Not long after my 15th birthday.
“Ian.”
Seated in front of the fireplace, Lady Audrey called gently.
“Yes, Lady Audrey.”
“Hmm… I’ve told you to call ‘mom’ or ‘mother’ at least when it’s just the two of us, haven’t I?”
“How could I dare…”
“Dare? Why not, Ian? I’ve never seen a child as handso and kind as our Ian. Well… he can be a bit mischievous, though.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“Hoho, I didn’t an to scold you. It’s better for kids to be healthy.”
Saying that, Lady Audrey took Lord Robert’s hand with a benevolent smile.
“Now, Robert. It’s your turn to speak. It’s an important matter, isn’t it?”
“…Dear, ?”
“Of course. Is there another Robert here? It’s about the Marigold family, after all. The head should speak.”
“No, but you forced into this position… I never wanted to be the head…”
“Aha! So… you won’t do it?”
“Sigh… Fine, I’ll do it. It’s hard to start speaking now.”
“Hoho… Dear, do your best.”
Thump- Thump-
Watching the two hesitate to get to the point made my heart race.
What on earth were they trying to say?
‘…Are they telling to leave the mansion?’
At 15 years old.
If I had gone to an orphanage, it would have been ti to start thinking about independence.
That’s why when they first said they had sothing important to discuss, I was sowhat prepared ntally.
To be honest, it wouldn’t be a lie to say I wasn’t sad…
Even if they asked to leave, I would never resent them.
Lord Robert and Lady Audrey have cared for like true parents.
Thanks to them, despite being an orphan, I grew up in a warm ho, loved and without worry for food or clothing.
The kindness they’ve shown is a debt I could never repay in a lifeti.
How could I resent them instead of being thankful?
Just one thing…
The only thing painful about leaving would be not being able to stay by ‘Evelyn’s’ side anymore.
“Ian…”
“Yes, Lord Robert.”
“Almost ten years have passed since you ca to this house. When we first brought you in from the snowfield, I could hold you with one arm, but now you’ve grown so much… ti flies indeed.”
“…I am always grateful for that day you saved . I will repay the debt soday.”
“Repay the debt? You don’t seem to understand how much joy you’ve brought us by coming into our ho. You owe us nothing.”
“…But.”
“Enough, and even if we did give, it’s only natural for a father to give to his son. It’s not sothing you should worry about.”
“…Pardon? Fa…ther?”
“Cough… so…”
While I was bewildered by Lord Robert using the word ‘father’, Lady Audrey, who was sitting in her chair, sighed as if frustrated and stood up.
“Oh my… Dear, you’re as big as a mountain but lack courage. What would you do without ?”
“…Then you should always stay by my side.”
“My, you speak well. Hoho… it makes quite happy.”
“And lack courage? I went alone to save you…”
“Yes, yes. You were really cool then. …If only you hadn’t told that story a hundred tis, it would have been even cooler. No, if you had accepted my feelings honestly from the beginning, such a dangerous situation wouldn’t have happened, right?”
“…”
Lord Robert averted his gaze, unable to respond to Lady Audrey’s pointed, cheerful remarks.
“Sigh… It looks like I’ll have to say it. Co here, Ian.”
“Yes…”
Slide-
As I stepped forward, Lady Audrey said with a gentle smile,
“Ian, although we are not connected by blood, I… we, have sincerely considered you as our son. But… now we want to take one step further.”
“…Lady Audrey?”
“Ian. Would you beco our adopted son?”
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