CH 74

I went downstairs and headed to the dining hall for breakfast. Out of habit, I sat down on the chair I usually sat at these days, but I was surprised for a moment because there wasn’t any tableware set in front of me here.

“Haha, Rin, you don’t have to sit there anymore. The Duke and Young Duke have left, remember?”

It had already been two days since the brothers had left, but it still felt like they were still staying at my family’s residence.

Before this, I had been fervently praying for the two of them to leave quickly when they were still here. Funny how I was being like this, really.

“Right, Brother. I keep making this mistake, huh.”

“Of course, the Duke is a man with such a great presence. I was already taken aback when I saw him from afar at the coming-of-age ceremony, but when I got to meet him personally, as one man to another, I couldn’t help but admit how magnetizing he is.”

Exactly. I had once fallen victim to Ciel’s looks at first sight after all, so I knew. Though my head was on straight, my heart disobediently sang against my will.

Nevertheless, I faced David and spoke with a boasting tone.

“Well I think that you’re more handsome, Brother.”

At my valiant declaration, David burst out laughing.

“All those times we played together as children is worth it now. As expected, our Rin is cooler than this older brother, huh?”

With a pronounced ‘Ahem’, Dad walked up from behind us with a raised chin.

“Does our dear daughter like David that much?”

There was a heavy implication to that simple question, and it was obvious to all.

Raising his brows, David answered.

“Truth be told, I played together with Rin more than you, Father. This is my reward for all those efforts—please don’t cut in.”

“Hoho, look at this rude punk.”

As Dad sat down on his chair and unfolded the napkin in front of him, he let out a wide smile, expressing how incredulous he was.

Clearly looking to tease David, Dad continued.

“You know, when Rin was younger, she said this—‘I’m going to marry Dad!’ But then I told her that Dad is already married to Mom, and she cried so much.”

“She was still too young to know what she was saying back then though?”

Dad shrugged nonchalantly and responded.

“Even if she was young, she was old enough.”

“Your father is like this, hm?”

Finally, Mom came into the dining room and sat next to me.

“Did you sleep well, my daughter?”

After a light peck on the cheek, I fixed my eyes on the food that the maids brought in. Every time stories from when I had yet to reincarnate in this body came up, I couldn’t help but feel the pit of my stomach getting heavy.

I knew that there was nothing that I could have done about this, but I couldn’t get rid of the idea that I was shamelessly taking the place of this family’s real daughter.

“Look, Father, our Rin is embarrassed now. How long will you bring up that story? She’s an adult now.”

“I intend to tell that story ‘til the day I die, you rascal. Come now, let’s eat. You’ll have to go to the garrison alone today.”

“Oh? Where are you going, Father?”

At David’s question, Dad looked at me.

“My daughter asked me to find a few things, so I’ll be going to the Yuria Kingdom for a little while.”

“Yuria?”

“Ah, Honey. Since you’re going there, be sure to buy some of that, too,” Mom said.

“Yes, yes. Ask and you shall receive, my dear wife.”

While listening to my family’s conversation, I recalled Ciel for a moment, who had been in this house only a few days ago.

Since he also remembered the past, would he be able to understand me…?

I wanted to ask him. Were there times when he also felt like an outsider amongst his family? Were there times when he thought, as expected, this isn’t my place?

Still, the thought of going back to where I came from never crossed my mind. My family had already shown me what love felt like, and I couldn’t let go of that.

No—I’m sure he doesn’t experience what I feel.

As I shook off the useless, momentary thought, I scooped up a spoonful of soup and brought it to my lips.

“My daughter, is it good?”

That’s right. It was a useless thought.

After our meal, Dad finished preparations for his trip to the Yuria Kingdom, and we went outside to see him off.

“Since there’s a lot to buy, I think I’ll be away for about two weeks. David, be sure to take charge of the garrison while I’m gone, and take good care of your mother and Rin as well.”

“Don’t worry, Father. Have you gone on trips just once or twice until now?”

“Right, my boy.”

“Still, it seems like you’ll be away longer than usual this time…”

Hearing mom’s concern, Dad guffawed jovially.

“Our Rin is craving for something she wants to eat. It’s only right that I go get it, yes?”

“Oh my, is that so? My daughter, what is it that you’re craving for?”

“I heard that there are unique ingredients in the Yuria Kingdom, and I got curious.”

There weren’t any rumors about the Korean food made by the saintess yet, so it’s not too late to get ahold of them. I really hope that Dad could get the distribution rights for those ingredients faster than the guilds of other noble households.

It was frustrating how I couldn’t help my family that much yet even though I had already come of age. Still, there were other things I could do.

We saw Dad off as he departed on his trip, then we saw off Brother as well when he headed for the garrison to work. After doing so, I linked arms with Mom.

“Fufu, did you know, Rin? This mom of yours likes taking walks with you the most.”

“I like Mom the most, too.”

“Heavens, the men of our family are good at getting into meaningless squabbles, aren’t they? They don’t even know that our daughter’s favorite person is her mother.”

As we continued our pleasant chat, Mom stopped to take a seat on a bench in the garden. She patted the seat next to her, gesturing that I should sit next to her. Unlike earlier, her expression was slightly stiff now.

“So, my daughter. Can you be honest with me?”

Quickly sitting next to her, I asked, puzzled.

“Of course, Mom.”

I was already keeping two big secrets—that I had reincarnated, and that I was a Guide—so, I wanted to be as honest as possible about everything else.

Looking straight into my eyes, Mom asked me quietly.

“By any chance, my daughter… Have you fallen in love with His Grace?”