Chapter 29

Chapter 29

“Okay… My name is Leticia.” I wilted in my chair, moping with a downward glance.

Sibel chuckled.

“What’s so funny?” I muttered.

“You’re very endearing, my lady. Like a lost puppy.”

I shook my head. “I’m not a puppy.” Only then did I finally look up to examine Dr. Sibel. “If you’re a doctor, does that mean you have a doctorate?”

“That’s correct.”

“I thought all doctors were old with white hair.”

“I’ve only recently come of age, my lady. People like me, those who have received numerous degrees at a young age, are often called geniuses. His Grace brought you here today because he believes you might be one of us, and I can assist you if you are.”

“Thank you. I appreciate your kindness, but I don’t need any help.” I spoke adamantly, but Dr. Sibel’s smile only deepened.

“You really are adorable,” he said. “There’s no need to fret, my lady. This kind of situation frequently occurs in noble families.”

“This kind of situation?”

“Yes, when an adoring parent brings their child to me and insists they are a genius.”

Kallen, an adoring parent? That’s impossible. We’re talking about the proud, arrogant dark hero here.

“Some parents are disappointed when they discover that their child is not the genius they believed. However, those parents are typically greedy, hoping to utilize their children for personal gain.”

As if to comfort me, Sibel then added, “But His Grace is nothing like that.”

I felt a pang in my chest.

“If you really are a genius, my lady, then you will need my help.”

“Yes, sir.” I slumped further into my chair.

It’s difficult to be motivated when you know you’re going to fail.

“I’ve heard you aren’t entirely literate yet, so this will be an oral assessment. Pretend this is simply a game and answer my questions, okay? Let’s see, where did I leave the exam?” Dr. Sibel quickly stood up and rummaged through his desk. But on his return, he bumped into a sharp corner.

“Ouch!” he cried out. He began rubbing his shin, his face twisted in pain.

“Are you all right?”

“Ah, yes. I tend to be a bit clumsy. But no blood! See?”

He gave me a tender smile. At that moment, I realized Sibel was rather good-looking.

He’s a bit awkward for an adult, I thought while I stared at him blankly.

“I apologize, my lady. Let’s begin, shall we?” He laughed awkwardly.

Dr. Sibel went on to share fascinating stories and pose intriguing questions.

“To solve this maze, how many strokes must you draw?”

He showed me difficult mazes and equations, and told me various stories before asking about their context and relationship.

Come to think of it, I haven’t learned much in either of my lives. Some questions were simple for me to answer, while others were beyond my understanding. However, there were puzzles and Sudoku-style games that were a piece of cake. I’d solved many of them in the past, but that was the extent of my knowledge. Because I had died young and frequently missed school while I was in the hospital, I knew very little.

“Hmm… The princess couldn’t leave the maze because the first knight muddled the path, right? And this path is blocked…”

The riddles were fun to solve, and two hours passed in the blink of an eye. After we’d finished, Sibel stood from his desk.

“Please wait here while I prepare the test results. I’m sure His Grace will return shortly.”

I nodded. “Yes, sir.”

The results will show that I’m not gifted, right? Geniuses remember letters they’ve only seen once and create extraordinary inventions… They can even memorize long strings of numbers and mentally add or subtract them. But I can’t do any of those things, so I can’t be a genius. I thought about what Dr. Sibel had said.

Some parents are disappointed when they learn their children aren’t gifted? Then I recalled my first meeting with Kallen. I had given him a lead on the perpetrator of the red hat murders, and then he took me in as his adopted daughter.

Does he think I’ll be useful to his “job?” What if I’m not? Will he be disappointed? Will he turn me out? Even if he doesn’t, I’ll become nothing but a nuisance. As my mind raced, my back and legs started to ache. I’d been sitting for too long.

It’s not like the test results will come out right away. My mood suddenly dipped, and I was on the verge of tears by the time Kallen finally walked through the door.

“Leticia?” he said, striding over to me. “Did something happen?”

I shook my head, but I couldn’t reign in my emotions and I burst into tears.

“What’s wrong? Dr. Sibel didn’t upset you, did he?”

“N-no, I’m okay. Nothing’s wrong…” I said with a sniffle. “I’m sorry, Your Grace. I’m not a genius.”

“What?” Kallen wrinkled his brow.

“I couldn’t answer a third of the questions Dr. Sibel asked me, and my memory is merely average. I won’t be of any help to you…”

“Just what do you mean by that?” Kallen cradled my cheek and brought my gaze to meet his.

My lips pursed and my eyes were bleary. “I was afraid you’d be disappointed to learn I’m not a genius…” Truthfully, it wasn’t serious enough to cry about. I tried to hold back my tears, but my breaths became ragged. Then I felt myself lift into the air.

Kallen cradled me in his arms. “Shh. Don’t cry, my dear.”

With a few shuddering gasps, I gradually caught my breath.

“It’s said that the fathers of daughters experience a see-saw of emotions, and I guess it must be true.”

I wiped away the last of my tears.

“I wasn’t anticipating any result, Leticia. I was simply concerned. As you’re aware, many intelligent members are born into our family. It’s not surprising to see them skip grades or graduate early, as Jade and I did.”

“But I’m nothing like the two of you.”

Because I’m not your real daughter. That thought made me sink even deeper into despair.

“That isn’t what I meant, child. In cases of true genius, they often take their own life or fall into a deep depression.”

My mouth fell open. They take their own life?

“Having a brain that far outpaces your body can be quite unfortunate, you see,” Kallen went on. “While Jade didn’t suffer to that extent, he did succumb to melancholy when he was younger. I reasoned that if you were a genius, we would need to take extra precautions. If I appeared to be looking forward to your genius, it’s only because I was happy. What parent wouldn’t be thrilled to have a child as bright and adorable as you?”

I sniffled.

“But I’m not all that bright. Honestly.”

“You don’t have to be. It’s all right to be a fool.”

“But what good is a fool? A fool is useless,” I answered faintly. I had been a fool when I was a beggar, before my memories of my past had returned.

“Being useless is quite alright,” Kallen said firmly.

“Then what will I do when I grow up?”

“Perhaps you could find a vocation frittering away all the money moldering in our family’s vaults. That kind of adult I can handle. Do you understand, my dear? This is what it means to be my daughter.”

I stared at the duke. Is that the way it works? I knew it. Kallen is a person beyond my imagination.

“Your Grace has an unusual way of comforting others,” I said while rubbing my eyes.

A job where all I do is spend money? Don’t be ridiculous. It’s obvious what would happen if an adopted daughter were to spend the family’s fortune without inheriting any of it. Kallen may let it slide, but Jade will inherit the duke’s title—or so I assume—and all of House Lewelton’s relatives would condemn me.

“Are your tears all dried up?” His Grace asked gently, stroking my hair.

I nodded slightly. After calming down, I wondered why I had even cried.

I’m definitely going to end up kicking my feet into my blankets in embarrassment later.

“Shall we head over to the cafe then?”

“Wait, we’re really going?”

“Of course. I promised you, didn’t I?”

Sweet cakes and ice cream adorned with sparkling sugar pearls! My mood suddenly brightened as I thought about the desserts we would enjoy.

“I suspected Your Grace was lying about the cafe.”

Like when your parent promises to take you out for hamburgers but drags you to the dentist instead.

“I will buy you anything your heart desires to eat, darling.”

“Really? Then chocolate cake, please!”

Kallen stood silently for a moment before slowly patting my head. “As you wish, my dear,” he said ever so gently. “Let us wait until Dr. Sibel returns, alright? We can leave after a brief discussion. We’ll be out here in no time. The results are probably excellent anyway.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Speak truthfully. He wasn’t rude to you, was he?”

“No, he wasn’t. The test itself was quite enjoyable.”

Soon, Sibel walked back into the room carrying a handful of documents.

“You’ve returned, Your Grace!” he said, then eyed me uncertainly. “Were you crying, my lady?”

“Are the results ready?” Kallen asked.

“Yes, although there’s quite a bit to explain…”

“Make it brief. My daughter’s in need of dessert.”

“Ah, yes, of course! The results revealed that Lady Leticia is…”

An average child, probably.

“She’s not a genius who requires special treatment. However, she demonstrates extraordinary intelligence in several areas. That means she’s still exceptionally gifted.”

Huh? I’m gifted?