Chapter 80: CH 80

“Speak comfortably.”

It was as if the Grand Duke had read my mind. And he gave me a calm look urging me to say what I really want. The image of Kir, who kept looking at me, disturbed my mind. Still, I made a decision.

“Yes, I want to quit.”

I’m amazing too. He told me to speak comfortably, I really spoke comfortably. The Grand Duke’s face, who had been relaxed at first glance, hardened as if he didn’t know how to admit it. But his voice didn’t change at all.

“Is it so useless?”

“It’s a useless time for me.”

The content of the conversation was not to see him as the Grand Duke, but as Kir’s father, so I did not hide it. However, the Grand Duke, who had listened calmly as if he had guessed what I was saying, turned his head to the side and let out a small sigh.

“I heard that there is a big difference in progress. Even then, didn’t you decide to take class together?”

It must be true that he called me as Kir’s father. I feel really awkward. I was satisfied because the Grand Duke seems to be taking care of Kir now because of me, but the feeling of why I need to hear such a story comes and goes in my mind.

“I’ll be honest. Kir is… gasp!”

I used to call him Kir, Kir, Kir, so ‘Kir’ got stuck in my mouth. But I called out his name too naturally in front of the Grand Duke. No matter how we decided to do that amongst ourselves, doing it in front of the Grand Duke was another thing. The Grand Duke motioned as I covered my mouth in astonishment.

“I know you guys are comfortable talking to each other. Feel free to call him that.”

I expected it, the Grand Duke did know it all.

“At the time, Kir didn’t seem ready yet, so I made that decision.”

“Do you think Kir is ready now?”

Every time, the Grand Duke asked me this difficult question. It’s been a while since I said I’d give Kir a chance. I am also watching in real time how Kir studies to keep his promise. That kid is still desperately trying to study with me, so how can I say he’s ready?

“No.”

“Are you still going to quit?”

It must be harsh for Kir. But I don’t think I can ever clean up Kir’s mess. I’m neither Kir’s mother nor sister, so I have no obligation to make any sacrifices. 9 years old is the age to become independent. It wasn’t that he had to live alone, it was saying that he couldn’t be followed and pampered for everything.

Still, didn’t I give Kir time to prepare him heart? The pity that had appeared on Kir’s begging face at that time had been erased now that that moment itself had passed. In particular, since it was directly related to my life, my thoughts were inclined toward what I would be comfortable with.

“Yes, I want to quit.”

The Grand Duke’s forehead wrinkled.

Since I’ve spoken this far, I thought the Grand Duke would accept my opinion. I noticed that he was noticing when I was going to tell Kir, and thought he had called me to deal with it. However, the words the Grand Duke threw out next exceeded my imagination and I froze.

“When did you slap my son on the cheek like that?”

I barely managed to hold back the fact that I was about to cry. I didn’t know that the Grand Duke would even mention that, so I was stiff and my eyes couldn’t move. The fact that I slapped Kir on the cheek is already an open secret. Few people in the Grand Duchy were aware of my relationship with Kir.

“Wh, what….”

First of all, I pretended not to understand the Grand Duke’s terrifying gaze.

“You don’t have to beat him up like a neighborhood drum and pretend you don’t know.”

Has he been building this up? Although the Grand Duke’s tone was plain, there was sharpness in his words.

My stomach aches came rushing in as if I had been beaten om the stomach. He should have done it sooner if he was going to cold me for slapping Kir on the cheek. He’s been quiet all this time, but he came all of a sudden and hit the back of the head like this. I am at a loss for words.

In fact, what I did is punishable for whatever reason. I slapped the cheek of the royal family. A kid like me fearlessly harmed the sacred in the Empire. I would have to be punished. That is the law here. In other words, right now the Grand Duke took hold of my great weakness and wielded it.

“I didn’t hit him because I liked it either.”

Did I hit him because I wanted to hit him? It’s because Kir kept insisting on it! I vaguely protested.

“Still, you hit him. If it was a mistake once, isn’t it intentional from then on?”

He had a knack for making people shiver. He’s really something. I really just did what Kir wanted, and I didn’t even feel bliss when I hit him! Kir was happy to be hit!

Whatever it was, it was unfair. I don’t know that it’ll be like this because I’m entangled with Kir for nothing. A kid who really doesn’t help my life. I really need to cut him off. I stopped acting because the innocent little acting wouldn’t work on the Grand Duke. And I kept my mouth shut and exercised my right to remain silent.