The Struggle of a Weak Aristocrat in a Different World Our Domain is Surrounded by Large Aristocrats, and It’s a Big Problem! - CH 116

I was in a pub catering to the masses. The tavern had a counter with small sake barrels in the back and wooden round tables. It was midday and there were no other customers, and an employee in an apron was sweeping the narrow interior. I am sitting at the end of the table, but the dust that is rising from the center of the table is bothersome.

“Hmmm, which one shall I choose……?”

The man in front of me, looking intently at the menu, is my father. The wrinkles around his eyes are carved and the roots of his brown hair have turned white. Even his well-groomed mustache is mixed with gray hair in some places, confirming my father’s age.

I feel as if I am watching my own indecisive self, and I impatiently call out to him.

“I don’t care which one. I have the money given by the Sotheby’s Trading Company so pick whatever you want.”

“I have money, too, so I can eat any of the food, but I was wondering what I should……”

Today, I came by the Sotheby’s Trading Company to solve a task Alfred had assigned me and I wrote to my father earlier to meet me here.

“So……here’s today’s main topic.”

“Hold on a minute. Let’s talk over dinner.”

“Whatever…….”

I sighed at my father as he continued to mope and worry.

In the end, it took my father five minutes to choose a dish from the menu. He chose the cheapest ale and grilled meat set.

“You’ve got the money, why don’t you order something a little better?”

“Chris ordered the same thing.”

I had no choice but to keep my mouth shut. In the end, I ordered the same menu as my father. I was saddened to see that both father and son had not recovered from their poverty.

After a few moments of grieving and mutual silence, a small portion of pork on a small plate and a small wooden mug are brought to the table. The waiter puts it on the table with a thump and leaves without a word.

Without getting up, my father turns around and stares where the waiter is going. I guess he was surprised at the poor customer service.

I wondered if we, father and son, were giving off an aura of being easy to take advantage of.

My father may have thought the same thing and gave me a subtle look but then, as if he had regained his composure, he forced a fake smile.

“I’ve never had a drink with Chris before, so let’s get pumped up!”

“Yeah.”

I acted cheerfully like my father. And then, in response to my father’s voice, we clinked our mugs together. It was the first time for father and son to drink together so a bland atmosphere would not suit the occasion.

Ale poured down my throat however, the taste has some residual bitterness and a strange stickiness that makes me feel uncomfortable. I could feel almost no alcohol, only a strange aftertaste of bitter and sweet mixed together.

……This is not good.

I was wondering what my father thought about it, so I turned my head and our eyes met. My father’s eyebrows drooped and his mouth turned into a grimace.

“……”

Was it the bad situation or the bad drink? No, it was definitely both, which forced us to be silent to each other. However, there was no point in staying in grief forever, so we opened our mouths.

“I’ll get to the point.”

“Oh, yes, of course.”

I wondered if the first drinking session between a father and son could be so casual, but I was afraid to bring it up, so I told him the main subject.

“As I told you in my letter, I’ve decided to join the Orrard family.”

“So that’s why you called me here.”

Father’s eyebrows drooped, and his mouth turned into a grimace.

It helps that my father seems to understand the main idea.

Until now, my father did not have much contact with me, perhaps because I had not decided who I would join. However, once the decision was made, the other nobles would probably think that it would be difficult to change the head of the family’s intentions. Therefore, I came to ask my father to bring my brothers back to the family home.

“You understand the situation and you will come back, right?

“Yes, I do. My sons have made their mark with their current employer, and I don’t want to cause them any trouble.”

That is good news.

To be honest, I was afraid that my brothers would not come back because they are so righteous, but with that kind of circumstance, it would be fine.

“When are you coming back?”

When I asked him that, he twisted his head.

“Well…….I think in about a year.”

“It’s too late!”

I leaned forward and shouted at my father’s excessive length of time.

My father tried to calm me down by saying, “Listen to me.”

I had no choice but to sit back in my chair and rest my head on my hand.

“As a matter of fact, I have found a treasure trove of the Fuld family, the former royal family.”

“What?”

I was honestly surprised. I didn’t expect him to find it. Maybe there is some sort of historical discovery procedure that is taking so long.

My father opens his mouth happily in response to my surprise.

“That’s why! After showing it to my two friends in the capital, I thought I’d show it to Viscount Hart as well!”

“Isn’t that just bragging?”

That’s bullshit! If that’s the case, I want you to come home soon!

With that in mind, I tried to convince my father to stop doing that and come home, but he stubbornly refused.

“Chris, don’t worry about it. Viscount Hart is an old friend of mine, and I’ll ask him to shelter me before I get myself in danger.”

“……”

“Oh, yeah! How is Yulis?”

I continued to stare at him silently, but I was taken aback by my father, who blatantly changed the subject. He won’t listen to anything I say anymore.

I open my pouting lips.

“She’s doing well.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Saying this, my father lowered the corners of his eyes happily. However, his expression immediately changed to a serious one.

“Chris, there is something I need to tell you.”

I was a little surprised to hear my father’s voice suddenly change to a serious tone.

It was always Yulis who taught me things, and it was Yulis who scolded me. Yulis is the one who works at home, the one who hits me, and the one who does the housework…….What did my father do?

I had serious doubts about my father being my father but when I looked at him now, I could see his fatherly bearing.

After a few seconds, he opened his mouth and spoke gravely,

“There is only one thing I have to say to you, serve Yulis.”

“Yulis is my maid, you know!”

My voice echoed through the small bar.