Chapter 52

“When he was a child, he used to pretend on purpose not to study, but in truth he was such a study maniac that he would read late into the night. History, mathematics, literature…… he devoured everything like a starving man. But there was exactly one subject that was an exception. That was the one subject he genuinely disliked and avoided.”

“And what subject was that?”

“Dance.”

“What?”

“Social dances for parties, sword dances that men are expected to know-however it was, if it was dance, he always hated it and ran away. Even back then, he was caught by the dance teacher and studied with bitter reluctance, and it seems he is no different even here.”

What was that supposed to mean? Lyle had come here seeming to want to learn personally.

Shaking her head, Ethea said,

“No. Maybe he was like that then, but right now he really seems to want to learn. He keeps asking the teacher to teach him all sorts of things……”

“Hehe. Was he truly sincere, I wonder?”

Hm? If he was not sincere, then what was it?

“At any rate, Solei is waiting. Let’s hurry back. Gin is waiting too.”

Gin was waiting!

At those words, Ethea followed Seisil without even looking back. Somehow she could feel Lyle’s resentful gaze from behind, but what of it? Right now, meeting Gin came first.

＊  ＊  ＊

When Ethea finally arrived, Gin was so absorbed in watching the clown that he barely greeted his mother at all.

“Hm? Mom, you’re here.”

That was the extent of his greeting.

The clown who had captured the children’s attention was handsome, and looked at most to be in his late teens. With red hair and very pale skin, his looks were bright and striking too. He used unfamiliar tricks-light flaring from his hands, doves appearing from his hair-and those peculiar talents had utterly captivated the children.

Apparently fascinated by seeing a clown for the first time, Gin focused more on watching the clown than on looking at his mother, and Ethea felt a little hurt.

‘Then again. Seisil only said Gin was waiting. He never said Gin wanted to see me.’

As she soothed that disappointment, Seisil explained about the clown.

“That clown is from the court.”

“Why has a court clown come all the way here?”

The answer was astonishing.

“Well, he said there was a serious matter at home and he was taking a few days off. It turned out to be a lie. I discovered he was out playing in Aquarand with his girlfriend.”

“E-even a clown slacks off, then.”

“At any rate, so as punishment, he’s looking after the children.”

Somehow, that backstory sounded rather pitiful. Slacking off was bad, yes, but the fact that his romance was not going smoothly made him seem unfortunate.

“But Sir Lint, normally wouldn’t the authority to hand out punishment belong to the Imperial Palace administrators?”

“Ah. I also work a second job managing discipline at the Imperial Palace. Since I’m already watching this and that with magic, taking on the position lets me earn money too-two birds with one stone. Ah, if I count my role as His Majesty’s personal aide as well, does that make it three jobs? Anyway, His Majesty wouldn’t be able to live without me. Oh-ho!”

Impressed by the energy required for that number of professions, Ethea answered,

“Wow. You must earn…… a great deal of money.”

“Of course. I have to earn a lot. I have to keep donating, buy tasty things for Lily, and if I want to get a villa in Aquarand after retirement, I’ll need at least that much……. By the way, when will you start calling me Seisil?”

What a persistent man. Looking at him, Ethea forced herself to smile.

One should not judge a person by appearances alone, but judging only from his looks, Seisil seemed like the sort who would spend every bit of money he earned on flashy clothes or ornaments. After all, the clothes he wore were those splendid mage robes, and his accessories were also extravagant.

But on closer look, even his mage robes seemed to be only a few outfits that he rotated, and those flashy ornaments had always been the same ones and had never changed. To think he spent the money he earned on donations and saved it in preparation for a retirement that might come one day. He seemed to be a steadier young man than expected. Needless to say, so was his affection for Solei’s family.

“By the way, where is Solei?”

“Soli went to wash up. She’ll be out soon.”

It was while she was exchanging words like that with Seisil. The clown, who had been showing tricks, suddenly noticed the bracelet around Gin’s little wrist and asked,

“That’s a luxurious bracelet. Who bought it for you? Did your dad buy it for you?”

Hoo. Did that clown think every child in the world had a father?

Ethea found the clown’s question rude, but Gin himself answered very brightly.

“No!”

“Then who gave it to you? Your mom?”

“No! The gentlest person in the world gave it to me!”

‘What? Then does that mean I’m not as gentle as Lyle in the whole world!’

While Ethea was feeling strangely downhearted, someone patted her on the back. When she turned around, Solei, with her wet hair and a bright expression, was softly whispering to her.

“How was Aquarand today? We should have a drink while chatting.”

Soon the two of them sat on a raised wooden floor and drank together. It was a place where the children playing could be seen well.

Ethea asked Solei and Seisil,

“Where did you two take the children to play?”

“We played on the northern island.”

“Yes, on Aquarand’s northern island.”

Ahh. Ethea nodded. She had spent most of her time on the southern island. That was why, no matter how much she and Lyle had gone around, they had not seen this couple.

Though it would have been natural for them to ask where Lyle and Ethea had gone and what they had done, Solei and Seisil were too busy being absorbed in each other and exchanging sweet words.

At one point, Ethea innocently asked out of simple curiosity who was handling matters at the Mage Tower. Then Seisil answered in the most guileless way possible.

“I left it to my sister! Isn’t that what family is for? Hehe!”

And then he sank back into conversation with Solei.

Between the two of them, Ethea found herself merely sipping alcohol now and then and watching the children. What was this sense of exclusion?

“SoliSoliSolei, how about we go there next time?”

“There? Where?”

“The great park in the north where the ice flowers bloom. That place truly has a charm quite different from Aquarand.”

“Oh my! That does sound nice. I’d love to go sometime!”

Solei, who had eagerly echoed Seisil’s words, met eyes with Ethea. Ethea gave a little laugh. It meant, it must be wonderful for them, overflowing with sweetness like this. Then Solei, perhaps somewhat embarrassed, brought up Ethea for no reason.

“The northern grand park is a place you very much wanted to see too, Etty. Etty, you can come with us as well.”

“Oh, of course, of course. If Lady Etty goes, then naturally that boyfriend of hers will come along too.”

Hm? Did he just say boyfriend? Ethea doubted her own ears.

“Hahaha! But SoliSoliSolei, aren’t we a little tired? The children are playing well enough among themselves, so shall we go up to the rooftop and have a drink with the moonlight……?”

“Oh my, a drink with the moonlight. That’s so romantic!”

“Then let’s go. Hahahaha!”

Watching the two of them disappear to the rooftop in an instant, Ethea was left speechless.

‘There was no need to drag me into it, and what was that about a boyfriend while doing so? Surely they don’t mean they want to say Lyle is my boyfriend? Anyway, those two have gotten strange ever since becoming a duo. Ah, why do I feel lonely. The children aren’t even looking this way. And the drink is going to my head.’

Feeling strangely empty, Ethea let herself feel the breeze.

“What a lovely breeze.”

Even the chilly wind was not cold at all, because she was wearing Solei’s shawl.