Chapter 53

Duke Fortuna's head of the house has made an appearance.

Incidentally, this person has a terrible relationship with Alber's father.

Resentment over Christina still lingers, and while they don't argue outright, they are in a state of cold war.

"Why! I'm the heroine! I haven't done anything bad, so why does everyone treat me like a villain!?"

The high-pitched, ear-piercing voice made her face contort involuntarily.

Lena must have removed the gag to interrogate Renaria, who had been sealed with magic.

Kistaria sighed inwardly. When she was at the academy, she had a lot of leeway, wielding the princes' power. However, now she is completely stripped of her arrogance. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say her mask has fallen off.

The innocent and pure-looking Renaria was praised for her fresh and naive reactions, which were different from those of a noble lady. But to Kistaria, who knew the truly pure creatures raised in a walled garden by the Demon King, she was different. All her actions seemed fake, suspicious, and overly cunning, which irritated her. She would pretend to be kind and approach as if she were concerned, but there was always a disturbing sense of superiority in her eyes.

Kistaria disliked her from the start.

She approached with a saintly face, as if to say, "I understand everything and accept it."

Kistaria, who had been labeled as a pitiful and miserable young duke's son, was looked down upon in her heart.

"Albertina is a wicked woman! She will bring ruin to the country, so it's better to get rid of her quickly for everyone's sake!"

And she insulted Kistaria's beloved.

The first person to show Kistaria affection outside of her mother. Born to a low-ranking noble's mistress, she was an unlikely match. Yet, this person treated Kistaria as a brother and a human being, giving her and her mother a place to belong.

Kistaria wanted to strangle the woman who was spewing insults right away. Clifft, standing next to her, also looked as if he wanted to dispose of Renaria immediately, his nose wrinkling in disgust.

"What is that? Should we take care of it?"

"I suggest you refrain. She is a wanted criminal by the state. If we don't hand her over to the proper authorities, we might be held accountable."

"That? That's a criminal?"

"That's the academy's villainess. For a while, she acted like a queen at the academy."

"......So, you're the little girl who challenged Grail. You're as stupid as the rumors say."

Clifft stroked his Kaiser beard, looking somewhat conflicted.

Kistaria couldn't forgive Renaria. She really wanted to cut her tendons and silence her annoying voice.

However, they needed to investigate how so many thieves managed to infiltrate the Latizche residence. Could someone like Renaria have planned such a meticulous crime?

They also needed to find out how she gathered so many people.

Clifft, fiddling with his beard, looked at Kistaria with a frustrated expression. He also seemed to want to dispose of Renaria immediately. Since there was a warrant for her arrest, they would have to hand her over to the state unless there were exceptional circumstances.

The ear-piercing screams continued.

"That woman isn't Albertina! Albertina has black hair! Her eyes are supposed to be a dull green! She's a fake! Identity fraud is a crime, right? She's a criminal!"

A soldier kicked Renaria's head with a military boot.

Renaria, who was forced to face the ground, struggled for a while before breaking down into sobs.

Kistaria felt a chill. Albertina's true appearance was rarely seen outside the duke's residence. The only time was when she went to the Demetrias territory with Grail. The lady of the Tengallon family, who saw Albertina there, fell out of favor with Grail and her entire family was destroyed. They were erased from the noble registry, and the repercussions even affected the branches of the family, causing many to disperse. That line was unlikely.

The Duchy of Daches, where Renaria was from, did not even border the Duchy of Demetrias.

"......Black hair and green eyes?"

An unpleasant voice came from beside her.

The man next to her seemed to react strongly to that color combination.

"Do you intend to believe the ramblings of that criminal? You saw Albertina just now, didn't you?"

"U-um... Her eyes and hair were like that young man's. It's a real shame, even if just one of them..."

"So, you have no use for a brown-haired, blue-eyed Albertina. I'll let Albert know. He'll be relieved and happy."

"Wait, wait, wait!! Stop!! Stop it! Wait a minute, you brat!!"

Clifft, in a state of panic, his formal and sincere words mixed with his true feelings, was now spilling out his true thoughts.

Shaking Kistaria's shoulders, he desperately tried to retract his previous statement. Kistaria, without showing any sign of her inner anxiety, gave him a cold glance.

She brushed off Clifft's arm and straightened her disheveled collar.

"......Why does a foster child resemble that wretched Demon King so much?"

He wasn't that extreme.

Then, he muttered, "That child is so cute," which Kistaria agreed with. No one could believe that a real daughter, raised with the Demon King's love, could turn out like that. Once, Latine had mentioned it in front of the Demon King himself, but even her real father tilted his head in confusion.

Kistaria, who had watched her step-sister grow up for years, considered it the greatest mystery of her life.

It wasn't that Kistaria had any complaints about Albertina. She was just too mysterious.

(Still, why does Albert attract the attention of people in power even though he doesn't seek it?)

Mikaelis said that Albertina was quite favored by King Lauses.

Perhaps Albertina had a charm that attracted older men.

In any case, they couldn't afford to let her say anything more.

Albertina von Latizche, though she didn't have the royal family's eyes, was a beautiful princess by her mother's side. She had to be that way in public.

At that moment, a loud noise echoed. Kistaria turned around in surprise to see Renaria being held by the collar by a giant man. Renaria, who was petite, looked like a twig in comparison to the bear-like figure in front of her.

"......Green eyes? Albertina? What do you mean? Green, is it perhaps the royal color?"

"Royal color? H-huh, I don't know! What are you talking about!? It hurts, it's suffocating! Let me go!"

"The royal color is the most revered color in this country. A deep, noble green. It's called Sandis Green..."

"I-I don't know! But they were green! They were darker than Lucas'!"

Upon confirming those words, Renaria was released. She was thrown to the floor and rolled around, gasping and struggling. However, the man who had lifted her up didn't even look back.

The large figure turned around, revealing sharp, steel-like eyes. They were the same dull color as Clifft's, but this man's gaze was more intimidating, as if it could cut through anything. His white hair and beard looked coarse, and each feature of his face was rugged. He had scars all over, and even from the exposed parts of his face and hands, his roughness was evident. Clifft was a well-dressed, middle-aged man, but this man was like a personification of a war god and a wild beast. He wore well-tailored clothes, but the pressure from his muscular, sinewy body was overwhelming, even more so than the medals on his chest.

"......Are you the young master of Latizche? It's convenient. I would like to meet Miss Albertina."

"Please have mercy. My sister is exhausted from the recent attack by the bandits."

The moment he was glared at by the single eye from above, even Kistaria, who was trained in social graces, felt overwhelmed by the intensity. Her body shrank back, and she managed to respond with a forced smile, trying to appear apologetic.

Albertina wouldn't want any visitors, and meeting this bear-like old man—Gandalf von Fortuna—might make her faint. Or worse, pass out.

"As one of the four great dukes, I must determine the truth for the royal family."

"Your son Clifft has already met Albertina, so I think that's sufficient."

"Hah, I don't think my foolish son can see through Grail's schemes.

He always has a harmless face and acts as if nothing is wrong, but he's capable of anything."

That's true. Grail would do anything for Albertina.

He would kill anyone and deceive anyone.

It's bad luck.

Considering the circumstances—no, it's not surprising.

Even though it was a secondary residence, there was an attack, and the son of Duke Fortuna and the young master of the Latizche family, who was the host, were not present. It wouldn't be strange for him to come to investigate.

Duke Fortuna, who was a warrior in charge of the knights, would naturally want to investigate an incident that occurred at a gathering of many nobles.

Especially since this was a house with a close connection to his granddaughter.

Kistaria didn't think this stern, muscular duke would be as easily swayed by Albertina's appearance as Clifft. He was clearly much more difficult to deal with than Clifft.

Moreover, Gandalf wasn't someone who frequented social events. After his wife Sistina passed away, he became even more reclusive. He wasn't particularly close to the Latizche family either.

There were two possible reasons for his visit: to insult the Latizche family or to try to make contact with Albertina if there was an opportunity.

Albertina's name had spread as a sympathetic and pitiable figure due to Lucas' actions. It was also rumored that she was beautiful and had a different personality from Grail.

"But..."

"If you persist, it will be seen as a sign of rebellion against the royal family. Shall we proceed to the meeting?"

Kistaria wanted to curse at his rudeness, but even if she refused, he would likely wander around and insist on finding Albertina's location.

In fact, his son had already been searching for Albertina amidst the chaos of the party and the attack.

"......Just a brief meeting. I can't allow any more. Please, have mercy. My sister is very delicate and has a severe case of stranger anxiety."

Even with Kistaria's reluctant compromise, Gandalf only snorted.

She didn't want to guide him, but if this formidable man approached Albertina, she would undoubtedly be terrified. For Albertina's mental safety, it had to be a brief meeting.

"Visitor...?"

Surely it's not that rude old man Clifft.

I don't want to see him. I refuse.

Her face must have shown her feelings, as Anna also looked displeased.

"Not Duke Fortuna, but his father, Duke Fortuna."

Ah, so it's some blood-related stranger who's supposed to be my grandfather.

I want to see him even less. Apparently, he looks quite intimidating. For someone who's been a hikikomori surrounded by people with high facial beauty standards, this would be a shock.

Not that I'm complaining about being surrounded by handsome men, but their brightness can be blinding.

"Such a sudden request..."

Honestly, it's hard to welcome. If Father were here, it would be different, but he's on a distant expedition in Stampede. He's probably blasting monsters right now.

Moreover, I was feeling tired today and had changed into a very casual outfit. It wasn't a negligee, but a fluffy, warm dress made of mohair with a light, warm shawl made of griffin feathers. I had even taken off my makeup, so I wasn't presentable at all.

I wanted to make it a full-body costume, but it wasn't approved. I also wanted to make a hood that looked like animal ears. Cat ears, rabbit ears, and even bear ears would be nice. Once, I showed a prototype of a hoodie to Aunt Latine, but she rejected it, saying, "It might awaken unnecessary beasts." What did she mean by "beasts"? But her eyes were very serious, so I backed down.

"......Can you tell the guest that it will take some time?

What should I do? I've only ever entertained familiar merchants and tutors besides Mikaelis and Jibril."

Usually, I would make an appointment and prepare thoroughly to welcome guests.

Moreover, this was the first time I had a guest of higher status. I didn't know what to do. Normally, Aunt Latine or Kistaria would handle it, and if Sebastian or Julius were here, they would support me. Hikikomori, you're really useless.

Anna, seeing my distress, offered to help, saying, "I'll choose your clothes right away."

I don't even know what to wear!?

The dress prepared was a bright green A-line dress that flared from the waist. It had ribbons as accents on the shoulders and waist, and it was modest, covering from the neck to the arms. The embroidered vines and roses on the hem and décolletage were beautiful. It was a refined and pure dress. Nice choice, it's my style.

My hair was half-up, tied with a white ribbon adorned with emeralds.

"You look lovely, Miss."

"Thank you, Anna."

I don't really want to, but let's go...

Suddenly, the door burst open.

The loud noise made my body stiffen.

I looked in the direction of the sound and saw a massive figure almost covering the door.

A bear!? No, a person? A bear!? Or a mountain!?

With an unusual presence, the person (or thing) squeezed through the door. It felt more like they crawled through because of their enormous size.

Shocked, Anna and I stood there, holding hands.

So big... incredibly big... and even more terrifying!

Compared to Prince Lucas, this person had an overwhelming presence. His eyes were incredibly sharp. This is supposed to be a dating game, not a fighting game or RPG, right!?

No, it's reality, so of course there are people of all ages! But what is it, a post-apocalyptic conqueror? And his face is so intense, it looks like a manga character!

I heard that my grandfather, Duke Fortuna, was coming, but I didn't expect someone who looks like a grizzly general!

It was a primal fear. I was just plain scared. It felt like a helpless herbivore facing an overwhelming predator. If he were a grizzly, I'd be a hare.

As the human-like creature approached, his sharp single eye turned towards me.

Piiiiii! I'm scared!

Julius would say that a lady shouldn't scream, so I scream in my head.

When he recognized me, his gaze became even sharper, and he plopped down on the spot.

Scary... He must be about the same age as Sebastian, but he's so scary...

"A-Anna, Anna..."

"Miss, stay calm! He's human! Barely human! He's incredibly carnivorous, but he's a real human!"

Piiiiii! He's coming!

Despite Anna's desperate attempts to calm me, the moment the barely human figure took a step forward, my fear reached its peak. My body froze, unable to run or resist.

I was completely locked in as a target.

If his gaze had physical piercing power, I'd be full of holes.

"Father... Father..."

Please, Father...!

I hugged my trembling body, trying to hold it together, but I couldn't overcome the terror of the approaching giant.

With a heavy, creaking sound, the floor resonated with each step.

Did he take offense to me calling for my father? He frowned deeply, making him even more intimidating.

He approached, reaching out with a rough, scarred hand. As he bent down, his face was in shadow, but his dull eyes glinted sharply.

I tried to wriggle away, but he grabbed my shoulder, forcing me to face him. Exposed to his blade-like gaze, I shrank back. He grabbed my chin, tilting my head up. My breathing became shallow, and my eyes welled up with tears from the overwhelming fear.

"Duke Fortuna! This is not what we agreed on! Stay away from Albertina!"

Kistaria tried to intervene, rushing between Duke Fortuna and me, but he easily brushed her aside with one hand. Kistaria, thrown against the wall, seemed to have been hit harder than expected, her face contorted in pain.

"Kistaria...! Stop, don't be rough with my step-brother!"

I hate it! I hate anyone who hurts my family, my precious ones! I tried to pull away his hand, which was gripping my chin, with all my might.

I mustered my anger and glared at the man in front of me. His other hand reached out and touched my head. I shrank back in fear.

"――――!?"

"......Hmph, a protective amulet? This is different."

A silver piece with an emerald, which I had worn with the ribbon in my hair, was dropped on the