14: Grandfather 2
After my conversation with my grandfather, I lay down on my bed in my room and thought about what had just happened.
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To understand why my grandfather suddenly brought up the topic of adoption, I need to explain the circumstances of the Zalude Duchy.
The Zalude Duchy has three daughters between my grandfather and grandmother, including my mother. My grandfather has not taken a second wife, so these three are the direct bloodline.
That’s right, the Zalude Duchy has no legitimate son, no successor.
In such cases, there are usually two options: to take a son-in-law from a branch family or a family of equal rank, or to adopt a son from a branch family.
My grandfather, however, intends to solve this by appointing me to that position. After all, I am his direct grandson. I also have the blood of the king, making my lineage impeccable and beyond reproach.
For my grandfather, it means he doesn’t have to accept an outsider and can have his beloved grandson succeed him. He has no complaints.
And for me, there are also benefits. Rather, there are only benefits.
After all, I can get out of the dangerous succession struggle and be freed from this closed-off mansion. Moreover, I will be freed to live in the home of a top-ranking noble who dotes on me.
It’s a wonderful choice that benefits both my grandfather and me.
The only problems would be getting permission from my father and mother, and silencing the clamor of the nobles around me, but I think I can manage.
My father would be able to get rid of the difficult Crown Prince, and my mother would be able to send her son, who is in a delicate position, back to his family home. The nobles’ voices would be silenced with the approval of these two and the power of the Zalude Duchy.
In other words, there are only real benefits for everyone except those who are unhappy with the king’s blood going to the duchy.
“But…as expected of the head of the ducal family.”
What I think about all this is that it’s all going too smoothly.
My grandfather must have been thinking about this situation for a long time.
I am not allowed to have children, but there is no doubt that I am a direct descendant of the royal family. Normally, I would have married a Crown Princess Consort around the time I became an adult, and I might even have had children.
Even for an incompetent Crown Prince who is not allowed to do such things, there must be people who would want to send their wives to me, even if they don’t come out in the open.
My grandfather must have seen through my situation and intended to bring this up as soon as I became an adult.
And this time, he was able to come to me under the guise of a visit. It makes sense to think that he used that opportunity to bring up the subject.
There is no reason to refuse this offer. I’m only concerned about my life there, but at least it won’t be worse than it is now.
I decided to accept this offer.
Of course, this matter cannot be decided by me or my grandfather alone. The final decision rests with my father. However, my grandfather came to me to confirm my intentions.
I will convey my intentions (my answer) to him tomorrow.
*
And so, after having breakfast together the next day, I sat down with my grandfather again in the reception room for a break after the meal.
“I would like to accept your offer from yesterday.”
“Oh, is that so? I thought you would say that.”
My grandfather’s face broke into a genuine smile. I couldn’t help but smile back.
“Leave everything up to me until we actually do it. What, I’ll do it well.”
“I have no doubt that my grandfather will do as he says.”
“hahahahaha, you’ve become quite the smooth talker, Cain.”
“Even if I can’t do anything, it seems that I’m getting older.”
The two of us laughed, and I asked him something that had been on my mind.
“But, Grandfather.”
“Hm? What is it?”
“Are you really okay with this?”
“About this matter? I discussed it with that person and we decided on this. If you’re okay with it, then there’s no problem.”
“No, it’s just that…”
It was difficult for me to ask my grandfather, who was always so considerate, so I hesitated for a moment, but I had to ask. I couldn’t help but look down.
Everyone knew it, but no one said it out loud.
“That…I’m just an incompetent person with good blood. That’s all I am to the historic House of Zarold.”
“Cain.”
My grandfather interrupted me and opened his mouth. There was a brief pause, so I looked up.
“Do you know about something called the ‘Eye of Insight’?”
“Eye of Insight?”
“Yes. It’s written as ‘eye that sees people’ and pronounced that way.”
“I don’t know about it.”
My grandfather smiled once.
“A person’s eyes, their pupils, are said to reflect the inner self of the person who possesses them. It’s a little different from the ability to see that inner self, but there’s an intuitive sense that can feel that inner self, and that’s called the ‘Eye of Insight.’
It’s not recognized as an official ability because it doesn’t appear in personal data (visual records), but it’s said to be a real, invisible ability.”
“Yes.”
“Cain, when I saw your eyes when you were young, I felt something.”
“Something?”
“Yes. Something huge inside you. I was even convinced. I thought that this child would one day grow up to accomplish something great. And I have never been wrong about that before.”
My grandfather’s eyes, looking at me, were so direct that I couldn’t help but look away. But I felt that I shouldn’t do that now, so I looked back at him, intending to respond.
“That’s right. Those eyes. No one else understands. No one else has seen your eyes. No, there are probably some who understand but don’t say anything. But remember this. Your mother, Sarah, always used to say it. She said that you would definitely become a wonderful king.”
I thought back to my mother’s face. I realized it when he said it. My mother always used to talk to me while looking directly into my eyes. Was she looking at my inner self?
Having said that, my grandfather smiled again.
“So don’t worry. You just haven’t shown it yet. From now on, you will definitely become a person that everyone acknowledges.”
I couldn’t help but look down. If these words were true, then my grandfather had never favored me just because my mother was his favorite. He had acknowledged me as a person, not out of favoritism.
I took a handkerchief out of my pocket and put it to my eyes. I waited a moment, then looked up.
I couldn’t tell him about my current abilities. But at the very least, I wanted to look like the kind of person that my grandfather believed in, so I looked at him with all my might.
“Thank you. I’ll do my best from now on.”
“–Yes. Leave it to me.”
*
Ah, I’m tired. In the darkness of the night, I had that thought.
Somehow, it felt like a lot of things were moving forward with my grandfather’s visit this time. It was a good thing, but I also had some worries about what would happen.
I’m sure it won’t turn out badly, but I can’t help but have some bad feelings about it.
Speaking of which, I heard something interesting.
“By the way, Grandfather. Is the ‘Eye of Insight’ something that everyone has?”
“You may have it, but not everyone can use it, nor can they see it.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. But excellent people often have it. Your mother had an exceptional eye for people. Perhaps in the future, someone will notice something in your eyes.”
As I looked at my grandfather’s laughing face, I thought of the face of the merchant, Jarnall.
When I was persuading him, I looked him in the eye. He also looked me in the eye. Since my ability was already unlocked at that time, perhaps he saw something in me.
Maybe I should ask him about it sometime. And about what Jarnall is.
I let out a small sigh and closed my eyes. I’m tired, so I’ll go to sleep quietly today. I have a lot to do tomorrow.
With that thought, I fell asleep.
The captured spirit beast escaped.