Ch. 155 - A Teacher's Duty
Hearing my words, Glenn faltered with a somewhat bewildered look. He showed signs of thinking about various things, and finally made a sorrowful expression with his eyebrows slanted downwards.
"...No, I am grateful for your feelings, but Solare is..."
Glenn, about to say something in a small voice, shut his mouth. Then, without saying anything, he turned his back to me. No one was able to call out to Glenn, who was leaving with slumped shoulders.
After Glenn left, Middleton let out a deep sigh.
"...That's Glenn. He'll probably regain his usual composure soon. Well then, let us borrow a room in the academy for now and share some drinks."
"Hmm, it's a valuable opportunity, after all."
"It does leave a bad aftertaste, but it cannot be helped."
Agreeing with Middleton's words, Grantz, Diageo, and the others headed to the drinking session. They seemed to drink every day, but how they don't get bored is beyond me. Well, I suppose they are trying to gain information about other countries at times like these, but if it were me, I would decide that once or twice would be more than enough.
After Middleton and the others left, Cote, Rox, Shenley, and the others returned. Looking at the students, I voiced my question.
"Do you all know about Headmaster Glenn’s grandson?"
When I asked that, Cote and Rox looked at each other.
"Are you talking about Solare Molt?"
"Solare-kun, I have only met him when I was little, as well."
The two of them looked at each other with troubled expressions. It seems they don't know much about him.
After all, it seems I have no choice but to ask Glenn directly. However, I wouldn't be able to forcefully get information out of him with how he was. What happened for him to hide his figure? Isn't there some way I can investigate this?
While thinking that, Felter appeared from the back with Ramsay. Fiol was also there in the back.
"Solare, huh... It's been a long time since I've seen him. But, I'm probably the last person who saw him,"
Felter said, casually dropping a bombshell. At that, Rox was surprised and turned around.
"You were the last to see him? When was that?"
To that question, Felter crossed his arms and frowned.
"If I recall correctly... was it a year ago? I had met Solare a few times, originally. We didn't interfere with each other, but for some reason, we were in the same space."
"Y-you had a friendship? Why didn't you say so?"
Rox piled on more questions, but Felter shook his head from side to side, looking annoyed.
"Why would I need to talk about something like that? So what if Solare doesn't leave his room? It has nothing to do with me."
When Felter said that with a cold attitude, Rox clenched his fists in front of his chest and gnashed his teeth.
"That’s not the problem here…!"
He groaned, seeming frustrated. Did he want Felter to tell him anything as a friend? Or was he angry that Felter didn't mention information about an important person, Glenn's grandson? Either way, as Felter says, it's not something that Felter would have a need to tell Rox on his own.
I was convinced about that point, but putting Rox aside, in my case, I should hear about it from my position. Thinking that, I turned to face Felter.
"Felter-kun. If you don't mind, please tell me about Solare-kun."
When I said that, Felter made a troubled face and pulled his chin in. Seeing Felter hesitate as if reluctant to open his mouth, Fiol gave a gentle smile and wry chuckle.
"Look, Felter, you even wrote about it in your letters before, didn't you? It’s okay if it’s just the things that are easy to talk about, okay?"
Fiol said that as if gently advising him, and Felter let out a sigh.
"...Alright. I’ll talk about Solare. That’s fine, but I don’t want you to do anything that would forcefully drag Solare into the open."
"I promise you that."
I accepted Felter's condition with an immediate response. Then, with a serious face, Felter nodded and opened his mouth with a jerk of his chin.
"...Let's change the location."
"I understand. Well then, it's about time, so let's have dinner with Felter-kun and your parents. Ah, Ramsay-san, were you having a meal with Middleton-san and the others?"
When I asked that, Ramsay snorted and laughed.
"It's enough to have a face-to-face drink once. We have already discussed future policies and Q&As for each country. If I were to force a matter to be confirmed, it would be Aoi-dono’s dispatch location, but if I heard correctly, you chose to go to the Holy Empire last time based on your own personal thoughts, right? Then it is better to leave it to Aoi-dono rather than each country unnecessarily interfering."
After answering just that, Ramsay stood there as if to say the conversation was over, with a dignified attitude. Really, this parent and child are so alike. Thinking that, I chuckled and nodded.
"That’s true. I am also unfamiliar with the political situations and relationships of each country, so I understand your feelings."
"Hm? No, we have also talked about standards for land, population, import/export, immigration measures, and academics. Just so you know, the noble who is most in charge of diplomacy in Bushmills is..."
Ramsay started to speak as if making an explanation, but Fiol clapped his hands together to make a sound and interrupt him.
"Now, since we're here, let’s go to a high-class restaurant. Don’t worry about the money, and what about you all as well? If each of you eats in separate private rooms, you don’t have to worry about us, okay?"
In a leisurely tone, Fiol invited everyone present to dinner.
"I'll go!"
"I want to go!"
When Isle and the others raised their hands to express their feelings, Fiol gave an elegant chuckle.
"Yes. Then, let’s all go together."
"Yay!"
"It's a celebration!"
While Isle and the others were being boisterous, Cote chuckled while looking at me.
"Is it alright for us to go?"
"Ramsay-san is a Marquis, so it will be alright."
He’s probably something like a president of a large company. I answered, thinking that, but Cote was laughing out loud. It seems my actions were not common sense. After all, should I be more reserved with nobles?