Chapter 59
Blink. Blink. Blink.
All three of them looked at me, blinking at the same pace, as if rehearsed.
“Stop fighting! Don’t you know it’s embarrassing in front of the child?”
Ah, there it is again. Just raising my voice a little makes my pronunciation slip like this.
Setting aside my silly accent, it seemed my words had hit home, as Herald and the Marchioness of Polz finally fell silent.
Both still looked displeased, though.
With the atmosphere finally calming a bit, I could speak again without difficulty.
“Hmm, hmm, I’ll translate what Grandmother said for you.”
“What?”
“What does that mean…?”
I had expected this reaction, so I didn’t hesitate and spoke.
“Grandmother is telling Mom to stand confidently. She wasn’t scolding you. Right?”
I looked at the Marchioness, seeking her agreement.
She nodded, with a look as if saying, “Of course I didn’t.”
“I never scolded her. Not even once.”
“Reeeally?”
“Yes.”
Her words had a strong impact on Mom and Herald.
It wasn’t surprising—they would naturally think she was scolding based on her tone.
“Even if others treat you as just a citizen of the duchy, it’s fine if you hold yourself confidently. The Marchioness of Ereiton should not be swayed by gossip or others’ eyes.”
“Ah…”
Mom stared blankly at the Marchioness, wanting to say so much but unable to.
Maybe it’s time for another “effective strike”?
“Mom.”
“Uh, hmm?”
“Grandmother just has a warm heart, her tone is a bit cold. And, Grandmother—”
At my words, one of the Marchioness’s eyebrows rose.
“Please speak a little more kindly to Mom. I’m asking.”
“Ugh…”
She paused briefly at my request, then nodded.
Next, my gaze fell on Herald, who looked stunned.
“And Dad…”
Herald’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He seemed to be both curious and anxious about what I’d say next.
“Tone it down a bit.”
“…Okay, understood.”
That was all I needed to say to Herald.
“Hehe, so… did you two reconcile?”
My innocent question made Mom and the Marchioness glance at each other. Then, awkwardly, they nodded.
In that slightly awkward but gentle mood, dinner finally ended.
“Eh? You’re just leaving?”
“Yes, we’ll head back for today.”
The Marchioness of Polz put on the gloves Allen had given her and answered Herald.
Herald and Mom looked at each other in surprise.
I guess they assumed she would stay the night.
Mom added a word.
“We prepared a room for the Marchioness. If you have no urgent matters, you could stay here tonight… it’s already getting dark.”
Her sharp green eyes met Mom’s.
Mom’s shoulders twitched nervously.
“If I stay, will you rest comfortably?”
“…Huh?”
“I mean, don’t feel the need to hold her back. Your face is already so pale…”
Mom bowed her head, unsure what to do.
Ah, again, she misunderstands! That’s a caring comment from her!
I quickly grabbed the edge of Mom’s sleeve, guiding her to bend slightly, and whispered into her ear with my hand covering my mouth.
“Mom, Grandmother is worried about you.”
“Uh?”
Mom looked puzzled again.
“She means you should rest comfortably since you look tired.”
“Oh…”
My translation worked; Mom relaxed and nodded slightly.
While I clarified the misunderstanding, the Marchioness had already put on a hat covering half her face.
She stepped outside to board the carriage, and we naturally followed to see her off.
Suddenly, the Marchioness stopped and turned. She looked at me briefly, then shifted her gaze to Herald.
“Go inside. Don’t let the child catch a cold in the wind.”
“But we should see her off properly.”
“Tsk.”
The Marchioness clicked her tongue at Herald, who ignored her words, and walked toward the lavish carriage. This sound had likely been repeated over ten times today alone.
As Mom and Herald followed, I suddenly felt an imposing presence.
“Miss.”
I looked without thinking, and there was Allen, staring at me with an intimidating gaze.
I froze, and he smiled widely, showing deep dimples, and slowly approached.
Ah, no… please don’t come closer while smiling like that…
By then, he had kneeled on one knee to meet my eye level.
“Sigh… I wanted to stay longer and get closer to you, but Madam wouldn’t allow it.”
Marchioness of Polz—nice!
He crossed his hands over his chest in an exaggerated “X” and made a show of disappointment.
“I, Allen, am heartbroken from how disappointed I am.”
“Ha ha…”
Whether his heart is breaking or not, he seemed oblivious, kneeling on both knees and leaning closer to me.
“When I get to know you better next time, please let me call you ‘Miss,’ okay?”
“Ah, yes…”
“Oh, don’t use formal speech with me. It makes it awkward.”
The awkwardness is real.
I couldn’t bring myself to speak, avoiding Allen’s intense gaze, looking away repeatedly.
Then, I sensed someone above us. I looked up to see Herald frowning down at us.
His cold eyes, freezing everything, were fixed on Allen.
“You—go.”
“Yes, yes. Understood.”
Allen stood as if used to Herald’s icy stare and harsh tone.
He waved at me with a bright smile before disappearing behind Herald, who blocked the way.
“Well, then, we’ll leave now.”
The Marchioness climbed into the carriage with Allen’s assistance and looked back at us.
Her light green eyes scanned each of us, finally settling on me.
“Chloe.”
“Yes!”
“It was a pleasure meeting you. Let’s see each other again next time.”
Wow… her tone is much softer than the first time we met!
I grinned inwardly, raising one arm high and waving enthusiastically.
“Yes! Goodbye, Grandmother!”
The Marchioness waved back, and soon the carriage doors closed.
I kept waving until it disappeared from sight.
Three more years had passed since I came to Ereiton.
I was now eight years old.
My pronunciation rarely slipped anymore.
My abilities had stabilized considerably compared to three years ago.
The training that used to break small twigs had evolved into breaking large boulders.
With each day of improvement, Finn’s face brightened.
Today, Finn had been grinning all day.
“Excellent work, Miss. To break a boulder of this size already… reporting this to the Duke will surely make him happy.”
“Dad wouldn’t be happy about this.”
“Hehe, you still don’t know the Duke very well.”
I do know him. Over the past three years, I had gotten close to Herald, helping him with minor and major issues with Mom.
By now, calling him “Dad” felt natural.
But that didn’t make him a stereotypical ‘dotting father.’ He was more like a ‘daughter genius’ type.
“Though this report would be for when the Duke returns.”
“That’s true.”
Herald had been away attending council meetings for over three weeks now.
He said he’d be back in a week… but it’s taking too long.
“Now, let’s move on to the final physical training…”
“Miss! Miss!”
Finn’s suggestion was interrupted by a loud voice.
I turned to see who was speaking.
“Ellie?”
