Elena’s Sweet Secret
Aaron Valua, the Lord, ordered all military training halted and mobilized every soldier in the kingdom to rebuild the ruined city. New assignments were also issued for the vacancies left by those who had fallen in battle—and with them, Cloud received his long-awaited promotion to 100-Man Commander. It was a rainy day. Wearing his uniform, Cloud slung a backpack over one shoulder and slipped out of the military district. The three months of training-camp life had finally come to an end. From today onward, he was no longer an education recruit but a full-fledged soldier. The thought that he could now leave the barracks and go home every day filled him with pure joy. The light drizzle soaked his clothes and hair. When would he have an umbrella? The thought crossed his mind as a carriage pulled by three horses passed him by.
“How lucky the nobles are. Especially on days like this,” Cloud thought, staring at the carriage with envious eyes, looking like a wet puppy. He wished he could ride it too.
“Whoa whoa!” The carriage driver suddenly reined the horses. Cloud stared at the carriage with a puzzled look as it kept walking. Suddenly the carriage door flew open, and a familiar face appeared. Serge was grinning as he stepped down.
“Rain’s pouring and you didn’t think of borrowing a passing carriage?”
“Not at all.”
“You’re cool about it, but your face gives it away. As a commoner you can’t have weird thoughts. The only thing you can ride is the cargo cart.”
“Would you pull it in front?”
“Sure. Or I’ll even push your back on the downhill.” Serge burst into laughter. The way he was joking around, he seemed even more excited than usual. Was something pleasant going on?
“Get in.” Serge waved him cheerfully into the carriage.
“Thanks.” Once Cloud climbed in, besides Serge there was a girl sitting there. She looked around sixteen, the same age as Cecil. Her face was still childish, but her atmosphere was that of a mature woman. She was far more refined than Cecil. Her clothes were neat yet extremely stylish. Her short bob with its lively shine carried an elegant, intelligent beauty. There was something about her that stirred a man’s desire. He wanted to conquer that proud girl once.
Anyway, she had an aura that no ordinary girl of her age could possess.
“This is my daughter. Say hello to each other.” Following Serge’s words, the girl facing him spoke first.
“Yuri Gustaf. I’ve heard a lot about you from Father.”
“Just call me Cloud.” They exchanged polite greetings while locking eyes.
“I’m not saying this just because she’s my daughter, but she’s a talented student at the Royal Academy in the capital. She came all the way here for the holidays to learn a new trade. On break she should be playing with her friends at the sea or the mountains.”
Even while saying that, Serge’s expression was nothing but delighted. It seemed he was genuinely happy that his precious daughter was interested in his work.
“I’ll have to inherit the family business someday, so it’s better to learn ahead of time when I have the chance.” Yuri smiled brightly. She gave the impression of a girl with clear values.
“Ah!” Yuri noticed Cloud and clapped her hands softly. Immediately she reached into the luxurious bag beside her and took out a handkerchief.
“You got wet from the rain. Please use this to wipe your face and hair.”
“Thank you.” Cloud took the handkerchief from Yuri and wiped the moisture from his face and hair. A pleasant fragrance rose from the fabric. It smelled fresh, as if the girl’s innocent charm was still clinging to it. Yuri stared at Cloud’s face for a moment with a faint smile, then spoke.
“Father has told me a lot about you. He says he met someone with an excellent facial structure. Meeting you in person, Father was right—your destiny lines are very clear.”
“My features are that good?”
“Yes. I can’t say I’m a master at reading faces, but according to what I’ve learned, Cloud’s future looks very bright. You seem to have a lot of female connections too.”
A laugh naturally escaped him. Of course it would feel good when one’s future was destined to be prosperous.
“Was the deal with Valentino and his group settled without any problems?”
“We pushed hard and arrived safely at dawn the same day. I was so exhausted I thought I might die. Anyway, leaving that aside, how about you and I becoming sworn siblings? As an only daughter, having a big brother like you would be incredibly reassuring.” Serge suddenly proposed such a thing.
“What makes you think I’d trust you and become siblings?”
“I’m trusting your fortune-reading.” Cloud chuckled. He figured this was the kind of family that believed in superstitions. His gaze turned to Yuri. The girl looked a little embarrassed and lowered her head slightly. A blush had appeared on her unusually pale cheeks.
“Would it be good for you, Miss Yuri, to have a big brother like me?”
“Yes, well… it would be nice to have more people we can rely on in the family.” She glanced at Serge without thinking.
“Then let’s do it next time. Not on a day like this with rain, but on a bright sunny day under a peach tree. You can be the one to introduce us.”
“Haha! You’re happy because you got a pretty little sister? You won’t be able to refuse.”
“I’m happy about it, but then I’d be your stepfather, which isn’t very appealing.” Yuri giggled at that. Because of her youthful spirit, even such a casual remark made her laugh.
After that the carriage stopped in front of the Tyrande Inn. As they got out, raindrops once again wet Cloud’s shoulders.
“On the day we become sworn siblings I’ll bring the very expensive armor-plated sturgeon eggs that the old Lothian king loved to eat. Don’t miss it, or you’ll regret it.”
“I’ll definitely come.” After exchanging farewells, the carriage door closed, and Cloud added in a small voice too quiet to be heard.
“If the time comes…”
After the carriage left, Cloud looked up at the newly built Tyrande Inn. It was the ordinary wooden building everyone was used to seeing—nothing as beautiful as before, but at least it still existed, so he was glad. He was about to step inside when he realized he was still holding Yuri’s handkerchief in his right hand. Cloud stared at it for a moment, then looked up at the sky.
“He said to return it later? Is he planting a seed so we’ll meet again?”
He moved toward the inn. When he opened the door, a familiar sight greeted him after a long time. He felt at ease. It was comforting. The hall was packed with guests, tables full. It was still the most popular inn in Valua. Everyone was lively and noisy with excitement. Even the mixed scent of the various dishes was appetizing after his stomach had been growling. Sophia and Cecil were nowhere to be seen in the hall. Cloud walked inside, dripping rain from his wet clothes onto the floor, and the voices of the guests drifted over.
“Did you hear? This time Lord Aaron hired the famous bard Yusne Avent from the capital.”
“Yusne Avent? I don’t know who that is. Bards or such people are beyond me.”
“Why not? He’s blind and…”
“Cloud!” Cecil, who had come out of the kitchen carrying a tray, spotted Cloud and broke into a huge smile. She quickly set the tray on a table by the guests and rushed over. She threw herself into Cloud’s arms and sniffled.
“I missed you so much!”
“Wait a second. If you cling too tightly you’ll get me wet.”
“It’s okay! It’s okay even if I get wet! I’m so happy I can touch you like this!”
Grateful for her words, Cloud hugged her back and stroked her head warmly. Cecil had always worn a ponytail for ease of movement, but now her hair was loose and long, black. After not seeing her for so long, Cecil seemed to be turning from an energetic child into a young lady. The two of them hugging made the surrounding gazes turn their way. While Cecil buried her face in Cloud’s chest and wiped the tears from her eyes, she called out toward the back.
“Mom! Cloud’s here! Cloud!”
“Oh my! Cloud’s here?!” A startled voice came from the kitchen. Immediately Sophia came out wiping her apron, hurrying over. When she saw Cloud she covered her mouth in surprise. Cloud smiled faintly and waved. Sophia’s eyes welled up with tears at the overwhelming joy. One guest watching the scene felt envious.
“No way. The guy who made the city’s greatest beauty, Sophia, cry? Hahaha~ That’s envy! Envy!”
“I want to be cried on by him too!”
“Where are you, you bastard!”
“If it’s anything, the bed!”
“Yikes, you bastard!”
“Hahaha!” The guests at every table laughed loudly. Sophia came closer and roughly rubbed Cloud’s cheeks with both hands.
“Why did your face change so much? Did you suffer too much over there? What am I going to do.”
“No, Mom. My jaw got slimmer and I’ve become even more handsome. What’s the problem?”
“Cloud!” A voice came from the stairs this time. Knowing Cloud had arrived, Elena must have come running down from the second floor. At the midpoint of the stairs she stood. When Cloud spread his arms, she jumped into his embrace in one step.
“I was waiting!” While Elena looked greatly delighted, Cloud suddenly felt something strange. When he touched her waist, it felt a little thicker. When he looked at her belly, she seemed to have a more pronounced roundness than before.
‘Has she gained weight?’ After the happy reunion ended, Sophia led Cloud up to the room prepared for him. Alone with Elena in the room, she let out a shocking statement.
“I’m pregnant. Cloud, Dad, congratulations. I’m the mom.”
“Haaah…” Cloud collapsed onto the bed in a daze. He wanted to deny reality.
‘What kind of shitty life is this.’ Sylvia’s face floated before his eyes. If she knew this, a sword would be at his throat immediately.
“Holy crap…” He stared at Elena with disbelieving eyes. She leaned against him with a very happy expression.
“T-that day, after just one time, you… got pregnant?”
“That day” meant when Elena had been bitten by the Moyuchung thanks to the Witch.
“Yes. Pregnancy complete in one shot.”
“Haaah…”