56 – Crossroads of Two Paths
The fleeting time has imperceptibly forced us to prepare.
Until the starting point of the hunting expedition, one week ahead.
If we leave the Duke’s mansion now, it will take just the right amount of time to arrive at the Duke’s territory. Therefore, we were simplifying our luggage and heading towards the entrance.
“Dad! Mom! I’m all ready!”
After Tina, who had been waiting in the entrance in advance, descended the stairs towards Elphicia and me, Dodo rushed down immediately. It seemed like she intended to spread her arms to be hugged, but a large wall appeared between Tina and us.
“Oh my, someone missed grandpa a lot.”
It was the Duke.
With unnecessarily grand gestures, he interposed and lifted Tina, who had spread her arms as if to be embraced.
“Oh, oh… Grandpa?”
“Yeah. No matter how much you missed me, what if you fall down the stairs like that?”
“…Yes! I missed you, hehehe…”
“Then there’s no choice. In fact, the handrails on the stairs are cleaned so that they can be used as a slide. From now on, make active use of them.”
Crazy, is that even possible? I hope they don’t package the maid’s hard work for such a purpose. But Tina’s response was surprisingly straightforward.
“Ah! You really are the Grandfather.”
Tina’s adaptability was truly remarkable.
Whether it was her quick wit or her naturally innocent disposition… she only chose answers that pleased the Duke.
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Perhaps it was both.
Whichever it was, Tina being favored by the head of the family was a good sign. As long as they maintained a smooth relationship, there was nothing more to ask for.
“I just finished preparing as well.”
The next one to come down the stairs was Glen. Glen, who was armed with a sword that perfectly suited his physique, had the air of a young knight.
Glen approached us, disregarding the Duke, who was endlessly infatuated with Tina. More accurately, his attention was slightly more focused on Elphicia’s direction than mine.
“Thank you, Vice Leader. I heard that the one who gave me the clothes and the sword I’m wearing now was you, Vice Leader.”
“…Harthe?”
Elphicia, who was listening to Glen’s gratitude, glanced at me. It was understandable since I was the one who delivered the gifts, but Elphicia was the one who prepared them.
…And I was the traitor who broke Elphicia’s request to keep the source of the gifts a secret.
I deserved Elphicia’s fiery gaze.
So… since I had to bear that gaze anyway, it wouldn’t make much of a difference if it became slightly colder.
“Elphicia put a lot of thought into it. Not only the quality of the clothes, but the sword can be called a masterpiece, wouldn’t you agree?”
“W-What are you talking about! I just picked it up on the way. It’s nothing special!”
Elphicia vehemently denied it, but Glen was not oblivious to the value of the items given to him.
“I had a hunch. Even the material of the sword, which is light and sturdy, is different. I will cherish it, Vice Leader.”
Note: The term “Vice Leader” is used to refer to the protagonist in the novel.
“큿…”
In front of Glenn, who expressed sincere gratitude, my wife swallowed a faint breath, her cheeks tinged with a subtle blush.
Tina’s gift, handed over with a bouncing ribbon, was truly a mysterious gesture hidden from Glenn.
‘Given that she’s in her prime, she should change her clothes or sword soon…’
Although it was assumed for a short-lived purpose, she spared no effort and expense. Elysia was indeed a woman with a stark contrast between appearance and reality.
“Hmph, don’t misunderstand. It’s just a precaution in case false rumors spread about Father neglecting the dining hall… don’t jump to conclusions.”
“That’s surprisingly thoughtful. I didn’t think my daughter would be so concerned about her father’s reputation.”
“It’s a family-level consideration, Father.”
“I wonder who she takes after. Your way of speaking is quite unique.”
In a similar manner, Tina grinned at the Duke, who had a unique way of speaking.
“Oh, really? I think I know who I resemble.”
“Hmm, getting older makes the mind rigid. Indeed, my granddaughter is clever. The Third Prince can’t keep up. Hoho…”
“I didn’t realize it before, but after hearing Grandfather’s words, I feel like I resemble Urien…”
Of course, Elysia immediately objected.
“Who says she resembles that child!”
“Oops, she’s still a child, Elysia.”
“Grr…!”
She tried to calm herself, but Tina’s insight was quite formidable. To think that Elysia resembled Urien.
‘But aside from Urien… who does Tina think Elysia resembles?’
Surely, he couldn’t be a duke.
He dismisses the absurd speculation and shakes his head.
“Well… not bad. This scenery.”
Whether it’s chaotic or harmonious, it’s a peaceful atmosphere.
It feels like looking at a painting that you wish could go on forever.
I silently clasped my hands together and made a wish.
◈
Before heading to the Luminal Duchy, the carriage stopped at the temple. Because I had to bring Echo with me.
I may have given up on Peter the artist’s castle, but my noble lineage hasn’t changed. Someday, in order to reveal the truth and make a proper debut in high society, it was necessary to diligently familiarize myself with their lives.
And the last place I visited was the palace.
It was to perform the role of the protagonist in the hunt for the Luminal Duke.
There are too many people squeezed into one carriage. Therefore, the carriage was divided into two, with children and adults boarding separately.
So, in the carriage we are currently in, it’s just me, Elphesia, and the duke comfortably taking up space.
“…”
“…”
“…”
A suffocating silence followed.
It would have been easier to have a conversation if it were just Elphesia and me, but with the master present, it was very difficult to find a common topic.
In that moment, I thought it would be better to crack a joke as a diversion.
At the moment when they had just stepped out of the last drawbridge, the Duke spoke.
“… Isn’t it unsettling to leave the children alone?”
“Echo is still fragile, but Urien and Glen are reliable. It’s not fitting for their age…”
“Is my granddaughter being ignored right now?”
“Before that, she’s our daughter… Anyway, she’s more innocent than those two, isn’t she?”
“Cute. Truly adorable… I wish she could transform into a dragon again.”
For the first time, a topic that resonated emerged.
It seems that Poly Morph’s training is not quite capturing the essence for Tina, who is a half-dragon. So, perhaps it’s worth asking the divine dragon Eréhète for dragon lessons.
“Anyway… I didn’t go through all this trouble to brag about my granddaughter…”
No, I’m curious about who in the world would think of bragging about their granddaughter to their father. At least the other way around might be understandable.
Then, the Duke brought up a rather weighty subject.
“Son-in-law.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Do you have any intention of restructuring the family as the future son-in-law?”
Our relationship is currently quite ambiguous. And this discomfort stems not from me becoming the son-in-law, but rather from Elphesia marrying me.
Since she married a commoner, the Luminael surname is maintained, and despite being married, she is often referred to as a lady rather than a wife. In fact, even the title of lady is somewhat ambiguous.
Above all, what creates the biggest rift is…
“I want to make my granddaughter a noble. But considering the current situation, it’s not feasible.”
The name tied to the Duke’s wish – it was Tina’s existence.
As Tina grows, she will increasingly become aware of the disparity between fitting into noble society and being of commoner status.
“Glen has no issues. As long as he conceals his lineage as a Vaschill vampire, receiving the title is certain. He must have already considered the methods. However, Tina is different.”
“…”
“If Tina properly awakens the power of the dragon and undergoes training similar to Glen, she might be able to claim the title through prowess. However, I no longer wish to see that child confront violence with someone else.”
“…I agree with that point as well.”
In the original, Tina, who had long been swayed by the instincts of the dragon, was a strong child. The environment left her with no choice but to grow that way. However, in the current comfortable surroundings, there is no desire to force Tina to walk on a gravel path.
In this regard, the Duke’s words were right.
“But there is one thing; this could be resolved if you adopt her as your successor. Both you and Tina will bear the Luminael name. Your daughter will become a viscountess, and your granddaughter could be the empire’s unique lady.”
“Father, please put off that discussion. It’s not urgent right now.”
“As long as I fight in the hunting ground, the future is not an immediate concern. It may be harsh, but my granddaughter will have to choose one of the two destinies. Either stay with the three childhood friends and feel alienated or step into a different world. She must make one clear choice.”
“Indeed… that’s true.”
As a child, she wouldn’t delve deeply into such complicated matters. She would play and frolic freely without understanding the complex situation.
However… unless Tina becomes a noble, limits will inevitably arise.
When she reaches a certain age, the Duke’s forced attendance at social events will be impossible. Because she won’t have experienced the debutante balls of society, she will gradually be forgotten.
Perhaps she will become a subject of gossip and ridicule for someone.
Thinking of such a future sends a chilling sensation through the veins.
“Harte.”
Perhaps it was due to a momentary clouding of her gaze.
Elphesia’s hand overlapped with mine. As she did, her warmth quickly seeped into my cold blood, bringing a sense of warmth.
“Is she to be my successor…”
In ordinary terms, there would be no reason not to. However, the peculiarity of being the possessor of a baptismal name imposes constraints on receiving someone else’s surname.
Because my castle has already been bestowed upon me.
My baptismal name was the only castle I could have.
Therefore, I could only respond with a somewhat stiff voice.
“When I return from the hunt… I will meet with Your Majesty and negotiate.”
Tina was my daughter. Even if our bloodline did not continue.
In that case, she was also a target I had to protect as much as the rules of the temple.
I must be prepared.
Perhaps I may have to make a decision worthy of the Pope’s attention.
“…”
Firmly.
I gain courage from an inexplicable action.
Yes, she is family.
For the sake of the meaning of my existence…
I can overcome anything.