Chapter 15
For a moment, an inexplicable, strange silence settled.
It was an alien atmosphere where no one could sympathize with Pernoer’s words.
Even Oberon seemed flustered, visibly twitching.
Ackmund, who had been silent, at a loss for words, opened his mouth with an awkward expression.
“That is not something you should be the one to say.”
“…….”
“When was it that you said you would accept only Rierusha, take full responsibility, and leave? Now you’re threatening to take the children and leave?”
“If I’m being sent to the front lines, how can I take the children with me? I have a conscience, you know.”
You don’t have that.
Ackmund’s eyes said exactly that.
Pernoer shrugged shamelessly.
“And for whose sake.”
Most collateral lines had a good relationship with the Arakrene family, but among the few, there were those desperate to drive out Pernoer and the other heirs to the front lines.
The longer the direct line were away, the more they could wield power to their taste.
This time as well, there would have been those hoping Pernoer would not return alive.
In truth, on the border, Pernoer had often been exposed to assassination.
In the end, he returned alive like this, but.
“The day I left the ducal castle, I realized. Even if I inherit the title, in the decisive moment, there is nothing I can do as I please.”
At Pernoer’s words, Ackmund’s expression sank into seriousness.
“Are you trying to blame me now?”
It was asking whether he meant to blame him for not being able to protect Rierusha beyond this.
From the start, Ackmund could not reveal any interest in his granddaughter.
The moment he showed any emotion toward the child, it was obvious where the collateral lines’ arrows would fly.
“That’s not it. I’m just making it clear. If a moment comes again where I must choose like that day, I will abandon the family.”
“……Pathetic. If you have no family, by what means will you protect your people?”
To throw away the fortress called the Arakrene ducal house sounded like an empty statement.
The imperial family always checked Arakrene’s power.
If the family built by the ancestors collapsed, they would be exposed to danger as it was.
It was when Ackmund was clicking his tongue.
Pernoer’s red eyes rippled dangerously. Seeing the meaningful smile, as if killing intent could be felt, Ackmund stiffened, thinking surely not.
Pernoer lazily pointed upward with a finger.
“Then I will sit in a higher seat.”
“……Have you finally lost your mind?”
“So, so that I don’t entertain other thoughts, don’t put even a scratch on that seat, and when the time comes, hand it over.”
“So the main point is that you came to threaten me.”
Pernoer shrugged as if to say how could that be.
In the end, Ackmund decided to step back one step.
“Fine, tell me what is wrong with the main fortress.”
“When I read the parenting bestseller Rosinante gave me yesterday, it said that a harmonious and safe home is the most important thing for a child.”
“……What did you say?”
For a moment, Ackmund’s thinking stopped.
Because compared to the uproar of threats he had made, the main point that began was too trivial.
So…… because of what was written in a parenting guidebook, he had to hear such impious words?
To the point that the other side said they would even commit treason if necessary?
So absurd, Ackmund let out a hollow laugh.
At the office door, Oberon, who had been listening with a dry face, had his breathing grow uneven for a moment.
“So let’s just pretend to be a close father and daughter. At least in front of the children.”
“…….”
“It’s hard for me too.”
“You brat!”
Ackmund, unable to endure it, threw whatever was within reach at Pernoer.
Pernoer, used to dodging the flying pile of documents, rummaged through subspace and pulled out a thick book, placing it on the desk.
“And if you don’t want to see a granddaughter like me, read this too.”
Those words exerted a very powerful force.
As if possessed, Ackmund took up the book.
* * *
It was the weekend. It also meant there was no class schedule today.
No matter how much the Arakrene main fortress was the very home of burning zeal for education, they still made sure to allow rest on weekends.
Rierusha, holding Sona’s hand, strolled through the garden and looked around with puzzlement.
“Why is that, young lady?”
“Because it’s strange.”
The castle seemed a little different.
It was hard to explain in words exactly, but overall it felt brighter.
And the garden seemed to have been redecorated too.
“Ah, because everyone’s gloominess is gone, isn’t it?”
Sona burst into laughter.
A few days ago, an unbelievable order from Ackmund had come down.
Those working in the main fortress were instructed to wear a bright-colored tie or accessory over their uniform.
Not only that, bright-colored installations could be seen here and there throughout the ducal castle.
Benches that had originally been the color of wood had been transformed into white, and the pergola where vassals could spend their break time had been decorated to be cozier and prettier.
“Is it because a guest came?”
Rierusha, who had no way of knowing the castle was changing little by little because of her, tilted her head.
At that sight, Sona held back her laughter.
“Do you like the changed castle, Lady Rierusha?”
“……It’s pwetty, so I like it.”
Rierusha nodded.
‘It must surely be a blessing for the main fortress that the young lady awakened.’
Sona looked up at the sky.
Ackmund, who had been nothing but stern and seemed as though he would never issue an order to brighten the family’s atmosphere, had softened.
It might have been because Pernoer had returned and his taut nerves had loosened, but fundamentally, it was thanks to Rierusha’s very existence.
The child’s presence was gradually softening the ducal house’s atmosphere.
Slowly, as if soaking in.
On the other hand, those who were not pleased with this situation would be tensing up, but.
“Where are those people all going?”
Rierusha pointed to the people gathering in a crowd and moving somewhere.
It was a group wearing red garments that symbolized they were elders of House Arakrene.
Sona’s eyes sharpened for a very brief moment.
Because the current elders were mostly those who had fallen for the imperial family’s temptation.
Worried Rierusha might see, Sona smiled brightly and smoothed her expression.
“Today is the day there is an elders’ meeting in the grand hall. It’s the day they each make their reports once a week.”
“I see. ……Are Hadabuji and Daddy there too?”
Rierusha, rolling her eyes around, quietly asked what she was curious about.
With one hand, she fidgeted with the pouch holding the flower bracelets she had made with Sona a few days ago.
Sona smiled faintly and nodded.
“Yes, of course. You want to give gifts to the duke and the young duke, don’t you?”
“Yeah.”
But was it really all right to go to the grand hall?
Rierusha carefully turned her head toward the direction the elders had disappeared.
She worried she might get scolded for needlessly interrupting work.
“……Can I go?”
“Of course.”
Sona, realizing at once that Rierusha was hesitating, answered without delay.
Rierusha’s worried complexion eased a little.
In truth, she wanted to deliver gifts, but she also wanted to see Pernoer.
It had been a week since he returned to the main fortress.
In the meantime, Rierusha had also had her own schedule and had lived busily.
During that time, she had not once run into Pernoer. It was surprising how their ranges never overlapped.
In the end, Rierusha had no choice but to bring out the feelings she had been fretting over for days.
“I wanna see Hadabuji and Daddy.”
“Yes, then shall we go right away?”
Sona was pleased that Rierusha was acting more and more honestly with her feelings.
She still had a tendency to think of herself as low, but Sona believed time would solve that too.
However, Rierusha hesitated for a moment and asked.
“Won’t I be in the way?”
“Mm. Then shall we wait in front of the grand hall until the meeting is over?”
“Yeah, I think that’s better.”
When an appropriate alternative came out, Rierusha quickly nodded.
The child’s red eyes were dyed with anticipation, continuing to move toward the direction of the grand hall. And yet, pretending otherwise, she would glance at other places once in a while—she was very cute.
“Ha. This is truly a miracle.”
Sona muttered in amazement.
To think the creature born with the family’s bloodline that had gone to the extreme was none other than Rierusha.
It was close to a miracle.
Sona immediately took Rierusha’s hand.
“Please remember, Lady Rierusha. There is nowhere in the main fortress that you are not allowed to enter.”
