Chapter 6 – Talent (2)

[Translator – Peptobismol]Chapter 6 – Talent (2)

“Ughhhh…”

“Don’t touch Charlotte! I’ll bite you!”

This is giving me a headache.

I was merely thinking of investing in children who would become the protagonist’s companions in the future.

Why does it feel like I’ve suddenly acquired two daughters as a bachelor?

One starts trembling and crying the moment I touch her.

The other snarls and causes a fuss.

Why am I going through this when I’ve never even been married, let alone had kids?

“Stop crying. It’s unpleasant.”

“Ahhhhh!”

“…”

This usually works to stop the crying.

Is it the face that’s the problem?

I’m starting to get tired, and it’s making me angry.

“Sylvia.”

“Yes, young master.”

“Watch this… What’s her name again?”

“Julia.”

“Right. Keep an eye on Julia. I’ll have a private chat with Charlotte.”

Sylvia, who had slipped out from behind a bookshelf, looked at me with a sullen expression.

What’s with that look? I’m not going to do anything weird.

When I glared at her in annoyance, Sylvia sighed lightly, still keeping her wary gaze.

“Yes. Go ahead, young master.”

Even as she said this, her eyes continued to shoot daggers at me.

Has this girl been deceived her whole life?

Clicking my tongue, I grabbed Charlotte by the back of her neck and lifted her.

She was so light that even with my frail arm, I could easily lift her.

She definitely needs to gain some weight.

“Do anything bad to Charlotte, and I won’t let you get away with it!”

“…”

Julia shouted as she struggled in Sylvia’s grip.

Come to think of it, what’s their relationship?

Just fellow orphans?

It didn’t seem like it was just that.

‘Have I been too indifferent?’

I thought there was no need to know, but maybe some background investigation is necessary to improve future relations.

And to check on what the protagonist is up to now, maybe I should hire an informant.

No, there’s no need to go that far.

I’ve thought of a more effective way to control the protagonist.

I’ll put that on hold for now…

“Ughhhh…”

“When are you going to stop crying?”

Even after leaving the library and being alone with her, Charlotte showed no signs of stopping her crying.

Sighing deeply, I knelt on one knee to meet her eye level.

Even as I waited and signaled for her to stop, Charlotte just kept hiccupping and wouldn’t stop crying.

What’s causing this?

Understanding children’s psychology is supposed to be difficult, but isn’t 13 years old almost mature?

Shouldn’t she be more emotionally developed by now?

“Oh my.”

“Run, we’ve been caught!”

“…”

I sensed movement, and as I turned my head, I saw the maids’ footsteps retreating down the hallway.

Then, as I turned back…

“Sniff.”

“…”

“Ughhhh…”

“Hey. You just stopped.”

This girl…

She’s pretending to cry.

I thought she was innocent, but is she actually cunning?

Now that I know, her acting seems obvious, but before, I had no idea.

“Why are you crying? Am I that scary?”

“…”

She shook her head.

So, we’re playing twenty questions, huh?

My blood pressure rose, but I held back.

At least Charlotte, unlike Julia, wasn’t pointing fingers and expressing hatred towards me.

“Is it because you don’t like the clothes?”

She shook her head.

“Ah, I get it. You’re scared of Sylvia, aren’t you? She can be a bit fierce.”

She shook her head.

“Do you just not want to study?”

She almost nodded, then caught herself and shook her head vigorously.

I could go crazy.

Taking a deep breath to calm my anger, Charlotte flinched and shrank back.

“Did you cry because I grabbed your wrist?” Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ ɴøvᴇl_Firᴇ.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

“No! No…”

Finally, she spoke.

A sense of relief washed over me, like clearing a long-standing congestion.

Finally, she seemed willing to talk.

“I feel bad… because I might not be able to help…”

“What do you mean?”

“You probably want Julia. She’s the one who can become someone great and earn a lot of money… I’m probably useless…”

“Why do you think that?”

“I’ve never finished reading a book, I’m slow at learning, I forget things easily, I lack awareness, I’m stupid, and… and…”

“Stop. I don’t want to hear it.”

“Hic.”

I thought she was carefree because she ate and slept well, but inside, she had these thoughts?

I’m stuck in a cursed body, enduring all sorts of hardships, and she’s wasting her potential with these worries.

Annoying.

“You’re still so young, and you’re saying such discouraging things… I’ve wasted time on pointless worries. Never again say you’re useless in front of me. I’ll make sure you earn your keep. That’s my job to worry about, not yours. Understand?”

“Yes…”

“Let’s go back. And wait a second. Wipe your eyes first. It looks like I made you cry.”

“Ughhhh…”

“Why! What’s wrong now!”

“I don’t know…! Ughhhh!”

After I wiped her eyes with my sleeve, she started crying again.

This time it’s real, not an act.

I’m going crazy.

I thought she was an insensitive kid, but she’s actually a crybaby.

.

.

.

“Wow. The notorious young master is having a tough time.”

“Shh. Keep your voice down. He might hear you.”

“But it’s so thrilling.”

Peeking from behind doors, around corners, and through windows, the maids were whispering excitedly.

Is this really the same Aslan Vermont, known for being evil, eccentric, and rude?

Is this truly the same human garbage from a few days ago?

If someone saw this without context, they wouldn’t recognize him at all.

What could be the reason for this?

It’s obvious.

Charlotte and Julia. Since those two children arrived, Aslan has changed dramatically.

“Love really does change people.”

“Who would’ve thought it applied to the young master too.”

Usually, he would treat kids like objects or experimental tools.

But now he takes care of them with such dedication, it’s clear they’ve captured his heart.

He’s making sure they study, and even managing their diet and exercise, showing he intends to raise them as suitable noblewomen.

Why? Because they must match his status as a Count soon to be married…!

“What do we do? This mansion, which used to be so bleak, now has a rosy atmosphere.”

“What can we do? We should treat those girls well, like they’re our future ladies.”

“I wonder which one the young master prefers?”

“Both… perhaps?”

“Maybe he’s waiting until they’re grown and will choose the one who turns out to be the more suitable lady!”

“Such grand plans!”

Whispering and giggling, the maids’ conversations carried through the quiet hallways to Aslan’s ears.

Looks like I need to tighten the discipline around here.

Thinking this, Aslan returned to the library, holding Charlotte’s small hand.

***

“You! Did you make Charlotte cry again!?”

“Hic.”

“What did you do this time…!”

“Focus on your studies, Sylvia. Let’s switch places.”

“Didn’t hear you correctly?”

Sylvia, who had been growling and ready to pounce, looked puzzled as she held Julia’s collar.

Are you really going to handle this? Can you really manage? Her eyes seemed to ask.

When I nodded silently, Sylvia let go, and Julia collapsed forward with a silly sound.

“Charlotte says she can’t sit and read a book, learns slowly, forgets things, lacks awareness, and is stupid.”

“How could you say such horrible things to Charlotte…!”

“She said it herself.”

“Even so…!”

“So, I think it’s better to assign Charlotte to a different subject. Sylvia, can you teach her?”

“Are you telling me to teach her how to entertain men? You shameless…!”

“No, teach her swordsmanship.”

Has he finally gone mad?

What kind of nonsense is this?

Clicking my tongue, I glared at her, and Sylvia turned her eyes away.

She treats me like human scum without any remorse.

“I’m not interested in teaching. Only someone talented could follow my teaching.”

“Just say you’re too lazy to do it.”

“That too.”

“Just try teaching her. You never know what hidden talents she might have.”

“Well, it’s true that children who are scattered and can’t focus on studying often show talent in martial arts. Yes. I will see for myself. Come on, let’s find a wooden sword first.”

“Where are the wooden swords?”

“That, I don’t know.”

“…?”

Charlotte and Sylvia walked out side by side.

Once they left, the library fell silent.

The growling dog from earlier was gone.

Julia, now seated, was focusing intensely, her face flushed.

Just as I picked up my book and returned to my seat, she spoke.

“This book… it needs a supplement.”

“…”

Does she have a talent for speaking with the back of her head?

Without turning, she mumbled with her head down.

There’s no quick way to fix that disrespect.

Sighing, I pointed to the bookshelf.

“It should be somewhere over there. Find it yourself.”

“…”

Shuffle, shuffle.

Still with her head down, Julia walked past me to the bookshelf.

Instead of heading straight there, she stopped in front of me.

Does she have something to say?

Glancing at my book, I saw her clutching her skirt, trembling.

“What is it?”

“Th-that, um…”

“…?”

“I’m sorry… I misunderstood…”

Thud, thud.

Then she scurried off, disappearing between the bookshelves without waiting for a response.

Such rudeness.

[Julia’s affection has increased by 2.]

[Translator – Peptobismol]