Chapter 13 - Volume 2 (1/2)

Afterwards, I was given some time alone with Shade.

The one who forcibly brought out this development was Uncle Narcissus. It seemed Uncle was serious when he asked me to take charge of Shade’s training, as that was how it was explained to Shade. Neither I nor my father remembered agreeing on this matter.

I wonder what was the cause for Uncle’s forceful actions. Was he expecting something from me? Or was he hoping to get Father’s support on this? I can’t discard the possibility that he didn’t think about anything, though.

At any rate, this was a chance for me to ask the questions I had about this complicated situation.

「I’d like you to call me Lycoris. There’s no need to add 『Miss』after all. Would it be alright if I called you Shade?」「Yes」「Have you already had dinner?」「Yes. I apologise for not coming out for dinner」

「It’s fine, you don’t have to worry about things like that. By the way, what did you eat? Did you have the same meal we had for dinner?」

Although internally, my heart was pounding as I asked the question, Shade smoothly replied that he had the same menu for dinner.

I was relieved. It seems, at least for now, his meals haven’t been left out. While it was rude, I was able to hit the nail on the head by asking a slightly blunt question.

「Do you have a small appetite? You seem incredibly thin」

「No. That’s not the case… it’s only that I’m not used to the『good food』provided here」

It wasn’t an unnatural answer. For most people, it’s likely the things they ate from an early age would be what they would consider as delicious.

「I see. Well, even if you get used to the meals here… you’d still yearn for your honored mother’s cooking, right?」

At the mention of his mother, his red eyes seemed to wobble and tremble.

And then those eyes, towards me– towards the girl in front of him who had asked the rude question, sent just a small glare.

「Even if I yearned for it, I can’t go back. After all, it was my mother’s own volition to send me away」

Finally able to take a glance at him after he shared his sentiments, I was overcome by a strange sense of relief. That’s because, while being this small, having a person with complete control of himself as an opponent, somehow, I felt like I wouldn’t stand a chance.

「That was careless of me to say, I’m sorry」

「…it’s alright」

「From tomorrow onwards, I’ll be teaching you a little bit about manners. It would truthfully be better if you learned this from a man, but for the time being, I’ll try to teach you what I can」

「Yes.  Thank you very much」

Shade smiled and laughed delightfully.

This one-year younger cousin of mine, the aspect of him that was very innocent seemed unnatural no matter what. Of course, this was because his personality had a gap with the game character Shade; but some might say that my opinion was biased.

That’s why when I saw this kind of smile, I instead ended up thinking that perhaps he used it when he wasn’t being honest.

「Studying about manners is very important. If firmly disciplined, it’s an armor that can be used to protect yourself in the aristocracy. Because it would become your strength.」

「…strength… is it?」(2)

「Yes, that’s right. It’s strength in a broader sense. Did it pique your interest?」

Shade merely tilted his head, but I think it got a little of his attention. Even if this role of mine as a teacher was only for a short time, I wanted my student to have the desire to learn.

「Then, let’s continue tomorrow」「Yes」「Good night」「Yes」「Good night」「…good night」

For boys of this age, it might be a bit embarrassing to have this exchange. But greetings are important. From tomorrow onwards, I will have to thoroughly train him on it.

When I realized it, I completely became serious in taking up my role.

After that awkward farewell, I parted with Shade and began walking towards the guest room.

Because I had visited this place countless times since I was still small, there was no need for someone to guide me there.

For the first time, I thought about Shade.

I wanted to know his situation and his thoughts. For example, was Aunt really maltreating him? What were his thoughts about Uncle and Crinum? If I was able to obtained Shade’s trust, I wonder whether he would talk to me about them. Or, should it be with an adult he could trust– should I leave it to Father, then?

Uncle adores Shade, and Aunt most likely neglects him, at worse, he’s probably detested. In Crinum’s case, I wonder what she thinks of him?

When she first learned about his existence, she must have been shocked. She probably despised her own father’s actions. And she might have even been angry about it. But, at present, I think she is taking care of Shade. Crinum is a nice girl.

My thoughts flew to the time I was playing with Crinum in this mansion.

When I was young, I was holed up inside my room and was branded as a child that was only into books and nothing else; but, when father took me to come to this mansion, I didn’t have the free time to read those books. That’s because I was too busy playing with my gentle cousin who was close to my age.

Since Aunt’s educational policy did not allow us to play outside, the young Crinum and I entertained ourselves by exploring every nook and cranny of the house, with dolls in one  hand. As small children, the usually never visited closet or storage room was a world of unknown adventure to us; the strange appearance of the attic was what we were especially pleased with.