Chapter 55

At eight years old, I was selling alcohol, and at nine, I was suspected of assassination... Isn't my life just too tumultuous?

But I don't mind.

Because after that, good things kept happening.

"You look happy, Dinker. I feel like you've been in a better mood every time I see you since last year."

Molly, who was supposed to only sell alcohol but ended up getting involved in brewing, said this to Helkoff.

"It's like they say, 'A blessing in disguise.' The stepmother has softened up, and the treatment has improved."

I am now in the alcohol factory as Dinker.

The place is called the blending room, where I have a spot to experiment with making alcohol, and I was currently making a sample for tasting.

"Oh, so that's why you come here less often. You're not going to stop making alcohol, are you?"

The yellow bear cub, Terent, perked up his round ears and asked.

"Actually, it's because of the contract with Molly. I'll do my part properly. It's just that there are more people around, so there are fewer opportunities to slip away."

"Speaking of which, it's been almost a year since we met, right? You're nine now? Wait, isn't it more problematic that you're even allowed to make alcohol...?"

The orange bear cub, Renato, realized.

"Yeah, there are three adult bear cubs around, so my presence is kind of lost in the mix."

"I started saying it, but I don't intend to give up until things get on track. Hehe."

"You really do seem to be in a good mood, or rather, you seem more relaxed. There must be something else besides the improved treatment."

The purple bear cub, Elasto, pointed at me with a finger that had claws poking out from the fluffy fur.

"Actually, I've started meeting my brother."

Hearing this, I thought it was a big leap forward!

But for some reason, it fell silent.

"... Helkoff, wasn't it that your maternal grandparents were powerful and your father couldn't protect you?"

"My father does care for Dinker. We meet about twice a month."

"‘About twice a month?!’"

The bear cubs turned to Helkoff in unison.

"But my brothers have started coming to my room. Also, I occasionally get called to the main house."

Fer and Werner, who had been so lively, cried the last time I saw them, but when I met them again, they were smiling and even hugged me, saying it was thanks to me that they accepted me.

And Terry apologized for saying mean things to me.

It turned out he was afraid of me because he had been told that the first prince would attack to claim the throne.

Additionally, it was revealed that he didn't recognize me from our meeting three years ago.

He had memories of meeting a kind older brother, but these were disconnected from the first prince, who had been told only bad things.

"... Dinker, you didn't seem like someone who had such a hard life, but it turns out you've had it really tough."

"I thought your uncle was just being overly attentive, but it seems you were in a situation that couldn't be overlooked."

"Also, if you can't go to the main house or if they come to you, it means Dinker can't freely walk around his own home, right?"

The triplets spoke, but didn't Terynt just make a wild guess?

"Meeting only twice a month, is that really caring? Weren't you neglected before?"

"Well, what can I say. My father grew up in a rather unusual family environment, so he's a bit awkward."

Helkoff tried to defend his father while Molly criticized him.

If you think he's just a noble, it's understandable, but he's the emperor, and he shouldn't let personal likes and dislikes affect the country.

His family is also a bloodline intertwined with political strategy, so it's indeed special.

I don't think it's right to blame my father.

"Molly, well, my father is more like an adopted son or a stepchild. He's in a position where he probably doesn't have a clear image of what a father should be. That's why he doesn't know what to do or what he's lacking as a father."

There are many things he lacks, and because he doesn't think of them, he was deceived until this age.

If he had been raised in the Nistaf family, he probably wouldn't have even considered observing his children's behavior.

Father didn't care about how I was doing in school or what kind of friends I had.

I think this is because he never experienced it himself as a child, so it never crossed his mind.

Terry, Fer, and Werner grew up healthily because they had a queen consort who cared for them and communicated this to Father.

So, Father wasn't as absent with them as he was with me.

"Doesn't that sound like you have a clear image of what a father should be, Dinker?"

"I do, yeah. I have one."

Of course, it's not the father from my previous life.

Probably, the type is closer to the Nistaf family, and if you take away the temper and the nagging from my previous father, you get the Nistaf family.

My eyes naturally turned to Helkoff.

The triplets, lined up in front of me across the workbench, followed my gaze and turned to Helkoff again.

Molly also looked to the side, so naturally, the focus was on Helkoff.

"No, really, don't tell my father that. He's really upset about this whole thing."

"Are you telling Helkoff something? I was silent too, and I thought I would be scolded for keeping quiet."

Some people won't understand even if you tell them, but you can't understand if you don't tell them.

So, if I had said I was sad or lonely, I think Father would have responded, putting aside his role as emperor.

That's why I didn't say anything.

In other words, I was the one who neglected Father's feelings first.

"Well, at first, I didn't think about it even though I heard hints from the nursemaids. And we also knew and kept quiet, so we got scolded for that."

"Did you ask me to keep quiet?"

"I did. I finally managed to say that you're a better son than I am."

What are you saying to the Emperor, anyway?

You know it was tough, dealing with the finance department over my allowance and the Nistaf family.

"Well, spreading the word that the eldest son, who can't inherit the family, has talent would only sow discord. Dinker was careful about that."

Molly said this with a sigh and glanced at me.

"Are you being careful not to let your talent be known?"

"Uncle already said it, so it's out, right?"

"Then, put even more effort into brewing, no, this time into making snacks to go with the drinks!"

"I won't. I haven't even told them I'm making alcohol. I only provide ideas."

I put a stop to the triplets' growing expectations.

I pretended not to notice Molly's slight disappointment.

"I'll still come in the evening or later when I can get away, and I'll have Helkoff contact me the day before, just like before."

"It's good that you've become close with your stepmother and brothers, but the imperial family might not be happy about it. If something goes wrong, you can come here without an appointment. I'll gladly support Dinker's talent."

Molly, who doesn't know, offered to take on a rather ominous task with a wink.

"I seem to have been blessed with good people. Helkoff, when you talk to Father next, please tell him that I'm glad to be his son. The people around me are the ones Father has provided."

Saying this, I placed a glass before the atmosphere became awkward.

It was a cocktail I made in a glass, with a bright orange color and a beautiful white foam.

"It's a bitter orange made with beer and orange."

Next, I served a cocktail with a beautiful carbonation rising in a lemon yellow color.

"This one is a panaché made with beer and lemonade."

Then, I lined up a cocktail with a rich amber color.

"A shandy gaff made with beer and ginger ale."

Next, I placed a dark-colored cocktail.

"A beer spritzer made with black beer and white wine."

Finally, I prepared a drink that looked like regular beer but had mint leaves mixed in.

"A mint beer made with beer and mint for the scent."

All of them had a lemon topping, and when lined up, the colors looked great.

It was a good idea to serve them in glasses, but I wanted to make the mint beer green with food coloring.

Should I make it?

"Even without distilled spirits, the flavors are varied... Hey, there's enough for everyone, so no fighting over them!"

While I was thinking, I raised my voice to the adults who were crowding around the drinks.

Regular update

Next: Environmental Changes 2