Chapter 40

It seemed that Agenor was already there, standing near his seat.

Their eyes met, and he loosely waved his hand.

His casual wave caused a stir among the people around.

"Prince Agenor just waved his hand warmly, didn't he?"

"Goodness, I thought he didn't have a good relationship with his brothers…"

"None of the princes under Lord Pierre even speak to each other, let alone when they meet, they only fight, right?"

Calypso looked around the hall and then stopped her gaze at a certain spot.

On the opposite side of her seat, familiar faces were visible.

They were Bayyan and his gang.

Their eyes were fierce, as if they were glaring at Calypso even before she looked at them.

'They’re looking at me like they want to tear me apart?'

Calypso smirked.

She smiled and raised her middle finger.

Though she didn’t know what it meant, it must have made them feel pretty bad.

Calypso's gaze then shifted from the furious Bayyan to the calm-looking woman sitting next to him.

'Sure enough, my uncle didn’t come.'

They said the parents should come, which meant either one of them could attend.

That woman was Calypso's aunt.

'This is bad. It would have been better if my uncle had come himself.'

The calm-looking aunt remained composed, no matter how noisy the place was or who her son was glaring at. It was as if she was in a different space.

Her gray hair was elegantly tied up.

That woman was also a whale.

A collateral branch of the family.

After all, Bayyan's absence from the family council would have a fatal impact on them.

'Grandma likes to show her influence at the family council.'

It wasn’t for nothing that all the retainers gathered and focused.

All major and minor matters were decided and carried out there.

Being excluded from there meant never being able to enter the center of this aquatic creature group.

'I really wanted to go this time, but it’s a pity.'

With Bayyan absent, it seemed that his uncle, Rodessen, was planning to go and be Grandma’s puppet.

Calypso smiled at the thought.

'Ah, Uncle Rodessen really knows how to shake the puppet well.'

Time passed, and it was time for the disciplinary committee to start.

At the same time, the family council must have been taking place somewhere.

'So it’s starting now.'

This was a huge conference hall.

A semicircular table and a chair for the chairman, similar to a judge's seat in a courtroom.

At the semicircular table, though sparsely, Calypso and Agenor, along with their parents, were seated.

In addition, there were retainers acting as jurors.

At the chairman's seat, besides Laïla, two other people were seated. Calypso easily recognized one as the director of the intermediate institution.

'Who’s the other one? His face seems familiar.'

"Everyone, please be quiet. We will now begin the highest disciplinary committee."

As Laïla, who was seated at the highest position, spoke, the hall fell silent.

"I am Laïla, responsible for the proceedings and the chair. In this meeting, everyone, regardless of rank, should participate earnestly and, during the meeting, swear by the sea to speak only the truth. First, Bayyan, the party and the perpetrator of this agenda."

"…I swear by the sea."

"And Calypso, the party and the victim of this agenda."

"I swear by the sea."

"And Agenor."

"I swear by the sea."

Laïla made all the parties swear, and after the collateral branch children also swore, she scanned the hall with a calm gaze.

When her gaze reached Calypso, someone else spoke.

It was the director of the intermediate institution, who had been quiet until now.

"Before we start, I am Chaya, one of the chairs. As a chair, I have a question."

Chaya, raising her hand, was an elderly woman with drooping eyes, but her gaze was sharp and commanding.

"This is a disciplinary committee for the behavior of a minor student at an educational institution. Therefore, as I understand it, it was announced in advance that the presence of a guardian is mandatory."

She was a whale warrior who had fought alongside the current head of the family and was now dedicated to nurturing the next generation.

"Why are there no guardians next to Calypso and Agenor?"

Calypso felt a slight prick inside. But it was only for a moment.

What was to come has come.

Yes, what was to come has come.

'Thanks to Laïla, it was supposed to slip by naturally.'

This was probably Laïla's consideration.

She might have found it strange but didn’t bring it up during the greeting.

"Is it taking time?"

At the powerful voice, Calypso turned her eyes.

Calypso met Chaya's clear gaze boldly.

Chaya's eyes showed a glint of interest, but only for a moment.

"I have no guardian."

Calypso's bold statement made everyone in the hall pause.

Even Chaya, who had asked the question, stiffened.

"The purpose of having a guardian is to receive help considering our immaturity as minors. Is that correct, Chair?"

"…Yes."

Laïla nodded. Calypso turned her gaze.

"Agonor and I will be our own advocates."

They would only be a nuisance. It’s fine without them.

I can handle it.

The seats of the three chairs and the jurors became noisy.

Mostly, they were discussing whether to accept Calypso's opinion.

"Even if I say I have no guardian, this will be disadvantageous to Agonor and me, not to the other party. Therefore, I hope to proceed as is."

However, because Calypso spoke so clearly, most people seemed to agree with her.

Except for one person.

"I oppose! This is a serious meeting held according to strict laws and rules. How can we proceed with a meeting when the basic rules are not followed?"

Chaya, who slammed her hand on the table, strongly opposed.

Chaya was also impressed by Calypso's clear stance but was a strict rule follower.

'Ah, she’s Grandma’s friend or colleague. She’s no help…'

Because Chaya's stance was so strong, the opinions of the observers were divided, but the atmosphere was slightly tilting towards Chaya's side.

"It’s fine if it takes time. Summon the guardians, Calypso."

Agonor looked at Calypso, asking what to do.

Calypso's eyes slightly furrowed.

In fact, she hadn’t thought this far.

However, the plan she had in mind was not something Calypso wanted to do.

"…According to rumors, the lady has a good relationship with Lord Pierre, doesn’t she?"

"I’ve heard that rumor too. They say she cherishes him very much…"

"Then why isn’t she here?"

"Perhaps she’s sick."

The whispers pierced Calypso's ears.

If she made a mistake here, Calypso might be exposed for lying and put in an unfavorable situation.

Bayyan, who had been watching, chuckled.

"Why not just do it? He says he has no father, what can we do?"

"Ha ha ha, Bayyan is right."

"Let’s just do it, Chair?"

"Right. Let’s start the family council quickly."

Chaya's expression, who had been strongly arguing, twisted.

If this continued, the meeting would start without regard for the rules.

However, if the trend was like this, it was indeed difficult for her to argue further.

Calypso sighed inwardly at the situation.

Even if the disciplinary committee went well, the rumors of discord with Pierre would not be avoided.

'Too bad, but there’s nothing I can do.'

Calypso, resigned, requested to proceed without a guardian again.

"Then, Calypso and Agenor will proceed without a guardian…"

"I don’t think so."

Calypso's eyes widened.

…It was a voice that shouldn’t have been heard here.

"Rules are rules."

Slowly turning her head, she saw a figure that had silently entered through the door.

A tall, slender silhouette. The teacher, who always wore loose clothing, was nowhere to be seen.

"Of course, they should be followed."

Calypso's eyes widened.

"The guardian of my daughter and son, present."

Dressed in a neatly tailored suit, the same blue as Calypso's, it was as if they had matched on purpose.