Chapter: 862
If I had to pick one person who isn’t really needed in this mansion, no matter how much I think about it, the conclusion is that it’s me, the owner of the mansion.
I’m not contributing anything to the upkeep of the place. I’m not helping with cleaning or cooking, and I’m not even keeping track of the supplies we have stocked up. I’m simply a regular guy living off the land—just a plain old husband. That’s my standing in this mansion.
Just how flimsy and insignificant is my position that I get chased out by my wives every time I mess up? Not that I don’t have a good reason to be kicked out, of course. But still, my presence is even less than that of the kids and Titi. More specifically, I’m at a level where I can compete well against the spirits—just about that much.
“Should we remove all the mats? We’re welcoming important guests, and this seems a bit…underwhelming…”
“No, leave them as they are. It means the mansion is adapted for the happiness of the kids. It’s proof that the current Krasius family is different from the past.”
“Oh, I see what you mean.”
And that thought was gradually reinforced as I watched my mother and Mar converse.
The reunion banquet for the seven Krasius siblings was being organized under my mother’s leadership. So, it’s only natural for her to be discussing matters with Mar, the current matriarch of Krasius.
Right now, Mar is supporting my mother not as the mistress but as a daughter-in-law. She is thoroughly cooperating with my mother for the preparations, which is quite pleasing for me as her son.
But those mats sprawled across the mansion? Those were my brainchild—my masterpiece! I turned the mansion into a playground for the kids…
“Can’t you at least ask for my opinion?”
I felt a twinge of disappointment. The patriarch and owner of the mansion is right next to them, shouldn’t they be consulting me first?
Of course, if it’s my mother and Mar’s agreement, I’m fine with either removing the mats or keeping them. Removing them only requires a bit of effort. And keeping them, as my mother said, is proof that the current Krasius is peaceful and gentle.
I just wish they’d show a little interest in this son who wants to flaunt even a flimsy presence in the mansion. I’m ready to greet my uncles and aunts with gusto—
“What does Kal think? This mat was set up by Kal himself, right?”
“I think we should keep it. It’s a unique sight for guests visiting for the first time, and as you said, the whole mansion is tailored for the kids, right?”
Mar’s question swiftly calmed my slightly hurt feelings.
‘That reckless kid.’
At the same time, I berated myself internally. My mother and Mar didn’t overlook me; they just hadn’t gotten around to asking my opinion yet.
And here I am, sulking alone. What a pitiful and futile mindset that is. This is probably how I ended up as the weakest existence in the mansion.
“Besides, once the first-time guests arrive, the kids will be over the moon. If they’re rushing around and fall, that wouldn’t be good. It’s best to leave the mats as they are.”
Feeling embarrassed and awkward, I hastily threw out a reason for keeping them.
But even if it was a spur-of-the-moment justification, it wasn’t entirely wrong. The kids usually run around the mansion like little tornadoes. They’re going to see their grand uncles and aunts for the first time? It’s all too clear how excited they’ll be to swarm around them.
And if a horde of kids suddenly rushes in, even adults would be flustered. Especially if they’re encountering their new nephews and nieces for the first time— that would be quite the grand introduction. If my uncles and aunts flinched at that dramatic greeting, they’d probably stumble and fall.
‘No way.’
Just imagining it sends chills down my spine. If the kids fall onto the hard floor with no mats, they could get hurt, and my uncles and aunts would end up sitting on thorns!
“Right, we need to think about the kids, too.”
While I was conjuring up horrific future scenarios by myself, Mar clapped her hands lightly and asked,
“Mother, are your children or grandchildren coming along too?”
‘Ah.’
She mentioned guests I hadn’t even considered.
Come to think of it, they’re all married, so it’s only natural my cousins would be there, and if they were married in a timely manner, their kids would be tagging along too. It’s been nearly 20 years since the family has gathered, so it wouldn’t be too surprising if cousins and distant relatives showed up as well.
“No. This time, everyone is coming only with their spouse. We can’t expect too much from the start.”
“Is that so…”
“Of course, there’ll come a day when the kids and grandchildren gather in one place. That day will surely come.”
With confidence in her voice, both I and Mar couldn’t help but smile softly.
Yeah, such a day will come eventually. Just last year, we couldn’t even imagine a reunion of the seven siblings occurring after 20 years! Fortunately, uncles and aunts have long lives ahead, and cousins have even more time. We have plenty of time, so one day, the entire Krasius clan will be able to gather.
‘…But how many will there be?’
Suddenly, I felt lightheaded. Just adding up my kids and Erich’s already gives us 11 grandchildren. That’s 11 grandchildren under one of the seven siblings, my father!
So, if we add in the kids and grandkids from all the siblings beneath that, how many will there be? I figure it’s going to top 50, at the very least.
‘Imagine when the great-grandkids start showing up; that’ll be quite a spectacle.’
There’s a reason nobles value their bloodline so much. When they intentionally expand their family tree, it unleashes this magnificent collective strength.
Despite our family being a gathering of individuals thanks to my grandfather.
*
When I first inherited the title of Count of Tailglehen, when I stepped into the Imperial Assembly as an imperial count, when I first met His Majesty as a noble, and when I ventured into war as the Empire’s sword and shield.
The things that made me nervous over the nearly fifty years of my life are countless. However, I’ve never felt this jittery since I laid down my title. The only comparable moment was when Teresa was born, but even that was overshadowed by my wife’s smooth delivery.
‘It’s tomorrow already.’
I took some deep breaths to calm my racing heart.
Tomorrow, tomorrow. Tomorrow, my siblings will gather at Kal’s mansion. I will reunite with my younger siblings, whom I haven’t seen for nearly 20 years, only hearing brief news about how they’re getting by.
“Big brother.”
“Ah, Elin.”
While I was busy taking deep breaths, I heard Elin’s voice and lifted my head.
Thank goodness the youngest came to Tailglehen and not Kal’s mansion. The banquet is set for tomorrow, but since I was going to prepare everything alone, she came to assist a day early.
“I’m glad I came. No matter how organized my big sister is, the only one who understands the siblings’ preferences is you, big brother. So how can you be here like this?”
“I’m sorry. I tried my best to calm down, but it’s not an easy task.”
At my honest admission, Elin sighed softly and took a seat.
“…Didn’t the youngest brother come with you?”
“He said he would head straight to the mansion tomorrow. He didn’t feel right coming to Tailglehen.”
I nodded, knowing how he felt.
Elin’s husband, Walter Narzen of Milkyon, was just a few months ago the second son of the Narzen family, but recent judicial inspections forced him to become the head of the family.
Unfortunately, his father, once the head, got embroiled in corruption, leading to Walter inheriting the title. It’s unfortunate that even the youngest brother is not free from this corruption. Thus, he probably felt he couldn’t show his face at Tailglehen.
In reality, the place he truly doesn’t want to go is Kal’s mansion, but with his wife going to see her siblings for the first time in 20 years, he couldn’t not join.
“How foolish. And here he is, overreaching.”
It seems Elin felt the same way, as she joined in with a sigh while taking her seat.
“Here, take this. I prepared a little something.”
With that, she handed me six beautifully wrapped gift boxes.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a present for my brothers and sisters. I prepared some of the treats I enjoyed back when I was at Tailglehen.”
That was a perfectly suitable gift. Gifts exchanged among nobles tend to be grand and extravagant, but since we’re awkward family members meeting after a long time, it’s more fitting to keep things simple and gradually close the gap.
“But why six…?”
I blurted this out without thinking and quickly snapped my mouth closed.
Of course, there are only six; counting myself, there are six of us excluding Elin. I opened my mouth without even realizing that obvious fact.
‘What’s wrong with me?’
I felt lightheaded. If I had gone into preparations for tomorrow without Elin, just me welcoming my siblings alone, I can only imagine the catastrophe that would’ve unfolded.
“More than that, I’m a little worried.”
Fortunately, Elin pretended she didn’t hear my slip.
I’m grateful for that. If Elin had commented on my state, I wouldn’t have been able to lift my head in shame.
“What’s got you worried?”
Naturally, I responded to Elin’s question as she had glossed over my blunder. It’s only right to cooperate actively with her since she’s looking out for me.
“I’ve relied on old memories to prepare the gifts, but those memories are so long ago that I can’t be sure about their accuracy. Since I have a faded memory, I suspect big brother does too.”
“Hmm…”
But just as I finally found the way to express myself, it crumbled under the weight of undeniable concern.
Elin was right. Both she and I had vague memories of the past. I had mistakenly thought Elin liked cheesecake, but it was actually my second sister who loved it, while Elin believed I enjoyed cognac, which I didn’t.
“Elin.”
“Yes, big brother?”
“Since someone must have liked it, how about we set the gifts on the table instead of giving them individually to each person?”
I don’t know if I should be thankful or not; what we were mistaken about was ‘who liked what,’ not ‘what they liked.’ Although the people had changed, it was true that someone among us siblings liked that food.
So instead of distributing it piecemeal, wouldn’t it be better to lay out seven—my six plus Elin—a feast on the table? Then everyone can choose what they like.
‘Oh boy.’
But judging from Elin’s expression as she pressed her forehead, it seemed like it may not have been the best idea after all.
I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be that kind of big brother.
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