Chapter 41

"What is this? What’s going on?"

After regressing, this was the first time I had truly panicked in a long while.

No, wasn’t this the first time I felt such panic after regressing in this cycle?

But I soon regained my composure.

‘First, I need to figure out how to handle this situation.’

Everyone was focusing on Pierre and me.

Even Agénor seemed to have not anticipated this situation, or rather, he couldn’t have predicted it, and he looked taken aback.

‘Agénor has already given all the answers. He didn’t know about this situation himself.’

Then, how should I deal with it?

I turned my head sharply.

I met my father’s eyes.

I felt a mix of emotions, but now wasn’t the time to think about such things.

‘Smile.’

I smiled as brightly and as beautifully as I could.

“Dad!!”

I jumped out of my chair and ran towards him as if I had been waiting for this moment.

The conference room was designed to be lower towards the door, so I could run down the steps to my father.

‘Please, please, catch me. Catch me!’

Fortunately, my father caught me lightly.

He didn’t say a word, but held me in his arms.

Yes, it’s better that he didn’t say anything!

I smiled and hugged his neck.

“Dad, you said you couldn’t come. That you were sick… Are you feeling better now? Yes?”

While I was smiling, my heart was racing with anxiety.

I couldn’t tell what Pierre was thinking.

‘Damn, am I going to be dropped and fall to the ground like this?’

If that happens, I need to think of what to say in advance.

At least my actions matched the rumors, the rumors I spread!

‘Silence won’t do. Please, react somehow. Anything…’

Now, the only thing left was my father’s unpredictable intentions.

‘Or is silence better?’

My heart was pounding more than ever in this life.

I hugged his neck and closed my eyes tightly.

Something was placed on my head and then fell.

“Yeah, I’m feeling better.”

I blinked while still hugging my father.

Since I was hugging him, no one could see my expression.

“I caused you worry.”

…Only my father would know how stiff I had become.

‘You, can you actually speak normally like this?’

By the time all the confusion had passed, my father had carried me back to my seat.

Everyone seemed as taken aback as I was, and only after my father arrived did the sound of people exhaling fill the room.

“Do we need to confirm attendance separately?”

“…No, sir. We have confirmed Pierre’s attendance.”

Laïla spoke in as official a tone as possible.

Chaya looked as if she couldn’t believe what she was saying.

“It’s been a while, Pierre. I never thought I’d see you like this…”

“My daughter was so worried that she didn’t tell me the exact date. That’s why I’m a bit late.”

Hmm, maybe I’m still dreaming.

But the cold, lazy eyes in front of me brought me back to reality.

‘How should I interpret this?’

I secretly took a deep breath.

I clenched my fists.

No, let’s think positively.

It seemed that my father was trying to cooperate and cover everything up for now.

‘Though I don’t know why.’

This tension needs to be postponed until after the disciplinary committee.

When I turned my head, I saw that Bayyan had also risen from his seat, clearly surprised.

Even my grandmother, who had been calm, was looking at my father with surprise.

‘Good, as long as he’s not here to disrupt the meeting.’

I felt more confident.

I had overcome the only weakness in this meeting.

“This is invalid. You didn’t attend in advance!”

“Lord Bayyan, this is a matter agreed upon by all three of us, the chairpersons. I hope you remember the oath of truth and loyalty you made when the meeting began.”

Laïla’s firm words made Bayyan frown.

‘Good job, Laïla.’

But Bayyan wouldn’t just sit there.

A stream of water shot up from behind him, a fierce and angry torrent.

But his power was immediately countered by another.

“Son, sit down.”

“…Mother.”

“The chairpersons have acknowledged it.”

“…”

With a nearly squinted eye, my grandmother turned to Bayyan, and only then did he grind his teeth and sit down.

Bang!

He smashed the table in the process.

‘Tsk, he doesn’t understand the essence of this meeting. What a fool.’

The meeting was already decided.

The disciplinary committee was like a trial with a jury, where the content of the meeting was shown in detail, and each person’s grievances and circumstances were argued before the punishment level was determined by the jury.

So, the chairpersons and vassals were not just for show; they were the ones to watch in this meeting.

‘Does he think the result won’t reach my grandmother’s ears, or does he not care?’

Well, if he’s going to self-destruct, that’s good for me.

I smiled slightly while maintaining a serious gaze, and our eyes met.

I quickly looked away and then turned back with a smile.

‘Don’t forget, smile.’

My father smiled.

…The expression of ridicule made me feel a slight chill down my spine.

“After the brief disturbance, we will now proceed with the main agenda. If anyone has any objections, please raise your hand towards the chairperson.”

The remaining chairperson, who had been silent until now, spoke slowly. The real start was about to begin.

I straightened my back, ready to speak at any moment.

“This meeting….”

“Excuse me!”

The door creaked open as the chairperson spoke.

Compared to when my father had opened it silently, this was a very loud noise.

The chairperson, Laïla, and Chaya all frowned, but they fell silent when they saw who had entered.

“What is the head of the household’s attendant doing here?”

“It’s the head of the household’s order!”

Indeed, the person who had just entered was the head of the household’s direct attendant.

‘The head of the household’s order?’

Why is my grandmother, who is currently in a family meeting, coming here?

‘This is unsettling.’

This is a battle already won. I can’t let this opportunity slip away.

Just as I was frowning with a bad premonition,

“From now on, this highest disciplinary committee will move to the Blue Hall and continue there.”

I opened my eyes wide.

“It will resume within the family meeting where the head of the household is present!”

…What?

What is this supposed to mean?

I froze, still looking at the attendant.

‘No, what is this supposed to mean!’

This is like putting a whale in a pot of rice that’s almost cooked.

‘The family meeting is his territory!’

The current situation, with Bayyan’s spectacular own goal, meant his punishment was almost certain.

In fact, the influence of educational institutions in this whale society was significant.

Just look at Chaya, the director of a mid-level institution, who was a comrade of my grandmother.

Therefore, a record of punishment for a prominent successor like Bayyan in the highest disciplinary committee carries more weight than expected.

I can’t bear to let the scum who dared to hit me and my twin off without a proper scolding.

‘I was just leading Bayyan into a bad atmosphere!’

What’s going on?

To continue the disciplinary committee in the family meeting where my grandmother is present?

‘This is absurd.’

I gritted my teeth in frustration.

While I was trying to hide my deteriorating expression, I noticed the expressions of Bayyan and his gang brightening.

‘The family meeting is where his forces are concentrated.’

A prominent successor means having many followers.

Especially in the family meeting, which includes collateral branches and vassals, the side with more numbers has the advantage.

‘In the end, this is just moving Bayyan to a more advantageous position.’

Bayyan and his gang were now in a festive mood.

Even my grandmother, who had been calm, was smiling.

“Hmm, sister. What should we do?”

Agénor asked cautiously.

‘The head of the household’s order is absolute here.’

Once the head of the household has given an order, it’s as good as decided.

“There’s nothing we can do. We have no choice.”

‘I really wanted to see the best part of this.’

I bit my lip and sighed in resignation.

“It’s fine.”

A low voice echoed.