Talent (2)
"Huuuuh...!"
"Don't touch Charlotte! I'll bite you!"
My head hurts. All I wanted was to invest in these kids at a low point so they'd become the protagonist's future companions. Why does it feel like I've suddenly become an unmarried father with two daughters?
One flinches and trembles the moment I touch her, then bursts into tears. The other growls and causes a complete scene. I've never even been married, let alone had children—why am I facing this kind of trial?
"Stop crying. You look ugly."
"Hwaaaah!"
"..."
Usually that would make them stop immediately. Is it this face of mine that's the problem? Maybe so. I'm starting to get tired of this too, and irritation is beginning to rise.
"Silvia."
"Yes, Young Master."
"Watch over... what was her name again."
"It's Julia."
"Right. Keep an eye on Julia for a bit. I'm going to have a private conversation."
Silvia emerged from behind the bookshelf with a sullen expression, staring at me. What? I'm not going to do anything strange. When I shot her a glare, she sighed lightly but didn't withdraw her suspicious gaze.
"Understood. Please go without worry."
Even as she said that, she never stopped shooting me warning glances. Has this girl only ever been deceived her whole life? I clicked my tongue and grabbed Charlotte by the scruff of her neck, lifting her up. She was so light that even my frail arms could hoist her in one go. I really do need to fatten her up.
"If you do anything bad to Charlotte, I won't let you get away with it!"
"..."
Julia thrashed and shouted while being held by the scruff by Silvia. Come to think of it, what exactly is their relationship? Just orphanage mates? It doesn't seem like that's all there is to it.
'Have I really been that uninterested until now?'
I'd thought there was no need to know the details. But for improving our future relationship, maybe a bit of background investigation is necessary. While I'm at it, I should hire an informant to observe what the protagonist is up to as well. No, there's no need to go that far. I've just thought of a more effective way to control the protagonist. I'll save that for later...
"Huuuuh..."
"When exactly are you planning to stop?"
Even after leaving the study and being alone together, Charlotte showed no sign of stopping her tears. I let out a deep sigh, knelt on one knee to match her eye level, and waited. Even after signaling that I was waiting, Charlotte continued sniffling without pause. What on earth is making her act like this?
Kids' psychology is hard to understand, but isn't thirteen old enough? Shouldn't she have a more mature mindset by now?
"Eek."
"We've been spotted! Run!"
"..."
I thought I'd sensed someone's presence. When I turned my head, I heard the clacking of maids' shoes fading away at the end of the hallway. The moment I turned back—
"Hic."
"..."
"Huuuuh..."
"Hey. You just stopped crying."
This kid... She was pretending to cry. Despite her innocent appearance, she's the clever type. Now that I know, the acting is obvious, but I never would have imagined it before.
"Why are you crying? Am I that scary?"
"..."
She shook her head. So this is how we're playing twenty questions. My blood pressure shot up, but I held it in. At least Charlotte doesn't point at me and radiate hatred like Julia does.
"Then what is it? You don't like the clothes?"
She shook her head.
"I get it now. You're scared of Silvia. She can be pretty fierce."
She shook her head.
"You just don't want to study?"
She started to nod, then yelped and frantically shook her head. This is driving me insane. I took a deep breath to calm my anger, and Charlotte flinched, shrinking back.
"Did you cry because I touched your wrist without permission and it startled you?"
"No! That's not it..."
She finally spoke. It felt like ten years of indigestion had instantly cleared. It seems she's finally willing to talk.
"I don't think I can be of any help. I'm sorry..."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Mister... Master... um?"
"Call me whatever's comfortable."
"The person you want is probably Julia. If it's someone who's going to become great and make a lot of money, that would be Julia... I'm probably useless..."
"Why do you think that?"
"I've never been able to finish even one book while sitting still... I learn slowly... I forget things easily... I'm oblivious... I'm stupid... and... and..."
"Stop. I don't want to hear it."
"Hic."
I'd thought she was the easygoing type because she eats and sleeps so well. But she'd been harboring thoughts like this? While I'm struggling with possession and constant misfortune in this wretched body, she's worrying about something so trivial despite having abundant talent. How annoying.
"You're still so young, yet you're saying such unpleasant things... I've wasted my time for nothing. You were just agonizing over something so trivial all by yourself. Don't ever say you're useless in front of me again. I'll make sure you earn your keep no matter what, so I'll work you hard. That's my concern, not yours as the one being worked. Do you understand?"
"Yes..."
"Let's go back. Wait. Wipe your eyes first. It looks like I made you cry."
"Huuuuh..."
"No! Why! Why this time!"
"I don't know...! Huuuuh!"
I'd barely wiped her eyes with my sleeve, and she burst into tears again. This time it wasn't acting—it was real. This is truly maddening. I thought she was insensitive, but she's a complete crybaby.
...
"Wow. Wow. That vicious Young Master is actually struggling."
"Shh. Keep your voice down. He'll hear you."
"Ehehehe. But how can I not be excited?"
Maids had positioned themselves in various gaps—door cracks, around corners, outside windows—and were screaming internally while covering their mouths. Is that really the infamous Aslan Belmont, known for being vicious, eccentric, and rude? Is that really the same person as that human trash from a few days ago?
Anyone who didn't know the full context wouldn't recognize him at all. The reason was obvious. Charlotte and Julia. Ever since those two children arrived at the mansion, Aslan had changed drastically.
"They say people change when they fall in love, after all."
"I never thought that would apply to the Young Master too."
Normally, he would have treated the children like objects or experimental tools. But the fact that he's caring for them so attentively must mean he's genuinely fond of them. The way he thoroughly educates them and doesn't neglect their diet and exercise clearly shows his determination to raise them as proper noble ladies. Why? Because they need to become women worthy of being the fiancée of the man who will soon become a count...!
"Oh no. What do we do? A rosy atmosphere has finally come to this bleak mansion."
"What do you mean, what do we do? Until the Young Master gets married, we should treat those children as if they're his wife."
"By the way, which of the two do you think the Young Master likes?"
"Both... don't you think?"
"Maybe he's planning to wait until both of them grow up and choose the one who becomes the more excellent lady when they come of age!"
"Such grand intentions!"
Whisper whisper. Murmur murmur. The maids' hushed voices traveled through the quiet hallway and reached Aslan's ears. I should discipline them at some point. Thinking that, Aslan took Charlotte's adorable hand and returned to the study.
***
"You! Did you make Charlotte cry again!?"
"Hic."
"What on earth did you do this time...!"
"Focus on your studies. Silvia, switch with me."
"I didn't hear you properly?"
A mad dog growling and ready to lunge at me at any moment. Silvia tilted her head while holding Julia by the scruff. Are you really going to let go? Can the Young Master handle this? Her eyes seemed to ask. When I nodded silently, Silvia released her hand, and Julia let out a pathetic sound as she flopped forward.
"Apparently Charlotte can't finish a book while sitting, learns slowly, has poor memory, lacks awareness, and is stupid."
"How could you say something so harsh to Charlotte...!"
"She said it herself."
"Even so...!"
"That's why it would be better to assign her a different subject. Silvia. Can you teach her?"
"Surely you don't mean for me to teach this child how to deal with men? You shameless...!"
"No, teach her swordsmanship. Swordsmanship."
Has he finally gone mad? What kind of nonsense is that? I clicked my tongue and glared, but Silvia quickly averted her gaze. This woman. She treats people like human scum and shows no sign of remorse.
"I have no intention of teaching. Unless the person has talent, they won't be able to follow my instruction."
"Stop beating around the bush and just say you're too lazy."
"There's that too."
"Teach her anyway. You never know what talent might be hidden."
"Well, it's true that children who are usually distracted and can't focus on studying tend to show talent in martial arts... Very well. I'll check. Come on. First, we need to find a wooden sword."
"Where are the wooden swords?"
"I don't know either."
"...?"
Charlotte and Silvia walked out side by side. The study, now occupied by just the two of us, was instantly filled with silence. The growling mad dog from earlier had vanished without a trace. Julia had already taken her seat again and was concentrating with her face flushed red from rubbing against the floor. The moment I quietly returned to my seat with the book I'd knocked over—
"This book... needs an appendix."
"..."
Does this kid have a talent for speaking with the back of her head? She doesn't even turn around, just mutters with her head bowed. That prickly personality probably won't be fixed anytime soon. I sighed and pointed at the bookshelf.
"It should be somewhere over there. Find it yourself."
"..."
Thud. Thud. Julia passed in front of me with her head still bowed. She seemed to head straight for the bookshelf, but then stopped in front of me. Does she have something to say? When I glanced down from my book, I saw Julia clutching her skirt, trembling.
"What is it?"
"Th-that..."
"...?"
"S-sorry... for misunderstanding..."
Then she dashed off. Without even waiting for my reply, Julia disappeared between the bookshelves. Honestly, that attitude of hers...
Julia's Favorability has increased by 2.