Childcare Diaries - Chapter 38

“Ah, it seems that you are the one who caused a stir in the palace for a while. Raise your head.”

Though, the King did not have a very unpleasant voice. He rather seemed to know about him. Biddle took courage and raised his head. He hoped that the Chancellor would not be reprimanded because of him.

“You mean you did all this?”

“It is.”

This word barely came out of his throat. As he turned his eyes a little, he admired the expressionless expression of his superior.

He saw the king skimming through the documents.

“I should give you a prize.”

However, Biddle was perplexed because literally all the King did was quickly turn over the documents with his fingertips.

“Kentrail, if you checked, he’s done it right. Take care of it as it is.”

“Please check again.”

“It’s fine.”

He could see that the chancellor’s eyebrows were getting wrinkled. It was proof that he was angry.

“Your Majesty, what would you do if every time I played a trick on the documents?”

“Then, you should think that I’ve got the wrong person. Is there anything I can do?”

No matter how he looked at it, the rest of the people seemed familiar with this situation.

“Can I do whatever I want to reward Biddle?”

“Yes.”

Biddle was surprised at the sudden call of his name.

“Is it all right if I give him a nobility status?”

At those words, not only Biddle, but also the standing attendants and maid were astonished. They were staring at each other to see if they had heard each other properly.

“Chan…chancellor.”

Biddle barely squealed and stopped him. What do you mean by doing this if he was really serious? He himself had heard the rumors. It was a nonsensical rumor about how ignorant his superior was.

Still, the superior who he served next to was not like that. Though judging at this situation now, he wondered if the rumors were true.

“Huh, noble?”

Perhaps the King was thinking the same thing, so he made an unsure sound.

“Yes, I can’t give him a high rank, but if it’s a non-hereditary position, other nobles won’t be very much against it.”

“Leave the Chancellor and everybody out.”

Everyone hurriedly left the place at the king’s subdued voice. Before leaving, Biddle looked at his superior with an anxious look, and then quickly retreated at the voice of the chieftain urging him.

*** 

“What are you thinking?”

When there were only the two of them left, the king came down near Kentrail and asked, “I’m just begging you to give the talented people a place they deserve.”

“Yes, I know how much you care for him.”

The foolish official who came this far didn’t seem to be aware of it, though there was a lot of noise when Kentrail brought him under him.

It was originally a position where many nobles wanted to put their son in. However, the place was filled with a commoner whom they had never heard of, so there were a lot of words.

There were even rumors that the Chancellor took part in it. In addition, they were murmuring about whether the Chancellor’s parents had died from a similar incident. However, as a result of the investigation, Biddle’s family circumstances did not help.

In addition, the King gave official support, so that it fizzled out. Regardless, if he was given the title of nobility, he wondered if the chancellor had gone crazy all this time.

“In my absence, I can trust and entrust important tasks to him. It will be impossible to become a Chancellor, but if I put him down properly, he will become a useful person.”

“You’re talking as if you’re going somewhere.”

“I’m just pointing out someone you can trust when I’m not in the palace.”

“So, make him a nobleman, you mean?”

Kentrail didn’t answer. He didn’t even want to do this himself, but looking at the state of the nobles now, it was just suitable for the Kingdom.

He needed talent for the current King. He had occasional thoughts on how he himself was appointed Chancellor.

In fact, the count’s second son, Kentrail, had less political education than the eldest sons of other families. Rather, his classes were biased toward liberal arts. In addition, his older brother had barely returned what had been lost due to their father’s incident.

When he ascended to the Chancellor’s office, the opposition of the ministers was strong.

‘There is no one more reliable than him.’

The King placed him as Chancellor under a political burden. Still, he did not know that there might be many more days when he would not be able to visit the palace like this.

That meant he would have to take a long leave of absence or step down from his position as Chancellor. So, he thought it would be better to prepare in advance.

After all, there were good reasons and excuses. There may be opposition, but it was the king’s responsibility to suppress it.

“Now that the throne has been stabilized to some extent, it would be good to show the firm royal power by giving him the title of nobility.”

“….”

“Since Biddle has no backing, he will be satisfied with even the ranks of a common noble, and it will be helpful to your Majesty. At first, even the nobles will be furious, although if you think about it, they will falter because they don’t have much vested interests to be deprived of.”

“Haa… I’ll think about it.”

As the King said so, Kentrail was sure he would make Biddle a noble.

Although the King was not outstanding, he pursued a rational and logical choice, hence, he will know what to do if he wants to make his side.

He was dismissed from the audience with a slightly lighter heart.

*** 

“You’re late.”

It was Marie who greeted him. The two smiled as they remembered this incident that happened late one day.

“Are you waiting for me this time, too?”

“Unfortunately, the butler is absent now, so there is no excuse.”

Kentrail’s heart pounded at her candid words.

“That means…”

“Yes, I was waiting for you back then as well. It’s obvious. You’re always running so late.”

He suddenly became ashamed of even a single word of that, and his face went hot. Somehow, the older he gets, the harder it gets to be honest.

“…Thank you.”

While hesitating, not knowing how to express this trembling feeling, a blunt answer flowed out of his mouth. He was tempted to bite his tongue.

‘What do you mean by thank you?’

The young man didn’t like himself being immature.

“I’m glad you waited.”

In the end, this was the chosen and chosen word. Still, Marie smiled happily.

“Did you have a hard day today?”

It had been a long time since he had wandered in a pile of papers on the way to work, and she was saying that she felt sorry.

“It was as usual.”

But, Kentrail denies his own hard work.

“Lies.” However, when she saw his expression like that, Marie caught it and found out that it was a lie.

“What?”

Hearing her words, he was perplexed. How on earth can you make such a confident expression?

“Do you know that you have a peculiar habit of lying, Count?”

“What is that…?”

He asked quickly.

“I won’t teach you. If I teach you, the Count will surely fix it. So, just don’t lie to me. You can say it’s hard if you’re having a hard time.”

“….”

“Otherwise, I will never tell you, even if it is difficult or painful.”

In the end, it was Kentrail who lost his words.

“All right. I’ll tell the truth.”

“Did you have a hard day today?”

“It was a little difficult.”

Marie decided to pass over his lies. “Then, go and wash up. The butler instructed me to put water in the bathroom.”

“Yes…”

It was more exhilarating to see her, though he couldn’t keep himself from disturbing her sleep. Thinking so, he turned back silently and headed for the bathroom.

*** 

Brielle overslept after a long time.

As the cool wind started to blow, it became the perfect weather for a late sleep like this. At the same time, Marie and Ellie sat in the shade of a tree and started reading without waking the Young Master.

“This is a book that will help you understand literature.”

After hearing Ellie’s hopes for the future, Marie actively supported her. The Count allowed her to bring some of the books from the library and show Ellie.

“Yes, but maybe children like children’s books more.”

“It’s good to know literature to understand the meaning of children’s books.”

“Yes.”

The two talked a lot.

The more she told her story to Ellie, the more she hoped that the perpetrator would be caught without any big trouble so she could watch Ellie’s dream until the end.

“Sister, what’s wrong?”

Ellie stared at her book and raised her head, and asked her older sister.

“Ellie, you’ll do well. And, you’ll get along better with your teacher than anyone else. You know?”

“Then, my sister should be next to me to keep an eye on me and see if I’m good or not.”

Marie’s heart pounded at those words. She wondered if the child knew something.

‘Did I show too much of my anxiety?’

“Of…of course.” Still, Marie answered with a smile as she was afraid that even her sister would be worried. Fortunately, from afar, Brielle called the two of them by name and ran over.

“Marie! Ellie!”

“I think the Young Master is awake.”

Ellie watched her sister hurriedly get up from her seat. She then hid her trembling right hand as she struggled.

Meanwhile, He hurriedly approached the two of them.

“Why were you two alone?”

“Young Master, sleep a little more. You haven’t been able to sleep properly because it’s hot these days. You’ve even slept late.”

“I like playing better than sleeping.”

“You’re not tall though, is that okay?”

At those words, Brielle’s words slipped into her mouth.

“No, can’t do.” He whispered softly.

Marie, who thought that appearance was cute, lightly stroked Brielle’s cheek.

“Well, shall we shower and eat?”

“Yes. Okay. Today, I’ll try to get one hundred marks on the dictation test!”

Marie laughed at the young master’s aspirations. Up until this point, there was always one thing wrong, but seeing his cute aspirations like this, he must have slept late last night to study dictation.

He suddenly began to burn with enthusiasm, saying that he would show it to Barry when he came, probably because of a letter from the child a few days ago.

As she recalled the letter from Barry, Marie smiled sweetly.

[ To all the mansion people I love,

It’s almost time to wrap up the school year. How are you all doing?

Ellie, are you listening to your sister? I’m always worried about you.

Is sister Marie eating on time? Did you collapse again without me knowing? Then, I’ll be really mad.

And, Young Master, are you eating well, sleeping well, and growing up well? There are only three things the Young Master needs to do right now.

I don’t know if everyone is reading the letter or not.

I’m fine. Remember the friend you saw last time? I’m having a good time with him, too.

The changed roommate is also a good person. He’s in a higher grade than me, so we don’t see each other often, but we’re doing well.

It was really hot last summer, but I don’t know how everyone in the mansion spent it. There is a big tree under the practice room, so I spent my time there during my free time.

Oh, there’s a big tree in the mansion as well. Do you think the Young Master and Ellie would spend time there?

The truth is, it’s so awkward that I’m writing this letter. If Ellie and the Young Master had not urged me to write letters, this letter would not have been possible.

But, if Ellie continues to list the same sentences over and over again, she might not be able to see any letters anymore. The only thing they say every day is whether I am practicing well and when will you come? I’ll be able to go on vacation.

To be honest, I was a little moved by her letter. It seems like yesterday when she was writing a diary, but before you know it, she was sending me a letter. It is refreshing to see how well her grammar skills are improving.

Sister Marie. I miss you so much. I’m doing well, so I hope you don’t worry about me and worry about your little sister a little more.

And, tell the Count thank you so much.

I want to write more, though honestly, I can’t because it’s awkward. Then, I’ll definitely go during vacation, so have a good day.

— Missing you, Barry]