Ch.4747. Just with a Jared Wilson kind of vibe.

“As you instructed, Baron Ricardo is only investigating around the Forest of Death.”

“Really? I thought that was just a polite suggestion.”

“He seems rather disappointed.”

“Of course he is. If Ricardo entered the Forest of Death, it would be a perfect opportunity to achieve something without lifting a finger.”

Federicks tilts his head.

“Then wouldn’t it have been better not to mention the Forest of Death at all?”

“Impossible. He’s the type with hundreds of snakes writhing in his belly.”

“Snakes?”

There’s a high probability he asked after learning about my connection to the Pale Fruit of the Parseche family.

At that time, the Cardrian family was financially pressuring the Parseche family.

But, wouldn’t he have planted a spy?

As they say, mice hear daytime talk and birds hear nighttime talk—he might have gathered information beforehand to test me.

He didn’t seem like the type to speak without certainty, making vague claims.

“Anyway, what about my sister?”

“Lady Miria, you mean?”

“Who else would I be calling my sister?!”

I raised my voice slightly, causing Federicks to flinch as he continued.

“She’s doing well without any issues… but young master, why have you been so sensitive lately?”

“Because my sister came to my place of exile and is treating it like a vacation resort.”

“Still, isn’t she the family member you’re closest to?”

I furrowed my brow at Federicks’ question.

“Close? Did the troublemakers somehow connect with each other?”

“…Isn’t one of those troublemakers you just mentioned yourself?”

“Ah, forget it! Just tell her to go home.”

“Didn’t you have a conversation in the bath that time? Did it not go well?”

Conversation, my foot…

We nearly had a different kind of “conversation” between siblings.

By the way, how did I end up saying “I’ll tell Father” in that situation?

Even with Selden Alphonse’s consciousness gone, did the survival instinct remain?

Sigh…

I was planning to fend off the monster wave, finish my exile, return to the family, and live comfortably, but who knew there’d be a crazy woman right in my house.

Is independence my only way out?

To become independent, I need to earn recognition from the Imperial Family and be granted a noble title. There’s no other way.

So then…

‘Should I cause some serious trouble before returning?’

It’s a thought I’ve been having frequently lately.

Once the monster wave ends, peace will return to Lake Territory.

Then I could deliberately cause trouble like a delinquent and extend my exile period.

By the time I return to the family after a few years, the complicated succession dispute would be settled, and Miria Alphonse would be married off.

It was definitely worth considering.

“Federicks.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Do you think it makes sense for grown siblings to bathe naked together?”

“W-what are you thinking?! Of course not!”

“Then why did you prepare the bath that time?”

Federicks strokes his chin thoughtfully before promptly answering.

“Well, it’s you and Lady Miria, isn’t it?”

“We’re grown siblings, aren’t we?”

“Yes, but it’s still you and Lady Miria, isn’t it?”

Is it just my imagination that I’m finding it increasingly difficult to communicate with this fellow today?

Continuing this conversation will only give me a headache, so I activated Plan B.

“Ah! Never mind. Are there any decent noble young men in the Eastern Continent?”

“Why do you ask?”

“My sister might end up living alone forever. As her brother, I can’t just sit by and do nothing.”

“Lady Miria Alphonse?”

“What? Has word already spread throughout the Eastern Continent that she’s mentally unstable?”

I asked with genuine concern, causing Federicks to look bewildered.

“If Lady Miria were to hear you say such things…”

“I can sense her presence, so don’t worry.”

“Ahem, there are rumors that Lady Miria is a bit of a tomboy, but I’ve heard men are still lining up for her.”

Does he not know what “tomboy” really means?

Or is that how they politely refer to a crazy woman around here?

Still, it’s good news that there are still men blinded by her beauty.

I looked at him with hopeful eyes.

“Pick out a few who seem rather dim-witted.”

“Dim-witted?”

“You know, the type who would be so captivated by her looks that they’d find themselves at the altar before they knew what hit them.”

“Hmm, I’m not sure I understand exactly what kind of man you’re describing.”

“Just someone like Jawill Wilson.”

Federicks finally seems to understand, snapping his thumb and middle finger.

“You should have said so from the beginning. But doesn’t Lady Miria dislike stupid people?”

“S-sister is picky about people? With that terrible personality?”

“…Young master.”

“It’s fine, I told you I can sense if she’s nearby.”

Federicks, still looking uneasy, rolls his eyes before clearing his throat.

“Ahem! I’ll look into it.”

Yes, if she can’t get married because she’s not normal, it’s only natural for a brother to help.

Even if Miria Alphonse leaves this mansion, she could visit anytime, so I need to prepare countermeasures.

Given her personality, I’m not sure if she’ll support her husband after marriage, but at least her attention on me would decrease.

“Kahahaha!!”

In the study after Federicks left.

Only an eerie laughter echoed throughout the room.

*

“No.”

“W-why are you refusing?”

“Noble men are all boring.”

Miria Alphonse, reminiscent of Princess Sirin with her mention of “fun,” closes one eye slightly and adds:

“Except for my adorable little brother, of course.”

“Sigh… but you can’t marry your brother, can you?”

“Oh, would you marry me if you could?”

Crazy woman, crazy woman…

Thousands of curses flashed through my mind, but what good would getting angry do?

At times like this, I need to keep my sanity and continue the conversation.

“What’s gotten into you?”

“When you were little, you used to follow me around saying you’d marry me.”

“I’m grown up now.”

“That’s why I wanted to check in the bath, but why did you threaten to tell Father?”

“…I didn’t mean I’ve grown physically, but that I’ve matured mentally.”

Miria then thrusts her chest forward and gives a seductive smile.

“I’ve grown a lot. Want to feel?”

Federicks, who had been standing guard in the reception room, slightly shakes his head before quietly leaving.

Pressing my temples, I raised my voice slightly.

“You can’t live alone forever!”

After shouting something close to a rebuke, Miria pouts and leans back in her chair.

“But without me, how will you handle your brothers, let alone Leonard?”

“…What?!”

“It’s true! If one of your brothers becomes the head of the family and both Father and Mother pass away, there won’t be anyone to protect you.”

What…?

Is she saying she’s not getting married because she’s worried about me?

I gave her a bewildered look as she blushed slightly.

“Why wouldn’t there be anyone to protect me? By then, I’ll have a loving wife and children I adore.”

“Hmph, if I marry you, do I have to have children too? I don’t want the hassle of raising them…”

I still can’t tell if she’s serious or joking, but one thing is clear.

Among all the family members I’ve met, she cares the most about ‘Selden Alphonse’…

It was an emotion I hadn’t properly felt even when meeting Baron Byron in this body.

Her actions seem like clumsy expressions of affection, which makes me feel somewhat sorry.

After all, the ‘Selden Alphonse’ she knew is no longer here.

*Swoosh*

Federicks will find suitable men anyway.

I also leaned back in my chair, ready to engage in some playful banter.

“You could still raise them as if they were growing up, couldn’t you?”

“Alright, if you want, I’ll try my best to have them.”

“And I’ll do my utmost to help with that effort.”

Satisfied with our back-and-forth, Miria Alphonse finally raises the corners of her mouth.

Just as I was about to ask when she planned to return to the family, there’s a knock at the reception room door.

*Knock knock*

“Come in.”

Luna Brillhart enters the reception room carrying a tray with a teacup.

Fortunately, since Miria Alphonse is family, Luna’s affection deficiency doesn’t seem to be increasing.

“Oh… y-young master, I brought you tea.”

“You must be busy with training. Why are you bringing tea?”

“Just resting was too boring, so I asked Master Rio Sergan directly for permission to occasionally serve as an attendant.”

“Alright, don’t overdo it.”

As Luna, with a flushed face, places the teacup on the table and turns to leave, Miria Alphonse stops her.

“Luna, was it?”

“…Yes? Ah, yes. Luna Brillhart.”

“Were you about to call Selden ‘brother’ just now?”

“N-no! I was going to say something else, but misspoke…”

Something seems to have triggered Miria Alphonse, who rises from her chair with a mischievous expression and approaches Luna.

Not one but two crazy women in the reception room…

I could only swallow hard and watch the situation unfold.

Then.

“Kyaa!”

Miria grabs Luna’s chest with both hands and smirks as she speaks.

“You’ve slept with our Selden, haven’t you?”