The Count Family's Young Master
Chapter 16 - You... (1)

Door knocked. Alister's voice told him that dinner time had come. Valias put down the book he had read and went out opening the door to the dining room.

The dining room door had opened and Dina realized her arrival with a shocked face. Danial. They sat in chairs like the first day Valias joined them. "Sister?! Since when did you come back?!" Dina got off her stool and walked quickly to Valias. Hugging both her thighs. "I'm so worried! How's brother's wound? Is it healed?"

Actually Valias even forgot that he had bandage ties behind his clothes. Valias thought it looked like the wound had started to heal. Anyway, it's been a week.

Valias reaches both shoulders. "I'm already okay. Sorry to worry you."

"really?" Danial came to him. She recalled how much blood flowed from Valias' arm back then and how her brother fainted afterwards. Then how pale the skin was when Valias lay without opening his eyes for two whole days. Even when Danial and the others went home Valias' condition did not seem to improve.

But at least now her brother had gone home and stood as usual in front of her. Her appearance was already much better and she looked healthier even with that skin and body. "Yes. There's nothing you need to worry about anymore."

"Why didn't you tell us?" ask Dina.

"I forgot."

Alister didn't mention that at all.

"Aren't you hungry?" This time Danial asked.

"Not really. I'm here to eat with you anyway."

"Good! My sister has to eat a lot. Let's sit down brother. Sit down near mom and dad. They have also been worried about my brother since yesterday. Father was even so silent and moody as long as brother was in the palace."

Dina drew Valias' hand and led him to sit on a chair by Hadden's bench. Then Dina sat in her usual chair while Danial was opposite Dina.

"When did you realize?"

"Three days ago. I took a break a day ago and I'll be here tomorrow."

"Why don't you rest longer?"

"I'd rather rest here."

What am I doing there?

Rather than in the palace Valias preferred to stay in the reading room where Valias Bardev lived.

"Right right! I'll take care of brother. Brother can't be hurt anymore. You can't faint anymore either. I'll make you eat a lot!"

Dina exclaimed towards Valias. Alister picked up the bench that Valias was using at the time and took it out of the room.

"Did the royal family see brother?" ask Danial.

"Yes.."

"What did they talk to their sister about?" The sister asked again.

"Not much."

The crown prince suspects me. Makes sense.

Valias sat up straight looking at the table without responding to Danial and Dina's eyes.

"Dad! My brother is back!"

When Valias turned his head Hadden and Ruri were already standing side by side at the door like that time. With a similar expression.

"Valias? You're back already? Why don't you know?" Hadden's face doesn't believe.

"Sorry dad. I forgot to report. I just got to this afternoon." Valias stood up and nodded towards Hadden.

"Let me see." Ruri leaves Hadden and approaches Valias.

"His injury?"

"It doesn't hurt. It might be healing soon."

Ruri and Hadden could smell the medicine and plants from behind the arms of Valias' clothes. It was Alister who treated and replaced Valias' bandages and helped Valias wipe clean and get dressed.

"We're very worried, Valias. You collapsed suddenly after being injured. You slept for so long. I'm so sorry I had to leave you there." Hadden walked over and hugged Valias tightly while being careful not to touch her son's right arm.

"It's okay dad. I'm fine too." After that, Hadden took off his arms. Valias could see Hadden's face looking so tired. Valias could imagine how Hadden was so worried about him seeing that face and remembering Dina's words.

Valias remembered the figure of his father. For a long time he had not accepted anyone's worries. But realizing that Hadden was worried about his son, the real Valias, Abimala certainly wouldn't think Hadden was worried about him.

I'm just the one who possessed her son's body.

Ruri, Dina, Danial too. Valias had deceived them even though it was not his wish. But he would also not choose to behave like the real Valias. He will continue to act as himself.

"Well, if you think so."

Hadden asked Valias and Ruri to sit down and start sitting on his own stool. The waiter serves the food and dinner begins.

"When did you wake Valias? Last time we saw you you were still unconscious." asked Ruri before touching the food.

"Three days ago, mom. I rested a day and came here." Valias answered in the same way when Danial asked.

"Why not rest longer?"

"I'd rather rest here."

"Sister's right, mother. This time we can take care of brother."

"Did the crown prince see you?"

Hadden recalled how Alister delivered the message Mallory sent in a letter reporting that new jobs had been piling up for four days. Frey, who was aware of the report, told Hadden to return to Bardev County. Hadden wanted to bring Valias back but the crown prince told him he wanted to thank Valias directly after Valias woke up. So he wants Valias to stay in the palace.

Frey also proposed letting one servant accompany her son. The palace will ensure the safety and health of Valias Bardev. With that Hadden reluctantly left Valias with Alister and returned first.

Hadden has not spoken to anyone since. Worrying that Valias alone is unconscious with only Alister at his side. Hadden wanted to know what kind of words crown prince Frey had said to his son.

His son was already severely injured and lost consciousness from losing a lot of blood after saving a future king. Hadden wanted to know what form of gratitude his son received from Frey Nardeen. "Yes." Yeah." Valias answered.

"What did the crown prince say?"

"Not much."

Valias felt the gaze of everyone at the dining table.

"Do they suspect you?"

Danial's questioning voice sounded after a while in his interval of doubt. Valias stopped when he was about to scoop up his food. He felt the sharpening eyes of Hadden and Ruri.

"What?" Hadden has not touched his food at all.

"Suspected what?" Valias pretends not to know.

I didn't expect Danial to understand that either.

Intelligent danial. Sure oes. Ever since he touched the arrow that stuck his arm, Valias had already predicted all the possibilities.

People will suspect it. Especially with his sudden appearance as a child of the Bardev family who had never been published before, surely people will make their own assumptions.

Danial seems quite intelligent and sensitive as a child at his age.

He spoke again after a moment of silence. "Sister's actions at the event that day invited the attention of the people. His majesty the king and elder brother were both victims, but the elder brother remained alive while the noble died. The cause of the king's death is the first case in history. No one knows how to deal with the poison that enters their body."

Danial was silent for a moment. Stop touching his meal to observe Valias sitting a bit away from him. "Could it be.. injuring yourself that time, was the correct way to deal with the poison?"

Everyone in the room opened their eyes. Even the servants who heard the talk were shocked to hear Danial's words.

"....Brother?"

"..Is that really Valias?"

"..How did you know?"

Hadden and Ruri wait for Valias to answer.

"..........That's.."

Valias considers how he should respond. He had already guessed that question from the Valias family. Although he did not expect that Danial would start the topic.

"And how did young master Valias know that his arrow was poisonous, ah!" A female servant looked surprised at her own words just now. Now his colleagues see him in a panic.

"What are you thinking?" A male servant rebuked. But it seemed that he was picking up the same thing as the female servant.

The atmosphere became tense. Valias felt the pressure again but managed to calm himself down.

He was ready to say nonsense again. But he could not bear to do that to the Valias family who cared so much for him. Unlike when dealing with Frey three days ago.

"Whatever you have in mind, my son, Valias Bardev will not do anything wrong. Danials. What makes you think that?"

Danial lowered his gaze. Putting his hands together behind the flat surface of the table. "I'm sorry dad. I've been thinking about this since we got home from the palace. ...I also heard the servants and knights whispering about the incident. News and gossip spread quickly. If you want to protect your sister, .. I think we should at least hear your story."

"But you shouldn't be discussing that right now. Your brother just got home." Hadden put emphasis on his voice.

"Haddie.." Ruri felt a bad atmosphere emerge. Trying to grab Hadden's hand that was holding his fork tightly.

"...Sorry. dad. ...I said without thinking.." Danial lowered his head. Regretful-faced. Not raising his head.

"..Dad.." Dina felt her heart beating rapidly. He felt his hands cool. She did not quite understand why the warm and happy room due to her brother's return changed.

"..Its alright. I'll tell you."

"It's okay mom. Sorry to make you worry."

Valias doesn't want the family to be in conflict because of him. He had already caused that situation, he had to take action. "..I received a message from the god."

Valias starts his bullshit again.

"..God?" Hadden saw it impatiently.

Valias nodded. "Yes." Yeah."

Valias explained as he lied to the crown prince.

One by one talk after the silence that took place due to the maker of nonsense.

"..Father.. ..I didn't expect this.."

"...Since when did you receive such a message from a god?"

"K, Brother chosen God?"

"...."

Valias felt so awkward lying to people again. Especially now that all members of the Valias Bardev family saw him unexpectedly.

The danish who started the situation was unable to speak.

"..It's the first time." Valias bribed a small portion of food to make himself seem calm. "And that's how I hurt myself. Maybe that's what kept me safe. I didn't expect much at all."

"..You could die. You can take that lightly!" Hadden tightened his grip. Ruri calmed him down again. They still haven't touched their food at all. Likewise with Danial and Dina who have forgotten the existence of food that has been eaten a little.

"..Dad. I don't want to lose you again. ..I haven't apologized properly to you. I haven't explained why I left you and your mother.." Hadden's voice rang out. And so are his shoulders and hands.

"Dad hasn't been a good father to you yet.." Hadden's eyes started to heat up. Ruri saw her husband so she felt like crying. She had witnessed her husband's grief and regret all along. Finally, her husband got his happiness.

Valias is getting worse. He didn't expect Hadden to respond to his nonsense like that. The crown prince showed no reaction like Hadden at all.

But Valias also understood why Hadden thought that way.

Your family loves you very much Valias.

Valias doesn't know anything about Valias Bardev but seeing how the family behaves, especially Hadden to him, Valias feels the real Valias is too bad at avenging his family's attention.

"..I'm sorry, dad. I promise I won't worry you anymore."

Valias said it solemnly. He returned Hadden's sad eyes calmly and put on his pure smile.

Tears came out of Hadden's eyes. He took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his own tears. "..Promise me to tell Dad about anything. Tell us if you get a message from a god like that again."

"...Sure do.."

"..Fathering.. Was what that natural big brother had ever happened before?"

Danial's question made the room quiet again.

"..I've never heard of anything like that. It's the first time. I still can't believe this either. Ah. It's not that I don't trust you, Valias.." Hadden looked panicked as he turned his head back to Valias.

"It's okay dad. I-i understand. I also think it doesn't make sense."

Valias is self-defeating.

Abimala, isn't your speaking ability too good? Why don't you just start writing a book?

Abimala the child majoring in art finally thought to try to study literature.

"..Valias, are you maybe.. We should find out about this? Maybe... Should we go to the temple?"

"Yes, Ruri's right. Maybe we can ask Father what you're going through."

"K-my brother was chosen by the gods?"

"...."

"...No need for dad. I also don't know if such a dream will happen again or not. No need to think about it too much." Valias is feeling more guilty. "..Daddyh. I haven't even touched my food. I think it's dinner time?"

"A-h.." Hadden, Ruri and Danial and Dina directly simultaneously touched their cutlery and started eating.

Valias breathed in his heart.

When everyone finished busy with their food and left the room not filled with any talk, Ruri first opened her mouth.

"Evening is over. Do you want to rest?" asked Ruri gently.

Dina did not respond to anything. Danial nodded his head in doubt. Valias grabbed a glass and drank the water inside. "I'll be fine. You guys get some rest, dad, mom."

"Yes.." Hadden watched Valias stand up with a somewhat complicated expression.

"A-I am too."

"Good night." Dina and Danial followed Valias out the door. The two maids earlier and Alister tailed silently behind the three of them.

Valias thinks maybe Danial and Dina's room is in the same direction as him. He started the conversation. "Do you like the food?"

"A- What? ...Ja. The food's good." Dina answered nervously beside him. Walk with Valias.

"What about you?"

Valias glanced at Danial who was walking on the left behind him. "..Yeah.." Danial answered slowly.

They walked without anyone talking anymore. But Danial finally decided to say something.

"I'm sorry, brother."

Valias gives off a small ruckus. "It's okay. You're thinking of me. I'm happy."

"..Brother not angry?"

"Not at all. You're smart and sharp. I was expecting you to ask that. It's appropriate that father and mother know." Valias paused for a moment. "You guys too. You did the right thing."

"...Alright.."

Danial started to feel the burden in his heart lift. Danial observed Valias from behind. His brother is taller than him. But Danial's sense of self will grow taller than her brother. His teacher and sword instructor always said that Danial and Dina grew faster and taller than children their age.

Danial thought, she would reach her brother's height sooner or later.

She looked at her brother's hair. Long red hair tied with black ribbon. Danial had never seen a man with long hair like his brother. Danial wondered why her sister never cut her hair.

But, after he thought about it again,

Maybe it's better that way.

Her sister looked so graceful with red hair that started to pass through her shoulders. Her sister's hair was straight, in contrast to her hair and Dina who was a little more curly like her father.

Danial thinks maybe their mother also has straight hair?

Danial, by looking at Valias, felt that she would never forget the figure of the woman who had conceived and given birth to her.

"A, I'm not smart.."

Dina mutters. Valias heard that and patted Dina on the head.

"You're smart too. You're still young. You still have time to study. You can follow Danial and your parents. You can grow up to be a great woman."

Dina's eyes sparkled. "According to sister?"

"certain. You and Danial will be the leaders of this family in place of your parents' generation. I'm sure you'll be great sisters."

"I'll continue in my father's position." Answer Danial with emphasis.

Danial had been studying since childhood as the eldest son of the Bardev family. Although now the status of his eldest son has moved on to his brother, Danial will not let go of his ideals.

Danial heard Valias' words and became even more excited. If her brother thinks like that, then Danial will prove it.

"Absolutely. I'll support you." Valias patted Dina's head again before raising her hand.

"M-I think big brother is great too. Brother high. Handsome brother like Danial. I also always look at my sister in the reading room. My brother also wrote the papers. I don't know what you're doing. But I'm sure big brother. K.. Brother too," Dina sounded stop for a moment.

"Sister is also the one chosen by the gods!"

"...."

Valias really did not expect that it would come out of Dina's mouth.

"......I was not chosen by God. It's just a dream sign. Everyone experiences it." Valias said.

Like how his college friends sometimes show off their dreams. Dejavu, they said. His friend had a late dream, then two days later he was really late.

"I've never had such a dream, young master."

From behind, Alister spoke.

Valias glanced back and got the waiter's fake smile. "I never did either! I'm sure big brother was really chosen god!" Dina sounds so excited.

Valias said nothing. Danial seemed busy with his thoughts.