Chapter 183 – The Visible and the Invisible
It was a strange feeling.
We’ve been apart for almost 20 years.
No matter how much they are blood relatives, they have not even seen each other’s faces, let alone shared family affection for that long time.
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you, and I’d rather feel different from strangers beyond the awkward.
The only link between them is the lukewarm blood that runs through their bodies.
Nothing exists other than that.
“Oh… Did that happen? I never thought the twelfth brother would have such a romantic side.
“Uh-huh…! It’s so cool how he solves a difficult situation casually. In fact, my heart has already belonged to him since the first time we met.”
“Heh heh. I’m just embarrassed that you think so highly of my son.”
But, why the hell are they acting so friendly and affectionate?
Just like being a real family. Even in front of Alicia.
Should I consider that appearance disgusting?
Or do I have to accept the existence of a sister and a father who suddenly appeared?
Wolfgang was confused.
When a few hours ago.
Let’s just arrive at the home where not a single thing has changed over the long years, and that’s why it reminds us of our fragile childhood memories.
To be honest, I felt worse than I thought.
The uncomfortable feeling of being forced into clothes that no longer fit.
Still, it’s the place where I was born and raised, and I was looking around the mansion alone, driven by a strange feeling that I don’t know if it’s nostalgia or something.
The moment she happened to run into a young man with black hair and red eyes like her.
‘I’m sorry about that time. I have sinned to death. Please forgive me no… Please forgive me’
‘… Excuse me, but who are you?’
The discomfort intensified when he was immediately apologized for something from his childhood that he had vague memories of.
The sixth older brother, who is said to be the child of his second wife, was called Erich.
Apparently, he bullied his childhood self in a rather childish way.
They teased her for being the son of a concubine or accidentally tripped her while passing by. In a way that children of that age would normally do.
‘Okay. Please raise your head, brother Erich.’
However, to be honest, I didn’t think much of it.
At that time, Wolfgang was 5 years old and Erich was 8 years old. It was something from my childhood that smelled like milk, so I wondered if that could be the case.
So, it’s all in the past now, so even though I tried to go over well saying it’s okay.
‘Oh no! Please forgive me I can’t do it if I don’t get your forgiveness! If you want to kneel, kneel. If you want to lick your shoes, lick them. So please… ‘
With his pale face, Erich grabbed the hem of his clothes and servilely asked for forgiveness as if his life was at stake.
What will happen if you don’t receive forgiveness?
Also, Erich’s work was just the beginning.
‘I’m sorry, Bocchan!’
‘I sincerely apologize, brother.’
The brothers and vassals who had been harassing or bullying little Wolfgang from somewhere began to gather close to ten people and beg for forgiveness.
Among them, there were those who said they would offer their wives or fiances, and among the women, there were those who expressed their intention to offer themselves even if they wanted to.
‘I’ll do anything you want. So please…’
She was so shocking that I remember her name clearly.
Sosaeng’s fifth sister, Marie Rose.
She avoided her place as if she was quickly running away to the scene where she felt even madness somewhere.
It was because she instinctively realized that it would not be solved by trying physical therapy by squeezing a few or shouting at her.
It was a bizarre experience she would never want to go through again.
As expected, there was something strange about the Schwartz family.
So, thinking that it would be better to cut off the eternal ties, I thought about drawing a line properly.
I was watching with my eyes wide open to see if they would do something stupid.
Unexpectedly, the head of the household and his successor did not show any signs of trying to make a profit or subtly putting a line on the imperial family.
Wolfgang felt a deep sense of incongruity.
I don’t know if it’s because they’re wearing a very elaborate mask, or if they really want to be a family again, but at least so far, there’s not a single flaw to be found.
As a result, I missed the timing to intervene.
“Miss Hasene, why doesn’t she make her debut in the social world? You look so beautiful.”
“Oh my God? A girl’s appearance is nothing more than a firefly in front of the sun in front of a noble person. It would be embarrassing if you praised her like that…”
“Heh heh. My daughter is a bit shy, and because she is so busy with her successor classes, I haven’t had time to debut her in the social world.”
Alicia, who seems to have already formed a certain level of intimacy with them, is talking quite amicably.
It’s an ambiguous atmosphere in many ways to hit the candles now.
The middle of the day with arms crossed, feeling only a complex feeling that is difficult to describe.
“Brother Wolfgang. Why are you sitting still like that? The girl is saddened. The days when I was bullied for being the son of a concubine. I still vividly remember the times when my brother in a similar situation protected me. Could it be that you have forgotten what happened back then? ?”
“Oh my God…! That’s what happened…”
“…Hasene.”
Hasene, a doll-like girl who talks to Wolfgang with twinkling eyes.
Like ebony down to her waist, her long black hair and bright red eyes. The dark features that are tightly packed into her small face give off a somewhat magical feeling.
Although it feels a bit awkward to see her acting like her shy little sister to a man who looks like she can cook as she pleases in a matter of seconds.
Clearly, as she said, something similar had happened.
It was probably just a few days before meeting her master.
I remember her mischievous siblings trying to bully her on a little girl who must have just begun to walk, and I remember lashing out at her and telling her not to.
It must be because she felt a kind of sympathy.
It was so long ago that I completely forgot about it, but it was a memory that barely came back after hearing the story.
You seem to remember things from 20 years ago.
Either way, a girl called her sister is calling, but you can’t just ignore it.
After thinking about what to do, it was Wolfgang who gave the best possible answer.
“Of course I haven’t forgotten. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, so it’s just a little awkward. You’ve changed a lot from the past.”
“Hehe. You’ve changed a lot, too. Your dignified appearance is so trustworthy. Not a single image of your dainty childhood remains, so I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“What? Sir Wolfgang’s childhood?!”
On the other hand, as the story gradually turned to Wolfgang’s childhood, it was Alicia who showed intense interest.
Her face, which was slightly flushed, was filled with deep anticipation.
“Really? What was Sir Wolfgang like as a child?”
“Oh, is that something you’re curious about? It’s a very long time ago, but if the princess wants, I’ll try to trace it as much as I can, even if it’s a faint memory.”
“Ho, do you have any portraits?”
“Of course there is. Count Schwartz, as we have many brothers, attaches great importance to the record of each individual. So that no one is forgotten.”
Hasene smiled brightly at Alicia and gestured toward her outside.
She then appeared hesitantly, a woman with a weak-looking impression.
Wearing glasses so thick that she couldn’t see her eyes, she had a pale complexion as if she couldn’t see the sunlight at all.
“Luciola sister? Bring Brother Wolfgang’s record book. Right now.”
“Yes, Lord Soga.”
It was only polite words, and it looked like he was giving orders to his older brother as if he were a subordinate, but neither of them had any objections to it.
A figure that signifies that there is a clear order beyond birth order among family members.
Alicia, who was excited about the prospect of seeing her portrait of Wolfgang in her boyhood, also felt a bit uneasy about that appearance.
A twinkle shone in her blue eyes.
“…”
Adolf raises his left eyebrow slightly as if he is uncomfortable as the atmosphere suddenly cools down.
Not missing that subtle gesture, Wolfgang’s left eyebrow twitched in a similar way.
In the silence that came momentarily when the eyes of two men who looked exactly like each other met.
—Kick…
Was it just a coincidence that creaking noises could be heard through the gaps in the armor of the imperial guards lined up at the back of the drawing room?
“Excuse me. I brought the record book here.”
“…Whoops. Thank you. Luciola-sister.”
“Wow, wow…! Are you looking forward to it?”
The frozen silence was broken only after the arrival of a thick booklet containing a record of Wolfgang, the twelfth son of Count Schwarz.
“Kyaa! So, so cute! How can you be so lovely…”
“…If you make a fuss like that, I’m a bit embarrassed.”
“But, it’s cute!”
Even the most ferocious wild beasts are very dainty and cute when they are young.
The portrait of Wolfgang as a boy was very different from his present appearance, which had an impression that would frighten a child even when he was still.
It makes me wonder if this is the same person.
“Whoa. Looking at this portrait, it seems that the girl’s memories are coming back. Older brother Wolfgang in his childhood…”
Hasene began to explain with her calm face as she leaned toward her record concubine, and Alicia seemed to be listening.
Adolf’s gaze, which had been focused on her daughter for a long time, was finally withdrawn.
Eventually, he quietly got up from his seat with a friendly smile as if he had never done that.
Wolfgang also stood up immediately.
Even though they didn’t say a word properly, the two seemed to have a rough idea of what each other was thinking.
“Kuhm! Excuse me while you’re having fun, but can I have some man-to-man time with the kid I haven’t seen in a while?”
“Ah, of course! Conversations between family members are important. Please take your time.”
“Thank you for your consideration. Her Highness the Princess.”
After leaving the drawing room, the two of them walked down the hallway together without saying a word.
—Tboob, tumble…
The sound of two footsteps resounding in silence.
A strange commonality was felt in trivial aspects such as the steps taken and the length of the stride.
‘… What are we going to do with this?’
Wolfgang was reluctant.
To him, everything about this mansion and the Schwarz family felt awkward.
But he chose not to reveal it. No, I didn’t want to reveal it.
Despite being his real father, he was a man close to others.
Also, you can’t reveal your gaps in front of someone who doesn’t know what he’s thinking.
Could it be because the 20 years of experience have added to his skill?
The appearance of Adolf he faced today was very different from the unstable man in Wolfgang’s memory.
The footsteps of the two people, who were walking in a huge mansion worthy of the palace of a small country, soon stopped in front of the study.
Only then did his father turn his head toward his son.
“There is something I want to show you.”
