Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Dad Won't Abandon You
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Peter leaned in toward me as I slipped out of the office, casually mingling with the knights.
"Miss, I just had to tell you about this."
"What is it?"
"Earlier, when I went to fetch that notebook, I ran into Master Erich."
What? Erich?
"He asked why I was in such a hurry, and I just blurted out some encouragement before I could stop myself... I'm sorry."
"You told him?"
"I said not to worry too much because His Excellency wouldn't let Professor Manfreit get away with it once I delivered the notebook."
"And then?"
"No idea. He was in a rush, so we didn't talk much beyond that. But he did look a bit pale."
I waved Peter off, telling him to focus on Grandpa's orders first, even as concern filled his face.
If he'd let something slip to Erich about the professor...
What would I do if I were Erich and heard that?
Knowing the professor who'd tormented me was the subject of all this talk?
'I'd tail Peter.'
He must have eavesdropped for sure.
Given Erich's condition, he couldn't have gone far.
The staggering figure I spotted walking ahead was in the corridor leading from Grandpa's office to the library.
He must have heard me running up, but Erich didn't slow his pace one bit.
"Wait, talk to me for a sec!"
"Nothing to say!"
I grabbed his arm, only to be shoved back with such force I nearly tumbled over.
He hadn't meant to push that hard, apparently—Erich reflexively reached out to catch me but stopped just short, his hand hovering in the air.
"The professor and Uncle..."
"Don't wanna hear it."
From Erich's sharp reaction, it was clear he'd overheard the entire conversation inside Grandpa's office.
"You feeling any better?"
"Didn't I make it crystal clear last time? Stay out of my business. If you wanna play big sis, go do it with Dietrich."
A bluish tint lingered on Erich's lips as he spoke.
"Once Professor Manfreit's fired, you won't have to pull all-nighters cramming theory anymore... so maybe you'll start feeling better. That's why..."
"Mariella Kalenberg."
Erich cut me off, flames flickering in his eyes.
"Please, for the love of—mind your own damn business. Who the hell are you to butt into my life? Go cry to Sir Leopoldt or Dietrich—anyone who actually gives a damn about you."
"Daddy won't abandon Eri."
"What?"
"I think about it lots. But Nurse and Betty and Laura... they all say so. Daddy loves our family lots and lots."
I'd thought about it a ton, really.
'Someone like me, who's been abandoned by her birth parents before.'
I'd questioned and re-questioned the love Dad gave us.
In this world, if you named the one person who least believed in a parent's complete love, it'd be me.
'But if he really abandoned Erich, he wouldn't have kept that room.'
Someone who could discard their own child wouldn't have called a stranger like me 'Lucy's daughter' on sight.
Dad couldn't abandon Erich—not with those same bright blue eyes burning in both of us.
That was my conclusion.
"What the hell would you know to say crap like that?"
I swallowed my response for a moment, picturing Erich's old empty room back in our original home—now completely burned away.
The flower bed Mom had made for us.
The room in the best spot for a view.
Even left ownerless for so long, it had been decorated with the utmost care.
"I saw Daddy fix up Eri's room. Nurse changes the bed every year to fit Eri's size—on Daddy's orders!"
For Erich, who never even came home.
A fluffy bed, luxurious furniture, bookshelves packed with hero tales perfect for kids his age.
"Don't believe what Manfre and Marc say. They're both bad guys."
I swallowed another curse aimed at Uncle deep inside.
"So just talk to Daddy once."
I took a step toward Erich.
"You're not feeling good 'cause... wanna exercise with me? Eat lots, sleep good... huh? Can't we try steady treatment like that?"
My voice trembled on that last bit without me realizing.
The priest said Grandpa was pouring massive funds into research.
A cure was nearly developed.
'So maybe... he really could get better.'
I wanted to give Erich some hope, somehow.
Poor guy, fending for himself ever since leaving Dad's arms.
"Daddy... loves Eri."
It was the one thing my past-life self had ached to hear most.
'Your parents actually love you.'
Whether true or not, I'd been a kid who needed that hope.
I'd meant to say it calmly, but my voice shook anyway, thoughts be damned.
All I could do was hold back the tears.
"...Don't need it."
Erich coldly cut me off and turned away.
His back as he walked down the corridor looked so small.
Like it would just keep shrinking until it vanished completely.
Professor Seller was dismissed. But it didn't end there.
Word was, after five days in the interrogation room, he lost his mind.
Straight to the underground dungeon after that.
Not a shred of pity for a professor doomed to rot in the dark for life.
'Who told you to torment Erich like that?'
He'd even leaked exam questions to make Marc top student—and failed.
'Erich was too smart.'
Once Erich held onto first place, he'd switched to outright bullying.
For something so petty.
For reasons so trivial.
The more I thought about it, the more my blood boiled.
How could he do that to Erich, right in the prime window for treatment?
An eleven-year-old kid who should be eating well, sleeping soundly, building stamina for intensive care—how could anyone...
'The real issue is Uncle's being too quiet.'
Grandpa had been livid and summoned him, but nothing since.
Even Oliver, whom I'd subtly called over to probe, was clamping his mouth shut—even in front of Nurse—on the matter.
'Grandpa's not planning to let Uncle off easy again, is he?'
That would piss me off.
Even as Northern Army heir, there's a limit to overlooking Uncle every time.
"Ella, all dressed?"
Lost in thought, Nurse finished dressing me in the black gown and stepped back.
Dad entered as the door opened, looking down at me with a pained expression.
A plain dress, utterly devoid of ornamentation.
Mourning clothes, no different.
Dad stayed silent for a good while, staring at his young daughter clad like that.
'Today's Mom's first death anniversary.'
Dad had dragged himself home at dawn, his face haggard beyond belief at a glance.
Foam-flecked horse and all—he'd pushed hard to make it.
No wonder the knights were still holding back on telling him about Erich, gauging his mood.
'Me too.'
With Mom's anniversary looming, who knew what Dad might do if he learned now.
Guess I'd have to gauge the mood later and tell him myself.
"Today's the day Mom passed, so we're going to her grave to pay respects. You know that, right?"
"Yeah."
"Good girl, so smart—my daughter."
Dad scooped me up into his arms—he'd ditched even his escort knights to race back on time for Mom's anniversary.
He hugged tight enough to hurt a little, but knowing his heart, I hugged his neck back instead of pulling away.
Dietrich waited in the hall, dressed in a child-sized black suit.
Uncharacteristically quiet and composed today, he just gave me a nod by way of greeting.
'But one's missing.'
Mom's first anniversary.
If I were Mom, I'd be waiting most for Erich.
I must've glanced around without thinking, because Dad gave a wry smile.