Ch. 222

Ash appeared with a beer in each hand just as I was floundering in crisis.

“Geenie? These people are…”

“Ash!”

“They must be your parents. You look just alike… too much alike.”

“You came at the right time! Say hello to my parents!”

Be happy, you two. Here stands a man with excellent social skills. Since he’s a prince, his social ability should be royalty-grade.

I immediately pushed Ash forward, blatantly handing over the task of entertaining my parents.

“Is this the person Sir Hansen mentioned?”

“You know Ash?”

“Yes. Sir Hansen came to deliver your letter. He told me about the people you’re traveling with… and that there’s a man you like. He said it would be the man you look at and think, ‘Wow, he’s ordinary.’”

So you’re looking at Ash right now and thinking, ‘Wow, he’s ordinary,’ aren’t you?

Ash stiffened, surrounded by three people with flamboyant blonde hair. Though, that only meant he was a bit more rigid than usual.

Still, he handled socializing well.

“I apologize for the late greeting. It’s an honor to meet you, Count and Countess Crowell. Please call me Ash… and make yourselves comfortable.”

“Ash, I have a friend with the same name. Easy to remember.”

Dina Crowell, my mother—once a Baroness, now a Countess.

Our voices were so similar that when she spoke, it felt like I had said it myself. Or more accurately, I probably sound like her. I am her biological daughter, after all.

“You seem to be a commoner. You’re quite polite for one?”

“Darling? He’s Geenie’s friend. Let’s not say unpleasant things. Ash, it’s nice to meet you.”

“…I object! It’s the first time I’ve been introduced to my daughter’s friend, and it’s a man!”

Lusard Crowell, the Count—part doting father, but since his daughter pays him no mind, fully doting husband.

My father, a man perfectly content without ambition.

In truth, I know very little about him aside from his woodworking hobby. He made me a rocking horse once.

“It’s not the first time. There’s also Kenian. And Geenie is an adult now.”

“I wasn’t formally introduced to Kenian. And we should be more careful now that she’s an adult.”

Having lived all their lives in a rural territory, they weren’t skilled in social graces. Their whispers were clearly audible. I hid behind Ash and asked the most urgent question.

“So, you’re going back the day after tomorrow, right?”

“We should. It’s been over ten days since we left the territory. But… Geenie, do you want us to stay longer?”

“No.”

I can’t commit the unfilial act of making my mother cry. I quickly added,

“I was wondering if you’d watch the Toomdra. It’s in three days…”

“Ah, we… heard about it. But we’re not interested. We came purely to see you. We don’t like anything bloody… it’s scary, isn’t it?”

“That’s right. A public duel is so terrible and barbaric. I can’t let my precious wife see that. It pains me if she has nightmares.”

“Oh, you.”

It wasn’t my imagination that in my childhood memories, they had hugged constantly. Watching them now, they must have hugged five times already.

This couple grows more affectionate by the minute. No wonder they have four children. Maybe that’s why I can’t adapt.

I cannot stand cheesy lovebirds.

“Where… are you staying?”

If they learned their youngest daughter, whom they cherish like a treasure, was planning to watch a bloody duel while waving a cheering stick, they’d probably faint on the spot. We look alike, but that’s the end of the similarity.

“There’s an inn for nobles up the road. We’re staying there. Why don’t you move there too? It’s too… small here.”

I get what they mean. It’s too noisy, too dirty, too chaotic.

“There probably aren’t any rooms available.”

“Don’t worry. We asked for a small room, but they gave us a large one, so there are extra beds. Let’s stay together.”

“…Thank you, but I can’t abandon my friends, who are as precious as my life, and stay somewhere else alone. I’ll stay here.”

To emphasize, it’s not that I dislike my parents. I just dislike the version of myself that appears around them. Being conscious of others doesn’t suit me.

[Master? Since when are they precious? That never happened.]

[It’s a lie. I just don’t want to share a room with my parents.]

[Ah! You’d rather be physically uncomfortable than mentally uncomfortable! Wow, I’m smart!]

I’m always mentally uncomfortable.

“More than that, this isn’t a good place to talk. It’s too noisy. Let’s go up to my room.”

This tavern was not suitable for them. Left alone, they would get robbed clean in five minutes.

“Oh my, my. It’s the first time I’ve been invited to your room. Of course, I’d love to.”

“Then please go up first. Third floor.”

“Aren’t you coming?”

“I’ll get some drinks. Ash? Please take care of my parents. You know my room, right?”

They might not even reach the third floor safely. I had to send them under Ash’s supervision.

I handed Ash the room key. He approached with a worried expression.

“Wouldn’t it be better for you to go with them while I get the drinks?”

“I have other things to do. Please.”

After sending my parents upstairs, I gestured for Bright to come over. He dragged Jaimam with him and hid behind her like a coward.

Since Jaimam rarely spoke or expressed emotion, a light greeting was enough.

“Bright? Leave. If I see you again, you’re dead.”

I smiled while baring my teeth.

I couldn’t show my true nature with my parents nearby. Even with one floor between us, I felt stifled.

“…Geenie! I’m innocent! It wasn’t my intention! Everything about bringing them—”

“Shut up and disappear.”

“Lady Geenie? May I speak? Bright truly tried. Please forgive him this once, considering his sincerity and devotion in crossing mountains and seas to find you.”

“He used Warp.”

“You know his stamina.”

Still blunt as ever, but that’s why I like Jaimam. She’s intelligent, concise, and quiet. A rare type around me. It’s a shame she serves Bright.

“Fine. I’ll teach you one way to live—for Jaimam’s sake.”

“What is it?”

His eyes sparkled. If he died, I wouldn’t see that again. Maybe I should spare him. I smiled.

“Get five Toomdra tickets by tomorrow.”

“That’s difficult with the duel so close… by tomorrow? And five?”

“Me, Ash, Chad, Enk, Gale… no, six. Akia too.”

“…What about mine?”

“Do I have to take care of that too? Leave.”

He should be grateful he’s still alive.

—

Ash tried to give up his seat when I returned, but I blocked the door and glared at him.

‘How dare you! Are you trying to abandon me in this awkward disaster? You traitor!’

I couldn’t shout because my parents were present, but the message got through.

I dragged Ash along and approached my parents, forcing a confident smile.

The smile I use on the headmaster. Meaning I had already failed at being a normal daughter.

“Did you wait long? I brought a variety of teas… I didn’t know what you’d prefer, so…”

Maybe they had been holding back earlier because of the crowd. This time, the two of them hugged me tightly without hesitation—while I was still holding the tray.

I don’t even like handshakes, but here I was, trapped between two affectionate parents. My mother shorter than me, my father towering over us both, so it looked like he was hugging two women at once.

My body warmed uncomfortably between them. Only when I complained about breathing difficulties and the weight of the tray did they reluctantly let go.

“I heard you were safe, but I still wanted to see you with my own eyes.”

“It seemed like the only way to see you was to come ourselves. Everyone thought you were in the territory. But we knew you wouldn’t come.”

“It’s already been eight years since we last saw you. Did you know that?”

“I know.”

I made these people uncomfortable for my own convenience. That won’t change.

“You’re still cold.”

“…Our daughter! I’m glad you haven’t changed even after such a big event.”

Damn. Is it hugging time again?

I hurriedly guided them to sit before they could grab me again.

“There aren’t many seats, but please sit.”

It was a cheap inn room, so only two chairs existed. Naturally, the women sat.

My mother and I faced each other at the table. The men stood slightly behind, and an awkward silence settled again.

From this angle… Ash looked like my husband or guardian.

Though actually, I’m Ash’s guardian. He’s fragile. My standards are high, but still.

“Um… this is awkward. So, what brings you here? You didn’t come all this way just to see me, did you?”

“Geenie.”

Did I say something wrong?

Ash called my name in that soft tone he used whenever I was on the verge of beating someone up.

“It’s alright, Ash. We’re used to it.”

“She’s always been like this. Whenever she sees us, she thinks about sending us away.”

“She was like that even in the academy. Whenever we visited, instead of greeting us, she’d ask the same things—why did you come, when are you leaving, did you really come all this way just to see me… He was sad every time.”

My mother probably suffered more than my father. He only looked a little disappointed. I only now realized I had been wrong.

“At first, I thought she was ashamed of my low title. There were many noble children there… Later, I realized she was worried about our money. Too mature for her age.”

“We have enough money to visit our daughter.”

I remember. I thought we were poor, so I asked a teacher how much academy tuition was. When I learned the Royal Palace paid for everything, I was so relieved I attended even fewer classes afterward.

That was also why I stayed at the academy.

“…That’s because Fathe… um… you made my rocking horse yourself, and you said you made the cradle for my brothers… I thought we had no money. We were nobles, but we didn’t have a cook.”

It was hard to say father.

“Woodworking was a hobby. Just like your mother likes to cook, so we don’t hire a cook. By the way, do you… remember saying that? You were only two or three years old.”

“Hmm…”

“Geenie has been special since she was a baby, hasn’t she?”