Chapter 57
Chapter 57
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Awkward Family Dinner
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57
4
My hand stiffens as I cut the steak.
Even swallowing feels awkward.
The air is so stagnant it's almost visible.
The location is the Agrit Count Family's dining hall.
A long banquet table stretches out, laden with a feast starting from steaks.
The food wouldn't pale in comparison to the academy cafeteria, but my hand just won't reach for it.
It's awkward.
Johan has been silently cutting his steak the whole time.
I glance sideways, and my eyes meet those of the countess, Bellisa, sitting next to Johan.
Her golden blonde hair falls to her waist in soft waves.
Her deep light-green eyes shine with maternal affection.
Her gentle smile carries a heavy gaze...
Ahaha...
I give a light laugh and look away.
Next to Bellisa sits the only person enjoying the meal amid this awkward atmosphere.
Her glossy black hair, cut around chin-length, frames a round face overall.
Her cheeks still chubby with baby fat are round, and her large green eyes are round too, probably because she's young.
What can I say—everything about her is round.
That's Theo's little sister.
Definitely... Erica.
Being five years old, she's perched on a special high chair by herself.
This is tricky.
I know next to nothing about Bellisa, let alone Erica.
At best, I overheard their names while Head Butler Bangelis escorted me to the dining hall.
Erica's just a kid, so that's fine...
But how the hell do I handle Bellisa?
She's basically a stranger, but starting today I have to act like her son.
Just thinking about it makes my stomach ache.
For now, I grab a piece of bread.
If I eat meat, I'll probably choke, so let's stick to carbs.
I pick up a butter knife, spread some butter on the warm bread, and take a bite.
My mouth feels idle, so I add various jams and marmalade, and Bellisa chuckles softly in a kind voice.
"The bread must suit your taste?"
"Yes, it's delicious."
"Our new baker who just arrived is quite skilled."
"I see."
Sorry! I just can't keep the conversation going!
Instead of replying, I take a big bite of bread.
"How was life at the academy?"
"...It was somewhat fun."
"I'm glad to hear that. I was worried you might not adjust."
Bellisa smiles affectionately.
That smile is too heavy...
"You tanuki!"
Suddenly, Erica points at Choco, who was eating vegetables next to me.
Did she touch a nerve? Choco picks up a single bean with his tiny front paw and flicks it skillfully.
The bean flies lightly and hits Erica right in the center of her forehead with a soft tap.
It was a silent impact, but Erica clutches her forehead with both hands and starts sniffling.
"The tanuki hit me!"
She touched the nerve twice.
Choco furrows his brow.
I stroke his angry little head to calm him.
"Choco, calm down. And Erica, this isn't a tanuki—it's a raccoon. The two are completely different."
"Raccoon! Sorry for calling you tanuki!"
Good girl.
Choco seems to sense the sincerity; he snorts once and resumes munching vegetables.
Bellisa, who had been watching us, smiles and asks.
"Did you bring that raccoon from the academy?"
What? Choco wasn't raised at the main house?
Did I start keeping him at the academy, or bring him just before?
I have no idea right now, so I nod for the moment.
"You've really... grown up so much. Father's worries must have been unfounded."
"Father was worried about me?"
"Of course. He worried every day. Because you never sent a single letter."
Bellisa and I both look at Johan at the same time.
The man who only stared at paperwork even after his son returned was fretting over no letters?
The disconnect is huge.
"Ahem, enough idle talk. Let's eat."
"Isn't worrying about your son just normal fatherly concern?"
"...No, dear."
...Surprisingly, Johan seems softer-hearted than he looks?
"By the way, it makes this mother sad. We used to share about our day first at the table, and you showed so much affection... But in the blink of an eye, you've grown up and changed so much."
Bellisa pretends to wipe away tears.
I can't exactly say that the person really did change.
More than that, Theo must've been prickly at the academy but a good son at home.
People really can't be judged by fragments.
"Now that you're an adult, I can't keep acting childish forever."
"Still, it makes me wistful. This mother preferred your old self."
"Dear, Theo's right. He's past that age, isn't he?"
"I don't want to hear that from the man who fussed that his suddenly changed son might be ill."
"......"
Johan clamps his mouth shut.
His face subtly reddens, so it must be true.
Confirmed.
That guy doesn't look it, but he's endlessly soft with family.
If Erica asked, he'd drop all pretense and play house without hesitation.
In short, a good father.
Strict-looking but actually cherishes his family, a kind and gentle mother, and an adorably young little sister.
My hand stops before this picture-perfect family scene.
I'm just an alien substance replacing Theo Agrit, who should rightfully be here.
Realizing that, my hand refuses to move.
5
"Whew... I'm tired......"
The moment I close the door, I flop back into the chair.
Just one meal exhausted me.
At least I held the "matured abroad" stance and got through the hurdle. Lucky.
From tomorrow, I can live a bit more comfortably.
The sky has already darkened.
A moon rises outside the dim window.
I stare blankly at the deep blue moon.
"Leon must be back at the Hilfenberg Duke Family by now..."
He left a day later than me, but arrival time should be similar.
The Hilfenberg territory is relatively close to Esset compared to Agrit lands.
With a bit of extra effort, one could even walk it.
"Their place must be bustling during break too."
Something's bound to happen at the Hilfenberg Duke Family.
Well, that's for Leon to handle.
I'm busy enough with my own affairs.
What should I do tomorrow?
As I ponder, the door opens silently a crack.
Erica peeks her green eyes through the gap, meeting my gaze.
"What's up?"
"Gnyaang?"
Kid talk for "something's up."
Her parents got the sweet treatment, so with a nearly ten-year age gap, her big brother must've spoiled her rotten.
"Come in."
"Excuse meee."
Erica enters my room primly, minding her manners.
She shuts the door, then toddles over and hugs my leg tight.
Ah~ This feels familiar.
Choco does this after lectures.
I scoop Erica up familiarly and set her on my lap.
Erica buries her face in my chest and spins like a drill.
"Long time!"
"Yeah, long time."
"Missed you without big bro!"
"Couldn't be helped. Big bro was studying too, so I was bored."
No time for boredom, actually.
"What did you do while I was gone?"
"I was fine by myself!"
Hmm, our conversation doesn't quite mesh.
But if she was fine, that's good.
"Impressive."
Praised, Erica puffs up her shoulders.
Hands on hips, she looks quite proud.
Choco eyes her coldly.
That was Choco's mistake.
"Ah! Raccoon! What's your name?"
"Choco."
"Choco!"
Erica hops off my lap and chases Choco.
Choco circles me, fleeing.
Naturally, one critter and one kid revolve around me.
Choco has great stamina, but his opponent is a five-year-old.
They boast monstrous endurance even adults can't match.
In the end, Choco gets caught by Erica and meekly held.
He looks dissatisfied.
Erica beams triumphantly after capturing Choco.
But soon, she looks up at me with big round eyes and broaches the topic.
"Dwess?"
"Hm? Dress?"
"You said you'd buy one...?"
Erica trails off.
Ah, crap.
Theo, you idiot—if you promised your sister, prep it ahead or note it down.
Instead of plotting expulsion...
Too late for regrets.
While I inwardly rage at Theo, Erica realizes no dress and droops her shoulders sadly.
Ugh, that tiny kid's green eyes are welling up.
Just looking hits my mental health hard.
"...Actually, I wanted to pick one with you, so I haven't bought it yet. Wanna go tomorrow?"
"Weally...?"
I bluff hastily, and Erica tilts her head.
Every gesture stabs my conscience fatally.
"Of course, for real. Let's get five."
"Yay!"
Crisis averted for now.
I sigh inwardly in relief.
"Gotta wake early for dress shopping tomorrow, right?"
"Yeah...! Time to sleep...!"
Erica releases Choco.
Freed, Choco leaps straight to my lap.
"Sleep early too, bro!"
Ignoring that, Erica waves big and hurries out.
Like a sudden typhoon had passed.
"Somehow... managed..."
My slumped energy in the chair feels swept away by the storm too.
6
"Ehehe~!"
Holding hands, Erica is in high spirits.
The burgundy velvet dress suits her perfectly.
Stripping away adjectives, she's cute.
"Coming to the shopping district with big bro after so long!"
First time for me, though.
Tatron's shopping district is completely new.
Can't compare to Esset's commercial district, but it's spacious.
All essentials are there, plus neat urban planning gives a proper city vibe.
As promised, I buy five dresses for Erica.
She loves the burgundy velvet one and keeps wearing it.
Velvet dresses, huh...
The trend from Esset has already seeped to Tatron.
Even in the boonies, merchants here catch trends fast—impressive skills.
Velvet's premium in any era.
Natural dyeing needs advanced tech, it's moisture-sensitive with stubborn stains, complicating distribution and sewing.
Selling clothes from such material demands real expertise.
All factors combined, it's no casual item.
"Let's go there!"
Scale and flashiness lag Esset, but Tatron has its charm.
I turn toward where excited Erica points, intending to enjoy.
It's a patisserie.
The door opens, wafting fresh-baked bread scent.
Out comes a friendly young man with tanned skin.
His deep brown hair contrasts strikingly with blue eyes.
Distinct features—no way I mistake him.
Even double-checking, it's definitely a face I know well.
So I can't help but think:
Why is that guy here?