"GUYS!" My parents, who arrived late at night, were surprised by the odd mood in the mansion. Even with the pile of gifts in front of us, our minds were wandering elsewhere.
Theo was serious, and Isaac was sulking. He looked sad, and only our brat, Louis, snooped around at the gifts.
"What happened?"
"No–nothing happened!"
We all speak in unison as if planned. Everything was orchestrated by Theo.
– Never tell our parents, don't make it obvious, especially Louis, watch your mouth.
If Mom or Dad made a move, it would give Queen Lotte an excuse to act, so we followed Theo's instructions.
"How was your vacation?"
"It was great. On the way home, we bought a new summer villa. Let's spend our summer vacation there this year."
'I can't believe you saw a pretty villa on your way here and bought it completely.'
As expected, my dad was in a different league.
Still, they both looked very happy because it was their first vacation by themselves in a long time.
"Mom, I missed you."
"I missed you, too."
I had no idea that the reason why Stan wasn't able to come was because Mom was blocking him. Only after they left for a short while did I realize how well-protected I was.
Before our parents returned, the five of us, knowing we had missed Heinz's group[1], went straight to holding a family meeting.
"I agree with Clara entering the Palace."
Theo also thought it was the best choice. If Clara was left as it was, Queen Lotte could find out about the case, and Valentine's family itself could be dragged down, accused of drug cultivation.
And if she continued working for the association, she'd definitely meet Heinz again.
That's why it was the safest choice to enter the Palace as the Crown Prince's pharmacist and make a name for herself.
It'll be good if I could also go with her just in case Clara gets in trouble.
"I don't like it. Ciel's still young."
"Issac, it's because Brother doesn't know, he's really strong, even if he looks like that." Isaac was against it, but my bratty brother did his best to help me out.
After a long strategy meeting, I sneaked out of my room with a pillow in hand and knocked on my parents' bedroom door.
It opened and my dad, wearing pajamas, welcomed me.
"Ciel, my prince. I was on my way to see if you were sleeping well."
"Can I sleep with Mom and Dad tonight?"
It was the privilege of the youngest to be able to hide in my parents' bed. I placed myself between Mom and Dad for the first time in a long time.
"What happened to our youngest today? He used to be so mature. He even said he wants to sleep with his mom and dad."
"I just missed you two a lot."
"Look at him. I told you, didn't I? Our Ciel is still young."
Even if it was visible that I was trying to act cute, my mom was happy. No matter how old I was, I would always be a cute child to my mother.
So much happened today that I wanted to act childish.
"How was your trip?"
"I enjoyed it. Let's all go together next time."
"Dad's mean. You wanted to go with Mom alone, I also wanted to go with her."
"My Ciel, did you finally let go of your sister?"
I pouted at my mother's teasing. Sister, you are always at the center of attention.
To protect Clara, the Crown Prince himself and our eldest brother team up for an operation. Although Heinz and his crew had already run away with all the seedlings, just in case, Alex decided to continue with the investigation and inquire about the owner of that mansion.
So I left the investigation to them, and I must prepare for the next process.
"You know, Mom, Dad. His Highness offered Clara the position of Imperial Pharmacist."
'If my sister becomes an Imperial Pharmacist, we can cover this up smoothly.'
"Really?"
"It's a good opportunity, but I'm worried that she'll have to enter the Palace alone."
Pulling the blanket, I tried to look as pitiful as I could. My sister's story is actually an appetizer, and the main plate was coming now.
I didn't know if it was going to work, but it should. I tried to gain their sympathy by looking pitiful, but I couldn't. Both Mom and Dad were fast to notice my hidden intentions.
"So our Ciel wants to go to the Palace with Clara?"
"Uhmm, I don't know. I would be sad if I'm not able to see Mom and Dad often."
"Is Clara not allowed to come and go? Ah, that isn't allowed to pharmacists."
Since it was a position responsible for the health of the Royal Family, it was an Imperial Law for doctors or pharmacists to remain within the Imperial Palace.
It was fine to bring your family in, but to be honest, I was the only one among us who could go with Clara.
"Why don't we just send Louis?
"He's been wandering around too much these days. I don't even know what he's doing. If he enters the Palace, he won't be able to keep doing so."
Our rascal wasn't of any help. I can't believe I fell on the trail of my brother[2], who's been disappearing a lot lately.
My parents were about to make up their minds to let Louis go to the Palace, leaving me completely out of the question. At this rate, there would be nothing I can do about it.
I had no other choice but to speak out.
"I want to go to the Palace with Clara."
Uuugh, I'm sorry. I didn't want to say it because I felt like I was driving a nail through my parents' hearts. They both looked down at me with a sweet expression as if they knew this would happen.
"You came here to talk about that, didn't you? You're a rascal."
'Yes, I got caught. I'm sorry.'
As if it wasn't enough for my dad to hit my head lightly with his fist, my mom shook her head with an unpleasant look.
"I'm against it. He's there in the Palace."
Due to that accident long ago, Mom completely became Queen Lotte's enemy. But there was no other option for now. I understood why my mom was worried, but Alex gave me the solution.
If I stay put, I might end up getting married to Stan, so I rather get caught in some sort of scandal[3].
As long as it was like that, I had no reason to refuse.
"Don't worry about that. His Highness will keep us safe."
"Did His Highness suggest you go?"
As I nodded, my parents seemed somewhat uneasy.
Since Clara was already an adult, they didn't feel too bothered about letting her go, but I haven't even made my debut yet.
It was understandable for them to hesitate to send their youngest son far away willingly.
"Just one year. I have to make my social debut next year anyway, so I have to come back."
"You mean you'll be staying there for a year?"
I honestly thought it was a short time, but my mom and dad seemed to feel that a year was too long.
As expected, I should have been satisfied with just going in and out of the manor instead of asking to enter the Palace. I scratched my head.
"Hmm. Half a year?"
"Too long. Three months."
"Dad! That's just mean!"
"I also think that a month is too long."
As expected, they won't let me go that easily. After a lot of bloody negotiations, I somehow managed to persuade them to let me enter the Palace.
"It's late. Go to bed, we will talk about the details later."
"Yes. Mom, Dad, good night."
Kissing them both on the cheek, I snuggled into my father's arms and held my mother's hand tightly after a long time. Perhaps because I was held in the cozy arms of two warm people, I was extra sleepy today.
"I thought he was still our baby. I'm sad."
"Shh, he must have fallen asleep already."
I was going to be an adult soon, but in my parents' eyes, I was still a child.
This kind of love was unfamiliar to me no matter how much time passes. Amid my sleep, they still watched me and whispered to each other.
'Have nice dreams, my beloved Ciel.' A sweet whisper rang in my ear. If the day comes when I really leave this house, I was sure that I would miss a night like tonight, so I pampered myself by snuggling into my parents' arms today.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───
DURING BREAKFAST, the next morning, Clara's entrance to the Palace was formally discussed.
My parents tried to push Louis to also enter the Palace, but he made excuses to escape the hateful idea.
"I don't like it because I will feel stuffy. I'm sure you'll get sick of it too if you go."
"Is that so? Then it can't be helped."
My parents gave up on Louis because he had a history of eating fake grass and getting sick from time to time.
"Have you made up your mind, Clara?"
"Yes. His Highness gave me a great opportunity, so I want to accept it." As she spoke, Clara seemed distressed somehow.
The choice to leave the home you love wasn't an easy one, but if she stayed here, Clara wouldn't be able to grow. Mom, sitting next to her, put down her spoon and held Clara's hand.
"If it's hard, you can come back anytime. Because you're our daughter."
Clara was family, no matter when and where she went.
With her eyes wet and red, she held Mom's hands, and Isaac, who was just looking at the scene, raised his hand.
"I'm also thinking of moving into the Knights' quarters starting from next quarter."
"Issac, you too?"
"I'm going to ask for a change of position and join the Crown Prince's Palace. That way I will be able to stay inside the Imperial Palace and take care of Ciel and Clara."
Perhaps if Clara had gone in alone, Isaac wouldn't have made such a decision. My dad sighed and looked at me.
"Apparently, something happened while we were away."
"Father."
Theo cut him off. He tried to say something as an excuse, but Dad shook his head as if he already knew.
"You must have a good reason. I understand it in my head, but my heart feels sad."
Theo was already 21; Isaac and Clara were 19 this year. They were old enough to go their own way.
Of course, it was unexpected for my parents that I wanted to join since I didn't even debut yet, but I followed my sister, and Isaac tagged along with me.
Our parents must have been very sad because three of their children were leaving home. But Louis, unaware of that fact, smiled and teased me.
"Blockhead. I will finally free myself from seeing your face."
"Brother, what did you just say?"
"I can't believe you said that, Louis, starting tomorrow, you'll join your mother going to social gatherings and tea parties. You need to learn the proper way to treat a noble again."
When he was told to join a tea party with his mother, in place of his brothers, Louis' face turned pale.
I could tell that he'll be eating grass to have a fake stomach ache, starting tomorrow. As expected of our brother. Should I tell him he dug his own grave like an idiot? No matter what there was no way out of this.
After breakfast, we split up to do our own business. I decided to go to the Academy with Clara because she had to inform the association about her resignation.
"Hopefully, nothing will happen?"
"It would be nice if Louis could go with us, but where did he go?"
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
[1] Basically, they didn't catch Heinz's group of people that were helping him with his illegal activities
[2] What he thought was clearly his path, ended up being the one that his brother might have headed towards if his parents decided to send him instead of her
[3] Scandal that he might be the Crown Prince's, Alex's, fiancee