Chapter 116 Not Completely White, But A Bit Of A Failure
The atmosphere had become awkward, but Sara finished her lunch and stood up from the table. Then Robert also stood up and lifted Sara up in his arms.
"Stop it! Why do you and Grandfather always try to carry me around?"
"You're small and cute, and we haven't carried you in a while, right?"
Robert's words made Marquis nod in agreement. Next, he took a step forward as if it was his turn.
"I'm not a child anymore! I'm not that small!"
"No way, you're still small! You're like Blaze's and Jeff's kid, and you're going to be my daughter from now on!"
'Ugh... This isn't the time for that. Uncle is such a failure!!'
"That's still under consideration. Besides, Uncle is single, so even if I become your daughter, I can't have a mom, right?"
"Yeah, well, that's true."
Robert subtly averted his gaze.
"Uncle, I've been wanting to ask you something..."
"What is it?"
"Do you like Miss Rebecca?"
Robert burst out at Sara's question.
"That's dirty trick!"
Marquis, who was trying to take Sara away from Robert, scolded him.
"Sorry, Father."
"Be more careful from now on. She's still a child, and you get flustered just because someone points out the truth."
"No, no, Father!!"
'Ah, I knew Grandfather was thinking that too...'
"Isn't that the truth?"
Sara pressed Robert further, who was getting flustered.
"So, that's... um..."
"You're not being clear, are you?"
"How did you know?"
"Well, anyone can see it if they look, right, Grandfather?"
"Hmm..."
"That can't be!"
'Uncle is just like he's going through puberty at his age.'
Sara looked around the room and called out to the servants.
"Everyone else noticed it too, right?"
The servants present also nodded in unison.
"Ah..."
"Uncle, it's better to convey your feelings to Miss Rebecca properly. Although I got you involved, it seemed like Miss Rebecca was quite surprised by the atmosphere earlier."
"Rob... As your childhood friend, I'll say it, but you're just playing around during the season, and even Revi knows that. You're just gathering information at the brōtḥel, and she knows that too, but it's not like you're being completely honest, right?"
Jeffrey rarely lost his composure in front of the Marquis, but he warned Robert.
'Oh my, Uncle is popular, isn't he?'
"Hey, Jeff, what are you saying in front of Sara?!"
"It was Sara who pointed it out, after all."
"I thought it was probably for investigation purposes, but... Uncle, you're not being completely honest, are you? That's disappointing. And besides, can Sir Jeffrey really say that to you?"
"What do you mean, Sara?"
"Yesterday, Miss Rebecca asked you, Sir Jeffrey, if 'Jeff would take care of me?' and I overheard it. And then she replied, 'You can't think about it,' didn't she?"
"Sara, you have good ears, don't you?"
Sara and Jeffrey exchanged glances, smiled knowingly, and teased Robert.
"What's that? I didn't hear it, Jeff."
"Rob, I didn't say it like that, so..."
"Didn't you say you wouldn't remarry, Jeff?"
"Well, if we can keep Revi in Grandchester, it wouldn't be bad to be tied down by friendship, would it?"
"Hmm... That's a good idea, Jeffrey. I agree too."
It seemed like the Marquis was also joining in on the teasing. Without hesitation, he snatched Sara away from Robert's arm.
"Well, if Sir Jeffrey's wife lives nearby, you can still be friends, right? But Uncle, are you okay with that?"
Robert's face fell.
"...Revi is no good for me. A long time ago, I asked Revi to leave the house with me, but she rejected me on the spot. I just wanted her to think about it for at least one night."
"I would have rejected you too."
"What, why?"
"Because Uncle, you only said 'let's become adventurers together', didn't you? Normally, wouldn't you say 'I like you' first?"
Then, everyone in the room glared at Robert with disapproving eyes.
"Yeah, I invited her to leave the house together. But why do you know that, Sara?"
"I heard it from Miss Rebecca, though?"
"Ugh, this is the worst."
Marquis looked at Robert, who was scratching his head, with a pitiful gaze.
"Robert, you're even more foolish than I thought. If you had wanted to save Lady Rebecca back then, I would have supported you with all my might. But why did you suddenly run away and become an adventurer?"
"Uncle, Miss Rebecca said things like 'you're not realistic' and 'your sword skills are mediocre, and your magic is only good for firing small fireballs'."
"Hahaha, that's so true, Sara. Lady Rebecca has a good eye for men."
"It's just like I'm no good, isn't it?"
'This is exactly what's wrong about you, Uncle.'
"Isn't it obvious? A noble's son who's never earned his own money suddenly becomes an adventurer and expects to make a living? Even her parents thought things through a bit more when they eloped, I think."
"Robert, you're so thoughtless, you'll run out of money and get lost soon."
"Yes. If Miss Rebecca were here, she would probably take care of Uncle, though."
"That's for sure!"
"Sara, Father, isn't that too harsh?"
Sara easily brushed off Robert's protests.
"Uncle, you're old enough now, so don't you understand how reckless you were back then?"
"Yeah, I was foolish back then. I loved Revi and wanted to protect her, and I believed that as long as I had a strong will, I could survive anywhere."
Suddenly, Sara's expression turned lonely.
"That's right, isn't it? As long as there's love, I think. But, Uncle, the reality that resulted from your reckless actions is what's happening to me right now. Because my parent was abandoned by their family, they have no relatives to rely on, and my mother won't become someone's mistress, so she's left with only her daughter (me) to care for."
"Sara, that's..."
Sara's monologue pierced Marquis's heart more than Robert's.
"I'm sorry, Sara."
Marquis tightly hugged his granddaughter, who was on the verge of being lost.
"Ah, I apologize. I got a bit carried away. But, Uncle, I think Miss Rebecca, who probably understands reality better than you, refused your invitation. Am I the only one who feels that just shouting about love and acting recklessly isn't as meaningful as having a deeper and stronger connection with someone?"
'Hmm, as far as I can see, Miss Rebecca seems to like Uncle. There are plenty of better men out there, though...'
Sara lightly tapped Marquis's shoulder, indicating she wanted to be put down. Marquis reluctantly placed Sara on the bed, and she walked towards Robert.
"Then, Uncle, let me ask you a simple question. Don't you want to marry Miss Rebecca?"
"Of course, I do. But..."
"If you want to marry her, you should confess your feelings and propose. Even if she rejects your proposal, she won't quit being my governess, so you can still be friends."
Robert looked down, meeting Sara's gaze.
"Wouldn't it be bothersome to confess?"
"I don't think she's the type to feel bothered by someone confessing their feelings, but you'd know that better, Uncle. However, time might be running out. Miss Rebecca is the only lady who has been granted the freedom to choose her own love and marriage by the king, without being bound by family or national obligations."
Then, Robert looked down, ridiculing himself.
"It's because she's free that I can't confess... Revi is really beautiful, and she's still young, and her brain is amazing too. Even His Majesty himself has given her permission to choose her own partner, but for a 30-year-old man like me who can't inherit a title, it's just embarrassing to propose to her, right?"
"It's Miss Rebecca who decides, not you, uncle. In the end, uncle. you're just afraid of being rejected with decisive words."
"Anyone would be scared of that, of course."
"Even if you get rejected, what's the difference from now?"
"At least I can keep hoping, right? She knows how I feel, and she still came to Grandchester Castle."
Marquis placed his hand on Robert's shoulder and lifted his face up.
"Robert, don't think you can convey your feelings anytime you want? Like me, don't wait until it's too late and regret it. Make sure to convey your feelings clearly."
"Father..."
"It's just an illusion to think that showing your actions will get through to the other person. You can't neglect to convey your feelings with words. No, even if you use words and actions, you can't convey all of your feelings."
Marquis floated a self-deprecating smile.
'Grandfather also has complicated feelings, doesn't he?'
"It doesn't matter where I get rejected, it's not going to change anything."
"That's true, nothing will change, I suppose."
"Yeah, it won't change."
"Aren't you two being too harsh on me? Or are you assuming I'll get rejected from the start?"
"Well, yeah."
"Your hopes are thin, aren't they?"
"That's right. The waiting period is too long."
Everyone in the office nodded in agreement.
"What if Sara were in Revi's position?"
"I think I would have given up on Uncle a long time ago and moved on."
"Is it that bad?"
"Yes."
'Well, to be honest, I think it's 50-50. Miss Rebecca likes uncle, or so it seems. Whether it's friendship or love, even Miss Rebecca herself might not know.'
"Robert."
"Yes, Father."
"It's frustrating, so just do it already. Don't come to the office until then. Hey, someone prepare some flowers for that person."
The maid seemed to have gotten what she wanted and left the office.
"Uncle."
"What's up, Sara?"
"If you're dumped, I'll play your favorite song on the piano for you tonight!"
Sara smiled brightly.
"Why do you always talk like I'm going to get dumped anywayyyyy"
It's because Uncle is a coward.
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