38 - Not Your Son, But Your Father
Episode 38
"Then, Lord Procyon, my loyal subject, how did things go with the request?"
I wasn't sure if he was really a loyal subject, but since he claimed to be, I mentioned it to show I remembered, and Lord Procyon's face immediately lit up.
He's so bad at hiding his expressions. It's a good thing he's the youngest of a Count's eleven sons.
Procyon, now invigorated, spoke energetically.
"I succeeded in having a sincere conversation with the Second Prince. He doesn't think as badly of the Grand Duchess as you feared. But there's one thing that's a bit concerning..."
Procyon glanced at Edith, then lowered his voice unnecessarily.
"The Second Prince is afraid that the Grand Duchess might crumple up the First Prince like a piece of paper."
Edith finished tying my braided hair with a ribbon and released me.
Judging by his satisfied expression, I didn't need to check in the mirror.
I turned my gaze back to Procyon.
"Do you think that's logically possible?"
Procyon didn't know that I could enhance my body with the blood of a Magical Beast, so that was why he asked.
But the self-proclaimed loyal knight just tilted his head slightly.
"Perhaps it's possible for the Grand Duchess?"
Why has my image become like this already?
Even if I suddenly flew through the air riding a dragon one day, Procyon would probably just nod in acceptance, saying, "If it's the Grand Duchess, it's possible."
"Ah, and I also spoke with Mrs. Theresa. Apparently, the Prince suddenly asked her for pocket money."
His eyelashes fluttered. Mrs. Theresa was Rigen's nanny and had quite a bit of authority.
"Pocket money?"
"It's the first time he's ever done that, so Mrs. Theresa seemed surprised. She even offered to buy him the best of whatever he wanted, but he said he just wanted money."
He's scared that I'll crumple up Gilbert, his only blood relative, and he doesn't want anything, but he needs money...
Why do I have such an ominous feeling?
"Uh, um, thank you for letting me know. You can go rest now."
Procyon stared at me with puppy-dog eyes.
"Grand Duchess, are you really alright...?"
"Of course. I just need some time."
Time to gather my wits.
"If you need anything, please call me anytime. Then, farewell―"
"Briefly."
At Edith's cold, low voice, Procyon reflexively jumped up.
"I'll be going!"
With a flurry of vibrant green hair, Procyon made a hasty exit.
Edith didn't give Procyon a single glance until the end. Only I was reflected in his silently sunken blue eyes.
He opened his mouth at a slow pace.
"I don't understand."
It was a different voice than when he gave orders to Procyon. Like soft moonlight, warm tea, maple syrup.
Come to think of it, Edith only showed me this voice.
"What?"
"There's no reason for you to be so invested in your relationship with Rigen, is there?"
Edith noticed that I was greatly agitated.
I brought out the excuse I had prepared in advance.
"I'm already on bad terms with Gilbert. There's no need to ruin things with the Second Prince as well."
"I don't know how much you know, but the two are brothers. For Rigen, Gilbert is family that he can't truly hate, no matter what sins he has committed."
He emphasized the words, "no matter what sins."
"No matter how warmly you treat him, you may be betrayed at a crucial moment, simply because Gilbert is his family. And while we're on the subject, one more thing. Just as Gilbert hunted a Magical Beast not long after he took up the sword, Rigen is not just an ordinary child either."
There was a bone in the words he uttered casually.
In the novel, Rigen Awakens several years later, but Edith already knew of Rigen's talent.
Well, an ordinary baby wouldn't have survived in the desert.
"I'll take your advice to heart. But the Prince is only eight years old, isn't he? And Edith, you're also the Prince's family."
I know how this world, which was once the novel Esmeralda's Crescent Moon, has flowed.
Even though I didn't read the last chapter, I realized through a series of events that Rigen couldn't let go of Gilbert without experiencing a considerable shock.
But Rigen liked Edith as much as he liked Gilbert.
Anyone who had the chance to watch them both would feel that way.
Edith closed his mouth. He seemed to swallow the words that came to his mind under his tongue.
He has many secrets.
"Are you saying this because you really don't understand, or are you giving me advice because you're worried I'll get hurt later?"
"As I've said before, you think too highly of me."
He spoke with a complex and subtle emotion that could not be defined in one way.
I replied with a smile.
"Because my husband is a good person."
"......"
Edith didn't seem to believe it at all.
But I really think I chose my husband well. Every time I open my eyes in the morning and see Edith's face, I admire my foresight. Just looking at him makes me full.
I conveyed these feelings to Edith.
"Even if I'm betrayed by the Prince in the future, I think you'll comfort me well. You'll stroke my hair, give me a lap pillow, and take off your pants for me. Won't you?"
"I don't think I'll take off my pants."
"Then..."
"I misspoke. You don't need my interference. It's late, so let's stop talking here and go to sleep."
Edith, who quickly cut me off, pointed to the bed with his chin.
Wait a minute. I still have something to say.
"It's not a slip of the tongue, and I need your interference. Please continue to take an interest in me."
"......"
"Is it an unreasonable request?"
"......"
"Is it really difficult?"
Hoping to get through to him even a little, I started a stare-down.
It always worked on Sera, and even my aloof parents gave in to it.
Look at my eyes. Don't they seem to be sparkling? It's about time you felt a visual illusion.
"...This time."
Edith, who hadn't even blinked, reluctantly broke the silence with a sigh-like voice.
"Yes?"
"This time, I lost."
Hmm, so does that mean I won this time?
* * *
The next day, I draped a blanket like a cloak and set out to find Rigen.
It didn't take long. Sera had Rigen's schedule, which Mrs. Theresa had given her.
Sera, who found Rigen, whispered as if she had received secret instructions.
"Grand Duchess, he's over there."
I nodded and steeled my heart with determination.
The eight-year-old boy was afraid because he thought I could easily subdue his brother.
Then the solution was simple. I just had to pretend to be weak.
Sera retreated with hurried steps.
Left alone, I waited for Rigen to come to the end of the hallway to go up the stairs and began my act.
"Ah, I suddenly feel dizzy!"
"Grand Duchess?!"
Rigen, startled, grabbed me with both hands.
I made the most touched expression I could.
"Prince? Oh my, thank you for catching me."
"Are you alright? I'll go get someone right away!"
While supporting me, Rigen busily darted his rabbit-like eyes around, looking for a servant.
But there were no maids or assistant butlers on this floor.
I had sent them all away.
I put on the pathetic smile that I had diligently practiced in front of the dumbfounded Edith.
"You don't have to do that. It happens all the time."
"All the time...?"
"I've always been physically weak, so I often feel dizzy."
"Ah... yes... congenitally..."
He seemed a little skeptical, but I wouldn't have started if I was going to back down here.
I steadily staggered, and Rigen finally spoke cautiously.
"Would you like to go to my room and rest for a while?"
"Yes, I would love to."
Perhaps I showed too much joy, because Rigen relaxed and smiled.
Was it a failure?
"But Grand Duchess, why are you walking around alone?"
I pretended to be sick again.
"Ah, my head is throbbing again."
"S-Shall I give you a piggyback ride?!"
No matter how lacking in conscience I was born, I couldn't let an eight-year-old give me a piggyback ride.
So I sugarcoated it with plausible words.
"Just holding my hand like this is enough."
"Ah, I see... yes..."
Yeah, I think it's a complete failure.
Anyway, Rigen took me to his room nearby.
He carefully laid me down on the bed and even covered me with a blanket, so I stayed still.
"Please excuse me for a moment, Grand Duchess."
Regardless of the unpleasant feelings that arose, Rigen seemed to be taking proper care of me.
He put his small hand on my forehead and carefully examined my complexion.
I feel like I'm playing doctor.
"...Doctor, no, Prince."
"Yes! Please speak!"
"Am I very uncomfortable for you?"
Rigen flinched greatly.
"That's not true! I, I, I know that the Grand Duchess is a good person!"
Why did he have to stutter at that part? I'm a little hurt right now.
