If I Tear This Up, Can I Get a Refund?
I got it. I understood. Sion was an adult now—something I already knew full well.
It had been so long since we'd seen each other that at first, I worried she might have turned into the tragic villainess from the original story. But that was the result of me changing the world. At least the Sion I saw hadn't lost her former self.
That's why I'd been looking out for her—as the daughter of my lord Raval, and as my student. And in turn, she'd treated me like an uncle after all these years, following my lead obediently.
But then all that happened.
I couldn't grasp the full context of the question she'd just thrown at me. Honestly... I was pretty damn flustered.
This old man's got a sense of incongruity...
I'm no spring chicken anymore. I've got enough street smarts to read between the lines. How the hell else was I supposed to take a question like "Do you see me as an adult?"
I wanted to interpret it charitably. She'd always said she respected me deeply, so maybe she just wanted confirmation that I saw her as a full-fledged person.
But the way Sion looked at me... even if I tried to chalk it up to wishful thinking, something still felt off.
"......"
Her eyelids drooped sleepily, heavy as if they'd been slathered in honey, weighed down by the pressure. I could spot it because I'm sensitive to that kind of thing.
Her breathing trembled faintly, almost imperceptibly, the whole time.
And then there was the subtly closer distance between us. The faint animalistic tension in the air since moments ago.
Taking all that in... my thoughts could only lead to one conclusion.
Does this girl... like me?
No, forget that—the question itself was straight-up violent. It felt loaded with some hidden meaning, but rephrased, wasn't it basically:
"See me as a woman."
But that's exactly why the incongruity hit me. Things between men and women should unfold gradually, at the right moments.
Recapping the situation: We just got in the carriage, and out of nowhere, she drops that on me.
...Yeah. Good rational thinking there. Even if Sion's got some special feelings, that last thing she said wasn't her fishing for confirmation.
I hadn't done anything to seduce her. All I'd done was elevate the status of her father, whom she adored.
No way she'd react like this over just that.
So my cold, hard reason kicked in, shoving aside the earlier thought of Does she like me? It wasn't outright denial. I could sense the clear shift in her vibe, but I was consciously playing dumb.
"Do you really get it?"
"Yes..."
So I answered her, flashing a soft, genuine smile of affection. Unthinkingly—like I used to when she was little—I brushed her hair back with my hand.
"Eut......"
As my hand swept over her white hair, she jolted in surprise, her body shivering.
But the trembling soon settled naturally, as if yielding to the flow.
"I've told you a hundred times, but this Joseph knows full well. That you're no longer the little girl I first met, and that sitting beside such a lady is an honor..."
"—Th-then why now?! D-don't pet me like that. That's treating me like a kid...!"
"But I wanted to show you that even knowing that, as the elder here, I still need to look out for you."
"......My."
"The way I'm being affectionate isn't because I see you as a child. It's just... I want to take care of you. Don't misunderstand."
...She's never been in love, has she? But she's at that age where those feelings burn hot.
A decent guy shows up, and even the smallest thing soaks her heart. And she's stubborn, so she'd dismiss her peers as laughable...
It was natural to fall for a mature adult who treated her familiarly after so long.
But the world calls those feelings "admiration." And admiration is a far cry from love—it's the sentiment furthest from understanding.
I'm no one worthy of love from a beautiful, refined girl like Sion. Hell, I might be the least suitable person, with my complications.
I've got my own baggage. I didn't want to burden her with it or share it.
That's all on me to carry.
You shouldn't fall for someone like me at your age. Give it time—a really good guy will show up, and you can learn what love is with him.
So I treated her exactly like an uncle with his niece, just verifying my insight.
"So, let's get to the point."
".............."
"Lady Sion?"
But she was lost in a daze, not snapping back to listen easily. As if she were truly savoring my touch.
...Heh. What's this about not being a kid? She's still one.
But then. Why hadn't I pulled my hand away yet?
...Why haven't I?
However, she came to her senses soon enough.
"...Hut?!"
"Lady Sion?"
"S-sorry, Uncle. The point... right, the point."
"I'm not an idiot. I figured there was more to it."
"Exactly. Easier to fool a ghost..."
I nodded, and she cut straight to it.
"—If I'm not a child, then explain everything you did at the Imperial Palace. And don't exclude me from politics like Father does. Treat me as a full person, please."
"Couldn't you ask Lord Raval first?"
"Would he agree?"
"No... Ah, so that's why you came to me."
Even if it rubbed me the wrong way, how could I refuse when she was investing this much time in asking for my help?
From the start, dragging my health-nut niece out for a full junk food course and some PC bang corruption was an uncle's duty. As long as she didn't piss off Lord Raval by diving headfirst into politics...
This uncle could teach her plenty.
"But first, let's eat. I'm starving."
"...Hehe, I figured you'd say that. I prepared diligently."
Oh. I see. She knows me too well—it's great.
Sasha would have to work her butt off again, but Lagrange home cooking is always the best.
Hehe...
* * *
In the end, over the meal—minus the bullshit I bluffed through and the revenge I dished back—I told her everything.
I felt it had real meaning as I spoke. I knew I'd have to confess to Lord Raval someday and get chewed out, so it was like prepping my defense script. Practical as hell.
"I see. So that's how it went."
"It was do-or-die. Ah, you still have to play dumb. Not just with the students... especially with Lord Raval."
"Of course. Such a grand tale is mine to monopolize."
It wasn't that grand. Truth be told, I just did it out of sheer terror, frustration, and rage.
No need to say that, though. I just shoved Sasha's killer brownie in my mouth.
"...Still delicious."
"I remembered you always loved chocolate, so I begged hard for it."
"I'm happy, thanks to you. Life's got no taste for living without good eating."
"—Hehe."
Sion seemed thrilled to spend time with me after so long, propping her chin and gazing at me with a happy smile.
She's pretty.
I met her eyes and suddenly asked,
"Then may I ask a question now, Lady Sion?"
"As many as you like. This Sion Lagrange wears many masks, but I'll answer Uncle's questions with total honesty."
"Now that you know what I told you, you have time to prepare for the future."
"......"
"When your father oversees and shoulders everything, what will you do?"
Her eyes hardened, cold and firm.
"I'm asking as one adult to another. Once you're grown, all judgments are yours."
But Sion cut through my question without a second thought.
"What could I do?"
"Oh ho?"
"Father's thriving in his duties, and Uncle's making his presence known at the Academy. I'll hold this position steady, making sure no scandals tarnish the family."
No, I haven't been showing off, you little punk. The guy griping about his salary every day doesn't scream "flashy" to you?
But this answer was surprisingly spot-on. I'd thought funneling all attention to Lord Raval was the safe play for a smooth Lagrange landing.
Even she—who seemed eager to shine—thought the same. The Lagrange future was looking bright.
"But that's only after I fulfill my duty as the Lagrange Duchess."
"Duty? What kind?"
"──This summer, they'll select a new hero, right?"
......Ah.
Right. Lord Raval just finished his 30-year term, and the holy sword needs a wielder.
That periodic hero selection event.
My niece had to become the hero there, huh?
Obviously.
...Sion's the only living daughter of a hero post-Demon King subjugation.
To maintain the authority that's the Lagrange family's power and roots, she had to be chosen.
Good. She's got the direction right.
"So lately, I've been studying to deepen my understanding of dark swordsmanship."
"Huh? Do you even need more study, Lady Sion?"
"Yes. It's an ancient tome even the family doesn't know about... but the content's incredibly solid."
"......Ancient tome? Didn't know about that. Mind showing me?"
"Of course. One moment."
By then, I had no appetite left for the feast on the table. Propping my chin on one hand, I waited for her.
Ancient tome... ancient tome...
That's when it hit—an ominous premonition I shouldn't feel, surging wildly.
Hoo, huuuh—
My breathing grew ragged from the unpleasant sensation.
...Fuck, is the illness flaring up again? It's nothing major—why now?
"Here it is! Take a look?"
"Where."
The instant I took the book and glanced at the cover, I knew exactly what it was.
"......"
"What do you think...? I went through hell to find it."
I kept my expression neutral, but inside, I was screaming bloody murder.
Fuck. Motherfucker. What the actual fuck?
This shouldn't be here. Hell, where did she even get this?
This girl—
In that moment, I hurriedly shoved the book to the table's edge, covering it with my left hand.
"Lady Sion."
"...Uncle?"
"You absolutely cannot study this alone."
"Why not?"
But I couldn't explain properly. No way in my right mind could I spit it out.
So I rolled my eyes back for a second and improvised.
"Th-this kind of incantation requires a seasoned swordsman supervising you."
It wasn't wrong. But Sion frowned at my worsening pallor, then lit up at the suggestion.
"R-right? Actually, last time I saw Grand Duchess Irina getting lessons from you, I got jealous... If it's okay, could you teach me too...?"
"—Sure. Bring Student Zigrinde tomorrow. We'll do it together."
But it turned out that wasn't exactly what she wanted. She stiffened.
"...Zigrinde?"
"Yeah. She's got real talent. To properly grasp this book, we'll need her sword skills."
"...Understood, Uncle."
With that curt agreement, our talk wrapped up.
"Until then, I'll take this book."
"Ah...!"
"—It's a lesson. I need to preview the contents."
"If that's it, fine. But you have to return it?"
I treated the book like a live bomb, desperate to separate it from her.
No. If anything, it was a bomb.
Remember what happened to her in the original story? I do.
She learned black magic from a grimoire, went berserk, and massacred a ton of people.
And for the record.
This was it.
—Uroboros' Legacy, the original that drove her mad and turned her evil.
Fuck it, should I just rip it to shreds?