I Decided To Abandon My Family In My Seventh Life (Dropped) - Chapter 11: Brainwashing
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Chapter 11: Brainwashing
“I-It’s already this late, huh…”
Meltreza-sama murmured as she opened the curtains, perhaps trying to distract herself from embarrassment. Outside the window, the darkness had already fallen, and the crescent moon shone brightly.
“Haha, yeah… seems like it.”
“…Will Hugo-sama be returning to the Glenville estate today?”
“…”
She wore a concerned expression as she asked, and I found myself biting my lip in silence. Honestly, I don’t want to go back to that house anymore.
To that place where I… have no place.
“Um… since it’s gotten late today, how about you stay overnight?”
With hopeful eyes, she cautiously inquired while peering into my face.
Heh… has anyone ever wanted me this much, accepted me like this before…?
“In that case, may I?”
“! Y-Yes!”
Meltreza-sama clasped her hands together and revealed a blooming smile. Truly… a beautiful young lady.
“So, well, I’ll ask them to prepare dinner right away! And also, I’ll get the guest room ready for your stay tonight, and then…”
“Haha. Meltreza-sama, please calm down.”
“Ah… I-I’m sorry…”
As I chuckled and addressed her, her enthusiasm subsided, and she bashfully looked down.
“Well, um… fufu, Hugo-sama, is there any type of food you dislike?”
“I’ll eat anything that’s edible.”
Well… there were times in the past when all I had was rock-hard bread covered in mold…
“Fufu! In that case, we must have our head chef show off their skills for you!”
“Haha…”
Just by welcoming me, she’s this delighted. I… I’m really glad I took this gamble…
“By the way, um, so, we’re going to become engaged, right?”
“Yes. After the formal engagement procedures between the Woodstock Ducal Family and the Glenville Marquisate, that is.”
“In that case, I have a request…”
“A request…?”
What could this request she’s talking about be…? Even if I have nothing, I hope I can grant it…
“Um… instead of addressing me with the formal ‘Meltreza-sama,’ could you use a different name…?”
“Ah…”
A different name, huh… I recall His Grace called her “Mel”…
“Well, how about ‘Mel’ then?”
“…My grandfather uses that, so I would prefer something special only from Hugo-sama. Also, there’s no need for honorifics.”
“I-I see…”
With a firm tone that leaves no room for discussion, I find myself scratching my head instinctively.
B-But, a name other than “Mel”…
“Melto”? Hmm… that feels a bit strange.
“Melre”? This one, too, isn’t quite right.
After twisting my neck in thought, I arrived at a conclusion.
“… How about ‘Melza’?”
I asked her timidly.
“‘Melza’… Thank you so much!”
She… ‘Melza’ took my hand and smiled shyly.
Phew… it seems she’s taken a liking to it.
“So, um, could you also give me a special name instead of just ‘Hugo’? By the way, I’ve never been called anything other than ‘Hugo,’ so any nickname would be… well, ‘Melza’ is the first for me.”
Ugh… it’s still embarrassing to be suddenly called by my own special nickname.
“Fufu! In that case, is ‘Hugh’ okay?”
“Oh, o-of course!”
Haha… so my nickname is ‘Hugh’… That’s a bit, no, quite pleasing.
“Fufu, well, Grandfather must be eagerly waiting, so let’s go, Hugh.”
“Yes, Melza.”
I took her hand and turned around.
“Hmm… Hugh, if you’ll excuse me for a moment…”
For some reason, ‘Melza’ was staring at my back intently.
“I-Is something wrong?”
“…There are remnants of psychic magic here.”
“Huh…?”
Melza’s words made me inadvertently let out a bewildered voice.
“I’ll check what kind of psychic magic was cast. Please stay still.”
“Y-Yes…”
As she examined my back, my chest grew increasingly heavy. After all, the only one who would cast something like this on me is my father.
Heh… I wonder what kind of mental magic my father has cast on me…
And then…
“This spell… it seems Hugh was subjected to brainwashing through magic. Moreover, it was designed to make him continue to have favorable feelings toward specific individuals.”
Melza delivered this message in a solemn tone.
Ah… I see… Even that tiny desire of mine to become a part of my family wasn’t truly my own…
I… I…!
“Ugh… uaaahhhhh!”
“!? Hugh!”
Collapsing to my knees, I repeatedly pounded the floor while screaming.
Over and over again.
They… they took everything from me…!
I wasn’t even allowed to have that…!
“Hugh! I’m here! I’ll always be here for you! That’s why!”
“Uhhh… Melza… Melzaaa…!”
While crying out, I clung to Melza, who was embracing me tightly, burying my face in her chest.
It was just too painful… just too agonizing…
I kept sobbing and sobbing…
—And then, I lost consciousness, just like that.