𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟏: 𝐀𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭
For the time being, I managed to drive out my uncle’s family.
This is a significant first step for me.
But I can’t afford to rejoice.
My uncle is not the kind of man who would back down easily.
I must plan the next move and prepare for the crisis.
First, I will go to check on Florenci and talk to him.
He seems to have been unable to sleep much, and his complexion was poor.
He seems to be shutting himself away in a dark room, perhaps to prevent me from worrying.
“Florenci, staying in a dark room will only bring your spirits down.”
I open the curtains, letting the sunlight into the room.
Florenci squinted as if the light was too bright.
He hadn’t been eating properly for breakfast or lunch. At this rate, he’s going to be bedridden.
“Florenci, is there something you would like to eat for dinner?”
“No, nothing.”
Florenci used to love the chickpea soup I made. Now it seems that he doesn’t even want to eat that.
“You won’t feel better unless you eat something.”
“I know, but when I think of Otou-sama, I feel so sad. . . . . .”
“Florenci.”
I hug his small body and pat his back as if comforting him.
“Florenci, if you lose your spirit too, it will only make your Otou-sama sad. Although it may still be hard, we have to keep living.”
Even if we experience gut-wrenching events, and even if we face depressingly rainy days, time called life relentlessly moves forward.
If we lose ourselves in emotions, it becomes a weakness.
In order not to become prey for those who would take advantage of that, we must become stronger.
But this child is still young and needs the protection of his parents. He does not need to be strong at this time.
“Not only Okaa-sama, but also Otou-sama is gone. Everyone, everyone is leaving me.”
Florenci looks up at me with tearful eyes.
Without words, it seemed as if he was saying that I would eventually be gone as well.
He feared becoming alone with the death of his father.
The moment I realized this, a deep pang of sadness gripped my heart.
I looked at Florenci and voiced my resolution.
“From now on, I will live as your ‘parent’, Florenci. I will be by your side until you grow up.”
Florenci had a surprised look on his face.
“What. . . . . .aren’t you going to marry someone else?”
“No, I have no plans to get married.”
“Is it to stay by my side?”
I quickly deny that.
“Even if we are nobles, marriage is not everything.”
“I see.”
The truth will be told when he grows up a little more. For now, I’m sorry, but I have to hide my true feelings.
“You said you will become my parent, but what exactly will you do?”
“Let’s go to the seaside country of Binemöer and play house.”
At my unexpected proposal, Florenci blinks his eyes.
“Play house in Binemöer?”
“Yes. Let’s disguise our names and status and live a leisurely life for a while.”
“Why do we have to leave the country for that?”
There’s no way I can tell Florenci, who has just lost his father, that we’re being targeted for our position and wealth by our uncle’s family.
I give the reason I had thought of in advance.
“There are too many memories of your father in this country, and it makes us sad. I think we need time to rest our hearts by leaving here.”
If possible, I want to leave the day after the funeral. We don’t have the luxury to wait.
Florenci still seemed confused, but I could see a light in his eyes that wasn’t there before.
“If I become not me, can I escape from this sadness?”
“Yes. You can become a happy child living with your beloved mother.”
Florenci’s expression, twisted with sorrow, eases just a bit.
Seeing that, I felt relieved.
🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
I think it’s best not to leave Florenci alone, so I brought Ga-chan to his room.
He was playing with Ga-chan for a while, but he fell asleep after about an hour.
I covered him with a blanket and stroked his cheek.
Seeing his peaceful sleeping face, I felt relieved.
I continued preparing for the journey to Binemöer. At the same time, I wrote a letter to Rachael, the Grand Duke’s daughter of Binemöer.
The writing paper was magical, and when I finished writing, it folded itself automatically.
It took the form of a bird and started to flutter.
When I opened the window, it flew out into the open sky.
Observing it, I couldn’t help but admire the bird-script magic.
I wonder if Rachael has already returned to Binemöer.
If she’s still in Vulcano, I’d like to meet her in person and talk.
In the letter, I wrote about my father’s death and the difficult situation I’m in, asking for her help.
It must be a bother to be asked for help by a stranger like me.
This seems like I’m taking advantage of the kindness of Rachael, who is known as a saint.
But if it’s for the sake of surviving with Florenci, I’m prepared to do anything.
With a feeling like praying, I waited for Rachael’s reply.
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