December 24th.
This day marked the eve of the "Accord Commemoration," held before December 25th.
December 25th celebrated the end of the interspecies war that had swept across the Lieber Continent two hundred years ago. Parties began the night before, both to honor the memory of that war and to mark the year's end with a year-closing celebration.
Alcohol flowed freely, making it a strictly adult event. Attendance was limited to those fifteen and older.
(Though, of course, only those twenty and older could drink... They really followed the game industry's rating in a weird way...)
Even though some might marry at eighteen or nineteen, drinking was restricted to age twenty. Isaac found this odd, but given the original game was general-audience, it made sense. The game's settings had always been slightly off from reality; minor inconsistencies like alcohol age were overlooked.
Since this was an adult party with alcohol, there was naturally no role for young Isaac. The family had gone to the royal palace to attend.
Those without titles or inheritance—second-born or later children—attended marriage-oriented parties hosted by major Nobles, seeking partners. Those with families took turns each year, either spending time with their household or assisting with the party.
In such circumstances, children were left out. They weren't completely ignored, but after dinner, the implicit message was clear: "Kids, off to bed." Watching the adults enjoy themselves—minus the adults desperately hunting for partners—Isaac felt the loneliness of being excluded.
(Even so, other children must have incredible patience to remain so calm.)
Isaac guessed they likely had babysitters. Still, he wondered how they managed to stay patient while their parents attended the party. Even with memories of a Previous Life, Isaac felt lonely with grandparents and parents gone. He imagined the challenge for actual children.
Of course, Isaac understood the necessity of adult-only parties. Some conversations could not occur in front of children, and sometimes adults had to show sides they wouldn't display to children. In a kingdom without a parliament, the party hall served as a place where Nobles of various ranks discussed administrative matters. Minor adjustments that the king or ministers couldn't handle were often discussed there.
Unable to attend, Isaac felt frustrated.
Most of all, he felt lonely because of friends. Nathan wasn't lonely; friends had come to stay in his room. Isaac, however, had no one. This was because, although young, children couldn't be lodged with the opposite sex—an unarguable rule. He thought another room could work, but was too embarrassed to suggest it, fearing it would look like he was chasing girls.
Isaac had only one male friend, Damian, and they had met just twice. Moreover, Damian belonged under the Warwick Marquis family and wouldn't stay over for Isaac. While he was allowed to interact with friends like Lucia and Catherine, pressure was applied to ensure Damian didn't become Isaac's friend. Melinda's influence reached even to the Fosbury family under WarwickMarquis.
Such harassment, while subtle, was highly effective. Isaac's anger gradually built up in response.
(I hope next year brings some action...)
Isaac was still too young to act. Even if he wanted to, parental permission would block him.
――He needed a reason, a chance, to move.
For Isaac, December 24th was Christmas Eve. He went to sleep wishing to Santa Claus for "a chance to seize power."
January 1st.
The New Year brought no special feeling. There were no year-end soba noodles, no New Year's gifts—at most, a trip to church to pray for a good year. It wasn't like the adult New Year, filled with festive events.
(Well, at least I don't have to entertain clients coming to drink on New Year's...)
Even chain izakaya restaurants weren't closed for New Year. In fact, it was peak season, unbearably busy. So, having a quiet moment was a rare luxury.
Grandparents and parents, however, couldn't enjoy that luxury. They had to greet Nobles visiting for New Year. Despite their exhaustion, Lucia and Melinda handled these obligations without showing annoyance, earning Isaac's admiration.
This New Year's gathering differed from the year-end "Accord Commemoration."
Here, children were the main focus. The reason: it celebrated children who had reached ten years old.
Young children faced high risks of illness or accidents. Those who reached ten were presented to society with the message: "Our child has grown safely." Everyone celebrated alongside the New Year.
At year-end parties, adults drank to forget the bad events of the year. At New Year's parties, however, drinking was minimal, out of consideration for the child honorees.
Isaac could finally attend a party in his own right. Usually, children under ten didn't attend, but exceptions were made for family members reaching that age.
Lisa, his foster sister, had turned ten.
Still, this applied only to the Wellrod household's party. Isaac could not yet attend the royal palace's ceremonies. His role was limited to sending Lisa off when she visited before heading to the palace.
Outside the mansion, Lisa stepped down from the carriage, speaking with Isaac. Nearby, Lucia chatted with Adela and her husband, Oliver.
"Congratulations, Lisa-oneechan," Isaac said.
"Thank you," Lisa replied, her smile bright with joy.
In a world with little entertainment—no TV or radio, few concerts aside from occasional opera—Lisa cherished being a main participant in one of the few events. Yet, there was a tinge of dissatisfaction.
"You look good in the dress."
"Eh, really?"
Lisa hesitated. She disliked the pale green dress. She had hoped for something more traditionally girlish—red or pink—but such colors were reserved for daughters of higher-ranking families to make them stand out.
Even as Isaac's foster sister, Lisa, being the daughter of a Baron, had no choice but to wear a modest color. That constraint left her a bit frustrated; while the compliment pleased her, it also carried mixed feelings.
Isaac knew from Adela that Lisa felt this way. He wanted her to leave for the ceremony in the best mood possible.
"See? This shows it well," he said, gently tugging her hair forward.
"The red-violet of your hair stands out against the pale green dress. The dress is just a background; the star is you, Lisa-oneechan. This dress really brings out your charm."
Adela likely considered similar points, trying to let her daughter shine despite the modest color. The focus was the child, not the dress.
Hearing this, Lisa felt better. Red might have overshadowed her hair; in that case, the dress, not she, would be the focus.
"Hmm... yeah, when you put it that way, I guess it does look nice..."
Lisa's mood softened slightly. Though Adela had said it looked good, Lisa had initially felt it was more like, "You're a Baron's daughter; deal with this color." Understanding the reason made her feel better.
"Choosing a color that suits yourself instead of flashy colors shows real taste," Isaac said.
Lisa thought, I didn't exactly get to choose... but she didn't want to deny the compliment.
"Yeah, thank you," she said, her smile sincere.
She meant her thanks for Isaac pointing out that her mother hadn't picked the color randomly. A little embarrassed, she felt genuinely happy.
"Isaac-sama, it's almost time for the ceremony, so we should be going," Oliver, who had been talking with Lucia, said.
"Don't want to be late. Go on, and tell me how it went when you get back," Isaac replied.
"Yeah, I will!"
Lisa waved and climbed into the carriage first. Then Adela got in, giving Isaac a polite nod—a thanks for cheering up Lisa. Isaac returned the nod. Lastly, Oliver bowed deeply to both Lucia and Isaac before entering the carriage. They waved as the carriage left the estate.
(When I grow up, I'll be the one hosting the year-end and New Year's events... can't wait.)
March would bring the Royal Academy's Graduation Ceremony, and April the entrance ceremony. Bureaucratic transfers usually happened around March too. In the game, those were just minor events, but back then, Nicole was a Baron's daughter, and being a game, extra events were skipped. Being reborn as a Marquis's son made Isaac sometimes think lower-ranking Nobles had it easier.
As Isaac watched the carriage leave, Lucia spoke.
"Isaac, how did you come up with the idea that Lisa's hair would pop against her dress? And saying she's the star? You really cheered her up. Thank you."
"It's the truth," Isaac replied with a sly grin.
(The young ones really are the stars of the show.)
Isaac had always opposed high school girls wearing garish makeup, and sometimes he'd even seen elementary girls with it.
――Youth itself is the greatest color.
――Bold makeup and flashy jewels are for when beauty confidence starts to fade.
That was his principle. He believed Lisa, just turned ten, wouldn't be overshadowed by her dress's color.
――Of course, Lisa is cute.
Being able to say that naturally was good, but for Lucia, it was a worry.
(Kindness is good, but sometimes it brings cruel consequences.)
She had meant to warn Isaac but stopped herself. He was smart, but still a child. It was better to wait until he was a bit older.
Randolph, during his student years, had treated many girls kindly. Many misunderstood his intentions even though he had never said "I love you." Because of this, young Lucia had felt uneasy seeing them, despite having already been told, "I love you. Even if this is a political marriage, stay by my side forever."
――If things continued as they were, Isaac might unknowingly mislead many girls too.
Lucia decided she would teach Isaac properly when he turned ten.
Thank you as always for reading. Your bookmarks, ratings, and impressions are always encouraging.
This concludes the Childhood Arc. From the next chapter, the Succession Struggle Arc begins.
We hope you continue to enjoy the story.
Notes:
• Ran - She is a gentle orphan, appeared as Mobu's close friend, surviving the demon attack in their secret hideout.