Chapter 30: The Environment Improves
I’m really tired…
Today was truly packed with events.
After stopping the Obsessive Boy (Ilias)’s actions, I returned to the Great Hall (Saloon) and told Samuel (tutor) and Maggie (Head Nanny), who had been on high alert, that everything was over.
The two of them, who had been constantly tense, seemed relieved to hear my words from behind.
Good job.
As expected, Samuel (tutor) flinched when Ilias returned, so I reassured him that nothing else would happen today.
I added that only minimal caution was needed.
I thought that if I wandered around in public too much, the Marquis (he) or other people might notice me, so I retreated to the back.
I watched from the shadows for a while, but Ilias didn’t show any suspicious movements.
Rather, he was looking around, seemingly searching for someone.
…I hope it’s not me.
After watching for a while, and when the party was in full swing, I left the mansion and returned to the Marquis household.
Although I had a slight anxiety, I trusted Ilias’s words for now.
And, if he tried to do anything to Ati after I left, I firmly vowed to tear him to pieces.
Contrary to my worries, Ati returned cheerfully.
She explained with overflowing emotion that she had a birthday party held for her at the place she went, and that she received many congratulatory words and many presents.
Even when it was time to sleep, she was so excited that she showed no signs of sleeping at all.
Honestly, I was more tired, and I fell asleep first.
Well, I was shaken awake many times and forced to listen to her continue talking on and on.
It’s not bad to indulge Ati’s whims like this once in a while. Or rather, welcome.
If I wasn’t so tired, I would have wanted to party all night long.
It was impossible…
Well, Ati suddenly ran out of energy and fell asleep in the middle of it all.
I was surprised to see her sleeping soundly when I took my eyes off her for a moment! Seriously!! Her sleeping face is so cute!!!
Since that day, the atmosphere around Ati seemed to have calmed down.
The Marquis (he) began to communicate with Ati to some extent.
Well, it was just to the extent of asking things like whether the food was good at meals, how her studies were going, and what she liked, like a father struggling to talk to his adolescent daughter, but it was a dramatic change compared to before.
At first, Ati was troubled by the Marquis’s unexpected behavior and spoke little, but after getting used to it, she began to ask the Marquis (he) questions herself.
It’s a small change, but a big change for Ati’s life.
I warmly watched over their interactions.
There was also a change in Samuel (tutor).
Initially, he only taught difficult history, mathematics, and writing practice, but he began to incorporate other things into the curriculum.
Well, it was also because Ati requested, “I want to ride a horse!”
She seemed to have enjoyed riding a horse when we went on a picnic.
Starting with horseback riding, he began to teach Ati about familiar animals, plants, what the people working at the mansion were doing, drawing, crafting, and playing musical instruments. He taught her various things regardless of genre.
This will dramatically broaden Ati’s horizons. From there, Ati will be able to find what she likes and what she is good at.
I was relieved that if things continued to go well, she wouldn’t become a rigid, dangerous woman.
Maggie (Head Nanny)’s attitude towards her softened.
It may be because Ati became able to express her honest desires.
She now asserts what she dislikes and what she likes, and thanks to that, Maggie often has her hands full and asks me for help.
Conversely, I sometimes ask Maggie for help too.
Also, Ati started to imitate me often, and she wanted to do things herself.
She wanted to choose the clothes she would wear that day and tie her own hair.
Well, since she wasn’t used to it, the results were disastrous, but both Maggie and I wanted to cherish Ati’s proactive attitude, so we praised her like crazy.
At first, Ati was satisfied, but she was impressed by the beautiful hair arrangement that Maggie had fixed, and she was learning how to do it.
Both Ati and Maggie seemed to be really enjoying themselves.
Eric (he/him) still comes to our house regularly.
When I told him to study properly, he eventually started coming to our house with his tutor.
…I don’t like it because he’ll be targeted by Duke Andreu.
But, I didn’t want to dampen Eric’s enthusiasm, who was interested in various things with sparkling eyes and wanted to try everything first! So, I let Eric (he/him) visit as he pleased.
His relationship with Ati has also improved.
At first, Eric (he/him) had the feeling that “Ati is a princess to be protected,” and he kept a subtle distance, but that’s because they’re still children.
They often play together doing various things.
They sometimes quarrel because their values are different, but it’s common for opinions to clash.
I made them explain how they felt in words as much as possible. To some extent. Not everything. Because it’s impossible to put all your feelings into words.
Also, I didn’t force them to make up.
It’s okay to dislike what you dislike. You don’t have to forgive what you don’t want to forgive. But at the same time, I told them to find as many of the other person’s good and forgivable qualities as possible.
Well, even as I say that, I have one or two people I hate and can’t forgive.
I didn’t want them to become like that.
There are things you dislike about the other person, but there are also things you like. You continue to connect through those things you like.
I thought that was necessary for the two of them, who will become husband and wife in the future.
The problem is, the Obsessive Boy, Ilias.
He sticks to Eric (he/him), so of course he comes to our house every time.
However, I felt uncomfortable because I felt his intense gaze.
…Could it be that he’s changed his object of dependence from Eric (he/him) to me…
Ilias started to test me every chance he got.
He would deliberately make me angry, and then suddenly act sweet.
He must be anxious and want to confirm many times whether I will acknowledge him or abandon him.
I responded to Ilias patiently, but being careful to maintain a sense of distance so as not to get too involved.
If he did something I didn’t like, I would protest his actions themselves without denying him as a person. If he acted sweet, well, I would let him be sweet to some extent, but I wouldn’t give him special treatment.
That balance was really difficult…
I was frustrated. I was frustrated! I’m not a perfect person either! I endured it to some extent because it was a child doing it, but there’s a limit!
Each time, I patiently explained to Ilias in words.
Instead of depending on others to satisfy your need for approval, take action for yourself, become able to satisfy yourself, self-satisfaction is the best, and so on.
I doubt how much of it got through to him.
He’s smart, so he probably understands the concept, but his feelings don’t seem to be keeping up because he’s still a child.
Do I have to look after this one too?
This is going to be tough…
Well.
I feel like there are no more urgent problems around Ati that need to be improved.
I can feel a little relieved now.
However, my own problems were not solved at all.
I thought it would be okay if everything was fine with Ati, but that wasn’t the case.
One day, I was summoned by the Marquis (he).
My feet were terribly heavy as I went there.