Ch.268Mueller Estate’s NPC. (3)

“Ah, I wonder what Ira is doing right now.”

Grace Muller. As the second daughter of Count Muller, a lord of the Empire’s borderlands, I’m on my way back home after receiving my final exam results. Sigh, Ira and Latina must be worried about me.

“Miss, we’ve arrived at Muller territory.”

“Yes. I know.”

Not being a wealthy noble lady, I have no reason to own a private carriage. I paid extra to ride in a merchant carriage heading toward the Empire that passes through Muller territory. Looking out from the luggage compartment, I’m greeted by what can only be described as a rural countryside village.

‘But even if it’s a humble territory, it’s still my beloved hometown where my family protects the land.’

I might be dragged to the battlefield as part of my noble duties in the future, but thinking of it as service to the people, I’ve made peace with it in my own way. As soon as the carriage arrived at the central territory, I got off in the village.

“…There aren’t many people around?”

Our territory was never densely populated, but the central area where our mansion is located used to be quite bustling. It’s strange that there are so few people on the streets even though it’s the middle of the day. Thinking this, I headed home.

“…Huh? What?”

“…Ah!!!”

What’s going on? Am I hallucinating because I haven’t seen Ira for two weeks? Wait, am I addicted to Ira? Should I try to cut down on Ira when I get back to the academy?

In front of our mansion, surrounded by butlers and knights, I see a girl with rose-red hair and adorable purple eyes looking at me with tears welling up. Hmm, should I ask Father to introduce me to a doctor before I go to the battlefield? I rubbed my eyes a bit harder to clear away this hallucination—

—Tap tap tap tap! WHOOSH!

“Graaaace!!!”

“…This can’t be happening.”

I had already decided what to say when I met my family first, but I never planned to meet this cute, kind friend with her refreshing scent in front of the mansion. Instinctively realizing that the voice in my ears and the familiar scent in my nostrils weren’t hallucinations, I reached out and embraced Ira in return, but couldn’t say a word. Instead…

“Idiot!! You idiot!!! Why, why did you go home without saying anything!! Stupid!! Grace, you stupid idiot!!!”

“Wh-what? Who are you calling an idiot?! M-more importantly, how are you even here?! Why, how did you get here before me…?!!”

“Because you’re an idiot!! Grace is a stupid dummy!! You said we’d play together during the break!! Then you left by yourself!!! Without telling me!! Idiot!!!”

No way, how can I be called an idiot when I ranked first in both midterms and finals? Besides…

“D-don’t be ridiculous!! W-who are you calling an idiot…!! I-Ira, you’re the crybaby!! Why, why are you crying?!”

“Huuuu!! Idiot!! Dummy!! I was so worried… Waaah!!”

“Eeeek!! Y-you idiot!! Idiot!! I told you not to worry about me, *sniff*!! I did it on purpose so you wouldn’t worry…!! Huuu!!!”

Even though it’s only been two weeks since we last saw each other, I’m not an idiot, so I understand. Ira came rushing after me right after the closing ceremony because she was worried about me. Because of my friend who’s sobbing and calling me an idiot, I ended up crying my eyes out before even seeing my parents.

*

“…Hmm, you really are friends.”

“Ahaha… If it hadn’t been three weeks since we last met, it might have been more touching.”

“The time doesn’t matter. What’s important is how much you care for our young lady.”

The knight and the elderly gentleman who was the butler of the Muller family didn’t mind Ira’s impulsive behavior or potentially disrespectful words at all, and were instead considerate toward us. Ah, this might be a rather kind noble household.

“”*Sniff, sniff.*””

“Come now, young lady, you need to blow your nose before meeting your parents.”

[Miss Ira too. And please, use your turn signal next time you dash off…]

Because Ira immediately ran to Grace when she saw her, Gorg, who had collapsed again in front of everyone, revived and wiped Ira’s face. The elderly butler of the Muller mansion wiped Grace’s face. Despite calling each other idiots, the sight of them holding hands tightly is quite heartwarming.

After the two finished tidying themselves up, we were all immediately guided to the reception room.

“…By the way, Ira?”

“Yes?”

“Isn’t the person next to you Instructor Ray Sol, the Gold-rank adventurer who works as an intern swordsmanship instructor at the academy?”

“Yes. She’s Ray unnie. My sister.”

“Ahaha. Ah, hello? We’ve met before, right?”

“Y-you’re Ira’s sister?! Y-you don’t look alike at all…!!”

Well, not looking alike doesn’t mean she’s unattractive, but they really don’t resemble each other at all…! As Grace suddenly starts expressing her surprise, I feel a bit embarrassed too. Well, we did pretend not to know each other at the academy, so this reaction was inevitable.

“But Ray unnie isn’t my real sister. She’s a fox who’s chasing after my brother.”

“Wh-what? A f-fox chasing after him?!”

“*Cough*?! I-Ira?!!”

When I choke on my own saliva after hearing the shocking statement from Ira, whom I trusted to introduce me properly, she tilts her head at me as if wondering what’s wrong. No, since when did you think that?! That expression is strange!! Have you been thinking of me that way?! Wait, we actually like each other mutually!!

“Umm? Oh, Lagni unnie told me that! That Ray unnie is a fox chasing after my brother. She said ‘a fox chasing after someone’ means a cute animal that likes a person, so that’s what it means…”

-Crack.

“Ah, ahaha! I really need to give Lagni a good smack next time I see her. Ira, that expression means something completely different, okay? I’ll explain later. You shouldn’t think of me that way, alright?”

“…Th-that Lagni unnie person? Is she not your real sister either?”

“No. Lagni unnie is another sister who followed my brother.”

“Hehe! Lagni is the real fox, and a very cunning alpha fox at that!!”

As I laugh with a throbbing vein on my forehead, Grace visibly gulps and her eyes sparkle as she thinks, ‘A-a love triangle?!’ Ah, do girls this age like these kinds of romance stories? This is a bit…

“…Ira.”

“Yes?”

“Let’s sleep together in my room tonight and have a more in-depth conversation about this.”

“Huh, about what? About the unnies?”

“Yes! I have a feeling this is going to be very interesting…”

-Knock knock knock.

“The lord has arrived.”

The maid’s knock at the door interrupted Grace’s ominous words. Tonight, I definitely need to keep Ira by my side.

As the door opened, a middle-aged man with brown hair and a robust build entered, accompanied by a middle-aged woman of similar age and a young woman who looked exactly like Grace. It was immediately obvious who was who. We promptly stood up from the sofa and bowed our heads in greeting, and the Count cleared his throat before speaking.

“Ahem! There’s no need for such formality, please raise your heads. I hear you are Grace’s schoolmate and her guardian. And Grace.”

“Yes, Father.”

“I’m glad to see you looking well. Did you enjoy the academy?”

“Yes! Have you been well, Father? Your second daughter, Grace Muller, has just returned home!”

As formal greetings were exchanged, I realized she truly was a daughter of a noble family, and I would need to be mindful of etiquette here. I slowly raised my head…

“Oh my, dear. Our child has come home after half a year and what are you doing? My baby, come here! Let mother see how much you’ve grown!”

“M-Mother?! I-Ira is watching…!!”

“Hehe, Grace. You came right after your final exams, right? How were your grades? Were you top of the class again? Oh, is this young lady your friend? What’s your name? Ah, I’m Grace’s older sister, White Muller. I’d love it if you’d call me Sister White from now on. So, can you tell me how our Grace has been living at the academy? Has she made many friends? She can be a bit rough around the edges with her speech, but she’s a good girl…”

“S-Sister?! At least greet Miss Ray Sol, the guardian, first…!!”

Huh? Unlike the Count who was maintaining formality just moments ago, the Countess and the young lady who appeared to be the eldest daughter immediately approached Grace and Ira with complete informality, like friendly villagers. W-what’s going on? Are they really acting without formality? Somehow, the Count has been completely pushed aside! Is this normal?!

“Ah, um. H-hello. At the academy, I worked as an intern swordsmanship instructor, and now I’m here as Ira’s guardian. I’m Ray Sol, a Gold-rank adventurer.”

“Ah, yes! I am Brown Muller, the lord of this territory. For an adventurer, you’re quite a polite young la—”

“Dear! You’re not trying to hold this beautiful lady’s hand right in front of me, are you?!”

“N-no. I was just trying to give a proper noble greeting…”

“Come now, Father said not to stand on ceremony, but then you’re looking for formality? Hello, Miss Ray Sol. Since you were an instructor at the academy, you must have seen how our Grace was doing there?”

“Ah, y-yes. Grace didn’t take swordsmanship classes, but I occasionally saw her when I was assisting with dining hall duties or physical education classes…”

“Really?! Our Grace has always been good at sports!! Could you tell me more about that…!!”

I could only smile wryly as the eldest daughter pushed the Count aside with her hip and grabbed my hands. And finally…

“M-Mother!! Sister!! Please!! My friend is watching, so please greet her with a little more noble dignity!!!”

Grace, forcibly embraced by her mother, cried out in protest as she tried to push her away with her arms.

“Hehehe! Grace’s family members are really nice people!”

“My goodness, Grace! For a friend of yours who takes after your father’s bad personality, she’s quite a sweet child! What’s your name, cute little one?”

“Ugggh!!! Motherrr!!!”

With Ira’s innocent comment, Grace finally sank into despair.