Chapter 31
TL-Mechatronic
Isn’t this a lovely sight? I knew my son’s heartless personality better than anyone, so he was happy with even the smallest act of warmth.
“No. I’m afraid I’ll lose her because she’s too small…”
Kizef quickly released his hand and said so. His earlobes were slightly red, making The Duke chuckled at his son’s excuse.
“Luciel is small and lovely.”
When such a compliment were delivered in front of the person herself, her face tickled so much that Luciel stayed still.
“Kizef, how is your academy life?”
“No problem.”
‘It was the exact opposite of what the professor in charge had just heard.
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“Since your level is high, I don’t think there is any need to match this place.”
Kizef looked up at his father’s face in surprise. He came to the academy at the behest of his father, and he planned to stay quiet no matter what happens until graduation.
But those words were so understandable of his actual circumstances that he doubted his ears.
‘Did he hear anything from the professor in charge?’
Although his academy life was boring, he never interrupted class or created a sense of incongruity in his surroundings. If his father finds out that there are problems with the academy life, there will be trouble Kizef replied while biting his lip slightly.
“No, it’s moderately interesting.”
The Duke and Luciel stared at the same time at Kizef who was lying.
‘Are you trying to pretend you’re okay until the end?’
“I see. Luciel, it would be better if we go back now.”
Luciel, who was tapping the floor with her toes, raised her head at the Duke’s words. She glanced at Kisef’s countenance. If he doesn’t bring up the talk about the marriage contract, she will tell it herself.
The Duke looked at Luciel warmly and said.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about it.”
“… Luciel, how about being my daughter instead of a daughter-in-law?”
“What?”
Her crimson eyes widened at the unexpected suggestion, and Kizef, who was by her side, was also surprised.
“That way, you won’t have to leave Bellstein.”
“……Father.”
“……Duke.”
Two embarrassed people called him at the same time, thinking it was a ridiculous joke. Still, Luciel was a little overjoyed. As much as she wanted to be his daughter, the Duke also liked her the same…
“I’m sure you’re joking, but I’m happy.”
“It’s serious. If Kizef doesn’t want to get married, shouldn’t you just be brother and sister?”
A truly simple logic left Kizef at a loss for words. It was the first time he had seen this side of his father.
“We decided to get married.” (Kizef)
“Hmm?”
The Duke looked at the two with eyes asking for an explanation.
Kizef glanced at Luciel’s face and Luciel quickly added, thinking that the Duke would be happy to know about
“Yes, it is. We decided to keep our marriage on paper and divorce when I became an adult. I will no longer bother Young Master.”
Luciel spoke as if nailing something down.
“Have you changed your mind?”
“Yes. I decided it was necessary to protect the Young Lady.”
“Is that all?”
“Yes.”
In response to his son’s blunt answer, the Duke nodded his head. Although it was frustrating that his son did not recognize Luciel’s cuteness.
“Okay, I got it.”
The Duke felt that it was a bit disappointing, but first of all, since Luciel would live with him until she became an adult, he thought it was enough for now.
Louivid took out the documents he had prepared from his arms.
“Sign here. Luciel isn’t even 10 yet, so first of all, you’re engaged.”
Luciel’s name was already written in the engagement contract. Kisev did not delay and left his signature in graceful handwriting. Looking at the names written side by side, the Duke said.
“Finally, the two of you are in an official relationship. I will take care of the approval of Count Orbia.”
“…..My father won’t allow it so easily.”
“Don’t worry about that. Luciel.”
The Duke gave a mysterious smile.
“I’m thinking of having a wedding ceremony for you on Luciel’s tenth birthday. When is your birthday, Luciel?”
Luciel was briefly troubled by the Duke’s question. Because she didn’t know her exact birthday.
“…….It’s June.”
“When in June?”
“It’s the beginning of summer.”
The Duke’s expression hardened for a moment. It was the same with Kizef. The two clenched their fists at the same time.
The Duke said.
“Luciel, your birthday is now June 1st. So the wedding will be the same day.”
“……Yes.”
At the words of the Duke, who seemed somehow angry, Luciel gently nodded her head.
“Let’s go back now.”
“Oh, yes.”
The Duke reached out to Luciel, who glanced back at Kizef. He nodded his head towards the Duke.
“Go with caution.” (Kizef)
“Contact me.” (Duke)
“Yes.” (Kizef)
Luciel waved to Kizef.
“Take care.”
“You too.”
Their greetings were short.
Meanwhile, Luciel tried not to trouble Kizef, but she was also bothered in many ways. Looking at the atmosphere of the academy, as well as what happened with Maximus, she was worried about how hard it would be for him to remain alone.
But she promised not to bother him…
Then there was only one way.
“Don’t reveal my identity while becoming Kisef’s secret friend.’
Luciel watched the birds fly over somewhere in the academy’s dormitory building, and said to the Duke in the carriage on the way back.
“Father-in-law.”
“Yes?”
She always called him Duke at the Academy, but the engagement was completed, so she changed his title to Father-in-law again. Luciel smiled softly and asked.
“Please buy me only one carrier bird.”
The Duke, whose heart was assaulted by Luciel’s cute laugh attack, immediately made the carriage turn to the shop who sold carrier birds.
“Choose one.”
“Yes.”
Luciel looked around the shop cautiously. There were quite a few birds freely released in the shop. They all sat quietly, presumably because they had undergone high-level training.
There were also many different kinds. From ordinary pigeons to owls, larks, bush warblers, crows, bats, and even very large hawks.
“If the Little Lady is going to write using a carrier bird, this little friend would suit her. It is a species of pinecone owl.”
The shopkeeper with a cheerful impression placed a small white owl on Luciel’s shoulder. It was called a pine cone owl, and it was really small like a pine cone,
“So pretty.”
When it’s black eyes met Luciel, the owl cried a greeting
“She says she likes you.”
“What a relief. Father-in-law, she’s really cute don’t you think so?”
“You’ve chosen something like yourself.”
When Luciel showed him the owl, the Duke said with a low laugh. After she bought the owl and got a flute from a professional keeper.
“This is a flute that contains this child’s favorite sound. Please write down here to whom you will send the carrier owl, the address for that person and where you live.”
“Yes.”
Luciel wrote on a piece of paper the name of the Polyche Academy, Kisef, and the Duke of Bellstein. The bird keeper, who took the paper said
“You can go now. We will engrave the location of the owl and send it to you. If the owl doesn’t arrive in 10 days, blow the flute three times.”
“Thank you.”
The Duke who was leaving the shop murmured.
“It’s a hassle to get a carrier bird. Would you like me to order a telecommunication device?”
“……Oh, no!”
A communication tool was very precious and expensive, equivalent to a ship, so it was difficult for most nobles to own it.
“A carrier owl is enough.”
Luciel said so while holding the empty cage. The Duke took the cage from the child and climbed into the wagon together.
‘I should send letters to Kizef often. It will give him strength so that he doesn’t feel lonely.’
Luciel made a determined vow with gusto, and as soon as she hugged the teddy bear, she quietly fell asleep again.
As a result, the Duke had to contact Eva to cancel the reservation made at a high-end restaurant in the city, but as long as Luciel could rest, that was enough. Instead, the carriage headed elsewhere.
It was a place with a colorful sign that said “Zerda’s Magic Toy Shop”. The Duke stayed there for a long
time.
Meanwhile, Gillard, who remained in the estate, muttered to himself for nothing.
“It’s kind of quiet.”
He played chess with Viscout Berga, and cleared the antique warehouse. Although he was busily moving, the day seemed to pass slowly.
At this time, he would be teaching Luciel magic and after that, they would enjoy a leisurely afternoon teatime.
I can’t believe it’s so empty when even a day hasn’t passed.’
Gillard laughed. He was very curious about how the meeting with Kizef would go.
Come to think of it, young Kizef had a dark shadow on his face from a few years ago. Although no one else knew, the little kid was kind only to me, but their relationship had become so estranged that it was sad.
Now that he went to the capital’s Academy, the child had to take a vacation or a special event had to happen for him to see his face.
It was a great pity for Gillard, whose one of the joys of his life was to interact with the inner self of his grandson. Chess, which they used to enjoy playing and working together in new magic, have all but become old memories.
Leoni was also his cute grandchild, but he was still very young, so seeing the child sometimes made him tired.
Gillard looked at the flowers in the vase in the corner of the desk with warm eyes.
A lot has changed since Luciel came to the castle.’
While preparing hard for Luciel’s classes, he seemed to be returning to the younger days when he first learned magic. He wasn’t the only one. Louivid, who was only cold, and Leoni, who was stubborn, became softer as if wrapped in a cloud.
The same was true of the workers who were always frozen for fear of going against the mood of the tricky Duke. Everyone had a relaxed look on their faces.
Traces of Luciel were increasing all over the Duke Castle. A playroom made of socks and soft dolls, flowers and letters. Fresh strawberries were always delivered to the kitchen, and whipped cream cakes and cookies were made.
Luciel resembles all the sweet and pretty things in the world.
“This is the Luciel effect.”
Gillard smiled and thought of his wife, Evelyn. If she were in her active period, she would have loved Luciel more than anyone else.
He was sad and missing his Evelyn. Gillard opened the mobile portal of the West Tower, which was stored in the ring, after a long time.
It had already been several years since every time he came back, he could only see Evelyn sleeping.
Notes:
Bush warbler
01/20/2016
joyreactor.com
I actually didn’t find a real Pinecone owl, I think it’s a fictional owl. But here’s a cute small owl that would fit the description.