Though I Don’t Recall It, I’ll Take Responsibility - Chapter 8

“The Master has returned.”

I was in the middle of a meal with Ral when Melissa, the maid, announced this in a voice tinged with tension.

Well, technically he isn’t the “Master” of this house yet, but I didn’t have the luxury of making such petty corrections.

“He’s back?”

I leaned forward involuntarily, and Melissa gave a deep nod.

“Yes, he has arrived.”

I hadn’t misheard. Wait, you’re joking, right? He only just left! He should have only just reached his estate, so why is he here already?

Did he not listen to a word I said?

No, surely that’s not it. If so, it must mean he went home, grabbed his daughter immediately, and turned right back around to come here.

From the hallway, hurried footsteps approached.

“I’m home! Aira, Ral!”

Leonard-sama appeared, swinging the door open with great vigor. He was out of breath. He definitely ran here.

“Oh? Father. Where is my sister?”

Ral peeked curiously behind him.

“Indeed, what happened to your daughter?”

“Hmm? I brought her with me, of course.”

I scanned the area, but there was no sign of a child anywhere. Where? This hall wasn’t exactly large enough for a little girl to hide in.

“Where is your daughter?”

I asked again, a hint of irritation bleeding into my voice.

“Ah, the maid is bringing her up now.”

“Where. Is. Your. Daughter!”

“A-Ah, she’ll be here this second, just wait a moment…!”

Why on earth would he leave the girl with a maid just so he could stroll in here by himself? I don’t understand him at all.

“Fufu, Mother, she’s here! My sister.”

Ral stared intently at the door. I could feel his heart swelling with anticipation. A nervous but happy tension played around his mouth. Seeing him like that made a smile slip onto my face.

“Yes. Are you happy?”

“Yes! Ah, but I haven’t cleaned my toys yet. What should I do?”

“Fufu.”

He must be nervous; he was panicking over the strangest things.

“It’s late today, so you’ll play tomorrow. You can just make them tidy then.”

“Okay, I’ll do that!”

Ral nodded enthusiastically.

The moment the door swung wide again, a bright little face peeked in. A small shadow was tucked into Leonard-sama’s arms. Her golden hair looked as if it were dancing in a breeze as it caught the light.

My goodness! How darling!

That golden hair looked as soft as silk, and her eyes were a clear green, just like Leonard-sama’s. Her small limbs were slender, showing her youth.

But still.

She rested in Leonard-sama’s arms much more naturally and without hesitation than I expected. There wasn’t a trace of reluctance; she seemed completely at ease. I suppose he actually functions as a proper father. He certainly looks used to holding her.

Leonard-sama smiled gently as he crouched down, slowly letting her feet touch the floor. The little girl took a step forward, letting go of her father’s hand with a light grace. Every single gesture made my heart flutter.

“Come now, introduce yourself.”

The girl stole a glance at me, her eyes widening, before hiding bashfully behind Leonard-sama’s back. However, her way of hiding was so childish. She thought she was hidden even though she was completely visible that it was quite funny.

I wanted to rush over to her, but her large eyes looked anxious and slightly watery…

That’s right.

When I thought about it, there was no way the adults around her had been saying nice things about me. Perhaps she was terrified.

The girl opened her mouth while fidgeting, her hands clenching and unclenching.

“I am Clarice. I am f-four years old.”

Adorable. Simply too adorable.

She was holding up… four fingers. She said she was three, but held up four.

She looked like a doll so delicate she might break, and her plump little cheeks made me want to nuzzle them.

I knelt down to match her eye level. Ral mimicked me, crouching down at my side. He stared intently at Clarice.

“So, your name is Clarice. I wonder what your nickname should be. Hey, Mother, how about ‘Liz’?”

Ral suggested this with a cheerful, happy grin.

“That’s lovely. Liz. It’s cute.”

I agreed instinctively.

“Clarice, may I call you Liz?”

Clarice tilted her head with a look of slight confusion, then gave a firm nod and smiled.

“Liz, my name is Raphael. I’m your big brother.”

Ral puffed out his chest.

“Big brother?”

“That’s right, Liz’s big brother. Let’s get along, okay?”

“Yes!”

Liz’s gaze slowly shifted toward me. Looking into those eyes, a mix of nerves and curiosity, I lost my breath for a second. Her tiny hands were shaking just a little. She must be sensitive to the atmosphere of the adults around her.

“I am, well… Mother?”

“Mother!”

Liz beamed like a flower in full bloom. Eh? What happened all of a sudden?

“Yes… that’s right. Er, the person who is going to be your mother? No, I am your mother. Will you call me that?”

“Yes, Mother!”

Liz stepped out from behind Leonard-sama hesitantly but with certain steps. Oh? Oh my? She headed straight for me.

I gently opened my arms.

The next moment, her small body leaped into them with great force.

“Fufu, Mother.”

…! She is so cute. My son is cute, but my daughter is cute too!

Inside my arms, Liz giggled as if it tickled. The butler and maids showed relief on their faces, and the tension in the mansion finally thawed.

My own eyes crinkled in a smile. Ral reached out from beside me and gently stroked Liz’s hair.

As for Leonard-sama, who looked moved to tears for some reason. I don’t really need to give him a reaction, do I?