Chapter 10 - Princess and the Teddy Bear (2)

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In truth, my acceptance of Adele didn't solve all the problems.

For one thing, Adele wasn't born to father's second wife; she was clearly illegitimate, the product of an extramarital affair before my mother's death.

As a clear illegitimate child, she held no legal rights within the family. She bore neither the Reed name nor the right of succession. She likely hadn't even been baptized.

In this world, the way for illegitimate children to live is to hone their abilities and enter the vassal of another family, and if they do not have the ability to do so, they may have to take up menial jobs that nobles do not do.

Only a small number of them who have good relations with their main family may receive a small title.

And Adele had the fortune to belong to this small minority.

"Maybe we should give her a small title later," I said, "because she'll need her own when she comes of age."

In addition to the Earldom of Reed, my family held several minor titles, such as Baron Gross and Baron Palmer.

And I was thinking of giving some of these to Adele in the future; I got a cute little sister, that's the least I can do.

The issue of her being an illegitimate child mattered little to me; it was an unrelated concern.

"Edwin...!"

My father was almost out of breath with excitement. I hope he doesn't suddenly collapse from a heart attack...that could be a problem. Adele, of course, but I too still needed Father at this point in my life.

"More than that, Father, there's something I need to say."

"Yes, what is it? Whatever it is, say it."

I took a step back, and knelt on the floor. Surprised by my sudden behavior, my father looked puzzled and asked, "Edwin, what are you doing all of a sudden?"

"Father, I have nothing to say, as I broke off the engagement on my own and was suspended from the academy. However, after experiencing these events, I have also reflected on my life so far. I promise, from this point forward, I will not cause any more trouble, so can you please trust me one more time? If I go back to the academy, I will definitely graduate without causing any problems this time."

I poured forth the words I had prepared for Father. While part of it was indeed an act to gain his trust, another part was heartfelt.

This man had single-handedly raised me without a motherly figure in the household, leading the family through tumultuous times.

"...Rise," Father said after a moment of silence. He grasped my arm and helped me to my feet.

His voice was laden with moisture, "...Looking back, I've always felt remorseful for what you've been through. You lost your mother at a young age, you were never properly cared for, and I pushed through your engagement to Robinette on my own initiative, claiming it was for your own good, but I sometimes wondered if it was making you worse."

He paused for a moment, then looked at me and continued.

"When I heard that you broke off your engagement and were suspended from the Academy, I honestly couldn't help but worry. But now I see that my fears were unwarranted. Edwin, what was the point of all that, when you've grown into such a fine young man and shown such warmth to your younger sibling... What more could I possibly desire? And as for your late mother, she can now rest in peace, knowing her son has finally come of age. Edwin, even if I pass away now..."

No, you can not die...You have to live a long and healthy life, Father.

"Edwin, and I want you to know this one thing. I've worried about you, but I have never doubted you, not even once. You're my child, and Grace's, so I had to believe you. I have always been certain that someday you would end your wanderings and return. Now that the day has finally arrived, I can't stop smiling!" my father's words echoed in my ears.

As I listened to my father's words, I couldn't help but feel a slight pang of emotion. To think that I had a father like him and yet I put him through so much worry despite his unwavering support. The time that I had wasted was indeed regrettable, but dwelling on it would serve no purpose. I had to make the most of the time ahead and live without regrets.

"Well, let's stop here for now. It seems talking with my son after such a long time has stirred up quite an appetite in me. Adele must be waiting for us as well, so I should instruct the servants to prepare dinner. While they do that, you should freshen up. The bath water should be warm by now."

I couldn't agree more. I longed for a thorough bath after the journey here. Magic could only do so much, and nothing could compare to the real thing. I nodded in agreement, and my father rang the bell on his desk to summon the servants.

Roberta, the maid, knocked on the door, "You have called, my lord."

"Tell Erol to prepare a feast for dinner. More delicately than usual, to suit Edwin and Adele's tastes. And escort Edwin to the baths."

Roberta nodded, "Yes, my lord," and started to leave the door ahead of me. I thanked my father and followed her out of the study.

As I walked out of the study, I glanced to the side and saw Hudson, the butler, standing there, his normally white cheeks flushed red. As if he had been crying. No way...

"...Hudson."

"...Yes, my Lord…," Hudson blew his nose once, then answered me.

"Did you hear it?"

"...I don't know what you're talking about, my Lord. A servant is not supposed to eavesdrop on his master's conversations."

...He definitely heard it. I hadn't realized there was an audience for the theatrics I'd just performed, and the thought that someone might have been listening made me feel a surge of embarrassment.

I didn't have to look in the mirror, but I'm sure my face was flushed red.

"My Lord...this Hudson always believed that one day you would grow up...and to witness it with my own eyes like this, I am overwhelmed with emotion..."

"Hudson, please don't interrupt Master when he's going to take a bath. What are you doing, getting so worked up at your age?" Roberta cut off Hudson's words, but despite her stern tone, there was a hint of amusement on her face.

Well, this is more than I deserve. It's only natural for them to react this way...

Leaving Hudson behind, who was still talking nonsense, I followed Roberta's lead to the bathroom.

***

After bathing, the family gathered in the banquet hall to enjoy a long-awaited feast. The table was lavishly set, as my father had requested, but it was a little disappointing to realize that I was very limited in what I could eat as I was trying to lose weight.

I relegated carbohydrates like bread to the corner and filled my stomach with meat and vegetables, which were lightly seasoned.

"So, what are you going to do until you get back to the academy?"

"Like I said, I think I'll take some time to recharge. I'd like to take a look around the estate, since it's been a while, and if Father will allow it, I'd like to attend one of the family meetings, since I'm getting a little curious about how things are going."

"That's a very good idea! Yes, you should know now. I was just about to bring it up. So, that's what you'll do. There is a meeting scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, so you can attend that."

"I understand, Father. I will not disappoint you."

"Disappoint me? No. It's a great experience just to be there, so don't feel obligated. And... Hey, Adele. You need to eat your food without being picky."

My father, who had been chatting with me for a while, suddenly turned his gaze slightly toward Adele and gently reprimanded her.

Adele's plate, which had meat and vegetable stir-fry, had plenty of peppers and carrots left on it, and Adele was looking down at them with a sullen face. She must still be a child and doesn't like vegetables?

"Fa...Father…," Adele stiffly called out to Father, her eyes filled with pleading.

"Adele. You are now a young lady of the second rank of nobility, a young lady of an earl. But how can you face your subordinates if you are so picky? Come on, try to eat them one by one slowly, and you'll be able to finish them all soon."

Despite Adele's pleas, her father's will was unyielding.

His tone was softly soothing, but in the end, he just wants her to stop complaining about her side dishes and eat them. I thought he was weak to his children, but he is so determined in this way, I can't understand it.

She sat there, her feet fidgeting. Perhaps now was the time for me to intervene as the kind older brother.

"Ah...!"

While my father was talking to the butler and looking away for a moment, I quickly swapped my plate, which had a few pieces of meat and a single piece of pepper, with Adele's plate.

Then, Adele's face, which had been all sullen, suddenly lit up.

I put my finger to my lips to make a "shhh!" gesture to Adele, and then whispered to her in a voice that would not be heard by my father, who was sitting at the head of the table.

"Just this time, okay? Adele? I'll eat the rest of the vegetables, so just try to eat this pepper, just one piece, today. This is a secret from Father, okay?"

"Yes...B...b...big brother! Hehehe..."

To think that she could be so happy that I would eat the vegetables for her. Seeing Adele giggling, my heart also melted.

She tried to swallow the bell pepper with water, but she ended up choking and had a coughing fit.

It's clear that this child has a long way to go before she's used to vegetables.

If you want to read the first 25 chapters for free and read up to the final chapter for a cheap price patreon.com/Makima02