Allen's disdain for this "house" was obvious to anyone. But for some reason, he instinctively avoided any interaction with the only person who showed him genuine goodwill—his "mother." That's why he had stepped aside and left her a clear path earlier.
Was it that he didn't like his biological mother? Or was it the attitude of Philip and Sauros that had caused him to despise the entire Boreas household?
These thoughts rushed into Rudy's mind—ideas he never would've noticed before. Yet, he couldn't guess Allen's real thoughts, not completely. After all, Allen was just like him—a fellow transmigrator.
If Rudy ever realized that, he might start projecting his own mother, Zenith—whom he never got to meet in this life—onto Hilda, who had suddenly appeared and shed tears over him. That might lead to a similar feeling of "helplessness."
He might be able to recognize Hilda's goodwill, but converting that goodwill into a concept like "motherly love" would be much harder.
Just like Allen right now—he could feel that she was the only adult in the Boreas household who held pure intentions toward him.
But Allen couldn't feel any motherly affection from her.
He had never felt motherly love in his past life either.
He didn't know what posture or emotion to adopt to respond to this "strange" kindness coming from what was essentially a stranger.
'Allen is, after all, just eleven years old… He's so mature that I often forget his age. I wonder if his willpower is really as strong as I think. Maybe this time, it's my turn to help him.'
With these messy thoughts flashing through his mind, Rudy saw Allen turn and follow after Eris as she walked ahead.
And then—
A voice came from behind.
"You all…"
Rudy turned his head sharply.
In his sight, Hilda's expression carried an unexpected trace of apology. Her gaze swept across the group, but Rudy clearly saw that it lingered on Allen's face just a moment longer.
She said,
"Forgive me… I got lost in thought earlier, and my emotions got a bit… You've all come a long way, and as the host, I shouldn't act that way—especially with my dear one not at home."
"Why don't we have lunch together? There's more than enough food, and it's only proper for me to host you. Father-in-law won't be dining with us today, so there's no need to be overly formal."
In the burst of joy that came from Eris's excited cheer, Rudy heard a soft sigh.
It came from Hilda's lips.
Brief.
But it lingered too long in his heart.
——
Young Lady Eris was overjoyed. Hilda's invitation had completely caught her off guard—after all, no outsider had ever sat at their family table before.
She immediately decided to skip the library and led everyone directly to the dining hall.
The Boreas family's private dining room was the definition of luxury. Crystal chandeliers, a table long enough to seat a dozen Erises, silk tablecloths, and silver cutlery glinted in the light pouring from floor-to-ceiling windows.
The table was filled with all kinds of meats—no common pork in sight, only rare wild birds and fish.
The bread was sweeter and fluffier than what they had in Buena Village, cut into small cubes for easy access, its cross-section delicately porous.
Fresh wild vegetables were made into soup, each portion served in small bowls placed to the left of each person.
Grapewine and various special drinks adorned the table.
What truly set it apart from their village dining?
A variety of spices and condiments—unfamiliar and exotic—gathered from around the world. These tiny details were the true symbols of noble wealth and power.
Allen and Rudy sat upright at the table.
Next to them, Sylphy was wiping drool from Ghislaine's chin.
Each guest had a beastfolk maid standing behind them.
Across the table, Hilda stirred her vegetable soup with a silver spoon, movements elegant. Beside her, Eris grinned as her beastfolk maid tore her bread for her.
"Come on, eat already! What are you waiting for?!"
No one moved.
Hilda looked at Eris with a doting smile.
"Please, enjoy. Don't be shy."
Only then did Allen lift his spoon and begin slowly stirring his soup.
Rudy glanced at Allen's calm motion, then helped himself to a piece of meat—curious about this completely different aristocratic cuisine.
Ghislaine was already devouring her food, head down.
Hilda smiled as she watched everyone's reactions and casually said,
"Eris has a bit of a fiery temper, I hope you all can be patient with her. You're all about her age, I'm sure you'll get along better than her past tutors ever did."
Her gaze finally rested on Allen's face.
She had already begun to understand the strange sense of familiarity she felt toward him.
—This child reminded her of her eldest son in the capital.
He was clearly the leader among these three tutors, and even someone like Eris, who was notoriously hard to get along with, had already taken a liking to him after just one night.
Hilda was curious.
And somewhat fond of him.
Allen looked down at his spoon and replied,
"Of course. Lady Eris is actually very charming. She's just straightforward by nature. I believe she'll grow into a fine noblewoman."
Eris, her mouth still full of bread, gave a pleased "Mmph! Mmph!" and nodded smugly—only to choke a second later.
Hilda reached out to help her breathe.
"Thank you for the kind words. You seem more mature than that long-eared girl and the little boy from Paul's household. I heard you're an adventurer?"
"I am."
"How old are you?"
"Eleven."
Hilda's hand paused briefly. She raised her eyebrows and looked at Allen.
"Ah… so young. I would've guessed you were fifteen. What about the other two?"
"They're both seven."
"I see."
A short silence followed—only the gentle clinking of spoons against silver bowls and the sounds of chewing from Eris and Ghislaine.
Hilda watched Allen for a moment, and seeing that he had no intention of introducing himself, she finally asked directly,
"What are your names? And what subjects are you teaching Eris?"
The moment she spoke, Rudy's hand froze mid-bite. Sylphy, who hadn't touched her food at all, turned to look at Allen.
Sunlight shone into Allen's deep gray pupils as he finally looked up and met Hilda's gaze.
"The brown-haired boy holding bread is Rudy—Rudeus Greyrat. He's the eldest son of a knight from Buena Village. He's skilled in chantless offensive magic, and trained under a Water-King class magician. He teaches Lady Eris offensive magic and arithmetic."
Eris, still chewing, waved her hand impatiently and pointed at Sylphy.
"The long-eared girl is Sylphyette. She's mainly skilled in chantless healing magic, also trained under a Water-King class magician. She teaches Lady Eris healing magic."
Eris nodded with satisfaction. Sylphy's ears twitched, and she reflexively gripped her gleaming silver spoon a little tighter.
Allen's voice continued.
"My name is Allen. I'm responsible for teaching Lady Eris in Suijinsan-ryū (Water God Style) swordsmanship."
Clink. Sylphy's spoon dropped into her vegetable soup.
She quickly turned to look at Hilda.
Hilda was smiling.
But her voice was faint—almost absent-minded.
"Fate… is so interesting."
"My child was also named Allen."
"A coincidence, madam."
"…Yes. A coincidence."
Silence fell over the table. Eris stopped chewing and glanced between her mother and Allen.
She didn't quite understand the mood, but her instincts told her something had happened—something just beyond her grasp.
Sylphy and Rudy exchanged a look and both lowered their heads.
Sylphy began mimicking Allen and Hilda, stirring her soup with her spoon.
In her reddish-brown eyes—
Allen's fingers around his spoon were clearly defined.
He was holding it just a bit tighter than usual.
(End of Chapter)
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