Chapter 34

It was the episode of Gibril's descent.

Gibril sincerely wishes for Albertina's happiness.

But if possible, she hopes for a real older sister.

Generally, she has no mercy for the childhood friend trio who revolves around Albertina. She is even more ruthless than the yakuza who take over land.

Kishtaria, Julius, and Michaelis were summoned to a room in the school's salon.

They were not gathered out of habit for idle chitchat, but were called by a certain person.

Of course, the three often stick together to exchange information or to escape troublesome female students.

Julius, as a servant, regularly travels between the Latitche family and the school, while Michaelis, as the head of the Domitrias Earl family and a lord, sometimes returns to his domain to handle official duties. Although some tasks can be handled by his butler, there are many things that only the lord can do. As their busyness increases, they sometimes rent a room in the dormitory or salon to use as an office.

Therefore, it is not unusual for these three to gather.

Naturally, when a handsome duke's son, an earl, and a viscount gather, they attract attention.

Julius can remain as a servant because he serves the Latitche family, but under normal circumstances, he would not pretend to be a servant. He is in a position where he can act as a noble.

As one of the key figures in the expansion of the Latitche Duke family's business, Julius is known as a capable up-and-comer. The Rose brand is also a result of his skillful management. Although the origin was the daughter of the Latitche Duke family, it was Julius who shaped and nurtured it to its current state.

Only a few people know that Julius maintains his position as a servant to keep his connection with the daughter.

Kishtaria is the son of the Latitche Duke family, one of the most prestigious families in the Kingdom of Sandis. Originally the son of a poor baron's mistress, he was taken in at a young age and thoroughly educated. Now, with his sweet appearance, he is one of the most influential young nobles in the school.

He is an outstanding magic user and is respected as a member of one of the four great ducal families. Even members of the royal family would not casually speak to Kishtaria, the next duke of the Latitche family, due to the family's strong influence.

Kishtaria, the son of the Latitche Duke family, is the heir to the position of marshal, head of one of the four great ducal families, and a major businessman. That is Kishtaria von Latitche.

Despite their usual charm, these young nobles, who are the talk of the school, all look uneasy.

Steam rises from the prepared tea set, but it does nothing to ease their tension.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, everyone. Thank you so much for coming."

A beautiful girl in a calm orange dress entered the room.

Her lustrous red hair was half-up, held in place by a barrette with a corsage that matched her dress. The dress was a bell-line dress from the popular Rose brand, which flared out from below the waist, resembling a bell as its name suggests. The hem sparkled with each movement, adding a touch of elegance.

The three were greeted with a smile as bright as a large rose. However, the atmosphere only grew more tense.

Why?

Because they knew the girl was Gibril von Domitrias, the earl's daughter, a childhood friend, and a formidable opponent who could even scatter the three of them together.

The only thing that came to mind when they were summoned was one thing.

It had to be about Albertina von Latitche, the duke's daughter.

Usually, Gibril often helps them drive away annoying marriage candidates and stays by their side, so they can't be too forceful with her.

Gibril sat down on the tapestry sofa, took out a fan, and smiled even more broadly. A chill ran down the spines of the three. Her extremely lovely and beautiful smile sent a clear danger signal to their instincts.

"Let me be frank.

--Is there anyone here who has captured the heart of Onee-sama?"

It was a direct question.

A sharp, fast pitch.

"Onee-sama" is a term of endearment Gibril uses for Albertina.

Normally, it would be disrespectful for Gibril, the earl's daughter, to call Albertina, the duke's daughter and not her brother's fiancée or partner, in such a way. However, since Albertina willingly and happily accepts the nickname, no one can stop her. The only one who could criticize her, the duke, is someone who fulfills Albertina's every wish, so he tolerates it unless it causes her significant harm.

Albertina doesn't want to marry Michaelis. She just finds Gibril too adorable. There is no more or less to it.

"…After more than ten years, to be in this state. How pitiful."

Gibril sighed, her disappointment evident.

Her expression was so genuinely regretful that it pierced the hearts of the men. There was no mercy.

"Then, has anyone confessed?"

Gibril's questioning continued. It was a gross invasion of privacy, but the atmosphere did not allow for any backtalk.

If Gibril were an interrogator, she would be excellent, with her overwhelming presence. Her large ruby-like eyes were sharp, and her voice, which should have been lovely, was cold.

Impatient with their lack of response, Gibril's eyebrows arched.

"Kishtaria-sama, your brother has already obtained a promise from Onee-sama. And Julius, surely you have as well? I can't imagine you falling behind."

"…If you knew, why did you have to ask?"

"Huh? Why do I have to squeeze the truth out of you?

Do you think you can give up on a long-standing love just because you've been pushed around by me? At this age, you don't even have a fiancée, let alone a marriage prospect. You've been dodging arranged meetings, and in reality, you don't even have any marriage candidates."

She went for it, with no intention of hiding anything.

Kishtaria looked at Gibril, who stood up to the intimidation as if to say, "Bring it on." Compared to her well-endowed stepsister, Gibril's chest was indeed less impressive. Sensing the impolite thoughts in their gazes, her smile became even more intimidating.

The earl's daughter, who had become increasingly formidable over the years. The stepsister who lived in the mansion was still as clueless as ever, unaware of Gibril's fierce nature. She might not even understand the fear Gibril instilled. The stepsister would simply smile gently and say, "But Gibril is so cute," even when faced with a glimpse of Gibril's passion.

"So, what do you want to know, Gibril-sama?"

"It's obvious. I want to know how much progress you've made in winning Onee-sama's heart!"

"Progress... Why do we have to tell you that?"

"Because Onee-sama is talking about wanting to become a nun or a commoner, which is absurd!!!

I was shocked! I was speechless! It's all because of your incompetence, isn't it?!

You've grown physically, but you can't even win Onee-sama's heart! If I were a man, I would throw down my glove and challenge all of you to a duel out of sheer frustration!"

Gibril's angry roar echoed through the salon, making the windows shake and the tea ripple. The pain in their ears was nothing compared to the pain in their hearts as they endured Gibril's scream.

Tears welled up in Gibril's eyes, tears of anger and regret. The perfect mask of a noble lady was shattered.

"First of all, Onee-sama doesn't dislike you, so why does she avoid marriage so stubbornly..."

"I want to know that too. Despite being thoroughly instructed, she still hasn't agreed...

She usually listens to my requests, but not when it comes to this."

"Kishtaria-sama, you're not asking Onee-sama to do anything strange, are you?"

"If I were, I would have been glared at by Anna and kicked by my mother."

Kishtaria shrugged at Gibril's intense gaze.

While the schoolgirls swooned at his flirtatious glances, Gibril's face twisted as if she had seen something suspicious.

"Do you understand how I felt when I was recommended for an arranged marriage after all my efforts to court her?

She smiles innocently and unguardedly, even when I touch her in ways that would be inappropriate for siblings... I got a lecture from my mother later, but...

I'm holding back, yet Albert still casually holds my arm and tries to hug me... I'm not a child anymore, and I don't want to be just a 'cute little brother.'"

"Phew... Onee-sama is still torturing us."

The scene came to mind. Albertina, being Albertina, probably accepted her stepbrother's playful actions with a gentle smile.

Originally, Albertina was lenient with those she trusted. When it came to her stepbrother, she was even more lenient. Her guard was completely down.

"Speaking of which, I've sent countless letters expressing my affection, but I've been asked face-to-face if there's a woman I'm interested in."

"Ah, that happened to me recently too."

"I don't sense that she dislikes me, but it's painful to see her so happy when she senses someone else's interest.

She seems to genuinely wish me a good match, but she always excludes herself as a candidate..."

Michaelis's flat voice made Gibril groan and clutch her head.

Come to think of it, Albertina had been concerned about Michaelis's marriage prospects, but not as a potential partner. She was worried about her childhood friend.

"Even after I confessed and made it clear that I desired her, I was hugged and my head was buried in her chest."

"Julius Fran, you're to come to the training ground after this."

"Her chest has grown again. Despite her poor crisis management skills, why does she keep growing so unnecessarily?"

"Julius, you're being rude to my brother?"

Julius's sudden outburst froze the salon room.

However, the handsome servant only narrowed his eyes behind his glasses. He was smiling, but his true feelings were likely the opposite.

His smooth, elegant voice was like a poem. Despite Gibril's red eyes burning with intense emotion, he remained unfazed.

Michaelis, who was accused of touching his sister without permission, quietly looked at Julius. His lack of denial suggested that he was inwardly angry at being criticized for praising a woman he admired. However, his expression remained unchanged.

"Moreover, when I thought she was talking to a merchant in a suspicious manner, she was actually gathering information. She's cunning. She said it was for market research, but she seems to be thinking on her own, despite her lack of common sense."

"...Tell me more about that."

Gibril's face had been twitching ever since Julius started calling Albertina a fool and a klutz. Julius's eloquence continued even under the cold gazes of Kishtaria and Michaelis.

They had a vague sense that Julius was more than just impolite to Albertina; he was sometimes outright disrespectful. The fact that Albertina didn't dislike him made him even more unpredictable. Given his position, his overly bold attitude was not ideal, but he was a capable and favored man, even with his rudeness.

"Since I often have to leave the Latitche family when I act as Kishtaria-sama's servant, I made sure that only trustworthy merchants could negotiate with the young lady. I made sure to assign servants, starting with Anna, but recent reports suggest that the young lady is particularly interested in the common people, even though she's thinking about products for them.

If she wasn't serious, we could have built a convent-like place within the duchy and let her live as a nun until she was satisfied, but her research is too thorough for that."

Indeed, as a capable man entrusted with the duke's daughter, Julius was skilled. He smoothly provided the information Gibril was concerned about.

"But she seems to have given up on the convent... Can Onee-sama really live as a commoner?"

"She has the ability, but realistically, it's impossible."

"What do you mean?"

"Albertina-sama has low crisis management skills, but her ideas, knowledge, and abilities are not bad. She also has a high tolerance and a strong learning ability.

Despite her vague demeanor, she is quite intelligent. If she thinks about where to sell herself and takes action, I believe she can live a relatively wealthy life.

She is a rare attribute mage and has the magical power and skills to make a living as a mage or adventurer."

However, Julius continued.

"Her appearance is enough to drive people mad.

Even the well-trained servants of Latitche were dazzled by her beauty and lost their reason when they saw her in person. Many people have been disposed of without her knowledge.

Even without her awareness, the value of her ideas and knowledge will be overshadowed by her appearance, and people will swarm to her.

She will likely be kidnapped and imprisoned just by walking around. Even if not, she will be sold for a high price, and at best, she will be a doll, and at worst, her mind and body will be destroyed by someone's desires.

Albertina-sama's magic is fatally incapable of offensive spells, and she is a person who fears rough treatment. She will likely endure even unreasonable treatment."

Unless she is discovered by a particularly lucky, rational, and capable person, Albertina, despite her abilities, cannot live as a commoner.

Even with her abilities and will, the possibility of being chased by the desires of third parties and making it practically impossible is very high.

Julius spoke casually.

"Of course, this is just a hypothesis. Before that, the duke, as her father, would never allow Albertina-sama to be placed in such a situation.

In that case, it would be faster to build a city for Albertina-sama."

"Build a city...?"

"Albertina-sama has always lived in a mansion, and I don't think she has much physical strength. Her range of movement is also limited. She has been living a reclusive life for a long time, as per the duke's wishes. Such a woman cannot suddenly go to an unfamiliar place and move around.

Therefore, it would be better to prepare a suitable place with everything provided by the duchy.

A famous convent would have strict security, so the safety would be guaranteed. However, when it comes to living as a commoner, there are bound to be security gaps.

...The other concern is whether the shy Albertina-sama will suffer from mental stress and fall ill."

The research on becoming a commoner was not as thorough as the research on convents. Albertina had not yet decided which city to go to.

Michaelis, as a lord, was a bit taken aback by the overly grand Albertina containment plan, but it was something the duke would do.

"That's why, to prevent Onee-sama from becoming a nun or a commoner, I summoned you all, enduring shame!?"

Enduring shame, shame? -- The other three thought but remained silent.

Gibril's punches were painful. They knew from experience, so they kept their mouths shut like clams. They had seen many young men fall in love with Gibril's beauty, only to have their hearts broken in a duel. While not as skilled as Michaelis, Gibril's swordsmanship was considerable. They knew she ordered custom-made, sturdy handles because she "accidentally broke the handle along with the sword."

"Gibril, I, and the other two do not want to send Albert to such a place."

"...I know. But why is Onee-sama so stubborn?"

Rebuked by Michaelis, Gibril lowered her head. Kishtaria, who seemed to have his own thoughts on the matter, had a troubled look on his face.

Julius, unusually with a stern expression, spoke hesitantly.

"The only possibility is the kidnapping incident or shortly after."

"...I believe there is also a rumor that she was mistaken for the princess."

"Yes, Albert-sama's appearance is more than enough to suggest 'royal' blood. Although it's not something to be said loudly, Princess Elmedia, who was two years younger, was reportedly quite overweight and large even as a child. One of the reasons for the mistake was that the relatively slender and petite Albertina-sama was close in age to the young princess."

"Ah, she's still quite impressive now."

Mutter