Volume 5 Chapter 191, The Middle Siblings’ Assessments and Past Stories_1

Translator: Nonon

Proofreader: Silavin

 

I was originally planning to return home tonight, but my Older Brother and Sister would not listen so we got on Centaurs and rushed to Shiki, arriving in the morning.

It was not exactly a problem because I had already finished my business, but so many things happened, I was tired both physically and mentally. I also knew that what was to come would also be exhausting, and just thinking about it made me feel tired.

 

“Hehe, I’m looking forward to seeing my Sister-in-law’s face. I really do wonder how I should act in a situation like this as a Sister-in-law myself. She’s my Little Brother’s Wife, so… maybe I’m supposed to give her guidance as somebody who got married first.”

“No, just greet her normally, Sumi. She’s still a Daughter of a Duke.”

“… You’re right. She doesn’t seem to have been disowned.”

 

After dismounting the Centaurs, Gen and Sumi discussed various things about Lady Violet, whom they were about to meet. In the end, the misunderstanding was not cleared up and while she had never used her Ducal Family’s authority, I felt like strangely denying it too much would only make things worse.

If they were hostile or dismissive of her personality, she would definitely get angry, but if it’s those two, they should be fine. Raven and Royle would definitely make her angry though.

 

“Anyway, let’s go and have a look right away. Good things come to those who act quickly!”

“Please wait! Your clothes are already dirty as they are, so please avoid meeting anybody else in that state.”

“You’re right. Then I’ll have to find a place to change.”

 

It must be tough to be Sumi’s attendant.

She was originally going to be staying the night or going back home, but she suddenly decided that she wanted to go to Shiki.

Moreover, she got on the Centaur herself, so it must be unbearable. Besides, her attendant seems to be more like a maid than a bodyguard.

 

“Oh, but I don’t even know if I have a change of clothes.”

“Please don’t worry, I have prepared spare clothes for a situation like this. About five sets of them.”

“Five sets?! No wonder the luggage was so heavy. Why did you prepare so many?!”

“A maid is supposed to handle any situation. I thought you would definitely need them, Madam.”

“What is that supposed to mean?!”

 

No, just who is this maid?

I’ve met her before, but I really wonder what she had in mind when she prepared five sets of clothes. I can’t deny Sumi would probably need them though.

 

“I guess I should go strictly to show my dignity as the Brother-in-law. But, she’s a Daughter of a Duke, after all…”

“Master, please do it after changing your clothes first. In this kind of state, you will not be able to show anything.”

“Yeah. But, I’m not dirty and I just need to brush off the snow, so I probably don’t need to change my clothes.”

“Please don’t worry, I have prepared spare clothes for times like this. About five of them.”

“Five!?”

 

And who in the world is Gen’s butler too?

Both the maid and the butler were fully prepared as if they had a complete understanding of what kind of people they were serving from the start. First of all, I’m really sorry that my Brother and Sister seem to be causing trouble all the time. Thank you very much for taking care of them.

 

“Okay, Clo, just wait a bit. We’ll get changed.”

“Yeah yeah, so what am I supposed to do? ‘do you want to intrude suddenly to see what they’re like normally’ or ‘inform them about the visit without being rude’?”

“… The latter.”

“Got it,”

 

If that’s what you’re worried about, you shouldn’t have decided on a visit all of a sudden.

Well, I would also like to have prepared if I could. I’m sure Lady Violet would be able to handle a sudden visit, but she would surely need time to get ready.

I bowed lightly to Gen and Sumi, and their respective attendants, and after telling the Centaurs that their job was done for now and we would be counting on them again when it was time to go back, I headed towards my mansion.

 

Still, I hope it’s okay that I’m home earlier than planned.

I’m happy to meet them early, but they know I’m supposed to return home tonight.

Plans like this are important. Furthermore, there’s also an unexpected event of my Older Siblings visiting. I hope Lady Violet won’t get angry.

No, she’s not really the kind of a girl to get angry about things like this.

But, I should not take her for granted.

For now, I’ll just go back quickly and get things in order.

 

Actually, I feel like she’d already be used to unexpected situations just by being in Shiki…

 

…Alright, it’ll be fine.

Ever since coming here, Lady Violet has gotten quite used to unexpected happenings. I can still see her in a flustered state, which is adorable. But it’s not like when her spirit had died. Now, she has been trying to adapt, so she should be fine if my Older Siblings, who aren’t as perverted as Shiki residents, made a sudden visit.

I’ll place full faith in that.

 

“I’m home~”

 

I returned to the mansion slightly in a rush, opened the door after brushing off snow and announced my return. Then I closed the door and waited a little. Considering the situation, I’ll wait until Gray or Lady Violet come out.

 

“…? Is anybody here?”

 

As I kept waiting, I suddenly felt like the atmosphere in the mansion was different than usual.

It was the presence of somebody other than Gray and Violet… perhaps a woman. Anyway, it felt as if somebody else was also in here.

Frankly speaking, the presence of somebody else in the mansion makes me worried because of Gray’s kidnapping… Oh right, Ms. Kriemhild said she would be coming to visit during winter vacation. Maybe she stayed over.

 

“Oh, welcome back, Mr. Clo. You came back earlier than expected…”

 

As expected, it was Ms. Kriemhild who appeared. She seemed surprised at my return as she greeted me.

Seeing her in clothes other than her school uniform was a novel sight. Her clothes were simpler and less decorative than I expected.

 

“Welcome back, Lord Clo.”

“Welcome back, Mr. Clo.”

 

Huh, Ms. Mary is here too?

She should’ve been staying at Rainbow’s though. I wonder if she came over to visit. Actually, she’s still staying in Shiki even though it’s New Year. Does she not have to go back home?

Anyway, as I was about to say hello…

 

“… So you’re back.”

“Huh?”

 

For some reason, Silva also appeared.

Why is he here? Looking at him reminds me of that black aura and frankly speaking, it scares me.

He probably heard that Ms. Mary was in Shiki and rushed here, worried…

Though, this kind of makes him sound like a stalker.

 

“And I’m behind him.”

“Can you go home?”

 

I immediately told the pervert, Mrs. Vert, who had suddenly appeared behind Silva, to go home.

Now that was a true stalker.

…She’s here for work so it can’t be helped, but how long is she going to stay in Shiki under the guise of doing an investigation?

I feel like she would go back if I let her touch my arms… but she would probably also leave with enough time, and it would just add to my trauma so I’d rather not do it.

 

“That was rude. Not that I mind it though.”

“That’s true. Oh, Gray, where’s Lady Violet?”

“She is in the middle of cooking a meal for everybody. She felt frustrated that she was so busy that she could not come out to greet you.”

“I see. Got it.

 

I’m curious about Silva’s reason for being here, but since Gray’s not showing any hostility towards him, it must mean he has not caused any problems.

Since Ms. Kriemhild and Ms. Mary are here, he would have toned down his hostility towards Lady Violet, so I must treat him like a guest.

If he attacked her, I won’t forgive him, but for me to confirm that, I must go and meet her first.

 

“Um, is it okay to just ignore Mrs. Vert…”

“It’s fine.”

“Yeah, I don’t mind it.”

“O-okay…?”

 

The academy trio were surprised by my sudden appearance and casual response, but this person usually comes to see me out of the blue, and Mrs. Vert is saying it herself so she must really not mind it.

That being said, she’s still a guest, so I’ll need to show her some hospitality.

 

“Then, I’ll go wash my hands and put my things down. Everyone, I’m sorry being an inadequate host, but thank you for coming. I will be happy to entertain you as soon as I’m done with the preparations.”

“No, I’m sorry for suddenly coming over. My apologies…. Erm Mary, please teach me how to properly talk…”

 

As I bowed and was about to leave, Ms. Kriemhild, who was still as bad with polite tone as always, got depressed at her own speaking mannerism… It would be just fine if she talked to me casually like she does with Lady Violet though.

 

“Um, Lord Clo, should you not be going to Lady Violet first?”

 

Gray asked me with a wondering expression before I left.

I would love to go see her right this instant, but she’s in the middle of cooking right now, and I have to change my clothes first. After that, I’ll have to tell her about the arrival of my Older Siblings.

 

“If she’s too busy cooking, it’s probably better to see her later.”

“But, I have heard that it’s a good thing for the married couple when the Husband comes home from work and hugs his cooking Wife from behind to—“

“Who did you hear that from!?”

 

I would like to try it out, but it’s dangerous during cooking, so I should probably refrain. Besides, I can’t do something like that in front of guests.

 

“If I am a bother, I can go out for a while…”

“If I’m a bother, I’ll go buy alchemy tools.”

“Well, my report can wait, so I’ll come back later.”

“Eh, uh, then I guess I’ll take a walk too…”

“You don’t have to act considerate now.”

 

See? Even the guests are being considerate…

In fact, looking at everybody’s expression, they are definitely planning to stay and watch.

 

“So, you’re saying that you don’t want to do it, Clo?”

“Of course I do. Lady Violet in an apron is already a novel look that would make me happy just watching her, so of course I would want to hug her!”

“Heh, how passionate.”

 

Ah, oops, I accidentally blurted out my true feelings

Dammit, so this is an Archwizard’s profound art of conversations! No wonder she became an Archwizard at such a young age…!

 

“… Actually, I’m not used to seeing Valen, your Wife in an apron, but even you don’t see it often, huh? To think it is still novel and enjoyable to look at?”

“The sight of Lady Violet cooking for us is always novel, enjoyable and endearing. Even if it becomes a part of our daily life and taken for granted, we must not forget to express our gratitude and love, Silva.”

“Eh, ah, yes. You’re, right…?”

 

Otherwise, you might forget to tell them that you love them and make them cry once you finally do. You have to remember to be grateful!