One Day, My Dad Showed Up

Chapter 22

“Don’t do that next time. Got it?”

“Got it.”

I quickly added, almost under my breath, “If conditions allow.” Thankfully, it seemed like she hadn’t heard that... Eciel’s expression, which had been like an angry squirrel, softened slightly.

“What were you talking about over there?”

“...... huh?”

“The conversation. What were you talking about? Tell me.”

I reflexively glanced to the side.

Dad was right here. How could I say this now? No, even if Dad wasn’t here, I would never be able to tell Eciel.

Furthermore...

‘... honestly, she wouldn’t understand even if I told her.’

Two choices floated in my head. Lie, or say nothing at all.

As a whirlwind of thoughts crossed my mind, Eciel’s gaze became sharper with each moment.

“Sorry, it’s a secret.”

Still... in the end, I chose silence.

Of course, Eciel was furious.

What followed next was pretty much expected.

“I don’t want to see you, Claire! Get out!” I was driven out of the room. Even Dad, innocent as he was, was forced out with me.

But seeing that frantic child crying was somehow satisfying.

* * *

After that, Eciel began her silent protest against me.

This was the first time she had been so angry for such a long time since the incident where she remained silent for a week.

Rather than being such a big issue, it was more that we simply didn’t have time to meet separately and resolve it.

The Emperor’s decree declaring Mom’s amnesty was officially announced not long ago.

Since Mom was reinstated, our birth had been announced, naturally elevating us to the lineage of the nobility.

What was next?

A banquet to celebrate Mom’s reinstatement, where we would be introduced.

Letters poured into the Duke’s residence as soon as the news spread.

I was curious, so Dad chose a few and showed me; they were generally similar.

Elegant and ornate handwriting, refined tone, impressive quotations, all sorts of formalities.

In other words... the content requesting an invitation to the banquet was neatly arranged on different letterheads.

The banquet was a month away.

And so, Eciel and I began our education separately as noble children, each focusing on our respective attributes.

Eciel learned what an average child could handle.

I was taught according to Astariol’s level of development, with additional education suitable for the heir of Duke Chelsiers.

As a result, our days didn’t overlap at all.

Another problem was that the residence was much larger than the mansion where we first stayed with Dad.

There wasn’t time to visit Eciel separately, and the physical distance had become too great.

‘But it’s difficult to continue like this.’

I felt a serious sense of crisis.

Who led the Western noble families, and which families were closely connected to it?

As I busily wrote down what I learned, my hand gradually slowed down and then stopped.

The accumulated thoughts made me forget what I was doing.

“Claire?”

I suddenly looked up.

“Good. ... but actually, Claire, you don’t need to be careful.”

Wasn’t she just telling me to be careful?

I looked at her quizzically. The elegant lady set down her teacup and leaned slightly towards me.

A voice whispered very softly.

“Claire, His Excellency had already given you the heir’s signet ring, didn’t he?”

“Yes.”

It was a unique ring with a deep red hue rather than purple amethyst. Below it, the family crest was distinctly visible.

Two crossed swords atop a scale.

It was a ring that represented the Astariol of Judgment, showing the purple eyes inherited by the lineage.

– It’s still too big for your hand.

With those words, Dad imprinted the ring right in front of me and attached a thin chain. Then he handed me the signet ring that became a necklace.

– Now you’re the Little Duke of Chelsiers, Claire.

A position given ahead of any other responsibility.

A light weight rose from my chest and fell along with my heartbeat.

That small piece of metal still felt unfamiliar, making it even more solemn.

“The moment you received that ring, Claire, the number of people in this world you must pay attention to became few enough to count on your fingers.”

“...”

“His Excellency maintains etiquette among people to a degree of formality, and reserves strictness only for those within his circle. But who dares to criticize him for that? Rather, among the nobility, he is held up as the noblest, most rational Astariol.”

Dad... he didn’t speak kindly without meaning, nor did he speak sociably with falsehood.

I didn’t think I’d seen anyone other than Mom received his wholehearted respect.

No, it was not the same, it was definitely not.

Countess Dolores Rocar said quietly.

“Of course, Eciel should pay attention to these things. But Claire, it might be better for you to not perfectly adhere to etiquette, but rather, just maintain the right amount. Like His Excellency.”

The reason for the omission was heard next.

Because she would become the Duke in the future. And because she was an Astariol.

More indifferent than kind, more cold than warm, more authoritarian than polite.

Decisions chillingly resolute rather than a sensitive and polite gesture.

Sometimes such things were convenient for eliciting obedience from people, as long as there was sufficient power and clear reasoning.

The meaningful words left by the Countess quietly returned her to her place.

It was a graceful and gentle gesture.

“As I mentioned before, I will teach Claire and Eciel etiquette, social skills, and implicit customs. Knowing and doing are different, after all.”

“And then?”

“Just to ensure that I never teach something improper to the next Duke of Chelsiers.”

So, learn etiquette for now. But was it necessary to develop sociability or proper conduct?

Suddenly, what I said to Eciel at the Gate Administration Bureau came to mind.

I said it wouldn’t be a big deal if everyone in the capital rushed out and panicked.

But... maybe I said it too lightly.

Reflecting with self-awareness as soon as I thought of Eciel, the Countess smiled and said.

“Speaking of Eciel... didn’t you promise to go eat ice cream with her?”

“Yes. But I don’t have enough time these days.”

“I heard Eciel’s day off is tomorrow, though your lesson is scheduled.”

Indeed, Eciel probably would be more efficient if she rested from time to time.

If formalities and etiquette were lacking until the main reception, it wouldn’t matter much if we waited for familiarity to develop before introducing her to other situations.

“Hearing that, I feel like I also want a day off tomorrow. What about you, Claire?”