CHAPTER 22
In the original story, Ayla’s name was Ayla Wolfgang.
But now, she was Ayla Mente.
“Even so, I still can’t tell who her real parents are.”
Normally, it would make sense to assume that her original parents in the story were her biological ones, but Ayla’s childhood wasn’t detailed in the original.
Given that, there was a high chance the Mente couple were her real parents—but it wasn’t something I could be completely certain of either.
Especially because Id’s reaction just now… was suspicious no matter how you looked at it.
For the sake of my and Aslan’s safety, I had a duty to uncover all the oddities around us—especially ones that deviated from the original story.
I quietly observed Id.
Id, in turn, was also quietly observing me.
A strange tension filled the air.
The one who spoke first was Id.
“Did you… wish Aslan resembled your husband more?”
“…What?”
I blinked rapidly, caught completely off guard by the question.
What was I even supposed to say to that?
After a moment of thought, I replied,
“No. Regardless of who she resembles, Aslan is my daughter, and that won’t ever change.”
“…I see.”
Id sipped his tea quietly, seemingly satisfied with the answer.
Then he gently placed his teacup down and said,
“Now that I think of it, I should probably greet your husband as well. It seems rather rude to visit your home without saying hello.”
Ah, so it finally came to this.
Id had a point.
But while I could fake a portrait, I couldn’t fake a living, breathing husband.
I gave him a troubled smile.
“Oh, that’s alright. He’s not home at the moment.”
“Is that so? Then perhaps I can visit another day…”
“Oh—no, there’s no need. He’s never home. He passed away before Aslan was even born.”
Upon hearing that, Id’s face turned pale.
In contrast, mine remained perfectly composed.
“It’s not like this is the first time I’ve lied.”
Since we were going to maintain contact with Ayla’s family, the truth about my husband not existing would be exposed eventually. So it was better to cut that conversation off before it could come up again.
Id quickly bowed his head.
“I’m sorry, madam. That was terribly insensitive of me.”
“It’s alright. He’s someone I’ve already let go.”
I smiled softly.
I meant it as reassurance that I was okay, but Id’s face turned even paler.
“I—I’m truly sorry. You must have endured so much…”
I was flustered.
That’s not what I meant. Why was he reacting like this?
Among nobles, where loveless marriages were common, many wives were happier once their husbands were out of the picture.
But Id seemed strangely convinced that I had deeply loved my husband.
“Well, I guess he can think that if he wants…”
Then I remembered something from when I visited the Mente estate.
Even during the commotion, no woman appeared who seemed like the lady of the house.
Could it be…?
“Sir Mente, are you… perhaps in a similar situation?”
“…Yes.”
Id lowered his head.
Ah… so that explains his overreaction.
He must have loved his wife deeply, and went through great emotional pain when she passed—so he assumed I had experienced the same.
Wait… doesn’t that increase the likelihood that Ayla really is the Mentes’ biological daughter?
Maybe, for some reason, Id died young, and Ayla was adopted into the prestigious Wolfgang family.
Thinking that he might be someone fated to die soon made my initial suspicions disappear.
“Hmm. If Ayla leaves for the capital, Aslan will be really sad.”
And judging by how Id treats Ayla, he seemed like a genuinely good father.
In the original story “Academy Survival,” Ayla’s journey began when she transferred to Povace Academy at age 14.
By then, she was already the adopted daughter of Count Wolfgang.
Which means that, at most, Id only has 9 more years to live.
That was when I decided to change the original plot.
I would steer things toward a future where both Aslan and I could be safe.
Though I’d prefer to focus solely on Aslan’s safety, if Id were to die, Ayla would be adopted by the Wolfgangs, and the story would proceed as written.
“And more than anything, I don’t want Ayla to end up in that awful royal family.”
Ayla would surely end up at the academy.
Then she’d end up with Cassius. And while he was kind, I didn’t want someone as good-hearted as Ayla to end up with a father-in-law like Mars and a mother-in-law like the imperial princess.
The Wolfgangs had been thrilled to have Ayla join the royal family, but somehow, Id seemed different.
He looked like someone with better judgment.
“Alright, I’ll do you a favor.”
I gave Id a heartfelt piece of advice.
“Please take care of your health.”
“…Pardon?”
“We’re all our kids have. At least until they’re old enough to stand on their own, we need to be their strongest support. So be careful, stay healthy, and if you ever need help, feel free to come talk to me.”
“Ah…”
Id looked dazed.
His expression said he never expected me to be the one to say such a thing.
He bowed his head, still looking stunned.
“Thank you for your kindness. And please, if you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out as well.”
I probably wouldn’t ever need his help, but there was no need to say that out loud.
“Of course. Let’s support each other as neighbors and fellow parents.”
And let’s both survive this—together.
I swallowed the words rising to my throat and simply smiled.
An hour later, Id and I went back up to the study room.
Id quietly stood in a corner so he wouldn’t disturb the kids, and I approached them and asked,
“Did you both finish the test?”
“All done!”
Aslan responded cheerfully, while Ayla simply nodded shyly.
I decided to grade Aslan’s test first.
“Let’s see how hard you worked, Aslan!”
“I’m confident! I’m gonna get a perfect score!”
“Sure, sure.”
At least his confidence was admirable.
I picked up a red pencil and began grading Aslan’s test.
And then—it rained red marks.
“Aslan… 20 points.”
He got 4 out of 20 questions right.
Should I be shocked he only got four right—or impressed he got that many?
Aslan’s face turned indignant.
“That can’t be right!”
“Oh, it’s right. Let’s go over it later. For now, let’s take a look at Ayla’s.”
“Yes, teacher.”
Ayla nodded, looking slightly unsure.
I walked over to her desk and began grading.
But contrary to her timid expression, Ayla’s test was covered in red circles—all correct.
Ten questions designed for five-year-olds, seven for six-year-olds, and even three at the level of the Povace Academy entrance exam. She got all 20 correct.
Honestly, I hadn’t expected her skill level to be this high.
Staring at the paper, I blinked in disbelief before praising her.
“Ayla, full marks! Great job!”
“Th-thank you…”
Unlike my overly excited reaction, Ayla simply blushed in embarrassment.
Aslan peeked over at her test and shouted in amazement.
“Whoa! I don’t understand any of this! You know all this stuff, Ayla?”
“Y-yeah…”
“You’re amazing! Ayla, you’re super smart!”
Clearly embarrassed by the praise, Ayla tried to hide her bright red face behind her hair.
“N-no, I’m not really that smart…”
“Yes, you are! Right, teacher?”
“That’s right, Ayla. This is incredible for your age.”
And I meant it.
But Ayla didn’t seem to think so. She muttered, “It’s really nothing…” and kept glancing nervously at Id in the corner.
Was Id the type to pressure her about studying?
He didn’t seem like it.
Just in case, I decided to bring him in.
“Sir Mente, would you come over here?”
“…Me?”
Id looked startled to be suddenly called upon.
I gestured for him to come quickly.
Id hesitated, then walked over, and I proudly showed him Ayla’s test.
“What do you think? Isn’t it amazing, even by your standards?”
“…Yes, it’s truly impressive.”
Staring intently at the paper, Id couldn’t suppress his proud smile.
He gently patted Ayla’s head and praised her.
“Well done, Ayla. All your hard work paid off.”
“Th-thank you…”
Her face turned red again, but this time from happiness.
I asked Id,
“She must study diligently, huh?”
“Yes. She does it all on her own, even without being told.”
He sounded proud as he said it.
At least from this, it didn’t seem like he was the strict, demanding type.
After all, he’d said he wanted Aslan and Ayla to spend time together because of Ayla’s timid nature.
“I really wish Ayla had more confidence…”
It was a little heartbreaking to see her shrink back, even when no one was criticizing her.
What could I do to help her build self-esteem?
I reached into my memory—back to my days working at a kids’ café.
I racked my brain.
And then… I had a great idea.
“That’ll be the next lesson.”
Even the shyest kids would be hoarse by the end of that activity.
I started planning the next lesson in my head and smiled in satisfaction.
