I Became the Teacher of the Imperial Family’s Bastard

064. Investigation (1)

It didn’t take long to figure out where Aria’s strange behavior originated from.

I didn’t hear it directly from her, but my personal maid, Emma, subtly told me.

―While the young master was away, the lady received education! She said she would teach her the mindset of a royal… and the lady quickly became more dignified after learning various things!

At the part where she proudly shone her eyes, I almost said, “Do you remember whose maid you are?”

But aside from that… yes.

It was clear that Aria was trying to imitate my sister.

It was an understandable cause and effect.

I, who used to play with Aria, left the capital.

I had told her before leaving that I was going on a secret mission to protect the Cheeseburger Kingdom, so she couldn’t tell anyone about it.

And staying in the capital, the crown prince, who used to play with Aria and change her perception, was also gone with me.

For a child who was already cautious just being in the capital, where could she find refuge?

It must have been our mansion, where there was no one to give her a hard time.

That’s why she got closer to my sister.

They weren’t just occasional playmates even when I was around.

There must have been education during that time.

Indeed, my sister is a very upright person.

Even to me, who praises her for everything, she would give advice on things like table manners.

She must have been irritated by Aria’s frivolous behavior.

Thus, the education we received one by one must have led to this result.

But you know,

Seeing the result, I can’t help but think a little.

“I worry about the young lord who has returned as a Paros!”

When I see Aria speaking confidently with her chest out, I can’t help but question it.

“Why are you a Paros, Your Highness? You are an Orteer.”

“Umm…? Ah, no! The great Paros said it! Everyone who received Paros’ education has the mindset of a Paros, so we are Paros!”

Aria confidently asserted why she is a Paros.

Seeing that, my eyes narrowed.

I know how much my sister loves our family.

But even considering that, wasn’t the education too focused on Paros?

Even though she is a member of the royal family, is this right?

Isn’t it almost brainwashing to make her forget where she came from?

I let out a hollow laugh.

And then I taught her the reality.

“Still, you are not a Paros. Your Highness is clearly a member of the royal family, inheriting the royal blood.”

I said it with the intention of correcting the wrong part.

But the reaction I got was truly absurd.

Thud―!

Aria knelt down.

Then, with a bewildered expression, she said,

“Am I not a Paros…?”

What kind of obvious thing is she saying?

“No, you are an Orteer.”

“Then…!”

Aria’s eyes squeezed shut.

It was a level of despair reminiscent of when the crown prince took her cheeseburger.

“I learned the mindset, dining etiquette, and greetings of Paros, so why can’t I be one! Please, make me a Paros too!”

Aria grabbed my trouser leg.

But I don’t think that makes her a Paros.

“Please, I beg you! Aria can now even swallow broccoli whole!”

If swallowing broccoli makes one a Pharos, then how many Pharos are there in the empire?

He spoke firmly.

“What’s not possible is not possible. Your Highness, please ascend to Ortaire.”

“Ugh…! Is this the limit of birth…!”

Is it right for a royal to say such things?

More importantly, where does he learn to say such things?

It was at that moment I thought.

“How on earth can one become a Pharos!!!”

“What…”

What could make an outsider take the surname of Pharos?

Only marriage.

But I can’t marry this kid just to grant that request.

A six-year-old bride, ethically speaking, this is terribly wrong.

So, the conclusion.

“There’s no way. How can Your Highness become a Pharos?”

“Impossible…!”

Aria’s eyes welled up with tears.

It was the exact same expression as when the crown prince snatched her cheeseburger and ate it right in front of her.

It’s funny, but I can’t just leave the child like this.

‘What to do…’

Thinking, I soon came up with an answer to cheer Aria up.

“Shall I make you a burger? With a new recipe.”

Aria flinched and trembled.

Then she glanced up at me with fish-like eyes.

Where did the look of despair from just a moment ago go?

What was now on her face was clear excitement.

“…What recipe?”

“I found some nice spices while I was away. When made into a sauce, it has a sweet combination that I think would be quite good.”

“R-right now?!”

“Of course.”

“Let’s go!”

Jump!

Aria stood up from her seat.

It seems this little one is indeed a single-celled organism.

* * *

In the end, Aria tasted the new burger recipe and returned with a beaming face.

Saying she’ll come again tomorrow, she must think this place is her playground.

Anyway, leaving Aria’s matter aside, my sister returned that evening.

Having returned from the tea party, my sister hurried over to me and examined my body.

“Are you unharmed this time? I was worried because there was no letter. It’s such a relief to see you safe.”

Seeing her unusually talkative, I felt a twinge of guilt.

I didn’t send a letter from Igrosia, thinking information might leak, but it seems that caused her worry.

During dinner, I reassured her and talked about recent events.

Mostly about what happened in the capital while I was away, rumors, and such.

“There were rumors that the young lord was injured in the last incident at the papal office and is in seclusion. Pretending not to know was quite a hassle. Ah, when Lord Drenor came to inquire, it was really…”

When will that terminal rumor ever die down?

No, now I think it will never disappear as long as Lord Drenor is alive.

Why does that man come to inquire and stir up misunderstandings?

I started to think that maybe it’s time to clear up this misunderstanding.

It was during such trivial conversations.

I also heard about Aria.

“Nothing moves a child like admiration. It’s an instinct to want to be like the admirable adults around them. The princess wanting to become Paros must be due to the young lord’s influence. You’ve shown her many admirable aspects.”

The reason for her obsession with Paros is said to be her admiration for me.

From noble mtl dot com

I felt a bit embarrassed, thinking she was overestimating me.

The reason I didn’t refute was because my sister seemed so proud.

Anyway, after such conversations ended, a question was asked.

“So, there won’t be any more long trips?”

“Yes, I don’t think I’ll be leaving the capital for a while.”

Finishing the business with Girgoer was the first thing.

I had roughly thrown it at the Papal Office, but shouldn’t I at least handle the aftermath?

There were many other things to investigate.

They were related to the Order of Fate or the Apocrypha, and those were things that could only be known by digging through history, secret histories, and unofficial histories.

“I will probably handle various matters within the system, but I will return by evening. I will make sure to attend the dinner with you, sister.”

Saying so, my sister gently smiled.

Is this what it feels like to be filial?

It was a moment of pride.

“Then, during the free time, the engagement…”

“…Ah, I don’t think I’ll be home during the day for a while. I have a lot of work piled up.”

A topic I didn’t want to come up had surfaced.

I hurriedly cut off the conversation and made a polite refusal.

Thankfully, my sister did not press further.

“That’s unfortunate. What are your plans for tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow…”

Hmm, I had thought of something to do for tomorrow.

Fortunately.

“…I think I’ll visit the Papal Office.”

There were quite a few things to handle there as well.

* * *

The morning at the Papal Office was early.

This was because there were many priests coming and going for dawn prayers even before the sun rose.

In addition, the priests guiding the external believers were busy, and the holy knights in charge of the Papal Office’s security were also busy.

Perhaps the Papal Office was busier than the royal palace in the morning.

But by the time the morning passed, the busyness of the Papal Office disappeared.

Since it was generally a static space, everyone lived their day quietly.

Even in such a Papal Office, there was someone who was particularly busy all day.

Needless to say, it was Saint Historia.

“Saint, here are the documents.”

The bishops came in, pulling trays full of documents.

Historia, who was sitting in the office, glared at the documents with hollow eyes.

Why am I so obsessed with processing these documents?

If I had to give a reason… it was to fill someone’s absence.

‘Berheim…!’

With the current Saint Berheim’s death, Historia became the highest decision-maker within the Papal Office.

In other words, due to the title of Saint, she had to handle all the important documents of the Order of Fate and the Order of Hope alone.

It was only after things turned out this way that Historia realized.

Why she had been able to go on volunteer activities and leisurely drink tea until now.

‘How did you manage all this…?’

Berheim’s workload was murderous.

Where did the ability to handle such work every day without any trouble come from?

She pondered, but no answer came.

Just one clear fact.

Historia was withering away under the documents.

It was at that moment.

Ding―!

The bell rang.

Upon hearing the sound, Historia immediately stood up.

“Ah, it’s time! I’ll be back!”

“Sa, Saint! Just this document!”

“Later!”

Whoosh!

Historia’s figure distorted and disappeared in an instant.

It was an escape that could be called the footwork of a Swordmaster.

The destination was Ias’s hospital room.

It was a patient directly entrusted by Yuren, and perhaps Yuren might visit the room.

With that thought, Historia fiddled with her hair as she headed to the hospital room.

She even used her divine power to rub her face and tidied up her disheveled clothes.

As she did so, she felt a sense of resentment.

Historia’s lips pouted.

‘If you had returned, you should have stopped by.’

Indeed, how heartless Yuren had been.

After disappearing for weeks, he returned and just threw a letter of introduction, not visiting the Papal Office until today.

That was what made it all the more disappointing.

The reason for the disappointment… was close to self-justification.

‘I, I have the right to know what happened too!’

As a related party, shouldn’t I be informed about the movements of the mastermind?

Though she tried to wrap it up like that, it was an excuse that only worked for herself.

“Oh dear, Yuren isn’t here.”

As she opened the door to the hospital room, Gilgore smiled brightly and teased Historia.

Historia quickly composed her momentarily sullen expression and replied.

“I, I wasn’t waiting for him or anything?”

“Uh-huh, I see. You weren’t waiting.”

Historia glared at Gilgore.

She had heard that he was the true master who completed the current Igrosia.

She couldn’t believe how astonishing it was that he was in such a child’s body.

But putting that aside, it was true.

“Such jokes are not good.”

“I wasn’t joking.”

“Anyway.”

“Eeh…”

“Master, should I kill him?”

“Hold back, Ias.”

Historia let out a hollow laugh.

She couldn’t understand what was going on with the man who talked about killing the person who treated him and Gilgore who responded so slyly.

In the end, all that came out was a sigh.

Realizing once again that Yuren hadn’t come today, Historia quickly used her divine power to heal Ias’s body.

Whoosh!

The divine power spread with wings of light, restoring Ias’s body.

A recovery ability close to divine authority.

If only the visual embarrassment could be managed, there was nothing quite like it.

Historia took a deep breath and said,

“It’s over. If you receive treatment for about another week, you’ll be able to run just fine.”

When they first brought him in, he was such a wreck that it was hard to tell if he was dead or alive.

But Historia, being inherently kind, felt a sense of accomplishment as the patient was recovering and stood up.

“Don’t eat anything too stimulating. Your intestines are still not fully healed, so it’s best to stick to porridge.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind. I guess exploring the city’s market will have to wait.”

“Hmm, I heard the food here is quite delicious. What a shame.”

“I’ll try to get better quickly.”

Historia chuckled softly.

It was because she felt a special bond between them.

Anyway, the work was done.

There was no point in sitting any longer, so Historia stood up.

There was no vitality in her sluggish steps.

It was clear from her whole demeanor that she didn’t want to go back to the paperwork.

It was at that moment.

“Saintess!”

Historia’s body jolted.

Her body reacted first to the voice of the bishop calling her.

“I-I’m coming! I’ll go and sign it!”

“No, a guest has arrived!”

“What?”

When Historia tilted her head in confusion, the bishop approached and whispered.

“Lord Pharos has come to see you.”

At that moment, Historia’s eyes sparkled.

* * *

Finally crawling out… no, visiting Yuren, Historia took a moment to compose herself.

For some reason, she felt that she shouldn’t run straight to him with joy, so she adjusted her expression and walked slowly to the reception room.

“Ah, it’s been a while.”

“…Yes.”

Historia’s lips twitched momentarily, but she managed to hold it back.

She chastised herself for reacting without reason and took a seat, briefly observing Yuren’s appearance.

It was just as she remembered.

A slightly rough impression, with ashen hair and violet eyes.

His expression seemed calm.

“It’s been a while.

Have you been well?

I thought you wouldn’t come since you only sent a letter.”

Those words almost slipped out, but Historia held them back somehow.

It felt like she was whining about him not coming immediately.

‘First, a greeting.’

Just as she was about to speak.

“Saintess, is there a faction within the Order of Fate?”

“…….”

Straight to the point.

Historia’s expression turned a bit sullen.