The Count Family's Young Master
Chapter 10 - There.. (1)

...//A/N: Insert chapter of fluff//...

"Valias, come here." call Ruri. Stepping into the carriage so gracefully with the help of Hadden. Dina raised her head from behind the door. Putting a big smile on Valias.

"Please come in, young master. This alister will be right next to you."

Valias wondered what Alister meant by being next to him. But then ignored that and led himself into the door of the carriage. Sitting in the corner that the Valias family had left for him.

Valias sat down with his two younger brothers. Dina sat in the middle while Hadden and Ruri sat opposite her. "Good morning brother."

"Morning, Dina."

"You've eaten your breakfast?"

"Here you go, dad."

Valias opened the window curtain slightly and saw Alister who noticed it and immediately turned to show off the fake smile.

Oh so that's what he meant.

Valias doesn't know how Alister got there, but has no desire to find out.

"Dad doesn't know you've gone anywhere before we met."

Hadden felt bitterness after saying that. Ruri who realized her husband's unrest touched one of Hadden's wide hands. He drew a smile from the man.

Thanks though.

Ruri felt the remark from Hadden's eyes and replied with a smile.

"Yes, dad. I don't travel much. How long does it take for us to reach the palace?"

Valias decided to stop all that bitter atmosphere.

I would also feel uncomfortable if this kind of atmosphere continued.

"Both days. We'll stay overnight."

Danial too, felt the bitter atmosphere caused by his father's speech. Decided to melt the atmosphere.

My family's lived like this.

Danial was what made him angry at Valias was how the attitude of his brother that made his parents, Dina, and himself bear the burden in his heart to his brother.

If only her brother could be more relaxed. Surely his family could live more harmoniously even with all those shocking facts.

"Oh."

Valias had never been required to travel that long. Even the journey from the village to the city only takes eight hours.

...Maybe because we use horses?

Out of the gate, through the city streets. Valias could see rows of buildings from windows whose curtains were opened.

"Would you like to take a walk in the city?" ruri asked realizing how Valias was looking at the street outside.

His eyes were calm but confident. No longer empty and devoid of spirit.

"Uh.. Yeah.."

That was my goal from yesterday.

But Alister's hampering the plan. Ruri smiled hearing his answer.

Finally he wanted to go out again.

Ruri thinks maybe Valias should take more walks and eat healthy food so that her body is no longer thin and pale. He put on a gentle smile. "After we return I will prepare guards and servants to accompany you."

Ruri still lacks the confidence to call herself the mother of Valias. Unlike Danial and Dina who spend time with their baby and believe that they are his children, Valias spends more time with his own mother.

And we still didn't know what had happened until Valias became like that before it became warmer.

Ruri was still feeling the burdens that were weighing on her heart.

"okay."

Valias responds briefly. Beside him, Dina observed him before opening her mouth as well.

"I want to come too. I've never been outside either." he was enthusiastic.

"Ask your sister if she wants to come if you want to" Hadden responded.

"Can?" Dina. Valias had never seen a child so merciful to her. He was never close to the children.

So this is how it feels.

It is worth a lot of cases parents spoil their children. Valias felt like laughing and finally a smile was on his thin lips. "Of course."

Valias was certainly unaware of how the people inside the carriage were stunned to see his smile. Especially Dina who was the target of that little smile.

"Any sister."

Dina, with her mouth open involuntarily let out the contents of her mind. Before looking down, holding tightly onto his clothes cloth, felt a sense of shame enveloping him.

....Whahuh?

Beauitiful? Valias really never expected that word of expression to appear before his face.

"..Dina?"

"Gdgt.."

A new voice appeared inside the car. Danial covered his mouth holding back laughter.

In his heart Danial laughed at the fact that it was not only him who had that thought. Brother's handsome. Danial is no less handsome. But that pale tyrannical face with a long red mane did give Valias another impression.

Danial has met some people. Among those people Danial meets a narcissist who feels himself to be a beautiful man. Danial didn't want to know if that person would chase after a woman or a man. But her brother, since seeing her brother in the reading room before her brother fainted back then, Danial felt that her brother was on a different level.

"Dina.you're ridiculous."

Danial would not deny Dina's opinion. But to express it to men, Danial found it funny. Especially after seeing the stiff expression of his brother and his parents who may also be unconscious with the state of their own faces.

"T- But it's true!"

Ruri appears to have managed to resuscitate herself and tried to calm her two children. "You must think your sister's hair is beautiful, right?"

"Mother's right! I like sister's hair." This time Dina confidently said that to Valias.

"..O-oh.."

Feeling awkward because it's not her own appearance. Feeling a compliment that was said to him but actually not for him made him feel confused about what to respond.

"Mom doesn't know what mother gave birth to you. But she must be very beautiful."

"Mother is beautiful too. All women have different beauty. Teacher told me that."

Hadden rubbed Ruri's hand that was above hers.

Ruri already knows how Hadden fell in love with a woman as soon as he met her. Ruri believes her husband still has feelings for the woman named Carla even now. But Hadden continued to play his role as a husband well. Hadden also never brought up Carla unless Ruri did ask. Ruri thought she didn't feel any trouble about it. Seeing Valias, with red hair that could make someone stop breathing from being stunned, Ruri understood how her husband could love her to have a child with her.

Ruri returned Hadden's gaze with her usual gentle smile.

Danial also does not want the mother who has been taking care of him since it saves the mind that Danial knows he will not like. But he didn't say anything.

Valias on the other hand calmed himself down after hearing Dina's expression on him.

The journey was peaceful. Danial spends time reading books. Valias enjoys the spectacle of a foreign landscape outside the window presented to him. Dina, who had never been out of the mansion other than when she was with Ruri to the noble wife meeting, enthusiastically turned her head to the left and right. Don't want to miss any sights and buildings outside the train.

The age at which a child is in a period of curiosity.

Dina was timid but accepted her brother's offer. Danial turned his attention from the book to listen to the interaction between his brother and sister with a flat face. Hadden and Ruri with warm and light hearts had thin smiles on their faces.

Valias has really changed.

Hadden still couldn't believe it.

Just two days ago. His eldest son and Carla called him father. Then Ruri called mother. Then at dinner time yesterday Dina told me how she spent time with Valias in the reading room and hugged her sister.

Now, Hadden looked with both of his own eyes. Valias was so gentle with Dina.

It made Hadden's heart feel so relieved and warm.

...***...

Valias and the others are welcome off the train. The thing that Valias saw once out was the table and the chairs and servants including Alister standing around the table with the tray covered in their hands.

Hadden, Ruri and Danial immediately took their steps towards the table. Dina who was the first time required to eat outside the building felt so enthusiastic. Valias on the other hand was flabbergasted by how the table in a clean white plaited table and the chair in fusion— like the one he had been sitting on since yesterday while eating with Valias Bardev's family was arranged on a flat ground without stones on the side the walk.

.....Tables and chairs? Will they have lunch this way?

Valias would feel more reasonable if the Valias family served food in the carriage. Maybe stop for a while, then they'll eat together inside.

But this..

The servants prepared tables and chairs as well as accessories such as candles and vases. They would eat as if they were having a picnic—and instead of being on their way to a palace.

Valias sat down a little stiffly. Still surprised by the sight before him.

Food was served on the table and Valias' family and himself ate with wisdom. The knights of Bardev sat on a mattress on the ground, eating the supplies that had been prepared. While Alister and the other three maids stood as if they had not eaten—or had eaten. Just stand solemnly waiting for the great master and the family they serve to eat.

Everyone got back on the train as soon as it was over. Taking a moment to look back, Valias could see the knights and servants including Alister working together tidying up the items their master used.

Valias grimaced in heart with how troublesome the Valias Bardev family was to eat.

The journey continued until they finally stopped. This time in front of a building similar to the Bardev family mansion. It's just a smaller size.

Valias was taken aback when he finally learned the fact that the building where the Valias family would be staying tonight was the Bardev villa.

There is a symbol that Valias had seen at the gate of the Bardev residence mansion which he now sees on the two pillars of the building in front of the door of the villa building. He then also realized that the knights and servants had the same emblem on their clothes.

Valias goes in following the others. Danial seemed to have been there several times. Dina with her cute expression turned her head to all directions observing the interior of the building that must have been made by her father.

Valias had dinner with the others. In a room whose design and furniture layout is similar to in the mansion.

Ruri and Hadden said good night. Tell Valias, Danial, and Dina to rest. And that they would leave later tomorrow because they had to dress up for an invitation at the palace.

Valias escorted Alister to his room. Danial and Dina were with their servants.

"Are you tired, young master."

Alister asked after Valias had finished the bath and was helped to get dressed by him.

Valias, who had been wearing a nightgown, was wearing a shirt and thin pants and comfortably answered while letting Alister shave his hair as soon as he sat on the edge of the mattress. "No."

Actually yes. But he is not tired to the stage he will admit that he is tired.

"Alisters. Have you eaten yet?"

Alister smiling. He looked at the expressionless face of his red-haired young master.

"Oh, young master. I'm touched by your attention. You don't have to worry. Waiters like me have our own rest schedules. I will not neglect the needs of my life."

Alister put on a sly smile that Valias could not see.

"Oh. Then thank goodness."

Alister fell silent, though he did not stop the movement of his hands.

A little flabbergasted by Valias attitude but not showing it at all.

As soon as he felt his job was done, Alister came out.

"Good night, young master. I hope you rest well."

"Hm. You too."

Valias starts to feel tired and lets himself sleep early. Unaware of the expression the maid had as she closed the door without a sound.

...***...

Alister went into the room with the wheel table the next morning.

Help Valias get dressed after the young man takes a bath. He was made speechless with clothes wrapped in his new body.

Previously Alister made him wear a white shirt with a simple pattern variant. Then plain pants with black and brown color.

But now the clothes are a little different.

Valias is taken by Alister to the dining room. He could see Danial and Dina who were also heading towards the same room with their servants.

Since yesterday, the clothes that Danial used that Valias saw were shirts with plain vests. With plain tie on collar. And those pants are plain too.

But now Danial still wears a plain white shirt, but with a patterned vest and pants that are different models.

And Dina, though,

"..I'm sorry.."

Valias. But a gentle smile was on his face. Dina since yesterday wearing a shirt and pants. However Dina in front of her was now wearing a dress.

His short brown hair was left untouched. A shiny flower-shaped accessory was attached to her hair.

"..Brother.." Dina looks uncomfortable with her clothes. He hesitantly put on a hardened face. Valias recalled Dina saying that she did not like to wear dresses. Valias smiles in sympathy.

"Is there a problem?" he said softly as soon as he arrived in front of Danial and Dina.

Danial turned his head to his sister. She also knows that Dina doesn't like to wear dresses. Both of their parents know and never force. But only for today.

They're going to the palace. Inevitably their daughter had to wear a dress as a form of respect for the invitee.

Dina bit her lip.

Valias was sad for Dina. But there must be a reason why Dina is wearing a dress today, right? They're going to the palace. Even Alister prepared clothes that were different than usual. The same thing must have happened to the boy.

When Valias hesitates whether or not to say something, Ruri's voice is heard from inside the dining room. Tell them to come in so breakfast can begin.

Dina glanced at Valias before lethargic walking towards his chair.

As Danial and Valias sat in their seats, Ruri smiled sadly at Dina who was sitting a short distance away from her. But it was true and it was supposed that Dina as the daughter of a noble family should dress appropriately.

During the day in the middle of the journey. Valias' family had lunch at a stop. Two hours after everyone was on the train, Dina who was sitting by the window suddenly smashed her head lightly into Valias' left arm. When Valias turned his head, Dina was asleep.

"Ah. Dina sleep?" Hadden.

"Valias. Want Dina to move here?" Ruri offered dismay.

"No. It's okay." Someone leaning on you isn't a problem at all. Valias gave a smile to Ruri before glancing at Dina's calm face then turned her attention back to the street outside.

Hadden and Ruri were once again made to feel the warmth enveloping their hearts.

An hour later, Dina woke up. Her red cheeks realized she was asleep and leaned on her brother. Valias chuckles small.

About three hours later, finally a large gate and another horse-drawn carriage were seen.