Having explained the current situation in its entirety, I observed Rodney, who was lost in thought.

“…Rodney?”

“I roughly get the situation. But this woman claiming to be your mother, she has no shame, does she? Showing up again.”

“She won’t come again.”

“And your father too, how could he try to sell you off? Well, that’s how he always is. Acts before he thinks, especially when something doesn’t work in his favor, right?”

Rodney gave a small smile, and I nodded several times in agreement.

“Your mother must have had it tough.”

“My siblings felt the same way.”

“Oh? How are the other siblings?”

The first sibling that came to mind was Felicia.

“…Everyone just hopes that our parents won’t split up.”

“But why do you look like that? Something happen?”

“I had a fight with Felicia during the process. To be precise, we argued.”

“Felicia has always been stubborn and assertive.”

“This time, it was my fault.”

I hadn’t completely stopped talking to Felicia afterwards.

The atmosphere at home was already tense enough; I couldn’t afford to grow distant from Felicia and the others, so I had attempted conversation several times. And I gave up easily.

Except for school hours and sleep, my siblings cried all day.

Felicia cried even more.

Her face was a mess, and she seemed to have no energy left. She went to school in that state but eventually refused to go yesterday, perhaps due to some harsh words among the children she used to play with.

But how could I bring it up?

“How about you? Lise.”

At Rodney’s question, I closed my lips. Until a week ago, I had not wanted my parents to divorce, but now, I wasn’t sure.

For several days, I kept questioning myself but no clear answers came out. All that came were numerous questions.

Would we be happy if they didn’t divorce? And if they did?
They had considered countless outcomes based on such assumptions.

‘Even if the two divorce, later the punishment for the Marsen family could be avoided by the siblings and Isabel.’

As I said nothing, Rodney came down from beneath the rock.

“Do you still not understand?”

“……If the two really part ways, it would be terrifying.”

“Unexpected. I thought you would be indifferent.”

Rodney’s answer twisted and I glared at him.

“I’m still only ten years old, Rodney.”

“You may be ten, but your actions don’t show it, do you? Sometimes you look older than me.”

“Don’t say that. Rodney, you’re young too.”

“Yes, I’m young too. But I learned things at school, you haven’t, right? That makes quite a difference. You always act as if you’re a professor who has seen the world.”

“What’s that about.”

Although I replied curtly, I was surprised by Rodney’s sharp words.

“Let’s go inside now.”

“……Okay.”

I held the hand of Rodney, who was in front of me.

“What brings you here without notice, Rodney! Had you contacted us earlier, you would have been back at the mansion sooner. Have you been well? How’s school? Any discomfort in the dorm? Huh?”

The atmosphere in the Marsen mansion brightened up just because of Rodney.

Even the father, who had been avoiding dinner, was present today, bringing life back to the dining room. The meals, which had recently been modest, were nowhere to be seen; today they had expensive meat dishes and even nutritious food.

“I’ve told mother, but there’s nothing uncomfortable. I get along so well that it’s nice.”

“That’s a bit disappointing. Even on holidays, you could come to the mansion, but you don’t…”

“I can’t rest all the time. The competition is intense, even a little laxity can lower the grades.”

“Ah, that won’t do.”

“I’ll be going back to school after a day or two of rest this time.”

“Alright. Have a good rest, okay?”

Father uncorked a bottle of wine and handed it to Rodney. Rodney naturally picked up the wine glass, but did not drink. He simply rotated the wine glass and savored the atmosphere of the home he had not felt for a long time.

“Father, are you going to the office tomorrow?”

“Yes, oh, why don’t you come and visit?”

“I will. But before that, I have something important to say. I want to talk about it tomorrow.”

My eyes flicked to Rodney. At the talk of something ‘important,’ father’s smile gradually faded.

“……Is it bad news?”

“Just so. That’s why I was asking if you could come to the mansion early tomorrow……”

“If you visit the office, I can wrap up my work earlier.”

“Then I’ll go to the office tomorrow.”

Father smiled broadly again, satisfied with Rodney’s answer. Father opened another bottle of wine as one was not enough. Isabel also asked Rodney in detail about unanswered questions and school life.

The comfort I had not felt in a long time eased my mind. Rodney’s place and power in the Marsen mansion were indeed significant.

Realizing this, my eyes met Felicia’s who was sitting in front of me. We looked at each other silently until I awkwardly smiled first.

Fortunately, Felicia also replied with a smile.