Chapter 58

It's a reunion.

Since Father's expedition will take some more time, the childhood trio is moving cautiously.

They can't use brute force like Father.

Among them, Kishutaria is the one who bears the most stress and guilt.

A few days later, a visitor appeared.

His face is interesting.

Behind the mask of his usual expression, the devil inside Anna was laughing maniacally.

He trusts Julius's abilities but can't trust him as a person. He could feel Julius's irritation at the siblings' emotional reunion through his skin.

As usual, Julius had a composed face, meticulously groomed, with not a fingerprint or speck of dust on his well-polished leather shoes or glasses, and not a strand of hair out of place. However, his narrowed purple eyes, hidden beneath his lowered gaze, burned with envy and hatred at the insurmountable social gap.

His composed face was illuminated by the glaring purple eyes, revealing his inner turmoil.

At least, Albertina was completely unaware. Kishutaria was likely ignoring him completely.

For Kishutaria, who adored his step-sister, the jealousy of a servant was far less important than Albertina, who would cry and cling to him.

When they entered, Albertina was sitting on the sofa, dazed.

She hadn't eaten much and hadn't slept well. Her life was slowly but surely deteriorating.

The barrier showed no sign of weakening, and the rejection showed no sign of fading. This was also a manifestation of her stress.

She was quite startled by the sound of someone entering, but when she recognized the figure, her green eyes widened, and she burst into tears. Her white cheeks were streaked with tears, and she let out wordless sobs as she stood up and ran over.

In her haste, she dropped the strange creature she was holding and almost tripped over it.

Kishutaria, with a gentle and sweet smile, opened his arms and embraced her frail body. He picked her up effortlessly and placed her back on the sofa.

Albertina buried her face in his shoulder, sobbing. Kishutaria stroked her head, combed her hair, and gently patted her back to soothe her.

"Albert, you've lost so much weight... You must have been scared. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you. You must have been lonely, and I couldn't come to see you sooner."

"No, I'm happy. Thank you for coming..."

Her small, white hand timidly wrapped around Kishutaria's back.

The purple gaze, filled with envy, was so intense that it seemed it could break if it had physical force.

Ignoring Julius's glare, Kishutaria kissed the corner of Albertina's tear-streaked eyes. She hiccupped and continued to cry, completely oblivious to the excessive intimacy.

Unable to bear the sight any longer, Julius finally averted his gaze.

He then noticed the peculiar creature gnawing on his shoe. With a half-lidded glare, he stomped on it forcefully. The creature's back, like a stuffed animal, was squished under his shoe. Its small limbs flailed wildly, similar to a freshly caught fish. Determined not to let it escape, he stomped on it again, pouring his pent-up anger into it. It was a complete case of taking out his frustration on the wrong target.

"Julius."

"Yes?"

"That's Miss Albertina's favorite. Please clean it up properly later."

"...I can, but I stepped on it quite hard, and there was no sign of any bones breaking."

"Stop it. You can't use healing magic, can you?"

"What is this thing?"

"I'm not sure, but it seems to be a kind of young fairy or spirit. It's quite clumsy but very sturdy, so it's fine to handle it roughly.

I once threw it out the window, but it landed on a pavilion without a scratch."

"...Why did you let such a suspicious creature near Miss Albertina?"

"Albertina is relatively calm when she holds it."

Julius, looking displeased, sighed. He then firmly stomped on the creature again before finally releasing it.

The green creature, making pitiful sounds, squeezed itself between Kishutaria and Albertina.

Kishutaria was startled, but Albertina tilted her head and placed the creature on her lap.

"Oh, what's wrong, Chappy?"

"Chappy...? Is it a normal animal?"

"Isn't it cute? It's round and small. It sings when it's happy."

"...Is it safe, Albert?"

"It doesn't bite or scratch, it's a very good child... though its back is dirty.

That's strange, usually it's the belly that gets dirty when it falls."

Kishutaria glared at Julius, who shook his head bitterly.

Indeed, Julius had stepped on it, but he hadn't intended to interfere with their reunion. He couldn't be so cold-hearted as to disrupt Albertina's joy at seeing her step-brother. Especially when she looked so frail and weak, he could only endure.

Albertina was wiping Chappy's back with a handkerchief.

It was indeed clumsy and prone to crying, but it showed no signs of hurting Albertina.

For someone who couldn't be approached by clumsy humans, it was perhaps the perfect companion to comfort her.

Kishutaria, whose touching reunion had been interrupted, glared at the green creature.

Despite the intense gaze, the creature and the clumsy girl were hugging each other. Albertina's slender, white hand was petting its round head. The creature, making pitiful sounds, snuggled even closer to her ample chest.

The face of the narrow-minded duke's son was visibly distorted by jealousy.

He grabbed the creature's head and threw it out the window with a perfect overhand throw. The creature's small, terrified cry echoed as it flew away.

"Chappy!?"

"Fairy and spirit attacks are mostly ineffective against physical attacks."

"But that doesn't mean you should throw it! Anna did the same thing. Why do you throw it? It's so small and cute."

"It's not cute. Not at all."

"What are you pouting about?"

Kishutaria, who had been adored by Albertina as a step-brother for years, found it humiliating and unpleasant to have his position of being "cared for" taken by a mysterious creature. Even though it was clearly a pet, it was still very unpleasant.

"You don't know what's dangerous here. You shouldn't bring things you don't understand close."

"I asked Anna for permission. And it's not a bad child. Really."

Faced with Albertina's sad plea, Kishutaria eventually gave in.

You're still so sweet, he thought, even though he himself was quite indulgent. Julius narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Alright. But I'll check to make sure there are no strange mechanisms."

"Yes... I understand."

"Julius, go pick it up. Quickly."

"As you wish."

Julius bowed and accepted the task, wishing it was more about being with Albertina. As a duke's son, he had to follow Kishutaria's orders.

Without even using the tea set and ingredients he had prepared, he turned to retrieve the creature.

"Julius, make tea when you come back. I want the usual."

Albertina called out to his back as a matter of course.

Her voice was much brighter. When she entered the room, her eyes were vacant, her mind elsewhere, and she seemed about to fade away.

The cheerful voice was the same as when she was in the mansion. The voice of Albertina, who enjoyed a bit of pampering when she liked Julius's tea.

Just one word.

Just being called and asked for something.

The usual, and she trusted that Julius would bring what she wanted without question.

Despite himself, his face relaxed. The tightness in his chest melted away. That young lady, clumsy and insensitive, could casually say things that stole people's hearts. As if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"As you wish, Miss. Of course, I'll prepare it."

He closed the door and ran quickly, determined to return before the water he had prepared cooled. The tea had to be made with the right temperature water, and he couldn't serve it with anything less.

That young lady, clumsy but with a first-class palate.

Julius returned quickly.

Chappy, with its tail held, was wriggling unhappily, covered in dirt. But it seemed unharmed, which was a relief.

Why does everyone throw such a cute Chappy?

While wondering about this, Julius, who had cleaned Chappy with a damp cloth, threw it onto the carpet. Why do you throw it again!?

Chappy rolled around happily, doing somersaults until it hit the wall.

I was so excited to see my step-brother and servant again.

This place was scary.

Although it was a magnificent building managed by the royal palace, it was not the Latizche mansion, which made it scary.

Outside, everyone was a stranger. The Duke of Fortuna, who had forcibly brought me here, was also here. I wanted to leave, but I didn't want to see them. If I made a mistake, I might be captured and taken somewhere else.

Father, please come back soon.

I don't want the Bloody Carnival, but I want to return to the Latizche mansion as soon as possible.

After crying in my step-brother's arms, I savored the tea made by the servant.

As always, Julius's tea was delicious.

I said "as usual" without thinking, but he had prepared it for me. Truly, Julius... he knows exactly what I want. Truly, an elite servant, high-spec.

"It's delicious. Truly, Julius, the taste is excellent."

"That's good to hear. Today's pastries are soufflés and peach tarts.

If you prefer something lighter, we also have fruit jelly and yogurt cake."

"Wow, they're all lovely. The peach looks like a rose. I can't decide between the soufflé, jelly, and yogurt cake."

"Shall I cut them for you?"

"Is that okay? Then, please."

"Of course."

Yay, I'm looking forward to it!

My heart leaped at the prospect of a pleasant tea time. I smiled needlessly, and when our eyes met, Julius's eyes behind his glasses softened gently, without any of his usual mischievous or ambiguous smiles.

...Did I look that bad?

I had indeed been quite depressed recently.

Perhaps because of that, I hadn't had much appetite, but now I felt like eating.

It's not good to eat sweets instead of a proper meal, but Anna doesn't stop me, so it's okay, right? Wait, why does Anna look happy? Why?

"We also have herbal tea if you'd like."

"Oh, that's lovely. You're so prepared."

"That's the least I can do."

A slightly arrogant smile appeared, but it was still the usual Julius. Handsome people are amazing; even such expressions suit them. But Anna doesn't seem to like it. Despite their long relationship, she apparently wants to break his glasses every time she sees such an expression. Please stop.

Anna is excellent, but Julius is also amazing.

What is so enjoyable, or rather, sad, about serving this clumsy person? Ah, it's just a matter of family background, I guess.

The familiar taste of Latizche—no, the Rose brand—soothes me.

Chappy, intrigued by the fragrant table, was hopping around. I wondered if I could share a little with it. Julius, sighing slightly, offered a small white plate.

"Only this much."

"Thank you."

I offered a piece of cake to Chappy, who opened its mouth wide.

It's so honest and cute, but no one seems to care for it much. I wonder why?

Thank you for reading.

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