Chapter 61
"Lady Cecilia, Lord Minato, thank you for coming all this way. Lord Albert is expecting you. Please, right this way."
My task was to escort Lady Cecilia—officially "Cecilia Rose Bergand", Lord Albert’s elder sister—and her husband, Minato Raika Bergand, to his side. I couldn’t help but feel nervous, but I steeled myself. This was an important duty, and I’d do my best.
"Oh, Yuka? It is you, right? Eeeek! Al’s little wife! You’re even prettier than in the photos! Just call me ‘Cecily,’ okay?"
Lady Cecilia winked as she spoke. She was far friendlier than I’d expected. From the stories, I’d braced for someone far more… intense.
"A pleasure. I’m Minato, her husband. We wondered what kind of person Al’s wife would be, but to meet someone as lovely as you… He’s a lucky man."
Lord Minato smiled and extended a hand for a handshake. Surprisingly warm. I’d heard he was blunt, but this was a pleasant surprise.
At their feet were two children—a boy and a girl, around four or five. The boy hid shyly behind Lord Minato, while the girl bounded toward me with sparkling eyes.
"A maid~! So pretty~! You smell nice~! I’m Marin!"
"…N-Nice to meet you. I’m Noct…"
The girl clinging to my legs was Marin Aster Bergand, and the bashful boy was Noct Ring Bergand—Lord Minato and Lady Cecilia’s children.
"My apologies for the delay. I am Yuka, one of Lord Albert’s familiars, serving as his handmaid. I am also his kin and his fiancée. It’s an honor to make your acquaintance."
And so, I welcomed Lord Albert’s sister and her family into the manor.
"Sister, Mina, Marin, Noct—thank you for coming. I appreciate the long journey."
"Fufu. No need for stiff greetings, Al. You look well~!"
"You seem brighter than before, Al. Is Yuka to thank?"
"Guess so. Let’s drop the formalities. I am doing better—thanks to Yuka and the manor’s familiars. Lately, Yuka’s been my energy. Just holding her eases the curse’s pain. I could stay like that forever."
"Wah~! He’s bragging without even realizing it, Mina!"
"Wow! Al gushing about love? It really changes a man."
"…Stop. It’s embarrassing."
"Hm? Hmm? Blushing? Are you blushing, Al~?"
"Fufu. Your face is scarlet, Al."
"Shut up! I know!"
"Eeeek! Al’s mad~! Save me, Mina~!"
"There there. As long as Ceci’s happy."
"Damn you… stupid couple!"
Lord Albert and Lady Cecilia bantered with effortless familiarity. Meanwhile, I’d been asked to watch over Marin and Noct, so I joined their play.
"Hey hey, Yuka! Play with us~!"
"Of course. What shall we play?"
"Hmm… Let’s play house!"
"As you wish."
"Yay! Noct! Noct! Yuka’s gonna play with us!"
Marin was a whirlwind of energy, her expressions shifting like the seasons—utterly captivating.
"…Um, Yuka?"
"Yes? What is it?"
"Uhh… Can I… too?"
"Of course. Come here."
"Mhm…"
"Noct, c’mon, hurry!"
"Sis, don’t pull…"
Noct was quiet and reserved, his timid fidgeting endearing. Their sibling bond warmed my heart.
"So, Al. Calling us here means you’re finally crushing them for good, right?"
"Yeah. I’ve decided."
"Even if… it means cutting down a friend?"
"We’re already on opposite sides. And because he’s my friend… I’ll be the one to end him."
Then, Lord Albert declared:
"We will slay Kaiser Hughes Foster, the Supreme Demon Cult’s founder—and his son, Claude Rouge Foster. This war ends here."
A declaration of war against the curse that tormented him.
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