Pardon the Abduction, Holy Knight - It's an Emergency - Chapter 2.2

***

“Teacher, thank you…”

By the time we started the 5th counseling session, Echo had been calling me Teacher for a while.

“It seems you found the lost family heirloom well?”

“Yes…! Just as you told me… the heirloom was really under the training ground…”

“Were your mother and father very happy?”

“Yes…! Mom and Dad hugged me and praised me…!”

One of Wit’s advice was to find the lost heirloom of the Marquis family.

I immediately recalled the novel.

The scene where Violet found the heirloom and gained the trust of the Marquis couple!

I told Echo the location where Violet had found the heirloom.

As a result, we were able to significantly boost the Marquis couple’s favorability towards Echo, which we had been building up steadily.

“Sister Violet also said she was happy that I seemed to be getting closer to Mom and Dad… It’s all thanks to you, teacher….”

Saying that Echo bowed deeply as if making a formal bow.

I quickly pushed Echo’s forehead back before she could fall forward.

“No. It’s because you made the effort, client.”

“My toy’s master is so humble. Anyone can see that Echo just put a spoon on a table that was already set.”

“……”

Can someone please shut that thing’s mouth?

“Then, teacher….”

“Yes. What is it, client?”

“Is the next counseling session going to be the last…?”

Echo’s eyebrows drooped as she asked this.

After looking at the child for a moment, I answered professionally.

“Since we’ve achieved the goal of the counseling, that would be the case.”

“I see….”

The child, who had been sitting glumly, slowly stood up and took something out of her pocket.

“Big brother Lucian… told me to convey his gratitude to you….”

The object in Echo’s hand was a hair tie.

“I chose one that’s exactly like your hair….”

A pink ribbon hair tie, like cotton candy.

“…Thank you.”

I gently rubbed the hair tie I received from Echo. It was a ribbon with a nice texture.

“I’ll… use it well.”

It felt strange, even though I hadn’t received any money.

As I was fiddling with the ribbon due to this odd feeling.

“Now that Echo’s request is over, is it my turn to make a request?”

“……”

“Hm? You’re not trying to kick me out, are you? I’ve been waiting for a long time, you know.”

I raised my head, clutching the ribbon.

Even if he couldn’t see my face hidden behind the mask, at least he could perceive my gaze.

“As I’ve said many times, this is not a toy store.”

Get out, you bastard.

***

Before I knew it, it was the day of the last counseling session.

I secretly watched the Berto family strolling in the capital’s public garden.

The former Marquis and Marchioness Berto in the center, with Violet and Echo on either side.

It was a scene of a harmonious family in a peaceful setting.

…Except that Violet’s expression seemed to be getting worse day by day.

Unlike at the opera house, Echo was leading the conversation, and the Marquis couple was laughing and agreeing with Echo’s stories.

After looking at them alternately for a while, I leaned back against the bench.

Well, is my mission over now, anyway?

As I was leisurely watching Echo, thinking that the request had been successfully completed.

“What’s that?”

Echo, who had been chattering away, suddenly stopped as if captivated by something in the garden.

At the end of Echo’s gaze was a child wearing a pretty dress.

Echo seemed to be contemplating something while looking at that child, hesitating for a long time.

Then, as if finally making up her mind, she clenched her small hand and said,

“Mom, Dad…”

“Echo, what is it?”

“I… I want a dress too…!”

…Ah!

I was startled and lifted my back from the backrest.

I bit my lip and examined Echo’s expression. It wasn’t good.

Because, as expected, the Marquis couple’s expressions were terribly cold.

I recalled the advice I gave on the first day.

“Don’t be fussy”

They extremely disliked Echo acting like a young child.

“Echo Berto. Why are you suddenly embarrassing us?”

The Marquis couple sighed at Echo’s appearance, unable to answer properly and with wavering eyes.

“I thought you had learned something from watching your sister. Was this father’s misunderstanding?”

“Echo. Tell your father you won’t do this again.”

“I, I….”

I hardened my expression.

Did the Marquis couple want Echo to be an obedient, doll-like child who listens well to them?

Just like Violet.

My gaze naturally turned to Violet.

If I wasn’t mistaken, the corners of Violet’s mouth were slightly raised.

It looked as if she was saying, ‘Well, that’s how it is.’

“I’m, I’m sorry… hic….”

Under the Marquis couple’s overbearing attitude, Echo finally burst into tears.

The Marquis couple’s expressions worsened even more.

They disliked crying children as much as fussy ones.

“Stop crying. There are many eyes watching.”

“Echo. You should listen to your father.”

“I’m sorry… sob….”

However, once the tears started, they seemed difficult to control.

As the Marquis couple sighed, Violet, who had been observing the whole situation, stepped forward.

“Mother, Father. I’ll comfort Echo, so why don’t you go ahead?”

“Hah… Alright. We should.”

“Violet, it’s fortunate that you’re here.”

The Marquis couple and Violet looked at each other affectionately, creating their own world excluding Echo.

I tightened my robe and approached Echo.

Echo, who had been crying pitifully, raised her head at the shadow falling over her.

“Sob… Teacher…?”

Shh. As I put my finger to my lips, Echo spoke in a gloomy voice while hiccuping.

“I’m sorry….”

“Sorry for what?”

“I did what you told me not to do… I thought Mom and Dad would love me… I was wrong….”

“If that’s the case, you don’t need to apologize, client. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

If anything, I was the one who should apologize. I shouldn’t have given such a piece of unreasonable advice in the first place.

“What’s wrong is your parents not loving you for who you are, client.”

Suddenly, I remembered Adriel’s face looking at me straight on.

“I don’t think love obtained by force is true love.”

I wonder if he said that with this kind of situation in mind.

Somehow, my thoughts deepened.

“Teacher….”

Awakened from my contemplation by Echo’s tearful voice, I took out a handkerchief from my robe pocket.

“Use this.”

Just then, a snow-white hand suddenly appeared from somewhere and snatched the handkerchief.