Chapter: 865
I gotta say, I’m really good at physical activities.
“Drift with inertia!”
“Wooaaah!”
“Awesome! Cool!”
It was definitely my first time pulling a cart with people in it today, but somehow I had already reached the level where I could not just speed safely but also perform tricks while doing it.
Honestly, I’ve been wondering if it’s really okay to drift like this, but children seem to love like an intense play activity. As my doubts grew, so did the kids’ laughter.
“Kal, even with magic, you need to be careful. The kids are in there, and it’s too rough!”
Of course, I didn’t make the drift without any plans. Right next to me was the greatest magician of the continent, surpassing all the top wizards in the mansion, the realm, and even the empire. Securing the kids’ safety was my first priority, and I had done that quicker than anyone.
The issue wasn’t just about being safe; it just didn’t look right! It wasn’t just me feeling that way; I could only imagine how Trixie must have felt watching me. She was probably contemplating whether to cast a spell on the cart from the beginning.
“No! This is fun! Awesome!”
“Yeah! I want to keep riding like this!”
“Thanks, Mom! Your magic is awesome!”
So, just as I was about to apologize, the kids in the cart began defending me.
I appreciated their support, but it was awkward. Trixie, with her long, clean hair and those pointy ears, adored by the kids because of her wide array of magic abilities. For them to complain to Trixie meant they actually enjoyed the ride. It wasn’t a one-off event for today; they wanted this to happen again in the future.
It was truly a heartbreaking situation. I’d rather carry Teresa on my back than become a daily cart-pulling dad.
‘Please, help me.’
Without realizing it, I looked at Trixie with longing eyes.
If I refused, the kids would definitely cry or sulk. So if Trixie, who they adored even more than me, could step in…!
“Dad, you have to take breaks in between since it must be tiring! Right?”
“Yeah! I’ll have snacks with Dad!”
“Sure, that’ll do!”
‘Ah.’
My slight glimmer of hope just got snuffed out.
Not just me, but Trixie didn’t want the kids to feel resentful either. Even though Trixie was adored by the kids, if she messed up just once after a hundred times of being great, their fondness would take a nosedive. Especially when dealing with young children, it required extra caution.
Still, I had a bit of hope. If anyone could manage the kids, it was probably Trixie, right? I sincerely believed…
“Trixie, Mom! You should ride with us!”
“Huh?”
“U-uhh?”
Pedi, who was sitting deep in the cart, suddenly perked up excitedly.
It was such an unexpected suggestion that both Trixie and I could only gawk.
‘What a firstborn!’
My confusion quickly shifted to awe. Our firstborn, the eldest among the kids, wasn’t just a decoration! He was taking initiatives that exceeded our expectations, not just surpassing his siblings, but even us, his parents.
What kind of kid would suggest that their mom, even if she’s not their biological mom, ride in the same cart with them?
“Mommy! Come play with us!”
“Yeah! You too, Mom!”
“Trixie, Mom! Come on!”
“Um, um…”
With her ears beginning to tremble, Trixie looked at me with desperate eyes, just like I had moments ago.
“Get in. Where do you want to go?”
However, my answer couldn’t change from just a moment ago. I couldn’t provide Trixie with the answer she wanted.
It wasn’t about petty revenge for a while ago. I didn’t just want to see Trixie tiredly thudding onto the cart. Even if I wanted to see the kids joyfully clinging to Trixie’s hair, that wasn’t it.
If a child requests something, the parent must grant it. As precious as Trixie is, if several kids want her, one wife should logically be sacrificed.
‘Sorry.’
I offered an unspoken apology to Trixie internally. Most likely, Trixie had just apologized to me moments ago, so it ended up being a draw.
“Master! Second Young Lady!”
With that, I flexed my thighs to prepare for another graceful drift, and Yuris, who had been inside the main house, ran over.
“Yuris? What’s happening?”
His frantic running made me naturally tilt my head in confusion.
Didn’t we leave behind all but the bare minimum of help to attend the banquet? The attendees were fewer, but everyone present was an adult of higher rank than I was. They should be giving their all to serve.
“Um, um…”
After catching his breath for a moment, Yuris glanced at Trixie in the cart, startled, then continued,
“Master is looking for you and the ladies!”
He said this casually.
I couldn’t help but admire his professionalism. Even I would be thrown off if Trixie was in the cart. It seems young Yuris has stepped up as a great attendant. I’m a proud master.
“My father?”
“Yes! Sophia went to inform the others!”
Despite my surprise at the professionalism, the news Yuris brought was quite unexpected.
This was the first time in 20 years that the seven Krasius siblings had gathered. And that was only including the time frame since my grandfather passed away. Considering how we had all scattered due to marriage, it might have been even longer.
That’s why we had deliberately distanced ourselves for our siblings’ time together. But it hadn’t even been long since the banquet started, and already they were calling for us? What happened to our precious sibling time?
‘What do I do now?’
Logically, I should probably decline, but how could my father, of all people, not understand my confusion? Wouldn’t he be the one who awaited this time even more than me?
Even if I graciously accepted that Father stepped back, surely Mother would have intervened. Thus, it would be more correct to respond than to refuse this call.
“Didn’t mention the kids?”
However, I had to clarify this. All the mansion staff were engaged in maintaining the banquet, and the kids had just been playing with me. Charging straight to the banquet without due regard for them? Especially in a situation where there’s no one to look after them?
Of course, the ones looking after the little ones who couldn’t even crawl yet were the attendants. And the trusty Holy Waters were forever the kids’ toys.
Still, rushing in after lighting this flame would surely invite problems later. Think about how much of a bomb they’d be next time we play.
“Um, well, I haven’t heard about the young lords and ladies, but they want to gather with the guests that are with the Master!”
As Yuris said that, he grunted a bit and continued,
“Since the young lords and ladies are family, wouldn’t it be fine to go together?!”
“True enough.”
That sounded perfect, and I nodded.
That makes sense. Those folks would know about me pulling the cart around in the garden, so they’d at least be aware that I was with the kids.
Plus, they all had parenting experience. They probably understood that kids at that age naturally follow their parents wherever they go. Thus, calling for my wife and me automatically meant they wanted to see their little cousins.
Alright, let’s go. The whole Krasius family is gathering!
*
Someone once said that family consists of people who eat the same food at the same table every day.
When I was young, I thought that was just some polite saying. Or I thought families weren’t as blissful or peaceful as people claimed. We—sure, we always shared meals together, but the atmosphere was far from warm and cozy. If that’s what family was, then I thought, “Whatever, it’s not that special.”
However, after marrying and becoming August Deast, and having children, my perspective changed. Eating together certainly means you’re a family. It was just that the Krasius family had been a bit odd.
Now, decades later, I truly felt like the Krasius family was a family.
“I take back what I said about all the strong personalities. Who drinks only three types of liquor?”
“Well, if we’re going to talk about snacks, there’s also three kinds of goodies. Think of it as one snack with one drink.”
Those tiny snacks felt more like a meal than all the fancy dishes I’d had at the Count of Tailglehen’s estate. It was as if this was the first meal we’d ever shared in our lives.
“Master, the Count of Tailglehen and his second wife have arrived.”
As I took a sip of the whiskey poured by my older brother, not long after, a servant from the entrance approached him.
Our nephew. I was thankful that he came so quickly, even though he might have been startled by the sudden call. Plus, it looked like he brought his second wife with him. Did that mean they were sitting together…?
‘Wait a minute.’
Who was the second wife of my nephew again?
I could remember his first wife was the youngest daughter of Duke Wulken… no, now I should refer to her as Princess Marghetta. The second wife was certainly—
‘Duke Marcilio.’
Suddenly, my hand trembled around the glass.
I hadn’t thought overly about it when saying “nephew and wife,” but now that his actual second wife arrived, it felt like reality hit me hard.
Among the nobility, second only to the Emperor’s presence, there stood a noble being, the kind that could look down on all. Even the royal family treated them with respect, barring the direct heir.
Moreover, among five dukes reigning for over a hundred years, a Grand Sorcerer of the entire continent.
‘Am I supposed to treat her as my nephew’s wife?’
It was a dilemma. No, it wasn’t just a dilemma; it was beyond a dilemma. How could a noble like me allow such a thing?
Admittedly, rumors say Duke Marcilio treats his second wife like one of the family, but that’s because he’s probably an unusual individual among dukes.
As regular nobility, we certainly couldn’t act as casually with her as if she were one of us. Treating her as an inferior would be pure madness.
‘Did nobody notice this?!’
Quickly scanning my siblings, I noticed all five wore expressions of bewilderment as they stared toward the entrance.
It looked like we were all quite tense. They only just figured something that should’ve been immediately obvious.
For a moment, I contemplated asking them to take me back, but just as the door swung open, my nephew and niece-in-law entered.
“Krasius family, this is Kal, greeting his uncles, aunts, and everyone else!”
“Krasius family’s daughter-in-law greets the elders of the Krasius clan.”
I felt my eyes clench shut as their respectful greetings echoed in the still banquet hall.
“I should’ve greeted you sooner, but due to my foolishness and sluggishness, I’m only now paying my respects. Please forgive my mistake.”
‘Ah…’
But my niece-in-law seemed all too eager to bow down, like she thought crushing my ears would be okay if it meant following social etiquette.
No, this isn’t right. We should actually be the ones apologizing to her. We should be on our knees, bowing and pleading for forgiveness.
“Greetings!”
‘Huh…?’
I opened my eyes to the bright voices ringing throughout the quiet banquet hall.
There stood the little ones, crowded behind my nephew’s legs.
“Great Grandpa! Great Auntie!”
“Hello!”
With sparkling eyes, the kids gazed at us.
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