"Already running away, huh? You sure like to make things difficult," the Marquis sighed. "It's a good thing I had Yao keep an eye on you the whole time I was here. You'll excuse me for taking such a long time, but that's your own fault. You didn't exactly pick the nearest town from the capital to hide."
So Mister cat's name is Yao. It fits him.
No wait, what? He ordered Mister cat to make sure mother wouldn't run away before he arrived? So, basically, this Yao has been stalking us in the shadows ever since my first birthday, and only decided to show up when he was sure that his master would be able to get her before she fled.
What a jerk!
The Marquis stopped for a moment, inspecting mother.
"You seem well."
Is he blind? How in the world does she look well? She looks like she's about to faint at any moment.
Seemingly ignoring mother's discomfort, his eyes eventually rested on the small child hidden behind her.
"Aoban. Where are your manners?"
Hearing the Marquis' voice calling him out, brother flinched. Then he timidly stepped forward. He looked up at him for a few seconds, then moved his gaze towards Lady Whiteheart. He politely bowed to them.
"G-Greetings, Uncle Jack, Aunt Nora," he said with a small voice.
While the Marquis maintained his usual poker face, Lady Nora, on the other hand, rolled her eyes and let out an annoyed sigh that she didn't even bother to hide. That woman definitely hates kids.
But "uncle" and "aunt," huh? So we're related? Since they're humans, I'm guessing they're on father's side of the family.
So father is a noble and a high-ranked one, that is. I've never heard about father, so this may actually be the first thing I learn about him. Still, mother's reaction doesn't seem appropriate for someone who just met family. I've already heard about some families mistreating their in-laws, but judging by her behavior, it must have been quite extreme. Was it because she was an elf? No wonder she ran away.
"Is it just the two of you?" The Marquis inquired.
"Y-Yes. It's just the two of us," Mother finally spoke up.
"Well, that makes things easier. Get on," he ordered, pointing to the carriage with his finger.
The black cat that was resting at his feet suddenly climbed onto his shoulder, murmuring something in his ear.
"Master, she's lying."
The Marquis turned towards the cat.
"What do you mean?"
"There was another one with them. A small child," Yao explained.
Mother's face blanched even paler. "That's not true!" she suddenly shouted. But by losing her composure, she also betrayed herself.
"Hum. And where is that child now?" The Marquis asked, ignoring mother.
"Behind the door."
As Yao said this, everyone directed their gaze toward the big wooden door of the inn. In the shadows, they noticed a small child peeking from the inside - me. Damn you, Mister cat.
As I thought, I hate you. As if he knew what I was thinking, his lips curled into a smirk - or at least into something that looked like a smirk.
"Come on out, child," the Marquis ordered.
I glanced at mother. Since there was no point in hiding anymore, I decided to step out and rush to her side. As he took a better look at me, the Marquis' eyes widened in surprise.
"Is she your daughter?" he asked, turning his attention back to mother.
"Yes," she responded.
"Hum. So you had a daughter," he whispered. "How old is she?"
"I don't think that-"
"How old?" The Marquis repeated, noticing that she was trying to avoid the question.
Mother stayed silent for a while. "Almost two," she finally answered.
Hearing her response, the Marquis' emotionless mask fell. He frowned as his eyes narrowed. "Could she be Lloyd's daughter?"
This time, mother did not answer. Instead, she simply averted her gaze, looking away. Am I a hidden child? Taking her silence as a yes, the Marquis clicked his tongue.
Lady Nora, who had stayed silent until now, suddenly stepped forward, her face distorted in anger at the revelation. She raised her hand and slammed her palm against mother's cheek, forcing her to shrink away.
The heck?
"Y-You filthy whore! How dare you!" she exclaimed.
That's my line, crazy lady!
Taken aback by the noble Lady's sudden attack, everyone watched the scene in astonishment, their eyes widened in surprise, as a deafening silence fell over the place. Then, the Marquis grabbed her arm, pulling her back.
"Nora, that's enough. Think about your position. We're in public," he said, trying to calm his sister down. But the noble Lady had no intention of backing down. Instead, she shouted even louder.
"Are you seriously going to let this go, Jack?! That bitch! Not only does she seduce our brother, but she also dares to give birth to a filthy half-breed!" she exclaimed, glaring at me with eyes full of hatred and disgust.
Hum. It's decided, I hate her. One day, I shall kick your ass. I'm not sure what happened between her and mother, but this aunt of mine is obviously being a bitch.
Making a fuss and humiliating others in public. Just like the rotten noble from yesterday, she's the kind of person I hate the most. That lady deserves a good beating.
Mother did not deny it, but frustration surfaced on her face. She was biting her lower lip and clenching her fists so hard that her nails almost penetrated her skin. She was holding back her anger. Obviously, I wasn't the only one irritated by the noble lady's rude behavior.
On the other hand, the crowd was much more interested in what my aunt just revealed rather than her actual behavior.
"Half-breed," she said. People glanced at each other, trying to figure out what she meant. Eventually, their eyes, full of doubt, rested on me, the small child who had caused the noble lady to erupt in anger.
"I understand your point, but it's not a reason to make a spectacle of yourself. We'll settle this once we return home," insisted the Marquis.
Lady Nora clenched her teeth. "Fine," she reluctantly accepted after thinking for a while.
The Marquis let out a sigh of relief. Then he looked at mother, straightening his face into a more serious expression.
"Get on. The three of you," he ordered one more time.
Expecting mother to follow him, he started to head to the carriage, where the guard was waiting for him. But he stopped halfway, as a hesitant voice spoke up.
"N-No," Mother said with a small voice.
The Marquis' lips twitched and his eyelids fluttered. "Sorry? I think I misheard something. What did you just say?" he asked, turning to mother.
Unable to withstand his irritated look, she lowered her gaze. For a moment, she regretted contesting his order. But then, her eyes met mine.
She took a deep breath, lifted her head, and glared back at him. She was not shaking anymore; instead, she had a new look full of determination.
"I said I refuse," she said. But this time, she was not hesitating.
Most people gasped in surprise, seeing mother directly defying the Marquis' order. Some looked at her in awe, while others looked at her with bewilderment, as if she was crazy. Of course, the first one to react was Aunt Nora. That was the breaking point of her patience.
Blood rushed to her head as a swelling vein formed on her temple, threatening to explode.
She approached mother, emitting menacing vibes. "You lowly slave! How dare you-"
She raised her hand, ready to slap her again, but the smack never came. Before she could hit her, mother grabbed her wrist and locked eyes with Aunt Nora, causing her to flinch.
It only lasted a moment, though, as Aunt Nora soon came back to her senses and realized the humiliating situation she was in.
"Let go of me! At once!" she ordered as she forcibly pulled her arm away.
Aunt Nora glared at mother, her eyes full of hatred. But as she was about to say something, mother spoke first.
"I am not your slave anymore. I have no orders to receive from you," she said with a resolute voice.