After returning home from our sightseeing trip, Dad continued to engage in conversations with us. I was really impressed that he was actually willing to listen to a bunch of kids' talk. I even suspected that the reason he often went home late and fatigued before was because he rushed his work so that he could accompany us.
Doesn't this mean Dad's indulging on his children way too much…?
But, it's still a good thing!
As we conversed, I noticed that my friends also seemed happy with Dad joining the conversation. Perhaps noticing Dad's kindness and sincere care towards them, all of our friends relaxed in front of Dad and I thought that Dad had managed to let them spill out anything from their minds!
Is it because Dad is a good dad, or could this be a spy's specialty?
"So, you want to be an alchemist in the future?"
Taking the opportunity to bring this topic up as we just talked about the alchemist's workshop that we visited before, Dad asked Iris.
"Y-yes! I-if that's possible, of course… But being able to study alchemy is already enough for me," Iris timidly answered.
"Well, that's definitely possible as long as you work hard for it. I'm sure you will be able to become a splendid alchemist," Dad reassured her.
"T-thank you! But I'm not sure about it… I'm afraid that I won't be able to reach my dreams at all…"
I was surprised upon hearing Iris' dejected voice as she said those words.
At this age, children should have high hopes and be enthusiastic about their dreams. So why would she…?
"And why is that?" Dad calmly asked.
"Uhm… my family—they might have already decided on my future," Iris stated.
Perhaps since she had already warmed up to us and due to sensing Dad's sincerity, Iris didn't really dodge the question.
"Then, why don't you talk to them about it, Iris? No matter what, I believe a parent should at least listen to their child's words?" Carbuncle asked, her tone indicated that she was amused at Iris' remarks, "Even if they oppose, eventually, they would give in to their child."
Perhaps Carbuncle was speaking from her own experience when she asked for her parents' permissions to go out of the Dragon's Heritage?
Unexpectedly, Iris showed a bitter smile.
"I'm not sure if I have any say in my future… They all won't listen to me, I believe… and I can't do anything about it."
Hearing those words, I felt that her position in the family and her circumstances were really complicated.
In other words, she had no choice but to obey…? How harsh could her parents be?
I tried to imagine my past self. Since I had nothing to look forward to in the future aside from making my parents satisfied with myself, I hadn't thought of having another dream and tried to voice it out.
But if I were to voice it out, would my parents force me at all cost, or would they only be disappointed but finally agreed?
"Tell me, why is that? Are you unfavored?" Dad asked with concern.
"It's… more than that. I'm… After all, I'm only…," Iris hesitated.
She looked as if she was thinking that the more she dodged this topic, it would only delay her explaining it, but she had to eventually tell this to us.
Perhaps she noticed, as I tend to try to switch the topic over whenever she looked like she was reluctant to say it.
"I'm not worthy… That's right, I'm probably not that worthy to be here and to be Lyra's friend…," Iris timidly said.
"Iris, even if you're born from a commoner, I don't discriminate against you, though?" I quickly voiced my thought, in order to appease her.
"That's not it… I'm… an illegitimate child," Iris bitterly said.
An illegitimate child…?
And she thought that she wasn't worthy because of it?
But hey… it wasn't Iris' fault at all. There's no way I'd discriminate against her just because of it.
To me, no one is more worthy than her.
But that explains her not daring to disobey her parents' words. Being an illegitimate child, I believe, is a fate worse than being born as a commoner especially if there's no one left in the family who accepts and welcomes you.
In that kind of situation, the unpleasant matters would be handled to an illegitimate child. Like a political marriage with an unfavorable person—no way one would handle their treasured legitimate child if it's possible to push the unfavored illegitimate child.
But I wonder how was she treated when she lived with the noble family of hers? She turned out to be this timid and… having a very low self-confidence, saying that she wasn't worthy.
…Was she bullied?
I held back my urge to hug Iris and resolutely declared, "Iris, nothing can change the fact that you're my best friend! So, don't say that you aren't worthy! Or, you don't want to be my friend…?"
"Eh? No, of course I really want to be your friend, Lyra!"
"Then, don't mind that anymore. I don't really care about your status and ancestry!"
At my words, everyone also nodded and voiced their agreements.
Eeh, I totally love my current environment. Nobody is so biased against lower nobles or commoners.
"That's right. Don't let anyone snatch away your happiness for something you can't control. So what if you're an illegitimate child? Your life is yours," Dad supported.
Ah, Dad. Perhaps he had long known of Iris' circumstances. After all, Dad had a network of nobles. Perhaps that's why he also wanted to change Iris' low view of herself like this.
"Can I…?" Iris hesitatingly asked.
"Yes, of course," Dad answered with certainty.
"Really?"
"Yes, you will be able to gain your own happiness in the future. I can guarantee more than anyone else that you will be able to do so, regardless of your status. After all…," Dad stopped at the crucial moment and looked at us alternatively.
D-dad, what's the use of this intentional silent?!
are you going to make me die from the thrill, or is this really a big revelation…?
After a short moment of silence that felt like an eternity, Dad nodded, his face seemed he was finally determined to inform something, before finally continuing.
"I'm also an illegitimate child."
It was indeed a big revelation.
Until I passed away as Reinst, I hadn't heard of anything like this…
Nn? Now that he mentioned it, was the previous duchess of Hartmann the same woman as the one portrayed in the pictures Dad had?
…Crap, my mind blanked. This is totally the downside of not really paying attention to your surroundings and to the others back when I was Reinst.
After observing our surprised faces one by one, Dad sighed and sipped his tea.
"It's a long story, but I'll tell you and shorten it, if that can make you erase your negative outlook on the future," Dad looked especially at Iris.
So, it's going to be Dad's flashback and story time?
Eekh, then Dad, don't hold back on it, tell us everything!!