Chapter 106: Easy to Handle Child

In the end, it was still too early for Nii-sama to be back even if I went to the entrance, so I ended up tottering back to my room.

What should babies do at a time like this? I have the building blocks I brought from Lentforce. But, I only had one set, and it was more interesting at Brendels shop because they had many pieces of wood.

Ive finished reading all the picture books. And since I havent moved that much, I wasnt hungry, nor was I sleepy so I couldnt take a nap either.

I ended up holding the barrier box in my lap until Nii-sama came back. I turned my back to Natalie and secretly practised changing my magic.

Lei!

Nii, Nii-syama!

I was held by Nii-sama, who had just returned, and he spun me around.

Lei, you can just call me Niini. You can always call me Nii-sama when you get older.

Yes, I decided to properly call Nii-sama, Nii-sama when I returned home.

Im finally back. Why do I have to stay in the dormitory? It doesnt take much time to get to the academy even if I commute from here.

Ai.

I feel like I could finally take a deep breath.

There seems to be a lot of purposes for getting nobles from the same generation to dine together and learn rules in the same dormitory. Otou-sama, who came back together with Nii-sama, tried to pacify him.

So, did you get along with people in your generation, Otou-sama?

Well

Otou-sama looked pensive.

The same generation Stan?

Werent you alone?

Others were, oh, I cant really remember them.

Then, the rules?

Whats the point in rules created by people?

Nii-sama shrugged his shoulders.

See, dormitories are pointless after all.

Hmm. Now, lets have dinner.

Otou-sama changed the subject when it got troublesome for him. I didnt participate in the conversation, and just let Nii-sama hold me as I listened to my close family. This is quality time.

After dinner, we played and talked in my room. I was finally able to sleep at ease when Nii-sama put me to sleep.

Lei is weird ~ Otou-samas perspective

How relieved was I when Lei finally returned to the mansion? I gave her a room without a balcony and assigned a guard to her so that she wouldnt be taken again.

I had to give her an exclusive maid too since she didnt have a mother. It was difficult to choose someone that didnt look like Hannah and was also superb at their job. I ended up hiring a maid who looked after the youngest daughter of the Remingtons.

Remingtons daughter is five years old, but Ive heard that shes very active. One maid wasnt enough to look after her, so she had a few, and I was able to hire the calmest one.

I was also planning to increase her maids if it was necessary. Luke hated having servants, so only one was assigned to him after he turned five, but at least he had Claire.

I hoped to have everything perfectly set up, but Lei started acting weird a week after Luke went back to the academy.

I heard half a year is long for a baby. She could speak a lot more fluently, and she had also grown taller. Still, the charming way she reaches out to her Otou-sama hasnt changed.

But

Was she such a quiet child?

Well, she was quiet. I hardly ever saw her cry. Still, she was interested in a lot of things. She laughed loudly when Hannah teased her, tried her best to crawl, tried her best to walk when she finally could, and when I thought she was behaving herself, she would catch insects. Im sure that was how she was.

But, Lei isnt like that now. At dinner time, she eats happily and talks about how her day was. However, she keeps her distance from her maid, Natalie, but towards the people in the mansion, and Luke and I, I feel like shes holding back.

I couldnt conclude this alone. I waited until Luke came back from the dormitory and listened to what the maid and guard had to say.

Shes finally asleep, but its weird. Lei usually sleep well, but she didnt.

Isnt it because shes excited that youre back after a week?

Excited? She didnt look excited. She looks like shes holding something back.

So she is?

I looked at Luke.

How was she in Sebel?

She was very lively. Her eyes sparkled, and she looked like she had a lot of fun.

Hmm.

I put my hand on my chin and looked at the guard and maid.

Natalie, youve been with Lei for a week, how has she been?

Umm

Natalie, who was usually lively and calm, looked puzzled.

Umm, Ojou-sama is calm, and shes easy to look after.

Hmm. She was a handful to Hannah. She didnt give you lizards or anything?

Ojou-sama doesnt do that! She always reads picture books, plays alone with blocks and toys, sometimes she demands to go outside, but she doesnt cry or make a fuss.

Natalie looked confused.

The Remingtons Ojou-sama is very active, and cant stay still for very long. She runs around, throws a temper when she doesnt like something, and uses her maids to her whims, so I dont know how to treat Ojou-sama since shes quiet and Im honestly confused.

I, I see.

She eats slowly by herself even when I try to help her, she wakes up before I come to wake her up, and she gets changed by herself if she can. She doesnt make any mistakes. What can I do besides watch her?

I should be listening to how Lei is, but the maid ended up talking about her troubles.

How about you, guards?

Well, its our job to keep an eye on her, but honestly, I thought we had to keep watch on a lively child.

The escort moved as if he was embarrassed.

Nothing. She doesnt cause any trouble. A child that old would probably get someone to hold her when shes tried. But, she tries to walk by herself even if it takes a lot of time. She doesnt get upset even if shes in a bad mood. Honestly, I think shes an odd child.

Luke listened with a gloomy face. Luke probably didnt need to stay in the dormitory and could commute from home. But, Lei will still end up spending the day alone.

Its because I forcefully separated her from the Hunters.

But, if you bring them here, then youll take away their futures.

Our hatred for the kidnappers grew stronger. If it hadnt been for them, then she could be at ease.

I dont want to accept it, but I have to

Otou-sama, whatre you talking about?

Its probably not good for her to be alone during the day. The Prince wants Lei to be his playmate. I dont want her to go out, but then shell be able to go to the castle with me.

I refuse, Luke yelled.

Ive heard about him in school. Hes a year older than Lei, but hes naughty and violent. Thats why he doesnt have a playmate.

I resented that I had to give my important Lei to such a person.

But, I cant think of another way to cheer up Lei.

Thats-!

Luke doesnt know how to either. Even if she was by my side, it didnt mean that everything would go well.