Chapter 223.2

Chapter 223.2

“The Tale of Prince Ivan and the Firebird? Our daughter’s already reading books?”

“Why do you always say things like that? She learned Cyrillic so fast.”

Rigay chuckled despite the scolding, and even though Joo Seolheon looked mildly annoyed, her eyes lingered on her husband’s softened expression.

Seoryeong’s palms tingled, and she squirmed in her seat. She just wanted to wake up from this impossible dream.

Then, Sonya’s lips opened on their own. The voice that came out wasn’t Seoryeong’s; it was clear, bright, and loud, unmistakably that of a child.

“It’s about Prince Ivan.”

The once-timid Sonya began speaking, and two pairs of eyes turned toward her. Rigay’s face lit up again. “Hey, your dad’s got a friend named Ivan too. He’s the one who gave me that book as a gift!” he said with cheerful pride. Joo Seolheon, however, just stared fixedly at Sonya’s small moving lips.

“Prince Ivan was honest and brave, and he knew how to help others.”

“Our daughter even knows what honesty means?”

“…”

Sonya’s cheeks warmed. When she fell silent out of shyness, Joo Seolheon shot her husband a cold glare.

A strict, goal-oriented mother. A sentimental father who was easily moved and easily deflated. And between them, little Sonya, growing up somewhere in the middle.

Seoryeong tried to close the fairy tale book, but her arms wouldn’t move.

Then came a loud pounding at the door.

Thud, thud, thud!

The sound made Rigay jump and glance at the clock.

“Zoya, what do we do? They’re here already!”

With a sigh, Joo Seolheon straightened her back, walked down the hall, and opened the door. A tall, handsome man and a woman with a radiant smile stood there, each holding one of a boy’s shoulders. “Hello!” they greeted each other brightly.

Rigay rushed out barefoot. “Ivan! Yani! Come in, it’s freezing out there!” he said, embracing them warmly. The adults laughed heartily, their gazes soon dropping to the boy standing between them.

“…”

The boy didn’t bother to hide his bored expression. Still, his eyes were sharp, penetrating straight through everything before him. Maybe it was the faint glow in his irises that made them so striking.

“Rigay, look at our son. He’s grown so much, hasn’t he?”

Ivan and Yani tousled the boy’s hair playfully, laughing. The boy’s indifferent gaze drifted toward the hem of Joo Seolheon’s skirt, where Sonya stood half-hidden.

Feeling strangely shy, Sonya curled her fingers into her palms. Seoryeong felt tears welling up.

“Sonya, say hello. This is your brother. Yuri oppa.”

“Uh… hello… hi…”

Blinking slowly, the boy who had been staring blankly suddenly bent down to meet her eye level.

He had seemed so disinterested, yet in that moment, his eyes curved gently like a painted line. Seoryeong traced that faint, delicate smile as if committing it to memory.

“I haven’t seen you since you were a baby. You’ve grown a lot.”

“I’ll be ten soon…”

Sonya pouted for no real reason. The boy smiled teasingly and said, “Oh, so you’ve really grown up now?” as he loosened his scarf. The moment he stepped into the house, trailing the cold air with him, a sudden sense of reality hit her.

‘I have to leave through that door. I have to.’

The ache of longing burned in her chest. Yet this place was so warm, so peaceful, that Seoryeong found herself hesitating without meaning to.

She wanted to show Yuri her room where the sunlight poured in, where he could admire the flowers blooming in the pots. She wanted to ask him how middle school was going. But…

‘….’

Sonya turned her head sharply and grabbed the doorknob. The place she had to return to wasn’t this happy one.

Clenching her teeth, she pushed the heavy door open with all her strength, but someone touched her shoulder gently.

Startled, she turned around. Joo Seolheon stood there, her face calm, both hands placed over Sonya’s as if lending her strength.

‘You can do it. Keep following love to the end.’

A faint smile softened her eyes.

‘Among all of us, you’re the only one who can. Isn’t that right, dear?’

“Ah!”

Seoryeong’s eyes flew open. She blinked once, twice, her lashes still heavy with sleep, but by the third blink she was fully awake.

Her body felt strangely light, her mind clear, her mood calm. Rising easily from bed, Seoryeong glanced at the still-sleeping Daria, then turned toward the horizon where dawn was breaking.

“…”

It had been such a strange dream. She couldn’t explain it, but it felt as though a quiet well of strength, enough to hold up another person, had filled her chest.

The heaviness inside her had been washed away, her heart pumping hot and strong. As the sunrise bathed her face in red, she looked once more at the peaceful village around her.

Behind every achievement someone runs toward, there are always trampled blades of grass.

‘Yuri. My dear husband.’

“First things first, my phone.”

She had to retrieve the belongings she hadn’t been allowed to bring onto the island. For some reason, she had a good feeling about today, as if good news was on its way.