I was already feeling tired before I had even unpacked.
— My nepheeew~ I heard you just arrived? Auntie will be there right away!
The communication crystal suddenly lit up with a one-sided drunken rambling and announcent.
Her enthusiasm was almost terrifying, as if she might burst through the door any second. At least it wasn’t a surprise visit—she had the decency to announce herself first.
Still, the thought of a duke descending upon a hotel full of academy students was a nightmare. What kind of relaxing school trip would it be if everyone had to host such an intimidating figure?
They might consider it a social event if it were another duke, but dealing with a drunkard duke who didn’t even leave her territory was a bit...
— Give it to .
— Huuuh? Darling, you want to see nephew toooo?
— Of course. So, hurry up.
— Okay! Here!
I heard Uncle’s voice next to the Wise Duchess just as I was about to suggest that we visit the ducal mansion instead.
What a relief. The suffocating tension I felt vanished in an instant. As expected, Uncle was the only one who could rein in the Wise Duchess. His reliability was unmatched.
— I see you’ve arrived safely, Carl. That’s good. Was there any discomfort on the way?
“No, there were no problems at all.”
Uncle, who had pushed aside the Wise Duchess and grabbed the communication crystal, greeted with a gentle smile.
This—this was the proper way to start a conversation. When contacting relatives, exchanging pleasantries should co first. The Wise Duchess just made a unilateral announcent about coming to see us as soon as she heard we arrived. Please, learn at least 10% of your husband’s manners.
— Your aunt is making a fuss about wanting to see her nephews, so we’d like to see you today.
“Ah, yes. I understand.”
— Of course we won’t be coming to the hotel, so don’t worry.
Those perfectly sensible words eased my worries once more.
— Why don’t you and Erich do so sightseeing in the anti? Let’s et sowhere nice.
He ant that they’d co and find us if we slipped away to sowhere without many people.
It was a reasonable compromise. After all, it was bound to cause a commotion whether the Wise Duchess ca to the hotel or we went to the mansion. eting at a third location would still create so noise, but it’d at least be the least noisy option.
— Ah, it’s fine to bring your other companions too.
That made chuckle. If Uncle wanted to et anyone besides us, then who else could it be but their future nieces-in-law?
“Thank you for the thoughtful suggestion.”
Of course, I was planning to bring them along even if Uncle hadn’t ntioned it. Even the Wise Duchess might be a bit quieter with the Mage Duchess right there.
***Erich’s expression changed as if he was a patriot who’d lost his country when I told him we were going to et the Wise Duchess, but it was just a minor issue.
“Would you prefer to go, or for her to co here?”
“A nephew can’t make his aunt co to him.”
That single comnt was all it took to get him moving. No matter how much of a recluse Erich was, he couldn’t risk getting his cheeks smothered in public. Honestly, I couldn’t bla him—I’d want to bite my tongue and drop dead if that happened to in front of an audience.
“Sarah, you co along too.”
“Y-Yes? too?”
I casually suggested to Sarah, who was worriedly watching Erich trudge along like a zombie.
I had a solid excuse to invite Sarah since Uncle had specifically ntioned bringing along the ‘future nieces-in-law’. While Sarah and Erich weren’t officially engaged nor was there any romantic tension between them, that was all the more reason to bring her along.
She needs to gain an advantage at tis like this.
Sadly, Sarah fell behind Countess Horfeld in many aspects—her innate health and the status of her family, for example—things that couldn’t be changed through effort alone.
That was why we needed to maximize Sarah’s strengths when we could. Unlike Countess Horfeld, Sarah could stay by Erich’s side.
“They already know your na. I’m sure they’ll be delighted if I tell them Erich’s childhood friend has co to say hello.”
Sarah’s eyes moistened at those words. Unlike a certain soone whose situational awareness was on par with an amoeba, Sarah was perfectly perceptive. She likely realized that my suggestion was for her benefit.
“Yes! I’ll get ready right away!”
I couldn’t help but smile slightly as I watched her hurriedly look for her coat.
I felt a bit sorry for Countess Horfeld, but what could we do? Sarah needed to assert her own strengths to stand a chance against such a formidable rival. Even if she lost in the end, it was better to fight fiercely and accept defeat with dignity than to surrender without trying.
“Are you already looking out for your future sister-in-law?”
The Mage Duchess whispered gently as she watched. I guess it was obvious to others that I was blatantly taking care of Sarah. Of course it was, since I didn’t intend to hide it in the first place.
But damn it, why couldn’t Erich notice even this?
“I should at least help out if my brother’s causing others heartburn.”
I suppressed a sigh that almost escaped instinctively and answered casually, but it was also sincere.
The situation could spiral out of control if I didn’t step in, considering Erich’s utter lack of awareness. The last thing I wanted was for Sarah, after finally recovering her health, to collapse from stress. If that happened, I wouldn’t be able to face Mother—or the head maid.
“You’re a good brother. Soday, Erich will realize how much you’ve done for him.”
I really hope so.
***We went out, but I wasn’t sure where to go. Uncle told to go sightseeing with Erich, but visiting a popular tourist destination wasn’t an option.
I can already imagine how much attention that would attract.
eting them discreetly in the middle of a tourist hotspot? Sure, hiding a tree in the forest would work in theory, but that’d be taking it too far in this case. The forest would be so dense that the tree couldn’t even get through.
Still, the fact that Uncle specifically suggested eting outside implied there was a suitable place. With the mindset that sothing would turn up if we looked, I got a map—
“Ah, there might be fewer people here.”
“Oh.”
I couldn’t help but react as soon as I saw where Irina was pointing. It was indeed an ideal spot.
Although technically part of the sanctuary for non-human races, the area had long since beco a run-down old district due to continued urban expansion. It was so desolate that calling it a ‘district’ felt like an exaggeration.
Tourists wouldn’t venture there, nor would most locals or even the non-human residents. While it lay just outside Santoria’s walls, it was only a short carriage ride away. It was far enough for privacy and close enough for convenience. It was perfect.
“Why don’t we visit the sanctuary area after greeting aunt? It’d be a sha to go all that way and not take a look.”
“That’s true.”
I nodded at Erich’s reasonable suggestion. The Mage Duchess seed curious about it too, so it would be a good chance to take a quick tour.
With the plan settled, I pulled out the communication crystal. I should at least leave a ssage about where we were going so Uncle could find us easily.
***I quietly closed the book I was reading as I heard footsteps approaching beyond the door. That sound was definitely Mother’s steps. I’d rather not risk keeping my book open, only for a stray drop of liquor to fall onto it and ruin my day.
“Lilyyy!”
Sure enough, Mother burst through the door not long after.
Honestly. I told her so many tis that she needs to maintain her dignity as a duchess. No, even if she isn’t a duchess, isn’t it common sense to knock or call out from the door before entering soone’s room—?
“You’re reading again? Geez, I told you to go out and play sotis!”
Mother hugged and kept kissing my cheeks as soon as she entered the room.
She slls like alcohol...
It felt like I was getting drunk from the strong sll of alcohol every ti Mother kissed my cheek or every ti she opened her mouth. It’s strange; people shouldn’t get drunk just from the sll.
Anyway, I gently pushed away Mother, who had gone from just kissing my cheeks non-stop to sucking on them. She does this every day, but it’s troubleso if she does it today too. Today is the day we’re eting guests.
I need to explain it to her clearly.
I stared intently at Mother as she slid away. Today is the day we’re eting Krasius’s family mbers, who are also our relatives. Moreover, one of those relatives is the current Prosecutors’ Office’s Executive Manager.
Even in the countryside, I’ve heard of the Prosecutors’ Office’s Executive Manager—a young man whose many achievents had already made him a political heavyweight. There’s no way I could let him see clinging to Mother like this, receiving kisses like a child. If anything, I need to present myself well in front of an important relative and not embarrass myself further.
So, I need to tell Mother that her behavior is tarnishing the honor of the 300-year-old Salon ducal family and embarrassing the countless vassals who are following the ducal family. I should also tell her that showing excessive affection towards is also undermining my dignity as the heir to this noble house.
I can do this.
Yes, this isn’t being cruel to Mother. It’s saying what needs to be said for her and the family’s sake.
So don’t hesitate, Liliana Salon. Even if Mother hates for it, it’ll only be for a mont—
“Noooo! Lilyyy! You can’t leave mommy’s arms!”
She pulled back into her arms before I could even open my mouth.
“M-Mom! I can’t breathe!”
This ti, I was hugged so tightly I could barely breathe. Panicking, I even used the childish word ‘mom’ instead of ‘Mother.’
And that embarrassing word only made her hug tighter.
Why?!
I can’t understand it. Shouldn’t a duchess scold her child for showing improper behavior? I’m not a baby anymore—I’m a ten-year-old lady already!
“You’ll make Lily faint at this rate.”
I couldn’t escape Mother’s arms even though I struggled as much as I could, but I was finally released thanks to Father’s words, who had approached us at so point.
I hurriedly hid behind Father’s body as soon as I was free, using him as a shield. Even Mother wouldn’t ignore Father and rush at .
“Del. I told you to just tell Lily to get ready to go out, not to make her cry.”
“I-I’m not crying...”
I instinctively denied Father’s words, but my eyes were wet when I wiped them.
This is all her fault. A proper lady shouldn’t cry over sothing so silly, and yet—
“Hic—“
“Oh dear.”
Father stroked my head as I burst into tears from the frustration.
And sohow, that only made feel worse.
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