The West Wind's Destination - Chapter 28
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The typical way a noble would host dinner was through rigorous and time-consuming steps and methods. But Aseph couldn’t bear to wait just a few hours for a proper dinner setting. He paced restlessly in front of the guest room.
In truth, this impatience stemmed from the woman who had haunted his thoughts like a dream or a fantasy for years. He felt he could only be at ease if he could see her and hold her.
Evening wasn’t far off, and it would have been wise to consult with the butler first, but Aseph couldn’t bring himself to leave the door. He was busy trying to find a reason for the immediate meeting in his mind.
“As expected. It’s best to apologize for what I said earlier, right?”
It was natural for her to be upset and angry. The priority should have been a proper apology and soothing her feelings, but he had started talking about responsibilities, which must have made him seem utterly incompetent.
And to be caught up in such matters, how chilling that must have been.
Aseph, who was not one to wait, was just about to knock lightly when…
Click.
“Ah…”
The door opened, and the child popped out.
Silver hair like fresh snow, a rare heterochromia difficult to find anywhere on the continent, each eye a dazzling jewel of purple and gold.
The child was incredibly like him, so much that one could believe he was a clone.
The child, a product of the harsh Vilkanos lineage known for its difficult childhood due to its anti-magic bloodline, had grown up healthy outside. It was a miracle that would astonish even the heavens.
“Hello, Your Highness.”
“A-Ah, yes, hello.”
Aseph, after much deliberation, spoke decisively.
“Um, how is your mother? I came to ask if we might talk for a moment.”
Noticing Aseph glancing inside the room, the child hesitated before responding, then stood in front of the door as if they were the guardian of the west wind.
“Master does not like to be disturbed while resting.”
“Master?”
Aseph sighed.
How could such a thing happen…
‘How hard must it have been for an unmarried woman without a husband?’
After that day, with no news of the father, she had to raise the child alone. It’s clear that she had been unable to declare the child was fatherless, so it seemed she had asked him to address her in this manner.
Aseph knelt to meet the child’s eye level.
“You don’t have to call her that here.”
“…….”
Everyone in the mansion couldn’t deny the child’s resemblance to Aseph, but for Aseph, who knew Bea, the way the child tilted their head was adorably reminiscent of Bea.
“Call me Father.”
“I have no father.”
The child said this bluntly, and Aseph’s heart squeezed again.
How much hardship must the child have endured alone to say such a thing so nonchalantly.
“I am your father.”
“If you mean a biological father, I cannot have such a thing.”
The child, having grown up with an alchemist, spoke quite learnedly.
Aseph found it heartbreaking that the child expressed the sad truth of not being able to acknowledge their father in such a way.
Aseph covered his eyes with one hand, trying to hold back tears.
“To not call one’s father as father…”
In any case, he had to untangle this knot, even just a little, today. Moving too quickly would be too much for both the child and the mother.
“Alright. Let’s take that conversation slowly… Oh, right. I forgot to ask. What is your name?”
“I don’t have a name, but there is a title that the master often uses for me.”
“…And what is that?”
“Homun.”
Homun. In the ancient language of the imperial cultural sphere, it meant ‘human.’ It felt slightly exotic, but it was acceptable.
After all, it’s not just familial unions these days, but cultures too that are becoming increasingly mixed, isn’t it? Besides, it was a name given by the child’s mother, and he didn’t want to mar it.
“Alright then, Homun. Does your mother have any favorite foods? I’m thinking of arranging a nice setting with the chef.”
“There are none.”
Aseph knew this, in fact. During his time with Bea, he had never really seen her favor anything. Though she had always eaten well what he prepared.
Hiding his disappointment and keen to avoid a disastrous formal meal, Aseph asked another question.
“Then… any foods she dislikes?”
“Boar meat. Mushroom soup, jerky.”
“…….”
Aseph felt dizzy. Of course, such things wouldn’t be prepared for a formal meal, but the child was listing exactly what Aseph used to make for Bea.
“Any other… likes?”
Homun frowned slightly.
“She is currently focused on her usual research. Although it failed due to unavoidable circumstances, it seems likely to yield results soon if given enough money and the right environment.”
That was good information. Aseph nodded, etching a method of persuasion for Bea in his mind.
As an alchemist, she wouldn’t refuse a personal laboratory. It seemed she desired funding for her research; sponsoring that and then gradually taking time to settle things seemed like a plausible plan.
“Is there… any way I might win your mother’s favor?”
“Favor?”
Homun tilted their head, expressionless, as if not quite understanding the question.
“I mean… to have her stay at the manor for a longer while, not just leave immediately.”
“Ah…”
Finally, Homun nodded.
“Just do as you showed earlier.”
“Huh?”
“If you state that non-compliance to your wishes will result in disadvantages, she will likely listen.”
“N-No!”
Aseph waved his hands in shock. The child was pointing out how he had tried to coerce Bea into staying.
“I really showed an embarrassing side of myself. I won’t ever do that again.”
But the child, seemingly unconvinced by his words, spoke again.
“Putting people in restraints and blinding or starving them for a few days generally makes people comply.”
“…….”
Aseph was at a loss for words.
‘To be seen that way even by a child…’
He didn’t even try to rationalize it internally. It was clearly his fault. For now, he would let her rest and aim to make amends at the meal.
Wait. There was something else important.
Aseph asked cautiously.
“Is there anything in particular she dislikes?”
“Aseph.”
He felt his heart dropping to the ground at that immediate response, and he closed his eyes.
“And… she hates me the most.”
Aseph covered his face with his hands, weary.
How was he to resolve this situation? The journey ahead seemed… much too long.
