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Happiness is fleeting, while regret is eternal.

I stuffed my empty stomach with cigarette smoke and let out a deep sigh.

“…….”

No one could guarantee how far this situation would escalate.

Francesca pronounced a soft summoning curse. For now, no problems had arisen, but if she were to harbor resentment and unleash her anger, everything would fall apart.

Although Veronica took charge and started cleaning up, even she didn’t have a solid plan at hand.

Was this why the seniors warned to be careful of women?

Back in my rookie days, I had wondered why people ruined their careers over women. Now, here I am. Me.

“… Unbelievable.”

Suddenly, I pondered while grinding the half-burnt cigarette into the ashtray.

Today, my steps felt particularly heavy.

I shoved my hands into my pockets and trudged home.

Episode 19 – HELLDIVERS

The incident had already occurred, so I decided not to offer any excuses or justifications. After all, such things wouldn’t hold water anyway.

I braced myself to confront the approaching storm directly.

I opened my eyes wide and held my head high, as if asking if there was any problem, acting as though I had done nothing wrong. I presented myself boldly and defiantly.

With my entire being exuding an attitude of ‘I’m not at fault,’ my older sister, Adela, began to speak in a tone that conveyed disappointment.

“Why are you acting so proud after sneaking out?”

Abas’s diplomatic civil servant muttered as he was polishing the car parked in front of the estate, as if he had seen all sorts of bizarre scenarios.

“Staying out isn’t a crime, you know.”

“Is it innocent when you left a blank check saying you’d return early and then crawled back around lunchtime? That should be a life sentence.”

Her tone was truly brusque, yet I refused to back down.

This definitely wasn’t a desperate struggle to protect any pride.

Probably.

“Oh come now. To someone who didn’t sleep all night dealing with crucial matters, calling it a blank check is absurd.”

“Nonsense is in full bloom.”

Adela, squatting down, squeezed the cleaning tool as though it weren’t even worth acknowledging. I jumped up to counter, but she cut off my words, letting them slip through one ear and out the other.

“I’ve told you several times it’s a rare day for the family to gather, and you forget that and stay out? Oh dear….”

“I had work to do.”

“Right, of course you did. Anyway, hurry inside and check if Ayla is up, little rascal.”

“What about Jerry?”

“He’ll be in soon. Just cleaning this up.”

Thud. Throwing the mop into the basket, Adela waved her hand, signaling me to leave.

After seeing that reaction, I exhaled a sigh of relief inwardly.

Thank goodness. I thought I might get scolded for staying out, but it seems I won’t be caught in anything after all.

“Mother and Father are inside, right?”

“I don’t know. They weren’t around in the morning. They seemed to have gone out.”

Great.

I cheerfully ran into the residence, grinning widely. In the meantime, Adela continued to languidly clean the windows with her back turned.

And shortly after.

“I… what are you talking about? Adela, you little—”

“Fred! Are you not coming here right now?!”

“Gahhh…!”

The moment a chilling scream shook the residence.

Adela, who had been leisurely wiping away bubbles, burst into a cheery song.

*

After the lamb (not pitying at all) walked voluntarily into hell, it was only after it was thoroughly dismantled by the great demon (as a priestess would say, “Mother”) that peace returned to the household.

The son, who had caused chaos comparable to an oil shock (the three daughter-in-law incident), was now captured by his mother and paid the corresponding price.

“Where has your mind been, causing trouble abroad, huh?”

“Ah, no! This is all about—”

“What reasoning is there? You brought home three fiancées you hadn’t even introduced your brother to? You instigated a coup abroad? Or stayed out late? Where’s the reason in that!”

Every time that merciless hand struck my back, sparks flew before my eyes, and tears welled up.

For the crimes of bringing home three fiancées at once, instigating a coup abroad, and sneaking out from family events, Grace Nostrim was determined to temper justice against her son, who had driven a nail deep into her heart.

The phrase “determined” could not be more fitting. It was akin to being beaten like a dog on a hot summer day.

“Will you cause trouble or not!”

“Just let me live quietly—Aah!”

“Not just live quietly, but live properly!”

In the end, I could only escape this hell after swearing an oath—a shaky promise—that I would ‘never cause trouble again.’

There was no greater comedy than a grown man getting scolded by his mother (especially in front of siblings), but for the son receiving such treatment, there was nothing more humiliating.

To think I’m getting hit by mom at this age.

I’ve lived a life of nonsense.

“Ugh….”

“Does it hurt?”

“… Yes.”

Both my body and my spirit ached.

Jerry shook his head at me disapprovingly, while Adela laughed at the sight of me nodding repeatedly.

For all kinds of youthful indiscretions and more, Grace scolded her children fiercely with a look as if she was awed by their foolishness.

“Do you like seeing your younger sibling getting scolded by me, as older siblings?”

“Mom. I was sitting quietly….”

“Be quiet.”

“Yes.”

In an instant, Jerry’s tongue was sealed, and he curled into the corner.

Perhaps awakened by the commotion, Ayla abruptly opened the door, stifled a great yawn immediately.

With her mouth wide open enough to let a bug in, she scratched her neck and, dragging her weary body, approached the fridge, pausing as she looked around with sleep-laden eyes.

“… What’s everyone doing here?”

“Your brother is back.”

“He just got here? I thought he ran away.”

Ayla’s offhand remark seemed to irk Grace, who was watching her with fiery eyes.

With a gaze almost like a laser, I pressed my back against the sofa, hiding my painfully suspect posture and shot a resentful glance at Ayla.

Regardless, Ayla approached the sofa with a tired expression, laid down, and muttered at me.

“Just let me sleep for 30 more minutes… Please wake me up later.”

Just as I was gearing to flick her forehead as she invaded the sofa like a cockroach, Grace Nostrim sharply slapped the bottom of her daughter, who was sprawled on the couch.

“… Ack!”

“Do you think it’s reasonable to be sleeping again when the sun is high in the sky? Your brother is back. Hurry up and get up. You need to eat something.”

“What does him being here have to do with me…?”

Ayla muttered dismissively.

That one sentence struck my nerves perfectly.

Just as Jesus lifted the cripple, I kicked the sofa to jolt Ayla awake and got her eyes to pop wide open.

And naturally.

I was immediately punished for my brotherly violence and received a slap on the back.

*

Society is not a sterile room.

No matter how cautious one is, accidents are bound to occur from somewhere.

In the infinite cycle that seems never-ending, there is little any human can do. Likewise, I was unable to do much at that moment.

My best option was to soothe Francesca to prevent her from getting angry.

After getting scolded by my mother for hitting Ayla, I tried everything possible to turn her mood around, but Francesca ultimately rejected all contact.

I reached out to Lucia in hopes of discussing this matter.

– “It would be best not to contact her for a while. I believe Miss Francesca will need her own time to sort through her thoughts.”

“Is that so?”

– “Yes… It’s likely.”

Even despite Lucia and Veronica stepping in to help, Francesca continued to avoid all contact. Although I wasn’t a mind reader, it was clear she was intentionally avoiding us.

Is the saying that time heals really true? They say there’s no wrong in those old sayings; I hope this one is too.

I left a message asking her to reply when she had the time and returned to daily life with my family.

Strictly speaking, it was more like a break than a return to daily life, but with a troubled heart, there was no way I could truly rest.

I grumbled discontentedly while tightening my autumn coat.

“Why do we have to go out just to have lunch?”

As I shivered against the chilly late autumn breeze, my father, Charles Nostrim, adjusted his rimless glasses and flashed a beaming smile.

“Since everyone is gathered in one place, shouldn’t we eat somewhere nice?”

“Having lived abroad, I’m tired of eating out….”

“That restaurant is nothing like those places. I’ve made a reservation at a famous restaurant that your mother and I frequently visited.”

The restaurant, frequented during courtship, was one of the renowned dining spots in Abas.

It was a place where a businessman had purchased the former residence of a queen who lived in the palace hundreds of years ago, remodeled it, and transformed it into a restaurant. The historical significance of the building lingered with every passing moment…

It was a restaurant true to its roots.

The food that captivated the palates of foreigners from the homeland boasted a fantastic taste, so much so that even renowned critics sang its praises. In the underground storage, there were thousands of bottles of wine, receiving acclaim from wine enthusiasts who scoured for varieties from various regions.

The restaurant was perfect for couples on dates and also suited for tourists looking to explore.

Nestled in the heart of a quaint old town, it held a long tradition and reputation.

“Wow.”

As the evening sun set over the western sky, Jerry and Adela gasped in awe as we arrived at the restaurant, passing through a forest of vintage buildings.

The picturesque garden of low hills and the delightful aromas wafting through the air provided an unparalleled feast for the eyes and stimulated the taste buds.

While our parents conversed with the staff, my siblings, entranced by the beauty surrounding us, busied themselves with sightseeing.

“Luna in the sea, Château rêve vintage 1984, Quinta da espaço….”

Jerry was so engrossed in the wine display that it seemed he might get sucked into the shelves.

When I nudged him, he nearly stumbled.

“Get your act together, you alcoholic.”

“Addiction? Pfft… Ah, it’s corkage free here.”

What the heck? It meant that one could personally bring in wine to the restaurant. Of course, it wasn’t free.

To claim that someone like him wasn’t an alcoholic was utterly absurd.

“…So this is the place. How fascinating.”

Adela wandered around with the Magic Imaging Equipment in hand.

She had come prepared to snap photos of our family but was completely focused on capturing the landscapes that caught her fancy instead.

“Have you never been here before?”

“Never. But I’ve heard plenty. My colleagues come here often.”

It meant that civil servants missing the local dishes they had while working with diplomats tended to visit frequently.

“Really?”

I trailed off, delivering an ambiguous response.

Noticing my mumbling in a hushed voice, Adela raised her brow, looking at me as if to ask if I had something to say.

“What’s wrong? Do you feel sorry for an older sister who can’t come to places like this while bringing home three daughters-in-law?”

“Hey… What nonsense are you spouting? That’s not it…”

I reiterated what Adela had said.

“You said diplomats visit often, right? This place claims to replicate the local food most similarly.”

“And?”

“So wouldn’t foreign diplomats feel the same way?”

Didn’t foreign nationals dispatched to the embassy visit as well?

I didn’t mince my words, but Adela wasn’t so oblivious that she missed the underlying meaning. Euphemistic expressions were a hallmark of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and since the Ministry and Information Agency were closely intertwined…

Adela casually surveyed the surroundings before lowering her voice.

“There were no foreigners on the reservation list today. At least not during our time here.”

It meant that our nationality ensured a minimum level of security.

I quickly began devising strategies.

Even if an information officer didn’t enter the restaurant directly, there were many ways to monitor it. One could eavesdrop from nearby buildings with equipment, or even bribe the staff.

Alternatively, one could wait to tail a person until they exited the restaurant and follow them discreetly.

I had gauged the likelihood of being followed while on the way here, but I believed the safest option was to act alone.

Moving with my family might make it difficult for a tailsman to approach closely.

So I slipped out under the pretext of having a smoke, circling the neighborhood, but luck seemed elusive; even after several turns, I couldn’t encounter a single neighborhood cat.

“…Sigh.”

I extinguished the cigarette I had in my mouth and returned to the restaurant.

Coincidentally, Adela and Jerry were waiting for me, looking rather serious as if a discussion had already taken place between them.

“Cheer up. I just stepped out to smoke.”

“Are you sure that’s okay?”

“Yeah.”

Nodding made Jerry sigh in relief, and Adela leaned against the wall, crossing her arms as she stared into the distance.

“What a hassle this vacation has turned out to be… Moving to the consulate was also work-related, right? How on earth do you live normally?”

“Well.”

“Well, my foot.”

Just as Adela began to chide me for the lingering smell of cigarettes, the staff opened the door, signaling that it was “ready.”

Guided to a separate room inside the restaurant, our parents were already waiting with smiles on their faces.

“Everyone’s here. Come on in.”

“Ah, I’m starving.”

“Adela, didn’t you eat a sandwich before we left? Are you going to eat again?”

“Shut up, Jerry.”

“No fighting, you two.”

As Jerry and Adela bickered and moved inside, I sought a good seat for myself.

Where would be best?

“Whoa…”

It was a room completely partitioned off like a private chamber, yet I habitually sought out a safe spot.

As I glanced around, a prime location caught my eye. The right side was enclosed by a wall, and there was a window and an entrance nearby, opening up a path leading outside the building the moment you stepped into the corridor.

There was no better spot than this.

“Check this out! It’s a gift from Ayla she brought back from her business trip.”

“A gift? This is herbal liquor only sold in the Latuwan Principality? Wow— when did she buy this?”

“Ayla just returned from a trip to Latuwan, right?”

“Yeah, I heard she traveled all over several countries. She must’ve been quite busy.”

While my family excitedly discussed the souvenir brought back by the youngest, I set off toward my chosen prime spot.

But then…

“…Uh?”

Upon reaching the coveted seat, what did I find? A bag was occupying it!

“Whose is this?”

“Mine.”

While I was mumbling as I shook the bag, Ayla entered the room and answered.

She snatched the bag and quickly hung it over the back of her chair, plopping down as if it were her spot.

Dumbfounded, I stood there, having my prime seat snatched away from me (not that it was occupied), but upon closer inspection, Ayla was seated right next to Lady Grace.

Damn it. At her age, still glued to Mom.

“Why are you looking like that?”

“…Oh, nothing.”

My older brother stared at his younger sister, feeling disappointed with her behavior. Regardless, she happily nestled up next to Mom, flipping through the menu.

Just as I was shaking my head in disbelief and preparing to look for another seat, Ayla pulled her chair, causing the precariously perched bag to tumble down and its contents to spill all over the floor.

“Ah!”

Startled, Ayla screamed in panic as she tried to grab her cosmetics, wallet, water bottle, and other items, but it was all in vain. With only two hands and far too many items, she was overwhelmed.

In the end, all her belongings were scattered on the ground.

“Oh dear.”

I squatted down and began collecting Ayla’s scattered belongings. Meanwhile, Ayla knelt down in a frenzy, worrying about whether her dropped items would get damaged.

Thus, we began picking up the items together like a harmonious duo.

“Oh, my powder…”

Most of the items were fine, but a few were in a state too bad to touch. Particularly, the cosmetics were wrecked.

Seeing her brother laugh as she held her shattered makeup, Ayla grimaced, while Jerry diligently helped pick up her stuff, offering consolation all the while.

“Don’t worry, Ayla. We’ll go to the department store together later.”

“It was bought overseas… I hardly got to use it…”

“Well, um… about that….”

Jerry trailed off awkwardly. If it were an import item, that might be one thing, but if it were something only available abroad, it would be difficult to procure.

To make matters worse, even Adela, a diplomat, chimed in, claiming she had never heard of that product. It was the worst-case scenario.

Faced with Ayla’s dramatic reaction as if the sky was falling, Jerry’s expression turned pitiable as he looked for ways to help his sister out.

“Fred, can you help find her some items not available for import?”

“……”

“Fred?”

Jerry looked puzzled as he gazed at his younger sibling.

However, her focus was elsewhere.

In the midst of gathering her belongings, she was fixed on one item, staring at it intently.

“……”

Frederick, having picked up the item cautiously, glanced around nervously. Then, he firmly opened his tightly shut lips.

“Hey, Ayla.”

He added succinctly.

“Come look at this for a second.”

 

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