Revenge Fantasy

#16.5 - Wronged

... and it sickened Charles, this failure.

Charles... needed to get his mind off of this. He needed to distract himself from this distress, from this deepest of setbacks. Needed to get this- this... this indignation out of his mind. Needed to focus his mind on other distractions.

And his most recent of distractions sat adjacent to him.

Charles looked to his side, looking to the child right by his side. Seated right next to him, the recently adopted 6 year old Chouko, just quietly having her face buried in a book. During the entire meeting, Chouko had been quietly sitting outside under the chauffeur's care, brought along to handle two metaphorical birds with a stone.

After the meeting, they were now headed to a boutique to go clothes shopping for proper lady's attire. Seeking clothes fit to turn a ragamuffin into a fashionista, hoping that Chouko would find... an interest... in wearing the finest. Something to expand past her passionate interest in books, of which the orphanage had briefly given him slight knowledge on.

It's a heartwarming sight, truthfully, to see her reading. One who is well read is truly an asset... but one who is unwise, who makes the foolish decision to risk motion sickness while reading in a car, is... unsatisfactory.

"... Chouko. It is unwise to read in a moving vehicle. You will feel nauseous and sick afterwards."

... no response.

The girl completely ignored him.

Charles... narrowed his eyes, briefly. His eyebrow raised at this lack of response, his wisdom possibly lying on deaf and defiant ears. Was Chouko refusing to accept his wisdom? Or was she so deeply lost in this novel of hers that she could not hear him? ... he safely assumes it's the second possibility. Ignorance rather than rebellion.

It's a heartwarming sight, truthfully, to see her indulge in such works. One who is well read is truly an asset... and he can't expect a new heir to be perfect on the first week. Charles quietly tapped her on the shoulder, acting to get her attention.

It is only then that Chouko noticed him, looking up to Charles and raising a hand to her ear. Seeing her hair brushed aside, Charles... curiously saw her pull an ear plug out. Answering his puzzling question of why she didn't respond to his inquiry, having the sound blocked out... only now listening.

"... o... oh... yes? What is it, Father...?"

... Charles got a closer look at the earplug itself, staring at it curiously. Soft foam plugs, a vibrant orange, standard noise-cancelling brand. "... hm. And this earplug, this is in good quality..."

"... y-yeah... the- the orphanage bought me these ones, personally... they, uhm... I find comfort in wearing these... I'm sorry-"

"It's quite alright, Chouko..." Charles responded, just... clearing his throat. "I was briefly- speaking to get your attention. Just a small, brief statement that you should not be reading while in a moving car. You will get sick."

"O-Oh, I- I know... that's- why I had the earplugs in... makes it easier to not be sick..."

Charles raises an eyebrow. "... re... really, now? Does it really help?"

Chouko idly answered with an explanation, her red eyes sheepishly blinking at Charles.

"Well... y... yeah. I overheard one of the c-caretakers mentioning it... see, it is caused by feeling two different things. W-While one's eyes stare at something still, b-bumps in the road make your ear feel- weird, makes it feel sick... s... so, with earplugs, you stabilize your ears..."

"Huh... then the effects of motion sickness reduce significantly..." Charles calmly finished the thought, looking at the girl with a delicate smile. "Well. I shall let you continue then... I would not want to interrupt your dive into the whimsical, whimsical world of..."