C856
A small party was held in front of the lake, next to the annex building. Sylvia approached the table at the back, carrying a steaming pot.
"First, warm yourselves from the inside."
She smiled brightly as she served hot stew to Glenn and the Rector.
"Raon loves stew, so I'm sure this is one of my best dishes."
Sylvia opened her hands, claiming that her stew could rival even the cooking from the main building.
"Indeed. The stew is quite good..."
Glenn received his bowl of stew but couldn’t take his eyes off Sia.
"Even when I returned, I kept thinking about the stew from the annex."
The rector also accepted the stew with a smile. He nodded gratefully and took Sylvia's hand.
"Thank you, young lady."
"Younger lady?"
Sylvia's eyes widened in surprise.
"I'm too old to be called that..."
"With such a small child nearby, you’re still a little girl."
The rector smiled slightly, looking at Sia, who had her nose buried in a plate of pasta.
—Come on, no matter how you look at it, she's not that young! Father, you may not know, but Sylvia's age is already... ugh!
Edgar, murmuring that it wasn’t good to praise too much, was pushed back after Sylvia hit him on the forehead.
"Ugh!"
Sylvia frowned as she dusted off the hand she had used to hit Edgar.
—As if you weren't chatty enough, now you're all nonsense!
She lightly kicked the fallen Edgar, telling him to be careful with what he said.
"Ah, Father. How is this a reasonable situation..."
"You deserve something worse than that."
The rector clicked his tongue, showing no interest in his fallen son.
"Sigh."
Glenn also shook his head as if Edgar was hopeless.
"Dad! It’s fun!"
Sia clapped, laughing at Edgar, who was lying on the floor, and the maids finally let out the laughter they had been holding in.
"Ah, really? Should I do something more?"
Edgar rolled on the floor, seemingly happy just to see Sia laugh.
-Mmm, delicious!
But Sia had already lost interest in Edgar and was focused on the cream pasta that Helen had served her.
"Hmm, if she's already like this, there will be more problems later..."
Edgar rubbed his temples, seemingly worried about how to capture Sia's attention in the future.
"It's really... a pleasant sight."
Dorian's voice was filled with emotion as he looked at Sia's table, overflowing with laughter.
"Yes. It was worth going to get the Soul Crystal..."
Burren nodded deeply, seeming to feel both pride and nostalgia.
"Raon also seems happy."
Runaan waved her fingers as if directing the conversation, looking at Raon, who wore a slight smile.
"..."
Martha looked at Sia and Sylvia, who were taking care of her, with eyes full of distant nostalgia.
"Let this old man peel the shrimp for you."
"Would you like to try this tender meat?"
"Is there anything else you’d like to eat?"
The rector, Glenn, and Sylvia pushed food toward Sia, appearing to feel full just by watching her eat.
"Thank you!"
Sia bowed her head to Glenn, the Rector, and Sylvia before passing the food she received to Raon.
-Raon! Eat! They say everything is delicious!
She took care of her brother even more than she had received, with a radiant smile. Glenn, the Rector, and Sylvia shot her fierce glances again.
—Raon? How did you win Sia over?
"Yes! Why does she like you so much?"
Sylvia and Edgar frowned, seemingly unable to understand.
"Ah, it’s probably because of the friend who is with my sister."
Raon waved his hands, telling them to calm down.
"Friend?"
"What do you mean?"
Glenn and the Rector lowered their chins and asked for a detailed explanation.
"When we were getting the Soul Crystal..."
He explained how Lavera, who was inside the Soul Crystal, ended up with Sia.
"I see..."
"It’s not a bad thing. They both have their pains, so they can comfort each other."
Glenn and the Rector nodded, thinking that Sia and Lavera could become good friends.
-That’s why she accepted you so quickly.
Sylvia also nodded, seeming to understand now.
"Son, I didn’t think you had it in you, but you’re quite clever!"
Edgar rolled his eyes playfully and said that Raon had taken the first step. Fortunately, the chilling aura that the four people emitted began to calm down little by little.
"Well, we’ll have to treat her even better from now on."
"It wouldn’t be bad to think of it as having two granddaughters."
Glenn and the Rector nodded, saying they should pay more attention to Sia.
"..."
Raon smiled slightly as he watched the four people who were now closely connected to Sia.
"It’s a pleasant sight."
The annex had always been occupied solely by him, Sylvia, and the maids. But now, the annex was filled with his two grandfathers and his father, whom he thought would never visit, and even his sister.
He had thought that his mother and the maids were enough, but that wasn’t the case. The annex was a space that became more joyous the more people entered it.
Raon enjoyed the overwhelming happiness blooming in the annex with a bright smile that surpassed mere calmness.
-No! Stop smiling and get your hands moving already!
Wrath wildly waved his round arms, saying that the food was getting cold.
-No, I’m not going to eat. I’ll just have Nadine's bread later.
Raon only swallowed the stew Sia had given him, indicating that he had no intention of eating more.
-This, this is torture!
Wrath trembled as he watched the buffet variety of food.
-Sob! This king was wrong! Please eat!
He apologized for mocking and pleaded with Raon to eat the food.
-You said you would have this party, didn’t you?
Wrath lowered his tail and told Raon to keep his promise. Pretending to be pitiful, this guy really had developed.
'Mmm...'
Raon grabbed his fork while watching Wrath's tail moving below.
'I’ll let it slide just this once.'
-Then start with that pizza! The shrimp is cooked to perfection!
Wrath gasped, urging Raon to take the pizza.
"Don’t be insistent."
Raon pushed aside the sticky Wrath and took a bite of the shrimp pizza he mentioned.
-Ooh! The bread is crunchy and tasty, and the shrimp is plump and absolutely fantastic.
Wrath smiled and said he knew exactly what Raon was thinking. Of course, his descriptions of the flavor remained simple and bland.
'Anyway.'
Raon ate all the food that Wrath wanted, and even inhaled the ice cream that came out for dessert, with a small smile.
-Ugh!
Wrath patted his bloated belly and let out a small burp.
'Are you satisfied now?'
-This king does not know satisfaction.
He shook his chin as if it was not enough.
"It’s the first time I see the division leader overindulge like this. Well, the food from the annex is delicious after all."
Dorian continued cutting meat with his fork and knife, despite having filled his mouth with food no less than Raon.
"It’s not a refined taste, but it’s the kind of flavor that is craved from time to time."
Burren nodded in partial agreement while sipping tea to cleanse his palate.
"Yes. It’s hot..."
Runaan said it was hot while eating only pearl ice cream from start to finish. She remained an incomprehensible person.
"Well, it’s delicious..."
Martha nodded with a somewhat bitter look in her eyes. She sighed softly and carefully pulled the meat from a rib.
"I should go now..."
"Martha!"
When Martha said she had to leave and got up from the table, Sylvia called her.
"Come here!"
Sylvia gestured for Martha to come, urging her to play with Sia.
"Huh? Why me…?"
"Play for a while with Sia!"
She smiled brightly, seemingly hoping that Sia and Martha would become close.
"Big sister? Are you my big sister?"
Sia’s eyes sparkled, apparently captivated by Martha's mature and elegant appearance, and immediately called her big sister.
—Ah, no. I’m not your big sister...
Martha blinked in confusion, as if uncomfortable with being called big sister or little sister.
"I am too..."
Runaan sat next to Sylvia, holding a plate full of ice cream.
"You are my little sister!"
Sia laughed and immediately called Runaan, who exuded innocence and sweetness, her little sister.
"I’m not your little sister. Or am I?"
Runaan also opened her eyes with a blank expression, looking into the empty air.
"For now, just let it go."
Sylvia clasped her hands as if making a request, and the four women began sharing trivial stories, spreading small smiles.
'Now...'
Raon nodded calmly while watching the Light Wind division enjoying the party without reservations.
"I think it’s okay to go."
After slowly closing and opening his eyes, he approached Glenn, who was watching the lake with the Rector.
"Head of House."
"Ahem..."
Glenn merely cleared his throat without responding, keeping his gaze fixed on the lake.
"Head of House?"
Raon called out to Glenn again, but he still didn’t turn around.
—Boy, this isn’t a formal occasion, is it?
The rector clicked his tongue slightly, saying that Raon still lacked tact.
"Ah, Grandpa..."
Raon rubbed the back of his neck while calling Glenn grandpa.
"Ahem..."
Glenn finally seemed to hear and slowly turned around.
"Yes. What is it?"
"Ha ha..."
Raon let out a dry laugh and shook his head.
«At least he's not angry, that’s a relief».
He was worried that Glenn might be upset because of Sia, but that didn’t seem to be the case, and he let out a sigh of relief.
"I plan to head to Sepia within this week."
Raon placed his hand over his chest, saying that he wanted to return Rimmer's sword to Sepia.
"This might be the last time, so I’d like to go with the Light Wind division."
He tilted his head, asking for permission.
"..."
Glenn turned his gaze to the Light Wind division behind Raon.
"It seems those kids have also accepted it."
He nodded, seemingly finding the Light Wind division admirable for seeing Rimmer off well.
"...Yes. It’s right to at least return the sword to that guy."
Glenn lowered his hand and told Raon to be careful on his journey.
"Thank you."
Raon bowed his head, expressing his gratitude.
"See him off well."
The rector, who seemed to have heard Glenn's situation, patted Raon on the shoulder with a somber look.
"I understand..."
"Raon."
When Raon was about to nod, Sia came up to him.
"Eat more! You need to grow big and strong!"
She held out some pearl ice cream, repeating the words that Sylvia and Edgar had told her.
"Say ah!"
"Oh..."
As Raon rolled his eyes, Glenn, the Rector, Sylvia, and Edgar once again revealed fierce looks.
"I, I wanted to be the first to do that..."
"Ahem!"
"Raon?"
"Son, don’t cut in line!"
The four adults trembled their fingertips, as if waiting to be the first person Sia would feed.
"Hurry up!"
Sia stomped her feet, urging Raon to eat quickly, ignoring the glances from the four people. The lake rippled violently, and the ground trembled due to her immense strength.
"Mmm..."
Raon couldn’t betray Sia's expectant look and reluctantly ate the ice cream.
"Raon..."
Glenn, the Rector, Sylvia, and Edgar bit their lips, revealing even colder looks as if they now saw Raon as an enemy.
-Kehehehehehe!
Wrath burst out laughing, shaking his belly that was about to burst.
-Now it’s not your turn to be the cute one!
He chuckled and said that from now on, they would only mock Raon.
'I was never in charge of being cute!'
-That’s why they say you lack tact!
* * *
"Ugh..."
Raon left the annex, which was still full of people, carrying a package of packed food and ice cream.
'I'm tired.'
Being with family was certainly a joy, but it was also true that it quickly drained his energy. He hurriedly left the party place, feeling that he would melt if he stayed there any longer.
-But why did you pack food and leave?
Wrath tilted his head and looked at the package of food in Raon’s hand.
-Maybe it’s a gift for this king tomorrow morning? If so, this king will accept it graciously...
-No, it’s not for you.
Raon pushed Wrath aside and told him not to be ridiculous.
-It’s for Aunt and Merlin.
Alice and Merlin were resting at Federick's mansion. He wasn’t sure if the two would be awake, but they could eat it later, so he planned to leave it in their room.
-Mmm...
Wrath shook his head with his mouth closed.
-Sometimes you’re quite perceptive, aren’t you?
"It’s not about being perceptive, it’s simply doing the right thing."
While organizing this party, he felt guilty about whether it was okay to do it when Alice and Merlin were still not fully awake. But if he kept postponing it, a sudden great war could break out, and it might get canceled, so he held it as quickly as possible.
'It’s a shame.'
He naturally sighed, thinking that if Rimmer, Alice, and Merlin had also been at that party, it would have been much more enjoyable than it was now.
-No, I shouldn't think about that now.
Raon shook off the suffocating sigh and headed toward Federick's mansion. Just as he was about to open the door and enter, someone came out first.
"Raon."
Denier Zieghart drew a smile as elegant as moonlight.
"I heard you were having a party, what brings you here?"
Denier smiled slightly, looking at the annex where the party was still ongoing.
"I brought some food. And you, Palace Master? Why are you here?"
Raon squinted as he looked at Denier.
"I came to see my sister."
Denier tilted his head and said he came to see Alice.
"You told me she had woken up. I came just in case, and fortunately, she was awake, so we could have a conversation."
He smiled and said he was lucky.
"...I see."
Raon bit the tip of his tongue as he looked at Denier.
"How was Aunt?"
He observed Denier's expression while asking about Alice.
"She didn’t look bad. Now she can’t get up, but I think she’ll be able to soon."
Denier raised his hand with a subtle smile.
"Take good care of her. Well then."
He gestured as if he had said all he needed to say and began to walk down the stairs.
—Ah, send my regards to Sia as well. Tell her that her uncle will come to see her later.
Denier disappeared toward the main building after asking Raon to convey his greetings to Sia.
"..."
Raon squinted as he watched Denier's back.
«I still can’t understand what he’s thinking».
Denier was suspicious in many ways, but he hadn’t actually done anything. It was frustrating because even though he wanted to be suspicious, there was nothing to suspect.
'What do you think?'
-As this king has said from the beginning, that guy is the most troublesome. You can’t tell if he’s an ally or an enemy.
Wrath squinted and said he just wanted to hit him.
'In any case...'
It seemed he needed someone to keep Denier in check. He would be heading to Sepia this week, so he needed someone who could prevent Denier from moving freely or find out what he was plotting.
"Someone who’s not inferior in status and is simply... Ah!"
A person came to Raon’s mind.
-
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