85 – Father-in-law, give me your daughter – 3
“Nice to meet you. I am Grandis von Gracia, the father of Hestia and head of Count Gracia.”
An elderly middle-aged man introduced himself in a dignified tone. Hestia’s father, Grandis von Gracia, had hair that was similar to Hestia’s, not white, and was wearing a suit that fit him perfectly. He had the impression of being a scholar, rather than a nobleman who dominated the area or a merchant who ran one of the best merchants in the empire. Should I say he is a contemplative of a university professor? It feels like being kind and picky at the same time. He is a middle-aged man, as if drawn in a painting.
“Nice to meet you. I am Nadia von Gracia, Hestia’s mother.”
Hestia’s mother was also a beautiful woman who would not believe that she was the mother of a child. She added a little exaggeration to the point where she wondered if Hestia would think of her as a sister if they went out together. As a word to describe Hestia’s parents, the word good man and woman couldn’t have been better suited.
Unlike the natural Hestia and Cordelia at the dinner table, Seol-ah and I sat at our seats hesitantly. Count Gracia said with a gentle smile.
“I don’t have anything prepared, but I eat a lot.”
Contrary to what he said, however, the table was full of all sorts of delicacies, as if his legs were about to bend. Then, in a friendly atmosphere, the meal began. The Count skillfully led a light conversation. He spoke to Seol-ah.
“I’ve seen Miss Cordelia often, but this is the first time I’ve seen that lady.”
“My name is Lily von Adamas of Baron Adamas.”
“Oh, I see. It was Baron Adamas, so it was a nice, quiet place.”
“It’s just a quiet countryside.”
Seola and the count had a good conversation. Cordelia and Hestia were also resolving the resentment they met with the Countess after a long time. What? Is it bullying? Looking around, I realized that I was the only one who was completely excluded from the conversation.
“Father, it’s been a while since I met Mikhail, isn’t it?”
“Tsk.”
As if it was a pity for me to quietly eat without saying anything, Hestia stepped forward and told the count. The Count moved his head slowly to look at my face, then clicked his tongue once with a look of apparent regret. Did he just kick his tongue at me? It was rather embarrassing to openly show dislike. As if the gentle attitude so far had been a lie, the Count showed his dissatisfaction toward me.
Isn’t your attitude toward me too cold-hearted? I greeted you first in the most formal way possible.
“Father. Long time no see.”
“Father? Who is your father?”
“The Count.”
“Huh. I knew you would talk.”
There was no choice. It seems that he has no will to talk to me more than he thought. I sent Hestia a sign asking for help. However, as if Hestia hadn’t expected that the count would suddenly appear like that, she was taken aback.
“Oh, Dad!”
“I don’t know what happened, but Hestia. People don’t change that easily.”
Hestia and I both froze at his sharp demeanor, unable to find anything to say. It’s not that I can’t understand his position either.
Because I said I was running the guild, I might not easily trust people, and since I’ve been unfriendly for the past 10 years, of course you may have negative feelings towards me. It is also said that people do not change easily. Of course, in my case, this is not applicable because people have literally changed.
“I have nothing to say.”
I didn’t say anything more and quietly lowered my head. In a precarious atmosphere like walking on thin ice, Hestia brought up a new topic.
“Oh, Dad! No father Hey, where is your uncle?”
Come to think of it, I really can’t see the people who are Hestia’s uncle and her family. The count treated Hestia with a mild and respectful attitude, as if his previous attitude was a lie.
“He is probably relaxing in his room. You asked to have dinner together, so maybe in a little while….”
“Hestiaaa!”
In an instant, a powerful shout was heard from the entrance of the restaurant, cutting off the Count’s graceful voice. The count placed his hand on his face, then he let out a deep sigh. Naturally, everyone’s eyes turned to the entrance.
“Nilvas! I have guests, so what kind of rudeness is this!”
“Ah, brother. Long time no see.”
“Hello.”
The Count gritted his teeth and screamed. However, the man presumed to be Hestia’s uncle and the little boy next to him greeted the count casually, as if they were accustomed to this. As soon as I saw them, the voice came out as if they were brothers. Count Gracia let out a sigh of relief once more.
“After. How can you not grow old no matter how old you are?”
“That’s because hyung-nim does all the important things.”
The Count’s younger brother, the Count shouted out that he was Nilvas, so his name must be Nilvas von Gracia. Nilvas laughed generously. He and the little boy next to him naturally went to an empty seat at the table and sat down.
Nilvas was so handsome that it was impossible to think of him as the Count’s younger brother. He thought it when he saw it from a distance, but he did it even more so when he saw it up close.
To be honest, it was much more plausible that he was the younger brother of the Duke of Deneb rather than the younger brother of Count Gracia. The only resemblance he had to the count was his silvery hair. If you ask the Duke of Deneb next to you, he will probably tell you that he is not the younger brother of Count Gracia, but the younger brother of the Duke of Deneb.
“So, sitting here uh… , Are the students Hestia’s friends?”
He slowly looked around us at our seats, then fixed his gaze on me. Honorifics were terribly awkward. He looked at me and twisted the corner of his mouth.
“I am not. I am Nilvas, Hestia’s uncle. Louie, say hello to your brothers and sisters.”
“Hello.”
The child sitting next to Nilvas nodded at us. Seol-ah and Cordelia waved their hands slightly. No matter how many times I catch it, I look like I’m about the age of a lower grade in elementary school. The kid was also Hestia’s relative, so despite his youth, he had distinct features and looked cute.
“Thank you very much.”
“Thank you very much.”
Nilvas grinned. Louis next to him also greeted with a slightly leaky pronunciation. I should have felt surprisingly uneasy in front of his smile.
–
“Then, I’m hanging out with my older sister and older brothers.”
“Yes.”
Neil Bass stroked his little boy’s head. A friendly dinner, without me to be precise, ended. After the meal, the count and the count’s younger brother left Louis with us and disappeared, as if they had something to say alone. Actually, originally, I was told to just rest in my room, but I just said that we would play for a while. There is nothing more boring than being alone in a room at that age.
Louie looked up at us with her bright eyes full of anticipation.
“Then what are we doing now?”
As expected, you start thinking about playing right away. I stroked Louis’ hair once.
“So, do you have any favorite games?”
“I hate you.”
To my displeasure, this ruthless kid pushed me away relentlessly. I wanted to give him a night, but I put up with it because he was Hestia’s first cousin.
Besides, you’re an old man. No matter how big the age difference is, it’s about 10 years old. Even when I went back to school, I had never heard of Mr.
“Could you say older brother instead of uncle?”
“Uncle.”
“Poo Sup!”
“Lou, Louie!”
Seol-ah and Cordelia giggled and suppressed laughter at the little boy’s determined attitude. Hestia also called her child’s name as if embarrassed. I clenched my teeth and put my hand on his head.
“How old is Louie?”
“Ten years old.”
“Yes. Because this brother is 18? He’s an 8-year-old uncle? Are you my brother?”
“Uncle.”
“No, this kid is real.”
Louis stuck out his tongue. This kid knows this and makes fun of it. I decided to show a very grown-up attitude. Because adults never really get angry with children. I’m not a light-hearted guy to get swept up in the pranks of a clever kid.
“Ha. Okay, then just call me uncle. What shall I play with you?”
“I don’t play with you!”
“Why again this time?”
That’s so damn picky. If anyone sees it, they’ll know that I’m begging them to play. Louis glanced at Hestia in her direction, then quickly ran to her and stood with her arms spread out. It is as if she is protecting her from me.
“My dad and uncle told me that you are a bad person! A mean person who bullies Hestia-sister.”
“Me? Hestia?”
“That’s why I don’t like it. I told you not to hang out with the bad guys.”
Louis’ eyes were burning with the will to protect her Hestia. No, well, I expected it, but I still feel a bit flustered to hear that he’s such a bad person. I want to show off my affection with Hestia in front of her, but like I said before, I’m a grown-up person, so I decided to put up with it.
In addition, isn’t there a saying that you have to shoot a horse first to catch a general? To change Hestia’s father’s heart even a little, it would be better to first capture the hearts of the people around her. Let’s start with this little boy. I approached the kid and squatted down to meet him at eye level.
“How do I know if I am a bad person or a good person?”
“Because my dad and uncle did it.”
“Don’t think about others, what about you? If Hestia over there says I’m a good person, will you play with me?”
“Um…. Uh….”
The little boy grunted as if he was confused by my words. I flinched at Hestia. Hestia also seemed to recognize my signal, so she listened to me.
“Right, Louie. This brother here is absolutely not a bad person.”
“Really?”
“Sure.”
Hearing Hestia’s assurances, the hostility gradually disappeared from the child’s eyes, and her curiosity and interest began to rise instead. Easy easy The little boy asked me with a rather excited look.
“So, uh…. Brother! Are you good at sword fighting?”
After Hestia helped out with a few words, his title changed from uncle to older brother. She’s still a child, so she’s pure. And sword fighting? He’s not just good at it, he’s the best (Jin) in the world.
“Sword fight? Of course. This hyung is probably the best at the academy?”
From nob le mt l dot com
My words made Louis’ eyes twinkle. Boys are the same everywhere. Seol-ah and Hestia shook their heads as if they couldn’t understand. Cordelia? Cordelia is….
“Hey, this older sister does some sword fighting too.”
“Really? Then who is older, older sister or older brother?”
“That’s…”
I thought there was only one child to take care of, but there are two. I said confidently, moving Cordelia, who was hesitant and unable to answer, to the side of her. Are you thinking about this? Have no conscience
“Of course my older brother is stronger.”
“Then can’t you just show me? My dad says it’s still too early and he won’t let me go near the knife.”
“Of course.”
Okay. I’ll make you a total fan of mine by the end of the night.
–