Chapter 82
Chapter 82
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: Look-Alike
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“How about it, Sien?”
At Grand Duke Sebastian’s words, I whispered in a trembling voice.
“P-Perfect!”
Because inside this warehouse…!
There was a brazier perfect for roasting a whole hog barbecue, and a pig!
I gaped at the pig, whose blood was just starting to trickle.
“S-So, Dad, you prepared the pig yourself?”
Dad, who couldn’t even stand the sight of blood, must have done it for me. I whipped around to him in shock, and Dad let out a hearty laugh.
“I was planning to secretly throw you a whole hog barbecue party myself.”
“I had no idea, Dad! You should’ve kept it a secret all the way!”
“Surprise parties are the best, right?”
“Uh-huh……”
I let my shoulders slump all the way down with a sigh.
But it also felt a little strange. The moment I opened the warehouse door, it seemed like Grand Duke Sebastian had made a metallic click from something in his hand.
I tilted my head.
‘What was that? Something feels off……’
But then a naive thought bubbled up: Did I really need to suspect my dad that much?
‘There’s no way Dad’s hiding anything from me. And even if he is, it’d be something good.’
Dad was the type who valued no secrets between family and harmony above all. So if he was hiding something, it surely couldn’t be anything bad.
Having rationalized Dad’s actions as best I could, I beamed at him innocently.
“Alright then, let’s have a barbecue party when everyone wakes up later, Dad! Uncle!”
Only then did Dad’s expression smooth out with a bit of sparkle.
“Yeah, Sien. Now hurry back inside and get some sleep.”
“Mm-hmm!”
I scampered back outside.
I decided to forget about Dad’s overly flustered look.
***
After Sien left, Grand Duke Sebastian shrugged at his friend staring at him.
“I heard rumors she was putting on airs, so I helped out a bit. How was it?”
“…I didn’t need your help.”
The moment Sien turned away, Matthias’s face hardened coldly.
Seeing him make that icy expression even at his old friend after so long was just like Matthias Mirmod. Sebastian burst into a hearty laugh.
“Well, whatever. Let’s say that’s the case.”
“Long time no see.”
“This place feels like home. You’re the only one who welcomes me, Matthias.”
As they closed the warehouse door and headed up to the drawing room, Matthias said lowly.
“…Don’t get too comfortable here like it’s your house.”
Even so, he could tell those words held the fondness from their old friendship. Sebastian smirked.
‘Warmer than my own father.’
A few hours earlier, he had returned to the imperial palace unofficially. No lavish bouquets or celebratory parades.
Arriving in the capital before evening, he first paid a brief courtesy call to the emperor.
The emperor glanced impassively at his own son, Grand Duke Sebastian, then said curtly.
That he had summoned him, but wouldn’t back him in the succession struggle. So don’t covet the throne.
Then he retreated to his bedroom as if tired. It was the epitome of an emotionless father-son bond.
So the imperial palace wasn’t home to him. Just an uncomfortable noose.
Striding after Matthias, who opened the drawing room door briskly, he said nonchalantly.
“This isn’t my home. But you’re here.”
They set a single bottle of strong liquor on the table and talked.
“Long time no see.”
“Your scars have multiplied.”
“Medals from brutal frontline battles.”
Matthias raised his glass in a mock toast.
“Planning to take the emperor’s seat?”
“I’ve been thinking about it. Father doesn’t seem too fond of me, though.”
“Good.”
A sly smile curled on Matthias’s lips.
“I’ve been wanting to strike the imperial palace. And the temple too.”
Sebastian frowned. His friend, whom he hadn’t seen in ages, had gone even madder. And it suited him.
“Tell me the full plan later. For now, shake off the travel fatigue.”
He chuckled dryly, brushing back his hair. They passed the bottle back and forth with liquor so potent it burned their throats, the night stretching endlessly.
Just like old times with an old friend.
***
The next morning at breakfast.
It was just me, Grand Duke Sebastian, and Dad sitting across from each other.
I was sleepy after rubbing the sleep from my eyes and washing my face like a cat before joining, but I discovered something amazing.
‘He looks just like Asid!’
I widened my eyes in shock, and Grand Duke Sebastian smiled as if used to it.
“Scared by the scars on my face?”
I shook my head vigorously.
“No, the scars make you look cool, like a pirate captain!”
I dove into the appetizers that came right out.
Grand Duke Sebastian fell silent for a moment before speaking.
“Thank you, little lady.”
I giggled, then realized his voice sounded like Asid’s too. It was uncanny.
How could strangers look and sound so alike?
He’d probably look even more like Asid without the eyepatch.
And right then, someone spoke up in a choked voice.
“…Sien.”
It was Dad.
I turned to him without thinking.
What unfolded before me was shocking.
‘Dad—timid Dad of all people—is furrowing his brows?’
Those brows only came out when Dad was deeply hurt. It was an emergency.
“D-Dad. Why that face?”
Whenever Dad made that face, I had to pat him and soothe his tender heart for minutes—no, dozens of minutes.
The longest “patting session” had lasted a full two hours. I had to cheer him up before he got more hurt and sulky.
“So, what about me, then?”
“…Huh?”
“Am I not cool?”
‘I should’ve said Dad was cool too!’
Come to think of it, ever since joining this villainous Mirmod family, I hadn’t praised Dad as much as before.
I smiled softly and grabbed Dad’s arm tight. To save face for him.
“Our Dad’s cool too!”
A faint smile spread on Dad’s lips. A happy smile, as if he owned the world.
“Really? How cool?”
“The coolest in the world!”
Dad grinned ear to ear.
Until Grand Duke Sebastian, who’d been watching us silently, burst into mad laughter.
***
As breakfast ended, Matthias and Sebastian had to leave Sien in the dining hall due to an unexpected imperial edict from the emperor.
Sien had said stoutly that she’d finish her milk and head out right away, and Matthias had gently stroked her hair before leaving.
But the moment they turned the corner in the corridor, a familiar boy appeared before him.
“What is it?”
It was Asid.
“I-I have something I want to show Sien……”
Asid bit his lip in distress.
He’d just come looking for her out of habit because she wasn’t there. Feeling oddly anxious.
Matthias stared straight into Asid’s eyes. When their gazes met, Asid truly felt how small he was.
Soon, Matthias spoke as if he’d rifled through the boy’s mind.
“I told you to protect Sien. Never to like her.”
“Huh?”
Matthias chuckled dryly and walked past him.
“If you don’t know yet, stay ignorant.”
Asid bit his lip hard, watching Matthias’s retreating back.
Matthias Mirmod seemed to know the name of this inexplicable feeling he harbored for Sien.
He stood still in the corridor and bowed his head slightly.
‘I want to know what this feeling is.’
But Matthias was gone.
Grand Duke Sebastian took his place. He’d followed right behind Matthias but paused at the short boy by the door.
“Huh?”
“H-Hello. I’m Asid.”
Was it the same hair color, same eye color?
They looked even more alike than Ted. To be precise, Grand Duke Sebastian looked like an adult Asid.
“You’re that healer kid. I heard the stories. Word spread like wildfire in the capital.”
Grand Duke Sebastian smiled warmly and ruffled Asid’s hair. Asid kept a stiff face and nodded curtly.
“…Yes, but.”
“Uh……”
“Then, if you’ll excuse me.”
Asid bowed rigidly and brushed past Sebastian into the dining hall.
The boy and the man passed each other like that.
With no promise of when they’d meet again.
***
The next day at lunchtime, in the cafeteria of the Imperial Children’s Academy.
Now that I’d enrolled in the Imperial Children’s Academy, it was time to fulfill my purpose here. I set down my bread and clenched my fist.
‘I need to build connections to protect the Mirmods. Specifically, ones to back Sien and Matthias Mirmod.’
Dad had become a duke, but years in seclusion meant he sorely lacked networks.
‘Above all, ordinary connections won’t cut it against the temple.’
Melodia and the pope had set off on the Path of Light, but they’d surely return someday. And if my hunch was right, they’d find something crucial on the Path of Light, grow even stronger, and come back.
‘I need someone who can properly confront and deal with those two.’
And right here in the Imperial Children’s Academy was a talent Melodia coveted in [Melodia’s Life].
Immense holy power, formidable swordsmanship, and above all, incredible willpower!
I heard he was my age, but knowing only his name and basic info, I had no clue how to find him—or befriend him once I did.
I took a bite of bread and turned to Leonhardt beside me.
“Hey, Leonhardt.”
“Yeah? What?”
“I’ve got a question. How do you make friends?”
Leonhardt flashed his innocent cheeky grin.
“Huh? We can’t make friends.”
“Why not?”
“‘Cause we’re Mirmods. Look around even now. The cafeteria’s packed, but no one near us!”
“…You like that?!”
I suddenly felt Leonhardt’s wickedness.
‘This little kid who’s like my brother is sad about having no friends, and he’s grinning like that?’
This was blatant moral decay.
“Don’t worry. You’ve got me, Leonhardt! Honey bread!”
I hurriedly clamped my hand over his mouth before he could yell my five-year-old nickname too loudly.