Chapter 106
What a Wonderful Family
“This is our home.”
“Oh my, what a beautiful mansion.”
We reached the Mücke territory—Yoti’s birthplace—about ten days after leaving Torie.
First, we went straight to the Mücke household—Yoti’s family home.
I felt a little happy just being able to visit Yoti’s home.
“Yoti, welcome back.”
“Father, Mother! I’m home.”
“Prince Leopold, Saint Cybel, and everyone else. You must be tired. Please, make yourselves comfortable.”
“Thank you very much.”
When we were guided into the main hall, Yoti’s father and mother greeted us.
Count Mücke was a refreshing man with golden hair and blue eyes, very much like Yoti.
Countess Mücke seemed very kind, not so much beautiful as cute, and she resembled Yoti in some way.
The Mücke family had been knights for generations, and Yoti’s father had also served as a knight in the past. Though he had retired years ago, there was still a certain robust strength about him, a lingering presence of his knightly days.
“Armin.”
“…!”
Armin, who had been hiding behind Rick, flinched at the count’s voice and stepped forward quietly.
“Going to Yoti on your own like that…”
“But…”
“Really, you had us worried.”
“…I’m sorry.”
The count let out a small sigh as he looked at him, but he seemed somewhat relieved.
It seemed Armin had left home on his own after leaving only a note saying he was “going to the royal capital.” He had informed his family via letter that he would be returning to the Mücke territory with us, but I’m sure they were worried until they saw him.
“Ah! Brother Yoti!”
“Brother! You’ve returned!”
“Welcome home, brother!”
“Ah, I’m home.”
At that moment, a boy and two girls came bustling into the hall.
All three had soft, slightly wavy hair like Yoti’s and adorable faces.
“These are my younger siblings.”
“Oh my, hello. I’m Cybel, pleased to meet you.”
“Wow! You’re so pretty! Are you our brother’s lover?”
“Huh?”
“No, no, Cybel here is Prince Leopold’s fiancée.”
“Huh! Prince Leopold?”
Hearing Yoti, they turned their sparkling eyes from me to Leo.
“Wow! A real prince! So cool!”
“Please shake my hand, Prince Leopold!”
The two younger sisters blushed and eagerly approached Leo. I could completely understand their feelings—he really was handsome.
“Hey, if you get too familiar, you’ll be guilty of disrespect!”
The younger brother, probably around fourteen, ran forward excitedly at first, but quickly scolded his sisters.
“Hahaha, it’s fine. Your brother always helps me out.”
“Wow, Brother Yoti helps a prince! That’s amazing!”
Leo smiled kindly and extended his hand. Everyone happily shook it, exclaiming, “Brother Yoti really is amazing!”
I had heard about it before, but it seemed Yoti was the eldest of five siblings and very beloved by his younger siblings.
Yoti’s family was cheerful, energetic, and just wonderful.
“So, big sister, are you a Saint?”
“Huh?”
Suddenly, an eight-year-old girl, the youngest of the siblings with big round eyes, asked me this question, catching me off guard while I was enjoying the warm family scene.
“The prince will marry a Saint, right?”
Marriage to Leo… That question made me blush a little in front of everyone, but her innocent gaze made it impossible to lie, so I nodded sincerely.
“Hehe, yes.”
“Wow! I knew it! So, have you already shared a love’s kiss with the prince?”
“Huh?”
“When the prince gives a love’s kiss, the Saint awakens her true power, right?”
“…Well.”
Then she showed me a famous picture book, The Saint and the Brave Prince, and said something quite bold.
It’s a story of love and courage between a Saint and a prince who confront a demon king threatening the country.
“I love this book!”
“…I see. I like it too.”
This story, known to everyone in the country, is said to be based on a true story. It tells of the first Saint born in this country.
The Saint loses consciousness due to the demon king’s power, but awakens through the prince’s kiss, regaining her true strength to defeat the demon king alongside him.
Since then, it has become customary in this country for the Saint to marry the prince. The Saint’s happiness strengthens her powers, and in fact, all past Saints reportedly followed this tradition.
In other words, the happiness of the Saint is tied to the peace of the country.
“Have you shared a love’s kiss yet? Have you awakened your true power as a Saint?”
“….”
Faced with her sparkling, innocent eyes, I was at a loss for words, smiling but unable to answer.
Honestly, I couldn’t possibly say “yes” here… just thinking about it made my face heat up.
“Alright! Since our brother is back, let’s play! This Rick-oniisan can use fun magic!”
“Huh? Me?”
“Yay! Show us, show us!”
“Alright, alright.”
…Thank goodness. Yoti quickly lifted his sister up with a loud voice, distracting her, and allowing me to breathe a sigh of relief.
I felt relieved, but then realized Leo had been looking at me, and our eyes met.
“…Ah.”
“Hehe…”
Leo also looked embarrassed, but I smiled back at him.
…Still.
“Yoti, you are very well-loved, aren’t you?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
In front of Leo, Yoti always seemed like a younger brother, but seeing him like this, he appeared as a kind and dependable eldest son.
I don’t have any siblings by blood, and I don’t have fond memories of growing up with Annika, so seeing such a wonderful family made me a little envious.
“I’m a little envious, I guess.”
“…Cybel.”
“Oh, but I am very happy now too!”
“I see.”
I hurriedly added those words to cover my honest thoughts, and Leo smiled gently. But I had a feeling he was thinking the same thing.
Even though Leo and Markus are blood-related, they must have grown up with little contact, even more so than Annika and me. I wonder what Leo thinks of Markus.
