By the time I had woken up Leon and got him to help with cleaning up this disaster, and getting a change of clothes to replace the ones I was wearing, a considerable amount of time had passed. Honestly, Iâd like to take my leave already.
ăI ordered the servants to mend your clothes. They should be ready soon, but if I keep monopolizing you like this, Iâm scared of what theyâll say to me later! Iâll arrange for someone to guide you. Iâm sorry, but could you go back to the salon and keep my mothers and sisters company?ă
ăAye aye, sirâŠă
I really donât want to! Thatâs what Iâd like to say, but thereâs a good chance this training ground is being monitored. If I say something careless, it might upset them, so Iâll obediently do as Iâm told. But seriously, are they really mending the clothes by hand? This is a futuristic universe and we are in the Imperial Capital of a galactic empire, shouldnât there be some kind of convenient machine that automatically repairs things?
ăThis way, please.ă
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ăThank you.ă
My guide was a boy with a handsome face. He was one of the boys who had been watching the fight between me, and Leon and the other noble youths at the training ground. Guided by him, I made my way through Marquis Holzâs estate. This estate was a colossal structure that looked like a mega-building. I have no idea how many floors it has, but itâs probably not fewer than fifty. And itâs not just tallâitâs wide, too. How many people live in this massive structure? Itâs definitely not just a hundred or two hundred people. With a structure this ridiculously large, it was almost impossible to reach your destination without a guide. There were hardly any signs or anything like that, either.
ăHow many people live in this mansion, anyway?ă
ăâŠ!? Ah, um⊠I believe itâs close to ten thousand.ă
He seemed startled by my question for a moment but he answered my question. Maybe heâs a bit scared because he saw me thrash the adults in front of him earlier.
ăEven the scale is mindblowing⊠So, there are about nine or eight thousand people living here? Itâs practically a whole town. How do you get essential supplies? Are there shops inside the estate?ă
ăUh, Iâve heard that if you order what you need from your room, it gets delivered directly to your door.ă
ăIs it something like the supply delivery system used in colonies? I see⊠that makes sense.ă
As I listened to the boyâs explanation, I began to wonder about his identity. His knowledge seems secondhand, rather than that of someone who actually lives here as an ordinary resident. He probably doesnât need to worry about such details in his daily life.
ăCould it be that youâre one of the sons of Marquis Holz?ă
ăUh⊠yes. Iâm Camille Halls, the son of the third wife, Beatrix.ă
ăI see. So, youâre a half-sibling to Serena⊠which means, in the future, youâll be my brother-in-law, huh?ă
ăYes, thatâs right.ă
ăI see⊠So, what do you honestly think about a guy like me, whoâs basically a nobody, becoming your sisterâs husband?ă
When I asked that, he stopped walking and seemed to think deeply for a moment.
ăIt probably isnât ideal, I think. Serena-neesama was expected to marry into a family that befits the Holz House.ă
ăYeah, that makes sense.ă
It was an irrefutable argument.
ăBut, Hiro-dono is strong.ă
ăHmm?ă
ăI think itâs fine because youâre strong.ă
ăIs that how it works?ă ÆreewebÉłovel.com
ăI believe so. Father always says it too. For a noble, being underestimated is the end.ă
ăI see.ă
Whatâs the best way to ensure youâre not underestimated? Of course, itâs violenceâat least, thatâs one way to think about it. Iâm not sure if thatâs exactly what they believe, but itâs clear that violence plays a significant role in noble society. Even Leon came at me to see if I had the requisite strength. Itâs also a fact that swords are revered among nobles, and there are even those Drawn Sword Faction crazies who hold considerable influence.
ââ â
While having an idle chat with Camille-kun, we finally arrived at the salon, and thereâŠ
ăSister, can I have him?ă
ăNo, you canât.ă
ăCome on, Sister, why donât you just pick out someone suitable from the military for yourself?ă
ăStop joking around.ă
ăOh, donât be like that. Youâve been single all this time anyway, so thereâs no rush to find a partner. Why not show your big sisterly dignity by letting your adorable little sister have him?ă
ăShall I show my dignity with my sword insteadâŠ?ă
Serena was being heavily teased by her younger sisters. At first glance, it looks like a sweet sceneâher sisters are leaning on her and hugging her like they are innocently pleading with their older sisterâbut what they are saying is pretty harsh. And Serena looks like she is about to explode.
ăUh⊠Iâm back?ă
I called out from the entrance of the salon, and the sisters who had been clinging to Serena instantly slipped away from her. Itâs a little late for you to act like nothing happened, even if you try to act like you werenât bothering Serena, and didnât say anything strange, it wonât fly. Itâs already too late. Way too late.
ăWelcome back, Hiro-dono. Or should I call you Hiro-kun to sound more familiar?ă
ăWouldnât Hiro-sama be more appropriate? After all, he is the head of a viscount house.ă
ăArenât you being a little excessive? I think just adding â-sanâ is just right, donât you, Hiro-san?ă
The sisters, who had been eyeing me critically before I left the salon, had completely changed their attitudes. Itâs too late for that, you know. Thereâs no way Iâm going to be won over by such shallow flattery. This is starting to feel like a hassle⊠Maybe I should just leave now; they can return my clothes at a later date.