Chapter 140 – The Form of Family

“Marie. The other day, a white priest came by and said we can have visits with Dad and Mom too.”

“Yeah. But before that, why don’t you go see Grandfather first?”

Lily started her usual routine in the exercise yard, rotating her waist while circling her arms.

I always end up joining in on this weird exercise every time I come here.

It surprisingly loosens up my shoulders and waist nicely.

“About that… I think I’m going to cut ties with Dad and Mom.”

Huh? More of her baffling nonsense.

“What are you talking about? If you don’t want to see them, just refuse like you did with Grandfather.”

Lily stopped with a perfectly casual look on her face, raised both hands, and twisted her back aside.

I stopped too and twisted my back the same way.

“That’s not what I mean. I’m just sick of it.”

“Sick of what?”

I straightened up and looked at Lily. She stayed in her twisted pose and muttered something cryptic: “All those ‘maybes’…”

“That doesn’t make any sense.”

“You remember Dad talking about making Kirika part of the family, right? And you said, ‘Maybe Kirika cut ties with his own family’?”

“Yoisho.” Lily straightened up and kept going.

“In the future, I might become their official child. I might get married. I might have kids.”

Ah, so that’s what she meant by “all those maybes.”

“So how does that tie into being ‘sick of it’?”

Lily walked over to the fence, wrapped her arms around herself, and leaned against it sideways.

“Being hated… seeing Kirika happy… wanting to ruin it…”

“Lily…”

Her forced smile made her look like she was on the verge of tears.

“Do you get that you’ll never see them again?”

“Yeah. I get it completely. Even not being able to see you anymore, Marie… I get it.”

Lily deepened her smile, forcing it harder.

But her face kept crumbling, scrunching up into a mess.

“Sorry…”

Lily said it curtly, wiped the corner of her eye with her index finger, and took a big breath to steady herself.

“You really have to do this?”

“I don’t want to burden anyone anymore. I want to distance myself before I start hating Kirika. I know it’s selfish. But I don’t want to turn into someone I hate.”

She turned her back to me, sobbing quietly, and whispered “Please…” in a trembling voice.

Lily’s never been good at holding back her emotions. And she knows that better than anyone.

It’s painful for her to hold onto hope that she might see them again if Kirika officially becomes their son.

“Got it. But I’m cutting ties with them too. I’ll talk it over with Gain and Grandfather.”

Lily, still facing away, turned only her face back with a soft “Eh…?”

“I’ve barely seen that side of the family in ages anyway. They don’t feel like family anymore, right?”

I flashed a bright smile, and Lily wailed “Big sis!” like a little kid as she threw herself into my arms.

I waved off the watching Holy Knight with one hand and hugged Lily tightly.

“You can still come for visits from now on, got it?”

“Yeah.”

“You’ll see Grandfather?”

“Yeah.”

Lily pulled away with an “Ehehe,” grinning, then said “I love you, Marie” as she wiped my tears with her finger.

I cut ties with my daughter back in the village and officially became Marie and Lily’s guardian.

Was this really the right thing to do?

I’m not a minor anymore, so there’s no real issue.

Marie said she doesn’t resent her parents at all.

In fact, she’s grateful they let her meet Gain and the others.

That’s so like her.

Above all, I’m thrilled she chose me as her guardian.

I was so overjoyed I pestered Sid endlessly, and he ended up exasperated with me.

“Grandfather. Over here.”

She’s finally willing to meet with me.

Apparently, she was holding back out of consideration. She was afraid I’d be disappointed in her.

The confinement wing is an old, disused jail deep in the church grounds, with a small exercise yard out front.

I’d heard Marie rebuilt the fences and walls using earth magic, and sure enough, it’s a pretty nice yard.

“Please, this way.”

Guided by the Holy Knight, we passed through double doors and followed the cobblestone path around to the back, where a set of about five steps led up to a thick iron door.

The door opened with a grating creak that set my teeth on edge. From outside, the interior was pitch black; I couldn’t see a thing.

As we stepped inside, it slammed shut behind us with a resounding clang.

Light streamed in from a vent in the ceiling, casting a circular glow on the floor ahead.

We advanced to where the iron bars parted, then navigated a narrow corridor with several turns before passing through another door.

“This place is secure.”

“It’s the confinement wing.”

I’d heard the building hadn’t been used in ages, and Lily was the only one here now.

A structure this size could probably hold ten people, but having that many prisoners would be a headache.

“Lily!”

“Marie!”

As the double doors swung open, Marie—in her pink dress—leaped into Lily’s arms, who wore light blue.

It was a small room ringed by a magic-nullifying array.

There was a teddy bear figurine on the side table by the bed that seemed totally out of place.

I think I saw the exact same one in Marie’s room…

Girls’ tastes are beyond me.

“I brought Grandfather.”

“Lily. Have you been well?”

Lily clutched at Marie’s dress, flashing a nervous smile.

“…Grandfather. Thank you. I’m sorry.”

With that, she timidly hid behind Marie.

The last time we parted, we’d finally started to warm up to each other, but now we’re back to square one.

“I’m happy to be Lily’s guardian. Let’s help each other out as a new family.”

I spread my arms wide as I said it, and Lily tilted her head. “Help each other?”

“That’s right. You can give me advice too, Lily. And I’ll help you.”

“Can I even be useful? I’m an idiot, after all…”

Marie shot me a troubled glance.

Just as I’d heard—low self-esteem.

“You’re not an idiot, Lily. You can read and write; you’re a smart girl.”

Lily edged closer hesitantly and slipped into my arms.

I hugged her gently, careful not to startle her, and the tension drained from her stiff body all at once.

“Lily…”

Marie smiled in relief.

But I had no idea what to do next and looked to Marie for guidance.

“Grandfather. Just keep holding her like that for a while.”

“She’ll let go once she’s satisfied.”

Lily murmured a soft “Mm” from within my arms.

Ah, grandchildren really are precious.

Thank you for reading.

To everyone who bookmarked, rated, or liked: thank you so much!

If the mood strikes you, I’d be delighted if you could bookmark, rate, or whatever.