ALL NOVEL chapter 34
34 – Advice, and Investigation
Grandfather looked slightly puzzled at his grandson, who was saying strange things from the beginning. But as I continued to look at Grandfather seriously, he straightened up and began speaking.
“Eldest son…you’re talking about Viscount Dalefred, right?”
“Yes.”
Naturally, our mother is not Grandfather’s only descendent.
Although our mother is the only daughter of Grandfather, just like Queen Regent Richard and Princess Celenor, she has numerous male siblings.
I was asking Grandfather how he raised the eldest son, Viscount Dalefred, and Uncle Patrick, as this was essential information for carrying out the “plan” I had in mind.
“I don’t know why you’re asking this, but it was more difficult to raise them than I thought.”
“Why is that?”
“I was fine as a knight or lord back then, but as a father, I was a complete novice.”
Grandfather spoke with an expression that seemed to be filled with regret.
“I grew up being scolded by my father for everything, so I also used to hit the eldest son whenever he made a little mistake, just like my father did to me.”
“Well, I was hit a lot by my father too, so it’s not particularly surprising.”
“Did your father hit you as boorishly as he did your lot? I didn’t hit my children as much as your father did. Anyway, when I hit that bastard Patrick and reprimanded him, I thought he wouldn’t disobey me any longer.”
“It seems like Uncle Patrick didn’t listen to you very well?”
“Yeah, the more I hit him, the more he rebelled and acted up. Instead of learning martial arts, literature and rhetoric, that rascal drew useless pictures. He was a stubborn one.”
As Grandfather spoke, he gestured with his head as if the mere thought of it gave him a headache.
“Then, as he grew older, he wouldn’t even pretend to listen to me. Eventually, he threw away the path I had prepared for him and suddenly left home, saying he wanted to be an artist.”
“I’ve never heard that story before…”
I was quite taken aback by this past behavior of Uncle Patrick, which was quite different from the image I usually had of him. Whenever I visited the manor, I had seen a gentle, intellectual image of Uncle Patrick. I knew he was good at drawing, by medieval standards, but I never knew about this stormy period in his life…
“I was so angry at that time that I didn’t even think about going out and killing him. And then, a few years later, he comes crawling back like nothing happened. He even brings along a commoner wife!”
“Could it be that the misfortune in the marriage of our great-grandfather’s child began from here…”
“But, strangely enough… I wasn’t angry when I saw Patrick’s face. No, I was actually glad.”
“What?”
“I started recalling the things I did to him while he was gone. Looking back, the problem was that I raised my own children with such strictness because I had been heavily educated by my father. He must have wanted to play and do things he enjoyed like drawing, but I made him study all day without any breaks and forced him into knight training, so it was inevitable for him to rebel.”
“…”
“Patrick is not this Hayden guy.”
“Great-grandfather…”
I realized that it was my mistake to think that since I did something, he would be able to do it too. I learned that while raising Patrick’s siblings. Children are children, and parents are parents. Although there may be some resemblance between parents and children, they are never exact replicas. Remember this when you have children of your own. It’s good if your children surpass you, but you shouldn’t bully them just because they can’t?”
“Yes, I will remember.”
Anyway, now that I’ve realized that I was wrong to him, I worry about him. Considering how furious I was, he didn’t even write me a single letter after leaving home. I don’t even know if he survived or died during all those years. How deeply troubled must this Hayden be inside? In such a situation, when that scoundrel appeared in front of me unscathed, I didn’t even notice what he was carrying beside him. When I saw his pitiful face, tears instantly welled up, and I hugged him tightly, crying for a long time. Well, thinking back now, it’s a bit embarrassing…
I didn’t expect this side of great-grandfather. It felt somewhat new.
That night, Patrick and I had a sincere conversation, just the two of us. I told him how I had done wrong to him and genuinely apologized, and he also apologized to me, shedding tears as well, admitting that he had hurt me as his child. So, we made a promise that day. This old man would no longer push him excessively into studying or training and support him in doing what he wanted. And he promised to do his best, as long as nothing goes wrong and follows what this old man instructed. That’s how your uncle and I reconciled.
Did your aunt just easily accept it at that time?
She had already gone to the local church and received the blessing of marriage from the priest. Why did this old man have to ruin that? Once you’re married, you should live together until death. If he had stayed quiet, this old man would have naturally introduced him to a suitable bride. But what can you do when someone brings their own luck?”
Great-grandfather pretended to laugh but seemed somewhat disappointed that his eldest son had married a commoner.
Well, I heard that ever since Patrick married a commoner, our family has faced subtle exclusion in social circles. From father’s perspective, grandfather must feel uneasy.
Actually, if great-aunt had to be removed, there would have been various ways for great-grandfather to handle it (and it could have been easily dealt with). But after going through the effort of reconciling with his eldest son, he probably didn’t want to strain their relationship by mistreating his daughter-in-law again.
Anyway, thanks to hearing great-grandfather’s story, the outline of my “plan” began to take shape.
“Thank you for your wise words, Grandfather.”
“Why? Are you leaving now?”
“Yes, I remembered something I need to do.”
“Alright, then go.”
I bowed to great-grandfather’s gesturing and left the room.
Thud!
“Huh, strange. Why am I suddenly feeling this way…”
Hayden grumbled as his grandson left the room.
Soon after, leaning back in his chair, he smiled.
“It seems you’ve developed an interest in childcare all of a sudden. Hmm, who could it be? Lina? The princess? The mercenary lady? It wouldn’t be Princess Celenor, right?”
It was none other than Duke Lurain, who hit the nail on the head with his wild guesses.
I encountered Lina, Nirsara, and Satrisha as soon as I came out of my great-grandfather’s room.
“Lina, can you investigate what kind of person Lady Godmilla was when she first entered the palace? Look into the maids who seem a bit older rather than the young ones.”
“Huh? Suddenly…?”
“Oh, right. If this gets back to the Duke and he knows that I ordered it?”
“Um… think of it as the price you paid for the sugared bread you ate.”
“Sigh…”
To Lina, I entrusted the maids,
“Teacher, I have a favor to ask.”
“Oh, what is it?”
“Can you investigate the maids in the palace about Lady Godmilla?”
“…If it’s because of me that you’re doing this, maybe you should stop…”
“It’s not about that. I’m just curious about what kind of person Lady Godmilla was.”
“…Well, if that’s the case, I’m relieved…”
To Nirsara, I assigned the task of investigating the knights,
“Satrisha, I have something to ask you.”
“Yes? What is it?”
“Can you gather information about Lady Godmilla’s impressions from the knights in the palace?”
“Huh? Most of the knights are nobles, so it’s a bit difficult for me to approach them… and what are you going to use that information for?”
“It’s alright. You’re also famous as a hero of Silverwood within the palace. If you talk to them, they might actually welcome it. And as for the information, don’t ask, I’ll take care of it.”
“This feels suspicious…”
I entrusted Satrisha with gathering information about Lady Godmilla from the knights within the palace.
Prince Dolis or Prince Doria could also provide information about Lady Godmilla, but they would most likely share biased memories of their own.
To obtain accurate information about Lady Godmilla, the opinions of third parties are necessary.
While information about Lady Godmilla is somewhat necessary for my “plan,” it is also crucial to determine how I will handle her based on the information I obtain.
“Godmilla, let’s see who you really are.”
As I was jumping around, a few hours later, King Your Majesty suddenly summoned me.
It was a proposition to have lunch together with the princes and princess.
Without hesitation, I accepted the proposal.