After dinner ended and taking a bath, I feel better. Hopefully Sophie's calmed down a bit too.
"Sir Branford, this is Lady Sophie's bedroom. It has been prepared for both of you to share."
Sophie isn't inside yet.
I can let my thoughts run.
Our goal is to get stronger, it's not as if we can't do that here.
There really isn't a need for her to obsess over returning to the academy in the capital city. But why does she want to go back to the capital city so badly? There's an academy here in Eindell too. Sure it's not as prestigious but... I think it's fine. We could request a transfer. The request might take a while to be approved but that's fine.
It'll be peaceful in Eindell for a bit while the Blostmfell is out there. Ruvere might be doomed if they're not aware of the danger but the military probably already sent messengers.
The capital city needs to be informed as well. Hopefully they can send some elites to kill the Blostmfell and those foreigners that want its fruit.
I don't like being in a dangerous situation like this. Too many variables need to be taken into account.
Honestly, I've thought about it. A way to overcome all these annoying obstacles.
Revealing that I know Sophie's the Hero and forcing her to tell the world. It would solve a lot of problems instantly. Her parents wouldn't be able to bother her anymore. The instructors would devote all their time and energy to train her. The common folk would admire and respect her.
But how would Sophie feel about that? I don't think she would like it.
She wouldn't be able to or might not even want to spend as much time with me.
Given how she's kept it a secret so far. She hasn't even told me. She might wonder how I came to know about it.
In fact, she might even hate me for it. I don't want that...
----------------------------------------
"Hey, Keith! The bad pastor is going away! It's going to be okay now!"
I was expecting everything to go back to normal. It didn't.
He threw his doll at me and started punching me.
We both fell and he still kept hitting me.
Keith was mad at me. By now, I don't remember precisely what he said. But I do remember one line.
'I didn't ask you to help me!'
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
He probably didn't mean what he said. He did want help. Just not in the way I did it.
Because I revealed his secret, now everybody knew. That was my mistake. I won't repeat it again.
----------------------------------------
"Claud? Are you sleeping already?"
Oh, she's here. I was about to nod off.
"Can we talk about..."
About?
"What you and Mother talked about... After we are married. Our futures... Settling down. Here, in Eindell... Do you want to, Claud? Because I... I don't want to stay with my parents..."
Intense stuttering, she must be especially sensitive in her current state. I have to explain my thoughts cautiously.
-Willpower: 16/24-
"Sophie, there's an academy here. We could transfer here and still attend classes. It's safer than journeying to the capital city when there are so many dangerous situations we could face. Plus I'm hoping my arm could recover before we do decide to return."
"Classes here... they sound fine. I'm sorry, Claud. Even though I know you're injured, I'm sorry for being selfish..."
-Willpower: 15/24-
"Don't apologize. It's alright... I'll talk to your mother tomorrow about transferring both of us to the Eindell Academy."
"Thank you, Claud."
-Willpower: 14/24-
"We can stay in the dorms too, if you want to get away from home."
"W-we can't. Mother told me to keep you here..."
To keep me here? That swine is up to something. But I can't even begin to figure it out...
-Willpower: 13/24-
"Do you know why she asked you to keep me here?"
Sophie shook her head. Her eyebrows were seriously furrowed and her face was all scrunched up. I pinched her cheek to get her mind off it.
-24/50 Bad deeds completed-
-Willpower: 12/24-
"Hey, relax. Don't worry about it. Lets sleep now. We'll have plenty of fun tomorrow to make up for today. Since I'm finally free from that stuffy hospital~"
She's smiling again. Did something I say amuse her? That's a relief.
"Good night, Claud~"
"Good night, Sophie."
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"Matriarch Auguste, Claud Branford is here."
"You may allow the boy to enter."
'Allow the boy to enter'. Allow me to bust your face up. No stop that. Your emotions might show on your face.
-Willpower: 23/24-
"Matriarch."
"Young Branford... have you considered my offer to stay?"
-Willpower: 22/24-
"Yes. Sophie and I have agreed to reside here for the time being until we are able to safely return to the capital city."
"That is good to hear. How is your arm?"
-Willpower: 21/24-
"It's recovering."
"Hopefully it will be healed by the time of the wedding. It has been scheduled. Two weeks from now in the cathedral."
Two weeks? That's too rushed, isn't it?
-Willpower: 20/24-
"Matriarch, I discussed with Sophie. After the wedding, we'd like to transfer to Eindall Academy. We are continuing our training to become Academy Soldiers."
Her face warped. It was for a split second but I caught it. An expression of ugly fury.
"Training? You should reconsider your options. Especially since the two of you will be starting a family soon. However... it is important to provide for your family. You may continue as a soldier if you wish..."
So this is why she wanted to keep us both here.
"Your transfer will be permitted. However, Sophie is going to remain at home. She is going to be joyfully taking care of my first grandchild with me, safe at home."
If the husband or wife dies before a child is conceived, the marriage is considered annulled. This is a world with lots of fighting and monsters after all. It's a common occurrence. But that changes when they have a child.
'In the event, that either the wife or husband pass away, the surviving spouse receives all of the deceased's belongings'. An excerpt from a book on law.
And since Sophie is still underage, her wealth goes to the head of her family, the Matriarch.
I had thought it was strange that she wanted to safeguard Sophie. It's because she became a sudden fortune for her family. Taking care of her grandchild? She couldn't even take care of Sophie.
I really sincerely thought about letting this woman go free. Sophie would have forgiven something like this. She's her mother after all.
'I'm sure she cares about me in her own way', Sophie had said.
But I don't think I can let this slide.