That Lady’s Stalker - Chapter 51
“I decorated it so that your family could stay here from time to time. The bedroom you used was too small, so the couple’s room is elsewhere. I’ve also made separate rooms for the children.”
As Jace continued speaking, he led Asher up to the second floor. Jace opened each door one by one, explaining it all to Asher.
“This is Ricky’s room, this one is Ririn’s, here’s the study, the art room, and here…”
The brothers stopped in front of the room that Asher had used. The door looked no different from the others, and Asher stared at it quietly.
“Open it.”
Jace gave him a gentle push on the back. Asher glanced at Jace, then grabbed the door handle and turned it.
The door creaked open slowly, and sunlight poured through. Inside, there were colorful toys scattered all over the room, with a large wooden rocking horse where the children could play.
Ricky’s favorite toy shield and sword were there, and Ririn’s beloved teddy bear along with cute stuffed animal toys that she always carried around filled the room, leaving no space to step.
“Ah…”
The room that had once hidden him in darkness had now been transformed into something so bright. The gloomy atmosphere of his childhood was nowhere to be found.
Unlike him, the children wouldn’t suffer here. They would laugh, chat, and be happy.
A shiver ran through his body, and his limbs trembled. Asher clutched his chest, feeling the pain there.
“The cellar in the main palace and the eastern tower have been closed off.”
No matter how beautifully this place had been decorated, it still couldn’t change the fact that the other places were sources of torment for him. This palace too, but it had become the only place where Asher could let his pain show freely. It was different from the other two places.
Jace hoped that Asher’s past wounds, at least in part, could be soothed by this place.
“Brother.”
Jace’s eyes widened.
After leaving the tower, Asher, who always addressed him formally as ‘Your Majesty,’ had finally called him ‘brother’ after all these years.
“Thank you.”
Asher’s voice trembled. Jace, unable to hold back, shed tears just like he had when Asher had gotten married.
“As we get older, it seems we just get more tears.”
“Brother always had a soft heart. That’s why.”
Jace, with his gentle and kind heart, had always shown care for Asher, taking pity on him and looking out for him.
“Asher, I was afraid. I was afraid I would be abandoned like you. I let myself feel superior because of just the color of my hair. I thought if I ignored your pain, I’d end up growing black hair too. On nights when I dreamt of black hair sprouting, I would gather up things to give you and seek you out. I…”
Jace, known as the cold ruler, rambled, uncharacteristically.
“Brother.”
Asher interrupted Jace, as if he were making a confession.
“Brother, that’s a good thing. You didn’t turn away from me. You didn’t side with Father to hurt me. You tried to look after me. I love Mother and you. I don’t resent you. In fact, I’m grateful.”
Until he met Olivia, Asher had thought that his mother and brother also disliked his black hair. But he believed they loved him because they had no choice—because he was family.
But, well, so what? No matter how it began, it was love. It was simply love.
“Because of Mother and you, I learned to love Ricky and Ririn. I learned how to give.”
If not for them, even with Olivia by his side, he would never have been able to love the children with black hair. He would have likely spent his life ignoring the children and whispering his love only to Olivia.
“I’m happy and fulfilled. You don’t need to feel guilty for what Father did.”
Jace looked at Asher again, realizing that his brother had grown taller than him. Before him stood a solid man, a figure who seemed like he wouldn’t be shaken by any strong winds.
Jace placed his hand on his brother’s sturdy shoulder and spoke.
“Even if I don’t call you, come visit from time to time. We’re… family.”
Asher and Jace smiled brightly.
“Yeah.”
Their smiling faces were so alike.
* * *
Asher slowly brushed Olivia’s hair, now more white than red. Despite the passing years, her hair still felt soft and sparkled.
“Asher.”
Her face, lined with wrinkles, looked up at him. Asher, as always, felt a rush of emotion in his chest as he took Olivia’s hand.
Her hand, a bit rough and wrinkled, gripped his tightly.
“Yes.”
They began walking slowly toward the setting sun, their long shadows stretching out in front of them, just as long as the time they had spent together.
“Don’t you feel empty?”
