Chapter 7

No one told me about the important matter of the family growing, nor did they even confirm it with me. It happened due to a series of coincidences, but it cast a shadow over my heart.

"From now on, if there's any information that needs to be shared, it would be helpful if you could let me know through the servants."

"I don't like that, Liliane. It feels like you're treating your daughter as an outsider if you convey important matters through servants. Please don't say such things."

Even if I hear the detailed circumstances afterward, it's too late. I ended up saying something that sounded like a reproach, and Mother sighed deeply, so I stopped speaking further. I heard from Mother's maid, Eda, that Mother and Father had a quarrel because they both failed to convey the necessary information to me. Although I was blamed for being the cause, I wanted to argue that I had no fault.

Mother, who manages the household, had the duty to inform me, and it would have been fine if she had told me in the car. When I asked if there were any matters to note, Father forgot to tell me about the circumstances of my original family. I do think both of them are at fault, but I knew that pointing it out would only make the matter more troublesome and yield no benefits, so I ended the conversation.

I also thought that not having the necessary conversations might make it seem like I was treating the matter lightly, but I didn't say it out loud.

That's why I couldn't tell my friends, "I didn't know about it," and I introduced Nina as someone I had forgotten to mention, on the day of her transfer. I said, "She has been very busy," but I was worried that they might think I wasn't welcoming her, which made me feel heavy-hearted.

Nina, suddenly thrown into a different environment, must be anxious, but since she is a noble lady attending the academy, she should have been educated about joining the noble society and should not have any trouble due to differences in habits or culture. However, I didn't leave it to good intentions alone. As the daughter of the family that took her in, I accompanied her to her new class on her first day and introduced her to her classmates. Knowing that she is under the protection of the Agette family, I thought no one would have improper intentions, even if she is a light mage.

Fortunately, there were several young ladies who admired me after I acted in a play last year, so I subtly told them about Nina's family situation and asked them to inform the other classmates discreetly after we parted ways. This way, the same thing wouldn't happen again.

"Ah, I'm honored to meet you. I have been granted the light magic and am now welcomed into the Agette family. My name is Nina!"

"You are the light mage welcomed into the Agette family. Nice to meet you, I am Reinold Soars Anastacio-Kronheim, the third prince of this country, but during my time at this academy, I would like to be treated as a fellow student."

"I am honored to meet you!"

To inform the entire academy about Nina's guardian and family, I also introduced her to my friends. For lunch, I usually have it with noble young ladies or, if invited, with Prince Reinold, but today it was a large group gathering to introduce Nina. There were also some of the prince's aides, who are usually not present during our lunches. Since I don't interact with them much, I only told them my name and family background.

"Prince Reinold... Can I call you Reinold? If my brother is here, it's easier to call you by your name!"

"......I don't mind."

The prince glanced at me for a moment, so I just smiled. Mother told me that I had learned the minimum etiquette to be tolerated, and indeed, the prince allowed it. I was a bit surprised, but it seemed fine.

Many of the prince's aides are also engaged to my friends, so I left the introductions to them. Although there were no students of the same grade as Nina present, they all have younger siblings who could help if needed. Before lunch, I told them not to bring up Nina's family situation, but I also needed to inform her family about these matters.

When I got home, I wrote six letters to the prince's aides and to the younger siblings of my friends, asking them to help with Nina's school life. The letters to the younger siblings of the prince's aides had to be delivered through their older brothers. Although this is the correct method for writing to people I don't interact with, I felt a bit guilty about using the prince as a mail intermediary.

The next day, when I went to pick her up for lunch, Nina was surrounded by many noble young ladies in the classroom. I was surprised by her social skills, thinking she had already made friends. Of course, they were not having a serious conversation; I could tell they were talking to her in cheerful voices.

"Ah, Agette-senpai!"

"Everyone, thank you for being kind to Nina. It seems she has made wonderful classmates, and I am happy as her sister."

"Such...! We haven't done anything to deserve your gratitude!"

"No, I am happy that my sister has made friends so quickly. But I am also very happy to have a new sister. I'm sorry for monopolizing her for lunch today."

"No! Not at all!"

I might have acted a bit too much like an older sister. Since Alphonse, the brother closest to me in age, was studying abroad, and I didn't overlap with the other siblings during my school years, I wasn't sure how to act correctly.

When I called out to my friends waiting outside the classroom, I heard a cute, playful voice from behind, "You talked to her!" Nina had already become so popular. I was glad.

On the way to the salon for lunch, I asked if she had any problems, but she said she was fine. I realized there might be things she couldn't say in front of others, so I made a mental note to ask again in the car on the way back.

I had planned to invite her to lunch for a while to help her get used to the environment, but at this rate, it might not be necessary. It would be more important for her to make friends in her class and deepen those friendships.

Thinking about this, I asked if she would like to have lunch with the classmates we just talked to, but she looked sad.

"......If I join, I will be a bother... I am very sorry, Lady Liliane. Mixing with your friends..."

"That's not what I meant. I'm sorry... I thought it would be more comfortable for you to spend time with people your own age. ...How about this, let's invite them to our lunch tomorrow. Nina, can you invite them for me?"

"Such...! It would be too presumptuous for me to speak to noble ladies. I can't do it."

She said this in a frightened manner, and I, as well as my friends, were at a loss. ...Since she is still not used to it, I decided not to force her.

At home, she calls me "sister," but at school, she can't help using the formal and respectful language that commoners use with nobles, as she is still nervous. I asked her to treat me as family, but if I say it too much, it might feel like an order and make her uncomfortable, so it's hard to point out.

I hope she gets used to it soon. While thinking about this, I entered the salon and took my seat.

"When will Prince Reinold and the others arrive?"

When Nina asked this while looking around the room, I was taken aback and probably had a blank look on my face.

"......I don't always have lunch with the prince. Yesterday was for introducing you."

"Ah... I see."

For some reason, Nina looked disappointed, which made me a bit worried. But I couldn't call the prince, so...

I tried to cheer her up during lunch, but her bright, cheerful smile didn't return, either during lunch or in the car on the way back.