Chapter 09 …
It had been one month since I started living in Uncle Aiden’s house.
Quite some time had passed, but nothing particularly special had happened during that period.
Going to the market to buy what I needed, eating meals, and talking with Uncle Aiden—those simple, ordinary days were everything.
And because of that, each day felt even more precious.
But I knew this peace wouldn’t last long.
Waking up early again today, I organized my future plans in the cozy room Uncle had newly prepared for me.
“It’s about time Uncle leaves the house…”
As in the previous timeline, Uncle Aiden was a mercenary, so he never stayed in one place for long.
Of course, the biggest reason was likely that he was being chased by some faction.
When his mercenary work ended, Uncle would occasionally stop by here.
And when he did, he would carefully replenish whatever I lacked for living, and teach me various things—like reading and basic etiquette.
Back then, I had desperately waited for his arrival…
But now, the situation was somewhat inconvenient because he hadn’t left.
“In a few months, Duke Papiope will probably select one child from the talent training institution to adopt.”
Before that happened, I needed to enter the institution and leave an impression on the Duke.
Duke Papiope.
As a young noblewoman, she had eliminated all the elders and collateral relatives who threatened her life, then ascended to the position of Duke.
After that, she ruled the ducal house without any internal interference…
Perhaps because of that?
She announced an unprecedented, radical method of selecting an heir that no other noble house could ever attempt.
That is—adopting children to become the successor of House Papiope.
There had been endless controversy, but in the end, in the previous timeline, this radical decision only made Papiope even stronger.
“In any case, I’m not interested in the succession battle. What I want is simply to be adopted into the Papiope Ducal House.”
What I needed was only the status of nobility.
To properly protect Uncle Aiden, I needed noble status. It would make everything easier—funding, connections, and more.
“The problem is… if I miss this year’s adoption, I’ll have to wait at least three more years.”
- Enter the talent training institution
- Win the adoption candidate selection tournament
To be adopted by Duke Papiope, I had to go through these two stages.
Because of that, I knew even if I entered the institution now, the schedule would be tight.
However, I couldn’t leave without saying a single word to the uncle who had taken care of me.
Just then, a knock sounded and the door opened. Uncle Aiden entered.
“Tania, wake up already… Ah, you’re up early again.”
Meeting my eyes as I sat at the desk, he slightly curved the corners of his lips.
“I’ve prepared breakfast, so come out.”
After tidying up the desk I had cluttered while thinking, I slowly walked out.
Today’s menu was white bread toasted golden in butter with strawberry jam.
“Wow, that looks delicious!”
Grateful for this daily meal, I carefully spread the jam and was about to bring the bread to my mouth—when Uncle spoke with a serious expression.
“Tania, I have something important to tell you.”
His voice felt unusually heavy, and I stopped mid-motion, looking at him.
[The current timeline is overwritten with Timeline 1.]
Almost instinctively saving the timeline, I heard Uncle Aiden’s low voice in my ears.
“I travel across the Empire completing requests. I stayed here for about a month to take care of you, but I can’t always stay in one place like this.”
Oh, so he’s finally leaving to handle his backlog of requests.
Good. This meant my plan to enter the Papiope training institution wouldn’t be delayed.
As I silently looked at him, Uncle hurriedly continued.
“I’m leaving, but that doesn’t mean I’m kicking you out. Tania, I want you to keep living in this house.”
“So that means…”
“I won’t be here often, but I promise you won’t go hungry.”
He had said the exact same thing in the previous timeline too.
Back then, for me who was constantly anxious about being thrown out at any moment, those words had felt like salvation.
But in this timeline, it was still too early for me to stay living with him.
“Uncle, actually, I also have something to tell you.”
“Go on.”
“I’m planning to enter the Papiope talent training institution.”
“What?”
“I told you when we first met, but I was thinking of taking the entrance exam soon.”
After hearing my plan, Uncle asked with a darkened expression.
“…Is this place uncomfortable for you?”
“No! Not at all. I’m truly grateful for everything you’ve done for me.”
“I have no trouble supporting you either. You can live here as long as you want.”
“It’s not that I dislike you, Uncle. I just don’t want to keep burdening you.”
“Tania, that place is where all the Empire’s most talented ability users gather.”
“I’m an ability user too.”
“I’m not saying you can’t pass. I know you could pass instantly if you set your mind to it.”
Uncle continued, now looking slightly anxious.
“But that place is like a jungle. Everyone there will do anything to be adopted into Papiope.”
“The more reason my abilities will shine, right?”
Unpredictable actions? They didn’t work on me.
“Please trust me.”
Uncle fell silent for a long time, as if deep in thought.
Maybe he was also considering that it might be better for me to go there than to stay alone without a guardian.
My firm resolve made his eyes waver slightly.
It wasn’t that I didn’t want to live peacefully with Uncle either.
But I couldn’t afford to settle for peace, knowing how this ending would unfold.
As if trying one last time to change my mind, Uncle asked,
“Then… what about coming with me?”
It was an absurd suggestion.
Even if I had abilities, how could he take a child who struggled to walk for hours on mercenary work?
Leaving aside whether clients would accept it, I would only become his greatest weakness.
“Uncle, I…”
Just as I was about to refuse again, a quiet murmur reached my ears—and I couldn’t continue.
“I don’t want to let you go. To send you away like this without notice… I’ve grown too attached.”
I knew Uncle may look blunt on the outside, but he was actually very kind and warm-hearted.
Still, I never expected to occupy such a place in his heart after just one month.
What should I do…?
✦ ✦ ✦
In the end, I couldn’t refuse Uncle’s request.
So I decided to delay entering the talent training institution until he returned from his work.
While he was away, Uncle planned to leave me under the care of the Ageterum Merchant Guild.
But I stubbornly refused that idea.
If someone else was there, I wouldn’t be able to move freely outside.
Especially if I was placed there under “protection.”
After our negotiation ended, Uncle immediately packed his things the next day and prepared to leave.
From how hurried he looked, it seemed a very important request had come in.
“Food will be delivered daily by the lady next door.”
“All three meals?”
“Yes. I’ve properly paid her. If she ever fails to feed you, contact Ageterum. And don’t go far outside—it’s dangerous. Promise me.”
“And also…”
His nagging seemed like it would go on, so I quickly cut him off.
“Don’t worry. I may look like this, but I’ve spent quite a long time on the streets, you know?”
“Even so, you’re still a child who needs protection.”
“Hehe, that’s true.”
It wasn’t particularly pleasant to be a child, but being treated like one by Uncle wasn’t so bad.
While smiling softly, I watched him turn away and grab the doorknob.
“…I’ll be back.”
“Ah, wait a second!”
I suddenly hugged Uncle tightly and chatted away as if seeing off a father going to work.
“Please don’t get hurt and be careful. I’ll be waiting for you.”
Uncle stood still without response for a moment, then hugged me back tightly—as if he might crush me.
“I’ll return as quickly as possible.”
Creeeeak— thud.
Staring at the fully closed door, I slowly curled up the corners of my lips.
“You told me to stay home… but time is money. I can’t just do that.”
