Mary Hyde's father.

Raymond Hyde.

The current head of the renowned Hyde family and one of the most esteemed magicians in the Lillias Kingdom.

Mary, when talking about such a father, did not show any affection even as a formality.

Instead, she seemed to recall something fearsome, causing her shoulders to tremble.

"I received a letter saying that my father is currently in critical condition."

This was the final conclusion.

After recounting everything about her father, Mary informed me that he had fallen ill.

"He doesn’t have much time left."

"Is that why you want me to go with you?"

"…Yes."

Mary grasped my hand tightly and looked at me.

"With you by my side, I feel like I could find the courage to face my father."

I had heard the entire story about her family.

About her strict father.

How he, under the guise of turning Mary, who was once timid and shy, into an elite, did unthinkable things.

As a result, she developed a new personality that was detached and able to protect others.

I also learned that her fear of getting wet when it rains stemmed from her father.

'If it were me, I wouldn’t even want to see his face.'

A father who created bad childhood traumas.

A common story.

A child who was tormented by their parents from a young age becomes independent and abandons them.

After that, regardless of whether the parent lives or dies, each goes their own way.

However, upon hearing that her father was critically ill, Mary decided to return home.

"Because there are things I want to say."

Her expression was not that of a daughter longing to see her father.

Mary had a determined expression, and I embraced her shoulders tightly.

With that, Mary's once fearful face blushed, and she returned to her shy self.

"Will you come with me?"

Her large eyes anxiously looked at me.

"Of course. I'll go with you anywhere."

I replied with a smile to Mary.

In response, her eyes gently curved into a soft smile.

'Then I have a problem to solve.'

Mary's family home is quite far from Dedris Academy.

Even traveling quickly by carriage would take a full day.

Even if we spent just one day at her family home, the journey would take at least three days.

So, I escorted Mary back to her dormitory and immediately headed out.

To a familiar place.

Raphne's Tower.

"Ken! You said you couldn't come today, what's the occasion?"

When I entered the top room of the tower, Raphne greeted me with a bright smile.

I hugged the eager Raphne tightly.

"Did you miss me?"

"Well... that too..."

"Hehe."

Since the past was altered, Raphne has better managed to endure being alone in the tower.

It seems that memories of the one year she was confined in the tower overlay with the newly created memories of the past year.

Of course, the positive change is that she no longer loses control while alone in the tower.

Yet her attachment to me remains.

"So, are you staying over tonight? ...I wish Ken would stay over.”

Raphne, who had been nestled in my arms, pulled her face back slightly, blushing as she asked me.

"Sure, I'll stay over tonight."

"...What?"

Upon hearing my prompt response, Raphne's eyes widened in surprise.

"R-Really? Are you really going to stay? I might just pounce on you, you know?"

"I'm definitely staying... but go easy on the pouncing.”

Whether she properly heard me or not, Raphne just smiled joyfully and hugged my neck.

"Better than any birthday gift!"

Since it’s been a while since I last stayed at the tower, it must really please her.

She affectionately nuzzled her hair against my neck.

'If she's this happy… it should be alright, right?’

Honestly, I hadn't planned on staying, but I needed to make Raphne happy to get a positive answer from her.

Of course, I also enjoy seeing Raphne happy, so it's not just for the purpose.

Anyway.

"Raphne, …there's something I want to tell you."

"Oh? What is it? Tell me anything!”

Raphne beamed at me with a pure look in her eyes, as if ready to listen to anything.

Reassured by her gaze, I told her about the upcoming three-day journey.

"No━! No, no, no━!"

Raphne abruptly clung to me again, starting to whimper.

'I knew it.’

It was never going to be easy getting permission.

"Then I won't be able to see Ken for three days?! Sob, I absolutely hate that! Just don't stay the night today!"

She eventually started begging me with teary eyes.

"It's a really important matter, Raphne, so I can't help it. Can’t you bear it for just three days? Then, when I come back, I won’t even go to the Academy for three days and I'll stay by your side!"

"...Ugh."

Raphne's shoulders twitched at my final offer.

She disliked the idea of me being away for three days, but having me by her side constantly for three days upon my return seemed tempting.

"But still..."

Despite this, she seemed troubled by my absence and gripped my shoulders tightly, looking at me with anxiety.

It seemed like I needed a decisive move.

"So, Raphne..."

"...Yes?"

I carefully opened my mouth to speak.

"When I come back... there's something very important I need to tell you..."

"Important?"

Raphne tilted her head, not immediately understanding what important matter I could be referring to regarding us.

So, overcoming my embarrassment, I glanced away shyly and answered.

"It's about our future relationship."

"...Wh-what?"

Of course, it's not a lie.

I had already had serious discussions with Emily and Mary about being in a committed relationship.

However, with Raphne, the timing had been off, and I hadn’t given her a proper answer yet.

And after this journey, I planned to give her that answer.

"Ken..."

Raphne, seemingly moved, looked at me with tear-filled eyes that sparkled with emotion.

With a shy blush on her cheeks, she looked both embarrassed and happy. It seemed she finally understood the implication of my words.

"Oh, I see! I just need to hold on for three days, right?"

"Yes... Ah, it might possibly take a day or two longer..."

"Anyway, you have to come back quickly!"

Now, it seemed that the answer she would receive upon my return was more important than the fact I'd be away.

Raphne hugged me, smiling contentedly.

"And stay over tonight!"

"Alright."

Thankfully, I got Raphne's permission.

With this, I had completed preparations to visit Mary's home for three days.

Though tonight, I faced the challenge of resisting Raphne's allure.

'...It should end with just a kiss, right?'

Given the presence of the other two, I knew I shouldn't cross that line. If I were to go beyond, it would only be after all three were okay with it.

'And then there's the talk about the future with the three of them...'

After visiting Mary's home, the real moment of commitment would begin.

Unaware of this, Raphne nestled her head against my chest, wrapped her arms around my waist, and played with her hair.

The very next day, right after persuading Raphne, Mary and I boarded a carriage prepared in front of the Academy.

It seemed Mary, having heard my answer, had sent a letter to her family via her familiar.

In response, her family arranged a carriage near the Academy for us.

Rattle, rattle.

During the ride, Mary leaned her head on me and held my hand tightly.

I gently held Mary's shoulder and carefully asked, "Are you very nervous?"

"...It's just been a while since I last visited my family home."

Mary peeked up at me with a soft smile, as if to reassure me not to worry.

It seemed she found some comfort in my arms, as she didn't pull away.

Yet, there was a subtle tremble to her shoulders.

'I wonder how terrifying her father must be.'

Seeing her reaction, I couldn't help but feel a simmering anger, knowing it was a family matter beyond my interference.

I had heard that her father, under the guise of education, had traumatized Mary by dousing her with water.

'No matter how much he wants his daughter to excel...'

That was still wrong.

That's not a parent's role.

In my view, parents should embrace their child's deficiencies too, and create happy memories.

Not turn their childhood into trauma out of selfish desires.

'I wonder what kind of face he has.'

Even after causing such painful memories for his daughter, he's summoning her as though he might die soon.

How shameless he must be.

I felt a strong urge to confront him.

Of course, that would be beyond my place, so I wasn't rushing into anything recklessly.

"Mary, don't worry. I'm right beside you."

"...Yes."

For now, all I could do was be her umbrella, standing by her side.

Mary blushed and smiled at the hand that held hers tightly.

Relying on each other's warmth, the carriage finally arrived at Hyde's estate by the afternoon of the next day.

"Welcome, my lady. I have been waiting for you."

"Yes, it's been a while, Albus."

After we arrived and got off the carriage, what greeted us was a grand mansion.

'I heard it's a prestigious family, but...'

Just by the size of the mansion, it was clear how vast the wealth of Hyde's family must be.

A mansion of such magnitude.

Furthermore, the garden and yard surrounding it were so expansive it made my eyes widen.

And the attendants were waiting for us in front of the carriage.

There were only a few maids and an elderly man who seemed like the head butler, but surely such a large mansion would have many more staff inside.

Mary greeted them with familiarity and handed over our luggage.

'...Can I really handle this?'

Seeing Mary's slightly awkward demeanor, I couldn't help but feel more anxiety than anticipation.

After all, in a way, I had proposed to Mary.

If things proceed smoothly, I'll be marrying her.

In such circumstances...

Learning that the family of the woman I'm with is this grand?

'I feel uneasy all of a sudden...'

I found myself shrinking back without even realizing it.

"Ken, shall we go?"

However, Mary, oblivious to my feelings, looked at me with a tender smile.

With a nervous heart, I nodded and stood beside Mary as we walked into the mansion.

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