Chapter 7: The Proposal for Remarriage
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This happened when I was six years old.
I was in my room, organizing the data on the mana consumption of my Transformation skill.
Converting 1 kilogram of straw into 100 grams of meat: 5 points
Converting 10 kilograms of dirt into 1 kilogram of iron: 50 points
Converting 1 kilogram of wood into 300 grams of soybeans: 10 points
Viewing my own information: 10 points
Viewing others’ information: 15 points and up (The higher the target’s level or rarity, the more mana it consumes)
Transforming my own information: 10 points and up (More items to transform increases mana consumption)
Transforming others’ information: 50 points and up (More items to transform increases mana consumption)
Summarizing it like this, the mana consumption for transforming plants into food is relatively low.
It seems the points required for transforming food necessary for my survival are intentionally set low. I should be thankful to 'The One Who Was Stripped of Their Name and Forgotten.'
"Toma, I’m coming in."
"Okay."
My mother entered the room.
"What’s the matter?"
"I have something to discuss. Can you come with me?"
"Something to talk about?"
Her tone was rather mysterious, but I decided to follow her.
When we entered the living room, a man in his late thirties was waiting for us.
"Sit down."
"Okay."
My mother and I sat on the couch together, while the man sat across from us. My mother poured tea for the man and handed some to me as well.
"Nice to meet you, I am Rob Ashud Roxfall, a Knight Baron who governs a small territory. It’s a pleasure to meet you."
"I’m Toma. Pleased to meet you."
The man had black hair and gentle, deep-blue eyes.
"You seem a bit anxious about why I’m here."
"It’s just that no noble has ever come to visit my mother and me before, so I feel a little uneasy."
"Honest and sharp, just as I’ve heard."
I wasn’t used to being complimented, so I felt a bit itchy on my back.
"Today, I’ve come to discuss something important. I’d like you to listen calmly."
"Okay."
Roxfall-sama took a sip of his tea, wetting his lips, and then dropped a bombshell.
"Actually, I’ve decided to take Toma-kun’s mother, Alyusha-dono, as my wife."
"What!?"
My mother… marrying this Roxfall-sama? But isn’t she the concubine of the Lord? What?
"To put it bluntly, I have arranged to take Alyusha-dono from Marquis Lightstar."
So, the Lord sold my mother? What a horrible man. He really is the worst!
"Two years ago, I lost my wife to illness. I hadn’t been considering remarrying, but Marquis Lightstar recommended Alyusha-dono to me. After speaking with her several times, I decided that I would like her to be my wife."
So, discussions had been happening behind the scenes for a while now.
"Toma, I have decided to accept this proposal happily."
"...Will this make you happy, Mother?"
That’s the most important thing.
Ever since my mother began living in the annex, the Lord has shown his face a few times.
But she never looked happy. Maybe she endured being with that old man because of me.
Thinking that way made me feel like I might be nothing but a burden to my mother.
"Yes, I will be happy."
My mother smiled at me and answered with confidence.
It pained me to part with her, but if it meant her happiness, then I should send her off with a smile.
"In that case, I have no objections. Roxfall-sama, please make my mother happy. I beg you."
I got off the couch and bowed my head deeply.
"I may be a noble, but I’m a poor, minor one, so I can’t offer her a life of luxury, but I promise I will make her happy."
When I thought about it, my mother was only 23 years old.
Back when we lived in the storage room, she was frail and dirty, but now that she’s eating properly and wearing simple dresses, her beauty as a woman has blossomed.
Roxfall-sama was still young too, and if they wished, they could have more children.
I’ll be fine on my own.
In my previous life, I practically lived alone, so I can manage in this world too.
"Wait, Toma-kun, I think you might have misunderstood something."
"Misunderstood?"
"You’ll be coming with Alyusha-dono to my house as well."
"Huh? I can come too?"
"Of course. I wouldn’t dream of separating Alyusha-dono from you."
I can still be with my mother? This is the best news I’ve heard!
"Thank you! I’ll work hard for Roxfall-sama, so please take good care of us."
"No, you’re still misunderstanding something."
"Huh?"
"Unfortunately, I didn’t have any children with my previous wife. That’s why I plan to formally adopt you as my son."
"Me... as your son?"
"I am a ward of the Lightstar Marquisate. Oh, ‘ward’ means I’m like one of the Marquis’ children, and if anything happens, I receive support from the Marquisate. Because of that, I have various connections within the Marquisate, and Toma-kun, your reputation is quite high."
My reputation is high? But no one from the main household, nor the servants or soldiers, ever talk to me.
"I’ve heard how poorly Jaiz-sama treats you, yet you never complain and always act with resilience. People notice these things, you know."
Jaiz has been picking on me, but he’s no big deal.
Lately, as I’ve leveled up, his attacks barely hurt at all.
In fact, I think his fists suffer more from hitting me. That’s why he’s stopped punching me and switched to hitting me with wooden swords.
"Are you sure you want someone like me?"
"You need to have more confidence. I truly want to adopt you as my son."
"...Thank you."
"I’ll come to get you in two days. There’s not much time, so be sure to pack."
Roxfall-sama left with a refreshing smile.
He was so cheerful, I wished the stuffy nobles of the Marquisate could drink his essence and learn from him.