is Richard’s wife.

Sitting on her lap was her second son, Bairin.

“Mom and Dad.”

He was a relatively well-mannered boy, like Beninita.

7 years old, 2 years younger than Amor.

Judah’s number one target of caution.

“It’s a good drawing. I should hang it up in my house.”

In this way, people with children often have gatherings.

It was a kind of social activity.

Judah and Elijah wanted their children to learn through more experiences.

Since I had to learn interpersonal skills, I started by interacting with relatively trustworthy people.

This was also good news for Richard and Dylan, who had similar concerns about their children’s education.

So, this social gathering started about a year ago.

‘Is Fides having fun?’

Judas turned his head toward the field.

There, all the guards except Dylan were playing with the two children.

Fides, the second son of Judah and Elijah.

And Erin, Richard and Beninita’s eldest daughter.

Erin, who resembled Richard, had a personality similar to Fides.

A child who enjoys physical and dynamic play and is full of energy, if not overflowing with it.

Erin and Fides were getting a lot of love from the guards these days.

To them, who smelled of sweat, a child with lots of energy was something they couldn’t help but love.

It was a good thing for each parent too.

Children’s physical strength and energy are too much for adults to handle.

Since all the guards played together, they were able to play with less fatigue.

“Okay, good run!”

“Run faster! You can do it!”

“Fides! Come here!”

“Run, Wangjeom!”

There were also spotted dogs among them.

Judas looked at them and thought.

‘…What on earth are you playing at?’

They’re all running around frantically, but I have no idea what they’re doing.

‘Well, it’s a good thing Fides is showing off. They’re not the type of people to let a child get hurt.’

Although they play quite extreme games, everyone’s top priority is the safety of the two children.

Even if Judah doesn’t say anything, everyone knows to keep it.

Elijah, who was very anxious at first, began to understand when he realized how much they truly cared for their colleague’s child.

‘Ellie is very busy. I want to see you soon.’

By then, I had finished braiding my hair, tied it up, and finished organizing it.

Hair braided into one ponytail.

Even just looking at the back, it’s pretty.

Amordo finished drawing the picture and lifted it up.

“I finished drawing it!”

“Dad, I want to see it too.”

“Yeah. Here!”

Judas examined the picture while caressing Amor’s cheek.

‘Hmm…. Green land, blue sky. Is this a field? These two are me and Ellie. Next to us are Amor and Fides. Then the ones Ellie and I are holding are Spy and Donum.’

Next to Elijah is Mary.

Next to Judah is Galahad.

There was also a large moon deer called Yuel.

Dust, a black cat, sat on the back of the moon deer.

Starting with the mother’s personal Wangjeom, the first point, the second point, the third point, and the yellow point.

Five dogs.

‘Is that building next door the Sky Palace? And that red flower by the window… is that anemone in the bedroom?’

Amor explained briefly.

“I drew my family!”

family.

Really, it was family.

“Yes. Mom, Dad, Amor, and the rest of the family are together. Well drawn, my daughter.”

“really?”

“then.”

It was painful to even describe how well it was drawn.

Pastel tones created a warm atmosphere.

The characters are expressed in a three-dimensional manner, with distinct personalities that are easy to recognize.

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The same goes for animals.

This painting was sure to be a masterpiece that would remain for a century.

‘… Now that I think about it, you really drew it well, right?’

Judah asked Amor indirectly.

“Amor. Do you want to open an art exhibition?”

“Art exhibition…? What is an art exhibition?”

“Um… Simply put, Amor hangs up the paintings and shows them to people.”

“Ugh… That’s embarrassing….”

“If Amor is embarrassed, then he shouldn’t do it.”

“But I’ll show it to Mom!”

“Mom would like that too.”

Dylan sympathized with Judas, who smiled kindly.

Having a child myself, I think I understand how he feels.

Especially since Richard and Judah had their child, they seem so happy and stable every day.

Because I am similar now.

And, a little later, I checked Amor’s picture.

‘… An art exhibition with that painting?’

That question soon led to self-reflection.

‘Did I do that too just now?’

In the end, they were both just similar fathers.

*

“spa?”

It was the first topic Elijah brought up when he returned around dinnertime.

“Yeah. I heard there are a few hot springs in the North that are famous tourist destinations. I think it would be nice to go there with the kids.”

“I agree. But what about other people?”

“Each guest is provided with their own villa as accommodation, and each has their own independent hot spring bath.”

“Oh, that’s okay.”

“What is a hot spring?”

Amor, who was listening to the story, suddenly intervened.

“hmm….”

Elijah explained while Judah was choosing his words.

“It’s a spring where warm water gushes out from the ground. You can bathe there and even melt the cold away on cold days.”

“Warm water comes out of the ground? How?”

“Hmm….”

Even Elijah didn’t know the reason.

Elijah had the skill to turn the conversation smoothly in these situations.

“Yeah. I’m curious too. Should we go together and find out?”

“Yeah! Okay!”

Amor nodded in agreement.

Fides couldn’t hear what was being said, but he laughed along because his sister liked it.

The hot spring trip was an easy decision.

*

The most famous place for hot springs in the North was a region called ‘Valenciennes’.

It is a plain surrounded by large mountain ranges, and fortunately, hot springs burst out, developing it into a tourist attraction.

Wooden cottages are built at intervals throughout the wide open fields.

A private hot spring available for each villa.

It was the perfect place to soak in an open-air bath and enjoy the beauty of nature.

The place that Judah and Elijah visited this time was Valenciennes.

When we arrived, it was around lunchtime and the sun was high in the sky.

After eating, we moved straight away.

The two people who came as guests arrived at the entrance to the Valenciennes hot springs area.

The local landowner and the supervisor in charge of hot spring tourism and guidance rushed out to greet us.

“The greatest leader in history who opened an era of eternal peace for all mankind on earth and under the earth, the last great and noble emperor who will be remembered for generations to come, His Majesty Elijah…”

“short.”

“It is an honor to meet your great Majesty!”

Judah and Elijah set a date in advance to visit.

It seemed like he had carefully prepared his greeting for today, but it was completely reduced at Elijah’s instructions.

“Yes. Thank you for your hospitality.”

Elijah also answered appropriately.

“My name is Alexis and I will be your guide from today until you return home.”

“I am the landowner Edouard.”

Originally, Edouard didn’t have to be here.

But he came out to stamp his face on the powerful man named Elijah.

Elijah knew the power of his position, so he was used to people trying to flatter him in this way.

“I am Fides!”

Fides, holding Elijah’s hand, stepped in boldly.

Alexis smiled softly.

“It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”

“yes!”

Judas stroked Fides.

Alexis said to the royal family.

“I need to take a carriage to the facility I want to use. Would that be permitted?”

Alexis said, and Elijah nodded.

It’s a hassle to use teleport because I don’t know the exact coordinates.

More than anything, I wanted to see the scenery here.

I had already discussed it with my family before coming.

“I hope you have a peaceful time.”

Edouard greeted her only at the entrance, and from then on, it was Alexis’ role.

It was easy for Elijah and his family because they didn’t have to follow him around so persistently.

“This way.”

As we passed the building guarding the entrance as strictly as a guard post, a magnificent view of nature unfolded before us.

The endless grassland was covered in accumulated snow.

The mountain ranges that rose like walls on both sides were also white.

It was the result of long-term snowfall in the area recently.

The sunlight shining down on the snowy field made it even more dazzling.

“With the right amount of snow, it’s a great time to enjoy some leisure time outdoors.”

We rode in the carriage, guided by Alexis.

The interior of a typical carriage has seats facing each other.

But here, both rows of chairs faced the front, making it easy to look around.

Elijah was in front of Fides and Spay.

Judah sat in the back with Amor and Donum.

Alexis explained as he drove the carriage.

“Our Valenciennes is a place where you can enjoy an open-air bath in front of nature, and many nobles also visit for a leisurely tour. It is especially frequented by those who are tired from socializing, studying, or work.”

An introduction with a moderate amount of pride.

Elijah was the only one who heard.

The children were busy looking around excitedly.

“Wow… .”

“The whole place is white!”

“There’s a lot of snow!”

Amor and Spay admired relatively quietly, while Fides and Donum chattered noisily.

“Oh, there’s a rabbit over there!”

And the last child, 29-year-old Judah, found a rabbit.

“Where? Where?”

The children all looked in the direction that Judah was pointing.

A rabbit with shining black eyes was running around in the snow.

“Oh! A rabbit! It’s really a rabbit!”

Elijah chuckled as he listened to the commotion of his family.

‘Everyone says it’s cute. But it’s a rabbit… I want to see it too.’

Elijah glanced over and found the rabbit.

A white rabbit hopping around.

‘cute.’

I was satisfied after checking it.

Elijah asked Alexis.

“Are there any other guests?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. However, the distance between the villas we will be using is far, so we will not be able to meet. If that is inconvenient… ”

“No. Just leave it. I was just checking.”

Elijah had no intention of chasing away the other guests.

It felt like a waste to have this wide space all to themselves.

We won’t meet anyway.

The fact that the royal family has come here today is a secret known only to a select few.

“There won’t be any servants in the villa we’re going to use, right?”

“Yes. I have left it empty as Your Majesty instructed.”

“That’s fine.”

Originally, nobles did not do odd jobs.

Just being served by others.

There was a similar service prepared at the villa here, but Elijah refused.

I just wanted time with my family.

The carriage ran in silence for a while, and then I felt Judas’ hand behind me.

Tickle the shoulder and then press the cheek.

Elijah played with his fingers and then bit them lightly.

Elijah, who had been playing with his fingers for a while, caught sight of a peculiar animal in the distance.

“…What is that?”

It has fluffy fur like a sheep, but is much taller. It also has a long neck.

“It’s an animal called an alpaca, Your Majesty. It’s an animal that came from the next continent, and we raise it by grazing it on the mountain. Sometimes, it comes down the mountain like that.”

“Hmm.”

Long, plump and voluminous fur.

I remember reading it in the report.

This is my first time seeing it in person.

I remembered the flock of sheep I had seen with Judah one day.

And the dogs that ran after the flock of sheep.

‘So cute.’

Judah and the children were also amazed when they discovered the alpaca.

A pleasant noise rang out, and the carriage continued on its way.

*

A first-class villa built in the most scenic spot in Valenciennes.

This was where Judah and Elijah would stay today.

The kids were so excited about the new place that they started poking around everywhere as soon as they arrived.

Even though he lived in the best palace on the continent, he could get bored if he stayed in one place.

After looking around the interior, Judas unpacked his luggage.

Since there were no servants, various chores had to be done together.

Among them, cooking was his specialty.

“Dad, can you cook?”

Amor asked.

Come to think of it, Judah hasn’t cooked since he had a child.

“Of course. Is there anything Dad can’t do?”

“magic?”

The eldest daughter’s personality of not wanting to say a word is clearly modeled after her mother.

“…It’s against the rules to bring that up.”

It’s been a while since I’ve cooked, but my basic cooking skills haven’t died down.

Judah smiled with satisfaction as he watched his wife and children’s reactions as they ate deliciously.

After finishing my meal, I looked around and was about to enter the hot spring bath when it was late evening.

A large bath located in a hallway leading from the villa.

The only barrier was a low fence, leaving the surrounding area open and airy.

It was a rather daring place to go in naked.

Elijah scanned his surroundings carefully with his magic, feeling anxious.

There is no one in the immediate vicinity.

Just a few wild animals.

You can rest assured.

“Oh, it’s warm. And not too deep.”

Judas, who entered first, checked the temperature and depth.

Water depth roughly reaching thigh level.

It’s appropriate.

“Dad, I’ll take them one by one.”

Amor and Fides, who can stand alone, first.

A small spade and a donut were placed on his lap.

“me too.”

Finally, Elijah also complained to Judah.

“When did we have a fifth child in our family?”

As he said this, Judah smiled and took hold of Elijah.

The size of the soup was generous enough to seat six people with room to spare.

‘At this point, even Fidesz could swim comfortably.’

Judas leaned back, placing Fides on his knees and holding the donut in one arm.

“Oh… good.”

My body feels relaxed in the warm water, but my face outside the water feels cold from the wind blowing.

I strangely liked that contrast.

The snow had melted around the bathhouse, but the surrounding landscape was covered in white snow.

Elijah leaned over him and poured warm water on Spey, who was in his arms.

“Aren’t you cold?”

“yes.”

Amor stayed quietly next to Elijah and admired the scenery.

A spectacular view from the fields to the mountains and back to the sky.

It is a rare natural sight near the palace.

So the six of them were just quietly surrendering themselves to the languidness of the hot spring.

Fides was the first to come out of the lethargy.

Fides touched Judas’ body.

“why?”

“Daddy’s muscles!”

“Is it strange?”

Judas smiled and puffed out his chest.

Fides pressed and rubbed that part.

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“Oh… It’s hard!”

“If Fides is big, it can become like this.”

“Wow!”

Donum also followed Fides and massaged his muscles.

“Me too! I want to become strong too!”

“hmm….”

Judah was silent about his youngest daughter’s declaration.

Meanwhile, Amor turned his gaze from the scenery and looked at Elijah’s chest.

The floating thing was an object of wonder as great as Mother Nature.

“When I grow up, will I be as big as my mother?”

“well….”

Elijah could not assure Amor.

Unlike Judah’s body, his own was purely innate.

There was absolutely no acquired effort.

The topic of physical beauty, which started out of nowhere, soon led to adults.

Amor and Fides talked about what kind of adults they want to become and how they would like to be when they grow up.

Elijah to Amor.

For Fides, Judas was the target.

Judah and Elijah smiled.

“Do you think you’ll become a greater person than your father?”

“I will be a better person than my mother. Amor.”

As a parent, there is nothing more touching than having your child look up to you and want to live like you.

And they wanted their children to live better lives than they did.

“And I want to fly like my mom!”

None of the four siblings inherited the power of fire.

Elijah was convinced that he was the last, that he would not be succeeded by anyone else.

The power to destroy evil spirits.

Since there is no evil spirit, there is no reason for the world to continue on.

So that was fortunate.

This power gave him a lot of power and favors, but he also had to suffer through some terrible things.

He wanted to finish by achieving everything with this power and passing everything he had achieved on to his children.

In that sense, Elijah will not pass the throne to his children.

He decided to become the last emperor of this world.

The power of an emperor is as great and heavy as the responsibility it carries.

Moreover, the emperor who comes after Elijah will inevitably be compared to Elijah.

It couldn’t be left like that.

Elijah was thinking of doing away with the caste system altogether, and was already discussing it.

The most intense opposition occurred during his reign, but he suppressed it with his power and achievements and gradually persuaded others.

It wouldn’t be easy, and it would take a very long time, but Elijah was determined to do it.

For the children.

After a long time, Elijah answered.

“I wonder if using magic might not work?”

“Ugh… I guess so… .”

Before I knew it, white snow was falling from the sky.

The children started to run wild, trying to catch the snow.

Especially Fides and Donum.

Judah took the two of them out for a bit to the bathhouse and make a snowman.

Elijah sat quietly with Amor and Spey.

Then, he created a giant snowman with magic.

“Wow… the snowman is huge.”

“Mom, you’re the best!”

A snowman at least three times bigger than the one they rolled themselves.

Even after returning to the bathhouse, Fides and Donum couldn’t take their eyes off the giant snowman.

Judah was equally impressed.

“Wow… It’s a giant snowman.”

Elijah laughed at his childish reaction.

We’ve been together for several years, but you still love each other as much as ever.

Elijah patted his butt.

The sense of Judah, who had been laughing together, suddenly took in the scenery broadly.

A family gathered together in a large bowl of soup.

A large snowman is placed next to it.

A wide snow field spreads out around the area, isolating the space.

Snow falling from the sky.

‘… … .’

As soon as the snow fell and touched the hot water, it melted away.

The snow covering the surroundings must be the same.

As time passes, it melts, seeps into the ground and disappears.

Because nothing in this world lasts forever.

And even now, we are here laughing and chatting.

My beloved wife. And this daily life of spending time with my children will also come to an end someday.

The end is like an unavoidable fate.

‘… Tsk. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older, but I’m having such useless, sentimental thoughts. Is this how Sir Galahad felt… ?’

I wish this moment could last forever.

I hope that this time with her will be repeated over and over again, throughout my life.

But eventually, the end comes.

It is a cold and bitter reality like this winter.

Judah put an arm around Elijah’s waist, trying to shake off the thoughts that had just occurred to him.

Soft and warm belly fat.

For now, just being like this is enough.

“Huh? Judas, why?”

“…just.”

Judas just laughed lightly.

But Elijah’s keen intuition did not miss his unusual mood.