Albert spoke as he looked toward Iver's collar.
Hanging there was Isolde's Tears, the token of affection Isabel had given Iver—an item that could withstand one fatal injury.
"It's called Isolde's Tears. It's the necklace Ini left me. She told me that it was something her mother had left her. Her mother ultimately crystallized and died, and this necklace couldn't save her. If Ini had been wearing it when she was attacked, perhaps she wouldn't have died either. But after we got married, she gave it to me."
"...Ironical, isn't it? A consumable necklace that can prevent death once, yet it sent off several of its owners one after another, ultimately protecting none of them. It didn't even get the chance to be consumed."
"I feel that I'm not worthy of using it. At least compared to its previous owners, my life isn't worth expending this precious chance to escape death."
Albert stared at the necklace on Iver's chest and said quietly, "So before I left, I gave it to Isabel. That's why, from the moment I first saw you... I recognized your identity."
"What do you think of me now, then?"
Iver raised his now-empty wineglass and clinked it against Albert's. "Father."
Among Iver's "several fathers," Albert was undoubtedly the one closest to an "ordinary person."
"...You've left me speechless."
Albert was silent for a long while before answering seriously, "But this feeling... isn't bad."
"Of course."
Iver chuckled as he spun the wineglass between his fingers. "Because you've always been waiting for someone to curse you out like this, Father."
"...Treat Isabel well."
His Highness the Prince spoke almost helplessly. "I'll return on Little Isabel's birthday... I'll return no matter what."
"You don't need to say that. Nor do you need to promise me. Whatever Isabel decides to