TISND Chapter 72

Chapter 72

Helena had always been generous by nature.
But it wasn’t noticeable because the people eating her food had such big appetites.

Jeremy and Joshua, who were both in their growth spurts, would easily devour two or three bowls of stew.

Caligo and Aiden also had hearty appetites that matched their large builds.

Even when Helena, who was already a big eater herself, prepared a meal, they would clean their plates and finish it in no time.

However, there were times when her generous nature reached new heights—those times when she heard someone say they were hungry.

She absolutely couldn’t ignore anyone, especially children, saying they were hungry.
Even the children of the servants, who occasionally wandered over, drawn by the smell of food, would find their plates piled high, leaving them stuffed.

“I can’t anymore…”

Joshua looked pale as he stared at the plates being set in front of him.

It started with an enormous baguette that looked like it could be used as a weapon. Then came the stew, with ingredients cut into huge chunks.

There were buttery potatoes, wafting a strong aroma of butter, and an entire roast that Helena was now slicing into massive pieces.
The meat slices were so big they were about the size of Joshua’s face.

As Helena, hands trembling slightly, continued cutting the meat, Joshua finally burst out.

“Stop! Stop! Why are you cutting them so big? I’ll end up bursting if I try to eat this! I’ll do it myself.”

Unable to watch any longer, Joshua took over slicing the meat.
Although her trembling hands had made him assume the meat was tough, he was surprised at how tender it was as it sliced cleanly.

Puzzled for a moment, Joshua even cut up Helena’s portion of meat.

“I don’t feel like eating meat.”

“Are you picky?”

“Well, I guess you could say that.”

“Just eat it. How are you going to manage looking so thin?”

In the end, the meal Helena served was so enormous it seemed like the table legs might give way.
Still, Joshua had been hungry at just the right moment, so he began eating with gusto.

Helena’s cooking skills were exceptional, after all.

“Ah, it’s hot.”

Blowing on a piece of potato from the stew, Joshua popped it into his mouth, only to burn his tongue.

“What happened? Did you burn your tongue?”

“The potato was a bit big.”

“…Sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing?”

“Maybe I cut it too big.”

“Why would the person who cooked it apologize?”

Joshua, visibly exasperated, spoke up.

“You cooked, and my job is just to enjoy eating it. If there’s anyone at fault here, it’s me for eating too quickly and burning my tongue. Am I wrong?”

“…Huh.”

Mimicking her words from Seantillen, Joshua spoke cheekily.

Helena, who had been watching Joshua eat the stew with a pouty look, suddenly burst into laughter.

“You’re pretty adorable sometimes.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Were you trying to comfort me just now?”

“No, I wasn’t!”

“You’re just like Jeremy in moments like these. Maybe it’s because you’re twins.”

“Well, I’m better than Jeremy, though.”

“So, are you saying you’re cuter than Jeremy?”

“No, I’m not!”

At least Helena’s mood seemed to have improved somewhat.
But there were still so many things that nagged at Joshua.

The chaotic atmosphere in the mansion, the mysterious Rosalith, and why Helena seemed to eat so little—all of it weighed on his mind.

“Give it to me.”

“Huh?”

When she brought out apples for dessert, her hands looked unsteady.

Joshua, concerned, took the apple from her and started cutting it himself.

“Why are you so bad at cutting things? You weren’t like this before.”

“Really?”

“Let’s just finish with dessert and wrap up the meal, okay? I’m so full I could burst.”

“Alright.”

Helena brought out a basket overflowing with strawberries—who knows where she got them from.

“Let’s just finish with these, and we’re done.”

“P-please, no more…”

Joshua’s face turned pale at the sight of the strawberry basket.

*

In the end, it wasn’t until he had eaten a mountain of strawberries that the meal finally came to an end.

“I’m stuffed…”

He couldn’t eat another bite. His stomach was so full it felt like the food was rising to his throat.
His belly swollen, Joshua lay down in the grass, gasping for breath.

Still, the meal filled with warmth and care left him in a good mood.

“So?”

“Hm?”

“Is there something on your mind?”

Helena, feeling just as drowsy from the full meal, let her guard down for a moment. Joshua seized the opportunity to strike.

“Did you fight with Father?”

“No, I didn’t.”

“You didn’t? I thought you might have.”

“……”

Helena tended to keep her worries to herself, avoiding burdening the child with her troubles.
She tried her best not to lose her temper or unload her emotions onto him.

If she shared her sadness or frustration, she feared it would dampen his spirits as well.

But Joshua, sharp as ever, had a knack for figuring things out without her saying a word.

“Hmm, you’re not planning to talk, are you? Fine.”

Joshua sat lazily, watching her face.
Like a well-fed lion lounging comfortably, his gaze was unexpectedly sharp.

As expected of someone with Frantor blood.
When faced with his piercing gaze, Helena felt as if her every thought was being laid bare.

She swallowed nervously and avoided his eyes.

“You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I can tell everything just by looking at your face.”

“……”

“Do you know that you’re surprisingly simple in some ways, Helena? Even if you don’t say a word, it’s written all over your expression.”

“……”

“So it’s fine if you don’t answer. Haha!”

Watching Joshua respond so casually sent a chill down her spine.

“Or is it because of that Rosalith person?”

“……”

“Your face says yes. Why? Do you want to kill her? If that’s the case, I can help.”

“Kill her? Of course not!”

Helena muttered, taken aback by his outrageous suggestion, spoken as if it were nothing.

“Then what is it about?”

“……”

After hesitating for a moment, Helena finally spoke.

“You know, I feel a bit hesitant about sharing these kinds of worries with you.”

“Why? Like you said before, we’re just strangers to each other, aren’t we?” Joshua replied.

“Since we’re strangers, you can talk to me freely. Say only what you want to say.”

“It’s not a big deal.”

“If it’s not a big deal, then just say it.”

Helena looked at the child sipping the juice he’d poured to cleanse his palate and began to speak.

“Well… I just feel like I’m an unimpressive person.”

“Why?”

“I’m not as pretty as Rosalith, and I don’t spend as much time playing with Jeremy as I should.”

“So, you’ve lost your confidence.”

“Well… if I had to sum it up, yes.”

Joshua stared at her for a long moment before speaking.

“You’re not planning to tell me everything, huh? Well, I’ve never met this Rosalith person either.”

“……”

“But I’ll say this.”

“Yeah?”

“No matter what Rosalith has done, don’t lose your confidence because of someone like that.”

“…What?”

Helena blinked, startled.

“You’re someone I’ve acknowledged. No matter who Rosalith is, it’s only natural that you’d outshine her.”

Helena’s eyes widened at the unexpected conviction in his words.

Flustered by her reaction, Joshua pouted and pursed his lips.

“Don’t be so down, and pull yourself together. Even if Rosalith hangs out with Jeremy, your place won’t disappear,” Joshua said sternly.

“……”

“Do you understand?”

“……Yeah.”

“Sometimes, you say things that catch me off guard, but at times like this, you seem really slow on the uptake.”

“……”

“It’s absurd that someone I’ve acknowledged would shrink because of a worthless person. This is also about my pride, you know.”

So, Helena, for our sake, hold your head high. Got it?

Joshua spoke in a voice much stricter than usual.
Helena, feeling as though she had been slapped across the face, nodded quietly.
Part of her was secretly grateful.

She had always believed that her choice to spend time with the children was entirely her decision.
But that wasn’t the case.

The reason she could be with them was because both Joshua and Jeremy had recognized her.
Thinking back, it was obvious, but in her downcast state, she had forgotten.

For a while, everything had seemed dark due to her own gloominess.

But after Joshua’s comforting words, she began to feel like her surroundings were growing brighter.
Helena slowly regained her energy and started to smile again.

“…I guess I would’ve.”

She didn’t hear what Joshua mumbled under his breath.

“Huh? What did you say?”
Helena blinked.

“If I were just a little older, I would’ve married you, not Father.”

“…Huh? But you’re just a kid.”

“Yeah, I said if I were a little older, it’s just a hypothetical.”

Joshua’s face turned so red, it looked like it might explode.

“I’ll take the sentiment gratefully.”

“I wasn’t confessing to you.”

Joshua grumbled.
“I don’t make such awkward confessions.”

Still pouting, Joshua quickly turned and ran off to his room, not looking back.

Hey Guys you can read advanced chapters on Patreon
If you liked my work and want to support me then you can visit my page for tips. As I can’t create Kofi because of the unavailability of Paypal in my country, I’ve made this tier which is being updated every week so that you won’t be charged again till you want to donate again by yourself or you can exit the tier after donating 🙂.

Happy Reading 🩷