Inside the main building of Hugos mansion. At a table inside the main hall.
Siriel counted the yellow candies in the red pouch out loud.
One, two, three, four
The pronunciation of the numbers was slightly muffled. It was unlike Siriel, who often showed a sharp and mature deanor for her age of ten. Still, when it ca to savoring the candies given by her brother, she inadvertently showed a childish side.
I only have four left now. When on earth is brother coming
There were supposedly sixty-eight candies in the bundle given to her by the pretty maid sister.
One per day was what the faithful servant Encia had conveyed to Siriel, but unfortunately, Siriel did not take those words to heart.
So, when I finish these candies, will I be able to see Brother Shiron?
A sowhat whimsical thought crossed her immature mind.
I might be a genius!
As a result, the candies in the red bundle depleted faster than Shiron had anticipated.
One after morning training.
One before brushing her teeth after dinner.
And so, as the candies in the bundle gradually decreased to just four, Siriel realized.
Co to think of it, Brother Shiron doesnt know how many candies Ive eaten.
Am I a fool
Siriel sighed deeply and flopped down. The table full of delicious food rattled.
Such an action was not befitting of a lady of high status. Eldrina, sitting opposite her, gently cleared her throat.
Siriel. Sit up straight. You are going against dining etiquette.
Yes.
With a lackluster response, Siriel picked herself up and took hold of the fork and knife with a deflated deanor.
Nom.
She sliced the at, put it in her mouth, and chewed it a few tis. The whole process was enough to make any onlooker feel drained of energy.
This was true even for Hugo, who was sitting to the right of Siriel.
Hugo squinted his eyes and looked at his daughter.
In the past ten years of watching Siriel grow, this was the first ti Hugo had seen her like this.
Although finding a new aspect of his daughter growing up could have brought about a sowhat heartwarming emotion, Hugo did not know the reason behind Siriels lack of energy, which left him feeling slightly uncomfortable.
Moreover, asking how she was feeling or if sothing was bothering her was a burden to Hugo.
Perhaps it was because he had lived his entire life as a warrior that Hugo found it difficult to interact with his daughter, who was beginning to develop emotional sensitivity.
After fidgeting with her food a few tis, Siriel put down her utensils.
Im done eating.
Siriel.
As Siriel was about to get up from her seat, Eldrina blocked her way.
Youve seed to lack energy recently. Are you not feeling well sowhere?
Eldrina, knowing the reason behind Siriels dejected deanor, still deliberately initiated a conversation with her daughter. Since Hugo often left ho and was not adept at interacting with his daughter, Eldrina took it upon herself to do so.
Huh?
Siriel widened her eyes slightly at the sowhat unexpected question.
I Im not sick. In fact, Im so energetic every day that its a concern.
Well? From what I see, that doesnt seem to be the case
Eldrina smiled with her eyes and looked at the plate in front of Siriel. Up until recently, Siriel would not leave any food uneaten. It was characteristic of a growing child.
But what about now?
In front of Siriel was a plate full of uneaten food. A half-eaten steak and a half-eaten appetizer bread. She hadnt even touched the dessert that ca out after the al.
Your mother is worried. Its a big problem if you lack appetite during your growing years. If you have any concerns, feel free to talk about them.
Ahem.
At Hugos gentle coughing as if to urge her on, Siriel began to move her lips.
Its just Im wondering when Brother Shiron will co. Its been quite a while, hasnt it? Being alone for the first ti in a while makes feel a bit empty.
I see.
Hugo nodded slightly.
However, the mystery of what was troubling his daughter was not solved. On the contrary, Hugos heart still felt uneasy because Siriels concern about loneliness was not resolved.
The Third Prince Arent you playing with Victor? I heard that you have been quite close recently.
I guess?
Siriel pouted her lips and looked a bit offended at Hugos concerned question.
Victor said that if he doesnt want to be beaten to death by Brother Shiron, he cant co and play until Brother Shiron cos back.
Why would he say that he would be beaten to death? Brother Shiron may sotis play an pranks, but he has never hit anyone.
Huh
That guy is really strange. Who would hit whom, really.
Anyway, what a weakling. Saying bad things about Brother Shiron behind his back while he was not here. Siriel frowned a bit and nodded her head several tis.
Hugo looked at Siriel and Eldrina alternately with a slightly dazed expression. In this mansion, Siriel was the only one who didnt know that Shiron was misbehaving. He silently demanded an answer, but Eldrina just ignored Hugos gaze and smiled.
You must be quite bored.
Thats right. Grandpa Johan followed brother Shiron and left, and the knight brothers and sisters took a vacation and said they would return before spring
Siriel slightly puffed her cheeks and sighed.
Can I go out now? The maid sister in the annex said she would watch practice swordsmanship.
Sure
Hugo nodded and saw his daughter off.
You.
After Siriel left, the mansions servants began to tidy up the utensils. However, Hugo and Eldrina did not leave the place. A sowhat serious atmosphere began to circulate between them.
Eldrina took a few sips of coffee and gave Hugo a faint smile.
You were staring at earlier. Was there sothing uncomfortable?
Stop teasing . You already know everything, dont you?
Hugo narrowed his eyes and showed an uncomfortable look to Eldrina. Just like before, his fox-like wife acted sensitively to Hugos small facial expressions. But the mont Shirons story ca up, Eldrina pretended to ignore Hugos gaze on purpose.
Hugo wondered what was going on. Shirons foolishness was a fact known to everyone in the mansion, including Hugo. But judging from the daughters words just now, wasnt Siriel blindly believing in Shiron as if sothing was covering her eyes?
Eldrina chuckled and gave Hugo a teasing glance.
You said you wanted to make friends for your daughter, didnt you? You also said it was not without reason that you brought the main house children here.
Yes.
I was a little reluctant to bring soone elses child into the house, but in the end, I did not oppose your decision. Its too much to grow up without a friend when youre little. Its definitely not good for social developnt or various emotional developnts.
Eldrina slightly touched her forehead and sighed.
Hugo was a bit overly protective of Siriel. If the girl even thought about going out, Hugo would have dozens of knights follow her, and he had guests at the mansion go through an excessive screening.
Because of that, Siriel naturally reduced her frequency of going out and didnt make friends with her peers.
However, Eldrina did not resent Hugo. She knew that Hugo was a special family mber of Prient, and because she sincerely loved Hugo, she swore to God that she would endure all these inconveniences.
Five years later. Everything will be resolved after the coming-of-age ceremony. Its not far off. By then, Siriel will be able to go out comfortably like other children.
Hugo closed his eyes with a complex expression, always feeling sorry for his daughter and wife.
Yes. By then, she will go to the academy, attend balls, wear dresses, dance with soone, and fall in love
And theres interesting news. It seems you didnt notice, but
Eldrina covered her mouth with a fan and chuckled.
Siriel has fallen head over heels for a boy nad Shiron.
What?
Such sudden news made Hugos eyes widen. Eldrina savored the look of confusion on Hugos face.
What do you an she has fallen head over heels?
Didnt you notice? Siriel likes Shiron. She might not have noticed because shes still young, but think about it. Just now, Siriel didnt ntion her cousin Lucias na, did she?
Hugo replayed the conversation with his daughter in his mind.
Brother Shiron. Brother Shiron
The voice of his daughter echoed in his head.
Has she been blinded by love?
Hugo spoke to Eldrina with a slightly bitter tone.
Well, the more you like soone, the less you see their flaws. But I also find it distasteful to speak ill of that child in front of .
Thats true
Hugo felt an unpleasant feeling and swallowed back the bitterness rising in his throat. He then looked out the window and glanced around the garden. Hugo felt the many footsteps approaching this place.
Shiron, is it?
From a distance, Shiron was coming. But in Hugos heart, irritation began to arise instead of a feeling of joy.
Whats this?
Hugo was surprised and shook his head on the spot.
Why was he feeling this way? That was sothing even Hugo himself did not know. Wasnt it ti to welco the nephew and niece who had been traveling a long distance?
As if shaking off the negativity, Hugo turned his head a few tis and stood up with his solid body.
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