Another Escape from Class
"Kael, don't run away!"
"Young Master Kael has escaped again!"
"What? Again? Ha, what class was it this time?"
"It was general education. He listened for just a few minutes, then vanished the moment I looked away! It was such an important lesson on the mindset a boy should have..."
Today, too, I'd ditched class like a pro. Lately, I'd been getting a bit snappier. Please, just leave me alone already.
Leaf's gone, and now I'm stuck taking lessons from these weird monsters. I'm so sick of it! And why do they keep making me wear this undergarment? It's uncomfortable!
No one understands me... no, not Kael—I mean, me! I just want to be a little happy, but why can't I, Kael, ever be happy? No one here listens to a word I say. On top of being the Demon King's son, my human body made me so sick, and that's why even Leaf left.
But she did say thanks for saving me, gave me her contact info, and promised to visit sometimes.
Still, in my situation, they expect me to just say "Yes, ma'am" and live with monsters? What a joke. I snorted just thinking about it.
That's when I was sneaking through the corridors, wriggling my body through the tiny gaps only I could fit into.
The servants around me reached out to grab me, but when I yelled, "Don't touch a boy so roughly!" their flustered faces were hilarious. And when I teared up a little and whimpered all pure and innocent-like, the chasing servants would bow and apologize nonstop. What a sight.
...It didn't really suit my personality, but I hated the lessons those girls got. It was an unavoidable trade-off.
"Hoo, I hate monsters. They made me suffer so much! Hmph."
My feelings hadn't changed a bit. I hated monsters, and I hated being dressed up like some girl. This robe I was wearing? I'd planned to just wear a sleeveless top, but I got warned that no young boy could wear something so indecent, so I threw this on.
In some places, if a boy didn't cover his whole body, the guards would beat him. Crazy.
Lost in all sorts of random thoughts, I slipped out through the side door made just for me under the main gate.
Leaving behind the mansion filled with its dark, eerie, sacred aura, a vast green lawn stretched out before me, filling my vision.
"Freedom!"
Out of the castle now—no one would find me easily, no matter where I ran. I giggled and skipped lightly across the grass.
For the past year, even a little running would twist my ankle or give me stomach pains and coughing fits. But now? Not a problem.
All thanks to Leaf, I guess.
...Thinking about her suddenly made me miss her. My chest felt a little tight for no reason.
Now that I was truly alone, it hit me—lonely, empty, even scary. I was just a kid, someone who needed protection, out here by myself.
It's all my fault, but no—it's their fault for trying to teach me that stuff and making me run away.
With perfect self-justification done for the day, I nodded in satisfaction and frolicked across the lawn.
Before I knew it, I'd reached a clearing. Hopping my little body up onto the fence, I spotted Mom in the center, swinging her sword in a precise, elegant form.
"Mommy!"
I waved my arms big and called out to her. I'd been lonely, but seeing her softened my mood right up.
"Hm? Kael's voice? It's general ed time now... hallucination?"
"I'm right here! Mommy!"
"Wha— not a hallucination— Kael!"
That's when my precarious perch on the fence gave out, and I tumbled down. Her eyes locked on my freefall, blazing with intensity.
In an instant, Mom's body blurred like raindrops scattering, then exploded forward like lightning.
"Nngh."
"Kael! Are you okay?! Why are you here? You almost got hurt!"
Mom caught me in a flash, panting as words tumbled out.
"And how many times have I told you—a boy can't just wear a single robe like that."
"Ehehe... uh, oh! I, I missed you so much I forgot, Mommy. Even in general ed class, I missed you so much..."
"......"
I acted all cutesy while melting into her arms, her unique clean, clear aura and scent melting away my tension in seconds. I rubbed my cheek against her sleeveless top, where her flushed skin and pale complexion peeked through, playing up the aegyo.
"...Kael Elion. Didn't I tell you that as a man of the Elion family, you must uphold dignity and modesty? Only by following etiquette can a boy mature properly."
"Nng... but I'm the hero's son! I only act like this in front of you, Mommy..."
"......"
Mom pinched my nose, scolding me. But when I puffed out my cheeks and buried my face in her soft, ample chest, whining desperately, she looked down into my pleading eyes. After a moment, she smoothed my hair and held me more comfortably.
Hehe, Mom was giving in now—no class for today—
"Still, skipping class means you get punished. Lately I haven't laid a hand on you, and it's made your boyish mindset sloppy. This time, I'll teach you from start to finish myself."
"Hii, hiiing!!"
Her cold gaze looked down on me. For a split second, she overlapped with the image from my past life—the game where she slaughtered monsters.
Scary. Waaah. I'm baby Kael. Kael, don't hate me.
......
And so I was dragged to Mom's office. I got a solid scolding for a while.
"Mommy told you—outside, don't call me Mommy. Call me Lady Patriarch or Hero."
"Yesss..."
"And no matter how much you like Mommy, is skipping class okay? No?"
"Nooo..."
Sitting on her lap, I hung my head at her icy tone. I whimpered like a frail girl from the movies, reciting her words.
I'm a good boy who listens well. Good kids... get forgiven quick.
But against my hopes, Mom's expression didn't soften at all. Her intimate tone when we were alone was the same, but her cold face made me hiccup a few times. I turned and hugged her waist tight.
"I love you the most in the world! I'd die without you, Mommy!"
"......"
"Don't go off to marry someone else, okay? I don't want anyone but you! You're the best in the world!"
"......"
"Mommy... I think you're the best in the world, but do you hate Kael...?"
After rounds of aegyo, a tiny change appeared in Mom. When I mixed in a sniffle at the end, her frozen eyes finally glistened.
Hmph. See? Humans are weak to aegyo! Especially since she's Mom.
In my past life, there was "daddy's girl," but here it's "mommy's boy."
Perfect crisis aversion.
"You're still too young for marriage, Kael."
"Then you'll marry me when I grow up?"
"...By then, you'll find a good wife yourself. Speaking of, several ducal houses have been eyeing you."
"Wha?! Isn't that super dangerous?!"
"They're obviously going to propose an engagement. You're the only son among my children."
Mom covered her mouth and coughed lightly. Then she listed some family names—from the famed "Cardion" house from the monster wars to the northern "Brukarn" family.
I'd seen them in the game from my past life, so they weren't unfamiliar. Cardion produced berserker types who bulldozed with brute force. Brukarn had the absurdly overpowered Northern Duke character—I'd used her a ton.
"Mommy, weren't you close with the Brukarn Northern Duke?"
"Hm? Oh, yes. You know well. Back in my hero days, she supported me a lot. Come to think of it, we promised that if we had kids, we'd marry them off."
"Wha?! What does that mean?!"
"Hey, a boy must be modest. Your voice is too loud."
...What? I'd asked because in the game, the hero—aka my mom—was besties with the Northern Duke, but what was this?
—Knock knock.
I sat there dumbfounded, mouth agape, when a knock sounded at the office door. Mom's softened expression hardened instantly.
"State your position."
"It's the Head Housekeeper, Hero."
"Enter."
With permission, the door opened, and the Head Housekeeper came in. I flinched—no head—but remembering she was a Dullahan calmed me quick.
...Yup, head at her waist.
She glanced at me on Mom's lap, about to speak, but shut her mouth seeing Mom right there.
She'd probably nag about my state—why just a robe? Heh. Serves her right.
"The second young lady has arrived. The third says she'll be back soon."
"I see. I thought the academy was a four-year course... early graduation?"
"Yes, so it seems."
"Alright."
I listened quietly to the Head Housekeeper and Mom, nodding along.
In my past life, the story ended with Mom defeating the Demon King, so no info on kids. But rummaging through Kael's memories, I knew I had sisters. The eldest had finished academy and was in the imperial upper echelons. Second and third were still students.
"Isn't early graduation super hard?"
"Well, I graduated top of my class early. And they're my daughters—failing to do so would be weirder."
"Ooh..."
In the game, inheriting just one of her talents would make anyone OP. And from Kael's memories, his sisters were idols who always strived hardest to seize victories. Of course, sickly Kael spent most time bedridden, so he rarely saw it.
"I don't remember well. I wanna see them soon."
"...Don't get your hopes up. They're... well, not quite what you think. Pretty distant, actually."
"Huh?"
At the time, I had no clue what she meant.
......
And soon enough, a commotion stirred somewhere.
I took after Mom's looks, but apparently her hearing too.
—Bang!
"Patriarch! I'm home!"
A woman burst in, slamming the door. Her short, pure-white hair matched mine perfectly at a glance.
"Urgh! Whew, thought I'd die from motion sickness. Long time no see, but nothing's changed. Anyway, Kael..."
She scanned the room, smirked, then looked at Mom—then at me, head patted, sitting on her lap.
Her muttering lips clamped shut.
Kael's memories were faint, so I didn't recognize instantly, but I could guess from traits. My most energetic sister, closest to a "tomboy" by past-life standards.
Had to be Serdi.
"Wh-whoaaa!! K-Kael...?! I-is that really Kael?!"
?
She covered her mouth with both hands, staggering forward. Then...
She hooked hands under my armpits and hoisted me up.
"No way! How'd you get even cuter while I was gone?! How's the pain? All better?! Wow, you're so pretty, seriously! I bet I graduated early just for you!!"
"S-sis?! Ack! Don't hug so tight... your hair tickles! It hurts...!"
Why this all of a sudden? My body's still weak!