NOVEL NEXT Chapter 26 - The Viscount Grimbolsty's Residence
Tonight is the evening of Diarmid’s birth month, a night with a full moon.
Diarmid drinks the sedative given by Kian and locks his room. As a precaution, the staff at the mansion have been given leave. Of course, Diarmid’s circumstances have not been disclosed.
It’s an annual tradition for everyone to take a break, so no one finds it suspicious.
Brigid, along with Niisha, has returned to the Grimbolsty Viscount’s residence.
Brigid’s mother, Kridona, and her brother, Grua, warmly welcome Niisha. Thanks to Diarmid, the Grimbolsty Viscount’s residence has been beautifully restored, and life has settled down.
Niisha doesn’t feel shy at the Grimbolsty house. His bright and straightforward personality, similar to Brigid’s, has dispelled Niisha’s wariness.
“Niisha, what do you like? Medium or rare steak?”
Kridona bombards Niisha with questions.
“Are you practicing swordsmanship, Niisha? Do you have a practice sword?”
Grua also joins the questioning.
Niisha seems a bit overwhelmed by the enthusiasm, but he doesn’t seem to mind.
“Um, I like rare better than medium.”
“Mom picked the practice sword for me!”
“My practice sword was also chosen by my sister! Let’s practice together, Niisha!”
Saying that, Grua invites Niisha to the garden.
Brigid smiles as she watches this scene with Kridona.
“I was really surprised when you said you were getting married suddenly, but I’m glad you look happy.”
Kridona says and wipes her eyes.
“I was worried it might be a fake marriage to help the family, taking in an orphan right after getting married. Is it really not a disguised marriage for that reason?”
Being told this, Brigid flinches.
“I would never do such a thing! I-I mean, I love Lord Kian…”
“Yes, I believe so. Otherwise, you wouldn’t cherish Niisha like your own child, right?”
Kridona smiles. She doesn’t know that Niisha is Brigid’s favorite.
Brigid laughs vaguely while looking at the letter in her hand.
It’s a letter left by Brigid’s father, Viscount Grimbolsty.
Thanks to Diarmid, Kridona’s health has improved a bit. Although the cause of her illness is still unknown, conditions like malnutrition due to poverty have improved, and she has gained some strength.
As her health gradually stabilizes, she starts organizing her husband’s belongings, which had been untouched until now.
“When I read Father’s letters like this, I wish he could see the current Brigid.”
Saying that, Kridona shows the letter.
“Have you seen this before? Surprisingly, your father sent a poem.”
Kridona says and begins reading the poem written in old words.
“‘The priestess sees. The king of wolves. The one who draws the blood of the precious god. Embrace the arms of the maiden at dawn and submerge the raging heart in the sea. Sing eternal bliss forever.'”
“Is this from some kind of myth?”
Brigid is startled.
(Yes, I’ve heard Niisha humming this occasionally in the web novel. He sang this song when he tried to suppress the beastification. But it’s just a web novel. I know the lyrics, but I don’t know the melody.)
“Mother, can I see it for a moment?”
Brigid receives the paper with the poem. When she looks at the back, there is a faint pattern like water droplets. She thought it was some kind of scrap paper, but it might be different.
“…Is this… a pattern of sheet music?”
Brigid places the paper on the piano and starts playing.
Being a former elementary school teacher in her past life and having received noble education in this life, playing the piano at first glance is easy for Brigid.
The sound of Brigid’s piano flows into the garden.
Niisha’s ears twitch, picking up the sound. He lifts his face, throws away the practice sword, and starts running.
“Niisha!?”
Grua hurriedly follows Niisha.
Niisha slams open the door to the living room.
Brigid stops playing in surprise.
“Niisha?”
“Why… Mama…”
“What’s wrong?”
“Mom, please play the song again!”
Captivated by Niisha’s serious gaze, Brigid’s heart beats fast. After taking a breath, she starts playing the piano again.
Niisha sings along with it.
A clear, expansive voice, fittingly called a crystal voice, delicate and beautiful.
The incredibly pure melody seems to purify the surroundings.
Kridona sighs, closing her eyes.
Grua, who followed, is also stunned, holding his breath.
Brigid is intoxicated by Niisha’s singing, her heart trembling.
Niisha finishes the last note.
When Brigid looks at Niisha, sparkling tears are streaming down his cheeks.
“…Niisha!?”
Brigid stands up and hugs Niisha.
“What’s wrong? Niisha. Did you remember something unpleasant?”
Niisha shakes his head while sniffling and presses his face against Brigid’s chest.
“…No. No.”
Niisha stammers as he cries.
While patting his back, Brigid patiently waits for Niisha’s words.
“…This is a song I heard when I was little. But, you know, I was told not to sing it in public.”
Niisha answers, and he sniffs. Then, he raises his face, shedding tears.
Brigid gently wipes away his tears with a handkerchief.
“The person who taught me was really tone-deaf…”
“Tone-deaf…”
Grua mutters softly.
“In reality, it was such a song…”
Niisha laughs.
Then, hearing the name, Kridona gasps.
“Kuma-san…?”
“Kuma-san…?”
Brigid asks with a trembling voice.
Niisha nods.
“I was with Kuma-san when I was little. He had a big body, hair like Grua’s, and kind black eyes…”
Niisha smiles nostalgically while shedding tears. Brigid tightly embraces Niisha.
Kridona opens a locket pendant around her neck. Inside is a portrait of Viscount Grimbolsty.
“Was Kuma-san like this?”
Kridona asks gently.
Niisha stares at the portrait and nods silently.