Chapter 347: Not Alone (2)
The sun was setting, and students were slowly disappearing. I normally would have already returned to my lodgings to rest, but now I was wandering outside.
“...Mother collapsed.”
Erich carefully told me that after club hours. Only someone like the 2nd Prince would remain calm after hearing that.
I expected it to some extent. I heard that Mother was deeply worried and distressed when I participated in the last war. And now she had to hear that both her husband and son were participating in another war just three years after the last war ended? Even someone with the strongest mental fortitude would panic.
Still, I didn’t think she’d faint. Then again, how could anyone develop a tolerance for this sort of thing?
“Even nanny didn’t know what to do. Mother was crying while asking for you so nanny felt like she should call you, but it was hard to bring it up knowing you’re a busy person. She must have been desperate to ask me.”
I let out a small sigh as I remembered the words Erich said while scratching his head.
I should have gone to the territory on my own before Mother collapsed and asked for me. I should have gone first even though the Patriarch was by Mother’s side and even though I was planning to visit them before the war. Half-baked son or not, to her, I was her son.
Just as the Patriarch thought of me as his son.
Damn it.
Lately, it felt like my head hurt every day. What a shame that most of this was something I brought upon myself.
I was still standing outside my lodgings, lost in thought, when a mage from the family arrived through teleportation.
“Young Master. I’ve come to escort you.”
“Alright.”
It was a mage I urgently requested through the head butler. There was no need to request a family mage when the continent’s best mage was right next to me, but this was something I needed to do alone as their son, so I called for a family mage.
It would only add to my lovers’ already overwhelming worries if I told them that Mother had collapsed. One person suffering over me was more than enough.
“How is Mother?”
The mage’s expression darkened slightly as I asked that while he was preparing the teleportation spell.
“She fortunately regained consciousness just before I left, but I heard she’s only drinking water.”
I bit my lip at those words. At least she wasn’t dehydrated, but that was the bare minimum. If she had been fasting for this long...
“She must be waiting. Let’s go quickly.”
“Yes.”
Shaking off the endless worries flooding in, I put my hand on the mage’s shoulder.
Instead of worrying, I should show my face as quickly as possible.
***I hurriedly walked as soon as I arrived at the main gate of the mansion. I even barely noticed the servants bowing or the knights saluting me. I just waved my hand roughly to acknowledge their greetings.
Of course, the staff didn’t seem to mind it, probably because they were in a state of emergency due to the lady of the house fainting. That sight made me feel even more anxious.
“Young Master!”
“Head Butler.”
And soon after, the head butler came running urgently.
“You’ve come at just the right time. The madam has just woken up—“
“I’ll go right away. Is she in the bedroom?”
“Yes, yes!”
The head butler handled most of the territory’s affairs since both the family’s Patriarch and young master were absent. A workload of that magnitude demanded competence, and the head butler always maintained a firm and calm demeanor. But now, he was so rattled he even stuttered over his words.
Just the right time, huh.
That phrase only made me feel worse.
I wasn’t on time. If I had arrived at the right moment, I would have been here long before she collapsed.
“Young Master. The madam may not be able to control her emotions when she sees you. Right now, you’re the only one who can calm her down.”
I nodded mechanically to the head butler’s words as he explained nonstop. In short, he was saying that Mother wasn’t in a normal state, so I shouldn’t be shaken no matter what I saw and comfort her as much as possible, right?
I understood completely. That was why I came in the first place.
“And if possible, please convince the madam to eat something. Even a light meal will do.”
“I’ll make sure to do that.”
The head butler sighed in relief at my answer.
This was driving me crazy. How much had she suffered while I wasn’t here to the point that her son had to step in just to persuade her to eat?
***My body felt weak. I couldn’t even cry properly anymore.
“Nia. If you’re not going to eat, you should at least drink water properly.”
“I’m not thirsty...”
I barely answered Laura’s words with a hoarse, cracking voice. I didn’t even have the energy to shake my head or form a proper sentence. All I wanted was to lie down again, close my eyes, and go back to sleep.
Besides, I’d already drunk as much as I can. Three glasses should be enough, right?
“You’ve probably spilled more than you’ve actually swallowed. Are you really not going to drink?”
Laura’s words sounded frustrated as I turned my head away slightly.
I heard Laura sigh heavily, but she didn’t forcibly turn my head or anything. She seemed to be restraining herself because my physical condition wasn’t very good.
“Carl is coming, too. Are you going to greet him like this? Do you want to show your son, who’s about to go to war, a haggard appearance?”
Instead, Laura tried to persuade me with the most effective method.
“Carl is... coming?”
I slightly turned my head towards Laura. Was that child really coming?
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