Chapter 73

73

"Sharent, you really surprise me."

"You know, he doesn't listen to anyone, so that's why."

"Still, you weren't like that originally, right?"

"He's ten times harder to handle than Kaishan."

That's quite a high praise.

While listening to their conversation, I kept eating the vegetables, and before I knew it, the plate was empty.

Sharent Clown waited silently until I finished my meal. Martina seemed to find it curious that I was eating.

All I did was poke the food with a fork and put it in my mouth.

"I wish I had a daughter like you; you're so lovely."

"Is that so?"

Sharent Clown said with a dubious expression, clearly not understanding.

I deliberately spread my arms wide and reached out to Martina as if I didn't know anything.

"Mom?"

"…Can I raise this child, Sharent?"

"Martina."

Sharent Clown pressed her forehead.

Martina shrugged her shoulders at the scolding tone, as if asking what she was talking about.

Even when she frowns, the pretty lady looks beautiful.

"Don't make such a serious face, I was just joking."

"You travel a lot, so you're not suitable for taking care of a child."

"You're so serious."

Martina answered lightly and snapped her fingers.

A maid standing nearby quickly approached with quick steps.

"Bring the dessert I prepared."

"Yes, my lord."

What? She's a countess?

I was a bit surprised.

What's going on? It's rare to see a female noble with a title. It's quite shocking.

When I stared at her, Martina smiled, guessing what I was thinking.

"Oh, and bring double for Shalina."

She's an angel, isn't she?

I can do whatever I want with her.

Why would I ruin my life living with the stubborn Sharent Clown? I can live a comfortable life with a title and do whatever I want!

"Martina, Chae Go-ya!"

"Oh, this kid is really smart."

Sharent Clown remained silent at Martina's praise. She doesn't like my compliments, does she? Tsk, what a narrow-minded friend.

As I waited, a red, ripe strawberry jelly jiggled in front of me.

Just looking at the jiggly jelly made me feel good.

And there were two plates of it!

"Shalina, do you want to share mine?"

Kaishan, surprisingly, said something nice. I turned my head, eyes sparkling.

"Our son has grown up. He's even giving to his sister?"

"Yes! Shalina is cute, pretty, and younger, so she's weaker!"

There are so many adjectives. It's embarrassing. Of course, it's not wrong.

"My son, I'm proud of you."

Martina smiled brightly, like the happiest person in the world, and stretched out her arms.

Kaishan quickly jumped into her embrace. Seeing the child smile happily, I could tell how much he liked Martina.

'No wonder he was always crying.'

Kaishan's face turned red when Martina whispered that she loved him.

I quietly watched the two of them and put a piece of strawberry jelly in my mouth. There were three, but they didn't taste as good as I thought they would.

'I thought it would be so delicious before I ate it.'

It felt strange.

I've never seen Kaishan's expression so bright before.

Would he grow up to be a bright and healthy child under such a mother? Kaishan's personality seems more like Martina's than Sharent Clown's.

"Mom, I should give you a gift later. Is there anything you want?"

"Hmm, a doll made by Mom!"

"I can give you that anytime. What else? Isn't it time to get a new sword? Did Dad buy you one?"

"I was planning to commission one from a blacksmith soon."

"Oh, is that so? Then I'll buy it for you."

Martina looked at Sharent Clown for permission.

Sharent Clown nodded.

"…Go ahead, Martina."

"By the way, your father once tried to give you a real sword when you were only two years old."

Martina's lips curved into a smile, and Sharent Clown, who was moving her spoon, stiffened.

He looked at her disapprovingly. Martina shrugged.

"Really?"

"Really."

"But I was swinging a wooden sword wildly at two!"

"Of course, my son was very talented."

Martina smiled brightly and praised the child.

I'm more talented than that crybaby.

I shuddered, thinking to myself.

'What am I saying?'

It sounds like I'm jealous.

What am I going to do with a compliment from someone I just met today? Am I really getting dumber?

"Still, a real sword for a two-year-old was too much. I was so shocked."

"It was a dull and light sword."

"The problem was the sword itself."

She tapped her lips with a napkin.

Is it because Sharent Clown fell in love with her so much that he wanted to marry her? Every movement she made was very elegant.

Her every move had a unique charm. I can see why Sharent Clown likes her.

There's no flaw to find. Her posture is straight, her voice is soft, and her shining eyes are firm.

I looked down at the half-eaten strawberry jelly. I frowned slightly.

I thought I could eat ten.

'Why is my stomach so full all of a sudden?'

I glared at the strawberry jelly in frustration and sighed deeply.

As I slid off the chair, an arm reached out and gently placed me on the floor.

"Why are you going downstairs?"

"I want to go to my class."

"What about your meal?"

"I'm full."

It feels like I shouldn't be here.

I have some sense, after all. I can take the strawberry jelly to my room. I miss Vera today.

"Strawberry jelly, I'll take it!"

"Do you know where your room is?"

"…An empty room?"

Is it reasonable that I don't have a room to stay in this huge mansion? I don't want to be around you two.

Sharent Clown slowly got up from his seat.

"Can I use any room?"

"I kept the room you used to stay in when you visited occasionally. Shalina, you'll be in the room next to Kaishan's."

Martina gently rubbed my cheek with her fingertips.

Her eyes, slightly curved, clearly showed that she found me cute.

What is this, the torture of Hella? If this is humiliation, then it is.

"Oh, look, your cheeks are red. You must like it."

"From what I see, she seems annoyed."

"Really?"

"Yes, she's not a child."

Just go ahead and criticize me. Am I an onion?

I glared at her, and Sharent Clown, looking at me, firmly held me in his arms with one arm.

He slowly stroked my head.

"You're quite a handful."

"Sharent! This is mine! I'm taking it!"

I can carry the strawberry jelly by myself and go to my room.

Sharent Clown laughed mockingly and put me down. Then he handed me the intact jelly bowl.

"Go ahead."

Sharent Clown opened the door for me.

I thought about using magic, but it might not be good if someone noticed. So, I carefully held the plates in both hands and walked forward.

'I can't drop it.'

It would just be another reason to laugh at me.

Dropping food from a spoon was enough.

I was so disappointed when I spilled all the food in front of Vera. After that, I practiced enough to be able to eat properly.

The problem was that the large strawberry jelly was jiggling in the small plate.

I bowed my head and slowly moved forward, tense.

I don't know why I have to do this for a plate, but I have no choice.

'By the time I get there, I'll probably want to eat it again.'

I don't want to leave any of the two plates I received. It seems to taste good, after all.

'Should I lift it with magic subtly?'

The problem is that if my concentration wavers, it will fall to the ground.

If I were taller and had good reflexes, I could catch it, but I can't expect that from this short and chubby body.

I stepped on the soft carpet and soon reached the stairs.

The maids and butlers nearby were fidgeting from a distance.

Some of them even reached out their hands.

When I turned my head, they quickly averted their eyes. It was as if they were avoiding a cockroach.

'What…?'

Is it not allowed to take food in a noble household?

Is it embarrassing? Why are they avoiding me like a bug? I felt uneasy and scanned the surroundings again.

Again, those who were looking at me quickly averted their eyes and started doing other things.

'Oh, if you live without it, you'll realize how precious it is.'

I never cared about others' opinions in the first place.

I ignored them and looked at the tall wall in front of me. Climbing the stairs with both hands occupied doesn't seem easy.

'Should I lift it with magic?'

There are too many eyes watching.

But gravity magic is a simple spell that anyone can use…

'At least for mages.'

I thought about lifting it subtly without being noticed.

I took a step up the stairs.

Maybe because my body is weak, or because of the pressure of having both hands occupied, my body isn't moving well.

I felt like my limbs were moving independently, and I stopped after a few steps.

I concentrated my mana and carefully lifted the plate. I can move it as if I'm covering it with my body and supporting it with my hands to avoid being noticed.

I lifted the plate slightly with my mana and was about to take the fourth step when my foot missed the step.