Limited Extra Time - Chapter 200

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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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—— Page 1 ——

Well, I’ve lived quite a long time, it’s true. But I won’t be there for your birthday, so don’t worry. I’ve always wanted you to be happy on that day, just as you always are.

…That’s not what I meant. I….

I’ve always believed that children eventually let go of their parents’ hands and depart. Seeing you here by my side now, I’m relieved to know I wasn’t such a terrible father to you after all.

At Millaiyen’s words, Serenus suddenly pulled him into an embrace.

The Duke’s Household you’re leading is truly magnificent as well. Still, don’t marry just anyone.

…Don’t worry. Is your body in much pain? The healer said the poison isn’t easily purged.

Well, I’ve carried such wounds my whole life, so it’s neither good nor bad.

If only I hadn’t tried to save those children….

—— Page 2 ——

As the voice spilled out, Millaiyen carefully covered the child’s eyes with his large hand.

Serenus also seemed to realize what he had said, biting his lip.

“Seren, when I was young, I probably… thought the same way.

But once I became a parent, I couldn’t ignore it. Remembering you as a child.”

“…”

“If I imagine you in the same situation, with no one to save you… my heart aches terribly.”

At Millaiyen’s tender voice, Serenus squeezed his eyes shut.

To her, Millaiyen’s soul appeared to be fading away.

Serenus understood this phenomenon better than anyone. The separation of soul and body—this devastatingly lonely and solitary phenomenon.

That painful phenomenon which no one else could comprehend.

“So don’t resent me. It’s partly my own fault for forgetting I’m no longer active.”

“I subjugated forty Magical Beasts alone while protecting the children! Father is still strong.”

Millaiyen smiled faintly at Serenus’s words.

I had always strived to be someone strong and dependable for my child.

When surrounded by Magical Beasts and sensing death approaching, what I could not abandon was the refusal to show Serenus the corpse of a wretched father.

I hoped he would not be consumed by vengeance and corrupted.

I hoped he would always be happy.

Because I knew better than anyone that my beloved child would be waiting for me.

I did not want to die before Serenus’s approaching birthday. I did not want to cast despair upon my child. When his birthday arrived, I hoped he would not grieve or suffer over his father’s death.

—— Page 3 ——

“Do you have a favorable impression of this man Haran?”

“Pardon? Well, among all the young men I’ve met so far, he seems like the best option.”

“I see. Would you mind arranging a meeting for tomorrow? I’d like to have a conversation with him.”

“…Are you trying to pressure me again? Haran hasn’t confessed to me or anything like that. He’s just a bit of a sincere puppy, that’s all.”

Serenus pouted as he spoke.

Millaiyen chuckled softly and shrugged his shoulders.

“Merely curiosity, that’s all.”

“I don’t know, I’m just going to read Mom’s letter.”

Stroking Torazin’s child’s hair, Millaiyen Pestellio lightly grasped the diary page in his hand—the very one he hadn’t let out of his sight for even a moment recently.

“Dad, have you read all of it?”

“No, there’s still one page left.”

Serenus nodded and retrieved his diary.

The diary, already more than half read, now had far less remaining than what he’d already consumed. Even what I thought would be eternal was dwindling away like this.

Serenus traced the faded cover again and again, slowly turning the pages.

[Hello, Seren.

My precious Serenus.

Thank you for not forgetting Mother and visiting me today. I’m celebrating your twenty-ninth birthday.

Finally, my Seren has reached an age that Mother never lived to see.

Since I never experienced it, there’s so much I can only imagine now. But don’t worry, dear. There are still so many things I want to tell you.

Does the world look different at that age? Unfortunately, Mother never got to turn twenty-nine.

—— Page 4 ——

I wanted to experience being in my thirties, but that too was impossible. It’s a shame, but since my Seren will experience it instead and tell Mother all about it, I’m not troubled.

Are you doing well? Until now, Father’s interference probably kept you from meeting a good man. Has anyone new come into your life this past year?

Seren, there’s only one way to choose a man. Simply find the one who can love you the most.

Someone who can do anything for you

with genuine sincerity.

He doesn’t need to be wealthy or renowned. But he must be someone capable of protecting you and your children.

Whenever you’re in danger, no matter where you are, someone who will come find you like a hero from mythology.]

Serenus slowly traced the letters.

It was a memory from very early childhood, but it came back to me faintly.

Every time I found myself in danger, Millaiyen would rush to my side, no matter where he was.

Father’s embrace, holding me tight as he exhaled in relief.

[Did Mother tell you the story of when she first met Father? Our first meeting was a disaster. Father said Mother looked like a sobbing squid.

But he was the first person who ever looked at Mother directly and truly saw her. Truth be told, Mother absolutely despised the engagement with Father.

It was arranged without her input, with a complete stranger she’d never met before.

No one noticed that Mother hated the engagement, but Father alone understood.

My dear child, my beloved Seren.

Whoever you choose, Mother will support you. I hope you and your husband will live happily with Father for a very long time.]

Serenus looked at Millaiyen beside him, his eyes closed.

—— Page 5 ——

He appeared so frail that he might never open his eyes again, yet he remained my most precious family. The only family left in Seren’s world.

For so long, we had been each other’s only pillar of support, each other’s only family. We shared everything—joy and sorrow alike. Even on Mother’s death anniversary, we would always hold hands and visit her together.

‘If Father passes away, will I have to do all of that alone?’

Fear crashed over me suddenly.

I had never entertained such a thought before.

Millaiyen had always been like a mountain to me—immovable, eternal. Even when he inherited the Duke’s title, he remained vigorous, and it seemed he would always be there.

As my eyes began to burn, I quickly lowered my head.

I pressed my palms firmly against my eye sockets and bit down on my lower lip.

I was afraid I might wake Millaiyen, who lay in peaceful sleep.

It was as if she might wake Millaiyen Pestellio, who had perhaps fallen into a deep sleep.

My gaze fell upon the final words written in Carina Leopold’s hand on the page.

[But Serenus, I know that sometimes the world demands farewells we never wished for.

I pray such a day never comes, yet I must prepare you for the truth—that some things are beyond our control. A strange unease compelled me to write these words on your birthday, Serenus.

Serenus, there are things in this world we cannot overcome. Should that day arrive, open the final page of this book.

I wish for you to always smile. Parting is separation, yet it is also the beginning of another meeting. Still, I pray that day comes as late as possible.

Happy birthday once more, Serenus. Never forget that your birth was our greatest fortune.]

—— Page 6 ——

Serenus read the words for a long while before slowly closing his eyes. There was still an illustration to complete, but Millaiyen was sleeping soundly, and I had no wish to wake him. The colors could wait until tomorrow.

“Father, rest comfortably.”

Serenus gently pulled Millaiyen, who had been leaning uncomfortably against the headboard, and laid him properly on the bed.

His eyes fluttered open briefly, and he smiled softly.

“Thank you, Serenus. Happy birthday.”

Millaiyen repeated the greeting he had given that morning, and Serenus nestled into his embrace, slowly closing her eyes.

The steady, vigorous heartbeat and warmth emanating from him reassured her of his living presence.

* * *

The next morning, when Serenus awoke late, Millaiyen was already up and reading the diary.

He was on the final page.

“Father…?”

“Yes, Serenus.”

“You’ve finished reading it?”

“That’s right. It was truly her style to the end.”

Serenus rose slowly from his seat.

“I promised to have lunch with Haran. You’ll join us too, Father, won’t you?”

“Of course. Go ahead and prepare. I’ll head to the Garden once I have the time.”

“…Will you be alright?”

“Naturally.”

“Father, Haran truly doesn’t see me in a romantic light—he’s just a clueless

—— Page 7 ——

puppy. Please don’t be too harsh on him.”

Millaiyen narrowed his eyes and shrugged his shoulders.

At his refusal to give a clear answer, Serenus exhaled a deep sigh.

“This is the first time I’ve seen you defend a man like this.”

“I’m not defending him…”

“You once said that anyone who wanted to hold your hand would have to strike me down first.”

Serenus scratched his cheek and slipped out of the room.

Millaiyen felt the sound of footsteps fade into the distance, then pulled out a medicine bottle from deep within the nightstand drawer and swallowed a generous handful of pills.

“Carina Leopold, it seems Seren has finally found someone he’s interested in.”

Until now, whether they drifted apart or communication ceased, he had shown no particular concern.

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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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