Chapter 29

As Aika made her way through the covered corridor that led from the secluded part of the mansion to the outside, she approached a detached house. Two houses stood side by side, and one of them was used as the living quarters for the male staff. Aika, in her pajamas, had come to one of the rooms.

"Are you here, Dad?"

Aika, who usually kept a clear distinction between work and personal life, called her father "John" when he was off duty. After waiting for John's response, Aika entered the room.

"It's rare to see you here at this time..."

John, who was sitting in a chair and polishing his weapons, turned his head and frowned.

"Aika... you're at that age, and I won't say much, but can't you be a bit more careful? We have Latts' room here too, you know?"

Aika's pajama-clad appearance was enough to stimulate any man. Moreover, they had guests. John thought she should have a bit more caution. However, Aika didn't seem to mind and smiled.

"It's fine, Dad. Latts is probably with Mina right now."

"Is that okay?"

Both Aika and John knew that it wasn't a matter of mutual affection; Latts was being teased unilaterally.

(Latts... poor guy...)

John smiled wryly and sympathized with his young colleague. Aika slipped past him and approached a chest placed against the wall. She narrowed her eyes happily as she looked at the framed photos displayed on top of it.

"Of course..."

A small glass with a little alcohol was placed in front of a few of the framed photos. There was also a glass with alcohol on the table next to John. Whenever something happened, John would pour alcohol into two glasses and place one in front of the framed photos. The photo showed a beautiful woman with strong eyes, smiling. Her eyes were not unlike Aika's.

"What did you talk about today, Mom?"

Ekaterina Simon—Aika's mother, who had passed away at a young age. She had been a member of the First Knight Regiment like her husband and later took on the task of protecting the Duke's family. Aika picked up one of the framed photos and prepared a small glass for herself before sitting across from John. John silently poured alcohol into her glass. In Filfarria, one is considered an adult at fifteen. At eighteen, Aika was old enough to drink. However, she didn't drink much.

"It's expensive, you know?"

"Hehe..."

John gave a brief explanation to Aika, who blushed and took a small sip of the alcohol. Surprisingly, it went down smoothly, and Aika sighed as she looked at the photo in her hand. It was a photo taken with a camera gifted from a foreign country. In the background was the garden of the Orpheus mansion, with the young John and Ekaterina on either side. Between them were three girls: the oldest, Cecilia; the next, Elise; and the youngest, Aika. After John and Ekaterina got married and Ekaterina retired from her duties, John took over the task. As a result, they were offered living quarters within the Orpheus mansion, where Aika was born. Cecilia, being the youngest of the royal family at the time and without any younger siblings, had taken in the orphan Elise and treated Aika, who was born in the same house, like a real sister. Aika also looked up to Cecilia and Elise as real sisters. No one had expected that her mother would pass away suddenly a few years after this photo was taken. She died of an incurable disease.

"Hmm..."

Trying to avoid the memories, Aika took a stronger sip of the alcohol.

"Hey, take it easy..."

Ignoring John's concern, Aika held out her glass. Reluctantly, John refilled it.

"I told Eka that I've given her the sword and shield as a keepsake."

Due to the alcohol, Aika's face was flushed as she fanned herself. John told her this. Aika, after taking another sip, turned back to the photo.

"Mom, I'll use your sword and shield. I won't slack off in my training..."

Blushing, Aika smiled.

"I'll work hard to be able to protect Cecilia's children at any time... just like you protected Cecilia... so, please watch over me."

Aika bowed to the photo and then, unsteadily, poured herself more alcohol.

(My daughter is so weak against alcohol...)

John, watching Aika silently, couldn't help but exclaim in his heart. She was already tipsy after just a few glasses.

(No doubt, it's Eka's blood...)

Remembering that his late wife was also weak against alcohol, John smiled wryly. Aika, feeling hot, unbuttoned her pajamas and started pouring herself more alcohol.

"You have work tomorrow, right? Let's make this the last one."

"Aw..."

Aika complained as John took the bottle away.

"It's so delicious..."

"Just take it slow. How about we have a drink together with the three of us next time?"

"Ugh..."

Aika pouted childishly and then, as if giving up, drank the remaining alcohol in one go.

"Definitely."

Aika emphasized and said, "Goodnight, Dad," before leaving the room. John sighed as he watched her go.

"Maybe I should get some lower-alcohol drinks ready..."

Smiling at his wife's photo, John swallowed the alcohol in his glass.

---

"Phew..."

Aika sighed softly as she stepped into the corridor. Despite knowing it was wrong, she had been a bit too indulgent with her father. Aika gently tapped her head.

(I need to pull myself together...)

She had work the next day. Exciting and unpredictable work awaited her. Aika felt truly happy to serve the Turkis family.

"Alright..."

Encouraging herself, Aika tried to head back to her room. She was a bit unsteady from the alcohol, but it wasn't too bad. Her room was just nearby.

Just as she was about to start walking, Aika finally noticed someone standing next to her.

"...Latts?"

Aika tilted her head as she saw Latts, who was standing motionless with his hand on the doorknob, staring at her. Latts' face was red. Had he been drinking too, like her? Or was he feeling unwell?

"How—"

As Aika approached to ask what was wrong, she suddenly realized what she had been doing in her father's room.

"......!?"

Her cheeks turned bright red as she looked down at her pajamas. It wasn't because of the alcohol. The top of her pajamas was wide open, and she had unbuttoned it herself because she felt hot from the alcohol.

"S-Sorry!"

Hastily covering her chest with her arms, Aika stumbled away from the scene. After Aika ran off, Latts, who had been frozen in place, slowly collapsed. He had been pushed to his limit by Mina, Misha, and now Aika. Blood dripped from his nose as he knelt on the floor.

"What's wrong with the chastity of our maids..."

Weakly muttering, Latts managed to grab the doorknob again.

(Come on, Latts...)

John, who had been secretly watching his daughter out of concern, shed a tear and silently cheered for his young colleague.