Chapter 25

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

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"That's a rather famous story within the mansion, it seems."

After lunch, it was Regulus' study and nap time.

When I informed Utsunomiya, who had come as a guardian, about the addition of a new teacher for Regulus, she said with a smug look:

"Is it well-known that Genzaburo was once an adventurer?"

"Most people knew about him being picked up by the previous master."

"Hmm, I see..."

Utsunomiya, as requested, seemed to be subtly promoting Regulus' cuteness and intelligence to increase his supporters.

At the same time, she was gathering information about the mansion, saying, "Know your enemy and know yourself, and you will never be in peril in a hundred battles."

"By the way, it's not just Genzaburo who was picked up by the previous master, but also Rottenmayer."

"Rottenmayer too!?"

"Yes. Rottenmayer was picked up after being sold to reduce the family's expenses, just like me. Genzaburo barely succeeded in a guild's extermination request but was forced to retire due to severe injuries and was picked up while in a rough state."

"Reducing expenses and severe injuries..."

"By the way, when I say the previous master, I mean the young master's grandmother. As for the grandfather, everyone seems to be tight-lipped."

While stroking Regulus' hair as he played with a cloth picture book, I nodded to Utsunomiya's information.

Since he doesn't remember his parents' faces, there's no way he could know anything more.

However, since the names of his grandparents have never been mentioned by Rottenmayer or others, they are probably no longer in this world.

Speaking of which, I wonder if there are any portraits in this mansion.

"Utsunomiya, how much of the mansion have you seen?"

"Everything except for the lady's room, when I was taught how to clean by Rottenmayer."

"Then, have you seen any portraits?"

"Oh! That's it!"

According to Utsunomiya's knowledge from her years of service in the mansion, most noble mansions have portraits of the current and previous heads of the family.

This is because having a renowned artist paint a portrait is a status symbol for nobles.

However, in this Kikunoi main house, there are no portraits of the current, previous, or even the one before that.

"Is it a Kikunoi family tradition to have a bad relationship between parents and children?"

"Why do you know that, young master?"

"Simply put, a viscount family that can't even afford to have a portrait painted from the generation before last would be too embarrassed to show their face in society. The meeting of my mother and father was at a ball hosted by a certain great noble."

"Oh... I see."

"However, the decline is not unrelated. If the relationship between parents and children was good, they would have left more people who understood the management of the territory to my mother and father."

It's not that simple. There are parents who dote so much that they blind their children to reality.

However, while they might not be able to discipline their own children, they could certainly discipline their children's spouses. I wonder why they didn't.

Well, it's fine.

People who are already in the grave can't be a force, so they are untouchable for now.

The information I need now, Rottenmayer will provide, and Mr. Romanov won't stay silent. Even if he finds it interesting, he won't let me struggle.

"Does Utsunomiya have the makings of a spy?"

"No, not really."

"You're doing a great job extracting information, aren't you?"

"Well, I'm a maid. Maids are supposed to see things that they shouldn't, like peeking through the gaps in doors. It's like... not 'housekeeper,' but 'maids see everything.'"

Did you just start to say 'housekeeper'?

When I looked at Utsunomiya in surprise, she pretended to cough and tried to cover it up.

If I pursued it further, she probably wouldn't spill the beans.

"Well, Rottenmayer told me that maids are the eyes and ears of their masters. They gather information widely and never let a drop of water leak out to the outside."

"I see."

"By the way, I was also praised for my mopping skills!"

Does that mean you're good at cleaning?

When I looked at her with a question mark on my face, she puffed out her chest slightly with a smug look.

"So, I will work hard for the young master and Regulus from now on!"

"Thank you. I'm counting on you, Utsunomiya."

"Leave it to me!"

She bowed deeply, and Regulus, thinking she was playing, also moved his head vigorously.

But the way his head was wobbling a bit suggested he might be sleepy.

"Regulus, do you want to take a nap if you're sleepy?"

"Hmm..."

Was it a groan or a whine? He was rubbing his eyes and mumbling something.

"Regulus, if you're sleepy, it's better to go to sleep. Sleeping children grow."

"Will I grow bigger?"

"Yes. Right, young master?"

"Sure, if you sleep well, play well, study well, and eat well."

"Bigger than you?"

Though he was sleepy, Regulus' eyes sparkled, and Utsunomiya and I nodded in unison.

"Maybe bigger than me."

"Than the teacher?"

"Teacher? ...Ah, Mr. Romanov, right?"

When I asked, Regulus nodded.

Comparing the physiques of my father and Mr. Romanov in my mind, my father was about a fist taller and more robust.

"Maybe. My father had a fine build too."

"Your mother was also tall for a woman! I've heard that your grandfather was also tall!"

The scene I saw once must have been from an angle where I was crouching, but even so, Regulus seemed to be a tall and fine young man.

And now that I know about his mother, the scene seems even more convincing.

Regulus smiled warmly at the words that seemed to confirm it. He was so cute.

Then, he stood up from the fluffy mat he was sitting on and tugged at my hand. It seemed he wanted me to stand up, so I did as he wished, and he led me to my bed.

He slipped into my bed and patted the spot next to him.

"Sleep with me, too."

"Huh? No, I have things to do... Besides, you should sleep in your own room."

"Sleep here."

Why?

Despite looking extremely sleepy, Regulus shook his head.

He puffed out his cheeks and looked up at me with a pleading expression, and Utsunomiya gave in first.

"Young master..."

"No, but I have to do embroidery..."

"Didn't you say you finished the part Mr. Romanov assigned you yesterday?"

"Well, I did, but..."

"Sleeping children grow! It applies to you too, young master!"

With Utsunomiya pushing for a nap and Regulus supporting her, Regulus started to use my knee as a pillow, moving around on the bed. Each time his soft golden hair brushed against me, I felt ticklish and lost my strength. In an instant, Regulus pressed his body against mine.

"Ugh!? Heavy!?"

"Regulus, keep him down! I'll cover you with a blanket!"

"Okay!"

With a perfect team play, I was pinned to the bed. I tapped the blanket, saying, "I surrender! I surrender!" and Utsunomiya, acting as the referee, quickly covered us with the blanket. The nap battle between Regulus and me ended with Regulus' victory.

As Utsunomiya, lifting the hem of her skirt, said, "Good night," Regulus lay down next to me.

I decided to obediently sing a lullaby as the princess commanded.

I pulled out the memory of a lullaby from the corner of my mind.

In a bar I used to frequent with 'Tanaka,' I met someone who could speak the dialect of Okinawa, an island at the far end of Japan. I remember the lullaby they sang, which may or may not have been created as a lullaby, was very warm and full of love for children.

It was difficult to sing in the dialect, and I was happy when I finally learned it after many lessons.

The unique pronunciation and intonation were quite challenging for me, but I could sing it smoothly, and I found it amusing that 'I' was sulking in a corner of my heart.

When I finished singing, Regulus was breathing steadily, and he seemed to be having a pleasant dream, smiling faintly.

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