What’s going on? What happened?
After returning, I was in a state of panic that I hadn’t felt in a long time. No, was this the first time I had been in such a panic after returning in this episode?
But I quickly regained my composure. ‘First, I need to figure out how to handle this situation.’
Everyone’s attention was on Pierre and me. Even Agénor seemed taken aback, or rather, of course, he couldn’t have expected this situation.
‘Agénor has already given all the answers. He didn’t even know this situation’
So, what should my approach be?
I turned my head suddenly and made eye contact with my father.
It felt complicated at first, but now was not the time to think about such things.
‘Smile.’
I smiled as widely and beautifully as I could.
“Dad!!”
And as if I had been waiting, I jumped out of my chair and ran towards him.
The conference room had stairs that gradually descended towards the door. This allowed me to jump towards my father from the last step.
‘Please, please catch me! Catch me!’
Fortunately, my father gently caught me.
He didn’t say anything while holding me in his arms, but that was better for now.
I hugged him tightly without saying anything.
“Dad, you said you couldn’t come. That you were sick… Are you okay now? Huh?”
While I smiled brightly on the outside, inside, my emotions were like hot and cold baths.
I had no idea what Pierre was thinking.
‘Darn it, what if we just separate and fall to the ground?’
If that happened, I needed to think ahead about what to say.
In any case, my actions aligned with the rumors I had spread, even though it was me who had spread them.
‘I can’t stay silent. Please, react in some way. Anything…’
Now, all that was left was to decipher my father’s intentions, which were inscrutable.
‘No, maybe silence is better?’
My heart pounded faster than ever before in this lifetime.
With my eyes closed tightly while hugging my father, something suddenly lifted and dropped in my head.
‘Alright. My body is fine now.’
I blinked while still in my father’s arms.
Since I was nestled against the wall, no one could see my expression.
“I caused you to worry.”
…Only my father would know that my firm words were actually quite rigid.
‘Could you, someone who can speak normally like this, really be you?’
By the time all the unease had passed, my father had arrived at my seat while still holding me.
It seemed like everyone was as surprised as I was, or maybe it was only after my father’s arrival that I could hear the collective sigh of relief from all directions.
“Is there a need for attendance to be separately confirmed?”
“No… Pierre, we have confirmed your attendance.”
Laila spoke in the most businesslike tone she could muster.
Chaya had a look on her face as if she couldn’t believe what she had been advocating for.
“It’s been a long time, Pierre. I never expected to see you like this…”
“My daughter was overly worried and didn’t properly inform me. Thanks to her, I’m a bit late.”
Well, maybe I’m still dreaming after all.
But looking at his eyes that were lazily cold right in front of me brought me back to reality.
“How should I interpret this?”
I swallowed quietly, trying not to be noticed.
I clenched my fists.
No, let’s think positively for now.
It seemed like my father wanted to cover everything up and cooperate with me for the time being, even though I didn’t know why.
This tension should be saved for after the disciplinary hearing.
When I discreetly turned my head, Bayan seemed equally surprised and had jumped to his feet.
Even the usually composed Grandmother was staring at my father in astonishment.
“Okay, anyway, as long as this meeting isn’t about throwing a tantrum.”
I gained some confidence.
I had overcome the only weakness I had in this meeting.
“This, this is invalid. He didn’t attend in advance!”
“Bayan, it’s a matter that all three of us, the chairs, have agreed upon. We hope you haven’t forgotten the oath you made to be truthful and faithful when the meeting started, Bayan.”
Bayan frowned at Laila’s resolute words.
“Well done, Laila.”
But Bayan wouldn’t just stay quiet like this.
A stream of water rose behind Bayan. It was a fierce and furious water.
However, his power was soon swallowed up by another power.
“Adnim, sit down.”
“Mother.”
“The chairs have approved it.”
When Mother with eyes almost like blind eyes turned her head and looked at Bayan, only then did Bayan sit back down, grinding his teeth.
Bang!
Breaking the desk was an extra touch.
‘Tsk, he really doesn’t understand the essence of this meeting, does he? Acting like a fool.’
This meeting had already reached its conclusion.
The Disciplinary Committee was like a trial with a jury where the meeting details were presented in detail, each party made their claims of injustice and circumstances, and then the punishment level was determined, including the jury.
So, the chairman and the divine beings were not just there for show; they were formidable opponents who needed to be shown something here.
‘Doesn’t he think this result will reach Grandmother’s ears, or does he not care?’
Well, let him self-destruct.
I stared seriously and smiled softly when someone’s gaze met mine.
My father and I made eye contact.
I subtly avoided the situation and quickly turned back to my seat, forcing a smile.
‘Don’t forget to smile,’ I told myself.
My father responded with a faint smile.
…It was quite pathetic, and I felt a bead of sweat forming at the back of my neck from his ironic expression.
“We had a little disturbance, but we will now commence the main agenda. If anyone has objections, please raise your hand towards the chair.”
The remaining chairman, who had been silent until now, spoke slowly. It was the official beginning.
I straightened my back, ready to speak at any moment.
“This meeting…”
“Excuse me!”
As the chairman spoke, the door creaked open.
My father had quietly opened it, but compared to that, it was a very noisy entrance.
The startled chairman’s face visibly twisted in displeasure.
Laila and Chaya were equally surprised, but everyone fell silent upon seeing the person who had entered.
“What’s going on here?”
“It’s the command of the matriarch!”
Well, that made sense. The person who had just entered was directly appointed by the matriarch herself.
“The matriarch’s command?”
Why would my grandmother, who was probably having a family meeting somewhere right now, come here?
‘This is unsettling.’
This was an unexpected turn of events. I couldn’t just let this opportunity slip away.
I had a bad feeling.
“From now on, this Supreme Disciplinary Committee will move to continue in the Blue Hall.”
I widened my eyes.
“Therefore, it will resume within the family meeting where the head of the family is present!”
…What?
What on earth is going on?
I froze in shock as I stared at the messenger.
‘No, seriously, what is going on!’
This was like diving into shark-infested waters when you were already drowning in a sea of crocodiles.
‘A family meeting is like his backyard!’
In the current situation, Bayan was digging his own grave, and there was no doubt about his punishment.
In fact, educational institutions had a significant influence in the Whale Society, more than one might think.
Even Director Chaya of an intermediate institution had been a comrade of my grandmother.
So, the disciplinary record of Bayan, the heir to the highest disciplinary committee, carried more weight than one might expect.
You can’t endure without properly splashing mud on the guy who dared to strike me and my twin.
“What’s with all this talk?”
My father, who was in the seat next to me, was starting to get anxious.
What the hell is going on?
The fact that the disciplinary committee would continue in the presence of the matriarch, even at a family meeting?
“Unbelievable.”
I muttered silently.
While hiding my decaying expression, I noticed that the expressions of Bayan and his gang on the opposite side were noticeably brightening.
A family meeting was where his influence was strongest.
Being a strong contender for the heir meant having a lot of followers in tow.
Especially in a family meeting filled with senior members and followers, having more supporters inevitably gives you an advantage.
‘In the end, this is nothing but Bayan gaining an advantageous position.’
Bayan and his gang, who knew this too well, were now in a festive mood.
Even Grandmother, who had been calm until now, was smiling as if she was enjoying herself.
“Well, sister, what should we do?”
Agenor asked cautiously.
“As long as Grandmother has given her command…”
When the matriarch made a decree, it was as good as set in stone.
“Well, there’s nothing we can do about it.”
“I guess not.”
‘I really wanted to see that guy squirm.’
As I bit my lip and sighed inwardly in resignation, a calm voice echoed.
“It’s okay.”
—————————————————————
Translator Note:
This chapter was translated by Bree.
If you like my work please support us in Patreon. Next post will be released on November, 23.
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