Chapter 9 : Chapter 9
Chapter 9. To the Tolome Family (2)
Blanc’s mother, Nedrian, succeeded in protecting her son until the end.
Storing a birth poem inside the spirit tablet is a long custom of nobles. The Blanc of the last life couldn't be acknowledged as a Cadmus until the end because that spirit tablet was missing, but this life was different.
“Huuuuh…….”
Although it had been almost a month since entering the Tolome family, Blanc couldn't get used to this soft bed at all.
Although the thirteen-year-old body wouldn't have been able to lie on a soft bed for only about three months, the regressed Blanc’s soul was over 30 years old.
“Need to get uuuup.”
It was early dawn before the morning sun even rose. Although it was an early time to start the day, Blanc had a reason to wake up now.
Because he had to offer morning greetings to Bartomyu, the head of the Tolome family and his maternal grandfather.
Since Bartomyu started the day from early dawn whether because he was old or because his inherent nature was diligent, Blanc also had to wake up at this time to greet him and imprint himself.
It couldn't be helped because the only person welcoming him in this Tolome family was Bartomyu, so he had to catch his eye as much as possible.
Since the situation was that Tolomes who would lead the next generation were frantic to unite here and there to take the initiative of the family, Blanc, a stone that rolled in, had to read the room.
If perchance Blanc showed even a little appearance of coveting the share of the Tolome family, there might be poison instead of salt in the soup he eats the next day.
“Headache.”
“Still, you must offer morning greetings.”
Emilia moved diligently fixing Blanc’s attire.
“Rakshar?”
“Even until yesterday he was working in the stable, but he says he’ll likely be fired again today…….”
Rakshar, the Half-Werewolf, was unable to mingle with surrounding servants in many ways.
“Tell him to endure just a little as I will pay attention soon.”
“Understood.”
On the contrary, Emilia was in a situation where she adapted quickly to this mansion. Perhaps even more than Blanc.
Although it might be due to her innate affinity, it was more because of the golden hairpin, his mother’s keepsake Blanc handed over.
There was no way the Countess Tolome would give a hairpin she possessed since then to an ordinary maid.
Although Blanc handed it over for her who served his mother for a long time, people around interpreted it as an act containing a slightly heavier meaning.
Since it was a common occurrence for nobles to take in maids they shared a bed with from a young age.
Usually, it was normal to give maids who served nobles from such a young age at least a hefty sum and send them elsewhere, but there were also cases of taking them in as concubines completely.
Moreover, since Emilia was a maid with the merit of escorting Blanc safely to this place, the maids and servants around couldn't dare treat her carelessly.
“Why are you grinning?”
“Because meat stew with plenty of salted meat is coming out for breakfast this morning. It’s my favorite breakfast menu!”
“Understandable to grin.”
However, whatever people around said, the relationship between the two would be unchanged.
As a family-like maid and a precious young master.
***
“Any inconveniences?”
Bartomyu asking with his gaze fixed on the pile of documents.
And Blanc standing in a polite posture in front of him.
“It is comfortable just like my own home. My cousins are also giving much help.”
‘As if.’
Hearing Blanc’s voice telling a lie nonchalantly, Bartomyu let out a hollow laugh.
He wasn't one not to know the situation where Bartomyu was the only one giving warm gazes to Blanc, the stone that rolled in.
Rather, he also knew that his children and grandsons were keeping him in check and isolating him in various ways.
However, isn't the young grandson in front answering calmly as if it was nothing.
‘I didn't see wrong.’
Although Bartomyu was busy with public and private affairs, he didn't slacken his interest in Blanc.
Because the impression left from the first meeting with Blanc was that strong.
‘Is it because I’m old. It’s hard to treat him strictly as before.’
Although the educational policy of the Tolome family was to teach strictly and raise strongly regardless of children or grandsons, there was a unique child who deviated from that guideline.
‘The more I see, the more he resembles Nedrian. Certainly, it is certain he inherited Tolome’s blood thicker than Cadmus.’
And Blanc, Nedrian’s son, was receiving such privileges.
Of course, it was also because he was doing well on his own without needing to be treated strictly.
“I heard a week later is your birthday.”
“It is an honor that the Count remembers even this grandson’s birthday.”
“The gift is already decided.”
Blanc, to whom even remembering the birthday was unexpected, was flustered for a moment hearing he even prepared a gift.
‘He didn't seem that affectionate.’
However, there was no reason to kick away fortune rolling in.
“Thank you. Count.”
“Tomorrow.”
Bartomyu finally taking his eyes off the documents and meeting gazes with Blanc.
“Tomorrow we will enter the royal palace. You will inherit the ‘Barony of Cadmus’ there.”
“……! Thank you very much! Count!”
Although the regression plan went awry, with this, he could avoid the worst situation.
Blanc being selected as 1 of the 3 regressors was strictly because he was the heir of the Cadmus family ruling Norington.
Blanc’s mission was to firmly dominate Norington, the area where the Void Tree was first discovered, and simultaneously block the Void thoroughly so it couldn't escape Norington.
Since the Barony of Cadmus was absolutely necessary to do so, it was gratitude coming from the heart just for now.
“Do not forget. That it is this Tolome Bartomyu who allowed you to succeed Cadmus again.”
No matter how much he liked Blanc, Bartomyu was a noble with cold blood.
The Tolome family, a meritorious noble family not permitted to have territory.
Instead, they possessed immense wealth through various benefits and privileges, but it was a family always thirsty for territory.
Therefore, Bartomyu had married off his most cherished daughter to the Cadmus family in the south.
Although the Cadmus family was a family lacking in various ways to achieve marriage with the Tolome family, instead, they had solid influence in the Norington area and were in a good location for trade between countries as they bordered Gartaria.
Bartomyu also hadn't expected those good conditions to turn into bad conditions in an instant, but.
Anyway, it wasn't a bad situation at all to secure the succession right of Norington and the Barony for later.
Since Blanc, who already qualified, was practically in the hands of the Tolome family.
‘Can’t be helped that the Cadmus family plays in the hands of Tolome.’
And Blanc also intended to concede that much as much as possible.
Recovering his family would be important too, but blocking the Void was the most important thing for now.
Since he has no power right now, he has no choice but to lie flat as Count Bartomyu wants.
“Of course. Count. I, Blanc Cadmus, will never forget the grace the Count bestowed upon me for life. The Cadmus family will continue to be loyal to the Tolome family in the future.”
“……Good! Indeed, perhaps because you inherited Tolome’s blood, our minds connect well!”
Perhaps because he heard the desired answer from Blanc, a smile hung on Bartomyu’s mouth.
“Since we have to enter the royal palace together tomorrow, be preparing for it today.”
“Yes. Count.”
Blanc bowed to Count Bartomyu and came back out.
‘Did she say it was meat stew this morning?’
Anyway, since he was promised the Barony, Blanc, whose mood was uplifted, was thinking of eating his fill for this morning at least.
Although the meals of servants and employees would naturally be different, at the moment he was thinking of trying the meat stew Emilia likes so much just for today.
It seemed there was still a hurdle remaining to cross to start breakfast.
“Blanc Cadmus! My nephew. Where are you going so urgently.”
‘Meeting him right now is quite awkward.’
A middle-aged man blocking Blanc’s front.
He, who looked like he was in his 30s thanks to his clean skin despite being in his 40s, was Vitelli Tolome, the second child of Count Bartomyu.
“Did you have a meal. Lord Vitelli.”
“Haha! What is Lord Vitelli between us? Just call me Uncle!”
Vitelli speaking heartily and hugging Blanc’s shoulders tightly.
Just looking at his speech, he looks like a good-natured person incomparable in the world, but Blanc knew well that he was a human like a raccoon whose outside and inside were different.
Because, in the past life, it was Vitelli who succeeded Bartomyu.
Although he wasn't the eldest son, nor a knight with outstanding military force, nor was his wife’s family or maternal family that powerful, he was a person who became the head of the Tolome family solely with his brain and worldly wisdom.
“B-But.”
Although he had to reveal everything he could to show his value to Count Bartomyu, he wanted to hide as much as possible in front of Vitelli.
Because the person who constantly watched and kept him in check for the past month was Vitelli.
Since Blanc, the stone that rolled in, might become a Tolome, Vitelli also intended to nip it in the bud by keeping him in check constantly, but now there was no need.
“Right! It is truly fortunate. Since you can inherit Father’s surname.”
Seems Vitelli already grasped what decision Bartomyu would make. Through the independent route he possessed.
Probably, the only person in the mansion right now besides Bartomyu and Blanc who knows Blanc will have the Cadmus Barony instead of Tolome is Vitelli.
Perhaps Vitelli might have known even faster than Blanc.
“Yes! Lord Vitelli. Just now the Count said I would be able to succeed the Barony.”
“I told you to call me Uncle!”
As soon as he learned Blanc came to receive the Barony, he seemed to have run to win him over.
‘Shall I draw the line a little more?’
If Vitelli becomes the next family head of the Tolome family like the previous life, it wouldn't be bad to connect with him, but who knows how worldly affairs will turn out.
Since there was already the variable called himself.
Therefore, Blanc wanted to move as safely as possible.
“Come to think of it, heard next week is your birthday? If there is something you want, try saying it!”
“T-Then there is something I want but…….”
“Try saying it!”
Vitelli banging his chest and eyes sparkling as if telling him to say quickly.
Even Blanc who experienced all sorts of hardships would mistake it for an action coming from sincerity if looking only at that appearance.
“I wish there was a training ground I could use personally. It doesn't have to be too wide or clean…… I will be satisfied with just flat ground near the garden.”
“Hm? You say that even though there must be a well-prepared place within the mansion if it’s a training ground? By any chance, are your cousins bullying you?”
Since the Tolome family was also a place possessing an independent cultivation method, it was natural to have a well-maintained training ground.
Because producing outstanding knights from the family was a glorious thing.
But to refuse such a training ground and ask to prepare another place even if it’s dirt ground?
“It is absolutely not that brothers are bullying. However, I have to learn the cultivation method of the Cadmus family so…… Isn't the family’s cultivation method something that shouldn't be exposed? Because I am a Cadmus.”
An Aura cultivation method is the pride and history of each noble family. Nobles were those who tried to prevent such cultivation methods from leaking to others somehow.
However, in Blanc’s words, besides simply not wanting to expose the cultivation method, another intention was hidden.
I am not a Tolome.
I will succeed the name of Cadmus. I will also not share the cultivation method.
So there will be no infringement on your rights. It was saying that.
And Vitelli wasn't one to fail noticing such intention.
Vitelli looking at Blanc with a thick smile.
“Then I will try to exert effort for my nephew! Do not worry!”
“Thank you! Vitelli…… No, Uncle!”
2 raccoons were laughing heartily hiding each other’s insides.