Why?

The girl’s name is Mary Elaine. Although not a blood-related younger sister, she is recognized as Evan’s sister.

Most novels with noble protagonists would have their families play a significant role, but this novel was different.

From the start, the background setting was not of a noble family, but rather of Evan, a adventurer traveling through various cities.

In the fast-paced story, there was no room for his family to appear.

Only occasionally mentioned in Evan’s reminiscences. Other than that, they had no presence.

However, through the resentment and fear contained in those brief descriptions of Evan, one could speculate about the sibling relationship.

The mention of a spoiled younger sister could be seen as a sign of a doomed fate. Therefore, I did not pay much attention to the scrutinizing gaze of the younger sister.

“Hey, you!”

“Yes, young lady….”

“Why are you leisurely chatting here? You’ll keep fooling around instead of working?”

“I-I’m sorry….”

Even though he was a servant, he was an elderly man with a five-fold age difference.

Commanding and scolding an elderly person like that is not only disrespectful but also disgraceful.

Perhaps she was already acting spoiled because she was a nobleman’s daughter. Or maybe she was just naturally thoughtless from a young age?

Regardless, there was no excuse for her behavior.

“Hmph.”

As she glared at the scene with dissatisfaction, she turned her head away in a very disdainful manner.

It seemed like she found meeting my gaze very distasteful.

‘Wow, that brat is really annoying.’

I don’t have a sadistic pleasure in making children cry, but I really want to make her cry once.

It’s just out of irritation, not with any perverted intentions.

If I get the chance later, I’ll give her candy and then snatch it away while flicking her forehead.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you going to move?”

“Yes?”

“Do you want me to repeat myself? Go work quickly! Don’t just take the money and fool around while working!”

Mary glared at the butler and gestured behind her.

It was a clear sign for him to leave immediately. Even though it was a fiery attitude that seemed to ignite everyone around, the butler responded calmly.

He must have become accustomed to such situations from experiencing them every day.

“Oh, yes. After showing the young master to his room, I will go back to my duties. Excuse me.”

“What are you talking about? Leave her here and you go.”

“Yes? But the young master….”

Mary grimaced as if disgusted.

Even though her face only appeared to be pouting, her sharp words belied the shallow appearance that represented her existence.

She then threw a sharp comment as piercing as her gaze.

“Don’t talk back! And stop calling him ‘young master’! He’s not part of our family!”

“Even so, the master also….”

“Don’t talk back to me! I clearly told you! Are you mocking me?”

“N-No, I’m not.”

What a pain in the ass. He’s getting scolded as a matter of course, and he’s even asking to be hit.

Even after seeing that, am I supposed to stay quiet? My Confucian sensibilities scream at me to give that girl a good scolding.

Let’s calm down. Taking a deep breath, I suppressed my anger as much as possible. Then, in a gentle tone, I called out to her.

“Sorry, but I have something to discuss with this person, so could you step aside? Do you want to get a smack if you keep bothering me?”

“What?”

Mary’s mouth fell open in shock. She seemed to be stunned for a while, as if she had just received a shock.

Was my voice too indifferent? Perhaps the difference between Evan and her was too great.

“What does it have to do with you! And I have something to say to you too!”

As she quickly recovered from her confusion, she yelled like a cat with its fur standing on end.

“Alfred, go quickly! Brother, you stay here.”

“I don’t like it. I have nothing to say to a kid who has no respect for adults.”

“Is that not it? I was just worried that Dad would scold you, you know?”

“Is it right to worry? All you do is come up with lame excuses and scold me. If that’s not forcing it, then what is it?”

“Are you saying I’m bad? I just said I was worried. If you don’t believe me, ask Jae.”

Mary glared at Alfred and urged him on.

Of course, there was no response, and Alfred only answered with a fake cough.

“You’re not going to admit it?”

“Ugh! What’s wrong with you! I even gave you cookies last time! You ungrateful brat…!”

“Anyway, leave now. If you’re going to keep making noise.”

“You leave! This is my house!”

“How is this your house? It’s Dad’s house.”

“N-no! It’s mine! It’s Dad’s house, but it’s mine too!”

“I just heard you say it’s your house. Are you a goldfish?”

“What….”

Arguing with this kid made me feel like I was becoming pathetic.

How old am I to be playing around with this little brat?

As self-loathing welled up, I tried to restrain myself.

“Ugh! So annoying!”

Mary’s running around made me laugh, and my mischievous side resurfaced.

It felt just like playing with my younger cousin. Nostalgia from those days came rushing back.

“You’re the goldfish! I’m not as ugly as you!”

“Why is your face suddenly showing up? Goldfish is a metaphor for having a bad memory, don’t you know that? You really are a goldfish.”

“I know. I just said you’re ugly.”

“Fine. You’re not exactly a looker either.”

“What? How dare you say that to me? Apologize! Now!”

“You should apologize first. You insulted me first by calling me ugly.”

“Let’s just forget about it. We both made mistakes.”

“What nonsense. You started it, so your mistake is bigger.”

“I just told the truth. You’re really ugly, so it’s okay.”

“What? You look like a goldfish.”

“Hey!!!”

I must really be losing my mind. Finding it amusing to tease this naive kid.

But I must be insane. Because of that useless goddess, I’m going through the same trouble twice.

“You’re really annoying!!!”

“Why are you using informal language? Come to think of it, you used informal language with Alfred too. Don’t you respect your elders?”

“Oh, no! And I can use informal language because I’m a noble!”

“Then is it okay to use informal language with me, an elder in the same noble family? Isn’t that a big mistake?”

“I-I didn’t use informal language.”

“Are you lying now? Apologize twice.”

“I really didn’t….”

“Using informal language again?”

She hesitated, opening and closing her mouth repeatedly.

Finally, she bowed her head desperately and poured out excuses.

Even with all her excuses, I didn’t forgive her, and Mary chose to run away.

Even as she ran off, her loud mouth didn’t stop.

“I have nothing to say to my brother either! And! I’m not happy to see you, brother! I won’t care if you go back to those girls! So leave quickly!”

“I was going to leave without you saying anything.”

“W-what?! No! Dad said not to leave!”

With a resentful curse, Mary ran away.

After she disappeared, the room fell silent.

‘…I feel so self-loathing.’

I glanced at Alfred’s face, who was watching Mary leave with a concerned look.

This old man is such a pushover. I wonder why he’s so worried about that arrogant kid who tells him what to do.

#

Alfred’s guidance led me to the bedroom. Leaving a message that I should rest here for now, Alfred departed.

Originally, I had planned to immediately go out and meet Evan’s father and Shobu, but the situation didn’t allow for it.

What was it that Alfred had said? According to him, a royal decree had been issued to the family.

It was about investigating the mysterious disappearance case that occurred on the southern trade route, the main cause of which was to explore the labyrinth.

The knight family, Elaine, who devoted themselves to the Empire, naturally followed that decree and had been preparing early.

Along with the Lorenz family.

So, in the mansion where I was staying, there were also members of the Lorenz family.

They were all companions for the upcoming expedition, so they were conducting joint training in advance.

“It seemed busy for some reason.”

The head of the Elaine family also mentioned joining the expedition.

Perhaps that’s why, even now, they were training with the knights in the training grounds.

They seemed more diligent than I expected. If it were me, I would have left the work to the knights and enjoyed myself.

“Ugh. I seem to have mistimed this.”

It had already been five hours since I arrived here.

My son had been waiting anxiously during that time, but his father was nowhere to be seen.

Should I just leave at this point? Or did I come at a busy time for him?

No luck at all.

Who knows, this might be another scheme of the goddess.

It could be because she doesn’t want me to relax and enjoy myself.

I can’t stand seeing myself like this. If I suffered that much in my past life, shouldn’t this life be filled with happiness?

Scratching my head with dissatisfaction, I muttered, “Tsk. When will I ever get to go home?”

I don’t know if they even plan to send me back.

If it’s the goddess I know, she won’t let me go until there is definite peace on the continent.

And I remember that in the near future, a demon king, or a more powerful being, will lead the scattered demons again.

So, only if I kill that guy will she keep her promise.

“Damn it.”

The more I think about it, the angrier I get. From my perspective, that woman is a more wicked being than the demon king.

If possible, I’d rather follow the goddess’s orders than the demons.

As I was simmering with anger,

-Knock, knock.

The sound of someone knocking on the door softly reached my ears.

Is it Alfred? I called out for him to come in from the other side of the door, but it didn’t open.

Feeling puzzled, I got up. I was about to open the door and go out when an object on the floor blocked my path.

“?”

It was a piece of paper. Next to it was a beautifully wrapped chocolate.

I looked at it carefully and reached out my hand. The paper had several scribbled lines.

[-To my beloved Evan Oppa-]

“I didn’t mean what I said to you just now. And please be nice to Alfred. Today, I just… felt jealous of you being alone without me….

And you know. Can’t you just stay at our house from now on? Don’t follow those sisters. I like you, but I hate those sisters. They treat you like a fool. Really foolish.

So stay at home. I don’t like it when you’re ignored. I hate it the most when you leave.

······(omitted)······

I made the chocolate. You like chocolate, Evan Oppa. So I worked really hard to make it.

And yes, the people from the Lorenz family came to our house. I’m worried that Rebecca Lorenz, that woman, also came.

I’m worried she might hit you…. But don’t worry! If she bothers you again, I won’t stand by quietly!

PS – But where did those sisters go? Are we not going to see each other anymore? I wish that were the case!”

[-From Mary-]

“…Hmm.”

I closed my eyes once and opened them again to reread the letter.

Yet the words written in the letter remained unchanged.

No, why so kind?