Chapter 35
* * *
Time flew by, and the day before Parent Observation Day arrived.
Piona, who had been checking the parent observation schedule, called Iri to the office.
"What's going on-nimikka, Teachaw-nim?"
"Duke Declan-nim hasn't expressed any intention to participate in the parent observation class."
"Ah......"
"Is it possible he can't come?"
Iri checked the family bulletin, folded it neatly, and put it in a drawer.
*'Didn't tell the adult about something like parent observation class.'*
Because Iri didn't want to bother the adult.
Even back when she was 'I Arin,' there had been a parent observation class at kindergarten.
"Um, pawent obthervation cwath......"
"Huh? You're here? Ah, surprised me."
The parents hadn't even noticed Arin's presence.
Arin cautiously added one more word.
"Pawent obthervation cwath....... Dance too......"
"I'm swamped, where would I find time for that? Ask your grandma to go."
Remembering that moment made her body tremble. She couldn't tell the adult either.
*'He'll say it's annoying, say no again this time.'*
She never wanted to go through that again. So Iri said cautiously.
"The adult is busy-nimida."
"Pardon?"
"He won't come-nimida. But I'm okay-nimida!"
Her parents hadn't come to the previous life's parent observation class either.
Iri replied maturely and bravely.
Piona looked at Iri curiously.
Iri was the benefactor who had reined in the wild pony-like kids.
*'First time seeing her break out in cold sweat like that.'*
Iri's always bright and spirited pale face caused Piona immense worry.
*'Surely not being abused at home?'*
The timid etiquette teacher Piona agonized for a long time before finally resolving.
She had to meet Duke Ortejo's aide at least once.
Because she was Iri's teacher.
* * *
This morning, Declan was quite free.
So he planned to eat with Iri, but......
"What? Skipping meals because she's busy?"
"Yes."
"What's a pea-sized kid so busy with? Put lots of tasty stuff in her room. No matter how busy, she has to eat properly."
Iri had been bustling since morning, so he ate alone.
In front of the 2.5-meter table, he felt a bit lonely.
The large dining room without Iri felt unfamiliar.
Still, Declan planned to hold a meeting while he was at it.
Meaning he intended to have a busy day even without Iri.
But no matter how sudden the meeting summons, wasn't the conference table completely empty?
"What."
Declan slightly frowned in the empty conference room.
Then Raspin quickly handed him documents to review and said.
"Come to think of it, they all took vacation today. Sorry for telling you late."
"What?"
"They finished all assigned work in advance."
"So why did they all take vacation in a bunch like this?"
Declan checked the vacation requests they submitted.
And quickly found the common point among them.
"Parent observation class?"
"Yes. That's what it says."
Declan's expression twisted. He had a strangely ominous feeling.
He muttered lowly.
"Whose parent observation?"
"Yeah, no idea."
Raspin, speaking casually, went 'Ah.'
Come to think of it, this morning......
"Um, Ra, Ra-Raspin-nim! So, so, so, sorry, ha, ha, but."
"What is it? Love letter?"
"Excuse me, but you're out of your mind. It's a family bulletin. Then, please deliver it, and, uh."
"......Hm, and?"
"If, if you do ba, ba, bad things to the ki, ki, kids, I, I, wo-won't sta, sta, stand for it."
A tiny, frail woman unbelievable in the North had trembled then suddenly straightened up sternly and handed him a note.
*'Didn't understand what she was saying, so planned to check afternoon, then forgot.'*
Feeling a sharp hunch, Raspin opened his pocket.
"Whoa, Declan-nim, today is Lady Iri's parent observation."
"......"
"Family bulletin came out, didn't you see?"
He looked at the empty conference room.
And thinking of Iri who hadn't said a word to him, he muttered.
"......Didn't hear, didn't see."
"Oh......"
"What. Why didn't she call me?"
"Don't you not think of yourself as a parent? You keep getting called 'adult'."
Chilling.
A dagger flew into his heart.
Declan muttered lowly.
"......Well, could be. Still, better to go. Others see me as parent. Won't she be lonely alone?"
"Well, from Lady Iri's side, an uninvited guest might be uncomfortable."
Declan felt mentally beaten by Raspin.
But he had no energy to snap back at the guy.
"Lots of work anyway. Better to just ask later how class went."
Declan glared at the mountain of piled documents.
Some were ordered confirmed by palace today.
Major documents from Magic Tower too.
But......
For some reason, an illusion formed in his head.
All holding their parents' hands, only Iri shrinking her shoulders alone.
"......Just going briefly. Briefly. Just to show face and come back."
Can't even hold hand, but dad's a dad.
He shot to his feet and muttered.
"Call a Purification Sorcerer. There'll be people uncomfortable if I go, so remove as much magi as possible."
And right then, Raspin said seriously.
"Hm, if you're going, how about dressing more coolly?"
"......Dress coolly?"
"Yes. Lady Iri might be keeping you away 'cause she's embarrassed of Declan-nim. They say everyone dresses fancy for parent observations?"
"Hm....... Yeah, good. Have to dress Northern style."
......Northern style?
*'No, meant dress nicely?'*
Watching Declan bolt out of the room, Raspin was certain.
Smart chief aide himself......
Had stepped on a landmine.
* * *
Meanwhile, in front of the Training Hall,
Numerous parents gathered for parent observation class.
Unusual occurrence.
Knight Order vice-captain Max, who took annual leave, said gruffly.
"Seeing everyone come, you felt your kids changed too?"
"Huh?"
"Came wondering what happened during class!"
"Well, kid wearing orc fangs around neck suddenly looked at jewels!"
"To me, seems buildup to big accident."
"Damage to property aside, what if they fight and get hurt."
Northern noble ladies, no, sturdy Northern warriors sighed together.
Morite madam raising five-year-old rascal said resignedly.
"Still, kids did change a bit when coming home."
Amid the debate, then!
With a drrrk sound, the Training Hall classroom door opened grandly.
