Ikemen ni Tenseishita kedo, Cheat ha Dekimasenseshita

managing to drag him back.
However, it was clear to me that Theodore’s situation was abnormal.
Because, even though his body was right there, he had this blank look in his eyes that said he was not there.
It was as if he was simply an empty body whose heart was gone.

 

And it stayed like that even after we returned to the mansion.

 

He didn’t even react when Serena, Wendy, or Chester hugged him.
However, there was nothing that I could do.
I could only ask Martha to send Theodore to sleep as soon as possible.

 

“Richard, please stay by Theodore’s side for now.
Kevin, I need to hear your report.”

 

After making sure that Richard understood my order, I left and headed toward my office accompanied by Kevin.

 

◇

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As soon as we reached my office, I received Kevin’s oral report.
Generally speaking, it was the same as the one I heard from Bates-dono.

 

Bates-dono saw a black cat and then taught the kids how to form a barrier.
Then, because Miss Muriel’s magical power was lacking, Miss Sonia gave the magic tool she bought at the street vendor to her.
Unfortunately for everyone – including Bates – there was a trick in the magic tool that escaped Bates’ examination.
It was simply hidden too deeply and ingeniously to be noticed.
Thus, the dangerous magic tool was worn and went out of control when the girls tried to form a barrier, sapping the girls’ life force.

 

“And the said black cat is….”

 

“Yes.
It escaped with all the magic tools.
Duke-sama’s soldiers have been trying to locate it in the entire mansion, but they failed to find the said cat.”

 

That cat might be a part of the demon race.
If that was the case, then did that mean the kingdom’s barrier failed to function properly?

 

Moreover, a magic tool that sapped one’s lifeforce… Was this… the continuation of the magic tool research… the case that almost cost my dearest family seven years ago? From where in the world did they gain the fund to continue this kind of thing? We should have already kept a watch on all nobles who could possibly prepare a research facility.
Besides, none of them had any reason to commit treason either.

 

But… let’s set that matter aside for now.

 

“―― How’s Theodore’s condition?”

 

“… Young Master is really sensitive when it comes to sad events.
Yet, he seems to endure it, at least on the surface.
Even though it should be normal for him to cry at this kind of event, he seems to forcefully kill his emotion.―― This is just my personal opinion, but I think this may be because he doesn’t want us to worry about him, or… it might be because of something else.”

 

“Something else?”

 

“Yes.
It’s… it’s as if he had no idea how to express his sadness.
I don’t know the correct words to use for his situation, but if I have to say it, it’s as if he doesn’t want to cry too loudly.”

 

Kevin tried to explain Theodore’s current condition as best as possible with his own interpretation.

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“Since I’m married and have children on top of that, I can understand children’s emotions somewhat.
As far as I know, children are a creature that moves with their emotion.
They will change their faces frequently according to their mood.
One time, you’ll find them in a good mood.
At another, you’ll find them sulking or angry for no reason.
Or so that’s what we thought.
However, I have been by Young Master’s side since he was a toddler, and I realized something about him after having my own children.
Compared to them, Young Master’s behavior is clearly abnormal.
Whereas my own children require more care and attention, Young Master doesn’t need it that much.
It is only from this that I truly understand what my wife meant when she said Young Master is special.”

 

Kevin got married two years ago to one of the maids in the mansion, and his wife was currently pregnant with their second child.

 

“Yeah.
I’m really surprised when I find just how lively Chester was.”

 

“Master, Young Master Chester is, in fact, still a docile child compared to other children.
And he only grows up like that thanks to Young Master’s care.
In fact, both my wife and I even learn a rather strange way to handle children from watching him.”

 

Seriously?

 

“Although it’s a mystery from where he learned that, Young Master Theodore is clearly a special child.
Truthfully, saying this only makes me realize again just how special Young Master Theodore is.
He has grown up wise beyond his age, yet, he also seems to have trouble when it comes to expressing his sadness.
It is as if―― his emotion is rather distorted in that particular area… My apologies, milord, it seems I ended up saying something rude about Young Master Theodore.”

 

“No.
It’s okay.
Rather than that, thank you for your honest opinion.”

 

But… distorted, huh? Sure, that child has never cried when he was sad… and it was only after I said it was okay for him to cry that he finally did so.
Even then, it was such a subdued crying rather than a loud one…

 

When I tried to compare him to my childhood, I realized that indeed, Theodore was rather distorted in that particular area.

 

“I wonder what would happen to him if―― Miss Muriel is dead?”

 

“I hope it will not happen, but… if it does happen, it may just break his heart.
And Young Master will definitely hate the culprit behind this incident.”

 

“Yeah.
I really hope that Miss Muriel will survive this incident, but…”