Chapter 194: My Tofu Pilgrimage (4)
I took a bite of the tofu dish sent by Mother, filled with reflection; then, I bit into the health supplement received during vacation, layered with repentance. Finally, I sipped the red ginseng extract given to me by the Mage Duchess, embedding a promise that such nonsense would never happen again.
And thus, my unusually luxurious breakfast came to an end.
I think I’m going crazy.
I stared blankly at the floor, feeling bitter. The warmth of Mother’s nurturing love made it impossible for me to lift my head.
Innocent reprimands can be painfully harsh. Had it been some mocking or teasing, I might have retaliated, but how could I refuse a gift steeped in my mother’s love?
After a while of staring at the floor, I subtly shifted my gaze to the handwritten letter still clutched in my hand.
The days are getting colder, so always dress warmly. No matter how busy you are, don’t skip meals, and if you ever feel unwell, go straight to a healer or a mage.
The letter expressed nothing but pure concern for me, completely omitting any mention of my unfortunate imprisonment. When I caught a glimpse of the tear stains and smudged ink in the corner, I seriously contemplated biting my tongue.
If I were her real son and not a fake one, I would have dashed to the mansion to beg for her forgiveness without hesitation. It was only because I was a fraud that I managed to endure.
I need to restrain myself.
With a deep sigh, I shoved the letter into the drawer.
Even if I viewed my family as strangers, to them, I am their real family. Any careless antics on my part would inevitably cause them harm.
That’s right. Just as the 3rd Manager pointed out, my prior record has been wiped clean due to that imprisonment. From now on, I need to be careful; I don’t want to find myself writing any reports again.
“Damn it.”
What if I had been reincarnated into this world instead of possessing this body?
*
A much-anticipated guest visited during today’s club session.
“Oppa, are you okay?”
Irina was here for the first time in the pastry club room since the second semester started. However, her greeting was filled with concern rather than joy.
Her first words weren’t ‘Hello,’ but ‘Are you okay?’ Well, I had guessed it would go that way, but it still stung a little.
“I’m fine, so don’t worry.”
I responded with a smile that came naturally at this point.
I had expressed ‘I’m fine,’ ‘I’m doing well,’ and ‘don’t worry’ so many times, I felt like I might have to keep repeating those phrases for the entire month.
But really, I was fine and doing well. Honestly, they’d probably think it a waste to visit me in prison if they saw how I was living.
“Okay, I understand.”
Irina nodded, a slightly gloomy expression on her face.
I guessed why she acted that way. She probably thought I was forcing myself to say I was okay, which made her sad.
Everything’s really okay.
But I meant it! Frankly, I was more comfortable here compared to my time at the academy. I couldn’t just say something like, “Do you want to give it a try?” to a young girl, so I kept quiet.
“I didn’t want to come empty-handed, so I brought a little gift.”
After a moment of silence, Irina spoke carefully, causing me to flinch instinctively.
Gift? A gift!?
Oh no way…
I was still dizzy from Rutis’s first blow followed by the one from my mother.
Please tell me she didn’t bring tofu, too?
If I got hit a third time, I’d be completely knocked out. I really couldn’t handle that.
“This… I don’t know if you’ll like it, but…”
After hesitating, Irina presented a pot that she had been hiding behind her back.
Ah, that’s why she was concealing her hands!
It was a white pot containing a blooming hawthorn sapling; its white flowers were spreading a bright atmosphere.
As soon as I confirmed it was just a pot, relief washed over me. Thank goodness, I managed to dodge the third blow.
“It’s the same gift as last time, but… it has grown beautifully…”
Despite my relief, Irina seemed bothered by the fact that it was the same gift again, her eyes darting around as she trailed off.
That was unnecessary concern. I’d be thrilled to receive anything as long as it wasn’t tofu. I might end up with PTSD from anything white, but at least it wasn’t edible.
“It’s lovely. You’ve taken great care of it.”
As I said this with a slight smile, Irina’s eyes widened in surprise.
“I’ll take care of it, too.”
“Yes!”
Seeing Irina’s bright smile eased a little of the bitterness I had felt earlier in the day.
*
I couldn’t help but smile as the pot transitioned from my hands into Oppa’s.
Thank goodness.
I had hesitated several times while preparing the hawthorn. I worried that he wouldn’t like receiving the same gift, or might react apathetically.
But at the end of my deliberation, I chose the hawthorn again. After all, it held symbolic significance I couldn’t forget.
It represented the moment I stopped fearing and hating Oppa and recognized my feelings for him.
…My one and only love.
The meaning of the flower still made my face feel warm. I hadn’t intended that, but it also symbolized my confession of feelings to Oppa.
Regrettably, Oppa hadn’t picked up on it, but Louise had sensed it. But that didn’t matter.
I can just confess again.
How could an unintentional confession be treated as a real one?
So, I handed him another hawthorn. This time, it was intentional, conveying my singular love and heart to him.
This time, he might not catch on again, but…
It’s okay.
I felt satisfied since it was a conscious choice, not a mistake.
Of course, I had no intention of stopping here. Instead of relying on the vague language of flowers, I would confess to him directly, using my own words someday.
While I watched Oppa carry the hawthorn pot to the window, a poking sensation on my side made me turn.
“Louise?”
I looked over and saw Louise grinning while poking me playfully in the side.
“Irina has two loves, huh?”
Her cheeky words made my face heat up. I’d probably turn as red as a tomato if I looked in the mirror.
Louise was the only other person here who knew the true meaning behind the hawthorn. Thankfully, she hadn’t spread the word around, though she did enjoy teasing me from time to time.
But saying I have two loves?
That’s too much!
It sounded like I liked two guys. I only liked Oppa!
Feeling slightly hurt, I glared at her, but Louise simply continued to smile.
…Ah, I just thought of something funny.
“Louise, come here for a second.”
I made a slight gesture, and although Louise tilted her head in confusion, she leaned in nonetheless.
Teasing others without a hint of suspicion; this naïveté is definitely Louise’s weakness.
“Sorry, I’m sorryyyyy… I was wrooonnngggg…”
I whispered in her ear, purposefully mimicking the slurred speech she had used while crying in front of me once.
The reaction was instant. Louise’s face flushed as she quickly covered my mouth.
How dare you!
I was thoroughly satisfied with the outcome. Who was she to tease me when she had an even more embarrassing past?
With a smirk of delight, I noted that Louise’s face became even redder, especially since her hand covered her mouth, which only accentuated her big, round eyes.
“Sorry…”
Eventually, Louise withdrew her hand, softly conceding defeat. It was a bit comical how she initiated the teasing and then surrendered, but I graciously accepted her apology.
After all, despite my appearance, I’m a lady from a count’s family. I’ve had my fair share of social engagements!
“We now have three pots.”
At just the right moment, Oppa’s voice broke through as he approached.
“Do you like it?”
“Very much.”
I had asked him to give Louise some time to gather herself, but his firm reply brought a bright smile back to my face.
I hadn’t expected him to be so pleased. If only he knew the meaning behind the hawthorn flowers, what a beautiful response it would have been!
…Does he know?
The thought made my heart flutter with excitement.
Could it be that he sensed my confession? I hoped he’d still be happy even if he knew what it meant. That would truly be great…
“I’ll take care of it. I hope it lives a long time.”
His words sounded like a wish for our long lives together.
*
Thanks to Irina, my dreaded tofu relay finally came to an end.
Thank you, Irina. Even if a day comes when you spit at my face, I’d probably laugh it off. Really, thank you so much…
— Having many gifts isn’t a sign of a good reputation? It’s proof that Sir Carl has led a good life!
That’s comforting to think about.
I managed to smile at the Invincible Duke’s remark. If the price of good reputation is teabagging, then I’d rather tread the path of a rebel.
But I couldn’t express such thoughts before an adult with a significant celebration ahead, so I kept my mouth shut.
— Think of it that way. Dwelling excessively on the past can indeed be exhausting.
The Invincible Duke seemed satisfied with my answer, as he smiled mildly. I was relieved to feel I gave him the right response.
After a brief chuckle, the Invincible Duke paused to regain his breath before continuing.
— So, is Marghetta coming with you?
“Yes, Your Grace.”
With the Crown Princess’s birthday banquet just a few days away, it was practical to know who would be attending for preparations.
Thus, I informed the Invincible Duke that I would be attending in Marghetta’s company. Surprise guests may look good in stories, but in real life, they can be somewhat of a nuisance.
— I’m glad to think that a fitting couple will grace the occasion. Thank you, Sir Carl.
His gratitude seemed to carry various layers of meaning.
— The Iron-blooded Duke will be pleased as well.
“Haha…”
I could only laugh awkwardly at that. I hadn’t anticipated the Iron-blooded Duke attending.
Since he went into retirement, the Iron-blooded Duke rarely showed up outside his territory, except for the New Year’s Ball. I assumed this time would be no different.
Just my luck.
Why did the Iron-blooded Duke have to come now? It’s clear what he would say as soon as he sees me.
“I haven’t seen you kneel yet, so why are you with Marghetta?”
I trembled at the thought, hands and feet starting to shake.
After the New Year’s Ball, I planned to go straight to the Iron-blooded Duke’s mansion and beg for permission to marry Marghetta on my knees. With the Iron-blooded Duke’s history of keeping his word, I knew I had to demonstrate sufficient humility to win Marghetta’s hand.
But to be caught tending to Marghetta before completing that? I’d be in for a lesson on why he’s called the Iron-blooded Duke.
…It’ll work out somehow.
Yeah, it has to work out! Surely he wouldn’t break his future son-in-law’s back right in front of his precious youngest daughter, right?
Honestly, while it’s risky, I should still be able to protect my spine.
“I didn’t expect the Iron-blooded Duke to attend as well.”
When I voiced my concerns about the event unfolding like a disaster, the Invincible Duke let out a hearty laugh.
— Oh dear. If you’re surprised now, what will you do when you hear that the Mage Duchess is also coming?
“Pardon?”
That’s insane.
The Mage Duchess is coming too?
If the Iron-blooded Duke were a legendary Pokémon, then the Mage Duchess must be a mythical one. She usually only shows up for a single day during the New Year’s Ball before retreating to her tower.
And yet, she’s making an appearance at a mere party?
…What’s going on?
Could there have been significant happenings in the capital without my knowledge?
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