Ch.159Marry That Child (2)

“Young master, young master. Please wake up.”

“Mmm.”

Sonia rubbed my cheek with her usual bluntness. I must have dozed off.

“Is it morning already?”

“Yes, it is morning. But there’s something more important. Something that requires your attention.”

“What is it?”

My eyelids felt heavy as I tried to get up. I hadn’t slept much. Sonia gently patted my back and helped me sit up.

“There’s a commotion outside.”

“What’s going on?”

I shuffled toward the door in my slippers. Even before the automatic door opened, I could hear quarreling voices.

“I’m telling you, it was a misunderstanding!”

It was Zernya’s voice.

“How was I supposed to know that an Adelbein direct descendant was sleeping in the Rheinland main residence? I thought she was my daughter.”

“That’s not really the issue. Anyone can mistake someone’s identity. I’m asking for an explanation about what you said to me last night, Lady Seti.”

Zernya and Seti were arguing.

“Didn’t you say you were going to teach the Adelbein main family a big lesson? If you have complaints about the direct line, talk to me. I’ll listen personally.”

“That wasn’t meant for a student.”

“You specifically targeted the Adelbein direct line. That means you were talking about me. Please tell me. How exactly do you plan to teach us this lesson?”

“Enough…”

Zernya was particularly sharp-edged.

There was no arrogance or malice visible. She was purely angry because she was upset.

I needed to mediate.

“Hello, good morning.”

I joined the conversation with a light greeting. I positioned myself between Seti and Rustila.

Rustila, who had been watching nervously, quickly attached herself to my side like a cat finding sanctuary. Zernya’s eyes widened.

“What’s happening so early in the morning?”

“Eidel, explain this to me. Who is this girl, and who is that blonde girl? Why are there so many outsiders in our home?”

I answered calmly.

“That’s Zernya, and this is Rustila. They’re both my friends. Rustila took the college entrance exam with Seti, and she stayed overnight at our place yesterday.”

“And this one?”

“Father brought Zernya here. She’s been living with us for two months.”

Zernya’s eyes narrowed. I quickly added a detailed explanation before she could misunderstand.

“…I see. So you returned after being taken by an outsider. I understand the situation.”

Zernya seemed to accept my explanation to some extent. I was glad I had built up goodwill with her last night. Of course, I was still receiving unfriendly glances for being the first wife’s child.

“Seti, and Rustila was it? Didn’t you say you don’t have to go to school today? If you have time, let’s go out together. I’ll treat you to something delicious.”

“We actually need to go to school. See you later.”

We each prepared quickly. Fortunately, the atmosphere didn’t become any more hostile.

***

While Zernya was attending her class, I had a free period. I didn’t have much to do during this time.

So I decided to meet Ireh Hazlen after a long while.

Ireh was living in a small studio apartment near the college. Currently, only I and her real estate agent knew her exact location.

Knock, knock.

“It’s Altair.”

After knocking and waiting just long enough to take a breath, the sturdy metal door was pulled inward.

“It’s you. Come in.”

Ireh gestured for me to enter while fixing her disheveled hair.

“Have you been sleeping all day?”

“The exam ended yesterday.”

“Did it go well?”

“…I’m definitely going to pass.”

There was really no reason to worry about the exam results of Ireh, a regression. Still, I asked out of courtesy, and she sat on the bed with a somewhat pleased smile.

After entering the room, I rubbed my nose. There was a slightly musty smell.

“The air isn’t very good here. Why don’t you move to a better place?”

“This is the cheapest. And the location is good.”

“You could stay at our house.”

“No. That’s…”

Ireh pushed her side hair back and trailed off. She looked like a shy maiden hesitating.

“What department did you apply to?”

“Physics.”

“That’s exactly it, junior.”

I clapped like a seal to lighten the mood.

We talked for two hours about many things. Most of it was about work, but there was some small talk mixed in.

At one point, Ireh touched her hair and smiled bitterly.

“It’s a mess because I haven’t taken care of it. My hair has grown quite a bit too.”

She originally had a bob cut that ended at the nape of her neck. But after being cooped up in her room studying for months like a shut-in, her hair had grown down to her shoulders.

“That style looks good too. Why not try long hair for a change?”

“No. I have bad memories associated with it.”

“What kind…?”

“It happened before. While running away from a divine vessel, my hair got caught in an elevator. I died right there.”

Seeing her casually talk about her death in a previous timeline, she truly was a female protagonist accustomed to tragedy. I felt sympathy for her.

“That’s all in the past. Don’t look so sad, and go take care of your business.”

“Please let me know if you need anything. Never forget that you have the Rheinland family backing you.”

Ireh nodded and smiled.

“Thank you.”

***

Swish, swish.

Clatter, clatter.

The sounds of meat being sliced and dishes clinking alternated.

In the high-end restaurant mainly frequented by the wealthy, Rustila, seated between Seti and Zernya, was busy trying not to seem out of place.

“…Has everything been alright?”

“Nothing unusual.”

The atmosphere was somewhat stiff. It didn’t seem like a normal mother-daughter relationship.

Or was this how meals among high-status people always were?

But that thought didn’t hold up, as it was quite different from how Seti or Eidel usually behaved when dining with their father.

Zernya sighed for what must have been the umpteenth time, or closed and opened her eyes while continuing to slice the meat. The glossy meat juices flowed out modestly.

“Mother?”

“Eat. I haven’t been able to take care of you all this time.”

Zernya placed a few slices of the tenderest parts on Seti’s plate.

“How are you getting along with the rest of the family?”

“I don’t know about Brian and Catrick since I haven’t seen them. But I’m getting along well with Eidel and Father.”

“Has Eidel ever given you a hard time?”

“He used to, but not anymore.”

Zernya’s eyebrow twitched.

“He used to…?”

“It’s all in the past, so don’t worry about it. We get along really well now. I don’t want to go into details.”

“If you ever have any troubles, you can always tell your mom. I’ll be able to visit the main residence more often from now on.”

Seti’s eyes widened.

“Really?”

“Yes, really.”

Seti was surprised twice.

First, because it had been a very long time since she had been comforted by her mother. Second, because she referred to herself as “mom,” a somewhat rough but warm word.

Rationally thinking, it was probably because of the next family head position.

For Zernya, Seti was a joker card. The only hope to get revenge on those who had sent her to an unwanted marriage and ruined her life.

For such a hope, she couldn’t afford to be harsh or cold.

Seti knew this but didn’t show any disappointment. The position of family head was something she herself desired, and as a child, she had the filial desire to ease her mother’s burden.

To do her best to gain favor with the council of elders.

Seti’s thoughts only went that far.

Zernya, hardened by internal Adelbein politics, thought one step further.

She turned her gaze to Rustila, who was munching on her salad.

“Rustila, was it? You seem quite close to Eidel.”

“Ah, yes. That’s right.”

Rustila scratched her cheek and smiled broadly.

Zernya knew.

Such a smile was the privilege of a girl in love.

“Thank you for keeping our daughter company. Don’t be shy, eat plenty. And if possible, please stay at our house tonight as well. I’ll make sure you’re well taken care of.”

Zernya spoke more casually to Rustila than before. It meant she recognized Rustila as a colleague and ally. She treated Rustila with a much friendlier tone.

“What do you think of our daughter and Eidel?”

“They’re both kind. And talented too. Seti is good at making money, and Eidel excels at research. You must know about Eidel, ma’am. He was one of the people who ended the Southern War.”

Rustila continued praising Seti and Eidel with eyes shining like stars. Zernya simply listened for a while.

Eidel von Rheinland.

That name had risen rapidly in the last two years.

Zernya knew about him. She just hadn’t shown it in front of him because she was already coiled with suspicion.

Why had her husband Arnold brought Zernya to the Rheinland main residence instead of a hospital?

And why had he let them live together for two whole months?

What were the intentions of the Adelbein main family?

Would Eidel and Zernya really remain just friends?

Above all, who did the council of elders plan to make the next family head?

Various thoughts intertwined like tangled threads, weaving logic.

Soon, Zernya understood everything. As the puzzle pieces fit together, a larger picture began to emerge.

Zernya was an infiltrator sent by the Adelbein main family to keep her in check. Also, a child intended for a political marriage with Eidel.

If that were to happen, there would be no way out. A marriage between the Rheinland direct line and the Adelbein direct line would lead to the collapse of the balance among the ten great families. Seti’s chances of becoming the family head would also greatly diminish. Then revenge would be impossible.

“I want to become… someone worthy of Eidel too.”

“Hehe, is that so?”

This was why Zernya, having finished her calculations, was looking at Rustila with affection.

Perhaps there were two joker cards.

***

[I’m sorry, but due to current family circumstances, I cannot schedule a meeting.]

[Jerome von Adelbein]

“Hmm.”

Arnold swallowed.

Things were becoming difficult.

The prosecution had been investigating the Adelbein main family several times regarding the recent divine manifestation incident.

This was not good news for Arnold, who desperately needed a doctor daughter-in-law from a powerful family.

“Even a simple meeting is not easy.”

It’s been eventful.

Just as he was about to give up on scheduling an appointment and return to the main residence:

[Lord Rheinland, I plan to return to the Adelbein main family after next week. Thank you for taking care of me during this time.]

Such a message arrived from Zernya.