The Baby Isn’t Yours

While waiting for the children, the dinner table was all set.

Kalia, who was looking at the table filled with the family’s favorite dishes, glanced at Simon sitting next to her and burst into a smile without even realizing it.

“You can openly laugh, Kalia. I’m fine.”

“…No, it’s just too beautiful.”

“I know, me too. Where would my beauty go?”

Simon, who spoke playfully, chuckled as he looked down at the jewels attached to the long hair that fell below his waist.

Rubies, diamonds, and sapphires, resembling fingernails, adorned the silver hair that reached his waist, all interwoven with chains.

Fortunately, thanks to the owner’s beauty or perhaps due to the children practicing with dolls, the jewel ornaments surprisingly suited Simon well.

“These tomboys think I’m a doll. Still, their skills seem to be improving day by day. The leaf crown you’re wearing now suits you perfectly. You look beautiful, Kalia.”

Kalia lightly touched the leaf crown that Maeve had joyfully handed to her with her puffy face.

The crown was adorned with strawberries, but it was in such a messy state that one couldn’t even compliment it.

However, Kalia, without saying a word, embraced the children with the crown on her head.

Yet, Simon’s gaze as he looked at Kalia, calling her beautiful, was sincere.

In fact, the crown itself wasn’t really important.

It was simply adorable how the children had worked so hard to prepare the gifts with their little hands.

And in truth, even if Kalia wore an ogre headpiece, Simon would still find it stunning and praise her for how well it suited her.

“Well, that’s true… I wonder which one of Shuri and Maeve came up with the idea to stick it with glue. Were they afraid the decorations might fall off?”

“Does it really matter which one of them did it? They’re one and the same.”

“Well…”

Kalia and Simon locked eyes and chuckled, their laughter mingling with each other.

Being an Archmage, Simon could easily remove any adhesive stuck to his hair, but he seemed willing to sacrifice his hair for a day for the sake of the children.

The long, silky silver hair spread out, sparkling smoothly under the chandelier’s light.

Simon had been growing his hair for years to experiment with shaping his magic power into physical forms, and perhaps because of that, the hair decorations suited him so well.

But more importantly, they were affectionate.

Even in the midst of busyness, Simon made time for the children.

He was usually the type to tolerate and accept their playful pranks without getting angry.

Although the children would often play with Simon’s hair, finding it beautiful and fun to touch until it became a mess, Simon never complained and always let them do as they pleased.

‘It’s okay. If I sacrifice a little, it’s fine. It’s not a big deal. And when you treat me like this and show me affection, I don’t mind at all.’

Simon’s affectionate nature always warmed Kalia’s heart.

It was a small gesture, a simple kindness and consideration, but Kalia knew how difficult it was to maintain it for over 30 years.

As Kalia lightly touched Simon’s hair adorned with small jewels, she gently lifted it and kissed his lips.

“…What’s this? Are you giving me a signal, Kalia?”

Simon whispered mischievously in her ear.

Without affirming or denying, Kalia simply smiled and kissed Simon’s cheek.

“Oh, I guess that’s right?”

“Shh. Everyone might hear, Simon.”

“Then how about we go somewhere where no one can hear?”

“You’re provoking me again with words I can’t handle?”

“If you fall for the provocation, you’ll be the only one suffering.”

“Ha.”

Simon’s golden eyes gleamed with a competitive spirit. Kalia gazed at him with joyful eyes.

However, their intimate conversation was interrupted by Shaik, who was holding Drea and flying towards them.

“I heard that dinner is ready, but I didn’t realize it was already finished. If you want some alone time, should we eat separately, Mother?”

“Shaik, come here quickly. Drea, did you go to the Dragon Sanctuary again because of the children? You’ve been through a lot.”

“Mama! No, but I asked her to keep it a secret. How did you know?”

Surprised by Kalia’s words as she held Drea and gently patted her, Drea widened her eyes.

“Maeve spilled the beans. You’ve been through a lot. Thanks to you, I will be wearing a very beautiful crown this year.”

“It suits you well, Mama. It feels worthwhile to have gone there.”

Drea smiled brightly, as if it was nothing special.

Shaik shook his head and caught the twins who belatedly ran into the dining room.

“Don’t run, stay in your places.”

“Then send me fly, Shaik!”

“Send  me fly too!”

With their feet stomping, the children pleaded for Shaik to send them fly, as if pointing out their parents.

Instead of Shaik, Simon gestured with a simple hand motion and sent the children flying between their grandmother and grandfather.

Laughter echoed lively through the spacious dining room.

“We’re finally all together. Now, shall we begin the meal?”

Kalia raised a glass of wine handmade by Leah and Kalexia as she spoke.

The family members, who were seated in their respective places, raised their glasses towards each other, signaling the start of the meal.

“Is Simon’s hair your masterpiece again?”

“Gaia, try this too.”

“Simon, how are the results of your research that you mentioned last time?”

“If you wish, I can show you the data. Just step into the Mage Tower whenever you want.”

“Drea, Drea! How is the relocation of the Dragon Sanctuary going?”

“Ah-ah! Don’t eat my food!”

The voices of over ten family members resounded with excitement.

Little spirits flew around the long dining table to catch a glimpse of the Fairy King family, while Simon’s spirits gathered under the table, teasingly absorbing the natural energy emitted by the Fairy King.

The dining table was constantly emptied and refilled to satisfy the voracious appetites of Hoa and Nua.

Amidst the children’s mischief, the laughter of Kalexia and Leah could be faintly heard.

Although they were not present at the table today, in reality, Hemmie and Allen, who were like family to Kalia, were often invited to such gatherings.

Kalia’s first and last Squire, Hemmie Gallas.

Now in her forties, approaching her fifties, she had transformed into a much more mature figure than the slow-paced Kalia.

The gentle and affectionate wrinkles around her eyes, and the calluses deeply embedded in her hands were toughened to match the position of a Knight Commander of the Empire.

When she looked at the fairy family, Kalia could feel the flow of time that wasn’t easily noticeable. She sensed with certainty that she would send Hemmie and Allen away first at some point, a bittersweet feeling.

Nevertheless, she was determined not to mourn in advance.

“Mama! Grandpa is going to the forest across the sea this time! Can I go with him?”

“I’ll bring back presents! Mama, can I go too?”

Shuri and Maeve encircled Kalia, pleading persistently.

“Why don’t you ask for my opinion, kids?”

Simon raised one eyebrow suspiciously as he looked at the children.

The children, who had been giggling, responded as if asking if such a thing needed to be asked.

“If Mama allows it, Papa allows too!”

“That’s right!”

…Huh,really?

Simon stared at the children with a bewildered expression, but upon closer examination, their words were correct, so he closed his mouth and lowered his head.

“If you promise not to bother Grandpa.”

“Of course!”

The children answered in unison and ran towards Kalexia and Leah like excited birds.

Kalexia laughed cheerfully at the children’s antics hanging on their grandfather’s shoulders.

It was chaotic, noisy, and lively, but everyone was smiling.

Kalia carefully took in the sight of her loved ones, capturing each and every one of them in her warm emerald eyes.

Her expanding family, too numerous to take in at a glance, filled her eyes with their vibrant green color.

As Kalia quietly observed them, the corners of her mouth curled up.

“What are you smiling at, Kalia?”

Simon filled her empty glass and asked with an affectionate voice.

Kalia looked at her lifelong companion, who had never left her side even once.

From a very young age, they had spent several decades together, and there had never been a moment when she disliked him.

He was filled with the warm golden glow that shone brightly.

Truly a lovely gaze.

Through the wide-open windows of the terrace, the scent of the grassy mountain breeze filled the room.

The gentle breeze lightly brushed Kalia’s hair, which was tied up high.

“…Just.”

The fragrant breeze wafting around her was as warm as the touch of her father’s hand that had written so many loving words.

The breeze gently smiled as Kalia answered.

“Just… happy.”

Everything that filled the moment was so tender that it felt like tears of happiness were about to fall.

It was a blissful night filled with love.