Chapter 11

I am Yuria von Vandeed. I live alone after coming of age, and I'm actually a lady-in-waiting to the princess!

Suddenly, I was summoned by the Crown Prince and learned that my father had been involved in something terrible, which shocked me!

When I decided to rush back home, it turned out that Prince Albert Agares, who serves as the Minister of War, would accompany me... What will happen to me and my family?!

Well, the reason it turned out like a shoujo manga from the 80s is...

To be honest, I got motion sickness on the dragon. But I don't think it's my fault.

Listen. There's no way I can be compared to a brainless musclehead who can gallop alone as a soldier, and I, who can only ride as a form of noble etiquette!

Moreover, the dragon I rode this time was a top-notch military dragon, trained by a super skilled royal trainer. The speed was completely different from anything else.

I thought I was going to die. No, really.

I really didn't know what would happen. First to me, then to my family.

"Wow, to be able to ride like that on your first try, you're really something!"

While laughing heartily and patting my back, Prince Albert Agares, whom I glared at a bit while trying to suppress my nausea, and I managed to arrive at my family home by late night, having left the castle in the evening. This is a surprising record... I'll never do it again.

Considering my past experiences, it usually takes a day and a half to get here by regular carriage, but it really took only half a day, just as Prince Albert Agares said. Military dragons are amazing.

By the way, this dragon is not only valuable but also known for its wild temperament and selectiveness of riders.

The one I rode this time is one of the military dragons that Prince Albert Agares has raised. It's very intelligent, but the reason it's not available to the general public is its wild temperament and selectiveness of riders, and the biggest drawback is the cost of feed. It seems to eat a lot because it moves so much.

By the way, Princess Primera also has a female dragon named Shaina, and I've fed her a few times. It seems that because Primera and I have been involved in the care of the young dragons since we were young, Shaina only gets close to us and the trainer, Tail.

But if dragons are so fast, I might need my own dragon to keep up with Princess Primera... I don't think I could keep up with a regular horse if I were asked to ride Shaina for a long trip!

Anyway, I came back without any warning, so my stepmother... my mother-in-law will surely be angry.

From what I've gathered from my father's complaints, after I left, she spent a lot to integrate herself into society, but since we are a poor viscount family, my father was strict with her. My father, on the other hand, married my mother out of love, and when their daughter turned out to be unattractive, and his beloved wife died of illness, he was advised to remarry and ended up with a strong-willed woman who was the complete opposite of his preferences. However, since she was the daughter of someone with a higher position and with whom he had professional dealings, he couldn't treat her rudely, but loving her would be a burden... That's how it was, but is my brother okay in such a family environment?

"O, Miss?!"

"I'm sorry for coming back suddenly, but where are my father and stepmother?"

"The master and mistress are in the salon... but, that person..."

"What is it?!"

"T-this is the mistress, Miss has returned—"

"I don't know such a daughter. Why do you have the right to step into this Viscount Vandeed household in such a dirty outfit?!"

"Stop it, Fran!!"

"I apologize for coming without warning, Father. Do you know why I'm here?"

"...To apologize to Fran?"

"No, it's not. Kaien, I'm sorry, but please prepare tea for the number of people and clear the room."

"Unattractive and after going out, suddenly returning and acting like the head of the household, why do you allow this?!"

"Fran, that's enough! The person over there is..."

"YOU!!!!"

Is my stepmother really that hysterical?

She has settled into the position of the head's wife and even given birth to an heir. What is she dissatisfied with now that the bothersome eldest daughter is gone?

The butler, Kaien, who understands me, bowed politely and whispered to me.

"The mistress just asked the master to buy a new dress, and he refused, so she's in a bad mood. Miss, is that person a good person?"

"No, he's not. This is Prince Albert Agares. Treat him with respect. Hurry up, please."

"Oh... I am terribly sorry. I am the butler of the Vandeed household, Kaien. Please follow me to the guest room. This way, please."

"Indeed. Yuria, those are your parents. Quite interesting, aren't they?!"

"Your Highness, you're not praising them, are you?"

"Of course not."

He smiled in a manly way, and I was exasperated but couldn't deny it. After all, when I loudly announced that the Prince was here, my stepmother was busy grabbing her husband, who wasn't listening, and my father, the head of the household, was struggling to calm his wife and ended up being scratched.

I could sigh openly without anyone getting angry.

"Ah, sister...?"

"Merak!"

Merak Lavie von Vandeed, my adorable younger brother. At 15, he has already made his debut in society. He compared my sudden visit with his parents' argument, then looked at Prince Albert Agares, widened his eyes, and hurriedly rolled down from his room on the second floor. He immediately knelt and said, "It is my first time to meet the Prince," but he stumbled over his words.

Let me repeat that.

He stumbled over his words right at the beginning of the important greeting. And quite badly.

"...Your Highness, this is my brother, Merak Lavie. He made his debut this year."

"O-oh..."

The Prince seemed to have a conscience, as he was shaking his shoulders, trying hard not to laugh.

Ah... I hope this Prince doesn't go around telling people that the Vandeed household is an interesting family... I'm fine, but I'm worried about my brother's future... No, wait, if Princess Primera thinks we come from such an interesting family, what will I do?

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"So, Father. Do you understand what's going on? I hope you're not going to say you don't understand at this point. I know it's hard to say, but there are times when you have to. I realize that I shouldn't have gone along with the temporary disownment, but Father, as the head of the Vandeed household, you've done so many things that it's a problem. But I never thought that all these things might be connected. I'm sure you want to know how I found out, but I want you to explain it first, including your excuses."

"...The anger of a daughter is terrifying. Isn't that right, Viscount Vandeed?"

"Y-yes, but... my wife is more terrifying... or rather, my daughter is terrifying now..."

"So?"

It seems that my father was more afraid of Prince Albert Agares's smile than my non-stop speech. He bowed his head and said in a small voice that the purpose of my visit might be about the Duchess.

Naturally, my stepmother shouted, and my brother sighed, sensing a confrontation. This is the scene of the confrontation!

Butler Kaien is standing calmly, but he must be fainting. He's old, so I hope he's not being taken away. He'll be okay, right?

"Well, I don't deny love itself, but you are already married, and the Duchess is of a completely different status. And I want to confirm—do you know?"

He didn't say "what," but it must be about the pregnancy. It's just a rumor, and according to Prince Albert Agares, given his age, the possibility is too low.

"Is the Duchess pregnant? No, I don't think so."

"Hmm, how can you be so sure?"

"I know that she is sought after by many men, not just me. But she is a goddess who has descended to earth!"

"...What?"

Hold on.

Even if my father is a bit of a dud, his answer is too far-fetched, and everyone is frozen.

A goddess? What is a goddess? And he's saying it openly that there were other men? What is this?

"Don't you understand! Her beauty is not human! From her noble lineage as a princess of the Shagran royal family, her grace is undeniable. She is an angel sent to earth!"

Hey, wasn't it a goddess before?

Oh... I shouldn't be so mean, even in my head.

But it's just too far-fetched.

"I and others just want to be loved by her. Physical relationship? It's not necessary. Just a gentle smile is enough to fulfill my love!"

"Wow, it feels like I'm looking at a religious person."

"Father... I didn't expect this..."

"You..."

My stepmother and brother looked at my father as if he were an alien. Of course, so did Prince Albert Agares and I.

"Sorry to interrupt your moment of joy, but that person is not of the Shagran royal blood."

"...What?"

We were all speechless, including my father, at the Prince's matter-of-fact and exasperated statement.