Chapter 96
“First, how about conducting a paternity test?”
Jaden spoke in the tense meeting room.
“It’s better to be certain in matters like this.”
But Sharon Abner, who sat in the head seat, remained silent.
A few of the attendants, seizing a chance to speak, stepped forward.
“However, she seems to resemble Princess Isabel so much that a paternity test might not even be necessary.”
“Especially since the letter the child had was said to be written by His Highness himself, wasn’t it? If she possesses a letter that only His Highness and Princess Isabel know about, it’s practically certain…”
“If we conduct a paternity test, it will surely cause a lot of talk. If it’s unnecessary, wouldn’t it be better to skip it?”
There was one reason they opposed it.
Issues like this often involved matters of romance or scandal.
For that reason, most high-ranking nobles quietly avoided paternity tests.
Of course, there were other opinions as well.
“My opinion is a little different. For matters this important, I think it’s best to be precise and confirm. After all, a test was already conducted a few months ago in the Longton Ducal House.”
“They had gone through the trouble of finding their lost daughter, so it was just for verification…”
“Isn’t our situation the same? Of course, it’s a child we didn’t even know existed, but she is, after all, Abner blood.”
“Exactly! That’s why we’re saying no test! It’s already been proven in many ways. If the test damages the family’s honor…”
“Everyone, be quiet.”
Sharon Abner cut off the attendants’ words.
“If we decide not to proceed with the test, it’s not for any other reason—it’s for the child’s sake.”
Everyone was startled and looked at Sharon Abner.
“She’s only five years old. If you drag her to a strange place and insist on testing whether she’s real or not, how do you expect the child not to be scared?”
The attendants fell silent, realizing they hadn’t considered that.
“She’s not at an age where she knows nothing. Just look at Lia…”
Sharon Abner mentioned Annelia unconsciously and then stopped herself.
Her eyes slowly grew complicated.
She let out a shallow sigh and pressed her forehead.
“I didn’t know your mother had such traits.”
Jaden stepped forward, speaking in a tone as if he found it somewhat amusing.
“I thought you’d insist on conducting the test no matter what. And it’s not even someone else—it’s the child I brought here, isn’t it?”
Sharon Abner’s brows furrowed slightly.
“You’ve always seemed distasteful to me, Mother. I thought you wouldn’t trust me. Ah… Perhaps all the circumstances are just too certain, and that’s why you’re believing me.”
He chuckled.
The attendants anxiously watched Sharon Abner and Jaden, unsure of what would happen next.
Sharon Abner finally spoke, her tightly pressed lips opening.
“I’ve said it many times already. I’ve never once seen you as distasteful.”
Jaden stiffened.
“I’ve only been waiting for you to come to your senses. That’s a mother’s role.”
Jaden’s expression slowly grew cold.
A strange, fleeting contempt flashed in his violet eyes before disappearing.
“A mother’s role… Ah, I see. I didn’t realize that’s why you were looking after me. So, by doing this, my evaluation improves a bit, huh? Honestly, if this counts as merit, then I guess it’s merit.”
Sharon Abner watched Jaden for a moment and then nodded.
“…Yes. You’ve finally done something proper.”
The attendants’ expressions brightened.
Jaden Abner may have been a ruffian, but at the moment, he was the most suitable candidate to inherit Sharon’s position.
If he regained his senses and could inherit the family, it would be a great blessing for the Abners.
In any case, it was better than looking for a successor elsewhere.
“Come to think of it, the young master’s insight is truly remarkable.”
“I heard he hasn’t been drinking lately, either.”
The attendants asked cautiously, and Jaden looked indifferent, as if it was no big deal.
“Seeing my suddenly appearing niece trying her best, I felt I should do something as well.”
“….”
“Oh, does that mean you now have two nieces?”
Jaden smiled.
A few attendants awkwardly followed with a laugh, but Sharon Abner did not.
She stayed silent for a long while, muttering quietly.
“Seniana… let’s just observe her for now.”
She added,
“The paternity test can be conducted anytime if we decide to.”
One of the attendants’ eyes widened at her words.
“Ah! Speaking of which, Princess Annelia has brought the mage tower master to the academy…!”
The paternity test was performed with a single-use magical device.
By placing the blood of both individuals inside a crystal, the color would change according to the degree of match.
“With the mage tower master nearby, there’s no need to wait at all, ha ha.”
While the attendants chattered, Jaden muttered to himself.
“Still, I wonder if she and Seniana will get along well. Well, they’re about the same age, so they should be fine.”
Everyone forced an awkward smile.
Sharon Abner remained expressionless until the end.
Seniana seemed like a normal five-year-old.
Though she appeared a little intimidated by the unfamiliar environment, she basically knew how to approach people without hesitation.
“So, where is this Soya person?”
I quietly watched Seniana wave Miel’s apron.
We had just finished a simple snack in the kitchen-dining area.
Miel answered awkwardly.
“S-Soya is at a place called Evehill right now. She used to be a maid, but now she’s in charge of personnel in the greenhouse…”
“What’s a personnel manager?”
“Oh, it’s someone who hires and manages people.”
“When will Soya come?”
Miel looked at me helplessly.
“S-Soya is your ladyship’s aide, so she can only come with your orders…”
Seniana’s gaze subtly shifted toward me at that.
“Your ladyship?”
“Yes. Here, Annelia.”
“Oh… I see.”
Seniana fiddled with her fingers and lowered her eyes.
“I’ve been calling her Seniana all the time…”
Miel’s face flushed with embarrassment.
She opened her mouth, fidgeting nervously.
“W-Well, that’s…”
“No, it’s fine. Seniana. Annelia has been here longer than you.”
Yet, contrary to the words, Seniana’s face was completely downcast.
“S-Seniana, it’s not like that…”
“Seniana, do you like Miel?”
I asked at that moment.
Seniana’s gaze turned to me, and Miel’s eyes widened.
“You like Miel and Soya?”
Seniana seemed surprised, but then she nodded.
“Yes. When I lived with Dad in Otium, she reminded me of the older sisters in the neighborhood, so I liked her.”
“I see… understood. Miel, stay with Seniana for the time being.”
“My lady!”
Miel shouted in surprise.
But I calmly said,
“Seniana is your grandmother’s granddaughter. She’ll be living here, so it shouldn’t be uncomfortable from the start.”
Miel couldn’t respond, and Seniana’s face gradually brightened.
She asked in a hopeful voice,
“Then what about Soya?”
“Soya is somewhere else right now.”
Seniana frowned.
“She could just come back and stay with me.”
“She can’t do that immediately.”
Seniana’s eyes widened slightly, then her expression turned pouty.
I quickly spoke.
“I’ll give you my toys instead.”
Miel looked at me in surprise.
“Toys?”
“Yes. There are plenty of teddy bears, the palace soldier play set, marbles, and colored blocks.”
“I see…?”
But Seniana’s expression didn’t change dramatically.
She looked even more expressionless than the surprised Miel.
“Not interested? All my friends at the orphanage loved my toys.”
The pouty Seniana stiffened slightly.
She glanced at Miel, then slowly opened her small lips.
“I don’t know about those… I’ve never had toys before.”
“I see.”
I took a sip of the milk in front of me.
Then I continued,
“Then, if there’s anything else you need, tell me. I’ll help you find it.”
Only then did Seniana’s eyes light up again.
Seeing her answer, ‘Yes! I’ll think and tell you!’ I finished the milk.
As soon as we returned to the room, I summoned Chairman Herman.
