He Likes Me a Lot More Than I Thought!

As soon as we entered the room, Rieta and I laid down on the bed.

When I laid down in the middle, Shuel clung to my arm even in his sleep. Rieta, who was lying on my other side, held my hand tightly as well.

The sunlight was creeping in, but it still felt like a cosy night when the curtains were pulled down. Since it has just rained heavily just now, the room was moderately cold.

We fell asleep huddled close together, like penguins evading the cold, and felt a subtle movement of a blanket covering us as we slept.

When I woke up in the morning, my head was clear.

Yesterday, my mind was dazed and even when I tried to concentrate, my thoughts couldn’t keep up. Perhaps it was because of fatigue, it was natural for things to be slower.

As I was about to rub my eyes to erase the remaining drowsiness away early in the morning, I noticed that my right hand was being held tightly by someone.

When I looked down, I saw a messy green hair.

Rieta, who had given me her pouch to run away, was sleeping soundly while clutching my hand tightly.

I smiled softly and stroked the child’s head.

It was a new morning and a new sun had risen.

Recalling the pain of the previous day helps nothing with moving forward today. That was one of the few lessons I’ve learned in my life.

Alright. Let’s think about what to do again. 

As long as the Viscount of Broschte are my biological parents, neither an adoption nor engagement was possible.

However, I couldn’t continue to stay as a guest forever.

But I wanted to be here…and if not, I wanted to at least stay in a safe place.

The laws of this country were not geared towards protecting children. 

A child cannot be taken away from their parent’s hands unless the parents had agree to entrust the child’s rights over to another or proof of child abuse was obtained.

It was not uncommon for a wealthy noble family to raise their daughter well in order to sell them high in the marriage market.

[pr/n: imagine the bunny with a knife stab emoji HERE.]

It wasn’t just about violence, but evidence of abuse needed to be shown on the body. Making it even more difficult to prove.

Still, there was no law of death or no way out at all[1].

[1] T/N:  “There is no law that lets a man die” – (proverb) No matter how difficult a person’s life is, people are bound to come up with a way to survive. So have hope.

A place beyond my parents’ land. To be exact, a place outside of the Viscount of Broschte’s control.

Yet, it also had to be a place that didn’t place any pressure on the Duke of Sebrirua…

There was only one legitimate institution that could do all of that.

My heart pounded. This was by far, the most important mission in my life.

I better mention it before breakfast. If I said it during the meal, they would definitely get indigestion.

Gently removing Rieta’s hand, I got out of the bed and left the room.

Bessie, Shuel’s nanny, lived in the room next to us. Somehow, the bedroom for one, then became a bedroom for the three of us; Rieta, Shuel, and I.

A small knock on the door was replied with a gentle permission to enter.

Bessie, who was knitting in an armchair, greeted me with a smile.

“Miss Arwen? You woke up early. We still have some time left before breakfast. Would you like some cookies?”

Bessie said as she approached me with her usual wide skirt and hugged me. After being held in her arms for a while, I shook my head.

“If the Duke and Duchess are awake, can you tell them I want to see them?”

Bessie looked puzzled at the sudden request.

“I have something to tell them.”

＊  ＊  ＊

I swallowed my saliva. My heart was beating so fast, it felt like it was about to pop out of my chest.

Marius and Kendrick’s faces also turned serious when they saw me entering suddenly and seeing that I was holding my breath.

Though, they were sitting on the couch in their pyjamas with doodles on their pants and bed hair without a single care.

Their ridiculous appearance eased my tension, until I remembered what I was going to talk about and became nervous again.

At this rate, even if I stayed up all night, I don’t think I would be able to bring it up.

I took a deep breath once again. Kendrick and Marius mirrored my actions with a stiff face.

……What is with this situation?

“Please sponsor me.”

Thanks to that, I was able to speak in a much more relaxed state.

It wasn’t the best way to start the conversation, but it was still better than not being able to even begin it.

Before Kendrick and Marius could frown, I quickly continued.

“You might not know this, but I am much smarter than other children……You could even call me a genius.”

It wasn’t a lie. If you had the soul of an adult inside of a nine year old body, you are a genius.

Yet, my face still flushed red.

“I can enter the academy early, apply for several programs, and be able to complete them all. I am confident that I would not miss the top grade and I might even be able to graduate a year early.”

I knew a few things about lands where expensive minerals were buried and what kind of business would succeed in the future.

But since there was no credibility to support those words, this was all I could offer right now.

Please do not repost. Read only at Dropped Inks.

It was also a part of my plan.

The academy completely prohibited parents from intervening in order to ensure that children from various noble families could attend the school together and not create any conflicts.

Of course, there were cases where some noble families with wealth and power would secretly meddle in. But there was no way a small Viscount family like my own would be able to do so.

Attending the academy would take 10 years. Since the age of adulthood in this kingdom was 19, the academy would be enough to protect me until I reached adulthood.

“I’ll ensure that you won’t regret helping me.”

So, if they allowed it……

I spoke confidently, but I was still anxious. Kendrick and Marius’ facial expressions remained unchanged.

Then, I became restless when I saw them frown without saying a word, as if they were contemplating.

Should I have mentioned the mine?

“…We are very aware that you are a very talented person.”

Marius spoke first. She went silent for a moment, as if she was troubled, before speaking gently.

“But I believe that is a story for later.”

Those words were sharper than the blade from a guillotine. 

Before I could realise it, my mouth widened in disappointment. 

Was it too much of a request?

Just as I was about to say something, Kendrick gave me a cookie with a worried look on his face and spoke.

“Rwen. We saw your parents yesterday……I don’t think they are very good guardians to you.”

At those words, I pursed my lips. I couldn’t agree nor deny his words.

I silently began to chew on the cookie Kendrick had given me.

“Darling. Be honest with me.”

Kendrick asked me firmly. I nodded my head silently.

But the question posed to me after that was still difficult for me to answer.

“Do you want to return home to the Broschte Estate?”

The question that came through like a fastball[2] took my breath away.

[2] pr/n: type of throw by pitchers in the game called Baseball.

I had to answer yes but if I did, I would die.

In the end, I answered with a dim smile.

“No.”

Why wouldn’t I be afraid?

Right after they signed an important contract, I ran away and even chopped my hair then sold it.

Those were ample enough reasons for them to punish me. But at the same time, I had also given them the opportunity to form a relationship with the Duke of Sebrirua.

The fear that I had been trying to ignore appeared like a dam that had just burst.

I don’t like getting hurt.

I don’t like getting hit or cursed at.

I pretended to be fine, but it was really because I had no other choice.

I clenched my hands tightly. I didn’t want to show the awful trembling, but then I felt a soft touch patting my head.

“Rwen, you are very mature.”

Kendrick smiled as I raised my head to meet his gaze. It was a sad smile.

“Whenever Shuel and Rieta fought, you resolved it just like an older sister. You should also be able to eat plenty of food. You leave nothing to waste.”

I gently lean my head to his touch.

“But darling, although you act like an adult, you are not one.”

It was a tender voice.

Before I could reply anything, Kendrick continued to speak softly.

“So it’s okay to leave things you find difficult to solve to the adults.”

Those words touched my heart.

Difficult to solve. Yes, that’s right. As a child, this was difficult for me.

But it wasn’t because I wanted to be responsible for everything. It was because it was about me.

“Then, can you take responsibility for it?”

Kendrick gently smiled, reassuringly.

He made eye contact with his wife with eyes that begged for an answer, and Marius replied bluntly.

“If you don’t want to go back to that house, then that’s good enough of a reason for us.”

It was a simple permission.

“Really?”

“Of course!”

After hesitating for a long time at the situation, I managed to ask again and they confirmed their answers again casually.

Nevertheless, I was still stunned. Seeing me like that, Kendrick laughed.

“You don’t seem to realise this, but Marie and I are really powerful. Very, very powerful.”

“Kendrick doesn’t seem like it.”

[pr/n: Quick! Someone get an ointment for this burn!]

[T/N: HASHGF XD]

“Marie!”

Kendrick roared at Marius’ joke.

Just like that, the previous heavy atmosphere vanished in an instant.

Powerful, not strong. I was still overwhelmed by the huge gift given by the two of them, who were still arguing, but I confessed my real desire.

“I…I still want to go to the academy.”

At those words, Marius and Kendrick’s eyes turned towards me. I blushed at my shamelessness.

In fact, that was the goal. Although the main purpose of going to the academy was to avoid the Viscount of Broschte family, I also desired to attend the academy.

Viscount Broschte had an old fashioned way of thinking.

He didn’t teach me anything beyond bridal classes, so it was to be expected when he declared that he wouldn’t ever send me to the academy.

Whenever Jeffrey returned in his school uniform during vacation, I would criticise that he was merely a person who would never study properly. But in truth, I was really curious about the academy. 

Even when I gave up my studies due to lack of money in my previous life, I still wanted to go.

“Of course I’ll let you go but early admissions are not allowed.”

“I’m sure I can enter early–”

“I am not doubting your skills. But living alone in a foreign country is a lot lonelier than you think. Other children would cry and send letters home, but you wouldn’t tell us if you experienced even an ounce of hardship you face, would you?”

I became speechless at Kendrick’s firm and sharp voice.

Yes…that’s true. Just sponsoring me would be enough, but I couldn’t trouble them for more.

“You have a lot to learn. You need to learn how to get rid of carrots and beans from your meals, learn how to sneak out and make mistakes, and how to whine because you don’t want to do the things children are forced to do. I have no intention of sending you to the academy before you learn all that.”

Kendrick’s firm and resolute tone was extremely rare. It made me unable to refute his words so I nodded my head. Then, Kendrick smiled widely.

As I was pondering over Kendrick’s words while clenching my itchy fingertips, Marius opened her arms wide open towards me with her signature blunt face.

“……?”