Era, I don’t know (6)

The members of the Walpurgis family were all famously terrible at socializing. The head of the family seemed uninterested in his children, the eldest son was gruff, and although the eldest daughter had tried to do something, she was now living quietly without any reaction.

But… something impossible was happening in the Walpurgis family.

“Father, this is delicious.”

“I see.”

“Brother, don’t just sit there, at least fill Father’s glass… Oh, it’s empty! Let me fill it for you…”

“Ah, no, it’s fine. Fritz.”

“Yes.”

The scene unfolding before their eyes was something that could never happen in the Walpurgis family, even if it might in other noble households.

It’s the dining room. This incredible event is taking place in the dining room. Until recently, it was a place where Ariel would lonely play with her utensils alone. When Theodore returned, it at least started to feel like people were coming and going, but the head seat, where the master of the house should sit, was always coldly empty.

But today is different. Surprisingly, all three have appeared in the dining room and are sitting together. Is this a dream or reality?

Fritz, who was filling Heinrich’s glass, was imperceptibly but continuously flinching his shoulders. He never thought he’d see such a sight in his lifetime…

Fritz wasn’t the only one feeling moved. Matilda, standing quietly next to him, was also trying to maintain a blank expression, but upon closer inspection, her shoulders were trembling slightly.

Much time had passed since they pledged their loyalty to the Walpurgis family. For them, this place wasn’t just a workplace or a noble mansion, but a home where their masters, to whom they would devote their lives, lived.

How frustrating and disheartening it had been all this time! But now, all those years were goodbye. Just witnessing this scene was enough for Fritz and Matilda to feel complete.

“Father, is that enough for you?”

“It’s, it’s fine.”

“Could it be that your stomach has shrunk from eating only in your room?! Is that enough for you too, Brother?”

“Ariel, yours is plenty small as well.”

“I’m not a knight like you, Brother.”

The atmosphere is warm and friendly. It’s a conversation filled with family affection. Of course, if you look closely, it’s mostly Ariel talking and Heinrich and Theodore responding, but that’s good enough.

Ariel was unusually excited these days. It’s no wonder. The family meal she had longed for so much. That wish has now come true. How happy must she be as the person involved.

“That was a good meal.”

“It was a good meal.”

As they slowly rose after finishing their meal, Matilda and Fritz quickly came to their senses. Their job now was to support from behind to protect the newly recovered family bonds.

After the meal ended, I said my goodbyes and returned to my room.

“Congratulations, Young Miss…”

“Ah, thank you.”

As I sat down, trying to console the somehow tearful Muriel, various thoughts started to come to mind. Well, this is… that, right?

‘All’s well that ends well, is that it?’

Every single one of my actions today had crossed the line. Let’s put aside the drinking. After all, underage drinking wasn’t illegal, and drinking in front of adult family members was even encouraged to learn proper drinking etiquette. That was the same in both my previous life and this one.

The problem was what I did after drinking. I jokingly suggested splitting the study door with an axe, but come on, would I really have done that?

‘I probably just knocked on the door hard enough to break it.’

But if he didn’t come out then… well, that wouldn’t be my fault, right? In this society, actions taken after giving prior notice become the responsibility of the notified party. Even if it’s within the family, there are no exceptions. Of course, Father is a Duke and a great magician holding an important position in this country. He would surely be well aware of such trivial rules, and I could naturally avoid responsibility.

However, what I did today was throwing the first punch before properly doing anything. In this case, if anything were to happen, I would have to take full responsibility.

Really, really fortunately, I succeeded in dramatically reconciling with Father, so nothing serious happened, but if Father had gotten serious there and started questioning what kind of nonsense this was… Wow, I would have been finished.

‘Father’s guilt was bigger than I thought.’

I never dreamed he would immediately bow his head and start like that. I had thought Father might feel guilty, but not to this extent. But thanks to that, everything ended without any problems, so that’s that.

‘Then are the family matters all settled now?’

The issues related to the family have been mostly resolved with this. I can now have conversations with family members. That alone is enough. So now I can relax and…

‘Focus solely on the Academy.’

The Academy. The main stage of [Arsian Chronicles]. It’s the stage where the protagonist, the crown prince, Ariel, and all sorts of other people gather and the story unfolds. ‘Ariel’ had already applied for admission to the Academy before I came, and I have no intention of avoiding that.

Entering the Academy means the original story will officially begin. This means I can’t act entirely as I please like now, but have to follow the original plot.

‘Can I do it…’

Like the ‘Ariel’ in the original story, I have to look down on and bully the protagonist. That’s necessary for the protagonist to get annoyed and grow, and later fight against the demon race.

‘It’s going to be difficult.’

I’ve long since decided to become a villainess, so I’m not hesitating about it now. But I can’t help but sigh. Thinking about what Ariel did in the original story, it’s something I could never do in my right mind.

‘But I have to do it, right?’

Should I bully in my own way instead? No, if things go wrong, it might have a negative impact rather than awakening. There’s no need to try something different when I have a good reference like the original story.

“Alright, let’s do this!”

I clench my fist once again, renewing my determination. Others might whisper that it’s petty and dirty, asking what kind of duke’s daughter I am, but this is all unavoidable. It’s not like a substitute will magically appear and solve everything just because I don’t like it.

“Young Miss…?”

Muriel made a strange expression beside me. Ah, to Muriel’s eyes, I might look like a crazy woman suddenly clenching my fist while just sitting still… No, it can’t be that bad! Anyway, I guess it might look a bit strange.

“It’s nothing.”

“…I see.”

Her face doesn’t look convinced at all. But well, I’ll have to let it go. I can’t get sick worrying about every little thing.

Well, now that I’ve sorted out my thoughts, let’s get to work.

“Muriel.”

“Yes, Young Miss.”

“Could you bring me some light refreshments?”

“What? Young Miss, surely…”

As I asked for snacks as usual and was about to take out a book, Muriel looked at me strangely. Why is she looking at me like that? Me studying after meals is an everyday occurrence.

“Didn’t the Duke call for you earlier?”

“Ah.”

Come to think of it, Father did ask me to drop by before he went to bed after dinner. I had forgotten.

“Young Miss…”

“What, what is it…”

What, why, what! People can forget sometimes, what’s the big deal! No, it’s common for memories to disappear when you’re lost in thought for a moment! Am I the only one like this?

Muriel’s salty gaze is quite painful. Something, something is off. This is strange. Muriel is clearly my maid. In vulgar terms, she should do as I say. Why does this relationship seem strange lately?

When I first met her, she was cautious and careful about my every move, but lately it feels like she’s treating me… a bit carelessly?

Of course, for me, this is better than a rigid master-servant relationship. As someone who lived in the 21st century, I prefer a relationship based on some level of respect rather than a clear hierarchical relationship. When Muriel was too formal at first, I tried to persuade(?) her several times that she didn’t need to be so polite and could be more comfortable.

Still, that kind of look is a bit sad.

“No, it’s nothing. Would you like to go right now?”

“…Yes.”

But what can I do? I don’t have anything particular to say, so I just have to go along with it. It’s my fault for having a stupid brain… This is why they say if your head is bad, your body suffers. Or is it a bit different?

Lost in thought about this suddenly occurring topic, I came to my senses when I felt someone pull my arm.

“Young Miss, be careful!”

“Huh, ah?”

Ah, I almost ran into a pillar. I was so lost in thought I almost didn’t notice. It’s not like anything serious would happen if I bumped into it, but I don’t like pain, after all.

“Thank you, Muriel.”

“Young Miss…”

Somehow Muriel’s eyes seem even saltier, but that must be my imagination, right?