Chapter 182 The Turbulent Dinner Party Iv
"Sorry, Edward. I know you're doing your best."
Marquis spoke to Edward, who was rarely enraged, with an apologetic tone.
"That's it again, isn't it? Even during the riot the other day, you scolded me, saying 'Can't you even sense this much?' right after it happened. And then you said, 'You're an ideal lord in peaceful times,' but there's no such thing as true peace for a lord. Nobles families are always on guard against each other, and countries compete for their own interests behind the scenes. If you had reported various information to me earlier, we might have been able to prevent the riot. It's not me who doesn't understand, it's Father."
Edward shouted at Marquis. For him, who had always been obedient to his parents' words, this was an extremely rare thing to do. No, it was probably the first time he had ever defied his father.
However, Sara suddenly interrupted the atmosphere, walking up to Edward and calling out to him.
"Uncle, hug me!"
It was an extremely sudden request, but as a father of 3 children, he reflexively picked Sara up.
"You're better at hugging than Father."
"I have sons and daughters, after all."
"You're good at hugging me even when you're attacked or restrained."
"I did get treated, didn't I? It hurt, though."
"Well, I could've treated you without hurting, but..."
"You're a terrible person."
"I think you're a good person, but sorry. I didn't think you were being pushed that far, Uncle."
"I didn't think I'd be driven this far myself. I'm really not doing well for my age."
Edward let out a small laugh.
"You laugh just like dad did when he was alive. You're really his brother, aren't you?"
"I'm not as good-looking or smart as Arthur, though."
"But, my dad said his older brother is a hard worker. His next older brother is clever, so he's good at avoiding studying."
"Haha, that's true."
"And he said, 'The guy who married his first love is a lucky man.' I guess my dad's first love wasn't my mom, after all."
"That's right. Arthur's first love is Liz, anyway."
"Ehh, I didn't know that. So, my dad had a thing for older women. That means my aunt was my mom, right?!"
"Good thing I didn't know that."
"I'm glad I'm just a commoner's daughter."
"...Sorry. I shouldn't have said something so heartless."
"I'm sorry I hurt you too."
Sara clung to Edward, and Edward gently patted her back.
"Thanks, Sara. I'm calm now."
"You're welcome."
Noticing Robert looking at them with envy, Edward smiled and said to Sara,
"So, will you become my adopted daughter? I'm better at hugs than Rob."
"Please stop, Father is about to cry. And Chloe is giving me an envious look."
Then Chloe shouted in indignation!
"I'm not envious at all! I'm already 12 years old, you know!"
"Is that so?"
Edward looked a bit down.
"Uh, maybe you were a little envious...?"
Sara patted Edward's shoulder and beckoned Chloe over. Edward lifted Chloe up with a knowing look.
"Yeah, you've gotten heavier."
"Father! Those are words that shouldn't be spoken to a lady!"
'That's so true. Why can't Grandchester boys ever keep their mouths shut?'
Deep down, Sara was sympathizing with Chloe, when suddenly Robert lifted Sara up from behind.
"You're terrible, Sara. Why is Ed better at holding you?"
"It's a fact. It's probably because of the difference in childcare experience, right?"
"Then I'll hold Sara every day too!"
"Don't say stupid things, just go and have a kid with Mother already."
"Ah, yeah. If Revi helps out..."
Robert had a loose expression on his face, looking really laid-back. Edward was also smiling slyly. Maybe he thinks they're similar, brothers-wise.
But thanks to Sara, the atmosphere had become more relaxed, and Marquis was slumping his shoulders in frustration.
"What have I been doing all this time...? I couldn't see the previous generation's will, and after Nora raised the successor with great care, I ended up driving my youngest son to his death. And I couldn't even notice the embezzlement, nor the intentions behind the riot... what kind of useless man am I?"
"I'm sorry, Father. I said too much."
'Ah, he's getting stuck in a negative thought loop.'
"Grandfather, thinking like that all alone is more gloomy than profound."
Marquis looked up at Sara.
"Sara... you pointed it out, and I realized it. I'm the one who abandoned my child-rearing responsibilities."
"Yes. Clearly, Uncle is the victim here."
"That's right."
"Sara, don't blame Father that much. It's my fault for not understanding Father's intentions."
Edward stood between Marquis, who was feeling down, and the others.
"My grandfather called uncle a 'noble supremacist.' I think he's probably right. Even the kids in our family are starting to act like that, and it's really annoying and gross. Have you noticed that our family is becoming really snobby and unpleasant?"
"That's..."
Edward looked down, his face hurt.
"But that's also a part of being proud as a noble. Uncle is proud to be the son of grandfather and grandmother, and he's aware of his duty as a descendant of the Grandchester family. That's why Uncle is able to endure even the unbearable things. I was foolish not to realize that until my uncle opened up to us."
"Sara..."
For some reason, Edward was gazing sideways, and Chloe, who was in his arms, was gently wiping her father's eyes with a handkerchief.
"Ah, sorry. I thought Ed was just a stuck-up, annoying guy."
Robert confessed, and Rebecca, who was standing next to him, looked slightly embarrassed. It seemed like she felt the same way.
"That's terrible, Rob! Edward is doing his best, thinking that's all he can do, and you're saying that?"
Elizabeth supported her husband with a smile.
"Uh, Aunt. You're getting tired, right? You can't hide your true nature anymore. Maybe you should've tried harder with your ladylike education. Right now, you're at a level where even Miss Rebecca would give you a failing grade."
"What did you say?!"
"Heh-heh."
Rebecca, who was standing nearby, couldn't hold back her laughter.
"Mother, please don't laugh right after being praised as a great governess. It's not very becoming."
"I-I'm sorry. It was just too accurate, and I couldn't help it."
Rebecca couldn't help but laugh with a "kkkk" sound, unable to maintain her ladylike facade.
"Well, I think it's against the rules to expose yourself in front of the guys, but you just couldn't help it, haha!"
"There's no excuse for that!"
"But even Auntie has her limits, right? I mean, the Grandchester guys are always observing women, and it's creepy. You must've noticed already..."
'That's right, isn't it? The Grandchester guys are always observing women, and it's really annoying. I wonder why they're so clumsy...'
"This is so gross!"
"Well, it's definite that you've noticed, Aunt. They're definitely scheming something."
"Oh, she's just a little bit scheming, and that's what makes Liz cute."
"That's not just a little bit, okay?"
As the siblings' argument continued, Elizabeth looked like she didn't know where to put herself. Her ladylike facade was completely gone. Feeling sorry for Elizabeth, Sara decided to change the subject.
"It looks like this is going to take a while. Shall we take a seat?"
While 8-year-old Sara was fine, 12-year-old Chloe would be a burden even for Edward to carry. But, just as the fathers thought they would put their daughters down when they sat on the chairs, they ended up sitting down with their daughters still in their arms.
'Ahaha, the effects of hug therapy are amazing, aren't they?'
"Grandfather, why won't you look at Uncle properly?"
"Edward is too similar to my old self. After my 2 brothers passed away, I suddenly became the Young Marquis, and I was overwhelmed by my duties, unsure of what to do with my right or left hand. My relatives doubted my abilities, and in social circles, I was looked down upon as a young noble who had just graduated from the Academy. Well, both of those are facts, so I can't deny them. But I was proud of being a direct descendant of the Grandchester bloodline, and I took a haughty attitude towards my relatives."
The Marquis let out a self-deprecating laugh and fell silent.
"If uncle is like grandfather, then won't the future be secure?"
"I had Nora, so..."
"But uncle has an aunt, don't you think? Just now, Aunt said, 'Madam Eleonora said I'd be Ed's wife.' Isn't that what Grandmother chose?"
"Nora and I had a promise. The children wouldn't have a political marriage, but we'd let the kids marry whoever they liked."
Elizabeth reacted to this statement.
"Wait, please. I was told by my parents to marry Ed, and I thought I was chosen by my mother-in-law."
"Ah, that. I liked Liz, so Mother arranged the marriage."
"What? You never said that before! I thought it was a political marriage. You never said you liked me even once after we got married?"
'Ah, it's no use. Uncle is a Grandchester man too.'
"S-so, does that mean I'm not good enough to be the next Marquis's wife?"
"That's not it. Nora said that if Elizabeth is going to be the future Marquis's wife, it's better for her to be a little bit cunning. But if we leave her alone, she might become too arrogant, so let's keep an eye on her.' But I didn't even keep that promise with Nora, and I just sank into my sorrow."
"Cunning... is that so..."
'Oh no, Grandmother's last words really drove a stake into Aunt's heart!'
Eliza's face was completely pale. Rebecca was seen shaking her shoulders, barely holding back her laughter.
"That's right. But when I finally faced my sorrow, you two were no longer the people I knew. Your noble supremacy complex is getting on my nerves, and it reminds me of my old, unpleasant self, making me want to distance myself..."
Sara was feeling a stinging pain in her temples.
'This is ridiculous... truly ridiculous...'
"Grandfather, please stop making such stupid excuses. It sounds like you're saying Grandmother's death is the reason for this situation, and it's really unpleasant!"
"Father was truly grieving."
"Still, uncle, does that mean it's okay to abandon his duties? It's not a good enough reason. If that's the case, he should hand over the position of lord to someone else who can take responsibility. Are you going to say that he's the only one who lost family and is grieving? If the lord doesn't do their job properly, the people will lose their families next, don't you understand?"
To Sara, who had lost both parents, the Marquis's words and Edward's words sounded like nothing but ridiculous excuses. At the very least, her mother Adelia had worked hard to protect her daughter Sara even after her father's death.
"Uncle too. If you didn't want to become the Young Marquis, you could've just quit on your own. The reason you didn't was because deep down, you didn't want to give it up, right? Besides, you're always flaunting your title as the Grandchester Young Marquis at social gatherings, and you and your wife are always putting on an act, thinking you're so cool. I know all about it."
"You're really disrespectful, you know that?"
"But didn't you, who hasn't even inherited the title yet, go around saying stuff like 'I'm the next Marquis, so show some respect'? And didn't you stir up conflict between factions? But that's not even using uncle's power, is it? I think the other party is just laughing at you behind your back. It's like what kids say, 'I'll tell my dad on you!'."
"So, you're going to... well, never mind. If I say something stupid, I'll get physically punished."
'Oh no, I've been found out!'
"Uncle, it's time you showed off your real abilities. If you're not going to let the lord (your father) interfere with the territory's management, then you should take action on your own. If you really care about the people, why don't you make your own decisions and return to the territory? And why do you rely on bureaucrats? You're always using information to your advantage in social circles. Why don't you break free from your father's shadow?"
"N-no, it's not like that..."
"Honestly, I'd love to just ignore this pointless parent-child misunderstanding. But unfortunately, you two are the lord and the next lord. Do you understand how many people will be troubled if things continue like this?"
"..."
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