Chapter 42

When I turned my head, Dad was staring at me.

“S, no, is everything okay?”

I almost called him Master, but quickly changed my words.

Right now, I was supposed to be a good daughter to Dad, wasn’t I? And one who was head over heels?

“Everything you’re thinking.”

“……”

…He talks as if he knows exactly what I’m thinking.

Dad crossed his arms and tilted his head loosely.

“You don’t need to force yourself to speak formally.”

His voice was so low that only I could hear it.

“Even though you’re not used to it.”

“Hmph.”

I flinched.

‘…If you’re going to force me to use formal language, just forget it.’

I nodded briskly.

This is because he wants it, not me.

“Alright.”

In any case, now that the servant has said this, we have to move.

But moving means… being carried in Dad’s arms.

Why exactly?

Next to Dad was Agnor, in front of Dad were Bayan and his gang, and behind us was the usher.

‘Wow, such obvious gazes.’

Even though I was just being carried, I could feel them.

Everyone was either glancing at Dad or staring at him openly.

‘He’s like a celebrity.’

I subtly wrapped my arms around Dad’s neck and whispered into his chest.

“S, no, Dad. Can’t I just walk on my own?”

“With your legs, when?”

“What’s wrong with my legs?”

“If you plan to arrive after the meeting is over, I’ll let you down.”

“……”

He leaves me speechless.

Moreover, his voice, lowered so only I could hear, was completely indifferent and harsh.

Why can’t you just be a little nicer? This is also a skill, you know.

‘Right. If this kind of thing spreads, it would be good for me.’

To see what benefits I can get. I slightly lifted my head.

A slightly thinner, blade-like jawline was visible.

‘But what about Dad?’

What can he gain from this?

It was a question I couldn’t ask in this situation.

A short conversation might be okay, but too many eyes were on us for a long, sincere talk.

“Agnor.”

“Yeah?”

Agnor, who was walking, turned his head as if he had been waiting.

“Have you been to the Blue Hall we’re going to now?”

Compared to Dad, who is hard to read, it was better to talk to my third brother, who is this openly obsessed.

I had already been to the Blue Hall but pretended I hadn’t.

This is my first time in this life.

“Yeah. It’s always held there.”

Agnor explained.

Usually, family meetings rotate among the three largest halls in this mansion, but mostly they use the Blue Hall.

“Each person has a designated seat. When you first go in, a servant will guide you. Well, I’m not sure since Father is with you.”

Agnor glanced at Pierre and rolled his eyes.

Right. You’re also confused about switching from Master to Father, aren’t you?

The following information was something I already knew, but I pretended to nod as if it was new.

‘Now that I think about it… I haven’t used the Blue Hall since I became the head of the family, right?’

There was no other reason; I didn’t use it because it was the hall my grandmother cherished the most.

Until I became the head of the family, I was filled with hatred and resentment towards my grandmother.

So, I hadn’t visited this building much.

Soon, we all arrived at the Blue Hall.

Bayan and his gang, who were leading the way, naturally stepped aside to let Dad enter first when they reached the door.

I frowned in Dad’s arms.

‘What’s he doing?’

Dad calmly walked past and stood in front of the door.

I didn’t pay attention and stared at the door.

‘We’re back here again.’

The Blue Hall has two meanings.

One is that the door is a deep blue, and inside, the hall is carved with marble waves.

The other meaning is the ‘Blue’ Hall.

It literally means a place where waves rise.

‘It’s named because all the waves in the history of the family have started here.’

As the door opened and we entered the massive hall, I felt a different level of gaze compared to the disciplinary committee.

‘I’m seeing this again.’

The number was enormous.

I was busy looking around the hall while in Dad’s arms.

The seats were packed.

The hair colors were also diverse.

After all, all the family members and collateral branches were gathered.

‘The view the head of the family sees every time.’

This place is shaped like a fan, similar to a parliamentary chamber, with a stepped structure.

The higher up, the farther from the center, naturally where the weaker members sit.

At the center of the fan is the chairman’s seat, the head of the family’s seat.

I saw the majestic figure of the head of the family sitting on the throne.

It was my grandmother, Ocula Aquasiadel.

“Huh, who’s this?”

Grandmother, who had been looking bored, squinted one eye at our arrival and slightly curled her lips.

“Isn’t this the son I thought was dead?”

Dad paused for a moment at her sharp voice.

Then, he slowly bowed while holding me.

It was a subtle attitude, seemingly respectful but also just fulfilling the minimum formality.

“I greet the head of the family.”

“From the sound of your voice, you’re not a ghost.”

“……”

“Still not dead? Why don’t you just die somewhere?”

Even though it was a casual remark, it was filled with a force that couldn’t be ignored.

‘The relationship between mother and son is intense.’

After all, I already knew that Grandmother didn’t like Dad being stuck in the west.

“Phew, even now, thinking about it makes me shiver. When Lord Pierre and the previous head of the family met, it was just…”

“Yeah, yeah. I remember.”