Limited Extra Time - Chapter 154

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Seren.

Ma!

At Carina Leopold’s soft call, Seren’s ears perked up attentively before the child tossed aside a toy and began crawling toward her with eager, wobbling movements.

Ever since Seren had started crawling, the floor had been fitted with an even thicker, plush rug, and anything sharp or pointed had

vanished entirely. It was a collaborative effort between Millaiyen Pestellio and Peng, accomplished in a single night.

Shall we go to the Temple with Mother?

Ka!

Seren eagerly mimicked the end of Carina Leopold’s words.

Watching the child’s arms shoot up suddenly, Carina Leopold burst into laughter.

The child was so endearing and adorable that joy simply overflowed from her.

Yet the child was unexpectedly curious, and caused quite a few accidents.

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Seren would knock things over and push them off surfaces, or throw rattles down only to burst into tears moments later.

The most exhausting part was the constant whimpering at all hours. She had never imagined that parenthood would be like this, so she retained faint memories of feeling quite bewildered.

In truth, she had adapted easily to everything else, but it took an extraordinarily long time to adjust to the crying for food at dawn and night, or the demands for diaper changes at any moment.

Of course, waking up in the middle of sleep remained terribly difficult.

Yet whenever she saw the child’s face, affection bloomed so naturally that she found herself incapable of any anger whatsoever.

Still, she had come to understand that raising a child was an extraordinarily demanding endeavor.

The child was precious and beloved, but required tremendous care and attention. A child could only be raised with devotion, and could only grow with love.

“Then I’d better get you dressed quickly, our Seren.”

At Carina Leopold’s words, Seren tilted his head before breaking into bright laughter.

Carina Leopold pressed a kiss to the child’s forehead and rang the bell to summon someone.

“You called for me, madam?”

“Yes. I’m planning to go out with Seren. Could you bring some clothes?”

“Of course! Right away, madam.”

The Maidservant bowed and carefully withdrew from the room.

When Carina Leopold cradled Seren and sat on the bed, the child, delighted by the softness, burst into laughter once more.

‘He used to cry all the time back then.’

In the beginning, he truly cried incessantly. As if unable to adapt to this noisy world, there were times when he would simply weep and wail, stamping his feet. Still, I’m grateful he can smile like this now.

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“Are you happy about meeting the priest?”

“Aw?”

Seren fluttered his hands eagerly.

At the gesture urging her to hurry outside, Carina Leopold found herself laughing again. I wonder what he’s thinking.

‘Being a parent is difficult.’

Everything becomes a source of worry—what words to speak to the child, what actions to demonstrate, what to permit and what to forbid.

Whether to show only good things, or to also reveal the unpleasant and explain it to him.

Since raising the child, every moment has been filled with choices.

What to teach him, what to feed him, how I wish him to grow, what he should know, his sleeping schedule, understanding his words—everything.

All of it stood at the crossroads of choice and the paths those choices would lead.

Knowing that the time we would spend together was not infinite, there were so many things I wanted to teach Seren, so much I wished to impart.

“You’re still so very young.”

Carina Leopold pressed a kiss to Seren’s cheek.

“I love you, Seren.”

“Da-a! La!”

Seren, whose lips had been moving softly, mimicked my words and smacked their lips together. Then, with evident satisfaction, they exhaled a small puff of breath.

“Ah… really, she’s my daughter, but isn’t she just impossibly adorable?”

Carina Leopold crumbled, cradling Seren in her embrace as she murmured.

I try to be objective whenever possible… but even objectively, my Seren is undeniably precious.

“Though she seems to be becoming a bit like Millaiyen…”

Carina Leopold muttered dejectedly.

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Millaiyen Pestellio’s doting had transcended the bounds of humanity itself. Wherever he went, he boasted of Seren, and when she once ruffled his hair, he spent the entire day reveling in it.

Beyond that, he carried Seren about as if she were the most precious treasure, and seemed ready to grant her every whim without hesitation.

To put it plainly, if she expressed a desire for an apple, he would purchase an entire apple orchard.

A wealthy man consumed by paternal devotion—money flowed from his coffers like water through a sieve.

“I’ve brought the clothes. While I help Seren prepare, I’ll assist you as well, madam.”

“Yes. Seren, let’s get dressed. Mother will change beside you.”

As Carina Leopold spoke gently, Seren tilted her head. Though she didn’t seem to fully understand, I was satisfied when she offered a bright smile in response.

After finishing all the preparations and descending the staircase with Seren cradled in my arms, Peng had already heard the news and stood waiting with the carriage prepared. Two Knights from the Duke’s Household bowed respectfully.

It seemed these two would be my escorts for today.

‘…It’s fine, really.’

Nothing significant seemed likely to happen in the heart of the Capital.

Had I been alone, I would have refused. But because Seren was with

me, I couldn’t refuse.

Whatever happened to me, I could endure it somehow—but I couldn’t bear anything happening to Seren.

“Please be careful on your outing, my lady.”

“Yes. I’ll be back by evening.”

“I’ll convey that to the master.”

Peng spoke with a slight smile, bowing respectfully.

Peng’s expression was quite bright. Since meeting Winston

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more frequently, his face had become especially radiant. He seemed delighted to have found a friend. He’d looked so exhausted at Leopold Manor before, but lately his complexion had improved considerably.

“Then I’ll be off.”

With the Knights’ assistance, I helped Seren into the carriage first, then climbed in myself. Soon the carriage departed with remarkable smoothness—there wasn’t the slightest jolt.

The Temple at the heart of the Capital was less grand than the Imperial Palace, but its scale was impressive and visible from a great distance. The building, constructed entirely of pristine white marble, was impossible to overlook. Holy Knights always guarded the Temple’s entrance, and inside, worshippers and priests in spotless white vestments moved about attending to their various duties throughout the halls.

“Kyaa!”

Upon entering, Seren’s face brightened even more. Seren was particularly fond of this Temple. Even more so when entering the Temple Main Building.

“Ah! Lady Carina Leopold, Lord Seren. Welcome.”

“Kalan.”

“Yes, it’s been a week since we last met. I hope you’ve been well?”

“I’m always the same. What I truly hope for is that Seren continues to thrive.”

Kalan smiled gently.

The man with hair a lighter shade of navy than Millaiyen’s, grown long to his shoulder blades, had bound it into a single ponytail with a cord.

His pristine priest’s robes bore golden temple insignia embroidered across the chest. His gentle, serene gaze and the perpetual smile at his lips radiated a profound sense of calm to all who beheld him.

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Carina Leopold smiled back at him.

Seren, rarely vocal, let out delighted squeals and stretched both arms toward Kalan—a clear gesture asking to be held. Carina Leopold, startled, pulled the child closer to her chest.

Seren, no.

It’s quite alright. Of course, only if you permit me to hold the child, Lady Carina Leopold.

Still—

Seren nestled snugly into Kalan’s embrace.

Watching Seren settle into his arms, Carina Leopold exhaled a soft sigh.

Whether drawn to divine power or finding comfort in it, Seren had always shown a particular fondness for priests.

Kalan patted Seren’s back while enveloping the child in divine energy. The infant’s eyes widened in wonder before breaking into another delighted laugh.

Young Master Seren does seem remarkably sensitive to divine power. Quite extraordinary, indeed.

…Yes, indeed.

I hadn’t disclosed the full circumstances to the priest.

I only knew that the child had been born somewhat sensitive, finding comfort whenever near the Temple.

Kalan was the priest who had guided us when we first arrived at this place.

Of course, beneath that kindness lay the substantial donations from the Pestellio Ducal House, or so it seemed.

Thanks to that, I could visit the Temple regularly and spend time here comfortably, which was fortunate.

There aren’t many people today.

Yes, it does seem rather quiet today. Would you like to go to the Main Residence? Or would you prefer to have tea with me inside the Temple Main Building instead?

Carina Leopold smiled softly at Kalan’s words.

He likely knew that whenever Carina Leopold went to the Main Residence, she would simply sit there blankly.

Unfortunately, I hadn’t come to offer prayers—

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so I’ll have tea instead.”

“It seems you don’t believe in God, Lady Carina Leopold.”

Kalan patted Seren’s back as the child leaned comfortably against his shoulder, speaking casually. I knew he held a fairly high position among the priests, yet his behavior seemed quite peculiar. The other priests cast surprised glances as we passed.

“I do believe. I believe in the existence of God more than anyone.”

I know how cruel that God is, and how lovingly He has placed something precious in my arms. I understand the beauty of the art He creates with His hands, and even the cruelty that exists beneath that beauty.

I know how cruel that god is, and I know how lovingly that god has placed something precious in my arms. I know how beautiful the art that flows from my hands is, and even the cruelty that exists beneath that beauty.

“I see. But it seems you don’t pray. Is there nothing you wish for?”

“I have many wishes. Being human, my desires are overflowing.”

Carina Leopold shrugged with a slight smile and spoke. “How could I say there’s nothing I want?”

I wish for Millaiyen Pestellio to be happy, for Seren to grow up healthy and without pain, and to always be happy. I hope the Territory does a bit better, and I wish that he wouldn’t get hurt by demons.

And even if it’s just a little bit, even if it’s just one more day of being better… with the child…

And that the time I spend with Millaiyen would stretch on forever.

But the gods would never grant me such a wish.

“No matter how much I pray, they will not listen.”

No matter how desperately I wished, it would never come to pass.

So instead of wasting those precious moments in prayer, I wanted to pour myself entirely into my child. I wanted to lean into Millaiyen’s warmth and never let go.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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