Grandparents Arrived
After returning to the manor, I changed out of my dusty clothes and hurried to the dining room. Everyone was already gathered when I arrived.
“I-I’m terribly sorry for making you wait.”
“It’s fine. We’ve already been informed. First, take a seat.”
Arthur had reported to Mr. Grey about my visit to the private militia dormitory.
“Yes. Ah, good morning, Father, Mother, Brother Noel, Brother Gene.”
““““Good morning, Jo(an).””””
--- Morning tea time after breakfast.
“Thank you, Joan.”
“Huh? What’s this about, Father?”
“Oh, it’s about the private militia dormitory. With Father coming, I was so focused on the manor that I completely forgot about it.”
“Oh you~ you should’ve taken me or Gene along if you were going there.”
Brother Noel said.
“Exactly. Did anything weird happen to you?”
Brother Gene added.
“Huh? Something weird? Nothing happened. Besides, I was with Mr. Abe. You two are so overprotective.”
While discussing the private militia dormitory, I noticed that Mother, unusually, didn’t join the conversation. She had even left some of her breakfast uneaten. Concerned, I glanced at her and saw her face was pale.
“M-Mother, are you okay? You’re so pale.”
“““What!?”””
Father, Brother Noel, and Brother Gene all turned to look at Mother.
“I-I’m fine, just feeling a little unwell…ugh.”
“Maggie, are you alright? Grey, fetch a doctor! Quickly!”
Grey ran out of the living room.
“Never mind, I’ll go get the doctor myself!”
Father said as he left the room, followed by Brother Noel.
“Mother, are you okay? Is it just nausea?”
I sat beside her, gently rubbing her back.
“Yes, I’ve been feeling queasy since this morning…”
“Brother Gene, could you get some water, please?”
At my request, Brother Gene left the room to fetch water.
Mother had been drinking wine and eating snacks as usual during last night’s after-dinner tea but didn’t seem to eat much. Could it be…
“Mother, I have a question…when was your last monthly cycle?”
“!! Now that you mention it… Oh my, could it be? Joan…”
“It might be… but we’ll have to wait until Father and the doctor arrive.”
“Well, if that’s true, I’d be delighted. Joan, how did you figure it out? Could it be…you had children in your past life?”
“Yes, I had two—a daughter and a son.”
“I see, that explains it. How reassuring.”
Mother hugged me tightly.
As it turned out, my guess was correct—Mother was expecting a child.
So, I’m going to have a little brother or sister. I’m so happy.
To protect the baby, I’ll need to become stronger. I should ask Nancy to increase my training starting next week.
***
Just before afternoon tea, my grandparents arrived. My aunt’s family was scheduled to come for dinner.
For me, it was the first time meeting them in this life, although it had been three years since their last visit.
“It’s been a while, Grandfather, Grandmother.”
I performed a flawless curtsy.
“Oh, it has been a while, Joan. You’ve grown so much.”
Said my Grandfather, Will Lampail, lifting me up.
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[Will Lampail]
Former Lord of Lampail Territory, ex-leader of the Monster Subjugation Corps.
Attribute
Lightning.
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He’s as tall as Abe and has a white mustache, making him look like Santa Claus.
“My, not only have you grown, but you’ve become even lovelier, and you can greet us so properly now.”
Said my Grandmother, Lindsay Lampail, gently patting my head.
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[Lindsay Lampail]
Former Lady of Lampail Territory, ex-Royal Guard to the Queen.
Attribute
Fire.
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She’s a kind, refined lady who exudes nobility. Could she really be as formidable as they say? Perhaps she’s a Nancy-type?
“It’s good to see both of you in good health. Please, come this way.”
Father said, leading them to the living room.
Today’s afternoon tea included tea, salted butter cookies, and ripple pie.
I had hoped to serve something I made myself, but Father insisted on explaining everything to Grandfather and Grandmother first. What a pity.
Still, I wonder what they’ll think of my Null attribute.
After some lighthearted conversation, Stanley brought up the main topic.
“Father, Mother, I have two pieces of news to share.”
“What is it?”
“First, Margaret is expecting her fourth child.”
“Oh, congratulations!”
“Congratulations, Margaret. Please take care of yourself and let us know if you need anything.”
“Thank you, Mother-in-law.”
“Thank you, Mother. I’ll be sure to ask if anything comes up. And the second piece of news… Joan, come here.”
Father called me over and seated me beside him.
Noticing how tightly I had clenched my hands without realizing it, he gently held them, calming my trembling.
“This spring, Joan’s attribute was revealed. It’s Null. I apologize for not informing you earlier.”
“I see…”
“So that’s why we didn’t hear anything. Come here, Joan.”
Grandfather and Grandmother beckoned me to sit between them.
“It must’ve been tough. It’s alright; I’ll protect you too.”
Grandmother said as she hugged me, making me tear up.
Grandfather, though a bit awkward, gently patted my head.
I’m so relieved they didn’t criticize me.
Could this mean they’ve accepted me? But what about my past-life memories and extraordinary skills?
When I looked anxiously at Father, he gave a silent nod.
“There’s another reason for the delayed communication. Actually—”
Father explained about my collapse after the baptism ceremony, revealing my past-life memories and unusual skills. He also mentioned that Aunt Juliette had been researching the Null attribute and would explain it to us today.
What do you think about this chapter?
