Since When Did You Have The Illusion That You Don’t Have Magical Powers?! - CH 46

Characters in this chapter:

Sapphiras Perfectio, 2nd son of the Earl of Aldridge

Percival Belisario, 3rd son of Margrave of Vanderwall on the Eastern Frontier

Adeline, Margravine of Vanderwall

Theodore Belisario, 1st son of Margrave of Vanderwall

Curtis Belisario, 2nd son of Margrave of Vanderwall

Jacob, butler of the Belisario household

Susanna, servant in the Belisario household

The third son of our family had two older brothers, he held a sword and participated in the subjugation of magical beasts from a very young age. As the family that protects Vanderwall, it was natural for him to do so, and as a mother, I looked upon him as a dependable figure. But that didn’t turn out to be a good thing. By the time I realised it, he had become an obstinate person.

He has a stuffy personality, and even at parties where his family gathers, he never smiles.

His two older sons still knows what socialising is all about and behave with ease. When I told him that he should learn from his older brothers not only in swordsmanship but also in that aspect, he replied curtly that he didn’t need it. I wondered if he might be lacking in emotion. I even suspected it. Of course, this is much better than bad behaviour. But it would be very difficult to find a companion.

Fortunately, Percy is my third son. I don’t have to force him to find a partner. As a mother, that wouldn’t be very fun.

When he turned 14 and was about to start preparing to enter the academy, he said he had no intention of leaving the territory because he could learn everything he needed to know here, and it was a bit of a quandary. When Theo and Curty were old enough to attend the academy, they had high hopes for life at the academy in the royal capital and were somewhat excited about it. But when it came to Percy, he wasn’t even interested.

It’s the duty of a son or daughter born to a noble family to attend the academy. You have to go to the royal capital, which is a higher priority than subjugating magical beasts. Most likely, someone must have told him that you can only learn everything important through practice. Glancing at the two brothers, they look away unnaturally.

Anyway, after some persuasion from my husband, Austin, and his brothers, Percy was convinced to go to the academy.

Even if Percy is like this, if he attends the academy in the royal capital and spends time in the same school as the sons and daughters of his age, he may grow up to be a more flexible person. He may have someone he feels destined for. I sent him off with such high hopes.

“……Haa”

Once a month, I receive a letter from Percy, who is at the academy, reporting on his recent activities. This is already the third letter. When I finished reading the letter and put it on the table, I picked up the cup of tea that Susanna had served.

The tea, made with thin slices of limone that can be harvested in the territory, is my favourite. I have a lot on my mind, but first of all, I slowly enjoy the refreshing aroma. If not, I can’t do it.

“Ma’am, what did Percival-sama say to you?”

Jacob, who loves our sons like grandchildren, is also curious about the contents of the letter.

As usual. I feel as if I’m reading a report. How did my own child grow up to be so uninteresting?

The letters I receive regularly begin with a standard greeting, and then simply states what he has learnt. I know how well he’s progressing in his studies, but he lacks the glamour of living in the royal capital. I’m glad he’s doing well, but he could have written a little more about how he’s having fun. He looks like me, but he has the personality of Austin, who is very serious. I remember that the letters he wrote to me during our engagement were all about our exploits and horses, not exactly the kind of letters you would send to your fiancée. He was, in any case, rugged, like a warrior.

But he is a kind man at heart, and he is very protective of me, his wife, and his children. He just doesn’t have enough words. I understand, but I think he could be a bit more affectionate.

I let out a big sigh, thinking that it can’t be helped.

“Serious and honest, isn’t it a very good thing? It would be a problem if the man who protects this land is frivolous.”

“Well, I suppose that’s true.”

Theo and Curty both already have a partner in mind. Theo found his partner at the academy and Curty found his at a party hosted by our family last year. Both are perfect young ladies and our family is rock solid. In that sense, it doesn’t matter what kind of partner Percy chooses. Even if it’s a commoner, if he likes them, I won’t object. But I can easily imagine Percy saying that if he has no problem without a partner, then there is no need to get married.

The cuteness of my youngest son, the cuteness of a younger brother, and the men of my family took Percy on subjugations, and this is the result.

I let out another loud sigh.

“Ma’am, I have a letter for you from Percival-sama.”

“Oh, come to think of it, it’s almost time for a long vacation.”

When I received the letter from Jacob, I asked Susanna to prepare tea for me as usual and opened the letter.

The contents were like that of a report as usual, but what was different was that it said that he would be bringing a friend home for the vacation.

His name is Sapphiras-san. He is introduced as a scholarship student under the sponsorship of the Duke of Bloomfield. He doesn’t seem to have a family name, but he must be a very talented person, since he is so well supported by the Duke. They must have hit it off quite well to invite him to the castle. He must have the same kind of personality as him.

Actually, it would be nice if at least one good person could be brought home. It’s too cruel to expect that from that child. If he has good grades at the academy, has friends and is doing well, then that’s enough.

“Jacob, Percy is coming back with a friend for the vacation. Please keep the drawing-room in order, and ask for a little more good meat.”

“Understood.”

Let’s welcome Percy’s friend because they’ve taken the trouble to come to such a remote place.

It’s been two weeks since the letter. I was thinking that he should arrive tomorrow, when Susanna came to me in a hurry.

“Ma’am, Percival-sama has arrived.”

“Oh? He arrived earlier than I expected.”

I stopped embroidering and went to the door to greet my son and his friend.

“Mother, I have just returned.”

Percy has grown a lot taller in the time we’ve been apart. His body is getting stronger, children really do grow up fast.

“I’m glad to see you’re doing well. That’s your school friend……oh my……oh my, oh my!”

I knew it at a glance! Percy! Since you said friend, I completely believed you!

I couldn’t control my excitement and ran down the stairs. I’m not sure how I’ll be able to keep my composure.

But still, what a beautiful child! He has black hair like the darkness of the night and deep, clear blue eyes that show the strength of his will. His skin is as white as porcelain, just like a doll. He is a little too thin, but if you feed him lots of nourishing food here, he will be fine. He’ll be healthy in no time. After all, he is accepted by Percy, so there shouldn’t be any problems with his character.

I can’t believe he brought home such a wonderful child, while looking like he has no interest in his mate at all. He is, as expected, a man of Bellisario. Well done, let’s give him a compliment.

“I am Adeline, Percival’s mother. You must be Sapphiras-san!”

“Y-yes. My name is Sapphiras. I’ll be in your care for a while, thank you.”

“It’s alright, don’t be so formal!”

It’s not going to be a while. You can just stay in this castle forever. I take Sapphiras’ hand and squeeze it tightly so that my feelings of welcome can be conveyed. No matter how you look, he really is a beautiful child. Percy is a face-con. Mother didn’t know.

“I hope you will continue to support Percival.”

“No, on the contrary, I am always indebted to Percival.”

“You two are so close! That’s right! Let’s prepare a table for tea at once! I have some delicious pastries. I want to hear a lot of stories!”

I’d love to know what kind of academy life these two are leading. Percy never mentioned Sapphiras-san in his letters at all.

“Mother, Sapphiras has just arrived. First of all, let him have a good rest. He will stay for the rest of the vacation, so he can have tea anytime.”

Oh, no. You’re right. I’ve been so distracted by what I’ve been doing. Because I might have another son, you know? I really don’t know what to do!

“Oh, dear. That’s right. I’m so excited. Tonight I will prepare a small welcome dinner for you. What do you like, Sapphiras-san?”

“Y-yes. I like meat……”

“Oh my, oh my! Meat, you like meat! I’ll take care of the meat! Nola! Somebody call Nola!”

Good. If you like meat, we’ve got plenty of good meat for you. But let’s not do steak. A first night’s dinner should be a spectacular-looking dish. We’ll have to re-decide the menu from scratch.

Oh, yes! I didn’t prepare anything for his room because I thought a boy like Percy, who’s only interested in swords and subjugating magical beasts, would come! We must immediately choose a servant to take care of Sapphiras-san. We must be hospitable enough and make him like Vanderwall and our family. We can’t afford to make any mistakes. If he misses Sapphiras-san, he will really be single for the rest of his life. This is where I have to show my skills as a Margravine.

Ufufu, it’s been a while and my hands are itching.