SHC47_C47_Chapter 47: Why We Write—Lessons from the Living (Part 2)

Chapter 47: Why We Write—Lessons from the Living (Part 2)

Seeing my startled reaction, Romanov-sensei quickly added,

“Just a turn of phrase,”

then laced his fingers together, staring at them as he spoke.

“Throwing tantrums, crying, screaming—it actually takes a lot of energy. Indeed, when individuals overindulge in selfishness or indulgence, it can escalate into a significant issue. But desire—wanting something—is also a driving force for life. The ‘you’ from before was full of that.”

“Ah… well, putting it nicely, I suppose.”

“Don’t diminish it. You were full of vitality. And vitality, in elves or humans, is a kind of talent in itself. But the illness took all that from you. You might not have survived if you hadn't wasted all that energy throwing tantrums and being willful. That’s why I think… you died once.”

“So then… what am I now?”

“You, as you are now, are what remained—your raw, stripped-down soul that your younger self fought so hard to protect with every ounce of her life force. To put it simply, your existence now is proof that a miracle happened.”

That was a rather poetic way to say it.

But I could sort of understand what he meant. After my fever finally broke, I did feel reborn somehow.

Maybe it was because I had relived my death from my previous life, too.

“The doctors gave up on you. But you survived. That is a miracle. Rottenmeier-san agreed wholeheartedly. And she cried. She said, ‘God has given us adults a chance to make things right.’”

“A chance… for the adults? Not for me?”

“Yes. To truly support you, they realized they shouldn’t have just indulged your every whim or ignored your cries—they should have guided you, taught you right from wrong, and cared for you properly. After they realized you might die, they were filled with regret. That’s why Rottenmeier-san saw your survival as a second chance from the gods. A chance to do things right this time, no matter what it took.”

But… why would she go that far?

She’s just a servant of the Kikunoi household. She wasn’t responsible for raising me. And it’s not like my parents were even in the picture. I was basically abandoned.

My lips trembled as I asked, “Why?”

Romanov-sensei slowly shook his head.

“I can’t speak for her. But she said she’s been watching over you since the day you were born. I imagine there were many things she felt over the years.”

His expression was gentle.

From what I’d learned from Her Highness, and from conversations with Sensei and Viktor-san, elves aren’t usually so kind to humans. But Romanov-sensei is kind. And not only that—he’s a remarkably exceptional elf.

And even though she had no obligation, Rottenmeier-san managed to find and reach out to him. Her Highness said that alone was something most people couldn’t do.

“That aside…” Romanov-sensei’s voice brought me back from my thoughts.

His green eyes still held a calm warmth.

“I believed the reason you had no interest in the outside world was because you’d lost that energy—the drive. So I made it my goal to find a way to help you look outward again. You were given this second chance at life, and I wanted you to use it to see more, hear more, feel more—to live happily.”

“To become a respectable adult, right?”

“Oh, please. If such a thing as a ‘respectable adult’ truly exists, I’d love to meet one. I’ve lived for centuries, and even I don’t feel like I’ve gotten it quite right yet.”

He smiled wryly.

“Life is short. There’ll be pain, yes—but if you can enjoy it, find happiness in it, that’s more than enough. I’m just here to help you get there.”

“…Not to raise me into some noble landowner or anything?”

“Being a landowner is just one part of your life. If, by the end of it, the number of people you’ve made happy outweighs those you’ve made sad—including yourself—then I’d say you’ve done a fine job. Bringing happiness to others is far harder than people think. And if I can help you do that, I’d be proud to call myself your teacher.”

He swapped the position of his crossed legs again—looking as graceful as ever. I tried to imitate him, but with my short, stubby legs, it was hopeless.

Apparently, he noticed me squirming, because he let out a soft chuckle.

“Anyway, I was still thinking about how to help you open up to the world when, recently, I noticed something had changed.”

“Changed… about me?”

“Ever since you took Regulus-kun in, you suddenly started talking about education systems and industry. It was a massive shift. But unfortunately, all of it was for Regulus-kun’s sake. Not your own.”

“Well… that’s not entirely true.”

Honestly, a lot of it was personal. In fact, if you dig deeper, it was all rooted in selfish reasons.

Apparently, Sensei could tell, because he gave me a knowing smile.

“You wanted to build a music school. You said you wanted to see a ‘musical.’ That’s not something a person with no interest in the outside world says. Honestly, I felt as if my heart would leap out of my chest when you mentioned wanting to see a musical.

He had known for a while that I’d started enjoying music, thanks to Her Highness. He figured I had some talent if she was encouraging me.

But when Regulus entered the picture and I started expressing clear dreams and ambitions that extended beyond the estate, it caught him by surprise.

And with a mock-pout, he added, “Her Highness had asked me to nurture your musical talent, so I reached out to Viktor and slowly built a case to introduce you. Just when he said, ‘Sure, bring her,’ you and Her Highness were already dreaming up musicals together!”

His plan had been to introduce me to Viktor, the empire’s top musician, have me hear a professional performance, and inspire me to explore the world beyond. He’d even prepared an allowance for me to use in the city.

However, while he was arranging everything, I had already made significant progress on my own.

“Honestly, it’s like watching a baby you’ve been waiting to see take their first steps and then looking away for just a second—only to find they’re already standing. That’s precisely how I feel.”

“That’s… complicated to hear when it’s about me. But if it were about Regulus-kun, I’d be super jealous.”

“Right? Seeing those moments is what makes teaching worth it. But Her Highness beat me to the punch this time.”

Watching an elf sulk with downturned brows was… surprisingly adorable.

“But,” he continued, more seriously now,

“there’s still so much I want to teach you. There is so much I want you to know. I want to pass along everything I can.”

“Yes, please do.”

I bowed my head deeply.

Then—poke, poke—he teased my cowlick again.

When I looked up, Sensei’s face was strikingly beautiful.

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EUN: I'M SO SORRY. HERE'S THE CHAPTER(s) I OWE YOU GUYS LAST 06.15 (1/3).  I'm the dumbass who decided to bake 4 dozens of cupcakes and a dozen of tartlets for father's day. It took me 16 hours to finish everything (cause i was trying to be secretive about it and i only have tiny oven) and after washing up and feeding my dogs, I was like why don't I lay down for a bit and rest my aching feet and the moment my head hit the pillows i was gone....

Anyway I owe you guys 6 chapters so...5 more to go!

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