#433 Before the Ceremony: Lampeye (Sequel)

The Betta family has four children.

Wild, the first son.

Hendra, the second son.

Delta, the third son.

And Crowntail, the youngest daughter.

Of these four, three have grown up to live up to the family’s reputation.

Wild is at the top of his game in everything. Crowntail, although a girl, is blessed with military prowess and is studying at the prestigious Mermaid Witch Academia and is sure to become an imperial guard after graduation.

Delta is the most talented.

Since his childhood, he was said to be the most gifted in the Betta family and was even thought to become a prime minister or a general in the future. 

“I was the mediocre one,” I say to Lampeye, my soon-to-be life partner. “I can’t do anything as well as other people—no brains, no brawn. Delta has always been better than me in everything ever since we were young. Whenever I lost to him, my father would scold me and say, ‘Why can’t you do anything good for once?’”

As I carried on with my life, I gradually came to believe I was worthless, that I didn’t belong to the Betta family.

I thought it’d be better to leave and become a nobody rather than live in contempt for the rest of my life.

“So, I left. Being a controversialist was a job I chose by chance, and I was fine with anything as long as I could keep my distance from them.”

Surprisingly, my occupation suited my nature.

“Anyway, I ran away from home. I didn’t want to be called a failure. But I’m back in that same household today. It just feels so weird to me.”

“You’ve grown. Your might and accomplishments are unparalleled. Shouldn’t you feel better now that you can come home with your head held high?”

“Maybe so...”

But perhaps it is an emotion ingrained in me so early that it cannot be overwritten.

In this house, I will always remain a failure.

Meanwhile, things started to get rowdy on the other side of the room.

Father must have brought everyone.

When he opened the door, it became even noisier.

“Allow me to do the introductions! First of all, I am the head of the Betta family, Traditional! I’m also an army general!”

“Pleased to meet you, sir.”

And Lampeye bows courteously.

“This is my wife, Comet. As in-laws, I hope you get along with each other.” 

“Oh, stop that, dear. We’re not like the queen’s family.”

Oh, Mother...

Anyway, the formalities move on.

“This is my eldest son, Wild. He’s the imperial guard commanding officer, so you probably know him, Lampeye.”

“Of course, sir. It’s a pleasure to see you again, officer.”

Lampeye greets my elder brother humbly.

“Haha, I’m relieved knowing you’ll be taking care of my troublesome brother.”

What do you mean “troublesome”?

Surprisingly, Lampeye seems acquainted with Crowntail and greets her casually. 

The speed at which she is adjusting to my family is frightening.

At this rate, it looks like I’m going to move back to my parents’ house when I get married...

“Oh, and the last one...!”

?

What’s wrong?

Father suddenly sounded constrained.

“Delta, my third son.”

Oh, Delta.

My younger brother and the most talented of us four siblings.

The reason I left home... was also because of my inferiority complex towards him.

I’m sure he must be making a name for himself out there now...

...

...Huh? Who’s this haggard-looking guy?

“...Are you Delta?”

“...!”

No answer.

He looks away.

I thought I confused him for somebody else, but I can recognize traces of his younger self.

This is Delta?! The genius of the Betta family?!

“A lot has happened since you left home,” whispers Wild in my ear. “Delta was a brilliant kid, but he became more and more inept as he grew up. You can’t even call him a genius by any standards anymore.”

“Huh?!”

“He wasn’t selected to be army cadet twice in a row, you see. He’s not eligible to try another time. His only way left is to start as a private. Unless, of course, he performed well in the competition like you did...”

“Oh, yeah. Did he participate?”

“Yeah, but he lost in the prelim’s first round.”

“Wha...?!”

I never expected that.

Growing up, we were always compared to each other.

[You really are hopeless, Hendra.]

[Why can’t you be more like your younger brother?]

That’s what they would tell me.

I’ve never seen him since I left, but after today’s meeting...

Clearly, the tables have...

“You think the tables have turned, don’t you?’

“Huh?”

Delta says with hostility. 

“Must feel nice, huh! You used to be looked down upon, and now you’re doing the condescending! Tell me how it feels! I am what’s left of your so-called genius younger brother!”

Delta has come to despise the reality of his situation.

He reminds me of how I used to be when I first left home.

“Behave yourself, Delta! Sorry about my rude son.”

“Hey! Ngh...!”

My younger brother struggles as Father holds him by the neck.

“I had high hopes for you before, but I was completely off the mark. Compared to that, Hendra has grown into a fine man. He has become the pride of our family! Now that you’ve returned, my family will... Oogh!”

Slap!

Lampeye slapped him as hard as she could.

What got into her?!

She began to speak while the rest of my family and I widened our eyes in surprise.

“You’re a disgrace as a father,” she says. “How can you love your children just for their skills?! I’m disappointed someone like you is an army general.”

“Er, but I think it’s exactly because he’s a general that...!”

“I cannot allow Hendra to work for such a man. It seems now’s not the time for him to be returning to his family.”

With that, Lampeye takes my hand and...

“If you would please excuse us. Let’s meet again when you’re ready to welcome your son home.”

“Huh? W-Wait!”

“And you,” she says to Delta on his hands and knees. 

“You’re free to rise or fall, but don’t bring my husband into this. Family is always there for you, but there are times when you have to fight alone. If you want to win, don’t take out your anger on someone else, but fight on your own until you reach your goal.”

“...?!”

Delta’s eyes widened as he heard those words.

“Excuse us, mother-in-law. I apologize for our abrupt exit.”

“It’s all right, dear. You actually took the words right out of my mouth.”

Mother remained calm even though her husband was slapped right in front of her.

“Forgive him. Since his birth, he has been a military man, so he cannot see things in any other way. He only knows how to love his children in the same manner.”

Hearing this, everything suddenly became clear to me.

Ever since we were children, he would always praise our scold us the military way.

“That’s one of the good things about him. But there are also times when it’s not acceptable. I’m glad you pointed that out. It took twenty years to tell him what I wanted.”

“No, ma’am. You are Hendra’s mother, and I will always respect you.”

There was some kind of bond forming between the ladies amidst the commotion.

“Let’s go, Hendra.”

“Huh? ....Uh, okay...?”

I leave with my hand in hers.

“Huh? Where are you going? Weren’t you going to live here from today...?!”

“Open your eyes, love. You’re not fit to be their father-in-law right now... And you, Delta.”

Mother shifts her gaze to her third son. 

“Everyone has flattered your genius too much. But it’s also your fault for being so overconfident about it that you let your opportunities slip away. You’ll have to think about how to stand up again from now on. As your mother, I can only continue to offer you support.”

...

As long as my mother is around, I know my father and younger brother will be okay.

“But are you sure?”

I ask as we head for the door.

“I thought the whole point of marrying me was to get me back home. You’re a true-born soldier, after all.”

I’m going to join the military and serve the country with Lampeye as my wife.

This life plan would have allowed her to leave her honorable post as Princess Platy’s guard.

“That’s not true. I’m marrying you, not your family.”

Oh.

“There’s nothing wrong with marrying a controversialist. Surely, the princess will also understand.”

Her reassuring words brought back a certain memory—the first time we met and her beating me to a pulp because of a slip of the tongue.

Life with her would never be boring, it seems.