The Dutiful Kid Who Saved the Villainous Family - Chapter 95

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Episode 95

“His Grace, Previous Duke Choiren Jakvel, has commanded that the merchant from the Northern Delegation be brought here.”

“Me?”

What reason could the Previous Duke have for seeking him out when he was disguised as a mere commoner merchant?

“Yes. It seems to be because of his niece.”

His niece, then.

‘That’s Airi.’

Declan frowned.

‘What has that troublemaker done now?’

And then…

The scene that Declan encountered after following the servant was horrific.

Previous Duke Choiren Jakvel’s Office.

Declan looked back and forth between the finished chess board and the three children, muttering.

“What the.”

No, wait.

“What is this?”

…I should use formal speech.

When Declan recited his formal speech with an expressionless face, the atmosphere became cold.

“Are you this child’s uncle?”

“That’s right, but.”

Most people were flustered by Declan’s crude semi-formal speech.

But Declan was equally having trouble grasping the situation.

Just looking at this space alone, wasn’t it quite suspicious?

It was questionable that Berry and Airi had met, and that he had sent them to play at the playground only to find them in Previous Duke Choiren’s office.

“Ari, you. Why are you sitting on some stranger’s grandfather’s lap?”

Just why is our family’s daughter sitting on some other family’s old man’s lap, laughing so happily?

Airi yawned like a cat getting its belly rubbed, then jumped down with a hop.

“Huh! Good day to you, Uncle Elder!”

“…This is going to need some explanation.”

Quite a lot of it, too.

* * *

So the situation was like this.

Since five people were going to play chess, they divided into teams.

Karhen, Airi, and Salrite were on one team, while Berry and Previous Duke Choiren Jakvel became the other team.

Airi raised her hand up and said.

“I’ll be the one moving those round friends!”

Choiren slightly raised the corners of his mouth and said.

“Round friends, you say. It seems you don’t even know the basics of chess.”

Cookie was furious and sent a telepathic message.

[Ha! How dare that old man provoke me?]

But it seemed to be true.

However, Cookie muttered in an even more angry voice.

[Hahaha! Yes, this is exactly what I call fighting spirit. Now, let’s begin!]

And so Airi sat facing Berry and Choiren on the opposite side.

Choiren gestured with his chin toward Berry, and Berry wiped his now-damp forehead with the back of his hand, muttering.

“I, I’ll begin.”

When he moved a round-shaped white piece, Airi tilted her head. Choiren was looking at Airi.

Then, Cookie said.

[Move the bishop one square.]

Airi didn’t even know what a bishop was!

But Cookie described its appearance in detail, so she could find it without difficulty.

When the bishop moved, Choiren’s eyes filled with curiosity.

Next, when the knight moved, Choiren said to Berry.

“Now I’ll take over.”

“…Yes.”

Berry’s earlier bold demeanor was nowhere to be seen.

Unlike Berry, who had become somewhat dejected, Choiren’s eyes were sparkling brightly.

And then, when Airi moved a pawn.

“En passant, I see. So you do know chess?”

Cookie scolded loudly through telepathy.

[How dare someone with such thick and lush hair act all praising in front of me! The ones who taught me chess have already rotted away in their graves and turned to soil!]

But Cookie.

That’s not something to brag about!

Anyway, was it thanks to the cooperation between Cookie, who knew chess well, and Airi, who didn’t know what en passant was?

Airi’s hands raced across the chess board without rest.

And finally…

[Checkmate!]

“Checkmate.”

Choiren’s eyes flashed.

“I lost. It ended much easier than I expected.”

It was when Karhen was quietly trying to clean up the chess board.

“…Do you have an injury on your hand?”

“Yes.”

Choiren looked at Karhen’s face for a moment.

Then he rubbed his face dry and muttered.

“…No, never mind. I’m being oversensitive.”

It was a somewhat incomprehensible remark.

Airi, Karhen, Berry, and even Salrite couldn’t understand what he meant.

Then, Choiren opened his eyes again and spoke.

“So, we made a bet. What do you want?”

Airi thought carefully.

What Airi wanted was ‘the Eastern House’s magical energy.’

To do that…

‘My head is so very complicated!’

There was only one thing Airi could do at times like this.

“Um, I came here with my Uncle Elder. I want to talk with my Uncle Elder!”

Of course I should consult with an adult!

Airi straightened her shoulders confidently. Her belly stuck out round and prominent.

“Alright, then I’ll call him, so sit and wait.”

Airi opened her eyes wide and hopped down from the chair.

“I told you to sit and wait, but why…”

Right after saying this, he realized why Airi had gotten down.

Airi had plopped right down on his empty lap.

“Wh, what are you doing?”

Airi blinked her purple eyes.

So this was Airi’s version of ‘kindness for the grandfather who became upset after losing at chess.’

People with white hair always became very very happy when Airi sat on their laps!

…And that’s how all of this happened.

Declan pressed his forehead.

A sudden headache was coming on.

* * *

It had unexpectedly become an awkward multi-person meeting.

Only Declan and Choiren, Airi and Karhen remained.

After Prince Berry, who had somehow become dejected, and Salrite, who was suffering in anticipation of disciplinary action, quietly left their seats.

Choiren came over with tea brewed in a tea set.

Declan was already being served tea for the second time today.

“I promised this child I would give what you want, so speak up. If you’re a merchant, it would be money. Is that so?”

At Choiren’s gaze looking down at her as if confirming, Airi quickly nodded her head.

“Huh, huk. That’s right. My uncle, uh, Elder is a merchant. He absolutely has no other profession. But he might not need money.”

This should be completely unsuspicious! Airi straightened her shoulders proudly.

Then, Declan sighed and said.

“It’s not my share, so ask my daughter, no, my niece who’s like a daughter.”

Cookie sent a telepathic message.

[Your Elder speaks the truth. He’s not even trying to hide his impudence? He’s different from experienced veterans like us who hide our strength.]

Choiren’s brow was already narrowing mischievously!

But that was only for a moment.

“Fine. Then child, you tell me.”

What should I ask for?

There weren’t many things Airi wanted.

‘Going to an amusement park holding hands with Father…’

…But that can’t be fulfilled.

‘What would be good?’

Then, Cookie said.

[Since it’s come to this, how about asking for a