For You In The Cage

Episode 131: A Harmonious Family (IV)

*******

Six months later.

Lucian was walking around in front of the office in the duchy, not the office in the imperial palace. Dressed in simple clothes with little decoration, Lucian was an ordinary boy who came to play at his uncle’s house, not the emperor. As soon as he arrived in Pionia, he threw off his splendid uniform, and neither his body nor his mind could be at ease.

“May I come in…? Ugh.”

Lucian cupped his head with both of his hands. As much as he governed Pionia, which was considered the second capital, Yulif was very busy. This was because he managed not only his duties as a lord, but also the magic corps dispatched to various parts of the empire.

Yulif was the perfect father, meticulously handling his public affairs and spending quality time with his family in private. Looking at him, he almost wondered if he had time to sleep.

Anyway, since it was such a situation, Lucian was worried that knocking on the office door itself would disturb Yulif.

But… but!

‘I want to see Dahlia!’

The name ‘Dahlia’, given to their youngest daughter, meant ‘eternal song’ in the Hwira language. Yulif was overprotective of Dahlia, who looked like a little baby bird thanks to her pure white hair.

Placing the cradle right next to his desk in his own office was just the beginning. Yulif’s security was so tight that it was difficult for anyone to meet Dahlia. Even her biological brothers, Rapheon and Eusis, had to be given permission in advance.

The situation with visitors was even worse. Except for a few people, Yulif never let anyone into his office. Visitors had to communicate with Yulif through magic tools in the waiting room.

Fortunately, Lucian was one of the few people who could enter the office, but he was not so careless as to enter the office recklessly. Every day he would hesitate in front of the Oval Office for about ten minutes, then when he saw Derek or Roana, he would go like he was going to be buried.

Every time, Yulif was looking at Dahlia lying in the cradle. His eyes were as sweet as if drowned in honey, and made the hearts of those who saw him flutter.

“Hello, Your Majesty!”

A cheerful greeting flowed. The lively voice and casual greeting were Roana’s hallmarks. Lucian gladly turned his head in the direction from which he heard the sound.

Roana was not alone today. Rapheon stood on her left, and Eusis on her right. Eusis, who was messing around while holding Roana’s hand, smiled at Lucian, and came running.

“Brother Luci! Did Luci come to see Dahlia too?”

Eusis’s words increased day by day. He already showed the qualities of an eloquent speaker.

“What a rude way of talking to His Majesty, Eusis. Your Majesty, I’m sorry. My younger brother is still young and immature. Please forgive him generously.”

Rapheon said sternly and lowered his head. Even though Rapheon, who said that, was just a six-year-old kid. To hear the word ‘immature; come out of a six-year-old child’s mouth… Laughter erupted from Lucian’s mouth, and Roana, watching the situation, shook her head.

“I’m afraid he is the lord’s son, he’s so mature.”

“It’s cute. It’s like watching a young uncle, so I’m having fun.”

“Your Majesty likes the lord. I feel like the lord has become two, so I’m scared sometimes. Ugh, two evil lords!”

Roana trembled. Lucian stroked the head of Eusis, who was scolded by his brother. Eusis looked up at Lucian with big purple eyes.

“Brother Luci… Can’t I call you that? Should I get down on my knees while calling you ‘Your Majesty’? Is my head going to fly now?”

“You can keep calling me Luci. I don’t cut people’s necks carelessly. Where did you hear that?”

“It was written in the book that if you sin against His Majesty, your throat will fly away.”

Lucian glanced at Roana. Occasionally, there were times when Eusis said bizarre things, but most of the time it was because of Roana. Roana sighed with an expression of ‘I don’t know anything!’

“Come on, how long will you be standing here? You should hurry up and see the cute princess!”

Roana took the lead and knocked on her office door. “This is Roana, Lord! His Majesty and the two princes are also here!” Instead of answering the strong cry, the locked door slammed open.

Eusis and Rapheon entered first, followed by Lucian and Roana.

Yulif was holding Dahlia. The four quietly but quickly surrounded Dahlia. Dahlia, who had been quietly keeping her eyes closed, opened her eyes. And looked around her.

Dahlia, with her curly white hair and sparkling round purple eyes, was like a cherub descending. Eusis, who was looking at Dahlia as if possessed, raised her hands.

“Dahlia! I’m your brother!”

“Oooh!”

“Dahlia just answered. She called me brother!”

Dahlia writhed her hands as if imitating Eusis, and smiled brightly. Rapheon said urgently.

“I am also your brother. I am a bigger brother than Eusis, Dahlia.”

“Eung. Ung!”

“Princess, do you know? I am the princess’s foot wiper!”

“Kyaa!”

At this point, Lucian became impatient. He should be recognized after showing off his own charm to Dahlia, but he was saddened by his own plight as he could neither be her brother nor her foot wiper.

Whether she knew his feelings or not, Dahlia stared at Lucian with bright eyes. Lucian closed his eyes tightly and shouted.

“I, I… I am the emperor! I’ll give Dahlia anything she wants!” 

“Wow, that’s against the rules. That’s against the rules, Your Majesty.”

“Brother Luci only calls himself emperor at times like this.”

“How can I defeat His Majesty…”

Criticism poured in from all sides. Lucian’s conscience pricked, but he did not back down. He was very nervous and waited for Dahlia’s reaction to come back.

Dahlia stretched out her hand as she leaned her head against Yulif’s chest, still unable to control her heavy head. Her plump, dainty hand tapped Lucian’s cheek.

“Ung!”

The moment her soft hand touched his cheek, Lucian imagined the future. Yulif, Canaren, her two older brothers, and her, who became more and more lovable with each passing day.

It was not a very distant future, but a future that would come three years later, but Lucian did not know that. He just looked at Dahlia and smiled like an idiot.

While watching the breathless competition with an indifferent expression, Yulif’s lips slowly went up. He kissed Dahlia’s cheek as if to show off to the four of them. Dahlia laughed and rubbed Yulif’s face. The four of them exchanged envious and jealous glances. 

It was a privilege only a father could enjoy.

*******

One lazy afternoon, Lucian was walking down the hallway when he heard a little music. It looked like someone was playing the piano. Of course there was a piano, but it was the first time he had heard the sound. Curiosity kicked in, Lucian followed the sound and moved.

The place where they stopped was in front of a room that was small to be called a hall and rather private to be called a drawing room. The door was slightly open, and the sound of a piano leaked through the gap. It was a high-quality performance with delicate control of dynamics. Who is playing? Lucian peered carefully through the gap.

‘Uncle?’

Sitting at the piano was Yulif. Following his gaze, which was directed to a place other than the keyboard, he saw Canaren and the children sitting on the carpeted floor. Canaren cradled Dahlia in her arms and spread her wings to envelop Rapheon and Eusis sitting on either side of her.

After a while, Canaren’s lips opened. A beautiful, clear voice was overlaid on the piano melody. It was a song written in Hwira. Lucian blamed himself for not studying Hwira hard on the excuse of having a lot of work. However, even though he couldn’t understand the lyrics, the emotions contained in them were clearly conveyed. A song with sincerity was a law that made sense only by itself.

The gentle, kind, and affectionate touch seemed to touch the heart. It was the power contained in Canaren’s song, wishing everyone’s happiness.

After some time had passed, Rapheon and Eusis also opened their mouths and started singing along with Canaren. Ah. Lucian admired inwardly. When the clumsy but lively voices were added, He felt that the song was perfectly completed. The smiles on Yulif and Canaren’s faces deepened as if they were well aware of that fact.

A breeze blew in through the open window, and the curtains swayed. Sunlight shone through them. The family’s happy moments shone brightly. This moment was engraved deeply and vividly in Lucian’s mind. An overwhelming feeling that was difficult to control welled up.

And… It’s too bad that such a wonderful and beautiful moment was disappearing.

Lucian hurriedly searched through his clothes. He took out the paper and charcoal he carried with him so he could sketch at any time. He was in a hurry to quickly fill in the paper. A little faster. More precisely. A little more beautifully. From his head to his toes, make sure not to miss this emotion and joy.

After a total of five songs were finished, the sketch ended almost at the same time as Yulif got up from the piano. Lucian ran to his room with the finished sketch. And he hung onto the canvas like mad for a week. Yulif, Canaren, and Rapheon knocked on the door worried about him, but he responded with the words that he was fine.

A week has passed. Deciding that he couldn’t do it anymore, Yulif was determined to break down the door to see Lucian. Entering with a worried and angry face, Yulif took one look and was speechless.

“Your Majesty, this is…”

The scenery captured on a canvas large enough to fill one wall was a family sitting in harmony and singing. Yulif slowly approached the painting. Lucian smiled shyly.

“I’m sorry for stealing this. I happened to hear the sound of the piano and saw them singing…”

“Have you been drawing this for a while?”

“Yes. I wanted to finish it as soon as possible and show it to you. I’m sorry for worrying you.”

Yulif shook his head. Lucian spoke cautiously to Yulif, who had nothing to say even after looking at the painting.

“I am still immature.This painting has many shortcomings, but would you accept it?”

“That is an outrageous statement. It’s perfect.”

Lucian, who stood out from a young age, had excellent drawing skills. He was by no means inferior to the famous painters. The painting, which added sincerity on top of his skills, was better than any painting Yulif had ever seen in his life. Looking at it, the tip of his nose twitched and a corner of his chest felt stiff. It was for this reason that he was silent even after looking at the painting.

“Your Majesty knows, I am not good with words.”

Lucian looked at Yulif at the sudden words. Yulif still couldn’t take his eyes off the painting.

“I don’t know how to express how I feel right now. Happy is not enough, but I can’t find more words.”

Yulif turned his head. Lucian smiled broadly at the sight of a fullness on his ageless and graceful face.

“Will you stroke my hair for a good job like you did when I was little? Ah, please call me Lucian, not Your Majesty!”

As if waiting, a large, warm hand rested on his head.

“Good work, Lucian. Thank you.”

It was a much sweeter and caring voice than the one he could remember. New happy memories were born on top of the precious memories that helped him endure difficult times.

Lucian smiled radiantly at the extreme happiness from Yulif.

*******

“Is that why the title of this wonderful work is ‘Happiness’?”

“Yes.”

“Isn’t that too short?”

“I like short titles. Because it’s easy to remember. I am not making excuses.”

Canaren grinned at Yulif, who seemed to be sheepish for some reason.

In front of the two hung a picture drawn by Lucian. Canaren liked the painting so much that she decided to hang it on the front of the first hall that led to the crafting room. 

Lucian begged him not to, as he was ashamed, but he was no one who could break the will of Canaren, the de facto ruler of the castle. On the day the picture was hung in the hall, Lucian locked himself in his room, covered with a blanket.

“It’s okay because it suits us well. You look really happy, no, we look really happy.”

“Aren’t you actually happy?”

Canaren, who was admiring the painting, turned her body towards Yulif. Yulif was looking at his usual face. The purple eyes she loved so much were beautiful and graceful even when he was worried. It was nice to see his eyes wet with melancholy. Canaren thought so and pressed the tip of his tall nose.

“What will you do if you aren’t happy? Will you leave me to start a new life?”

“…Do you really want that?”

The gentle eyes softened. Dark possessiveness raged wildly in his darkened eyes. Yulif let out a low sigh as if boiling inside, and wrapped his arms around Canaren’s waist and pulled her close.

“Even if you want to, you can’t.”

—I can’t live a day without you. Just the thought of you leaving my side, no, wanting to leave makes my heart stop.

“Yulif still doesn’t know me. Or do you not believe it?”

Canaren said teasingly and wrapped her arms around his neck. As if Yulif had been waiting for that, he embraced her deeply and lovingly in his arms.

“I love you, Yulif. Only you can be my cage.”

Of course, Yulif wouldn’t want to. Even though he could do that even now, Yulif did not imprison her. He was the one who said that his happiness was to see her flying freely in the skies.

As if to prove that fact, Yulif did not answer. Canaren hugged him tightly, and she rubbed her cheek against his arms.

“I am happy to be with you. I hope you are too.”

“Of course. You are my happiness.”

—My song, my bird, my love, my light, my salvation.

As they had said, they would be happy together, they would always be happy. Even the moment their breath stopped.

The two looked at each other and laughed. Their warm lips briefly touched and then separated.

Their heartbeats, equally in sync, was a hymn that would resound without ceasing throughout a life full of dazzling radiance and joy.

«For You In The Cage, END»

A true happy ending for Yulif and Canaren! Goodbye from the whole team~

Translator Anon: Thanks everyone for sticking with us. This was like 6 volumes and over 200 chapters!!  If you made it to the end, you did it and we hope you enjoyed their happy ending after chapters and chapters of angst and frustration. The smexiness at the end was hopefully as enjoyable it was for us to translate as it is for you to read. We did so enjoy Roana and Derek and would have loved a side story for them. I have a feeling Yulif won’t enjoy the news that his precious daughter has an eye for our adorable current emperor… LOL. Poor Lucian! 

Big appreciation for Ame and Selene who are the superheroes! Through their patience and love of stories, they worked tirelessly to share this love story with everyone. Please make sure to thank them in the channel for their amazing work.

Proofreader Selene: OMG, CONGRATS, EVERYONE, FOR MAKING IT UNTIL THE END! WE SURVIVED! This has been such a ride, with all the angsts that we all went through! All the angst and frustration definitely made me want to flip my table and throw my laptop, but I did it in my head, so it counts. Hahaha! I sure loved how Yulif couldn’t keep his hands, and his body~, off of Canaren once he was no longer shackled. Hehehe~ 

While I would have loved to see more smexy times during the side stories, I still love a good happy ending. I hope you do as well! I definitely would have loved to see more between Roana and Derek. They make such a cute couple!

Props to Anon and Ame for working on this! Hurrayyyyy!! Wooohooo~~! They worked hard on finishing this novel. I enjoyed working with them on this and any other projects we are working together on! 

In any case, our lovely readers, hope you enjoyed reading this novel as much as I did. Remember, if you ever want to experience angst and frustration, be sure to revisit this novel if you ever want to read a heartwrenching, angsty, frustrating novel. XD 

Be sure to check out our other projects, of which none will ever be as angsty as this, from what I’ve read so far! Hahaha! See you around~!

Proofreader Ame: I just love happy endings! I am glad we survived the angst and frustration and anger to see all of this goodness. As much as I wanted to throw my laptop out of the window at certain parts, I can’t deny the author is good at making my heart clench and race. The main characters are well-developed and used (yes, even Deltinus) and the side characters are charming. It would have been lovely if she could cut down on the angst in the middle part and replace it with more family moments or the love story between Roana and Derek or a day in Lucian’s emperor life, but I’ll take what I can! 

Many thanks to Anon and Selene for working on this, y’all are great teammates, that’s for sure! I like how we collectively lost our brain cells at the special side stories that just… suddenly appeared. And the note from the author that some parts of the main story had been revised. Oh, good lord, that was a shocking day.

To the dear readers who have hearts that are as strong as steel to reach the end, thank you! But I must ask, are y’all angst lovers in general? Such masochists hahaha but um, y’know I’m saying this with much affection ^^ Do show love to our other projects, see you guys around!