Chapter 527
Just when Feddy decided to make his grand entrance along with the first snow, we wrapped up the baptism ceremony with the Minister as the godfather. And oh look, it’s December at last. We’re nearing the end of our grueling three-year stint at the Academy!
As December rolled in, my heart began doing the cha-cha. Seriously, just a little bit longer, and this three-year-long exile is over! Soon, those ticking time bombs will be back in their country, and I’ll get to play with our precious Feddy at home!
“I’ve only seen him sleeping lately.”
The sorrow and guilt almost made me tear up. Other babies torment their parents at night and dawn after napping all day, but our sweet Feddy just sleeps regularly, like some kind of angel.
Though the little dude sleeps way more than an adult, which means his “normal” sleeping hours are from early evening till late morning. It’s a real bummer when I have to head to work while he’s snoozing and come back to find him still catching Z’s. It doesn’t happen every day, but still, it’s sad.
Fortunately, I got a green light from the Emperor saying I could take a break after graduating from the Academy, so now I just wait for that glorious day.
– Lately, Feddy’s been babbling quite clearly. Bet you can’t hear it, though.
“Hang in there… just a bit longer…”
Thinking about the Minister’s cheekiness a few days back motivated me even more.
Unlike me, who works at the Academy, the Minister stops by the mansion during lunch breaks to play with Feddy. With his title as godfather, people at the mansion practically roll out the red carpet for him. It doesn’t help that he uses ‘checking on Feddy’ as an excuse to shower me with all sorts of teasing and taunts.
Darn that old rascal! He’s got the nerve to act like a rival!
“Is he really that happy?”
My teeth clenched at the thought, but I quickly let out a sigh and calmed myself down. Regardless of his habitual teasing, I can’t ignore the genuine affection the Minister has for Feddy.
For a department head, lunch breaks are practically an extension of work. Sure, he “drops by” during lunch, but if he’s busy with other meetings or tasks during that time, is he really getting a break? The fact that he chooses to play with Feddy instead speaks volumes. As a father, I can’t help but be grateful for that.
Looking at it this way, he’s really a great godfather, but it’d be nice if he could at least keep in touch with me a bit more.
– Why the sudden sigh?
“Oh, I was just wishing the Emperor would choke on his food for about three days straight.”
Please, that would be way too cruel! Why do I have to eat remotely with that guy while I’m trying to enjoy my meal?
“Seriously, if you’re going to contact me, at least do it while I’m with Feddy.”
I would go so far as to wish that. If that were the case, I’d at least get to see him awake one more time.
Today, Feddy greeted me while still in his sleep.
“…If I wake him, would he be mad?”
“I’ll be the first to get mad, trust me.”
“Sorry!”
As I stared down at the peacefully snoring Feddy, I made that nutty comment but quickly backed it up with an apology.
Of course, I didn’t mean it seriously. Well, maybe half-serious, but no way am I waking up that sleeping angel! That would be the most psychotic thing to do.
I just felt a bit pitiful about my situation—here I am, a dad who can’t even communicate properly with his first child.
“Should I just hug him tight?”
Suddenly overcome with that temptation, I shook my head vigorously.
If I touch him and he wakes up, that would be disastrous! I can’t bear to see that little cherub cry. The guilt would feel like the world is crumbling around me, and Mar would definitely unleash her wrath.
“But don’t worry too much. Feddy’s been sleeping later these days. You’ll see him awake soon.”
“Really?”
“Totally.”
In the meantime, sensing that my expression may have looked too sorrowful, Mar gently took my hand and offered some odd comfort.
But her words did the trick. Imagining Feddy waiting for me when I comes home from work brought a smile to my face. I can picture dragging myself home, tired, and seeing my son welcoming me at the door. Isn’t that a dream every parent yearns for?
“Just a little more to endure.”
That gave me one more reason to trudge through life.
Unlike some Minister living who-knows-where, Mar could show me Feddy’s awake face over a communication device, but nothing beats the real deal of seeing and holding him.
“Uuuh…”
Anyways, while I was beaming at Mar’s words, Feddy’s babbling surprised me for a moment, but then I calmed down.
His cooing isn’t a warning about waking up. More often than not, he can babble away and continue sleeping like nothing happened. Feddy is one miraculous baby who sleeps soundly, no matter what ruckus is happening around him.
“Somehow, I don’t think he’ll grow up to be just ordinary.”
That thought suddenly crossed my mind. Right now, he may not be able to talk or move around much, but when he starts roaming around on two feet, he’s going to turn the mansion and the family upside down.
With the way he kicked around when held by Mar, the fickleness of his tastes, and his go-your-own-way attitude, it’s definitely in the cards.
“Kids do grow up to be noisy.”
Of course, even if he turns into a ruckus-maker, that’s perfectly normal. Kids getting into mischief or causing chaos is just part of growing up.
On the flip side, if he turns out to be calm and collected, that’s fine too—there’s a certain cuteness to that as well.
As long as Feddy grows up healthy and kind, that’s all I ask. This dad has got enough cash stashed away for his whole life!
“Just live the way you want, okay?”
Because this dad couldn’t do that…
*
As graduation drew near, I felt Lather becoming bolder with his tactics.
Thanks to his flashy maneuvers, I found myself genuinely focused on the competition. We’re just two dorks who lost against the torturer teacher in some team competition, but if I lost even once in chess? I’d rather not even think about it.
“I cannot lose.”
There’s no way I’m letting Lather snag even one victory. It was always a missed chance, but now it’s a matter of pride!
This match has escalated beyond mere win-loss statistics; it’s a matter of my sanity and pride hanging in the balance.
“What? You’re still at it?”
Sadly, the lowly nobleman Erich didn’t grasp the significance of the noble showdown we were engaged in.
“If you began, you should see it through to the end.”
“I agree.”
I nodded along with Lather, who seemed to share the same sentiment at this crucial moment.
Yeah, for a knight, if you haven’t drawn your sword yet, it’s easy to dismiss. But once the sword is out, it’s a fight to the bitter end, either I bite the dust or he does.
Lather and I are neck-deep in a grueling duel right now. The outcome—whether I maintain my undefeated status or he scores a miraculous win—is just a final destination. The crucial point is we’re engaged in a battle of wills!
“Anyway, Ryutis will win, so what’s the fuss?”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at that. It was obvious even to a third party that Lather and I were operating on different levels.
My victory was practically etched in stone. Even if Lather somehow managed to win, his peers would believe it’s more about my blunder than his skill. He can’t possibly outperform me.
But Lather doesn’t seem to care about such trivialities.
“It seems he just wants to celebrate a win for its own sake.”
I’ve recently sensed that Lather’s main goal isn’t to prove superiority. It’s as if he’s dead set on finding reasons to mock me!
“This team competition really ruined him.”
What a pity. Before this, he was a uniquely okay guy, but since the team competition, something’s been off. It’s like he’s shifted focus from objective victory to subjective emotions.
Guess it’s all thanks to that torturer teacher. He sowed the seeds of distrust in Yuben’s royal house.
“Speaking of which, where is that torturer teacher, anyway?”
I just realized that while focusing on chess. None of the club members, Louise, Irina, or Marcilio were around, yet the torturer teacher was completely missing in action.
Did something happen? Nah, judging by everyone’s calm expressions, it can’t be anything dire. If there was an incident with the torturer teacher, one of Louise, Irina, or Marcilio would have shown signs of concern.
“Probably nothing serious.”
I quickly scanned the area and turned back to the chessboard. Honestly, that torturer teacher isn’t the kind of person who garners worry from anyone.
“Checkmate.”
“Tch. Let’s take a ten-minute break before we go again.”
A steadfast person in any situation… I’m sure he’ll be back before the next checkmate.
*
I made my way to the Principal’s office after receiving a sudden message saying there was something important to discuss. It caught me off guard, but judging by the Principal’s voice and expression, it doesn’t seem urgent.
“We’ve decided to award honorary teaching certificates to key figures from the three kingdoms, including Lord Villar. Given their significant cooperation during the Academy’s events and education over the past three years, it seems only fitting.”
Right on cue, a minor issue I anticipated.
Granting honorary teaching certificates to foreigners isn’t trivial, but since it’s already in the works for people like Lord Villar, the current talk is more of a confirmation that this matter is officially greenlit—
“However, during the discussion about the honorary teaching certificates, the Minister’s name came up.”
“Excuse me?”
That unexpected mention made me blurt out a question. Why was my name being dragged in while discussing the three kingdoms?
“Although the Minister is here in the capacity of an auditor, he has taken on more workload and responsibility than the existing auditors, so they couldn’t just let it slide.”
“…Wait, what?”
My heart started racing at those words.
Could it be that I’m receiving something for myself? Am I actually going to finish my three years at the Academy empty-handed?
‘An honorary teaching certificate?’
Or an honorary diploma?
Either way, my heart was aflutter. I used to think it didn’t matter, but now, the thought of walking away empty-handed is making me feel all kinds of mixed emotions.
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