NOVEL NEXT Chapter 31
I know who Rynelle Agail’s biological father, Ruphon Agail Duke, is to the readers of Asa Flower.
The mastermind who treated his daughter as nonexistent, turning her into a villainess, the cold-hearted, bloodless, emotionless old man with a ridiculously handsome mustache, and so on.
By various nicknames, it was quite satisfying when his end was justly met for his deeds.
But what about Rynelle’s biological mother, the Agail Duchess?
Unfortunately, there’s barely any information available about the Agail Duchess.
The novel progresses from Nina’s perspective, and Rynelle’s arc is addressed just before the end of the first semester.
Hence, it’s natural for readers not to know the Duchess.
However, the known info indicates that her attitude towards Rynelle is similar to that of the Agail Duke’s.
She’s a wife who genuinely loves her husband.
And she’s a mother whom Rynelle respects.
From these aspects, it’s evident that Rynelle and the Agail Duke’s family have a complicated love-hate relationship.
Rynelle, yearning for her parents’ love, desperately tried but received no return for her efforts.
Even with the hatred that emerged from that, Rynelle still respected and loved her parents.
Only at the end did she find herself filled with nothing but hatred, leading her to destroy her own family, but at least not now.
For Rynelle, her biological mother is both a target of hatred and her only mother.
This fact is mirrored in Rynelle’s twisted smile.
She’s laughing in relief yet simultaneously loathing herself for being happy about her mother’s death.
The conflicting emotions surely swirl around in her, making her suffer.
I found myself reaching out to Rynelle only to drop my hand, grasping at nothing in the air.
Nothing I say would help her; in fact, it would be counterproductive.
No one, not even anyone else, could comprehend her feelings.
Love-hate is a complicated emotion, easily exploded if touched the wrong way.
“…I’m heading back now. Get the carriage ready.”
“Yes.”
“Have a spare set of clothes prepared too.”
“Understood.”
The Shadow Knight, receiving Rynelle’s orders, once again slipped into the shadows.
At the same time, the lights that had gone out due to lightning flickered back on.
As the surroundings brightened, I could examine Rynelle’s face closely.
However, the expression I glimpsed in the flash of lightning had long vanished.
It was an emotionless face. It would be entirely understandable if it were said that her feelings had dried up.
“Professor, you’ve heard everything, so you know, but due to family matters, I think I need to head back now.”
“Yeah.”
“I’m sorry, but I think I won’t be able to attend tomorrow… no, for a while.”
“You don’t need to worry about attendance since you’ll have to manage the Duchess’s funeral.”
“And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention my family matters to anyone else.”
“Do I look like someone who spreads my students’ personal affairs around?”
“True enough. Then I apologize for the intrusion.”
Drenched in wet clothes, Rynelle stepped outside.
The sky was still pouring down heavy rain, and she walked nonchalantly in the downpour.
Each step looked heavy, as if shackled to the ground, making her seem forlorn.
Was it truly the right decision to see her off like this?
To someone whose heart looked like it could collapse at any moment?
While considering this, I found myself already dashing into the rain, grabbing Rynelle’s arm.
Somehow, I felt an educator’s spirit had emerged within me.
“Professor…?”
“Thinking about it, I guess I should follow you.”
“Excuse me?”
As expected, Rynelle was on the verge of tears.
The rain washed away her tears, but her reddening eyes couldn’t hide her emotions.
It’s said that one should cry thoroughly when sad, but Rynelle didn’t follow suit.
Seeing herself smiling at her mother’s death and then crying, she’d inevitably conclude she’d gone insane.
Such thoughts could lead her to justify any madness she might commit in the future.
Like the possibility of wiping out her family in that state.
“What are you talking about? The news of my mother’s passing is a matter for our Agail family.”
“I know.”
“Then why’d you say you’d follow? You’re not connected to our family at all, Professor.”
“But you are. I’m your professor, after all. It’s just a visit to express condolences.”
“…My father hates uninvited guests.”
“Do I care? You showed up unannounced. Besides, I doubt that man will refuse my visit. Last time, he told me to leave without proper conversation.”
It wouldn’t be uncommon for anyone to refuse further visits after getting treated like that.
However, the Agail Duke isn’t petty enough to hold grudges over past incidents.
If he acts petty and I leave, it only means another delay in meeting him.
That would clearly be a waste of time, so even though he may be displeased, he’ll want to meet with me.
Even if his wife is in a state of mental chaos.
“Are you serious about following me?”
“Absolutely.”
“What about the Academy?”
“I’ll contact the Chancellor separately. Additionally, visiting a family is an extension of my job, so there’s no issue.”
Professor Masker’s workload might increase, but that’s fine.
Whenever he was away on business, I handled his C-class students.
I also have tasks that amount to business trips, so it’s all even.
I’d miss keeping an eye on the special class students, though.
“Is that alright?”
“I still don’t understand. Ah! Was the visit just an excuse? Are you really worried about me… kyaa?!”
Smack!
With a swift slap on Rynelle’s behind, a resounding sound echoed as a thrill engulfed my palm.
Was it the rain getting her wet? It was indeed a satisfying sensation.
I felt an urge to give her another swat on her rear.
“Stop worrying! Your usual conduct raises flags, so I will have a word with your father!”
“Ugh…! This is sexual harassment!”
“Sexual harassment? I told you I’m not interested in a kid like you.”
“Don’t lie. I saw you staring at my body earlier!”
“That’s just paranoia. Be sure to fix that delusion later. Those who think they’re hot stuff are always that way.”
“Does it only apply to you, Professor?”
“What? Huh?”
“Kya-ha-ha-ha!”
Looks like some punishment is in order?
As I lifted my hand to swat her again, Rynelle erupted in laughter and bolted away.
Before we reached the carriage, we indulged in a game of tag in the torrential rain.
A moment of clarity hit me as I pondered what we were doing, but…
It’s better to make her laugh than watch her sulk in tears.
*
Kia del Academy and the Agail Duke’s estate were quite a distance apart.
Even with a carriage speeding, it would take at least ten days.
No matter how much of a family visit it might be, there’s no way one can be absent for ten days.
Fortunately, a noble with power rivaling the Emperor had a magic tool at their disposal.
I have no idea why magical tools were established at Kia del Academy, but they provided a quick transit infrastructure.
Thanks to that, a ten-day journey was cut down to a mere half day.
“Daniel, this way.”
“Hmm.”
Despite the tragic event regarding the Duchess, the atmosphere inside the Agail Duke’s mansion remained calm.
The servants quietly went about their duties, wearing indifferent expressions.
Amidst this, the Agail Duke welcomed my request for a private audience and summoned me to his office.
Guided by the head servant, I arrived at the office and reunited with the Agail Duke.
“You’ve come.”
A man with a cigarette in his mouth, busy scanning documents with both hands, looked surprisingly composed despite hearing of his wife’s demise.
Does this man genuinely possess familial love?
I felt a compulsion to extract the brain from his head and look inside.
“Surprising. I didn’t expect you to come see me first.”
“Anyone can predict everything in this world, right? Plus, I made a request of you last time, so it’s only courteous to come first.”
“Are you accustomed to such flattery?”
He shrugged his shoulders as if to say to interpret it how I would.
Regardless of what the Agail Duke thought, I had my job to do.
The job of a family visit.
“The last time you suddenly came to see me was to confirm something from me, right?”
“Ah.”
“Coincidentally, I’ve been wanting to ask you something! How about we listen to each other’s unvarnished truths?”
“A deal?”
“Yes.”
The Agail Duke set aside his documents and activated his mana.
A teal magic circle formed beneath his palm on the desk, and the same appeared beneath mine.
The Truth Hand.
While resting my hand on the magic circle, I decided to speak in my manner.
Utilizing space magic, I snatched the cigarette from the Agail Duke’s mouth and tossed it out the window.
“How’s that? I think it’s sufficient as the answer to the question you’ve been harboring all along.”
“A new wind is blowing in the Cropford family.”
“Then it’s my turn to ask! Please keep your hand on the magic circle.”
I’d not voice the threat that I’d cut off his hand.
I knew the Agail Duke was no fool.
He even nonchalantly propped his chin with his other hand, gesturing me to inquire.
“What do you think of Rynelle Agail?”
“…Do you need a detailed explanation?”
“Specific would be nice.”
“……”
The Agail Duke briefly closed his eyes, falling into silence.
He didn’t seem bothered by the question.
Perhaps he simply needed time to organize his thoughts since this was his first such inquiry.
After a long, uncomfortable silence, the Agail Duke opened his eyes and began to voice his thoughts.
What I heard was the heartfelt truth of the Agail Duke, something not present in the original work.
Upon hearing his complete answer, I found myself rendered speechless.
How did I get entangled with this dysfunctional family?
Such thoughts filled my mind.