Chapter 9
Bookmark inserted
This morning, we were expecting guests.
As our family lined up at the entrance, a carriage rattled to a stop nearby. The butlers immediately began laying out a carpet from the carriage to the front door.
It was probably my first time welcoming guests like this. I had always thought shoes were meant to keep your feet from getting dirty, but apparently, the carpet was to keep the shoes themselves clean. A different way of thinking, I suppose.
With my parents on either side of me, and Leon standing behind, we waited to greet the Duke of Seek and Louis as they stepped down from the carriage.
I thought Leon should’ve stood beside me too, but since he insisted on standing behind, I decided not to question it.
The moment Louis stepped down, his face lit up as if a flower had bloomed. He almost ran toward me but held himself back—well, “held back” in the sense that he was walking fast enough that it barely counted as restraint.
“Thank you for inviting us today.”
He gave a polite, gentlemanly bow before me and tried to bring my hand to his lips—but didn’t succeed.
Leon, who was clinging to my back like a spirit from folklore, subtly intercepted the motion. He seemed wary of Louis.
I’d received a long list of “rules” from him the previous day, but it was so long I fell asleep halfway through.
I still remember the beginning, though:
Don’t make eye contact. Don’t touch him. Don’t smile. Don’t flirt.
I had no intention of flirting to begin with, but Leon had insisted until I nodded myself half-asleep.
I suspect his instincts sensed some ominous danger—that his dear little sister might someday be turned into a chair or something.
“Lord Louis, if you’d like, I could show you around the garden. We’ve prepared a resting spot there.”
“I’d be delighted.”
Just as my mother and I had practiced days ago, I followed the flow after the greetings inside the mansion.
Leon wanted to join us but was stopped—he was told to stay and converse with the Duke.
Since the adults’ conversation would likely be formal and stiff, it was a considerate decision to let the children enjoy their reunion outside instead.
I led Louis away from the mansion to a small, round, white gazebo with a Western design and sat down.
“It’s been a while, Louis. You’ve grown a bit, haven’t you? You acted like such a gentleman back there—very impressive.”
Louis’s cheeks flushed red as he looked down, then finally raised his head. He was still as shy as ever.
“Maria, you… you’ve become beautiful too.”
“Thank you.”
Blushing just from that little compliment—he’d never survive the flood of praise my family usually exchanges.
Still, this boy would one day grow into the kind of man who treats women like furniture?
No way. I needed to stop that for the sake of all beautiful maidens everywhere.
“So, Louis, has anything changed since we last met?”
“…I made a friend. Just one.”
Please tell me that “friend” isn’t one of the girls you once called your servants.
“That’s great. Can I ask what kind of person?”
“He’s the son of the knight commander—his name’s Kyle. We’re the same age, but he already seems like a real knight. He kinda reminds me of you, Maria.”
Oh. A boy. I see. Sorry for doubting you.
“Reminds you of me? You mean his face?”
“Don’t say face! And no, his face doesn’t look like yours. It’s the way he’s so straightforward. There’s no one who looks like you, Maria.”
“Why are you so sure? There could be three people who do.”
“No way! Impossible. You’re special.”
Special… in the face?
When I look in the mirror, I just see me. I’ve never thought I looked particularly special.
Well… I guess the expression of “joyful submission” I had in that bad-end CG was unique, but other than that, I think I just resemble my parents.
Father has the same silver hair as me and vivid deep-blue eyes.
Mother has platinum-blonde hair and golden eyes. Both have calm, youthful faces that make it impossible to tell their age—sometimes they even look like teenagers.
“Anyway, I’m glad you made a friend. Maybe spending time with a knight will help you grow into a proper gentleman.”
“That makes it sound like I wouldn’t grow up properly otherwise!”
“…You mean like ordering girls around, surrounding yourself with beauties, making them crawl on all fours and calling them chairs, that kind of thing?”
Louis turned to me, face bright red. He’d only been glancing at me before, but now he was staring straight at me. What’s with that reaction?
“What the heck are you saying!? Of course I’d never do that! I might have a sharp tongue, but I don’t boss people around! I even started turning down girls who flock to me! And crawling on all fours—what are you thinking!? You pervert!!”
“Wait—you’re calling me the pervert!?”
He turned away, his face glowing crimson.
Unbelievable. You’re the one who actually did those things in the original story!
“Why would I ever do that stuff!? I’m not even interested in girls…”
“…Oh?”
“No! I don’t mean that! I just mean I don’t think about girls that way! If there’s one person I love, that’s enough. I’d treasure her forever.”
I was honestly surprised. For a moment, I thought he’d gone down the “boys’ love” route.
But no—this was progress. Thanks to his knight friend, perhaps peace had been restored to the future maidens who would’ve been his victims. Amazing. Sir Kyle, even at your young age, you’ve indirectly saved the women of this world. I’ll remember your name.
“I actually wanted to visit sooner,” Louis continued, “but Marquis Arnimu is famous for never letting his family go outside. So the fact that I’m even here is considered a miracle.”
More like a vaulted daughter than a sheltered one.
Still, I didn’t mind—being apart from Helen and Rufus would make me lonely anyway.
“I see.”
“The Arnimu family has one of the highest ranks among the marquises, tons of land, and influence in the royal court, right? I bet tons of people want to get close to you.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen guests visit our house.”
“I figured. The Marquis is polite to everyone, but he never lets anyone see his family, so there are weird rumors. Some say no one actually lives inside except the Marquis himself—or that the rest of you are ghosts. Others say it’s a mansion filled with beautiful dolls.”
“So basically, a haunted house! That’s not good for our reputation… I’d hate for Father to be talked about like that. Maybe for my birthday party next month, we should invite some people—it could double as a chance to show our faces.”
“I’ll come!”
Louis’s eyes sparkled as he smiled brightly.
“I’ll ask Father, but I can’t promise it’ll happen. If it does, I’ll definitely invite you—and your friend Kyle too.”
“Kyle’s the only son of Count Elter. His rank’s high enough to be invited. And don’t worry—he’s not into girls.”
“…Oh?”
“Not like that! I mean, he’s so focused on becoming a knight that he doesn’t care about romance.”
“I see. Then I’ll look forward to meeting him someday.”
Maybe he’ll grow into a strong, macho gorilla of a man.
Just thinking about it got me oddly excited.
“Your face looks dangerous right now.”
“Shut up.”
Macho gorilla…
