Chapter 16

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, thinking that they might serve as reference material for future readers.

Please understand.

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

I decline any reports other than typo and omission reports.

If it becomes too excessive, I will block them.

Please bear with me.

The phrase "If you give up, the game is over" is a famous line that people of my generation have probably heard at least once.

Perhaps because I have a personal example, I become sensitive to such trivial words, but what if, just what if.

However, no more words about that person came from Ms. Utsunomiya.

It might be just my imagination.

While entertaining Regulus, who was sitting on the carpet looking bored, and seeing her mouth the words "Do your best!" to him, it seems that the suspicion that she might be bullying Regulus has disappeared from Ms. Utsunomiya.

Hmm, maybe I should try a bit harder.

But Mr. Romanov, who looks gentle, is actually someone who can clearly express his opinions even to a god. He was polite to Princess Momoka but didn't flinch. Encouraging him to change his mind is a bit difficult.

Currently, Mr. Romanov seems to have no interest in Regulus. However, he finds my actions intriguing.

The breakthrough is there.

Even now, he is watching me think about how to approach Mr. Romanov with interest.

"…I understand that the tutoring is actually a favor. It would be presumptuous of me to take advantage of your kindness and include Regulus as well."

"Oh, are you giving up…?"

"Well, I feel it would be too much to ask for more."

"Young master, such…!?"

Ms. Utsunomiya lets out a disappointed cry. Mr. Rottenmayer also looks at me apologetically, but don't think this is the end.

"So, I will teach Regulus what I have learned from Mr. Romanov."

"Oh, my."

"I will teach Regulus. Teaching others what you know is a way to confirm your true understanding. However, since I am only five, I might teach Regulus something wrong. So, when I teach Regulus, I would like you to be there and correct me if I say something wrong…"

"You really thought this through. Or rather, you always come up with interesting ideas."

"Is it not okay?"

A white pig looking up with puppy eyes isn't cute. But since I'm sitting on his lap, I have no choice but to look up at Mr. Romanov.

Mr. Romanov, who was looked up at, once again pinches my cheeks with both hands and kneads them. It feels like a spa treatment.

"…Hmm. Phoenix, you're not good at swordsmanship or archery, are you? What about those?"

"About that… if I lose to Regulus, please avenge me and thoroughly defeat Regulus."

"Is that how you play it? Well, fine."

"Then…!"

"Remember, I'm only teaching Phoenix. I will only guide Phoenix."

Got it! I got a commitment!

I make a determined fist. The negotiation is settled, and now Regulus will indirectly receive lessons from Mr. Romanov.

Ms. Utsunomiya looked bewildered, not understanding what had happened, but Mr. Rottenmayer clapped. Unexpected applause came from behind as well.

It was Sebastian, my mother's servant.

"Oh, how kind of you, young master. This Sebastian is truly impressed."

"Thank you."

He doesn't really mean it; his voice is sarcastic, and his eyes are mocking. My mother, standing behind him, is gripping her fan tightly, looking displeased.

"However, will this truly benefit you, young master…?"

"I don't understand what you mean."

"Forgive me, but Regulus is a symbol of your mother's heartache. Keeping him in this house might deepen her heartache. As her son, you should understand her pain…"

What is this guy trying to do? Does he want me to help drive Regulus away?

I snort.

I understand that my mother is unhappy, but that's something my parents should discuss and resolve. It's not my place to interfere.

Why would I side with a mother who neglects her son? I wouldn't side with my father either.

"That might be true. But that's something my parents should discuss and decide. It's not my place to interfere. Besides, I won't side with my mother or my father."

"Then, why do you say you will teach Regulus?"

"What's wrong with sympathizing with a three-year-old who has lost his mother and been brought to a place where he knows no one?"

That's right. My parents' issues and my relationship with Regulus should be considered separately. I decided not to interfere in my parents' affairs, just like I did on the first day.

Sebastian's smile deepens, but it's a nasty one.

"Is that so? Indeed, as the son of the lady, you have a commendable mindset. However… isn't it premature to accept Regulus? There is a possibility that he might repay your kindness with enmity."

"There's no need to worry about a takeover."

"While the law indeed prohibits it, there are always exceptions."

The one who roared was my father, who had been watching the situation.

His handsome face, when angry, is terrifying with his intense, narrowed eyes.

Sebastian, on the other hand, remains calm and shrugs.

"The law does prohibit a takeover, but if the heir is disinherited or dies, this rule does not apply."

"…Ah, I see. Indeed, if there were no such exceptions, the family would be destroyed. Ah, that's what you mean…"

So, if I am repaid with enmity, it means I will be disinherited or killed. My words make my father clench his lips, and Sebastian smirks.

However,

"So what? We are fully aware of that."

For some reason, I am certain that the scene I saw when I fell down the stairs, where Regulus was about to strike me with a sword, is a predetermined future.

I will be killed by Regulus.

My straightforward words make Sebastian, my father, and my mother widen their eyes.

"In fact, I almost died from an illness six months ago. Anything can happen. In that sense, a replacement is necessary, to put it bluntly."

"You have thought this far…"

Sebastian's words catch in his throat, and he takes a step back. My parents look awkward, and Mr. Rottenmayer looks pained.

I'm not hurt, so it's fine.

By the way, my mother was giving Sebastian a heated look. He also pushed Regulus down the stairs. I need to be cautious.

"Besides, the replacement doesn't have to be Regulus. Even if I have a much younger brother or sister, I promise to treat them the same as I do Regulus now. However…"

"However?"

"Sebastian, I clearly saw you push Regulus down the stairs. I don't think it was someone else's doing, but I will record that you are the kind of person who would do such a thing. I will document it in the proper form—my will—and give it to Mr. Romanov. Please be aware of that. Father and Mother, please understand as well."

"But I have already said it was a mistake."

"It doesn't matter. What I saw is my reality, and you are Mother's servant. Mother, please consider what that means."

The fan in her hand creaks as she grips it tightly.

Being neglected is one thing, but being hated is a bit much. I don't want to be harmed directly like Regulus.

If I have to balance the pain, I need to make sure Father suffers as well.

"…Regulus is Father's and that other person's child. Mother has no obligation to pay for his upbringing. For now, Father should pay for Regulus's upbringing from his personal income."

"Wh…!?"

"Because the Kikunoi estate originally belongs to Mother. The profits from its management should belong to Mother. Even if the couple's assets are shared, using Mother's assets to raise a child from a different relationship is a bit presumptuous, don't you think?"

"That's right! Phoenix, say more!"

"So, why not properly manage the Kikunoi estate, write a loan agreement, and use the money to start Father's personal business? If the business succeeds, it could be transferred to Regulus when he grows up, allowing him to establish his own household."

The rest should be discussed by the adults.

Perhaps because I was using my previous life's thinking, my head hurts a lot. It feels heavy, and I want to lie down.

I get off Mr. Romanov's lap and call Mr. Rottenmayer over. Then I hold both their hands.

"Mr. Romanov, Mr. Rottenmayer, please be witnesses to the discussion between Father and Mother. The conclusion they reach should be documented and signed by both. Please keep it in a form that has legal power, and I would like to entrust it to Mr. Romanov."

"Is that a request, Phoenix?"

"I have no one else to rely on besides Mr. Romanov and Mr. Rottenmayer. I know it's a bother, but I ask you again."

My head feels like it's splitting.

Mr. Rottenmayer's face is distorted in my blurred vision.

I'm going to faint.

Since children have heavy heads, when they tilt, their bodies follow.

The moment I saw the ceiling, Mr. Rottenmayer called my name in a cry.

The hand that caught my head is large, so it must be Mr. Romanov's.

It's warm.

The moment I felt that, my consciousness faded.

Thank you for reading.