Chapter 11

‘Please, just let Dad’s illness be cured before I go.’

Please!

I hunched my shoulders and glanced nervously at Grandpa. He let out a deep sigh.

“Well, well. You’ve got five years left!”

I forced a laugh, but the atmosphere didn’t ease up.

Honestly, I’d been the only one talking this whole time, and my mouth was starting to hurt.

“…”

I decided to shut up.

Every time I opened my mouth, it felt like I was sinking deeper into a swamp.

“I didn’t exactly hate your father. There are no parents who hate their children…”

Grandpa furrowed his brow slightly, his expression still hard.

“…Though I suppose there are exceptions.”

His answer was strangely gloomy.

“…”

“I only disciplined him because I wanted him to do better. My methods were just… a bit harsh.”

I blinked.

“You wanted him to do well, but you got angry at him?”

“…I thought if I pushed him that way, he’d at least develop some competitive spirit. I expected him to fight back, to try to surpass me.”

What was he talking about?

Dad loves his family more than anyone.

Someone like him could never turn cold and calculating just to surpass his father.

“Why?”

“Because I wanted him to become something.”

“Dad isn’t the type who can do that.”

“Yes, I know. He’s far too weak…”

No no no, how did his thoughts end up there again?

I shook my head firmly.

“No! Dad doesn’t do things like that to the people he cares about! It’s weirder to act that way toward family.”

My firm words made Grandpa’s eyes widen.

“If Dad says something hurtful, it’s weird for the child to try to beat their dad because of that, isn’t it?”

Why do people choose not to fight back?

Maybe because the other person is too strong to beat.

Or maybe because that person is too precious to fight in the first place.

“Dad isn’t weak. He just didn’t want to fight you.”

“…What?”

“When Dad says something mean to me, of course I get sad and upset and hurt…”

Oh no, just imagining it brought back memories of the past, and I felt tears welling up.

I pressed my eyelids tightly and kept talking.

“But even then, I wouldn’t say something mean back.”

Because I know how much those words hurt.

“Who would want to share pain they know so well with their family?”

“…!”

I smiled brightly and kicked my feet.

“So Grandpa didn’t actually hate Dad. That’s a relief.”

Now all that was left was a happy conversation to clear away the years of misunderstanding between them.

‘Once they reconcile, I can get Grandpa’s support and help Dad build up his personal fortune.’

Especially the barbarian subjugation. There was no way to do it without Grandpa’s help, since the territory had suffered a lot of damage.

“So, what do you think? How about spending some time to reconcile with Dad?”

“R-reconcile…?”

“Yes! A time to share your hearts and be honest with each other. I think it’s absolutely necessary!”

I raised my tiny thumb confidently.

“Of course, I’ll stay out of it.”

Grandpa didn’t say anything.

Then suddenly,

“Hahaha!”

He burst out laughing.

“What a strange little thing you are.”

“I just don’t want Dad to be lonely. I get sick often… and Dad always gets so upset. So…”

Even if one day I die, even if I leave his side,

I want him to be able to live his own life.

“I think someone has to be by Dad’s side even after I become independent!”

Grandpa clicked his tongue, made a circle with his thumb and forefinger, and flicked my forehead.

“Ow!”

The pain was surprisingly sharp. I clutched my forehead with both hands and stared at him with wide eyes.

“A child shouldn’t be talking about independence already.”

“…Huh?”

“And as for your father… I’ll see him soon. Now go play.”

After a moment of thought, Grandpa handed me a thick envelope.

“Here, this is some pocket money.”

“Dad told me not to take bribes, even if people try to give them when I go out to play…”

“It’s not a bribe. Take it.”

“Mm, okay!”

Well, money is always useful.

I tucked it carefully into my pocket, gave a polite bow, and followed Valux toward his room.

“Bell, tell him to make some time to meet me.”

I heard Grandpa’s voice just before the door closed. Looked like my plan had worked.

“Let’s go.”

“Mm.”

I grabbed the hand Valux held out to me and was just about to take a step when—

“Eh? Hey, you were gone all day and now you suddenly show up with… who’s that?”

If it weren’t for that voice behind us, we could have made it safely to Valux’s room.

“Elliot.”

“Hey, hi. Bro.”

Valux greeted him casually.

‘That’s…’

Elliot Tigreto.

Valux’s cousin. A boy who adored Valux.

‘He’s a year older than me, I think…’

And for some reason, he had hated me for as long as I could remember.

As expected, his eyes were nasty, full of cruel curiosity, as if deciding how to toy with me.

Gulp.

I swallowed nervously without realizing it.

“So who’s this? A new toy? Someone to turn into a toy? Or are you going to teach her a lesson for overstepping her place?”

Why were all his options so violent?

I didn’t like any of them.

Valux didn’t look thrilled either. His brow furrowed.

“What are you on about. She’s my cousin.”

“…Cousin? Did someone get adopted without me knowing?”

“No, she’s been around. She’s Uncle’s daughter.”

“Oh… the useless uncle?”

Elliot snickered.

“And you’re hanging out with her? Didn’t Grandpa tell you not to? You might get dragged down just by being near her.”

‘…Oh?’

I twitched.

“Stop spouting nonsense and go. I’m not playing with you today.”

Valux clicked his tongue and turned away.

He tightened his grip on my hand and tugged me forward.

“Let’s go.”

“Yeah.”

I smiled and turned my head away. There’s an old saying that the one who endures wins.

They say if you endure three times, you avoid murder.

“Bro! Don’t hang out with her, play with me. If you stick with trash like that, your life will go down the drain too.”

That’s three times already!

But the saying allows up to three…

“Do you have any idea how much that useless uncle dragged down the family’s honor? Grandpa can’t even stand hearing his name. She’s his daughter. There’s no way she’s worth anything. She looks weak and useless already.”

Four times?

Then the sage would surely allow me to commit murder.

“You foul-mouthed bastard!!”

I grabbed the vase next to me, one about the size of my head, and hurled it at Elliot.

Thankfully, my aim and strength were both terrible, so it landed right in front of his feet.

Clang—!

Elliot’s eyes widened in shock, then narrowed into a glare.

“Hey. Did you just throw something at me?”

“I did!”

“Do you want to die?!”

“You die first!”

I lunged at him and grabbed his hair.

“Agh! What the, what are you doing! Hey! You stupid brat! Do you even know who you’re— arghhh!!”

“Says the idiot who’s getting his hair pulled by someone beneath him!!”

“I’ll kill you, agh, agh! Aaaagh!”

Elliot screamed as I yanked his hair with all my might.