Chapter 56
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Chapter 56
"Pardon?"
My eyes widened at Gillian's sudden request for my opinion.
What was he thinking, asking for my thoughts on everything?
"Miss Rilprey?"
"Ah, yes. I will not send Lucian to the Imperial Capital. As Count Thersel said, the outcome after his power is verified is far too predictable."
Lucian was still far too young to join such dangerous work as monster subjugation. At least for now, he needed to remain in the embrace of family.
"Then I shall convey your decision to the Duke as you have stated."
With Gillian's words, the lengthy retainer's meeting came to an end. It was a far more anticlimactic conclusion than I'd anticipated.
'I was certain the retainers would quarrel amongst themselves for quite some time.'
That Gillian would actually respect my opinion was unexpected.
I suddenly felt the weight of the power the Duke had entrusted to me.
The retainers who would normally have told me not to meddle in another house's affairs remained silent, which only reinforced it further.
"Miss Rilprey."
Power truly is a wonderful thing, I thought as I rose from my seat—only for Gillian to stop me.
* * *
"Where is Miss Rilprey?"
"She is attending a retainer's meeting."
"I see...."
At Riley's answer, Claude's shoulders visibly sagged.
He had planned to take her for a walk, using the pleasant weather as an excuse.
'I suppose I'll have to watch the children until it's over.'
Claude immediately turned toward the Playroom where the children were.
'Why is it so quiet today?'
The Playroom, which should have been filled with the sounds of things being knocked over and destroyed, was unusually silent.
Claude quietly opened the door and found three children sitting in a circle with their heads bent together.
Claude bent at the waist to look down at them.
"Wouldn't glue work?"
"It falls off when it gets wet."
"Then just don't get it wet."
"Are you not going to wash Luto? It's so filthy like this."
Among the children lay the rabbit doll that Lucella had given to Lucian yesterday.
"What are you all talking about?"
"Uncle!"
At Claude's call, Amelia lifted her head. Her small hands were full of colorful buttons.
"Where did you get all those buttons?"
"To give Luto eyes."
"Luto?"
"Yes. Lucian's rabbit, shortened to Luto!"
Amelia pointed to Lucian's rabbit doll. It appeared the toy had already been given the name Luto.
"So that's why you mentioned using glue to attach it."
"Yes."
"But doll eyes shouldn't be glued on. They need to be sewn with thread to stay secure and attached properly."
"I see."
Only then did the three children nod in understanding.
"But Aunt said we shouldn't touch sharp things carelessly."
"Right. The teachers said the same thing—always call an adult when using scissors or knives."
"An adult...."
Three pairs of eyes turned toward Claude in unison.
"...Why are you looking at me?"
Lucian held out Luto toward the bewildered Claude.
"Would you do it for us?"
"No, your uncle can't do things like that."
It was Amelia who stopped Lucian.
"How could someone who's only ever wielded a sword his whole life manage something like sewing?"
Everything Amelia said was true. Claude had never held a needle in his entire life.
Yet for some reason, her words stung his pride.
"Is that so?"
Watching Lucian take back Luto without hesitation only made it worse.
"Who says I can't sew?"
"You can?"
"Of course."
Claude lifted his chin proudly.
"A sword and a needle are fundamentally similar in nature. Both require precision and delicate handling."
"Ooh."
None of the children understood the word "fundamentally," but the impressive word choice made them look up to Claude with admiration.
"You're right. A sword draws blood when it pierces, and a needle does too."
"They're both dangerous objects in that way?"
"Then Uncle must be really good at sewing. Since needles are like swords."
"Exactly."
"Then you should attach Luto's eyes for us!"
Lucian jumped up and thrust the doll toward Claude.
"Wait, hold on...."
"Please bring a needle and thread!"
He had no chance to make excuses. Amelia immediately called for a maid, and before long, a sewing kit was pressed into Claude's hands.
"You can do it, right?"
"Uncle is an amazing swordsman after all!"
Sparkle, sparkle.
Facing the children's eyes that shone like stars, Claude let out a deep sigh.
"...Fine. I'll give it a try."
It was the beginning of Claude's first sewing project in his life.
* * *
"Is something the matter?"
I asked Gillian as he approached me.
"The Duke inquired about the recent circumstances of the two young masters."
"Recent circumstances?"
Since when did he care about such things?
'Well, he must be curious about Lucian, I suppose. He's probably asking about Edwin.'
Gillian was likely just being polite by referring to them as "the two young masters."
"Please assure him that Edwin is adapting well and there's no need to worry. He's eating and sleeping soundly, growing at a remarkably swift pace."
"I see. Might I ask what foods young master Edwin favors?"
"He used to prefer chocolate above all else, but lately it seems he's taken more of a liking to fruit."
"And his preferred pastimes?"
"He was having quite a bit of fun building a snowman recently..."
Why was he asking so many questions today?
I felt as though he were unnecessarily detaining me.
'The Duke certainly is curious about the most trivial matters.'
He should be as attentive to Lucian.
"Edwin seems to enjoy anything as long as we're all doing it together—Lucian, Amelia, myself, and the Marquis. The five of us spending time as one."
"The Marquis, you say... Do you mean Marquis Claude Agris?"
"That's right."
As I nodded, Gillian's eyebrows twitched. For some reason, his expression suggested displeasure.
"How much longer does Marquis Agris intend to remain at the Duke's Mansion?"
"He said he would stay until his leg fully recovers, so I imagine it will be at least another month."
"That long?"
"The Physician mentioned last month that it would take at least two months."
Gillian's eyebrows twitched once more.
"Did I say something inappropriate?"
"Not at all."
Gillian quickly composed his expression and shook his head. Yet I recognized that look all too well.
'It's the expression he makes when something displeases him.'
He had worn that exact same expression when I mentioned volunteering at the Orphanage.
'What is it this time that's bothering him?'
Could it be that he's displeased about having two additional mouths to feed in the household?
'I don't know how he manages with so many grievances.'
I clicked my tongue inwardly and turned away from Gillian.
"Then I should go see the children. Looking after them is my responsibility, after all."
"Let us go together."
"Why?"
"The Duke is considering renovations to the Playroom. It seems I should observe it directly and report what improvements are needed."
"Yes, fine."
Gillian wasn't the most pleasant companion, but refusing would be impolite.
As we walked together toward the Playroom, I heard it.
Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud.
The sound of something rushing at high speed echoed from somewhere distant.
"What on earth is that noise?"
There was no one in this Bellomen Mansion who would be running about except Lucian.
'But the footsteps are too loud for Lucian, aren't they?'
I narrowed my eyes, watching the approaching shadow grow clearer.
"Miss!"
The figure barreling toward us at a terrifying speed, crutches abandoned, was Claude.
And at his side....
"Auntie!"
Lucian dangled from Claude's grip, swinging back and forth.
* * *
"What is this!"
Lucian's face crumpled as he stared at the finished doll.
"It's completely ruined!"
Claude could barely lift his head at such blunt criticism.
As Lucian said, Luto—having passed through Claude's hands—was a disaster.
Thread spilled messily from the left eye, while the right eye hung loose from careless stitching, its button dangling.
The only saving grace was that the eyes were at least in their proper positions.
But the worst damage was to Claude's hands.
His fingers were dotted with blood from being pricked by the needle countless times.
"Good heavens, I can't bear to watch."
Amelia shook her head and wiped his hands with a handkerchief.
"Why did you lie when you can't even do it properly?"
"...I'm sorry."
"Never mind—go get treated immediately."
Claude was ushered out of the Playroom by Amelia's gentle push.
That was when news arrived that the Vassal Council had adjourned.
"Young Master Lucian, the Vassal Council has just concluded."
"Really?"
Lucian, who had been fiddling with the dangling button, sprang to his feet.
"I need to go see Auntie!"
Lucian tucked Luto under his arm and dashed toward the Meeting Hall.
Claude, too, turned from his path to the Physician's Office and headed toward the Meeting Hall.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org