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“Adopt Katarina’s younger siblings.”
Lonwell’s office.
I spoke, leaning against the window, looking at the children admiring the huge garden.
“…nonsense. Why should I?”
“So that you can live for a while.”
Last night, after a long talk with Katarina, we decided to leave the children with Lonwell.
Because I cannot take kids on a trip.
At first, Katarina was opposed, but she eventually gave a nod to my repeated persuasion.
“Raise the children in the best environment possible.”
One of the reasons she was persuaded was the environment. Unless you chance upon luck, you can become a big person only by playing in the big water from childhood.
But what about the environment surrounding Katarina’s younger siblings?
Slums.
A community infested with all sorts of losers and societies’ trash who gave up living faithfully and covet others’ things.
Even if they come out of the slums, the only place the children can stay while Katarina is gone is orphanage.
It’s hard to say that it’s a particularly good environment.
On the other hand, what about Lonwell?
The count of a kingdom and the master of a rich noble family that has amassed enormous wealth.
Power and money.
When that is in place, networking naturally follows.
The perfect environment for children to pursue their dreams.
‘I was worried that the kids might recognize Lonwell…’
Katarina had reassured me she was the only one who saw Lonwell’s face that day.
""
Luckily her siblings don’t know.
“It’s the family you destroyed in the first place. You have to take full responsibility.”
“…”
“Henry, the eldest, says he wants to become a knight. Apprenticeship and systematic study is an option. Or send him to the Imperial Academy. The second, Brenna, says she wants to marry a nice guy. Either get her set up with a suitable noble or send her to the Imperial Academy. And the third…”
I listed the children’s dreams to Lonwell, which they had confided. As long as it’s not something outrageous, Lonwell would be able to accomplish it.
“What if…”
After patiently hearing about the children’s dreams, Lonwell opened his mouth with a dry expression.
“If I raise the children well according to your words… can I be forgiven by my child?”
The dry expression contained a ray of hope.
“No, you will never be forgiven.”
But I had no such glimmer of hope.
Although the various circumstances were a tangled mess, and he was Katarina’s real father, and had helped her behind her back…
“It doesn’t change that you killed Katarina’s parents right in front of her eyes. So let go of unnecessary expectations.”
Katarina would want to kill Lonwell, even now.
The reason she held back that urge was to wait until her inner turmoil subsided and for the sake of her younger siblings.
Lonwell put on a bitter expression.
I looked at him, his figure forlorn, and continued .
“But maybe… If you raise the children happily and nicely, even if she don’t forgive you, won’t she at least allow you to look at her from a distance when she becomes a great dancer someday?”
Lonwell’s eyebrows eased and the corners of his mouth rose slightly.
“…that’s enough.”
It wasn’t long before he returned to his dull expression again.
“I would like to thank you again. It didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to, but in a way, it made for a better result.”
“None needed. It wasn’t for you, it was all for Katarina. Raise the kids well, I’ll thank you for that.”
“…As rumor has it, you are a good person. Not a surprise actually, naturally my child would develop feelings for you.”
“Yes?”
The conversation took a sudden turn.
As I tilted my head, Lonwell looked at me with a dead serious expression and said, “But as it is, even though I’m not qualified to call myself the father of my child, if you ever make her cry… I swear I’ll make you regret it even if I have to risk everything.”
Oh, father-in-law standard warning?
I smiled and replied.
“Don’t worry. I can’t give you surety when in bed, but I’ll make sure that she never cries otherwise.”
“Ah, good. That’s good… wait, what?”
Lonwell, smiling and nodding in relief, suddenly turned stiff.
“Did you just say… bed? Wait, you can’t be… can’t right? You two haven’t even gotten married yet… No, no, I must be…”
“Mhmn.”
Lonwell’s eyes quavered.
His face, which seemed to take the dry look as a trademark, turned red like a volcano on the verge of exploding.
“That bastard! Kill that bastard right now!”
And the volcano erupted.
Lonwell’s protectors hiding in corners burst out and charged at me.
“Damn it, why do you have to be so conservative, father-in-law?”
Breaking through the window, I hurriedly bolted out.
* * *
Even after escaping from Lonwell’s mansion, there was plenty of time until we were supposed to meet up at the port.
So I walked into the Coffin of Starlight, requested Cassia, and entered a separate room.
The room was dark and windowless.
However, the faint scarlet lantern on the wall illuminated the room, creating a strange atmosphere.
Waiting for time I left uncounted—
-Kruch!
—the door opened and Cassia entered.
“Quite late, aren’t you? I thought I was forgotten again.”
“Sorry. I had some work.”
“Whoa, am I getting an apology for that?”
There was a gold bracelet I hadn’t seen before on her arm as she stroked my cheek in a cute way.
That was not the only thing that was different from the last time.
Her clothes were also more revealing.
Before, even though risky, her attire could be cataloged into the category of regular clothing. But now, all of her coppery brown skin was exposed except for the black cloth that covered important areas.
Her earrings, her belt, and many other accessories she wore were bonuses.
“So, you entertain every guest like this? I know it is nominally a place that sells dances.”
I said looking around the strange room.
Cassia smiled.
“A place that sells dance, right? Really, that’s what you thought?”
Instead of answering, I looked as she took my hand and stroked it on her waist and pelvis. She put a finger on my chest and whispered into my ear.
“Wanna change your mind?”