Chapter 96

"......Are you listening?"

"Revenge on the person who abandoned me isn't wrong. Because of that person, I almost died. Right?"

"Yes."

When I looked up, Father slowly nodded with a complicated expression.

"Father, I will become the head of the family."

Father must be thinking of the maid, Rumi.

'No one else could have almost killed me here.'

But he will never know that this statement carries the weight of over sixty years.

It didn't matter.

What was important now was to bring this resolve to the surface.

"If that's what you wish, it will happen."

"No."

I shook my head firmly and raised it.

"I will take the position of the head of the family while grandmother is still alive."

I will drive her out. In other words, a coup to seize the headship.

"I will remove the person who hasn't yet seen their prime and sit on the throne of the head of the family right before their eyes."

"......Is that your revenge?"

"Yes."

"It won't be easy."

His gruff voice was laced with worry.

I felt a warmth that didn't fit the solemn situation.

I smiled, basking in the sunset.

"Father, if revenge were easy, why would it be revenge?"

Father, who had been staring at me intently, soon smiled faintly.

"That's true. So, you won't take revenge on me, then?"

It was an acknowledgment of the neglect over the past three years.

I shook my head.

"From the moment I called you Father, I forgot all about it. It's only natural."

I embraced Father's neck.

When I released him and faced him, I smiled the brightest I ever had.

"I'm generous to my allies, I am."

Father frowned slightly but then smiled again.

It was a relieved expression, as if a prisoner had shed the chains that bound him.

"Right. It's good to have a clear goal."

"Yep. Look forward to it."

Father will soon be called the head of the family.

"When we return, there will be a lot to do. The lazy days are over."

"That's quite scary."

Father's steps seemed a bit lighter as he walked back to the carriage.

"Then, what will you do first when you return?"

Ah, I can say that with confidence.

"Get stronger, of course."

Really, seriously.

* * *

Belus looked at the Aquasidel estate before him.

The scenery outside the window was passing by, indicating that home and the house were not far away.

"Thank you."

Belus turned his head from the window at the unfamiliar greeting.

Across from him, Calypso had a peaceful face.

A small smile flickered on her chubby face.

"Do we really look alike? Your words were helpful. I appreciate it."

"......"

The smile faded slightly, and Calypso looked at Belus seriously.

"How can you not talk about the Dragon Duke? You could have earned credit just by speaking."

"I have no intention of using underhanded tactics, so you don't need to worry. Do you want me to swear to it?"

"......"

Calypso tilted her head but eventually got the oath.

No matter why he was doing it, she wanted to get it and make sure.

It felt like he was overusing the sea's oath lately, but it didn't matter.

He used it where it was needed.

Calypso thought this and spoke.

"I mean it when I say thank you."

Her sincere voice echoed.

The Dragon Duke was sleeping soundly, his small legs resting on Calypso's lap.

Perhaps aware of this, her voice was somewhat softer.

"Thanks to you, I decided to aim for the head of the family. It's too late to regret it now."

"I don't regret it."

Belus said firmly.

Calypso tilted her head and then thought.

'He must have really wanted to kill me or ruin me.'

Otherwise, why would he drag me into this bloody competition?

Especially someone who didn't want to do it and told me to do it myself.

Calypso thought he couldn't possibly see a three-year-old as a rival.

She dismissed it as his own amusement and ignored it.

As the carriage continued, it finally reached the border of Aquasidel.

Belus murmured quietly.

"......I don't regret it."

With Calypso sound asleep, only Pierre heard this voice.

'There's no need to take such words to heart.'

Belus stared at the sleeping Calypso, regardless of whether Pierre was looking or not.

"If you mess up, I'll tell them you died outside the border."

"......I don't really plan to kill you."

"......"

"Even if you don't believe me, it doesn't matter. Anyway, can I ask the second question you promised me here?"

Pierre nodded slowly.

Belus asked again.

"Since the first time you asked, have you had any strange dreams?"

A tension that didn't fit his face flashed across the boy's face, disappearing the moment Pierre spoke.

"Yes, ... I have never had a dream."

"I see."

"Usually, when someone repeatedly asks the same question, they want to confirm if others have had the same experience. What kind of dream are you having?"

"......It's nothing. But you don't have to answer me, do you? After all, you're not interested, are you?"

"At least not entirely, thanks to the daughter sleeping here. If you tell me, I'll listen."

Perhaps aware of the sleeping Calypso, their voices were low.

"To the extent that you've lowered your voice for this girl, I'm willing to help to that extent."

"......"

"Do you need help?"

After the monotonous question and indifferent answer, they fell silent.

The silence continued for a while, but Belus never answered Pierre.

Belus's thoughts went on endlessly.

"What do you think of Pierre Aquasidel? I don't really care."