Towards the Winter Cabin of Serenity and Madness, Cinderella Runs - Chapter 122
Serley’s satisfied laughter erupted as he felt a cathartic relief from witnessing Kyden’s skills. When the fallen knight clenched his teeth in frustration, Kyden picked up the sword that had dropped to the ground and pretended to be courteous.
“If you’re disappointed, we can do it again.”
“……”
“Is it because you don’t like the practice sword? I can use a real one, so let’s just go with what you’re comfortable with.”
“Ah, no, I’ve learned enough.”
Kyden’s comment was meant to be considerate, but his opponent trembled in fear. From the side, Dyson, watching with his arms crossed, clicked his tongue.
“That guy is still as relentless as ever. He doesn’t even give them a moment to save face.”
The knight standing next to him nodded in agreement.
“Thank goodness he’s on our side.”
“Anyway, it seems like the initiation is over in one go. I doubt there will be any backlash from the knights.”
“If they protest, he’ll probably suggest they fight for real.”
“That’s the kind of guy he is.”
Kyden stood in the clearing, scanning the crowd with a detached gaze, showing his readiness for the next opponent.
“If there are no more challengers, I’ll be heading inside.”
But no one stepped forward, and Elden, who had been cheering for the opposing side, slowly avoided his gaze and slipped away.
Kyden’s return had successfully concluded.
* * *
That evening, a celebration was held to commemorate the title conferment. Kyden was standing in a corner of the banquet hall when Jared approached him. He was Kyden’s father.
“If you’ve returned, you should have come to greet me first. What are you doing?”
“How have you been?”
“Cut the pleasantries. I’ve heard some ridiculous rumors that you’ve brought a woman with you.”
Jared’s first words were true to his character, recalling when he had suggested that Kyden should just kill himself if he was going to disgrace the family name while trying to escape from the castle four years ago.
Kyden swallowed hard, feeling uncomfortable. He wasn’t pleased to see his father.
“Why does that matter to you?”
“You’re not planning to marry some girl whose background you don’t even know, are you? Casual flings are fine, but be careful not to have any bastards; that would be a headache.”
What kind of importance did he place on lineage? No matter how much Jared flaunted his status, he was still a distant branch of the family. Kyden scoffed quietly, staring at Jared with a chilling gaze.
“Mind your own business. Since when did you start looking out for me?”
“What?”
“I’d appreciate it if you thought your son died four years ago.”
“This bastard!”
Jared’s face turned red with rage. He raised his hand to slap Kyden’s cheek in a typical display of a parent-child relationship that hadn’t built any real bond.
It was the first time Kyden was touched as an adult, yet Jared seemed confident that his yelling would work. Kyden seized his father’s wrist, easily pulling his hand down while managing a bitter smile. Although they were of similar stature, Jared could no longer overpower him with strength.
When he was a child, he had stumbled under Jared’s slaps, but now his father had weakened. No, it was more accurate to say Kyden had grown stronger.
As Kyden no longer allowed himself to be pushed around, Jared’s confidence waned, leaving him looking flustered. Why was he so startled? Kyden had matured and changed so much. Did Jared really expect him to comply like before?
Kyden found it puzzling that his father still held the same attitude as in the past.
“……Hmm.”
“I’ll be heading in now.”
“……You won’t come home?”
“I’ll come to greet you later.”
He lowered his head and turned away. Despite the lack of affection between them, it felt unsettling to see his father looking so frail. Was he still considered a parent in any meaningful way?
‘If I don’t want to be disregarded as I age, I’ll have to live kindly.’
As Kyden walked through the garden, using his father as a lesson learned, he heard someone call his name.
“Kyden!”
Serley, who had come out into the garden, waved at him. When Kyden approached, Serley laughed and patted him on the back, appearing tipsy from the congratulations he received from others.
“You did well today! You really saved my face.”
Thanks to that, he didn’t have to worry about discipline, and Serley continued with his playful banter.
If the knights became lax, the power of the Count’s territory would weaken, so it was crucial to have loyal individuals to manage the knights and soldiers properly.
“A lot of knights have changed, though.”
“Yes… even some I trusted betrayed me.”
Serley’s expression darkened. However, he soon laughed off their foolishness with a smirk.
“Ha! They thought I’d fall for it easily. They underestimated me! Kyden, I’ve survived worse crises! Remember?”
He was referring to events from five years ago. Kyden nodded silently, recalling that he had endured all the hardships himself.
As Serley reminisced, he tilted his head slightly.
“Ah… how stubborn and frightening. How did you find that kid from back then? Huh?”
“……By chance.”
“Don’t lie! You went looking for her, didn’t you?”
“It really was by chance.”
Kyden narrowed his eyes and avoided Serley’s gaze. Serley’s persistent questioning about that incident stirred up memories of events from five years ago that Kyden had tried to forget.
* * *
“You’re quite handsome. How about you meet my daughter?”
When he was around twenty-two, recognized for his skills in a conflict zone, a mercenary had suggested that he meet his daughter.
