Chapter 2-22 : Family Meeting (part 2)
「Honestly, I’m not really thinking about leaving this family… Well, I do think about it sometimes, but… I don’t think seriously… Uhh, how should I put it…」(Kako)
「Hm?」(Elvent)
Father and Mother were looking at me with puzzled faces while I was wondering how to explain, but then Maitena onee-sama came to the rescue.
「Ah, I think I know how Kako feels.」(Maitena)
「You do?」(Elvent)
「Yeah. I think Kako is starting to get sick of staying home. Right, Kako?」(Maitena)
「What?」(Elvent)
「Father, I understand her very well. I did feel the same, and that’s why I left this house and became an adventurer.」(Maitena)
「Hmm… Is that right, Kako?」(Elvent)
「Well…」(Kako)
She’s not wrong, but… I couldn’t tell them that because I didn’t want to hurt their feelings.
I could only answer Father vaguely while scratching my cheek with my index finger.
「I thought you wouldn’t complain if I gave you everything you need here, but… I see… You feel like you’re being confined. I’m sorry, Kako.」(Elvent)
「Eh? No, no! I’m very grateful that you provide me with everything I need, and no, I don’t feel like I’m being confined at all.」(Kako)
「I see… So… You’re not seriously thinking about leaving our family… Right?」(Elvent)
「That’s… Would you feel sad if I left?」(Kako)
「Of course! I will be so sad that I will cry for weeks nonstop!」(Folia)
The first person who responded when I asked that was Mother. She looked at me with her teary eyes.
「Kako, that’s a foolish question. Of course, we would be very sad if you left.」(Elvent)
「I’m sorry. I thought you wouldn’t care if I left…」(Kako)
「Kako-chan, what makes you think that way? We care a lot about you!」(Folia)
「I have only been in this family for a month, so…」(Kako)
「I don’t think time matters. Affection can grow much faster than you think, you know?」(Folia)
「That’s right. It’s like falling in love at first sight. On the day you stepped foot in our house, we decided that we would cherish you as our daughter.」(Elvent)
「And just so you know, I thought of you as my sister even before I told Father and Mother about you.」(Maitena)
「Father… Mother… Maitena onee-sama…」(Kako)
Being stared at by them with eyes full of affection, I felt warm in my chest. My face too, felt hot somehow. I couldn’t see my own face, but I could tell that it had become a bit red. I felt so happy.
「Kako ojou-sama, I haven’t been your personal servant for long, but I would feel sad too if you left.」(Thea)
「I feel the same as Thea.」(Marqise)
「Thea… Marqise…」(Kako)
Not only my parents and sister, but the two servants who are always with me, Thea and Marqise seemed to share the same feelings.
「Besides, Kako ojou-sama, if you leave this family, Lord Elvent would be in trouble.」(Marqise)
「Eh? What do you mean?」(Kako)
「It would become a scandal when a noble, especially a high-ranking one such as a marquis, abandons an adopted child they just welcomed into their family. Their name and reputation would be tarnished in the noble society.」(Marqise)
「I see…」(Kako)
「Marqise, you talk too much.」(Elvent)
「Forgive me, My Lord. However, I think Kako ojou-sama should know about it.」(Marqise)
Saying that, Marqise bowed deeply to Father and stepped backward, returning to his post.
「Hahh… Well, what he says is true, but, Kako, you don’t have to worry about it. My reputation is not your concern. I don’t want it to restrain your freedom.」(Elvent)
「If… you say so…」(Kako)
「Alright. Let me ask you one more time, so please answer with honesty. Kako, do you want to leave this family and return to being a commoner?」(Elvent)
I died in my previous world, leaving my family and friends, and it made me feel sad thinking that I would never see them again.
However, now I feel blissful to know that there are people who care about me so much in this world too.
They might be strangers to me a month ago, but I can tell that they genuinely love me as a family. Their faces show sincerity.
I didn’t want to let these kind people down, so I answered Father’s question honestly as he told me.
「…No, I don’t want to quit… I want to stay as a Kushaq.」(Kako)
Listening to my answer, Father showed a big smile on his face. Meanwhile, Mother jumped off her seat and hugged me tightly.
「Hwaaa~! Kako-chan! I’m so glad! I thought you wanted to leave because you hate us!」(Folia)
「N, no! How could I hate people who are kind to me?」(Kako)
「Fufu~ You’re such a good girl! That’s right! Let’s sleep together like a close mother and daughter tonight! 」(Folia)
「Eh?」(Kako)
「Oh! That’s a good idea! Let me join!」(Maitena)
「Of course~ The more the merrier~」(Folia)
「Eeehh!?」(Kako)
I don’t know why, but we ended up having a pajama party tonight. Well, I think it’s a good opportunity to strengthen our relationship.
「Hahaha! I’m happy to see my family getting along well. I will join too!」(Elvent)
「No. I’m sorry, Dear, but it will be a female-only pajama party. You will sleep in another room. We have plenty of room here.」(Folia)
「Eeeehhhh…」(Elvent)
「Pffttt!」(Izack)
「Huh? Oi, did you just laugh at me?」(Elvent)
「N, no, My Lord! I didn’t laugh, My Lord!」(Izack)
「Hmph!」(Elvent)
Izack-san did laugh, even I noticed it, but he immediately denied Father with a pale face.
Father then returned his gaze toward me and asked with a serious face.
「Kako, I’m glad you want to stay as a family. However, from now on, I want you to tell me your feelings honestly. Tell me what you want so I can help you.」(Elvent)
「What I want…」(Kako)
Since the first day I came into this world, I’ve wanted to live like the characters in the Workshop Series, the game I love. (ch 1-1)
I want to have a shop of my own, but at the same time, I also want to go on an adventure in this fantasy world.
I looked Father in the eye but before I answered him, Maitena onee-sama talked to me.
「Kako, I think I know what you want. You don’t want to stay in this mansion for long, right? You want to go somewhere else once in a while. I can understand.」(Maitena)
「Is that so, Kako?」(Elvent)
「Umm, yes, but… Can I?」(Kako)
「What do you mean, ‘can I’? Of course, you can. Did you forget? When I asked you to become my daughter, I told you you didn’t have to stay in this city. You are a merchant, after all.」(Elvent)
「Really?」(Kako)
Now that he mentions it, I feel like he did say that.
「Well, look at Maitena. She is rarely at home. You may travel around this continent and visit other places in this country. However, don’t forget to send us letters and you should come home once in a while.」(Elvent)
「I see. Alright.」(Kako)
「Kako-chan, you want to go somewhere? Now I feel sad again…」(Folia)
「Mother…」(Kako)
「Fufu. But you don’t have to worry. I will miss you but it’s much better than having you quit being my daughter. But, as your father said, you should come home once in a while.」(Folia)
「Un. I understand.」(Kako)
「Good~ Don’t be like Maitena-chan who rarely comes home.」(Folia)
「Oh, come on, Mother. I’ll show my face more often. I promise.」(Maitena)
「Reeeally~?」(Folia)
Mother glared at Maitena onee-sama with doubtful eyes. I wonder when was the last time she was here at home.
「So, have you planned where to go?」(Elvent)
「No, I haven’t thought about it.」(Kako)
「I see. Take your time. Of course, you can bring some of my soldiers as bodyguards when you want to go. But… I don’t think it’s necessary. Right, Nyat-dono?」(Elvent)
Saying that, Father turned his face to Nyat.
Nyat then responded with a smirk.
「I’ve seen cattos several times, and they are indeed strong fighters, but our friend here is exceptional. He is an excellent fighter and the perfect bodyguard for you. No matter where you are, I won’t be worried if he’s with you.」(Elvent)
「Un! He’s the best!」(Kako)
「You can leave Kako to me-nya.」(Nyat)
「I’m counting on you.」(Elvent)
I was worried at first, but it seems like this little misunderstanding has been settled.
I feel relieved now thinking that I can do whatever and go wherever I want despite being a lady of a noble family.
I thought a life as a noble would be suffocating. Well, if I was adopted into a different family, might be, but I was lucky to be adopted by these awesome people.
「Alright. Now that we have settled Kako’s problem. Let’s move on.」(Elvent)
Father said there were two things he wanted to talk about. The first thing was about me, but I wonder what the other matter he wants to discuss in this family meeting.
「Hahh… I can’t believe this day would come…」(Elvent)
For some reason, he let out a long sigh and then looked at Izack.
「Izack.」(Elvent)
「Y, yes, My Lord!」(Izack)
Izack-san still looked very nervous. I could see a bead of sweat running down his temple.
「I have discussed ‘it’ with ‘them’, but I wanna ask you just to make sure… Are you sure you want to become a noble?」(Elvent)
What…? Izack-san becomes a noble…?
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