TPCCMO 07

Chapter 7

A Letter from Sheik

I’m so happy—this is heaven!

“Good morning, Lady Marie… You’re up early today.”

“Good morning, Helen. I wished upon a star to see your sleeping face, and my body just woke me up. Having a cute, beautiful angel right in front of me makes me happy from the morning.”

Today is a super happy day because I finally got to sleep next to Helen again. And on top of that—I got to see her sleeping face! Helen, fidgeting shyly, got out of bed and opened the curtains.

“I’ll go get ready right away. It’s still early, so please stay and rest a little longer, Lady Marie.”

“I know I should say, ‘Take your time…’ but I’m sorry. The bed’s gotten cold and I don’t think I can go back to sleep. Just show me your face a little sooner, Helen. You don’t have to rush—just a little earlier is enough.”

“Yes!” Helen darted off energetically and came back in five minutes.
She ran herself breathless for my sake… How adorable.

Just to be clear, I want to say one thing:
My romantic interest is in mountain-men types built like muscular gorillas. Cute girls are simply cute, so I dote on them. This is not a fetish.
That said, if a cute girl came on to me… I might not refuse. But again, this is not a fetish.

Right now, I’m kissing Helen on the cheek, but that’s like breathing—an ordinary impulse. It’s also a family-style greeting. There’s only a little ulterior motive.

I went into breakfast all excited to be the first one there, but Leon was already sitting elegantly, sipping tea. An hour earlier than usual. What time did he even get here? Ninjas are insane in the mornings.

“Good morning, Marie. My very own little goddess. You’re up early today.”

The words You’re the one who’s early stayed in my mouth and went down with the tea he offered.

“Good morning, brot—ah… Leon.”

That look in his eyes when I almost called him “brother”! Terrifying. I must never slip and call him that again. We supposedly reconciled as family, but this morning he’s absolutely rejecting “brother.”

“Listen, Marie. I’ll forgive you at home for now, but you must never make that mistake in front of guests or outside.”

“I understand. I’ll make sure to add the proper honorifics outside.”

Leon let out a sigh so deep it could have been a breathing exercise.

“You still don’t get it. It’s in front of guests and outside that I want you to call me by my name—Leon. Of course, that’s because I love you, Marie. Okay?”

“…That ‘okay?’—it’s not really a question from your point of view, is it?”

“I’m glad you’re such a clever girl, Marie.”

Day by day his devious side is showing more and more.
“I don’t recognize a fool like you as my sister! Got it?!” —that’s the vibe.
And yet I can’t bring myself to hate him. Because the original “me,” his sister, loved him dearly.

Come to think of it, to become a duke he allied himself with the royal family, and actually achieved it through sheer persistence. Plus he has ninja skills. He’s unstoppable.

“Good morning, my prince and princess.”

Just as we were finishing our tea, our parents came in.
After a peaceful breakfast, during our relaxed after-meal talk, Father handed me a letter. It was already opened.

“Marie, you can read now, can’t you?”

“Yes.”

Ever since I learned to say my own name the other day, I’ve had a tutor. My studies have been advancing fast—of course reading, too. The tutor is a plump, kind lady who speaks slowly for some reason.

The letter said:

I was sorry our schedules didn’t match last time. This time I’ll come to your home according to your convenience. Please let me know a good date. I’m very much looking forward to it. Your friend, Sheik.

Stripping away the formal tone, that’s basically the gist.
No sooner had I placed the letter back on the table than Leon snatched it up at lightning speed. Truly a high-level ninja.

“Actually, since the day after Sheik’s son’s birthday party, letters have been coming frequently. Because Marie and young Luid became so close, he wants you to meet again.”

“Your mother and I have been declining, saying Marie isn’t feeling well, but… he’s been so persistent we thought it might be rude to refuse outright. So we wanted to hear your opinion once.”

“At that birthday party, he didn’t seem to talk to anyone, which is why we thought it strange and kept refusing. But apparently he talks about Marie every day.”

“What! What kind of things does he say!?”

Don’t tell me that brat’s been saying weird stuff…

“He just says he wants to see you every day.”

Sorry! I misunderstood again!

“I don’t mind at all.”

…Okay, maybe not a misunderstanding after all.
This painful stare from my right side—Leon’s shooting me his dark, glaring attack.
He probably thinks his silly little sister was sneaking off with a friend. Maybe he even thinks of Luid as my accomplice. To be fair, Luid—the birthday boy—did slip away too.

“Are you sure? You’re not forcing yourself?”

“I’m not, Mother. That day I really did enjoy talking with him. Even if not, our families are connected, right? I’ll be attending the academy soon, so I’d like to establish friendships early. It would be awkward to keep refusing and then meet him again at school.”

My parents were visibly surprised. Apparently they’re deeply moved by their little chick’s growth.

“That’s a wonderful opinion. Actually, I’m meeting Duke Sheik today, so I’ll give him your answer directly. He was worried you’d be afraid because his son is a boy—you’re always glued to the maids, after all.”

“She’s not a maid, she’s Helen. She’s my precious friend.”

“That’s right. Sorry, Marie. Forgive your foolish father.”

“No, Father. If you don’t listen to my requests, I’ll never forgive you. I’ll hate Mother and Leon too—all of you together.”

I puffed my cheeks and turned my face away with all my might.
Immediately, everyone rushed over to soothe me in a panic.
I know the truth: the spoiled chick’s spoiled attack is stronger than anything.

Even though I turned away from Leon on my right, needless to say, he appeared right in front of me in an instant.