It’s Not Night - Chapter 209.2

So, he decided to change the subject.

“Hmm, honey. Isn’t it a bit too early to think about meeting men?”

“No, I’m grown-up. I can sleep alone now.”

“Haha, really?”

“Yes, so I’m going to meet a man soon. Someone like Dad!”

Dustin’s face tightened a little again. Now, he tried to gently persuade her, almost like making a request.

“How about someone who’s not like Dad… What about another man?”

“No, I don’t want that! I want to live like Mom and Dad.”

“Like Mom and Dad? What’s that?”

“Yes, when I get home, Dad is always there! Dad is always at home!”

At Anna’s bold words, Dustin couldn’t help but laugh. His daughter saw right through the fact that he was jobless… Anna, not understanding why Dustin was laughing, giggled along.

“Yes, now that I think about it, that sounds nice. But, let’s go downstairs now. Dad will give you a piggyback ride.”

“Yay!”

With his daughter’s mood lifted, Dustin scooped her up into his arms, smiling all the while.

* * *

“What about Anna?”

“She just fell asleep.”

After handing the storybook she was carrying to the servant waiting, Andra walked over to Dustin, smiling brightly. It seemed like she was happy to have made up with their daughter.

Dustin naturally opened his arms for her. Andra quickly snuggled into his arms.

“I was really worried at first. I was wondering, what if Anna doesn’t want to see me?”

Just thinking about what happened this morning still made her shiver.

Andra trembled slightly as she murmured. Dustin hugged her tightly and said.

“That could never happen. Anna loves you so much.”

“No, if it was just me, I couldn’t have fixed it. Thank you, Dustin. You really are the number one Dad. I’m so lucky to have a husband like you.”

“I’m confident I’ll do even better from now on.”

“You’re full of confidence, huh? Oh, by the way, the moon is really bright tonight. How about we have a glass of wine on the terrace?”

“Sounds good.”

As Andra had said, the full moon shone brightly that night. The servants quickly began preparing wine and appetizers on the terrace.

Andra leaned her head on Dustin’s shoulder, gazing up at the moon. Dustin gently combed through her hair, and then he spoke.

“Today, Anna said something. Do you know what it was?”

“What did she say?”

“She said she’s going to marry someone like her dad.”

“What? Really?”

At that, Andra’s shoulders shook with laughter. She hadn’t expected her daughter to say such a thing. After all, Andra herself had once wished at the moon for a man like her father when she was younger.

“As expected of my daughter? She’s got good taste in men.”

“…I’m against it.”

“What?”

“Anna marrying someone like me. She’d have such a hard time.”

Andra lifted her head to look at him, puzzled at Dustin’s answer.

“Why?”

Andra reached out, wrapping her arms around his neck. At that moment, a servant noticed their affectionate gesture and stepped back quietly.

Andra smiled brightly at Dustin, who still looked at only her after nearly ten years into their marriage. That dazzling smile made Dustin pause for a moment, staring at her. No matter how much time passed, Andra still shone brightly in his eyes.

“Listen, Dustin. You’re still wrong.”

“…What?”

“The idea that I’d be unhappy with you by my side.”

Andra slowly caressed his face under the moonlight.

“I’m so happy to be with you. And now, I’ve met our lovely Anna. You’re the one who makes me happy. So, your words are wrong.”

The man beneath her touch was warm. Most of all, the steady pounding of his heartbeat calmed her. Soon, Andra burst into laughter, unable to hold it back. She couldn’t help but find the man in front of her amusing.

Was she laughing or crying?

Of course, the answer was probably both.

“Don’t cry.”

“…”

“I told you not to cry.”

“Okay…”

And so, another happy day came to an end.