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Chapter 8
“By the way, why aren’t there any maids here?”
“We’re guest residents. Of course there aren’t any! Still, someone brings us meals.”
I said it as if it were the most obvious thing.
Valux paused for a moment, then nodded in understanding.
Dad silently set down the cups and cookies in front of us, then sat down himself.
We sat around the round table, sipping the hot cocoa, which was so sweet it felt like it could melt our heads.
Valux glanced at me, then tilted his cup and blinked in surprise.
“Brother, isn’t it delicious?”
He nodded.
“Uncle, which brand is this?”
“There’s no brand. I just bought it at the market. Ten gold per 100 grams.”
Cacao, the main ingredient of cocoa, was imported from abroad and quite expensive. Even a “cheap” batch started at ten gold. For reference, a commoner’s monthly salary was about 100 gold.
“Just ten gold?”
“Hmph, Dad’s cocoa is different! Isn’t it amazing?”
“After running around myself, it just tastes better.”
I bragged, and Dad added, slightly embarrassed.
…Now I’m the embarrassed one.
“…Hng. So it’s not just Dad’s that tastes good?”
“…No, he put a lot of effort into it.”
Dad looked at me and spoke.
“By the way, you said ‘brother’… I’m Dad, and he’s brother?”
“…Huh?”
Ah, he wants me to call him differently? But… didn’t he say he didn’t like it before?
“But before… you said you didn’t like being called Dad. Your face was stiff… so I thought you hated it…”
“…I was just embarrassed.”
Dad explained that it was awkward for him to be called Dad, and I blinked.
So it was a misunderstanding.
“…Of course, I’ll call you Dad.”
“Of course.”
“…Hehe, Dad!”
I flinched slightly as Dad’s expression stiffened.
After standing frozen for a moment, he slowly nodded.
“Yes, dear.”
His slow, deliberate voice made my eyes widen.
“Yes!”
I smiled brightly, and Dad stroked my hair gently. Even his usually expressionless mouth curved slightly.
Ah, maybe it really was good I survived.
God was kind enough to give me another chance.
“It’s getting late. If you’ve finished, let’s go.”
“Ah, yes. We’ll go.”
As Valux stood, Dad rose as well.
“Ledeia, I’ll take Valux back, so stay here for a bit.”
Valux looked puzzled.
“I can go by myself.”
“It’s late. I can’t send a child alone. I’ll take him.”
Valux blinked, then blushed and slowly nodded.
“Can I come visit again?”
“Yes, of course. There’s not much to play with, but… take care! Dad too!”
They left the annex together, waving.
I finished my cocoa and cookies, put away the dishes, and went into my room.
Morning in the Tigreto household began with a family meal.
Unless there was a special occasion, all direct family members were expected to attend.
Valux, who had returned late last night, suppressed his fatigue and went down to the dining room.
“Good morning.”
He greeted politely, and only his grandfather was already seated.
“Ah, you’re early.”
“Yes, I woke up early.”
Realizing he was second, Valux nodded calmly.
Actually, all classes had been moved up, so he had no choice but to wake up early. He wanted to finish lessons and homework quickly so he could visit the annex in the afternoon.
“I heard you came back pretty late last night…”
“Ah, yes. I played at my youngest uncle’s house with Ledeia.”
“Played? Doing what?”
Grandfather Magnum Tigreto frowned slightly as Valux suddenly realized something.
Right, grandfather doesn’t like my youngest uncle’s house.
Valux didn’t seem particularly bad or foolish, but still…
“Sorry.”
“No, I wasn’t scolding you. I just wondered what you were playing.”
“We made a snowman. Ledeia suggested it…”
“A snowman?”
Valux nodded.
Grandfather, usually stern and intimidating, raised his eyebrows slightly as the boy cheerfully recounted what had happened.
He explained how they rolled the snow themselves, since Dad said not to use psychokinesis, how they had fun, and then came inside to warm up with cocoa and cookies.
“The youngest uncle made the cocoa himself—it was really tasty.”
“…He made it himself?”
“Yes, he said there are no maids since they’re guest residents. But meals are still delivered, apparently.”
Although he spoke maturely, the boy’s words were still innocent.
Grandfather Magnum Tigreto’s brow furrowed slightly.
I thought I had assigned a maid.
He rubbed his chin and nodded.
“I see.”
“Yes. And he walked us back to the main house since it was too late for children to go alone!”
He could have gone alone, yet…
Grandfather muttered and shook his head, yet a faint smile appeared at being treated like a child.
“…That guy?”
“Yes. And he held my hand because it was dark.”
Valux demonstrated by opening and closing his hands.
Children born into nobility rarely get to just be children.
Especially in the Tigreto family.
They were taught manners and etiquette from an early age, leaving little time to just play.
Magnum always expected results, caring deeply about family honor and reputation.
It was never considered strange. Most noble children were raised this way—it was a noble’s destiny.
“So I finished lessons early today and plan to visit again. Ledeia can come too.”
“…I see.”
The boy nodded.
“Let’s go to the annex later.”
“…You’re coming too, grandfather?”
“Why not? Can’t I go wherever I want in my own house?”
“No, not at all.”
Valux nodded quickly.
But he remembered how terrifying grandfather could be just from words, so he slowly nodded, unable to refuse.
“Yes.”
One by one, more family members joined the table, and the usual silent meal began. Unlike the small, humble round table where casual conversations happened.
“No! You can’t! I’m going to use that olive for the snowman buttons!”
“Meow~!”
“I said no! I’ll give you something else. I’ll bring you the food you like!”
From beyond the fence came the bickering sounds. Magnum Tigreto stayed outside, watching the garden instead of entering.
A young girl was tussling with a sturdy-looking cat over a handful of olives.
Even as her tiny arms flailed, the cat was surprisingly experienced.
Lowering its body and wagging its tail, the cat snatched a small cloth pouch and buried its face in it.
“Ugh! That’s so unfair!”
The girl pouted.
“You got hurt?”
“Meowww.”
“Hmm. I can’t understand a word.”
The girl placed her palm over the cat’s injured side, which bore a nasty bite mark from the scuffle.
Then something incredible happened.
A pure white light radiated from her hand, enveloping the cat.
In an instant, the wound disappeared.
“See, doesn’t it hurt anymore?”
The girl giggled, pressing her index finger to her lips.
“Shh! It’s a secret from Dad, okay?”
Quietly, she picked up the cloth pouch from the ground and stood up.
Magnum Tigreto and Valux’s eyes widened simultaneously as they watched.
