Volume 5 Chapter 225, Until Silva Gets Used To It_5 (: Grey)

Translator: Nonon

Proofreader: Silavin

 

POV: Gray

 

“… So you came to me to talk about accepting the recommendation? Do I have it right, Gray?”

“Yes.”

 

As the saying goes, ‘strike while the iron is hot’, so having made up my mind, I decided to act. After excusing myself from Kriem’s group, I returned to our mansion where Lord Clo was.

After guiding Lord Gen and Lady Sumi to Lady Canary’s house, Lord Clo saw them off as they left Shiki and went back to his duties as the Territory Lord. Therefore, I thought I shouldn’t get in his way, but given the fact that I was asked what I wanted to do when the matter of recommendation first came up and because I wanted to solve this matter as soon as possible, I reported to Lord Clo the moment I arrived, despite fully aware how rude I was being. Lady Violet was apparently preparing for the dinner so she wasn’t here.

 

“Phew… Haah…. what’s wrong all of a sudden, my Disciple?… why did you suddenly run off?… and what do you mean by enrolling in the academy…?”

 

Then, Lady Apricot, who chased after me, questioned my actions while catching her breath.

I explained the details of the recommendation for early admission to Azalea Academy, which I hadn’t mentioned before because I hadn’t decided whether to accept it yet.

 

“So that’s what happened. Hmm, the principal seems to have quite the eye for talent, to be able to discern my Disciple’s talent.”

“Why are you the one acting smug?”

 

As we spoke, Lady Apricot’s breathing calmed down. She was doubtful initially, but when Lord Clo showed her the recommendation letter with anti-forgery seal on it, she seemed convinced it was true.

Lord Clo was puzzled why Lady Apricot was feeling proud, but I was happy to be the object of her pride. A smile almost escaped my lips but for some reason I didn’t want to smile right now, so I forced myself to keep the expression from showing.

 

“But why did you suddenly decide to accept it? You were so hesitant before.”

“That’s…”

 

When Lord Clo asked me, I hesitated, not knowing what to say. No, it wasn’t that I didn’t know what to say; I just did not understand why I had suddenly made that declaration.

However, I definitely had the feelings of ‘I have to say it now’ and ‘I don’t want to be left behind.’ In other words, I…

 

“When I saw how happily Lady Apricot was chatting with other students from the academy, I remembered that she was also planning to attend the academy. I thought that if I also had an opportunity to go, it would be best for me to study together with Lady Apricot, who’s also my Master.”

“That’s a good idea. I think I have a good Disciple, but that alone shouldn’t be alone to make a decision, you know?”

“No, it’s a good opportunity. Besides, if I go now, I’ll become Kriem’s junior, and if I have even a few acquaintances, I think it’ll be easier to get along at school.”

“Hmm, that’s certainly true.”

“….”

 

Yes, I wanted to study alongside Lady Apricot. Besides, if I enroll in the academy now, Kriem will be a year ahead of me. People who drove Lady Violet away would also be there, but as I said, it’s more important to have acquaintances close by. In fact, if I set a good example and act strongly, I might even be able to dispel the bad reputation of Lord Clo and Lady Violet.

Hearing my explanation, Lady Apricot seemed to have been convinced, but for some reason, Lord Clo remained silent.

 

“Still, a recommendation? I’m certainly worried that my Disciple wouldn’t be able to do well in the capital, or that skipping grades would be looked at with prejudice…”

 

After reading the recommendation letter, Lady Apricot handed it back to Lord Clo and looked at me with a worried expression.

Her concerns were valid and unavoidable for me as long as I attended the academy.

 

“No, the biggest concern is whether the principal has the same sexual inclination as Mr. Bligh.”

“If it’s true, I’m absolutely not letting my Disciple enrol.”

“I know.”

 

I wonder why. I think the way Lord Bligh looks at me is a different kind of gentle look from Lord Clo and the others.

 

“…Well, isn’t your biggest concern that he might leave your side? He would be ‘leaving the nest’ as they say.”

“I won’t deny that. Besides, if people find out that he’s my and Lady Violet’s Son, he might be treated differently and there’s also the matter of the Dragon’s resurrection…”

“The Dragon’s resurrection? Is that what you’re worried about, Mr. Clo?”

“… No, don’t worry about it. Anyway, a certain Royal trash might also think about doing something if he finds out Gray is my Son…”

“You’re right… if we ask Ms. Mary, she might be able to provide protection to some extent so nobody can lay a hand on him… No, that’s where I come in! As your Master, it’s only natural that I would protect my Disciple so you can rest assured! With my powers, it is an easy task!”

“But there’s the difference in gender, and you two can’t be together all the time, right? Besides, independence is important for growth. If he continues to solely rely on you, there would be no point in going to the academy.  But if you two do end up going together, I’ll be counting on you, Apricot.”

“…Hmm.”

“Lady Apricot?”

 

Lady Apricot, who had been speaking about many things, reacted to something Lord Clo said and tapped her chin with her staff as she pondered. When I called out to her, puzzled by her behavior, Lady Apricot looked at me and gave me a different look than usual.

 

“… No, it’s nothing.”

 

As Lady Apricot said this, she seemed to be looking somewhere else, even though she was facing me.

…It felt like there was something different about the way she looked at me.

 

“Well, I have many concerns, but if it’s something you decide on your own, I’ll support you, Gray.”

 

As I was wondering about Lady Apricot’s gaze, Lord Clo stood up from the desk where he had been working and approached me.

 

“Is it really alright?”

“Didn’t I tell you that I wanted you to decide what you wanted to do?…. We need to resolve the matter with the principal as soon as possible…”

 

Lord Clo had a somewhat anxious expression, but he said he was about my actions.

However, his anxiety was not just about me; he also seemed to be worried about something else. Could it be related to the ‘Dragon’ he mentioned earlier…?

And it also seems like the principal might be involved somehow.

 

“Even if I have my worries, I’m happier that Gray made the decision for himself.”

 

With a gentler tone than usual, he took another step closer to me.

 

“See and experience all sorts of things. It will definitely benefit you someday.”

 

Lord Clo, I mean Father, smiled gently and stroked my head.

His hand was warm, and somehow large. It was a size I did not possess now. It was a size I knew could not acquire simply by growing older.

 

“… Yes, thank you very much, Father.”

 

Even though we’re not related by blood, and even though we’ve only spent a few years together unlike other Families, he’s still my beloved Father.

I should be proud to have a Father like Lord Clo.

And although I said it without a clear reason myself, now that I’ve said it, I intend to work hard to achieve a result that my Father can be proud of.

As Gray Heartfield, Son of Lord Clo.

 

“… That’s true. It’s such an obvious thing I wonder why I didn’t realize it before.”

 

As I made up my mind, Lady Apricot looked at us, muttering something in a quiet voice.

I was curious about what she said and was about to speak to her when… there was a knock on the door.

 

“Yes, it’s open so you can come in.”

“Pardon my intrusion. Lord Clo, just now… Hmmn? Gray and Apricot are here too? Welcome back.”

 

When Lord Clo gave this permission, Lady Violet, wearing an apron, entered the room. Seeing us, she greeted us, so I bowed and said, “We’ve just returned.”

Lady Apricot didn’t say anything and just bowed, which puzzled Lady Violet, but then she seemed to remember what she came here for and turned back to Lord Clo.

 

“Actually, Kriemhild and the others have just returned.”

“Yes. Are you planning on having an early dinner?”

“No, apparently Seyfried fainted so they need a place to let him sleep. I’ve already shown them to the sofa in the guest room.”

“What happened?”

 

I wonder what happened after that to have caused Lord Silva to faint,

He did seem emotionally unstable when we left, but fainting? Could something have happened? But then, asking to borrow a place to sleep seemed a little strange.

As Lord Clo and I were pondering the question, Lady Violet answered with a slightly hesitant tone.

 

“… Apparently, as they were returning to the mansion, Robot descended from the sky, and he fainted before he could not comprehend what was happening.”

“… I see. Let’s wait until he recovers.”

‘… You’re right. Hopefully he’ll recover by tonight’s dinner.”

 

 

Why would he faint just from seeing Lady Robot land?

For some reason, Lord Clo and the others seemed to find it understandable.

 

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Silva’s condition: He fainted while trying to remember common sense