861 – Crassius Assemble – 2

My father’s call was followed by my mother’s visit.

“Grandma!”

“Grandma~”

“How are you all doing? Here, I bought some chocolates, so share them.”

“Wow! Grandma, come on!”

The children run in a rush when their grandmother appears. The mother greets each child by hugging them.

Thanks to this, the main gate of the mansion quickly became a meeting place, and amidst the chaos, my mother distributed the chocolates she had in her pocket one by one.

Didn’t you just tell us to share it? If you were going to distribute it yourself, there would be no need to tell us to share it.

“Kids, let’s play in our rooms and not bother Grandma.”

“Wow… Grandma, do you wear a mask when you play with your valuables?”

“Grandma will be home later, so you go play first.”

“yes!”

Anyway, the bustling meeting place became quiet thanks to Mar’s mediation, and as the children followed Mar around like ducklings, only my mother, me, and Titi, who had just returned from Luciano’s mansion, were left at the main gate.

“You look so energetic whenever I see you. As expected from the children of Krasius.”

“It seems that Crassius’ blood is thick. Eduard is also healthy enough to remind me of Teresa, so he is blessed with blood.”

“Haha, that’s right. You really are a blessed bloodline.”

My mother let out a small laugh, rummaged through her bosom, and handed me a different bag from the one that contained the chocolates.

“Mother, what is this…?”

“It’s tea leaves. I brought some for my grandchildren, so I should bring some for my son and daughter-in-law. It’s what Laura recommended, so it’ll be fine.”

“If it’s a nanny recommendation, I can trust it. I will drink it gratefully.”

I was already thinking about trying a new tea these days, and someone who came empty-handed came with a new tea. I guess this is the small happiness in everyday life.

“That’s good. Actually, I came here to ask you a favor, so I really wanted you to like it.”

“Oh, was that a favor? It would be embarrassing to say that to an inspector general.”

“It’s okay if you refuse. As long as you don’t expect anything in return, isn’t it okay?”

“Then there’s no problem.”

It was a joke that felt strangely unoriginal, but even just that joke was enough to make my mother and I laugh.

It’s a bit surprising, but my family has become much closer. Even a few years ago, it was difficult to have a normal, everyday conversation, let alone joke around like this.

‘Now that parents and children have become closer, it’s time for siblings to become closer.’

And then I smiled again, thinking I had a rough idea of ​​the purpose of my mother’s visit and what she wanted to ask me.

As soon as Father mentions his uncle and aunt, Mother also comes to visit? Isn’t this a strong will of the High Lady of the Krasius family to take care of the blood relatives of the previous head of the family, the former Krasius? It is a strong expression of will of the mother herself, not Mar, the current mistress of the Krasius family.

In that case, it would be right to follow the mother’s will. This matter should be viewed as the matter of the human Wilhelm and his wife Eusenia, rather than the Crassius family. As the head of the Crassius family, I am also the son of Wilhelm and Eusenia in this matter.

‘I have to tell my mother to give me whatever she wants.’

The household’s manpower and supplies are mainly managed by the mistress, especially the first wife, Marga. Mother can also freely use a small budget, but since this is the first time in almost 20 years that the seven siblings are gathered together, a small budget will be insufficient.

A few years ago, when her father was still away, Mar learned the duties of a housewife while taking care of her mother. If she were to ask to go back to that time for a moment, Mar wouldn’t refuse─

“Carl. Can I rent this mansion?”

“yes?”

This was a somewhat unexpected request, so I naturally asked a question.

At best, I thought it was a warehouse opening, but it turned out to be a mansion rental.

– Huh?

Titi also tilted her head and barked softly, seeming surprised by her mother’s request.

Our Titi is someone who can claim a considerable share of this mansion. Therefore, there must be a reasonable cause that Titi can accept.

“Well, let’s go to the room first. It’ll take a while to talk while standing.”

“Oh, okay. Let’s do that.”

To do that, it would be better to sit comfortably in the room, eat some snacks, and chat rather than just standing around blankly.

‘Rent a mansion.’

I quickly turned my head as I walked with my mother.

Your father and mother already have a nice place called the Counts of Tilglehen Castle, so why do you insist on renting this place? Wouldn’t it be more comfortable for you to have a castle than a mansion with your son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren?

The conversation, which I thought would be long, ended as soon as it began.

“The Earldom of Tailglen is a place full of nightmares for your uncles and aunts. Although it is where you were born and raised, you have no fond memories of it. No wonder you haven’t set your sights on Tailglen since your grandfather passed away.”

“ah.”

My grandfather, who was excellent as a nobleman, lord, and subject, but unfortunately was not a good head of the household. Because of his great activity, my uncles and aunts had a bad childhood. This is not new information, as I heard it directly from my father.

However, the trauma was so severe that they had to be cautious about gathering at Tilglehen. They hadn’t even considered that. But now that the Lord of Tilglehen was their nephew, they thought it would be okay to gather.

“Then there’s nothing we can do. It’s our first reunion in decades, so we should meet with smiles, but if the location is not good, then it’s meaningless, right?”

“Thank you for understanding.”

My mother smiled with relief at my answer.

In fact, if it is impossible to become Count Tilglehen, going to the Krasius Mansion in the system is also a way, but Erich is currently living there. In addition, there is Sera, who is on the road to recovery, but you still have to be careful, and Eduard, who is preparing to awaken as the second Teresa. It is not a good idea to invite guests.

That is why the safest place is my mansion. It is easy for the seven siblings to gather in the system, and since it was once the mansion of the Marquis, there is no shortage of room for preparing banquets, and although there are many children, there are enough servants and servants to control them.

‘…but I’m concerned about Trixie.’

If there is a variable, it is the existence of the current official, Tricky.

But since Trixie is one of my wives, my uncles and aunts need to get used to her. They need to see her not just as a duke, but as one of their nephews.

Because that is the fate of Crassius. When the seven siblings meet again as Crassius, Trixie becomes their subordinate.

‘It’s more comfortable to see it from the highest point.’

I wonder if this should be considered fortunate, but next year, Trixie will step down from the dukedom. From the perspective of her uncles and aunts, it is a situation where their niece-in-law, who was once a duke, has turned into a barbarian. If they were prepared to treat the duke as a niece-in-law, but then changed to treating him as a barbarian, wouldn’t they feel better?

When you see the extreme spiciness, you can’t feel the spiciness below it. When you see the extreme sweetness, even chocolate milk tastes like plain water.

I don’t think this is the right metaphor to use, but that’s what it is.

“And, I have to prepare here…”

“You can stay here for a while. I’m sure your wives will like it.”

He spoke calmly to his mother, who was watching him carefully.

It is natural for the chief banquet official to reside at the banquet venue. The wives do not feel uncomfortable with their mothers, so it would be no problem for them to stay together only while the banquet is being held.

“Instead, the kids might throw a tantrum and ask to play. Is that okay?”

“It’s actually a good thing. Don’t worry.”

I quietly lowered my gaze at my mother’s brightly smiling face.

It would be nice for a mother for two or three days. What grandmother wouldn’t like her cute little grandchildren clinging to her and calling her “Grandma, Grandma”?

But when three days go by, and then five days, a week, and ten days, even a mother cannot help but change her mind. She says that taking care of nine grandchildren in the same place is no easy task.

‘I’m sure it’ll be okay since Teresa is taking care of it too.’

However, if we try to console ourselves, Mother is a hero who takes care of Teresa herself. Although she has many grandchildren, there are also saints here, and each child is less active than Teresa.

So it’ll definitely be okay. It definitely will be okay.

– Woof!

“Haha, you’re welcoming me? Thank you.”

Meanwhile, Titi placed her front paws on her mother’s lap and enthusiastically welcomed her mother’s temporary stay.

Is it my imagination? Somehow, that greeting seems half out of favor toward my mother and half out of joy at having more people to play with the children.

***

August, the name I was given when I was born. My name that will not change until I die, even after I die.

But my last name, unlike my first name, was something that could change. Far from dying, I was a light being that changed at a young age.

From Crassius to Deast. From the Crassius Counts, an imperial family, to the Deast Counts, a prestigious military family in the eastern part of the Empire.

‘Now the time called Deathst is longer.’

Since I got married and have been living as Deast, I have easily overcome the period of living as Crassius. If someone were to ask me about my identity, I would have said Deast in the past because I was possessed by evil, but now I can truly say Deast.

Even my wife is the head of this Deast family. So, even if I had affection for Crassius, it would be right for me to remain as Deast’s husband and member.

That’s how I lived as August Deast. Since I wasn’t born into a good family, my wife and my children wanted to have good families. Although it was a political relationship, I treated my wife with all my heart.

Thanks to that, I was able to spend my days somewhat satisfied and peacefully.

‘Invitation, Jang.’

A familiar phrase stamped on the letter. The title, “Invitation written on a letterhead.”

My hands were shaking, my head was turning white, and my breathing was rapid.

In fact, it was something I had prepared for a little bit. Our nightmare father died, and my brother passed the title to his son. The current Crassius family is far from the Crassius we know.

So, from the moment Elin suddenly contacted me, from the moment I told her that I had been offered the position of a teacher at the military academy… I had a feeling that this moment would come.

‘Ugh…’

However, seeing Crassius’ sentence, which made my preparations pale, an instinctive fear welled up in me.

It’s strange. Now, the nightmare that used to torment me is gone. This is a warm invitation to gather together with those who have endured the nightmare together.

Why, why am I still like this?

“honey.”

‘ah.’

My wife’s hand gently wrapping itself around my hand.

Only then did I come to my senses. The shaking stopped and my breathing returned.

“…I’m sorry. I was embarrassed.”

My wife patted my hand without saying a word in return for my apology.

That pat felt more welcome than any words.

‘I have to go.’

You should go without shaking like this.

If I’m going to spend my whole life stuck in the shadows, I should go see my siblings and nephews.