With the help of Wolf, who rushed in next, my father quickly tied up my uncle.
Behind him were the rest of the Rankrats family, including my aunt, Krinum, and the butler, some of whom looked confused as to what had happened.
Once all the people involved (except my uncle, of course) had settled in the living room, the whole story was explained to me as follows.
First of all, why was my father at the Rankrats residence at this time?
In fact, my father was originally planning to return here tonight after his work in the royal capital (his job was to escort guests at an evening party). He told me he would be back tomorrow morning because he didn’t think he would be able to return before I went to sleep after finishing another errand.
The other business was to have a private chat with my aunt who was waiting for him at the Duke of Lilia’s mansion.
That said, it wasn’t actually a rendezvous.
Apparently my aunt insisted on telling him, and the contents of the story were a confession of her crimes, from what she had done to Shade to how my uncle was determined to go ahead with Shade’s marriage.
My father was apparently furious at my uncle’s idea, and rushed to the Rankrats residence in the middle of the night, determined to punch my uncle in the face.
As for Wolf, he was kicked out of the house by my uncle after we parted ways that night. This is ridiculous. To kick out a ten-year-old boy, Wolf, the son of the Prime Minister and a Viscount, out of the house in the middle of the night. This is completely unreasonable in many ways.
However, Wolf proved to be quite a determined man, and after giving up and pretending to stay at an inn in town, he later turned back and tried to break into the mansion.
He went to my room first, but it was empty. My father and aunt met him there.
Wolf: “There’s no lycoris!”
Dad: “What? I can’t see Narcissus either.”
Aunt: “Shade’s not here either! Could it be that he’s trying to force the two of them into a marriage?”
Apparently there was a conversation like this.
My aunt’s ideas are crazy.
But maybe not as bad as being chased around in the middle of the night and being told to “give me your eyes.”
Krinum appeared and testified that she had heard some kind of clattering noise coming from the attic. It turned out that the servants who were staying in the separate building had gradually started to gather and were heading straight for the attic.
In other words.
Apparently a misunderstanding played a part in my father hitting my uncle without asking any questions.
My father is just so wonderful. It was really cool to see him efficiently give instructions to the servants of the Rankrats mansion in between conversations.
By the way, throughout the whole story, Shade was wrapped up in a blanket with a hot drink in his hand, while I was wrapped up in a blanket and sat on my father’s lap the whole time.
Wolf looked at me with some envy, but for now I didn’t want to give up my position, even if it was Wolf. I’m sorry, Wolf.
“Thank you so much for helping me, Dad.”
When I thanked him again, my father smiled shyly.
“Well, actually, I didn’t think you’d call me at that time. I was happy.”
“That time?”
“Right before I jumped into the attic.”
Come to think of it, I might have said it. Or rather, I probably did say it. “Father, help me!” or something.
Embarrassed by my own childish behavior, I pressed my face into my father’s neck.
“You don’t have to look like that. I’m a grown man and a father, after all. I was just one step ahead of the others.”
I wondered what he meant, and realized that my father’s words were directed at Wolf.
“I appreciate your concern. However, I was unable to be of any help to her this time.”
It’s Wolf.
It was only half a day ago that he saved me from the Shade, so maybe he’d forgotten about it.
To help him remember, I decided to explain to my father how cool Wolf had been as a knight.
And so, as I spoke with my father and Wolf, I realized that at last the terrible storm had passed.
Soon, Krinum was supported by my aunt as she left the room. She bowed her head apologetically to me as she left, and I felt light-hearted. I would be very happy if our friendship were to be restored.
Even after settling in the room, Krinum doesn’t seem to talk to Shade or approach him. It’s hard to tell if that’s because she’s rejecting him or is confused.
I understand that my aunt suffered a lot because of my uncle, but what she did to Shade was wrong.
What will Krinum and my aunt do? It will be up to them to decide, but I’m sure my father will be happy to help, and there may be something I can do.
And Shade, who was also being urged out of the room by the butler, suddenly came trudgeing over to me, for some reason.
Perhaps because of the blanket wrapped around his body, blood was returning to his cheeks and lips.
I got off my father’s lap to greet him.
Shade turned to my father first and bowed politely.
“Duke Lilia, thank you for your help earlier.”
“Well, you’ve been through a lot. I hope you can get some sleep now.”
Shade laughs awkwardly. His fingers are so thin as he grips the blanket tightly, it almost looks painful.
(yeah?)
“Licorice. I’m so sorry for getting you involved. At the time, I couldn’t think of anyone else I could rely on but you…”
“…No. It’s not your fault or anything.”
“Thank you. I shudder to think what would have happened if you hadn’t been there. I-If I were alone, by now…”
Shade seemed frightened by some unrealistic thought and took one of his hands out from under the blanket and reached out towards me. I was confused, but I grabbed it and told him it was okay.
As someone who experienced that terror with them, I understand how frightening it must have been.
At that moment, my father, who had been listening to our conversation, let out a somewhat excited voice.
“In front of the younger kids, Licorice is a proper big sister. They dress alike and are both so cute. The two of them stand side by side like angels.”
What an unexpected surprise.
A spontaneous statement?
By the way, “dress alike” refers to this awkward appearance with a blanket draped over us.
Before I could say anything, Wolf gave my father a firm warning.
“Duke Lilia. He uses charm magic. Please be careful.”
I nodded in agreement. Even after what a horrific experience he had been through, Shade’s attitude was too noble.
“It’s okay. Charm magic doesn’t work on me.”
My father said it so decisively that everyone, including Wolf and Shade, opened their eyes in shock.
“Even though I may look like this, I was an honor student at the magic school. I was well behaved and had the aptitude, so I was allowed to use charm magic. But I don’t think I’d risk making people suspicious of me. …Magic only shows its true value when it’s used at the most critical moment and without anyone knowing.”
Saying this, my father smiled at Shade with a very gentle smile. Shade’s expression turned confused.
“Oh, don’t get me wrong, Lycoris. I have never used unnecessary magic in my private life, and I never will in the future. When it comes to magic that affects the mind, it distorts human relationships. If you all study sincerely at the academy, I’m sure you will understand the meaning of using magic with purpose and reason.”
Does that mean he uses it moderately for work? My father is involved in diplomacy, after all.
It’s a little scary, so should I just not ask?
I nodded to my father’s words as I made some arrangements in my mind.
Now, Shade.
He stepped back a little, putting some distance between him and my father.
Perhaps this was the first time he had met someone against whom his magic had no effect.
Still, he doesn’t turn around and run away, but stays.
“What will become of me?”
“I also feel responsible for what your father and mother did to you in this house. I am sorry. On that note, I would like to introduce you to a reliable person to take care of you…”
“Is it difficult?”
When I interjected, my father laughed awkwardly.
“The truth is, if we leave him in the care of a relative who is not very good at his job, we might end up with another Narcissus.”
My face twitched.
“Dad, stop joking.”
“I’m not kidding…”
As he spoke, my father stared intently into Shade’s red eyes.
I am despairing at the sordid state of my family’s relatives.
“Of course, there are still families we can trust. But unfortunately, in those cases, taking care of you puts them in the middle of a conundrum.”
“Why don’t you just try and find a house that has no blood ties to him at all?”
“That would surely cause a lot of backlash. It would mean putting the ‘Red of the Duke of Lilia House’ out in the open.”
My father said this with a bit of sarcasm.
“But Father, if that’s the case…”
“We have almost no options. I mean… we could take him in.”
Hearing my father’s words, I had my thoughts directed to the game character “Shade.”
Huh? “Shade” was “Licorice’s” stepbrother? No, if that was the setting, I would remember it no matter what. So, does this mean that the story unfolded differently from the game?
But I just thought about it, I couldn’t remember the family name of “Shade” in the game at all. It’s not a problem with my memory, but I think he doesn’t call himself by his family name in the game. Even in the character introduction, he was just introduced as “Shade”… or so I thought.
I would love it if this unfolded differently from how it played out in the game, but I’m not sure.
Once again, I was reminded that “Shade” is a character who doesn’t talk about himself. Secretive characters are annoying!
Despite my confusion, it was Wolf who raised a loud voice of opposition.
“No way! Lycoris was almost manipulated by him!”
The momentum was so strong that I even thought, “Huh? If this plan falls through because of Wolf’s opposition, then has all my agonizing been for nothing?”
“Of course. If Lycoris is against it, then it’s a different story. There’s also the issue of title, and to be honest, this is a troublesome option in itself.”
My father, Wolf, and Shade all looked at me.
It seems like it’s up to me whether Shade can be welcomed into our home. Stop it.
“…What do you want, Shade?”
He was being manipulated by adults due to my various circumstances, but I also turned my attention to the fact that he was a rather tricky person who was also manipulating those around him.
“I don’t need a title. But…”
Shade hesitated, then went quiet, but at least it was clear that he wasn’t opposed to the suggestion.
Even if it was a process of elimination, it may be Shade’s only option.
“At your mother’s place…?”
“My mother is no longer where we used to live.”
Ah.
Is that so? He knows that his mother, who handed him over to his father, has already run away with another man.
He can no longer rely on either of his parents.
Shade is much shorter than me, and when he looks down all I can see is the crown of his head.
Then, as a chain reaction, I began to remember him in that attic, hunched over and trembling…
When he cast the charm spell on me, I thought I would never get close to him again. During our escape, I probably exposed a weakness that Shade couldn’t hide.
I glanced at Wolf from the side. He looked a little sulky, and I guess he knew how I felt. I told him, “I’m sorry,” moving only my lips.
“Oh, by the way, Shade. First of all, I have to ask the Association to seal your magical power.”
Shade glared at me as if he was about to click his tongue at my words.
“What’s with that look on your face? Isn’t it obvious? Even if Father is fine with it, I’m not.”
“…This power is my lifeline.”
“But you don’t know how to use that magic.”
“…………”
“Well, I know you’re worried, but if you come to our house, Father and I will give you new powers.”
Shade makes a perplexed face.
“A new power, huh?”
“That’s right. It’s all about knowledge and technique!”
Boom!
I thought I said something good, but Shade’s reaction was lukewarm.
“Such a mundane thing is equivalent to the power I’m going to lose?”
I get annoyed by his mocking remarks.
“Far from being equal, you have much greater potential. For example, if you run away from here now, you may be able to use that magic as much as you want from now on, but can you be sure that you won’t make the same mistake you did to Krinum? If you run away from the association, that means you won’t be able to learn about magic at the academy, you know?”
Shade was unable to refute and remained silent, but then muttered a retort.
“…………An argumentative woman.”
“What are you talking about?! I’m telling you, you underestimate women a bit. You probably think, ‘If I just show a sad face or smile a bit, I’ll get them’. It pisses me off so much!”
“That’s a false accusation.”
“That’s a lie. He definitely thinks he has the best looks. He’s so self-conscious that he doesn’t face his partner properly, so he turns into a sissy who can’t even show proper affection to the person he cares about!”
“…Seriously, that’s a false accusation.”
“Oh? Are you angry? Do you have any idea?”
At that moment, we glared at each other from close range.
Clap clap.
I turned towards the sound of clapping and saw my father smiling.
“It’s good to see that you two get along so well.”
Wolf approached me silently and, without a word, took my hand and led me away from Shade.
And so, one more member of our family was added to our house.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and thank you for reading!
