Chapter 14 — Everyone is Family

 

The shops gradually thinned out, until only houses lined the streets. Father explained that most shops were clustered in the center of town, while the rest was mostly residential.

Soon even the houses grew sparse, and beyond them stood a single, enormous mansion.

“Waaah… so big! Whose house is this?”

It looked like the grandest, most impressive home in the whole town.

“This is my estate. Yuuki, this is where you’ll live from now on.”

“Eh?! This is my home?!”

I was stunned. Such a magnificent, towering house—my new home. Still dazed, I followed Father to the gate. Two knights saluted and opened it with a creak.

“Captain, we’ll leave you here.”

“Good work. Rest well.”

Only Father and I entered. The others stayed behind.

“Where are they going?”

“They’re heading home. Their duties are finished.”

Oh… so they were leaving. After being together all this time, I felt a little lonely.

The vice-captain noticed. “Yuuki, don’t look so sad. We’ll see each other often. My house is nearby, and I promised to show you around the town, remember?”

That’s right! I’d forgotten in all the excitement. Relieved, I smiled.

“Yes! See you tomorrow!”

“Tomorrow, hm?” He chuckled.

We waved goodbye to the four, then rode toward the mansion’s grand entrance. The garden was vast—so vast Father warned I could get lost if I played alone.

At the front door, many people stood neatly lined up.

“They’re here to welcome us. Yuuki, they’re your family.”

“My family… all of them?”

So many! I was amazed.

“Welcome home, Master.”

Father dismounted, then lifted me down. The horse was led away to its stable. I whispered thanks to it for carrying me.

A tall man, a young man about high school age, and a woman stepped forward.

“Introduce that adorable child quickly—we’ve been waiting!”

“We were so happy to hear we’d have a little brother.”

“He’s really small.”

Father smiled. “Yes, yes. You were eager, I know. This is Yuuki. I found him in the forest. He’s strong for his age, but still very small. We’ll protect him together. Yuuki, can you greet them?”

I straightened up, Mashiro at my side, and bowed.

“My name is Yuuki. I’ll be family now. Please take care of me.”

Father nodded proudly. My introduction was a success.

“Oh, how polite!”

“He even stood at attention!”

“Well done, Yuuki.”

Father introduced them: “This is my wife, Olivia. Beside her are Anthony and Joshua.”

Mother stepped forward first. Her golden hair flowed to her waist, shimmering in the light. She smiled warmly.

“Yuuki, I’m Olivia. I’ll be your mother. Welcome.”

Anthony, eighteen, grinned. “I’m Anthony. I love books. My room is full of them—take any you like. Though… maybe they’re too hard for you yet.”

Joshua, seventeen, added, “I’m Joshua. I’m good with swords. I want to be a knight like Father. When you’re ready, I’ll train you.”

Anthony frowned. “He’s too small for swords. He can barely walk steadily.”

Joshua shrugged. “We’ll see.”

Mother protested, “No, Yuuki will spend time with me in the garden!”

Anthony laughed. “Don’t hog him, Mother.”

Joshua insisted, “He’ll train with me!”

They bickered cheerfully. I blinked at them, overwhelmed, until Father patted my head.

“From now on, we’ll all live happily together.”

“Yes, Toushan-sama!”

At that, Mother suddenly scooped me up. Her face was right before mine, and my brothers leaned in close.

“What did you just say? Say it again!”

Startled, I stammered, “Toushan-sama…?”

Everyone froze. Behind them, some maids even collapsed to the floor.

I panicked, searching for Father. “Help!”

He sighed calmly. “Olivia, he chose that name himself.”

Mother gasped. “So adorable! Yuuki, let’s talk more inside!”

Still clutching me, she carried me into the mansion. Mashiro scrambled after us, Father following with a weary smile.

Everything was chaotic, but one thing was clear: I was truly part of this family now.

I didn’t really understand what was happening, but Mother carried me straight inside. The maids who had collapsed earlier had already recovered, and once we entered, they suddenly scattered at incredible speed, rushing off somewhere.

I blinked, bewildered. What’s going on with everyone?