Somehow, I had expected those words coming before father even spoke.
I didn't mind but father was concerned about my feelings. He was worried that I kept my emotions bottled up in myself without anyone realizing it.
Hmm... How should I go about this...
I wonder what should I say to make papa not so rigid like this? With serious-typed people, we need to respond with the same sincerity or else they would feel much more uneasy. I can't pass this situation off with a joke.
As I strained my brain to think of a way to smooth the atmosphere, father suddenly said.
"Volmilargs have one common trait in each and every generation." I looked at father and saw him smiling at me.
Differed from his previous smiles that appeared slightly gloomy, the smile he wore now expressed his delight and devoid of any sadness he had shown.
"Can you guess what trait is it?" His smile brightened up to a grin.
I gawked at father's beaming smile that's obviously radiating ikemen aura.
What trait you asked? Isn't it your handsomeness? I mean, all my brothers inherited that gene for sure. And grandfather looks much younger than his actual age. Isn't that it?
THAT IS IT, RIGHT?
Now that the solemn ambience eased up, my urge to fangirl instantly resurfaced.
Also, papa! Don't you think your temper changed too fast!? Just the other moment you were acting like the last strand of light has vanished and the world is now enveloped in darkness full of sorrow. What, did we change script now!?
Of course, while all those thoughts ran amok in my head, my outward appearance was still that of a lady (maybe?).
To the me who remained silent (because I was internally fangirling) towards his question, father continued to speak.
"Maridis. You don't have to feel burdened." He said softly.
"Misunderstanding is very unlikely to occur in our family."
With a confidence parallel to his pride, he daringly laid out those words to comfort me.
"I get what you are trying to say, Maridis. Thank you for forgiving me." Caressing my cheek as he expressed his thanks, his improved mood became apparent.
"So you don't have to make such a conflicted face next time." He added.
...I never knew my facial muscles were that conceivable. Was this the reason why Arvische kept laughing in my presence? That's worrying. Also, papa. Stop radiating that ikemen aura.
Touching my cheek that was caressed, I lamented regarding this fact. Papa who saw my antics, just smiled.
Welp, he really smiles a lot today... I don't have sunglasses, what to do?
The sound of carriage wheels was not that audible in the first place but in our spare moment of silence it became fairly recognizable. The scenery outside had changed to a bustling town in the time we were not paying attention.
"The Volmilarg children are often said that they matured much earlier than most of their peers."
I was stunned for a second before realizing it was the answer for the question that he had asked.
I took a moment to think.
That was true. Even before I had received my past memories, I already mastered the three basics of reading, writing and calculating. When I don't understand anything, I'll learn it by asking my parents or my brothers. I don't think I'm so great to be named a genius, but I'm not particularly a studious person either.
With how papa is mentioning this topic, it seems that since my ancestors' time, this so-called 'special' trait has been passed down? Not power, but intelligence? And you are telling me every single person who has the surname Volmilarg, have this characteristic?
....
As I immersed myself in wondering what kind of magical household we are, father's drifting voice brought me back to reality.
"But because of that, a lot of responsibilities was placed upon us," father said, the light in his eyes hollow.
"Educating ourselves in etiquette, learning advanced knowledge, training ourselves to be stronger, keeping an eye on the guards' behaviour, scouting the surrounding dangerous areas, exterminating a bunch of monsters, watching out for rebels, managing the peace of the kingdom, managing the kingdom itself, handling the state affairs, negotiations, becoming the King's representative, the King's right-hand man, the all-knowing Prime Minister, babysitting the royal brats, putting up with the Royalties, holding back killing intent... Anyway, it's a lot of troubles."
Lese majeste! Lese majeste, papa! Although it doesn't apply to you, please pretend a bit!
I nodded in agreement with what father has said despite so. Although most of that doesn't apply to me but I still agree with what you have listed down, papa!
"In the end, everything became burdensome." He sighed. "It's too tiring."
Upon closer inspection, I noticed how weary my father truly was. His complexion wasn't that much different from normal, so perhaps nobody knew it or people just paid no attention to it.
....Or his complexion had changed years ago and remained that way till now, who knows.
'Pitiful' isn't the right word to describe him, let alone the word 'sympathy' could be associated with him. He is just 'fatigued'.
And the reason why he is exhausted, isn't necessarily because of his work. He has a lot on his mind, what can be known to others and what must be hidden.
Sigh. Life is not necessarily that easy, but human emotions are definitely complicated. He is a bit lost now, but I'm sure he will figure it out soon whatever it is.
There are times when we should act ignorant. People need spaces.
That said, the traffic looks quite busy. It will be some time before we reached the castle, I see.
Don't know what to do. I should have brought a book... wait no. Motion sickness is terrible. Not to mention mine, I would puke on papa's clothes too.
I'm confident he won't get mad, but won't that be super embarrassing? I'm pretty sure even if it is your nemesis you are puking on, you definitely would feel a teensy bit of embarrassment besides accomplishment (of making your enemy feel disgusted).
...Should I go on with my imaginations? I believe I left it at---
"Oh, right." A voice cut my thoughts.
I looked up at my father, my expression revealing my curiosity.
"Maridis. I heard of your.... encounter yesterday." He said.
Encounter..?
I tilted my head while thinking of what events had took place yesterday.
The image of a black silhouette, revealing a pair of cyan orbs flashed in my head.
STOP IT! Don't try to make me squeel o'brain! At least not in front of others. The reason I played otome games was always for the secret character's route, BUT BRAIN. NOT NOW. Don't make up all of those sad background stories for ikemen-san. We don't even know if this is an otome game or not! YES I KNOW MOST OF THE SECRET CHARACTER THAT I PLAYED HAS THAT AURA but SERIOUSLY.
....Ehem.
Well, I see. He was talking about my encounter with ikemen-san. I guess the Shadows reported it to him.
"Yes, I apologize. I knew the Shadows would report it so I didn't tell you. I will take the initiative to find you and tell these things personally next time." I replied.
"No... It's alright to have the Shadows do that, no need to concern yourself..." He paused, looking to be at a loss.
"That... was that the same person as the one you said to have a platinum blonde hair and a cyan pair of eyes?" He tentatively asked.
...What is this feeling as if I'm about to be exposed to a national secret? PAPA. No, FATHER. You don't have to say it you know!?
"...Yes." I still answered honestly, though.
I silently swallowed my saliva. The tension in the air increased unknowingly.
"...I see..." Looking bewildered but at the same time helpless was my father.
"...Do you know who he is?"
....I DON'T KNOW!!! What, is he the national top secret agent where no one must laid eyes on or else would be killed? Or is he actually the legitimate heir to the throne but was going incognito because he is hunted? Or is he actually the secret guardian of the country who protected the kingdom in secret--- Wait isn't that papa--- Anyway!
Can I or can I not know his existence, just hint me that please?
"...Could he be... someone bad...?" Was what came out from my mouth, people.
All those ridiculous possibilities that I thought of was converged into one simple sentence.
"Ah, no. Don't worry." Father suddenly turned nonchalant.
"Most people know of him, but it's not often for one to meet him in person."
...So which is it!? Is this a good thing or a bad thing!? Papa, speak clearly!
"I will explain his identity for you. I should have done this long ago but well..." He looked at the busy streets outside the window.
"We can pass the time."
"Is he someone awesome?" I feel like I lacked vocabulary to even ask a question now.
"Awesome isn't enough to describe him...." His last few words trailed off.
He closed his eyes, collecting his thoughts before he began explaining.
"Amongst the rumours in the whole empire; he is someone best known as the wizard of ultimate obliteration, the Wizard of Decimation."
...Before I'm gonna be shocked by his identity, can I know the person who came up with such a long title?
"But in short, people call him 'Wizard'." Father smiled at me.
Then, what's the point of that long title again!?
"He specialized in magic, and almost all high level magic are said to be a piece of cake for him. There was a record of him lauching high level magic consecutively without a break or drink mana potion to replenish his mana. His mana consumption should be a lot, yet his mana storage seems to be endless."
...This kind of OP character can only appear in light novels, no?
"He is not anyone's ally nor an enemy."
I recognized this line. Ikemen-san-- I mean, Wizard-san said the same thing to me last time. It was a line without any strong impact, but it gave a long-lasting impression. I wonder why?
"He is not anyone's ally so he won't help anyone unless it is his own will. And he is not anyone's enemy as long as no one got on his bad side."
"So he is not someone to be messed with." And he ended the note there as the carriage has come to a halt.
The carriage door was opened and Silen's figure appeared in our view.
"That's basically the things you need to know, Maridis." He said as he stepped down from the carriage.
'Basically', is it?
The wizard of ultimate obliteration, the Wizard of Decimation. I don't how I remember that but there's no way someone who was called this to be anything but abnormal.
No wonder I felt a sense of accomplishment when I received the tea invitation from him.
...Hmm? Wait a minute... After being told all that, now I was reminded of how he wanted to have a chat with me?
...And I seem to have missed the chance to tell papa regarding this matter?
No, wait. I could still tell him now but the timing is a bit...
"Maridis?" Father called out to me.
"Ah, yes." I was escorted out of the carriage by my father.
Oh well.
Let's just focus on this big event that's about to be held in front of me right now.
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ALL RIGHT. ~☆
Arin won't say 'I'm back' anymore 'cuz Arin would just go back on hiatus without reason.
~Kirarin☆
If I went MIA again, just know that Arin is lazy as always. ☆☆☆
Well then, that's all folks!
~Ki☆Ra☆Rin☆Rin☆