Chapter 83 - Of all places, he collapsed here at my family's house
Translator: Yonnee
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"How in the world did you know that, Irene?"
When Baron Allen asked me, Mom turned to me as well.
"Oh my, Morgan fell ill as well, did he? Our Rin also recently suffered from a high fever."
"Hooh, by any chance, is there an epidemic spreading?"
"I should let my husband know about this. It would be dangerous if an epidemic spreads to the people of the fief."
"I'll look into it as well once we return to our estate."
The two of them began to talk seriously. However, I made a hasty excuse.
"That, um, I don't think that's the case!"
"Yes, I'd like to think so, too. Don't worry, Rin. This mother of yours will take care of everything."
"Hoho, yes, the Baroness will take good care of it."
Meanwhile, Morgan returned. He looked better than before, but he still had a red face as he said,
"Your guest has come out, Baroness. Will you be going there?"
"Oh my, really? Then, excuse me for a moment. Rin, come with me."
Mom grabbed my hand and quickly led me away. Rouman had come here on behalf of the duke, so the common courtesy of seeing him off couldn't be avoided.
When we reached the entrance of the mansion, I caught sight of Dad and Rouman. Neither of them seemed to have pleasant expressions, but they seemed to at least be staying polite with each other.
As Mom and I approached, Rouman faced me.
He looked at me for a moment, perhaps wanting to say many things, but he only greeted me courteously.
"I'll be seeing you again, Madam, Lady."
Then, he put on his hat and climbed into the waiting carriage. Many of the employees there were waiting just in case the gifts wouldn't be carted back, but they all sighed and got into the wagons.
The long procession moved in unison and began to exit the mansion's grounds. Finally, after confirming that the last wagon had left our residence, I let out a small sigh.
I'd been worrying that I might have put my family in a difficult spot, and I glanced at Dad with a look of relief.
However, instead of the caring and pleasant smile that he usually had, what I saw was a cold expression.
Rarely would I ever see him gritting his teeth and clenching his fists.
Despite returning to the duchy without so much as a retaliation, perhaps Rouman threatened Dad with something.
The momentary weight of anxiety that pulled me down turned into displeasure. No, it turned into resentment against Ciel. I found myself clenching my hands into fists as well. If I really wanted to, I could go and ambush him while threatening him with my guiding.
It was absolutely unacceptable for anyone-anyone at all-to try and lay a hand on my family.
"Dad..."
With a frustrated heart, I called Dad quietly, but he soon turned to look at me. He walked up to me in a blink of an eye, lifted me up and shouted in a loud voice.
"Does that thief think I'll let him have my daughter?!"
"...Dad?"
"Yes, Rin! I'll protect you! I didn't think he was that kind of man, but in the end, he's actually shameless!"
Not only was the only duke of the empire being called a thief, but even a shameless man. The anxiety rising within me went down. I was worried that I had indelibly brought disgrace to Dad, but...
On the contrary, Dad was reassuring me now, acting as he usually did in front of me, though he was still a little different.
"Hoho, Arthur. It might be too much to call His Grace as such though."
Baron Arthur interjected, speaking reproachfully. With a sharp glint in his gaze, Dad replied.
"I don't care whether it's the Duke or the Crown Prince, I'm never handing over my daughter to anyone!"
"Good grief, this man."
Baron Allen gave a helpless smile, but he went to business immediately.
"That's right, I had all the boxes moved to the warehouse you told me about, so you should check them. I don't want to be misunderstood later."
"Ahh, yes, of course. I had to listen to such absurd things the moment I got home, so it slipped my mind."
"But tell me, why did you suddenly buy the regional products of the Yuria Kingdom? Not only that, but you bought so much..."
"Oho, am I not allowed?"
As Dad set me back down on the ground, it looked as if he was trying to gauge how to navigate this conversation with Baron Allen. But as though I didn't notice, I spoke up.
"Dad, did you buy what I told you to get?"
"Of course I did. It's what my beloved daughter wants to eat, so isn't it only right that I got it for you?"
"The distribution rights, too?"
I recalled how Mom had been worrying over the estate's budget recently. The estate needed more funds this time, so I noticed that she had been cutting the budget for our residence.
However, it's obviously not easy to change the amount of money to be used for a mansion to the barest minimum.
Apart from our finances, our household had no problems. That's why I persistently asked Dad to acquire the distribution rights, even if it was to the point of forcing him.
"Hooh, so it was Irene who wanted it," Baron Allen commented. "But why in the world do you want spices that aren't even being used in the Empire?"
While contemplating what answer I should give to him, I realized that Morgan was breathing roughly beside me. The sound was so unusual that our eyes inevitably turned to him immediately.
"Morgan?"
"Kgh, huhk, F-Father..."
