Chapter 2

Well, before I knew it, Father's funeral was over.

The master of the funeral was my eldest brother, Alexei.

I have two older brothers.

The eldest, Alexei, and the second, Paul.

However, I don’t have much interaction with them.

Alexei is over twenty years older than me, and Paul is more than ten years older.

They don’t seem to have much interest in children, so even though we live in the same mansion, we barely do more than exchange greetings.

Three days after Father passed away, I received a summons from Alexei.

Alexei was sitting in Father’s study.

Right behind him stood the butler, Sebastian.

It seems that the decision has been made for my brother to inherit the title of earl.

I was never in the running from the start, but I didn’t mind.

I had never even considered inheriting the title.

I was probably called to discuss my future.

Perhaps I would be sent to a boarding school to prepare for entering society?

It’s the standard path for the second and third sons of nobles.

Leaving the familiar mansion is a bit unsettling, but it can’t be helped.

Until now, I’ve been surrounded by servants and had everything I needed, but from now on, I’ll have to take care of myself.

I’ve made up my mind about this.

However, Alexei said something I never expected.

"Seddie, I hear you’re thirteen now?"

"No, my birthday is in three months."

"Hmm, well, you’re about thirteen. At thirteen, you’re old enough to take care of yourself."

Brother, what part of being thirteen makes you old enough to take care of yourself?

I haven’t even turned thirteen yet...

I swallowed my questions.

I’ve been taught to listen to everything the other person says.

First, I’ll listen to what Alexei has to say.

"Fortunately, you have good judgment. Your tutor tells me your academic performance is excellent. In other words, you’re capable of making your way in society."

Brother, you lack common sense.

What has the tutor been doing?

This is practically child neglect.

"Um, Alexei, what exactly are you saying?"

"I’m giving you a territory to live in. You should be able to manage as a lord."

I looked at Sebastian, but he skillfully avoided my gaze.

Only a butler could be so graceful...

A pun that hits home even more at twelve...

I never expected to be kicked out of my home.

But it seems no one will stand up for me.

I can’t defy my brother who inherited the title of earl.

Even if they feel sorry for me, everyone probably doesn’t want to lose their jobs.

I can’t defy my brother either.

There’s a saying, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

Wait, is that a saying?

It feels like a saying from another world...

In any case, at twelve, giving up on life isn’t the right attitude.

I should try to think positively about my future.

I won’t be thrown out naked; I’ll get a territory.

"Where is my territory?"

"It’s an island by the sea. It’s a peaceful place."

It seems a small island called Gandalcia will be my territory.

"Where exactly is this island?"

I wanted to know more, but Alexei waved his hand, signaling the end of the conversation.

Even a child can recognize a rejection gesture.

"Sorry, but I have work this afternoon. Someone else will give you the details. Be ready to leave by tomorrow morning."

Cold, casual, and spicy...

I can’t feel any brotherly affection!

Well, expecting such a thing from Alexei is pointless...

And so, I was kicked out of the study and, the next day, out of the mansion.

The island of Gandalcia is on the border with the Simpson territory.

It’s on the edge of the territory, a place with no prospects of development.

It’s about a day’s walk from here.

I have some hope, though, despite my worries.

After all, Gandalcia is the name of an ideal land from a fairy tale.

It’s a place where flowers bloom in every season, crops are abundant, and spirits and people live happily together.

The book I bought had illustrations of rose arches, bountiful grapes and figs, and smiling residents.

I hope my Gandalcia is like that.

After finishing my packing, I went to bed with these sweet dreams.

Goodbye to this bed...

That night, I couldn’t stop crying and couldn’t sleep until late.

The small travel bag, packed to the brim, was heavy.

I was finally saying goodbye to the mansion where I had lived since birth.

Standing in the wide entrance, I looked around.

Every corner was filled with nostalgic memories from my childhood.

"That big pot... I used to play hide-and-seek in it. No one could find me when I hid behind it."

"Yes, yes, that’s right..."

Nanny Mary was teary-eyed.

Although over fifty people lived here, only she came to see me off.

A sinking ship is abandoned even by rats.

But isn’t that a bit harsh?

"Mr. Seddie, don’t blame them. They really wanted to see you off, but Alexei forbade it."

So as not to make me linger, that was Alexei’s reasoning.

"It’s okay, Mary. More importantly, are you going to be okay? Breaking Alexei’s orders..."

"Don’t worry about me. It’s really terrible to abandon such a small child..."

Mary’s voice trembled as she covered her face with her hands.

I know.

Mary came to see me off despite the risk of punishment from Alexei.

And yet, she’s worried about me...

"I’ll be fine, so go on. I’ll write when I settle in."

I ran off, leaving behind the crying Mary.

If I didn’t, I would have cried too.

If I showed my crying face, Mary would worry even more.

I couldn’t bear to cause more pain to the person who had been like a mother to me since childhood.

After running for a while, I turned back.

The mansion was already far away.

I couldn’t see Mary anymore.

As I stood there in a daze, a cart stopped beside me.

To my surprise, it was my second brother, Paul.

"Get in. I’m heading to my territory, so I’ll take you along."

There’s a saying, "When one door closes, another opens."

Paul’s attitude was gruff, but his offer was a relief to me, carrying such a heavy bag.

Although we didn’t have much interaction before, his strong hand lifting me and my bag made me feel a bit more at ease.

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