Even the Gentle Me Got Angry
The Lagrange duke's carriage was different right from its sheen. The cushion stuffed with soft duck down felt great under my butt, for starters.
The extravagant decorations overflowed inside without restraint, making it more fun to admire the interior than the scenery rushing by outside.
This is the fruit of the peace I protected.
Aigoo, so luxurious. Aigoo, so stylish.
"Do you like the inside, Uncle?"
"No need to ask. Though it's like a pearl necklace on a pig."
"…Hehe. No need to belittle yourself. Why say such things?"
And so, inevitably, my eyes drifted to my niece.
"You may be going through tough times lately, but you're always my hero, Uncle. If someone like you approves, it's an honor for us."
Contrary to my worries, Sion had grown into a beautiful woman—and her heart had blossomed just as prettily.
Her gentle kindness, paired with that flawless smile she flashed at me.
It was like sunlight at the tail end of winter.
Who could suspect a girl like this of being the mastermind behind a massacre?
Any bastard who does, step up. I'll beat the shit out of you.
Wait, would that mean I get punched first?
Anyway, sitting cozily alone in the carriage compartment, lost in her beauty and old memories, I suddenly recalled what she'd said earlier.
You know, that bit about "I came home for the weekend, but you were holed up in your room and didn't know I was there."
It seemed truthful, which made it all the more suspicious.
Because as far as I knew, it had been about a week since the semester started. Normally, she'd be getting invites to social parties and showing her face. What reason did a duke's daughter have to hole up at home?
Plus, this wasn't in the original story. Sion never acted like this.
"……."
Of course, my niece showed no sign of wanting to talk about it.
But knowing this serene sun could collapse into a black hole of mass destruction, I felt uneasy.
So I had to slyly probe.
"By the way, Lady Lagrange."
Even if I was just a nominal guardian, now that retirement was off the table, I had to help solve her problems.
"How's school life treating you?"
"…School life?"
"Yes, school. I didn't enjoy it much myself, but childhood memories last forever. Stack up lots of happy ones, and you can live blissfully your whole life."
"Are you worried about me?"
"Of course."
But hearing my leading question, Sion seemed lost in thought. She hid her face with her fan and glanced at me.
"…That's fine. …I'm okay."
Okay? With what? Right as I wondered, her sharp purple gaze pierced me instead of an answer.
As if that look said it all, she scanned my collar slyly.
"Uncle."
"Yes, milady?"
"More importantly, could you look here for a moment?"
And at that instant, Sion closed the distance a bit.
Whoosh—.
Not intense, but a subtle scent chased endlessly after wildflowers.
Whoa. Nice smell.
Even her natural scent is purple?
As that thought crossed my mind, she deftly grabbed the fabric at my nape.
Aigoo.
Swish, smooth—.
"What's this with your collar? It's a mess. Full of wrinkles…."
"Huh, really?"
"You had time to smoke, but not to tidy up?"
That's not it. I did tidy it. But it must've folded up without me noticing.
"There, done."
"…I'm embarrassed. It can't be fun fixing an old man's collar."
"Ah, old man…."
Blush—.
At my words, her expression shifted visibly, even behind the fan.
I couldn't pinpoint the emotion, but judging by that icy look, it wasn't pleasant.
My fate, huh.
…I strutted around calling Sir Laval an egg carton to his face. Now look at me, feeling pathetic in front of a girl half my age.
Still, I was the adult here. The adult who wanted to fix her problems.
So as I held my tongue and regulated my emotions, she reluctantly continued her postponed answer.
And, as expected from a romance fantasy girl, in a very metaphysical way.
"…Well. You probably know already, but the people in the capital are real venomous types. Vipers, maybe."
"News to me. Sounds scary."
"They're like coiled serpents with sweet voices and rattling tails… spewing poison from their mouths. The academy's their nest, so school life's no picnic."
I see. So that's it.
…But I don't get it.
I'm no expert in rhetoric. What exactly happened?
Is she getting bullied or something?
"So please remember, Uncle. People wear sheep faces on the outside, but show one weakness and they turn into wolves." Tap tap. With that, she patted my chest playfully like it was done. And no more talk.
Look at this girl. Beating around the bush, toying with an adult….
"…I don't quite get it. Why say that?"
"Oh? To keep you from getting hurt in this harsh world, of course. If you're guarding me, you'll be around the academy for a while, right?"
Well, yeah.
I heard details from the department office, but either way, I'm a professor now.
"So, no more showing gaps like this."
"……."
"Even the nice ones could turn and bite you anytime. In short, don't get hurt."
Sion's life tip:
"Don't drop the soap in the shower."
She seemed more worried about some pervert targeting me than her own pitiful situation.
"Should I? I got nothing to lose anyway."
But what if I'm already wide open? Honestly, I don't care.
And right on cue, the coachman Sion had casually summoned yelled without tact.
"We've arrived, everyone!"
From the Lagrange Duke Mansion in the capital to the academy—it was a short trip, nothing much.
Not long at all, so unfortunately, bad timing cut the horse's back short.
"Shall we get down, Uncle?"
"Ah. Sure."
"Thank you for seeing me here. The ride wasn't boring thanks to you."
"Don't mention it. Here, take my hand."
So, with no choice, I helped Sion down first. I stepped out, then supported her right hand on the carriage steps. It'd been ages since I escorted anyone, but my body remembered the manners. Nice. I'm not dead yet.
But right then, as Sion stared piercingly at my offered hand, her eyes widened.
"…V, veins."
She whispered in a voice like crawling into an ant's asshole.
"Pardon? What was that?"
I hadn't heard, so no clue what she said.
Sigh—. She let out a breath, and I got a bit scared. Uh oh. Did I screw up etiquette? Or something on my hand? Damn. If I'd worn long sleeves, I could've hidden it with the cuff—but no such luck.
"Miss?"
"…Yes?"
"Did I do something wrong? You won't take my hand."
"Ah, aa…!"
Then Sion turned her head slightly and spoke in her usual calm tone.
"It's nothing. It's late, so I was just tired and couldn't focus."
"I thought something was on it. You kept staring at my arm."
"I wasn't."
Liar. Who you trying to fool? Anyone could see you staring!
This was probably our sweet Sion being considerate. Thinking I'd done something weird.
Honestly, grateful but embarrassing.
Anyway, once she finally took my hand and stepped down, she asked without looking at my face.
"So, where to now, Uncle?"
"Uh…. Can't enter the academy yet, so probably wander nearby?"
Yeah, for about a day. Tomorrow's my first day on the job.
"I see."
But Sion had other ideas and got straight to the point.
"…Then, as your niece, can I ask a favor?"
She wanted something from me. Bold like her dad.
"Anything."
"There's business to discuss, and a place I want to go. Could you make time for me sometime?"
"Business? What kind?"
"Oh, about that deposit."
"……."
"Can't we catch the guy who scammed you?"
"Miss."
"Someone nearby knows Orlan Count well. Let me tag along and lend what little help I can."
Ahh, that. I planned to handle it in my own time.
When did she grow up so much, offering to help me? Cute.
"You helped Dad before, so now the Lady of Lagrange helps you. Got it? You must come see me!"
"Yes, yes. Understood. Thanks, even if it's just words."
So that day, I parted with Sion and crashed nearby for the night.
My curiosity about her school life lingered, thanks to her roundabout talk, but… whatever, I'd figure it out eventually.
For now, scoring the duke's daughter's help to beat the shit out of the bastard who took my money—that's a win.
There were two kinds of professors at the Imperial Academy.
Full-time and special appointee.
Easy to understand.
Full-time professors were homeroom teachers, managing and supervising a class overall.
Special appointees were like liberal arts lecturers—do your job and that's it, no strings attached.
Common sense: which has the sweeter deal?
Special appointee, obviously.
So when I headed to the department office for my assignment, I was confident it'd be special appointee.
I'd never taught kids. Semester already a week in, filling in last-minute.
No way they'd make a rookie full-time, right?
So I opened the door in high spirits.
The door to my new beginning.
Bang…!
"Sir Joseph, you've arrived! All the professors have been waiting for you."
"Hello?"
But as expected from a romance fantasy.
"Ahh, the real deal. To lay eyes on the hero who saved humanity—it's an honor! Retired once, but that bold physique remains. Seeing it reminds me of the founding emperor who opened this empire long ago………."
Aw, shut up.
Typical high-society ink-and-sword eaters, mumbling ear-aching nonsense.
But I had no need for flattery and wasn't used to it, so I waved it off.
"Ah, yes. Thanks."
"…Was I too wordy? Hahaha."
Grateful for the praise, sure.
But since we were stuck together by work, I secretly hoped he'd get to the point.
"Anyway, about your position, Sir Joseph…."
But soon, I couldn't believe my ears.
"You'll serve as full-time professor for the next year."
"Pardon?"
"…Did you not hear? Full-time professor."
"Wait. Full-time?"
"Yes."
"Why."
Fuck me. They wanted full-time.
Bad premonitions never miss.
Why? Why…?