Chapter 11

Thank you for reading.

Regarding the parts that have been published in book form, I have intentionally left the typos, omissions, and additions as they are, hoping they might serve as reference material later on.

Please understand.

There are people who use the typo reporting function to proofread.

I decline any requests other than typo reports.

If it becomes too excessive, I will block it.

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A day after the shocking revelation, it was the day my parents returned home.

I still felt something was off, as if I were floating.

Even when I went out for my daily walk, I couldn’t concentrate and felt restless.

In such a state, I couldn’t sing well at Himeko’s place, and she became suspicious and made me spill everything.

"Whatever it is... it sounds like something out of a play."

"Yes, but I can’t really grasp the reality of it. I’m supposed to be the one involved, yet..."

I fiddled with the hem of my blouse, where I had embroidered flowers.

I’ve never been liked by my parents. I learned this from the Rottemeyers.

Yet, I had some expectations, thinking, ‘We’re family, after all,’ or ‘It’s been a year since I last saw them.’

On one hand, I think I shouldn’t have any expectations, but on the other, I can’t help but hope for something.

A deep sigh escaped me, and Himeko’s brows furrowed.

"That’s enough for today. You may leave."

"Wait... but..."

"With that attitude, it’s impossible to consciously use the mana nerves while singing. If you sing now, you’ll only hurt your throat. Go home early and rest your voice."

With that, Himeko’s figure disappeared among the flowers.

I sighed and dragged my heavy feet back to the mansion.

I felt many concerned gazes along the way, but I didn’t have the energy to greet them.

I shook off the dirt from my shoes at the back door and noticed the front entrance was bustling.

It seemed my mother had arrived.

Tracing the murmurs back to the entrance hall, I saw Rottemeyer bowing respectfully to welcome someone.

A woman with black hair, purple eyes, and skin as pale as mine, but overly plump, was being escorted by a man in a perfectly tailored tuxedo.

The moment her eyes, which held some murky emotion, caught sight of me, they filled with disgust and hatred. Her finely arched eyebrows shot up, and her finger, covered in rings, pointed at me.

"Rottemeyer! Get rid of that! It’s unpleasant!"

"Madam...!?"

Her shrill voice echoed through the entrance hall, piercing my heart as painfully as it hurt my ears.

As I stood there in shock, the man holding her hand told Rottemeyer with a disdainful look:

"Please get rid of it quickly."

"Such impudence! Young Master Kikunoi is the legitimate heir of Kikunoi, how dare a mere servant speak to him like that!"

"I apologize. However, Madam is clearly uncomfortable. It is the servant’s duty to follow the master’s wishes."

The man, with a gesture like he was shooing a dog, wrapped his arm around his mother’s. His gaze was both fawning and intensely heated, making me look away. Rottemeyer quickly stepped between me and them.

"The room is prepared as you requested. Please rest there."

"Fine, Sebastian, take me there."

"As you wish."

Is it wrong to feel disgusted?

My mother has her own life. It’s understandable that she might fall for another man after giving up on my father.

But she’s my mother.

I didn’t want to see her fawning over another man.

I bit my lip, and the heat in my eyes eased slightly.

From today, everyone will be busy.

I should go to my room to avoid causing trouble.

As I was thinking this, a large hand landed on my shoulder.

"Shall we study?"

"Yes, sir."

Accompanied by Mr. Romanov, I climbed the stairs to my room. The entrance hall became noisy again.

The heavy door creaked open, and a tall man with tanned skin, golden hair, and piercing blue eyes, sporting a Kaiser beard, entered, carrying a child with similar features.

A maid with flaxen hair down to her shoulders followed behind.

My father and I don’t look alike at all.

I resemble the woman he hates, and I understand why he wants to distance himself from me.

He had been talking to the child with a gentle, loving gaze, but the moment he saw me on the second floor, his expression turned cold.

However, he only frowned slightly before shifting his gaze to Mr. Romanov beside me.

"Are you the renowned ‘Alexei Romanov’?"

"Yes, sir. I apologize for the high vantage point."

"There’s no need to apologize. However, I want to discuss my son, Regulus, immediately..."

"I’m sorry, but I have a class with Phoenix now."

He turned his loving gaze back to the child in his arms—Regulus. But Mr. Romanov interrupted, took my hand, and started walking.

A heavy sigh fell from his back. When I turned around, I met his eyes, which were filled with disdain.

"Sir Romanov. I appreciate your efforts, but I have no expectations for that. My only expectation is for Regulus. Doting on a child who is good for nothing is a waste of time. I want to talk about Regulus."

His voice was filled with utter indifference.

I am a child who means nothing to my father, while the child in his arms is everything.

Regulus is the kind of child who deserves to be taught by the famous Mr. Romanov, as my parents would say.

I released the grip on Mr. Romanov’s hand.

"Mr. Romanov, I’ll study on my own. Please go ahead and talk..."

I couldn’t bear it.

Ignoring Mr. Romanov’s voice calling out to me, I fled the scene.

Thank you for reading.