862 – Crassius Assemble – 3

If I had to pick one person who is unnecessary in this mansion, no matter how much I think about it, I would have to conclude that it is me, the owner of the mansion.

I don’t really help with the upkeep of the mansion, I don’t help with cleaning or cooking, and I don’t even keep track of the supplies that the mansion has stored up. I’m just an ordinary, ordinary head of the household who lives off the mansion. That’s my position in the mansion.

How weak and lowly must one be to be kicked out by the ladies every time they cause an accident? In fact, even if the stakes are huge, there are reasons for kicking out, so I was kicked out, but anyway, my presence is lower than that of the children and Titi. More specifically, I am at a level where I can have a good match with the Seongsu. That’s about it.

“Should we take out all the mats? We have some special guests coming, so it’s a bit much to welcome them like this…”

“No, leave it as it is. It means that the mansion is being adjusted to the children for their happiness. It is proof that the current Crassius is different from the past Crassius.”

“Oh, that could be the case.”

And that thought grew deeper as I watched the conversation between my mother and Mar.

The reunion banquet for the seven Crassius siblings is being led by their mother. So it is not surprising that she is discussing it with Mar, the current mistress of Crassius.

Mardo is now supporting her mother as a daughter-in-law rather than as a hostess. She is thoroughly cooperating with her mother in preparing for the banquet, which is a sight that is pleasing to see as a son.

But the mats in the mansion. That’s my masterpiece that I planned and executed… It’s a masterpiece that turned the mansion into a playground for the kids…

‘Ask me too.’

I felt a little sorry. The head of the household and the owner of the mansion was right next door, so shouldn’t you be asking me?

Of course, if it is an agreement between Mother and Mar, I am willing to accept either the plan to remove the mat or the plan to keep it. The plan to remove the mat is because it only takes a little bit of physical effort. The plan to keep it as it is is proof that the current Crassius is peaceful and gentle, as Mother said.

I just want to show some interest in this son who just wants to show off his shallow presence in the mansion. I am also ready to welcome my uncles and aunts with enthusiasm.

“What do you think, Karl? This mat was laid by Karl himself.”

“I think it would be better to keep it. It may be an unusual sight for first-time guests, but like Mother said, the entire mansion was built for children, wasn’t it?”

My slightly upset feelings at Mar’s question quickly subsided.

‘This hasty fellow.’

At the same time, I was internally reproaching myself. It wasn’t that I had passed over my mother and Mara. It was just that I hadn’t asked the question yet.

But still, thinking about being sad alone or something like that is so pathetic and incompetent. This is why I am the weakest person in the mansion.

“Besides, if new guests come over, the kids will be happy, but it’ll be a problem if they run around and fall over. It’s better to just leave the mat there.”

Feeling embarrassed and embarrassed, I came up with an impromptu excuse.

However, even if it is an impromptu excuse, it is not completely wrong. Aren’t these children usually running around the mansion? What if grandparents and aunts they have never seen before appear in front of these children? It is obvious that they will cling to them with sparkling eyes.

And if countless children suddenly rush at them, even adults would be flustered. Even if they are attacked by nieces and nephews that they are seeing for the first time, who are more awkward than others, it is too flashy an initiation ceremony. If the uncles and aunts who flinch at the initiation ceremony try to avoid it, they will fall down.

‘no.’

It’s scary to even imagine. Children could get hurt if they fall on the bare floor without a mat, and uncles and aunts would be sitting on thorns.

“Oh, and we have to think about the children too.”

While I was imagining a terrible future alone, he clapped his hands slightly at my explanation,

“Mother. Are your children or grandchildren coming with you?”

‘ah.’

He also mentioned guests he hadn’t thought of.

Yes. Since they are all married, they must have children who are my cousins, and if they had married at the right time, those cousins ​​would have had children too. Since it has been almost 20 years since the family gathered, it is possible that cousins ​​and third cousins ​​will come.

“No. This time, only couples will be coming. We can’t expect much from the start.”

“Is that so…”

“Of course, there will come a day when children and grandchildren will all be together in one place. That day will definitely come.”

At the voice full of confidence, both Mardo and I smiled faintly.

Yes, that day will come someday. Even the gathering of the seven siblings, which was unimaginable until last year, has only been possible after 20 years. Fortunately, the uncles and aunts have a long life ahead of them, and the cousins ​​and third cousins ​​have even longer. We have a lot of time left, so someday all of the Crassius will be able to gather.

‘…Then how many people are there?’

My mind went blank for a moment. Right now, Erich and I have 11 grandchildren. My father, one of seven siblings, has 11 grandchildren.

Then, if you add up the children of the seven siblings and the grandchildren of the next generation, how many people would there be? I think it would be over 50.

‘It would be nice to see great-grandchildren being born.’

It wasn’t for nothing that the nobles valued blood relations. If they made the decision to increase their blood relations, the power of this enormous group was unleashed.

However, thanks to my grandfather, my family lived as individuals rather than a group.

***

When I first inherited the title of Count of Tylglehen. When I first entered the Imperial Diet as an Imperial Count. When I first met His Majesty as a titled noble. When I went into battle as the shield and sword of the Empire.

There have been many things that have made me nervous over the past half-century, but I have never been more nervous than this since I gave up my title. The only time I can compare it to was when Teresa was born, but even then I didn’t have time to be nervous because my wife had a safe delivery.

‘Is it tomorrow already?’

I took a deep breath and tried to calm my pounding heart.

Tomorrow, tomorrow. Tomorrow, my brothers will gather at Carl’s mansion. I will be reunited with my brothers whom I have not seen in almost 20 years, and who I have only heard that they are doing well.

“Big brother.”

“Ah, Ellen.”

I took a deep breath and then raised my head when I heard Elin’s voice.

Thank you, youngest, for coming to Count Tilglehen’s castle instead of Karl’s mansion. The banquet is tomorrow, but I thought it would be a mess if I prepared it alone, so you came a day early.

“You did well to come. No matter how much the eldest sister-in-law prepares the banquet, only the eldest brother knows the tastes of the siblings. What are we going to do if such an eldest brother is like this?”

“I’m sorry. I tried my best to calm down, but it wasn’t easy.”

Elin sighed softly at my honest confession and sat down.

“…Didn’t your youngest brother-in-law come with you?”

“He said he would go straight to the mansion tomorrow. He said he didn’t have the heart to come to the Earldom of Tailglehen.”

I nodded indifferently because I thought I knew how he felt.

Walter Narzen of Milkian, Elin’s husband. He was the minor head of the Narzen Counts’ house until recently, but he became the head of the household due to a recent judicial inspection.

Unfortunately, his father, who was the head of the household, became embroiled in corruption and succeeded to the position, and even his youngest brother-in-law was not free from corruption. So, he could not bring himself to come to the Earldom of Tailglehen.

The place I really don’t want to go is Carl’s mansion, but I can’t miss it since my wife is going to see her siblings for the first time in 20 years. It’s really a shame.

“What a fool. Why are you being so greedy?”

Ellin must have felt the same way, as she sat down with a sigh and a mutter.

“Please take it. I have prepared it in my own way.”

Then he handed me six neatly wrapped boxes.

“What is this?”

“This is a gift for you, brothers and sisters. I prepared the things I enjoyed eating when I was in Tilglehen.”

It was indeed an appropriate gift. The gifts exchanged between nobles are usually large and splendid, but we are an awkward family that has not been seen for a long time. Rather than starting off with a splendid start, it is better to get closer in small ways.

“But why six…”

I quickly shut my mouth at the words I blurted out without thinking.

Of course, there had to be six. Excluding Elin, there were six of us, including me, so they must have prepared accordingly. I opened my mouth without even realizing that obvious fact.

‘He’s not in his right mind.’

I felt like my blood was drying up. If I had prepared for tomorrow in this state, if I had prepared to meet my siblings alone without Elin, I can’t even imagine what kind of disaster would have happened.

“I’m a little more worried about that.”

Luckily, Ellen pretended not to hear my slip of the tongue.

It’s a blessing. If Ellen had been concerned about my condition or pointed it out, I wouldn’t have been able to raise my head.

“I’m worried. What do you mean?”

That’s why I naturally responded to Elin’s words. Since she overlooked my slip of the tongue, it was only right that I actively cooperate with Elin.

“I prepared a gift by recalling my memories, but since it was such a long time ago, I’m not sure if it’s accurate. Isn’t part of my memory distorted, as well as that of my older brother?”

“Hmm…”

However, the duty that had been barely exercised was finally overcome by a worry that could not be denied.

Elin was right. Both Elin and I had blurred memories of the past. I thought Elin liked the cheesecake my second sister liked, and Elin thought I liked the cognac that August liked.

“Ellen.”

“Yes, big brother.”

“Since someone likes it, why don’t we spread it out on the table instead of giving it to each individual?”

I don’t know if I should call it a blessing, but what we were mistaken about was ‘who’ liked it, not ‘what’. Even though the person changed, it was true that one of us siblings liked the food.

Then, instead of giving each person one, wouldn’t it be better to spread out six dishes on the table – no, seven dishes including Ellen’s? Then, each person will eat what they like.

‘this.’

But judging by Elin’s reaction as she touched her forehead, it didn’t seem like a good idea at all.

I’m sorry. It’s so sad for a big brother like me to say something like that.