Chapter 49

"Sorry, it seems I drank a bit too much."

When I thought Grandfather was at home in the morning, it turned out he had brought Lyle and Dida back. Since Grandfather is like a salamander, it can't be helped if he was dragged along.

"Tanya, make sure the two of them drink plenty of water."

"Yes, ma'am."

While giving instructions to Tanya, who was standing by, I sat down across from Grandfather.

"Grandfather, even if you are strong, drinking too much is not good for your health. Perhaps you should cut down on the amount of alcohol you drink."

"Hmm..."

Grandfather looked a bit awkward and averted his eyes. ...He does love his alcohol.

"So, how much did you drink yesterday?"

"I was drinking with the knights and the military. Well... it wasn't very enjoyable, so we ended up drinking again with three of us."

"Ah..."

The cause was that last part. Ever since we were young, Grandfather would take us out drinking, saying things like 'drink until you know your limits,' and we would come back in a daze. He has always been quite fond of the two of us, so he tends to drink too much.

"......Excuse me."

"Oh, Tanya. Is something wrong?"

"Lord Gazel is here to see you, and Lord Rudius is here to pick him up."

"......What?!"

Grandfather was suddenly flustered. The sight was so unusual that I couldn't help but laugh.

"Please tell him I'm not here."

"......But..."

Before Tanya, who seemed hesitant to say it, could finish, Rudius appeared from behind her.

"Grandfather, I heard you drank all the alcohol in the bar again."

"No, that's..."

"How many times do I have to tell you to be more careful? You are a famous person in this country. Even if you are strong, if you get attacked after drinking and end up in a bad situation, it would be disastrous. Please, try not to drink too much when you're out!"

Rudius' words made Grandfather's large frame seem to shrink. Rudius is my mother's brother's son, so he is my cousin and the current heir of the Anderson family. By the way, my uncle, the Anderson Marquis, says he isn't as strong as Grandfather, so he doesn't belong to the military or the knights. Rudius, too, doesn't belong to either and is studying to be the successor. I don't know exactly what he's doing, but... still, he is Grandfather's grandson, and his movements are somewhat like Lyle and Dida's, and his slim but well-built physique.

"Long time no see, Rudius."

"Long time no see, Iris. Ah, sorry. I didn't mean to start off on the wrong foot like this after not seeing you for so long."

He is two years older than me, so we only overlapped for one year when we were in the academy. However, since we were in different grades, we didn't have much interaction, and after I was expelled from the academy, it goes without saying...

"It's fine. I was just about to tell Grandfather to cut down on his drinking."

"That's great. It's a big help if you can talk to him too. He doesn't listen to my advice, but he listens to you."

"It's not like that. Oh, would you like some tea, Rudius?"

"Thanks for the offer, but I have plans later. Come on, Grandfather, let's go."

"Hmm..."

"Grandfather, thank you for bringing Lyle and Dida back. Please take it easy at home and rest."

"Hmm... I'm staying here."

Grandfather, who had furrowed his brow, said this.

"What are you talking about? Let's go."

Rudius firmly cut him off. Their conversation was as entertaining as always.

"Iris, let's talk again soon."

Rudius said this and pulled Grandfather away. I wondered where such strength came from in his slim body.

The room suddenly became quiet, like a storm had passed.

"......Tanya, could I have another cup?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Just as I was thinking of resting a bit, Bern entered the room.

"May I join you?"

"Of course. Please, sit down."

Before I finished speaking, the excellent maid Tanya had already placed a teapot in front of Bern.

"It's been a while since we've talked like this, Bern."

Since the Founding Anniversary Party, we hadn't seen each other much. I had been busy with various things, and Bern had been working with Father and seemed quite busy.

"Yes, that's true."

Bern nodded and drank the herbal tea that was poured for him. It seemed to suit him, as his face relaxed slightly.

"Are you going back to your territory soon?"

"Yes. I've been away for quite a while, so I should go back soon. ...How have you been, Bern?"

"......I've been learning a lot from Father. I need to make up for the time I spent relaxing."

"You didn't just play around, so I think it's fine. There are many things you can only experience when you're a student."

I often felt this in my previous life. Student days are truly precious. Once you start working, you realize this even more. Gathering with people of the same age, studying in the same space, becoming friends, having arguments... there are tough times, but they shine all the more for it. I personally think you understand the meaning of 'youth' only after you finish school.

"......I took those precious times from you, didn't I?"

"......?"

I couldn't quite hear Bern's suddenly soft voice. His face had turned pale, and I could tell something was wrong.

"......Sister, please allow me to apologize."

"Out of the blue... what are you apologizing for?"

I knew it was about the series of events that led to my expulsion from the academy.

"......For expelling you from the academy."

I asked anyway because I wanted to know what he was apologizing for.

"Expelling you from the academy... you don't need to apologize for that. It was the result of my actions based on my emotions... in other words, my mistake."

"You said that before. But I don't think that's the case. At that time, I was also acting out of a desire to be liked by her. I acted on my emotions without considering the consequences."

"So, you want to apologize to me as someone who aspires to be a prime minister... to declare your resolve through an apology..."

It sounded like he was saying, "I won't let my emotions cloud my judgment from now on." Perhaps he had come to this realization after training with Father.

"That's part of it, but not all of it."

"......Is there something else?"

"I was so infatuated with her that I acted on my feelings, yet I criticized you for doing the same. You have feelings too, and you acted out of hurt, but I didn't understand that. So, I must apologize to you as a family member."

"......"

I was speechless at Bern's words, a mix of indifference and a little happiness.

Since that ending scene, I couldn't see Bern as a family member anymore. At that moment, he had chosen the daughter of Baron Yuri.

In my previous life, "I" had a detached attitude, thinking, "Well, it's natural to choose the one you like," and moved on. But as "Iris," I was screaming in my heart, "Why, why didn't you understand?" and "I just liked that person, and you're leaving me too!" I understood my feelings, and "I" sympathized with the "I" who was screaming.

Drossen and Van weren't that close to me, so I didn't care much about them.

But Ed and Bern were different. I cared about Ed because of our engagement and my affection for him. And I cared about Bern because he was a family member. That's why I was shocked when they both chose her and so easily discarded me. And the humiliation I suffered.

Being restrained and condemned in front of everyone. I was lucky that my memories from my previous life resurfaced at that moment, or I would have been in a panic.

That's why, since then, "I" vowed never to fall in love again and never to trust anyone completely. Because even family had abandoned me. I couldn't just forgive him for being part of the event that changed my values.

At this moment, I was torn between the detached "I" who was listening to him and the "I" who wanted to reconcile with my brother.

"......I accept your apology, but I can't forgive you right away."

Would the daughter of Baron Yuri forgive me in such a situation? Such a trivial thought crossed my mind.

"That's enough for me."

However, Bern smiled contentedly at my answer.