Chapter: 278
After arriving at the territory, unpacking my things, and resting against the bed, it was time for dinner, and I awaited the arrival of the Patriarch.
“I hope it suits your taste,” Mother said softly at the dinner table where everyone had gathered.
“It’s perfect! This is the most enjoyable meal I’ve had,” replied the Second Manager with a sharpness that echoed his military background, and Mother nodded her head with satisfaction.
Honestly, it was impossible to say the food wasn’t good. It was like realizing, “I don’t know what you like, so I prepared everything.” I hadn’t ventured to the kitchen today, but I could just imagine the head chef exhausting himself over it. Would we be able to finish all of this?
“If it’s not enough, just let me know. I can prepare more,” Mother continued.
“Yes, Mother. Thank you,” came the prompt reply from the Second Manager without hesitation.
Watching this gave the impression that a junior was obediently complying with his superior, but isn’t it just me feeling that way? I can’t help but fear he might actually demand more.
“Madam, let the children eat at their own pace now. It’s best to be relaxed during meals.”
Then the Patriarch, who had quietly been eating at the main seat, spoke softly.
What a thoughtful remark, possibly considerate of the daughters-in-law who might feel some pressure. But if I turned my gaze towards the Patriarch, I’d probably burst out laughing.
‘Treasure Goblin.’
I shouldn’t be thinking this, but that phrase has been lingering in my mind since earlier. The sight of the Patriarch, decked out in all the various gifts, was too different from usual.
Unlike Mother, who had unified her gifts with a necklace, the gifts from the Patriarch were all over the place—brooches, handkerchiefs, scarves, bracelets, you name it. Such a mishmash of items being called gifts had somehow gathered on him, and he wore them all without any resistance.
I wonder if this is the mindset of a noble accepting gifts from other families or the pleased heart of a father-in-law overwhelmed by his daughters-in-law’s gift barrage. Either way, it’s a bit bizarre.
‘Better than Mother, I guess.’
Of course, he’s showing a more normal response than Mother, who was thrilled to wear her necklace the moment she received it.
I never expected him to wear all six gifts right away. The givers were taken aback instead.
“All these are precious gifts, how do I choose a sequence? I want to wear them all today!”
Saying that, he seemed to be genuinely moved, but I thought he could have strung the persuasion out a bit longer. Those gems attached to his necklace were all different; it looked like he was wearing a rainbow.
“No, Father. I’m just glad Mother is being so considerate,” Marghetta said, causing the expression on Mother’s face to brighten as the other daughters-in-law nodded in agreement, making her smile even more radiant.
It seems trivial to be overly concerned about such small things, but knowing the reason behind it, I couldn’t feel too relaxed. Right after we arrived at the territory, I had heard from the head maid.
“Madam did not build a harmonious relationship with her in-laws. The former lady passed away early, and the previous Patriarch regarded her unfavorably. She likely wants to experience the harmonious relationship she never had through her daughters-in-law.”
Not receiving affection from her in-laws, Mother must want to love and cherish her daughters-in-law as much as she can. She wished for a harmonious relationship that she was deprived of.
Hearing that, every action of Mother’s appeared in a different light.
‘A person starved for affection.’
I never imagined that. I thought she was merely quiet and reserved, but she actually harbored such feelings. Perhaps her seeming indifference when my siblings and I were growing up stemmed from her not receiving proper affection within the Krasius family.
Thinking back, hadn’t she been making efforts since last year to improve her relationship with me and Erich? Mother doesn’t seem like a cold person; she seems more like someone who has yet to mature.
‘Well, at least their marital relationship is solid.’
I turned my gaze, which I had been trying to avoid, toward the so-called Treasure Goblin. A wildly ruined mother-in-law relationship and an immature heart that couldn’t fully express love to her children. Despite the hardships hanging around her neck, the reason she has been able to endure might be thanks to the Patriarch. If you have a reliable husband to lean on, it might not matter much if relationships with others are strained.
‘…Why is that good?’
Suddenly, I found myself pondering that. If the immature Mother was leaning on someone she trusted, does that mean they share some common ground? Would the stoic, mechanical Patriarch align with her feelings? What reason is there for their relationship to be good?
It’s a bit confusing. Could the Patriarch equally be immature just like her? Maybe their mutual indecisiveness makes their relationship thrive? I can’t really think of a time when the Patriarch has made my life difficult apart from selling me out to the Information Department. He’s just as indifferent as Mother.
‘I don’t know.’
This is too complex a problem to be mulling over while eating.
But since it’s not an urgent issue, I can afford to think about it leisurely…
A single question that was kicked off rolled into a flood, casting doubt whether the Patriarch was actually the stern, serious automaton I had always recognized.
“Patriarch, I’m sorry but may I ask for your approval?”
“I don’t mind, but isn’t the Patriarch present?”
That fundamental question lingered in my mind until the next morning when the butler awkwardly approached me.
“Uh, Your Grace is in an important discussion with the Lady…”
“Discussion?”
“That is…”
Pausing for a moment, the butler’s words held quite a shock.
“Your Grace mentioned last night that they would be late due to work, yet the shoes from last night showed dry grass and mud.”
“And?”
“Typically, if someone returns from fishing, those traces would remain.”
Those words left me speechless. In summary, it means the husband who had been supposed to be busy with work had been caught frolicking by his wife.
Confusing. This was nothing like the Patriarch I knew. The butler’s reaction was merely awkward, lacking any sense of alarm, as if such occurrences had happened often in the past.
“It seems Your Grace indeed gathered for work. They were not alone; Count Bardon and former Count Horfelt accompanied him.”
Did my stunned face project something like “the son shocked to find his father goofing off after bringing home the daughter-in-law”? The butler hurriedly added more.
While I was indeed shocked, it wasn’t for the reason he presumed. Knowing my position as a high-ranking official, I understand that spending personal time with someone can sometimes be part of work. Didn’t I also find myself forced into hunting trips with the Crown Prince before heading to the Academy?
The shock I felt right now stemmed from simply encountering unexpected sides of unexpected people.
‘Discussion…’
I almost closed my eyes. Sure, it’s convenient to call it a discussion, but doesn’t this imply the Patriarch is getting reprimanded by Mother and is clueless about what to do? If it were otherwise, the butler wouldn’t have come to ask for my approval. If they were truly discussing, he could have slipped in, gotten the signature, and left.
How ironically amusing that the butler figured out the truth just by noticing his shoes. Unless someone’s an occasional offender, it’s tough to reach conclusions based just on that detail.
Ah, wait… would that mean he’s an habitual offender?
‘Incredible.’
I felt like I was uncovering a family secret I never knew.
I can’t say it brought me joy.
*
I felt like I was sitting on a bed of nails. Not that I know how sitting on one feels, but if I were to sit on one, it would likely feel like this. Why am I even here?
“I’m sorry, young master. This was all so sudden, wasn’t it?”
“Oh, no. It’s fine.”
As I vacantly stared at the dust floating in the air, the first future sister-in-law, Marghetta, finally spoke.
To be honest, it’s not fine. It’s way too sudden. But I can’t exactly say I don’t want this since it’s not only Marghetta but a whole bunch of other future sisters-in-law flocking in. If I say I don’t want to, I’d probably be in big trouble with the second future sister-in-law and her mood would probably get ruined.
Thank goodness Sara was here with the nanny, so at least I can handle this for a while.
“Uh, but, what’s this about?”
Thinking I should end this conversation quickly so I don’t have to wander around the castle looking for Sara, I asked straightforwardly.
“I need your advice, young master.”
“My advice?”
Her words surprised me, and I blinked. Advice? Who would seek my advice? The continent’s top sorcerer, the Duke himself, and yet they questioned me—just a mere student?
…Why…?
“It’s impossible to get advice from anyone other than the family, especially someone as close as you to Carl.”
Marghetta cautiously added, as if sensing my confusion.
“It’s Carl’s birthday soon.”
Ah, that’s what this is about.
Upon hearing the word birthday, I nodded, as I had just thought of something. It’s just around the corner—my brother’s birthday, and his romantic interests are asking family members for guidance.
It’s obvious. They’re asking what gift Carl would like. Though with the birthday practically here, I’d think it might be too late to ask, but buying a gift is something they can manage quickly.
“I don’t know.”
“What?”
“I don’t know my brother’s tastes. He’s someone with no particular preferences.”
I quickly replied. I’m talking about someone who’s always been like that. I can recall having shared a similar conversation before, and I truly don’t know.
He’s never displayed any specific likes or dislikes. He takes what you give him and uses it until it breaks. That’s just Carl—neutral and rounded all throughout.
“It’s so obvious, but anything should make him happy—maybe…”
Just as my words trailed off, the Duke waved his hand as if cutting to the chase, and a mountain of boxes started crashing down around him.
One, two, and then suddenly a dozen and more; almost a hundred boxes piled up around him, creating quite the spectacle.
“I’ve prepared the gifts. However, I may have gone a bit overboard…”
“Ah, yes.”
I stared blankly at the still-growing pile of boxes. What’s this? Did they buy these randomly because they didn’t know his preferences? Did they hope at least one would hit the mark?
Well, that’s certainly a method. Among those, there’s bound to be something he likes.
“I’d like to give him something he truly loves. It feels insincere to just give him a lot of gifts.”
No, when the number exceeds a certain threshold, then that becomes insincere too. How can they keep giving more than a hundred gifts while trying to convey sincerity?
But six pairs of eager eyes were looking at me now, making it challenging to outright refuse their request.
Two of those pairs belong to older sisters I can’t dare look down on, and the other pair belongs to someone I can’t even fathom looking up to.
“Perhaps… something he doesn’t have,” Irina suggested while eyeing the towering stack of boxes.
Yeah, that’s a good approach. If you don’t know what he likes, then giving him something he doesn’t already own sounds reasonable. Gifts are more enjoyable when they’re free, after all.
‘What does he not have?’
But I don’t even know what he currently has, let alone figuring that out.
…Ah.
“Vacation?”
As I thought aloud, that word slipped from my lips.
Oh, no. It’s not vacation; what about retirement instead?
If we’re talking about something he desperately desires but doesn’t possess, then vacation and retirement seem fitting.
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