Though I Don’t Recall It, I’ll Take Responsibility - Chapter 7

“You two seem to be having such a wonderful time. May I join you?”

Emerging from the shadows of the path was Leonard, pretending he had just arrived—though it was obvious he had been lurking and watching us for some time.

I knew you were following us the whole time.

—But actually, the timing was perfect.

“Lord Leonard. Do you have a daughter?”

“Eh? Did I not mention it? I have a daughter who is three years old.”

“No, I had not heard a word of it.”

I felt my eyes narrow sharply.

Until now, I had thought of the “wife” he spoke of as a pitiful victim.

A woman who was about to be divorced, drugged with an aphrodisiac, became pregnant, shut herself away due to mental distress, and eventually abandoned her child to elope. That was the story, wasn’t it?

Certainly, it must have been painful for her.

However, the daughter is three. And the elopement was also three years ago. In other words, she abandoned a newborn baby and fled.

There is no room for sympathy in such an act. She simply chose her own happiness over everything else, didn’t she?

“If my memory serves me correctly, Lord Leonard, you have been at this mansion ever since I regained consciousness, have you not?”

“Of course.”

For some reason, he puffed out his chest with pride. Where did that confidence come from?

“Then, does that mean your daughter has been all alone this entire time?”

“Eh? The servants are taking care of her, so…”

“You are her only parent, are you not? What are you doing here, leaving a three-year-old behind?”

“I was worried about you. I’ve assigned her an excellent lady’s maid, and she isn’t literally alone…”

“Mother. Father hardly ever goes back to the other house,” Ral added innocently.

Ral’s guileless “tattling” poured oil onto the fire of my anger.

“N-now, Ral. Don’t say such unnecessary things—”

“Do not scold Ral. And you, please leave immediately.”

“Leave? But this is my home too…?”

“—I am perfectly capable of moving out, you know.”

“ッ…!”

I wasn’t joking in the slightest. If anything, I already had permission from my parents to live at their estate whenever I wished.

Leonard’s face twitched.

“To begin with, what are you doing about your work?”

“I’ve taken a leave of absence. My family member collapsed, after all.”

“I am not your family. I am your mistress. Did you take time off for the sake of your mistress?”

“Aira, please don’t say such heartbreaking things.”

Did he really say that at his workplace? “Please let me take a leave because my mistress is unconscious.” There is no way he could have said that—not if he had an ounce of common sense.

“By the way, where are you employed?”

“I am a financial officer at the Royal Palace.”

A position that oversees the national finances. A chill ran down my spine.

“I am fine now, so please return to work starting tomorrow. Cancel the rest of your leave.”

“Eh, tomorrow? I’m still worried…”

“Do you intend for us to end up on the streets because you lost your job?”

“Father, it’s okay. Mother has me, so she’ll be fine.”

“Even Ral is against me. My colleagues know the situation. It’s fine.”

There is no way it is fine. They are undoubtedly appalled by you.

I looked straight at Leonard, my gaze piercing him like an arrow.

“Return to the mansion where your daughter is waiting. And get back to work. That is the end of this conversation.”

“S-so… eh? Surely, you don’t mean that I should never come back to this house again?”

His voice was hurried, desperate for an answer. But I simply stared at him in silence.

“N-no. Please reconsider, Aira.”

Seeing Leonard’s panic made me turn cold and analytical. He is the one providing the money, after all; telling him never to come might be.

“Very well. Then let us change the conditions.”

I slowly let the corners of my mouth curl upward.

“Whenever you come here, you must bring your daughter with you.”

“My daughter? Is that really alright?”

“It is not a matter of ‘alright.’ Leaving her alone is a far greater wrong.”

“I-I understand. I’ll do that. Then, I suppose I shall head back to the other mansion.”

Leonard turned away with a dejected expression.

“Take care, Father!”

Ral waved energetically from my lap. Why did Leonard make such a bitter face at that smile?

…Honestly, how childish.

After watching him depart, Ral tilted his head.

“Is Father’s daughter coming soon too?”

“Ral, she is not just ‘Father’s daughter’ or ‘that woman’s daughter’.”

I stroked Ral’s head and spoke clearly.

“She is your younger sister.”

“…My sister?”

“Yes. As the older brother who was born first, you must protect her and cherish her. She is only three years old. While you are eating here with Father and me, she is surely eating all by herself.”

Ral’s expression clouded over.

“That she must be lonely.”

“Exactly. That is why Father went back to the house where she is waiting. And next time he comes here, he will bring her along so she won’t be alone anymore. You can get along with her, can’t you?”

“Is it okay for me to get along with her?”

Ah, I see. Lara must have told him before.

“You must not get along with her.”

I gave him a soft smile.

“Of course. If you two get along, Mother will be very happy.”

“I can do it! I’ll show her around this mansion. I have to clean up my toys, too. We’ll play together. I wonder if she looks like me?”

“You are siblings. I’m sure you look alike.”

“I can’t wait! I want to meet her soon!”

Ral’s eyes sparkled. What a straightforward and kind child.

I will absolutely protect this boy. With these hands, I will lead him toward a proper future.

Yes, I’ve decided. I will be the one to raise him right.