As soon as I came out into the hallway, I hurriedly checked the area where Emil had been hit. There was already a bright blue bruise at the corner of his eye.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“That’s going to take a while to heal.”
Rather than being concerned about the bruise’s pain, Emil inquired about something else.
“Velsia.”
“Mn?”
“You didn’t answer me earlier. Do you think I did something wrong?”
It was a really hard question since I didn’t know what to say. After hesitating, I finally managed to answer.
.
“You weren’t at fault, but it’s wrong to hit a person.”
“…Then I should apologize too.”
I hadn’t expected Emil to get into such a big fight with someone, as he’s always been quiet and thirsty for affection. I was sure I knew this kid.
‘It was my arrogance.’
I wanted to call a physician, but even if I kept waking, no one passed by.
“Don’t do that next time. I’d rather you hit me.”
“…You?”
“No matter how much I, mom, and dad try to protect you, your real family is Duke Callixst… You’re at a disadvantage.”
‘Ah, I recognize the way from there on.’
.
Just as I was about to ask for a physician to a servant I recognized from the playroom, a man was coming our way, guided by the same servant.
“Emil Laclen Roncist Callixst.”
Emil’s hand trembled in my grasp. It was Duke Callixt.
The servant exchanged glances between me and the duke.
I pushed Emil behind me, trying to hide him, but to no avail.
“Duke…”
“News travels fast.”
It would have been impossible to keep Emil’s altercation with Rastine from the duke’s ears, but I hoped he would find out later rather than sooner. Duke Callixt fixed his glasses and smiled reassuringly at me. It was a smile that somehow came across as kind at first glance…
“Step aside. This is a parent-child matter.”
“Emil has done nothing wrong.”
“Move.”
The glass in the duke’s eyes flashed with a cold light. Eventually, he grabbed me by the shoulders and shoved me aside. It didn’t hurt, but it sent me reeling. What happened next was at odds with his smile. Even with the temperature difference, I had no idea what was happening.
“Duke!”
As I tried to prevent it, frightened, a painful noise assaulted my eardrums.
Slap!
Emil endured the duke’s slap.
Believe me when I say I didn’t think the duke would raise his hand without asking about the circumstances of the situation.
“Duke, Emil–!”
