Chapter 24
The moment he met my eyes, he unclasped his hands and twirled his right index finger in a circle.
In short, he was saying I was rushing too much.
But unlike Herald, everyone else’s reactions were explosive.
Especially the chef, Helen, who was looking at me with tears in her eyes.
Seeing her like that made my conscience prick.
Of course, her cooking was delicious, but not so much that even broccoli would taste good.
“Sorry for using this, Helen. It’s all because of the Duke.”
I looked at Helen with full of apology, but somehow, her eyes sparkled even more than before.
I wondered if Ellie had been here, would she react the same way?
Anyway, agreeing with his point, I decided not to speak further and just focus on eating.
If I got ahead of myself, it wouldn’t lead to a good result. It was better to watch the situation and try again later.
So, a quiet meal went on for a while.
This time, Herald spoke first.
“Uh, a-hem! Chloe, how’s the power training? Is it okay?”
The question was so plain, and his tone was so stiff.
I swallowed my complaints and tried to speak in a bright voice.
“Yes! Finn praised me a lot, saying I worked hard. I feel… I feel stronger!”
Stronger? Not at all. I didn’t feel anything like that.
Especially the natural energy Pepe mentioned. That was the real problem.
Right now, I was running around the training ground until I was exhausted. I had no idea how much I needed to train to actually take that natural energy into my body.
But at least, to ease Mom’s worries, it was okay to exaggerate a little.
“Really? Isn’t it hard?”
“A little hard, but I like it! It’s fun!”
This time, it was partly true.
It was my first time running so hard, and it was almost enough to make me throw up. But after training, a strange sense of accomplishment came.
“Ellie also praised me, saying I run really well now.”
Mom smiled, her dimples showing as she heard my brag.
Now she definitely looked happy.
I felt proud and looked at Herald.
But he wasn’t looking at me at all, just staring blankly somewhere.
Following his gaze, I saw Mom in his line of sight.
He was staring at her, completely dazed.
His eyebrows lifted slightly, making his eyes look even bigger.
His lips moved subtly, as if trying to hide his feelings.
I’d never seen Herald like this before, so I was a little surprised too.
He didn’t take his eyes off Mom for a long time. Only after our gazes met did he regain his composure and turn his head.
But because of that, I saw clearly.
His ears had turned red, just like his hair.
Oh no… That man really likes Mom.
It felt like I was witnessing my parents flirting, and I felt embarrassed too.
“Chloe, are you full?”
“No! I’ll eat more.”
“Really? Do you want anything else? Mom will put it on your plate.”
“I… over there, the big meat next to Dad!”
My words made the dining room go completely silent.
Even the servants standing behind us didn’t breathe.
Mom looked a little startled too.
In this tense situation, the only one acting calmly was…
“I’ll give it to her myself. Adeline, hand me the plate.”
“Yes? Ah… here.”
As soon as she handed it to him, he cut the meat skillfully and gave it to me.
Herald wasn’t surprised by my “Dad” comment because he was the one who made me say it.
Yesterday, just before leaving my room, Herald suddenly turned and said:
“You will call me Dad from now on.”
“Eek…”
“Eek? I said I would help you reconcile with Adeline tomorrow. Then you need to show her that we get along.”
“I don’t think I can say it naturally…”
“Try your best. Say it as naturally as possible. Got it?”
I wasn’t thrilled about it, but it actually worked well.
Finally, Mom started talking to the Duke.
“I have something to say about Chloe’s registration.”
“…….”
“I understand very well why you were upset.”
Lies. He didn’t know at all.
Even with my sharp gaze, Herald continued speaking confidently.
“After the paternity confirmation was announced at the temple, it became clear that Chloe and you came to Eraiten together. Because of that, rumors about you and Chloe spread. I realized too late that I should have discussed it with you first.”
“……I see.”
Mom nodded slightly while listening. She seemed to understand, at least partially.
“It’s all my fault. Even if my long explanation now sounds like excuses….”
“…….”
“I wanted you to understand my true feelings, so I arranged this meeting. Thank you for agreeing.”
Yes! Good job!
I clenched my hand under the table and silently cheered Herald on.
It wouldn’t be long before I received my two-month allowance.
Just a little more patience!
Now it was time to speak. To say sorry, to ask for forgiveness.
“Well, what I really wanted to say was….”
Come on! Say it! End it quickly!
And give me the money!
I focused my eyes and willed the word “sorry” out of Herald’s mouth.
For Mom and his quick reconciliation!
For my soon-to-be-full piggy bank!
“Well… um…”
His lips moved slightly, like someone unsure, but he couldn’t say the words.
How proud is he?
Anyone could see a man who never lowered himself, struggling to swallow his pride.
His voice was lower, rougher, and his gaze unsettled.
“Mi… mia….”
Hurry! Say it quickly! Please…
Even just saying “sorry” took him so long that it made my heart tighten.
He didn’t even look at Mom, just moved his lips and eventually only gave an awkward cough.
“A-hem, hem!”
By now, he looked pitiful. Also kind of funny.
“Well… I am mia….”
Pfft!
But the first one to laugh wasn’t me—it was Mom.
She covered her mouth with her fist and let out a small laugh.
Seeing that, both Herald and I froze, dumbfounded.
What is happening?
Herald seemed to feel the same way I did.
His usually strict, sharp face was completely relaxed, like he was in a daze.
The same expression he had when secretly watching Mom earlier.
“Stop it. Hahaha, why does someone who never apologizes keep trying?”
“I… I just…”
“I understand your feelings. Stop now. You’re making me embarrassed too.”
“Ah, okay.”
Mom’s words made Herald scratch the back of his neck awkwardly.
“Ha… ha… I didn’t do well either. I acted grumpy even though I knew the situation. Since you were forced here, I thought this little venting would be okay.”
“Ah……”
“Both of us made mistakes this time. But next time, I won’t let it go easily. Now that I’ve come here again, I won’t act like before. And now… we also have Chloe.”
Mom smiled warmly and gently stroked my head.
