This chapter by itself did not take long (since nothing really happened), but work has been busy for the past month, and will continue to be for the next two weeks. The Author had initially planned to release chapter 26 by New Year, since that's when anything exciting happen. But that seems impossible now.

Chapter 23: La Vallière's Eldest

The sun passed the highest point in the sky long ago. The audience with Princess took as long as I expected it to.

But it was much more exhausting than I thought. Father suddenly said all those disrespectful things, and then Sister Eléonore complained about her job; what does she think Princess's job is?

Well, I can finally relax; we've arrived at Father's kingdom-provided house in the noble's residential area. It hasn't been used since Father retired, but it is still here and has not been transferred to anyone else.

Back then, I came here a lot, visiting the palace during the day to play with Princess while Father worked, and coming back here in the evening. Those were happy days.

Luka: "This is your temporary house? It's pretty big." Luka stares, looking a little bit surprised.

"How is this big. This is tiny."

Luka: "Compared to your castle, maybe, but it's still two times bigger than most houses."

Geez, this guy needs to get used to how nobles live already.

This white, two-storey house of standard Tristanian architecture looks almost exactly the same as every other one in the area. That's not how Nobles' society works.

We present our wealth and authority through our place of residence as much as titles. These identical looking houses promote equality under the crown, which is a good thing while we are in the capital, but they also reduce our outward authority: a significant aspect of nobles.

Well, it's clean, and the food, being prepared by workers sent from the palace at the moment, was pretty good as I recall, so I won't complain out loud.

It has been a long time since I last visited the place. This white cobblestones road looks just like back then: clean and smooth, without any crack. It's maintained by magic, so that's kind of a given.

Magic lamps evenly spaced on the edge of the road, small gardens with benches and several sets of table-and-chairs occupying spaces between houses, men and women in simple (but not plain) clothes engaging in casual conversations: it was all novel to me when I was a child. So many houses so close to together, so many strangers to see.

Now I'm old enough to realise how special it really is for nobles who each own pieces of land to live together in one area and are able to converse so freely. This is like a 'nobles village', however contradictory that might sound.

Hey, speaking about houses, Luka still hasn't answered my question from back then.

"What did you say your house was like again?"

Luka: "Eh?"

"Your house. I don't think the question is so difficult to understand."

Luka: "I just wonder why you're suddenly asking about that."

"It's not sudden. I already asked you once, when we got back from Albion. You didn't give me an answer back then."

Luka: "Now that you say it...We might have talked about this once."

"We did. Now, will you finally give me an answer?"

Luka: "Well, I can, but why are you so hung up on it?"

"You got to see my house, even lived in it for two months, and...got to know Sister Chii in some way I don't know about."

Which is so very infuriating.

Luka: "How is that related? ...Well, if you really want to know, I can tell you, but there's nothing interesting."

"I'll be the judge of that. Just talk."

Luka: "Am I under interrogation? ...Well, okay. So, I told you I have two houses; the old one I was born in and the one I currently live in now."

"You did." Your 'really current house' is with me though. "But you said it so vaguely I had to ask again."

Luka: "Yeah. Well, which one do you want to hear about first?"

"Just tell me everything. No need to keep anything, is there."

Luka: "So pushy."

"Answer; not complain."

Luka: "The house I was born in is on a continent called Ilias, though its size is only about Tristain, looking at the map, I think? I grew up in a village at the southern edge of the continent, Iliasville."

Luka gazes down the mostly empty street.

Luka: "Well, the village was even smaller than this place, fewer houses, only around thirty people total. ...But everyone is close; we all know each other by face and name. There were smithy, grocer, lumberjack, something like that."

"So it's a mid-size, rundown, hillbilly of a village."

Luka: "That comment is unnecessary."

"Still, there are stores? Establishments? How could a normal village have enough money for economy to exist? Just what kind of lord your village has?"

Luka: "Eh? We don't have one though."

...

...Ha?

"Don't have what?"

Luka: "There is no lord. No one owns the village."

"Ha? No one? How does that work? What kind of country is that?"

Luka: "Oh, you're using this place as a reference. Hmm...back home, we don't divide lands like you do here. A king or a queen would rule the entire country. They do assign people to take care of certain big towns or cities, but the authority is ultimately with the ruler; uninhabited area like forests and small villages with few people, for example, are all considered under the king's watch. There isn't really a duke or a count or something like that."

"Ha? What the heck is that? How do they even take care of anything?"

Luka: "Um...It has been kind of like that since forever, so I've never thought about it. I guess they manage somehow?"

"What about nobles? Didn't you say you know some nobles? If the kings govern all the lands, how would there be any noble?"

Luka: "On my side of the world, nobles are basically just people in high positions; they don't need to be a mage or rule anything."

"What the heck...Your countries are too weird."

Luka: "Don't make that face at people's countries."

But they are weird; I'm just stating the facts.

"And your country is like that too, I assume?"

Luka: "Ah, no, Ilias Continent doesn't have a country."

...

"...Haa."

Luka: "...I prefer the badmouthing over that."

I completely forgot about it: talking about this guy's home always give me headaches. I shouldn't have asked.

"Then what kind of lawless barbaric tribe your village is?"

Luka: "Why are you so quick to call us lawless... Huh? Now that I think about it, what law were we using again?"

"Haa..."

Luka: "Stop that. ...Ah, right, I remember: Ilias Temple. We used Ilias's teaching to decide what's good and bad back then. Nowadays, Iliasburg, the biggest city is the center of the continent, so the basic laws are kind of adapted from what the town's representatives decided together. Other places have their own small rules and such though."

That's so primitive.

"What temple again?" Their religion is probably different from ours.

Luka: "Ilias Temple. A temple of Goddess Ilias."

"Goddess? So that's your god?"

Luka: "Ah, um, yeah, back then."

Why the suddenly nervousness? Suspicious.

"Back then? What does that mean? What about now?"

Luka: "Uh...Well...Ilias isn't around anymore so...we kind of changed."

"Changed? Isn't around anymore? What the heck are you talking about? Can God be gone?"

He looks uncomfortable now.

Luka: "W—Well...She's kind of dead..."

"Dead... God, dead...?"

Luka: "...Yeah."

...

"Why?"

Luka: "Why...what?"

"Why is your God dead?"

Luka looks surprised. I'm surprised at myself too. I can't believe I haven't gone crazy yet. Have I got too used to this guy's shenanigans for my own good?

Luka: "...Can I not say it?"

"You can't. You've come this far with this...madness; take responsibility and finish it. Think of the feeling of someone who has to listen to all the absurdity."

Luka looks very hesitant.

Luka: "...Ilias was going to remake the world. We didn't accept it, so we fought back, and won."

"...What era was the setting for that fairytale?"

Luka: "...About five years ago. I...All of us still alive today basically saw all of it happened with our own eyes, so there's no mistake."

A headache. An agonising one. Running down all the way to my legs and feet. Who even talk about this kind of long-winded story in the middle of the street. I just asked what should've been a simple question; how did we even reach this...I don't even know what to call this. It can't be called a delusion, because this guy certainly isn't insane; not in that sense.

Right, this guy once said something about there being only one moon. Maybe they destroyed the moon in their fight with their God or something. That's enough. Stop thinking about it. Just let reality be doomed for all I care.

"So, what happened after that. How do you guys live after killing your own God? How do you decide good and evil? Or does the concept just not exist anymore; that's why you can live alongside devils."

Luka: "I told you they're not devils. Ilias herself is gone, but some of her old teachings still work. San Ilia, the old center of Ilias's faith, became the center of the new faith. Other countries still use their own laws. Things haven't really changed that much; we just live alongside monsters and angels now."

Monsters are devils, while angels are another group that aren't human or devils, but are still enemies to Founder; even the Prayer Book said so.

Wait, wasn't there something about Goddess in there as well? Assuming Luka really came from the Holy Land, they would be the same one.

"Does this Goddess of yours have anything to do with the angels?"

Luka: "Yeah. Ilias was the leader of the angels."

"So...that Evil God something was the leader of devils?"

Luka: "Not devils. Yeah, something like that."

"Where is it? Don't tell me it's already killed too?" That would be a good thing.

Luka: "She was sealed, along with the rest of Six Ancestors."

Six Ancestors? Didn't he say the name once, some time ago? I forgot, and it probably should remain that way, for my sanity's sake.

"That means right now your country, land, whatever, only has humans, devils, and angels jumbled together without leaders?"

Luka: "Not devils. There are the kings and the queens of each country. ...Well, there is Demon Lord who is like the queen of all monsters, though she doesn't really use her authority or rules anyone all that much. By the way, I've been repeating myself since earlier, but the monsters aren't evil."

"With names like 'Demon Lord' and 'Evil God', how can it not be evil."

Luka: "It's just how the title is called. These days we don't associate 'demon' with 'evil' anymore, and the Evil God was sealed over a thousand years ago."

Their 'common sense' doesn't sound common at all. They're alien.

So, the leader of the devils and angels are gone. Could the place be safer than I thought...a little? No, less danger doesn't necessarily mean safer.

This is getting confusing.

"Let's just stop here. I almost forgot the original topic. What is your second house? Why did you move?"

If I knew it's going to get so long talking about his first house, I would've asked the second one first.

Luka: "Ah, I live in Demon Lord Castle. ...I kind of work there."

"..."

This is...no matter which of the houses I asked first we'd have to stray from the topic anyway.

"Since we're here I'll just ask: what kind of job?"

Luka: "What kind of job..."

Luka cups his chin and scrunches his face. He must be straining that chaotic clutter of a brain he has.

Luka: "...Whenever there's a conflict that has to do with coexistence of different races and people's well-being in general, I go there and cooperate with the local leaders for a peaceful solution...That's my job, I guess."

"Ha? ...Isn't that the Lord's duty?"

Luka: "Eh...Ah—yeah, it is. I'm kind of her assistant."

"The Lord's assistant." Wait no; considering the place he lives in... "...Demon Lord's assistant?"

Luka: "...Yeah."

...What do I even think? Should I believe it? Should I be surprised?

"...You told me once you know some nobles; so this is what you meant."

Luka: "Yeah. And because of my job, I got to meet the kings and the queens of each country."

This guy, if the fantastical aspect is put aside...

"You're pretty similar to me, aren't you."

Luka: "Eh? Similar?"

"I'm Princess's companion, aren't I. And I'm trusted enough to be tasked with important and even confidential missions."

Luka: "If you put it that way...I guess."

"True, I'm originally a noble anyway, but it's because I was Princess's companion that I got to meet Chamberlain La Porte, and Prince Wales. I even got humiliated in front of all the big nobles and got detained in the palace. Most nobles don't go through even a single one of that all their life."

Luka: "Ah, I see. We're kind of similar that way."

Is it just me or Luka suddenly agreed when I listed all the horrible incidents?

Luka: "...You look happy."

"Happy? Happy about what?"

Luka: "I don't know; it's just, you smiled."

"You're just seeing things."

My heart feels tickled at the thought that we are similar. I'm not sure why it happened, but it's not a bad feeling.

"Whatever. It's almost time for dinner. Get in the house already."

Luka: "Alright. I eat with the workers, right?"

"Obviously. The school was an exception; when there are others present you have to stay in your place. Understood?"

Luka: "I don't agree with it completely, but of course I'd have got it after all this time."

Luka opened the door for me without being told; he really has got used to doing this.

There it is, the familiar hallway, after so many years...

"...So small."

Luka: "This is normal. Your house was just too big."

They are both correctly called 'hallways', so how can they be so different? Just three steps in and the living room is immediately to the left. Three more steps and it's the stairway to the second floor, which isn't even half as wide as the one back home. I can't even stretch my arms all the way without hitting the hard wall to the left.

The 'hallway' that leads into the back of the house can barely fit three of me, and the very back of the house itself is just fifty steps at most from the entrance, which means this house can't be more than fifteen mails, front to back. It's just a bit bigger than the stable back home.

I don't remember minding all this back when I was a child. Maybe this place was just the right size for how small I was back then. Now I'm a grown lady, so it feels cramped.

The back of the house is a dining...room, not hall. This place is tiny compared to my house, but I guess it's only logical, since this house isn't supposed to be used for receiving a large number of guests.

Pierre: "Louise, come sit down; the meal is ready."

Father not sitting at the head of the table is quite a strange picture. My seat is beside Sister Eléonore; opposite of Father. The chairs and the table are a bit small, but they are not poorly made by any means. Luka gets in his position beside another servant employed by the palace.

The food looks pretty close to what we have at the house, if a little of a step down in extravagance. I don't fuss about food that much anyway; as long as it tastes and looks well enough, I'm good.

[...]

It did taste pretty good. Chefs employed by the royal palace really are something. The servants took the dishes away, leaving only Luka still in the room with us.

Eléonore: "The trial is in two days, isn't it, Father?"

Pierre: "That's right. You will return to the institute before that, I believe? You said the leaves you asked for ended just today."

Eléonore: "Tomorrow is Day of Void; even if I were to go back, there wouldn't be anything of importance to do. I believe I shall go see the trial as well. It is quite a commotion, so it should work as an excuse for the day."

"Sister Eléonore...Are you sure you don't just want to skip work?"

Eléonore: "Hush. A shrimp who skipped classes an entire week doesn't get to say that to people."

"It's just one time..."

Eléonore: "What was that? If you have something to say, say it clearly."

"Nothing, Sister..."

Eléonore: "Anyway. Tomorrow is Day of Void. Louise, you will go into the city with me."

"Eh? Where to?"

Eléonore: "To buy your necessities, of course. Your new semester is just around the corner; we'll use this chance to discard what's too old and buy new ones. You should know what a noble use in their daily routines reflects their status."

"There's no need for that. What I have now are still usable..."

Going into the city with Sister Eléonore; I feel the dread just thinking about it.

Eléonore: "No buts. Do you want it to be like that time again, when you stubbornly held onto a worn-out pair of underwear until the elastic snapped in the middle of the hallways. Have you forgotten about that?"

Kyaaaaaaa!

"T-T-That was just one time!"

Arrrgh! Why does she have to bring that old thing up now—in front of Luka, no less! That idiot isn't laughing, but that expression—I know he's thinking about that one time with the laundry! Don't you dare say it!

Eléonore: "Then there's the uniform you wore to Albion; it must be worn out by now, so we're going to order a new one. You will go with me tomorrow to do that, no question. Am I understood?"

"G...Guh..."

Eléonore: "You mean 'yes'."

"Y—Yes...Sister..."

Pierre: "I'll go with you."

Eléonore: "We're just going to shop for woman's things; there's no need for Father to accompany us. Please just take a rest, or better yet, go meet people; this is a rare chance that so many nobles gather at the capital."

Pierre: "Ah, okay, if you say so..."

Father looks disappointed. Though I feel a bit guilty, I'm more glad for the lessened pressure.

Pierre: "But still, is it really fine just the two of you? Aren't you going to buy quite a lot? "

Eléonore: "We have Louise's familiar for that. That's just the kind of work expect of him. On the off chance something worse does happens, he would work just as well as a shield. Wouldn't you?"

Luka: "Eh, ah, yes."

Pierre: "Hmph, this brat? Well, if you're sure, I won't say anymore."

Father is still hard on Luka, probably because of the things with Sister Chii.

To be honest, I'm still a bit irritated at him for that. There seems to be some kind of secret between them. Though Sister Chii assured me it was nothing, the fact that he dares to share secrets with my Sister Chii is infuriating.

[...]

[...][...]

The day of dread is here, at last.

A day of mild sunlight at the end of summer wouldn't be so bad, if I'm not in...this state. Wearing this...ankle-length, short-sleeved, light yellow dress, along with purple shawl, and a black beret with slight shade of red, all picked out by my eldest sister, being glanced at by passing pedestrians as I get down from the coach onto the main street of the Capital Tristania.

I know what face I am making even without mirror.

Eléonore: "Don't just stand there. If we don't hurry up we're not going to finish the shopping we planned today."

Sister paid the driver to wait. So we are going to walk from here, which means Sister intends to check out several places. This is getting worse and worse.

"We don't really need to do any shopping though. I have plenty of clothes already."

Eléonore: "That's nonsense. Since you enrolled a year ago, you haven't bought even a simple dress, have you?"

"I—I did! I so did!"

Eléonore: "I wonder about that. Familiar?" Sister looks past me to Luka.

Luka: "Eh? Uh, she bought an underwear to replace the one that snapped once. ...That's about it."

Eléonore: "That's what I thought."

Lu~ka~!

"I bought some last year!"

Eléonore: "What did you buy?"

Oh. I haven't thought that out.

"Uh...uniforms?"

Eléonore: "...Haa"

The hand that holds mine pulls me into a walk. I don't have the will, or excuse, to resist.

Eléonore: "First of all, we'll get some casual clothes, then ones for events. You also need some undergarments. Finally, a pair of riding boots and gloves each. You're still using the same ones you've been using since taking the lessons and never replaced them."

"There's no need. They're still usable."

Eléonore: "No buts. You've always been like this; getting too attached to old things. We always had to force you to go to our family's tailor, or you'll never try to get new ones until what you're using break under you. Waiting until an accident happens will have been too late."

Ugh...They're all truth I can't argue with. But it's not like I'm THAT attached to old things. I only got attached to clothes that Sister Chii made or fixed for me anyway. And the thing with underwear was—it was a long time ago when I was very little. I'm not like that anymore!

Anyhow, buying clothes with Sister Eléonore—worse yet, having her buy clothes for me would be a nightmare.

"Uh, why didn't we just had our family tailors make them for me? Then we wouldn't have to waste money."

It's kind of too late for that, but anything to get me out of this.

Eléonore: "Because you would bother them again, asking them to change this and that because you didn't like the design we picked for you."

Waaahhh!

"I—I don't do that! Not anymore!" I was still a child back then!

Eléonore: "Who knows when it comes to you."

She doesn't believe me; of course. But Luka, my own familiar, has to, right?

Luka: "It's fine, Louise. My—Demon Lord's daughter does that too."

"How is that fine?!" Being compared to a devil! And, is he being serious? A devil young complaining about the clothes made for them? That's so...bizarre.

"And 'your' Demon Lord, huh? How loyal of you. Aren't you forgetting who's your master right now?"

Luka: "That's not what I mean...Okay, I get it. You don't have to remind me of that all the time. It's not like I want to be anyone's familiar in particular, so you don't have to worry about me finding a new master or something."

"You say that, but I've heard you talk about—"

*thud*

"Oof!"

My face hit Sister's back. She stopped while I wasn't looking.

Eléonore: "Don't get too distracted while walking. At least look ahead properly. Geez, you aren't a little kid anymore."

"I...but...Yes, Sister." Why do I keep doing this when Sister is around...

But, since we're stopping, it means we've reached one of the shops Sister wants to take a look at. She pulls me into a shop: a clothing shop. This one is even bigger and looks even fancier that the one I went to last time.

The interior is even more extravagant: shelves made of expensive woods are placed neatly and apart from each other, as if to emphasise how much space the place has to spare. Tapestries with abstract patterns hang on the wall. The clothes on display leave no doubt as to how high their qualities and prices are even to amateurs' eyes. The place might be even gaudier than royal palace, if only in appearance.

Sister only took a glance at the merchandise before going straight to the counter and the man behind it.

Eléonore: "I need clothes for my little sister. Four or five outfits, plus uniforms for Tristain Magic Academy."

The man behind the counter glances at me, and I look down automatically, instinctually.

This.

This is what I dread.

Owner: "Our staff will lead you assist you with the selection."

Staff (F): "This way, please."

Sister Eléonore immediately starts after the woman, then stops to pulls at my hand.

Eléonore: "Come on already." But I don't want to...

I walk, trying hardest not to meet eyes with other customers and staffs. I know most people wouldn't care about what we do, but I don't want to take any risk; I don't want to see those warm gazes used to look at the 'sisters getting along so well'.

Getting dragged by your older sister into clothing store, being half-forced to take measurements, then get clothes bought for you. Only people who experienced it themselves know how tremendously embarrassing it is. Getting used to it once you grew up? No way; it's even more embarrassing.

This is not the 'shopping together' I did with Sister Chii back when I was a child. This is another thing entirely.

Staff (F): "What about this one, milady?"

Eléonore: "Hmm...The colour is too strong. This girl is still a kid; I want one with softer colour."

Staff (F): "Please wait a moment."

The only thing I can do is stand still, only raising my arms when the staff says so, like a doll Sister Eléonore is playing dress-up with.

Seriously embarrassing.

And, look, his master is enduring this terrible fate, but the idiot Luka isn't even trying to help.

...Don't give me that sheepish smile, you useless, no-good familiar.

...

Eléonore: "Looks clumsy; too awkward. Is there a shorter one?"

...

Eléonore: "The colours don't match; what other colours you have for this shawl?"

...

Eléonore: "I am a Square Earth; do you think I wouldn't notice impurities mixed in the fabric. Get us another one."

...

Eléonore: "All right. This should do."

Sister Eléonore folds her arms in satisfaction.

Taking a step feels like uprooting my feet from the ground. My joints scream like a door with rusted hinges; my legs need stretching. I can do it while Sister checks her pocket watch, discreetly.

Eléonore: "Almost time for lunch. We'll continue this in the afternoon. For now, we'll find a place to eat."

It's almost lunch time already? I had been standing in that spot for almost two hours. No wonder my body feels as stiff as a statue.

It's not just standing still, but I had to watch stupid Luka's bored expression. If he was so bored why didn't he come stand in my place, huh?

There is no need to modify the clothes we bought, except the uniforms which are made-to-order. I guess my stature is pretty standard for girls my age after all; not smaller in any way.

Owner: "Fifty two écus, milady."

"Wha—!?" Fifty!?

And Sister Eléonore just places the gold coins on the counter like they're nothing!

"Sister! That's too much!"

The uniforms should be no more than ten écus in total; that leaves forty-two écus for just five outfits! That's months of my allowance! How can they cost so much?! We really should have asked our family's tailor instead!

"I think we should cut down to four, at least!" I don't know if it is okay to say this in the shop, but waiting until we're outside would be too late.

Eléonore: "Hush. This is my money."

"But—Uwheh~~" My cheeks again~!

Eléonore: "Do you know how tiring, exhausting, ANNOYING it is to keep doing stupid researches after stupid researches to get approval of those hair-brained, strong-headed, senile old fools~ If I don't splurge once in a while I'm going to go crazy. If you understand, or you don't, I don't care, just shut up and take what I bought for you. And you better wear them. If I find out they're all musty from never seeing the light of the day, I'm going get angry."

"(W)es, S(w)ist(w)er~~!" But you get angry all the time anyway!

Sister released me to take the clothes, but my cheeks are still sore.

She hands the clothes bag to Luka, and heads to the exit. She must be at least a little satisfied now that we have the clothes, or she would be pulling me by my wrists.

Eléonore: "Next, we'll go out for lunch. We'll have the coach take us there. Follow after me and don't get lost."

"I won't. I'm not a little kid anymore."

Eléonore: "Who knows when it comes to you; always going around looking for trouble."

The street is bustling with people, but not enough for us to lose each other. Sister's just too fussy about these things.

Luka: "Are you two like this all the time?"

Luka keeps his voice down, but it's time like this Sister Eléonore somehow always hears what I say. I'm just going to nod.

And, in the end we only went to one shop and got the things we (or rather, Sister Eléonore) needed. We could've just had the coach take us here in the first place. Why did Sister insist on walking?

The coach takes us through the area known for having several restaurants up to standard.

Eléonore: "This place will do."

The coach stops on Sister's command, and we get down.

Surprisingly, unlike the clothes shop, it looks about average in size and class, painted in orange hue, with warm—Huh?

This...This is the place from before!

Luka meets my eyes; he noticed too.

"Uh, Sister...?"

Sister Eléonore is already striding inside; she never waits for my input.

We are seated, and the waitress comes to take orders.

I think I know what's about to happen, and it is not good.

Eléonore: "Give us the most expensive one on the menu, for two."

I knew it.

"S—Sister, I don't think that's necessary. It's just a lunch. We can take ones with more reasonable price..."

Eléonore: "My money. Don't make me repeat myself."

"But..."

And that waitress; I know she's hiding her smile! I'm not going to be fooled again!

...Luka! Do something will you! I don't want to eat that bland salad again!

Luka: "Uh, Miss Eléonore."

Eléonore: "Servants are not allowed to sit at the same table as their master."

Luka: "It's not about that. It's about, well, what you're ordering. I already ate it once...It was all vegetables, no meat, and barely seasoned."

Eléonore: "Why would someone from outside the kingdom know about our capital's menu?"

Luka flinches, probably hasn't thought about that.

Luka: "Because...Louise took me here to eat once."

If you're bringing my name up then what's the point of leaving it to you!?

Eléonore: "Is that true, Louise?" Sister is scowling. Oh no.

"Y...Yes, it is."

Eléonore: "And you had the same thing?"

"I did...I didn't like it too much."

Sister crosses her arms and stares at me, as if trying to find faults in something. And somehow she always manage to find something.

That's how she always looks like when looking at me...

She looks down at the menu, finally taking her sight off me...

Eléonore: "Then make that one serving instead, and add one roasted lamb ribs. Order one for yourself."

Sister spins the menu to me. Isn't that considered crude? I remember her scolding me for doing exactly that years ago. Ugh.

A lot of these names are still as foreign as last time (how is it that I can't read the menu any better than Luka did?), but I have to decide soon.

"A...steak. That will do."

The safe one. Sister nods.

That's done with, but there's one more thing I've been thinking about on the way here.

But I don't dare to say it. Because she will tell me off me for sure.

But...I just can't let this go either... Luka is...

Eléonore: "That will be all."

Waitress: "Understood. Please wait but a moment."

The waitress is going away! Uuuhhh~! I'm gonna say it now!

"W—Wait."

The waitress stops. Sister looks at me.

Eléonore: "What else do you want?"

"W...Well..."

I'm gonna be scolded. She's going to be mad at me. I know it.

"C—Can we order something...for Luka too?"

Luka is standing behind me so I can't see his expression. But I can clearly see Sister scowling at me, as I feared.

Eléonore: "You want a commoner eat with us; what are you thinking?"

That's the truth. The painful truth. If a noble has a meal outside, then orders some for their servants, the noble is treating them as equals; the same as allowing them to sit at the same table. After all, in most establishments, all tables are equal.

No one does that in Tristain, nor anywhere else except maybe Germania. Any noble that does that will be seen as being too liberal and unbecoming of the high society at best, or uncultured barbarians, like the Germanians, at worst. And since we have been talking about recovering the image of House of La Vallière, we definitely should not be doing something that would garner that kind of attention.

But, this is one thing I can't...

"H—He's not just a commoner; he's my familiar. There's more significance in that status than just some random stranger, or even a personal attendant."

Eléonore: "He may be a familiar, but he is a human. From outsiders' perspective, and mine, it is not appropriate."

Uuuhh... Her stare... It's making a painful lump in my chest...

No, I have to push on...!

"B—But, despite how he looks, Luka had assisted Pr—Her Majesty in a task before. Both Her Majesty and Prince Wales acknowledged Luka's accomplishments. And even at our house, he...h—helped Sister Chii too, didn't he. Treating him like any other commoner would be even more u—unacceptable, that's what I think. I—If Sister doesn't allow it, I—I will pay for his meal. It's my money. I can use it however I want...!"

I'm out of breath. I forgot to breathe. How embarrassing.

But I said it. I talked back to Sister Eléonore. Really talked back to her, not just complaining about trivial things. I even used her own words against her.

Sister widens her eyes. I'm done for.

Uuugghh...! Why did I go and say that...!

Eléonore: "...Hmph, since you are so insistent; fine. But I will allow nothing else."

"...Eh...?"

Eléonore: "What are you waiting for. It's your familiar; you decide what to order."

"Y—Yes, Sister!"

Is this really happening? Did I really manage to convince Sister Eléonore of something against the norm? Am I dreaming?

"What...do you want to eat?" My head blanks out. I can't think about anything right now.

Luka: "Eh?"

Luka seems to be mulling over something, and only noticed I'm talking to him just now. He glances at Sister, who's silently observing me.

Luka: "...I guess I'll have the same thing you do."

"A—Add that to the order." What did I ask for again?

Waitress: "Steaks for two. Please wait but a moment. The food will arrive shortly." The waitress replies patiently, and goes back to wherever she needs to place the order.

That...was exhausting, physically and mentally. Why am I spending so much energy on a lunch?

But I made it; despite doing something so foolhardy as to talk back to Sister Eléonore, I made it out safe and sound. That went much better than I could ever have expected.

Making Sister Eléonore see things my way alone, without our family's help; this is the first time since I was born. What is happening to me; is it good? It's something positive, isn't it? This does mean I'm more mature now, doesn't it? I'm not such a kind in her eye anymore?

The meal comes. Sister has Luka sit at another table, and his order goes to him.

The Most Expensive Thing On The Menu (what's its name again?) is placed in the middle as a side dish; it actually tastes pretty good when eaten like this. The vegetables themselves are fresh and of high quality.

Still doesn't excuse its price though.

[...]

The smell of leather is thick inside this shop, despite being quite spacious. They seem to sell everything relating to keeping and riding horses.

Eléonore: "You've got quite a bit taller. We really need to find new ones that fit you now."

"I've got taller?" Really? I didn't notice. Did Luka?

Luka: "I don't know. I haven't known you that long yet."

"Oh, right."

I forgot. Luka has only been here for four, five months. It feels like he was here since forever, though. ...I can't imagine how it would be without him here anymore.

Eléonore: "Shrimpy Louise, don't just stand there. Come here."

It's back to being measured again; this time for boots and gloves.

Luka goes to look around the shop, without asking for permission from Sister Eléonore, but she isn't saying anything. I wish she is as carefree with me.

I never paid it any mind until now, but when Luka was summoned he came wearing the leather boots and gloves he has on now, which are clearly for traveling long distance, and they're quite worn out from use. He said he traveled around a lot in his old land, so that checks out.

Should I ask Sister to buy new ones for him too? ...No, let's not risk it. If it becomes necessary we can come by ourselves later, then I'll just buy them with my allowance. That sounds like a much better and safer idea.

...

Finally, it's all done. The sun is half way down already. We have really been spending all time buying my clothes.

Eléonore: "That should do it. If you want anything else, say it now before we go back."

Sister says as though the pile of clothes in the bag on the coach are all bought on MY request.

"Nothing. What about you, Sister Eléonore? You didn't buy anything for yourself."

Sister sighs.

Eléonore: "I'm going to be holing myself up in the institute anyway; there's no point buying new clothes without the occasion to wear it."

Maybe Sister actually wanted to buy some for herself too. She's twenty-seven now; it's only natural she would want to dress herself up, to find a partner like other women do. But Sister Chii's sickness and her work prevented her from doing any of that.

And so she's taking it out on me instead. No doubt about that.

Geez, if she would just bully her little sister a bit less, tone her nagging down a bit, be a bit less harsh, and bully her little sister a bit less, a lot of men would probably come to her on their own; she's really beautiful and smart, after all.

Eléonore: "I guess that's all. It's a bit early, but let's go back."

Luka: "Uhm, excuse me..."

Luka raises his hand for permission to speak. This guy can be really polite when he wants to. Why isn't he showing any of that with me, his master?

Luka: "Can I suggest something?."

Eléonore: "What is it? I hope this isn't about you or your things; don't get too full of yourself just because we fed you once."

Luka stops. He hesitates, then continues after a short moment.

Luka: "Louise once told me it's necessary for a familiar to have a sword, so I can protect her, the master."

Using my name again! What kind of familiar uses its master as a shield!? Even if it's the truth!

Eléonore: "A weapon..." Sister raises her hand to her chin. "...That does sound reasonable. We did test you once, and you seem to be able to use it to at least some extent."

Huh? What is this test I don't know about? Oh, is it the thing they were doing way back then, at the end of the incident with Sister Chii? Luka seemed to be holding a sword then, though I can't remember it well.

Eléonore: "But then why hasn't Louise bought one for you yet? Don't tell me you used up all your allowance on useless things?"

See what happens when you use my name!? The fire spreads to me!

"I—I already bought him one! I—I spent as much as a hundred écus on it, even!"

Eléonore: "Haah!?"

Hngh...! What did I do wrong this time?!

Eléonore: "What the hell kind of sword could be that expensive!? Where is it now?"

Luka: "It broke..."

Eléonore: "What did you do?!"

Sister glares at both of us. No one is safe now...

Luka: "It broke when I fought in the battle three months ago."

"Idiot! Why did you say it?! Sister hasn't heard about that yet! Ah..."

The ground is shaking.

Actually, that's probably just in my head. But my legs really are shaking.

Eléonore: "Lou~ise~ What is this 'battle' I'm just hearing about~"

"U—Uh, I-I-I just kind of happened to be on the ship!"

Eléonore: "I already heard about that from Father, but what is this about you fighting in it?!"

"I-I-I didn't! T—The familiar jumped ahead on its own!"

Eléonore: "Did you?!"

Luka: "Uh, I did, because the enemy was chasing after us. I had to buy time for Louise and Prince..."

"Y—Yes, that's it! I helped the prince escape from the sinking ship! I didn't intend to fight at all!"

Sister narrows her eyes at us. She's suspicious of us. A lot.

The pedestrians look at us, probably wondering what the noise was about. But right now I don't care about embarrassment in the slightest. If Sister Eléonore doesn't believe me and tell Father and Mother about this, I will be grounded for a whole year. Without a doubt.

Sister is still looking between us.

Then doubt recedes from her eyes.

Eléonore: "The way you said it was very suspicious, but fine. So, Louise did buy a sword for you, but it got broken. If it was damaged in the process of protecting Louise, then it was a good investment."

Haa...! I'm safe!

Eléonore: "And? Where did you buy it from?"

"The arms shop near Piedmont's potion shop." One of the school's worker gave me the direction when I asked about a shop that sells swords for cheap.

Eléonore: "Never heard of either places. Lead me there. I need to have a talk with the owner. What the hell kind of sword costs a hundred écus?"

"! M—Maybe it's better we don't go! T—That shop's swords must be very poor! One of it broke so easily after all! It's waste of time to go there!"

I still remember it. That shop has that boorish of a talking sword. If the owner hasn't thrown it out yet and the sword makes a jeer at Sister, I don't know what's going to happen to the sword, and the owner!

Eléonore: "That is one thing to consider, but what I need to check is about selling overpriced wares. Whoever they are, they need to be taught a lesson for deceiving a noble!"

I take it back; now I know what's going to happen. If Sister gets her hand on them, the sword will be turned to scraps, and the owner is going to jail! I don't want to be a witness to any of that, not to mention our family's reputation for cruelty will shoot through the sky faster than the damn bird!

"It has already been several months! The sword is gone too; there's no evidence anymore! It's just going be a waste of time; so let's just not go...You think so too, right?!"

Luka: "Why are you asking me? But, yeah, I guess I'd like to go to somewhere with better selections. That shop had too many swords that were worn-out or just very old. And there's this talking—"

"That's it! Let's not waste time going to that rundown place! Let's go to some good, not-rundown place!"

Eléonore: "I have a strong feeling you are hiding things from me again, but fine; this is starting to feel like too much of a bother anyway. We'll finish this up as quickly as possible. Sword or whatever; hurry up and buy it so we can go back. The main commercial district is this way."

Sister gets on the coach without looking back, which means she's a little bit annoyed now. Let's not do anything to worsen her mood anymore.

[...]

This area is completely different from that narrow, dirty alley. The street is wide, gets ample amount of light, and bustling with people. There are a lot to look at here; clothes, footwears, bags, cooking utensils, various other trinkets. They don't look as fancy as the ones in the area we went to in the morning, but they seem decent enough.

This blacksmith's shop we're in is pretty big, selling many types of tools, from mundane ones like scissors and buckets, to weapons and armours. There are four, five other customers besides us.

Sister goes straight to the counter and the big man behind it. He dresses in shirt and leather apron, like someone working with a forge, but his skin and clothes are clean, not stained with oils and soot.

Shop Assistant: "Oh! How can I help you, milady!" His voice is as boisterous as his stature suggests.

Eléonore: "I need a sword for a servant." She's not wrong, but technically he's my familiar.

The shop assistant looks at Luka from head to toe.

Shop Assistant: "I take it you mean this boy. Has he used a sword before?"

Sister urges Luka to answer with her eyes.

Luka: "I've been using a sword in combat for five years."

Oh, he did tell me something like that once. I was so surprised back then. I couldn't believe a guy as young as I am, possibly younger, had been fighting with devils for five years. Even now, I'm still half in doubt...

Eléonore: "...So it seems." Sister stops to think for a moment, but doesn't look that surprised.

Shop Assistant: "Hm...Please wait a moment."

The shop assistant goes to one of the weapon racks. Even the racks look cleaner and neater than the ones in that shop. Ugh, now I feel so stupid...

He picks out one, two swords and places them on the counter.

Shop Assistant: "Please have him try and hold these."

Sister urges with her eyes. She hasn't really said anything since earlier. She must be very unenthusiastic about this. If only she could be like this about the clothes I wear too...

Luka steps forward, picks the first one up and unsheathes it.

Compared to the one I bought for him, this one looks a bit better: similar length, and a hilt that doesn't look like it was made from unprocessed animal's carcasses.

Luka shifts it around, holding his arms out straight, sheathes it, and puts it back on the counter. What do those movements mean anyway?

He picks another one up. This one is a bit smaller, but the base of the blade is wider. Luka goes through the same motion again, and puts it back.

Then he speaks to the shop assistant.

Luka: "The one I had before got broken from clashing against another weapon. If possible, I want one as long as this one but more durable." Luka points at the first sword.

Shop Assistant: "Hmm. Well, we do have some. The blade will be thicker, the pommel heavier; the overall weight will increase. You sure you can handle it?"

Luka: "I'm sure."

The shop assistant looks at the rack adjacent to the previous one, and picks out two swords.

Again, Luka unsheathes it, then walks away from the counter.

The shop isn't very spacious, but there is a log as big as a person standing near an empty corner. The log is full of cuts; it's probably there to test the sharpness of tools or something.

Luka holds the sword in right hand, raises it up diagonally right, and snaps it down. A chopping sound rings out. Half of the blade sinks into the log.

Shop Assistant: "Ho...! Not bad, kid. You weren't kidding, I see."

The shop assistant looks impressed. To be honest, I am impressed too. That must have required quite a bit of strength.

Luka changes postures and swings the sword some more, but stops just before hitting the log. He does it three more times, then comes back to switch the sword.

This one is longer by about a hand. Luka holds it with both hands, raises it up.

But he doesn't swing it, and just brings it back.

Luka: "Sorry again, but do you have one with the blade as wide as this one but with longer hilt?" Luka points at the first one he tried with the log.

Shop Assistant: "Hm, I don't know much about sword fighting, but from how you acted I'm guessing you're more used to holding it in two hands? The ones on the racks already have their hilt fixed, but we have ones that are still just bare blades. We can get it fix with the hilt you want, but it will take time and an extra fee."

Eléonore: "How much?" Sister Eléonore asks, not sounding as annoyed as I thought she might.

Shop Assistant: "The sword is originally thirty five écus; we charge two to five more écus for a getting a specific hilt, depending on the type of the hilt."

Eh...?

"So cheap..."

Eléonore: "No, it's the opposite of cheap. Hey, are you sure this is the right price? I work in Academy; the steel we use for research costs nothing near this amount, even accounting for tax exemption."

Shop Assistant: "My apologies, but this is the price the Blacksmith Guild decided. For the last few months there has been more demand for weapons. It's probably because of the threat from Albion and the thief Fouquet. The royal army and the lords are all seeking to strengthen their troops, so the prices for quality steel and weapon have gone up significantly."

Eléonore: "Hm... I guess that's reasonable enough. All right, I'll take the price, but if you try to pass off a shoddy one for a quality product, I'll know."

Shop Assistant: "Please rest assured; the Guild regularly checks for such misconducts, especially in this area. Anyone caught will be expelled from the Guild, and wouldn't be able to open a shop in the commercial district. We wouldn't dare risk it."

I see. I know there are 'guilds' for this kind of profession, but not how they work.

Wait, then what about that shoddy shop in the back alley? Is that not part of the guild?

Darn it. I really got tricked, didn't I... I'm never going there again...

Eléonore: "That's fine. When can we get it?"

Shop Assistant: "We will have it ready by tomorrow in the afternoon. Our shop is opened until the lamps-on; you can come get it at any time."

Eléonore: "Too long. Can you get it done today?"

Shop Assistant: "If speed is required, our top smiths and Fire users can get it done within two hours, but there will be a special charge of twenty écus. Mainly mage's fees; magic is needed to speed up the process, as you might guess."

Mages do this kind of jobs too; didn't know that... I thought even if they aren't nobles anymore they would at least do jobs that aren't too laborious, like Ms. Longueville.

Eléonore: "We'll have to wait for the uniforms to be done anyway. Louise, you said you will go see the trial tomorrow too, didn't you?"

"I did. And I will." As her personal court lady, I need to know about what has been going on around Princess.

Eléonore: "We can come and get it after that, then we'll drop you off at school."

With that concluded, we are out of the shop.

Eléonore: "We are really done this time. Time to go back."

"Luka, anything else?"

Luka: "That's all. Thank you for the sword, Miss Eléonore. It will make fighting a lot easier when I have to protect Louise."

P—Protect me...! Of course, that's his duty as a familiar. What am I getting so excited about...

Eléonore: "Don't make me regret this, familiar. Anyway, let's return to the house. It has been a long day."

She's right. It has been an exhausting day; I need rest. Even that small house seems like a blessing.

[...]

The sky is turning orange. We really spent almost an entire day shopping. Does that count as productive?

The carriage stops in front of our residence. Luka gets down first to takes our hands. He does it without needing to be told; this guy has got quite used to his role. The two months in my house weren't wasted, I see.

He had even learnt to read much better now, and so quickly; probably an effect of the familiar rune that heightens familiar's speech. I guess it works differently on humans, or something; I don't really care that much. He's now able to read, and that's a plus for me.

Sister Eléonore goes through the gate into the house first, while Luka carry the bags after us.

Then she stops midway, for some reason.

"What—"

—I see the reason now, looking out from behind her. There is an unfamiliar man, just exiting the house. He looks to be in middle age, a bit younger than Father, with short grey hair and clean-shaven face; overall, a slim, simply-dressed gentleman.

Actually, he's looking a bit familiar now that he has got closer.

Eléonore: "Duke de Anjou. It has been a while."

Sister Eléonore curtsies, and I follow, as per manner.

Duke of Anjou: "You are...the eldest daughter of Duke de La Vallière. And you..."

Duke de Anjou turns to look at me, and somehow seems to be paying me more attention.

...I remember now.

Duke of Anjou: "Louise Françoise, the youngest daughter of the Duke, I believe you recognise me."

Luka: "Louise, he's the one in the palace, wasn't he?" Luka whispers.

So he remembers too, but I'm not going to answer now.

"Yes, I do, Duke de Anjou. It has been a while since we met at the court. ...It is a pleasure to meet you again."

Not. At all. This here is the face that brings back unwanted memory. The memory of being dragged into the middle of the Royal Court and having insults hurled at me.

Duke de Anjou doesn't even nod, and shifts his gaze to Luka.

Duke of Anjou: "And you, were the commoner that dared to speak up in the prestigious court. I am surprised you are still up and about. I was convinced that, as the 'true culprit' that caused the war with Albion and almost made House of La Vallière be blamed for the kingdom's crisis, you would have been punished for 'your wrongdoing' already."

...! Darn it...!

Here is someone who doesn't know anything but is judging us for our apparent actions. But we can't tell the truth; can't defend ourselves. This is so frustrating...!

Duke of Anjou: "It was very fortunate for you that the miraculous victory at Tarbes perfectly covered up your misdeed. You probably intend to keep to yourselves and hide amongst the deafening cheer while hoping that everyone would forget about it. But we are not all idiots. The matter may have turned out unbelievably favourable for many, but the fact of what you had done did not change. You would do well to be ashamed of yourselves."

Duke de Anjou eyes me, Luka, and our luggage.

Duke of Anjou: "And enjoying a shopping trip in the city is not the way to show it. Least of all, not in the city you had almost caused its destruction. You need to be more aware of your responsibility as a noble and a good citizen of our esteemed kingdom."

Arrrggh...! The most frustrating thing about this is that he's not even wrong. I will never regret rescuing Prince Wales, but if Tristain really had fallen to Albion's invasion that I brought about...I can't ignore the shame eating away at my heart.

Duke of Anjou: "Hmph. I really don't understand how Her Majesty could pretend to be blind to all of this."

"W—Wait!"

Now, that's something I can't ignore, even if it's taking all my will to look him in the eye.

"It's fine if you blame me, but don't insult Princ—Her Majesty!"

Duke de Anjou doesn't look like he listened at all. He raises his chin, scowling even more.

Duke of Anjou: "It is up to you how you would interpret my words; I simply stated the truth. Her Majesty is still young, and a woman. It is perfectly normal that she would be needing in decision-making capacity. To point out these errors is an important duty of us, the court, who are responsible for the well-being of the kingdom."

This guy...! He's crossing the line! Princess was ready to sacrifice her happiness for the country, for ungrateful jerks like you...!

Arrgh...! I want to say something back to him! I want to defend Princess! But someone so inexperienced in courtly matters like me could cause even more embarrassment for her...

Eléonore: "A word, if I may, Duke de Anjou."

...Sister?

Duke of Anjou: "Is there something you do not agree with? Eldest daughter of Duke de La Vallière?"

Eléonore: "Your assessment of my rash youngest sister is duly noted,"

Geh...

Eléonore: "but I am truly intrigued by your words. If such is your impression of Her Majesty the Queen Henrietta, then what is the ideal ruler in your opinion?"

Duke de Anjou eyed Sister condescendingly.

Duke of Anjou: "A foolish question; one I had presumed there should be no need to ask. The ideal ruler is, of course, someone knowledgeable in the management of the land and its resource. Someone who has been in politics adequately long and knows it inside and out; knowing when to accept and to avoid confrontations, knowing when to be strict and when to compromise. Someone who are cautious, yet decisive. "

He says without pause, as though a priest reciting Founder's teachings. I don't think I can say all that without twisting my tongue even with a note. I had no chance to win an argument with him from the beginning, did I...

I was right to hold back, but knowing that only makes it worse...

Duke of Anjou: "If the ruler who is to rule over commoners and nobles alike, who is to lead millions of people of the kingdom, lacks any of those qualities, how would this country survive the storm that is sure to come? Hah...! At the very least, I am sure no one would want to be led by someone who is too clouded by emotions to even think logically. Would you not agree?"

He's...He's referring to Princess, isn't he...!

Eléonore: "...Your words do hold some truth, indeed."

Duke of Anjou: "Hmph..."

I...never thought about it, but even Sister Eléonore wouldn't be able to just talk back to the head of another household, least of all a senior member of Royal Court.

That's very normal, and I shouldn't be surprised by it, but somehow, it is...a terrifying thought.

Eléonore: "And such a person would preferably be male, would he not?"

Duke de Anjou crosses his arms.

Duke of Anjou: "I am not saying that women are entirely unable to rule, but if we are to consider from various points of concerns, a man is simply more suitable. Throughout the history, there has only even been one or two regent queens known for their successful rule, after all."

Eléonore: "Is that so. I have heard, however, that you were one of the most vocal protesters to the former queen Marianne's decision to leave the duty of ruler to her husband. According to what you are claiming in the present, would that not be the reasonable decision?"

...Is that true? I didn't know about that. I didn't even know, or imagine there were protests.

Duke of Anjou: "...Hmph, another foolish question. Of course I would protest. She herself was the direct heir of Tristain's royal blood, yet she entrusted an outsider with the authority."

Princess's father, the previous king, was an Albionian prince; that I know.

Eléonore: "In the history of Halkeginia, marriages between royal families of different countries have always been common occurrences; so much it could be said that there are no pure royal blood of any single country left from six thousand years ago."

That's only natural. I can't even think of a way to avoid that completely; not for that length of time.

Duke of Anjou: "I will admit the part regarding the mixed blood. However, birthright is another matter entirely; you can ask anyone who the previous king was, and they would all say that he was an Albionian prince. To hail him as the King of Tristain would be like giving half the country to Albion, would it not?"

Is he...Is he insinuating something about the current situation with Albion...? Am I just overthinking it...?

Eléonore: "So, having taken everything you have said into account, the ideal king in your opinion would be someone with sufficient ability to rule, preferably male, and he would need to be closely tied to Tristain's bloodline, is that correct?"

Duke of Anjou: "It is." He says grimly.

Eléonore: "Then, may I ask, who is it that fits all the qualifications the best?"

...

Huh, why the silence?

Eléonore: "What is the matter, Your Excellency? Your family has been in close relation to the royal family for generations. You yourself know a lot of people; surely you could think of a name or two with those qualifications easily. Who is it that is fitted to be the ideal King of Tristain?"

Sister Eléonore has been speaking in composed and calm voice since the beginning, but now her tone is starting to give off some pressure.

Duke of Anjou: "...You...!"

Duke de Anjou clenches his teeth while glaring at Sister Eléonore; he looks both equally surprised and outraged.

He looks like he really wants to say something, but has to rein it in. Sister Eléonore takes the resentful glare from the Duke without flinching. If that is me I'd be having trouble breathing by now.

Luka: "Hey, what's happening? Why is he suddenly speechless?"

"I don't know either. I guess it'd be bad for him if he says someone's name?"

I can imagine why it might be bad, but it would be just a guess.

Duke of Anjou: "...Hmph! Ignorant little girls such as you could not possibly grasp my reasoning. I have nothing more to say to you."

Duke de Anjou hurries past us and out through the gate, angrily.

Then he stops, and turns around, still scowling.

Duke of Anjou: "Eléonore de La Vallière, I am not surprised you have yet to find a partner. Rumours abound that you are a doggedly obstinate and presumptuous harpy of a woman; I now see that they are understatements. No man can ever fancy a woman like you."

Sister Eléonore watches the gate of the house with a neutral expression, until Duke de Anjou disappears.

Ugh, I don't really want to admit it, but Sister Eléonore was...so cool, even though she was a little-sister-bullying fiend. And it felt so liberating to see the guy walked away exasperated like that.

Sister turns back from the road, then the composed expression twists with rage and resentment. So she was holding it in during all that, to upkeep her elegance as a noble.

Eléonore: "Disgusting creatures. Men. All of them!"

"Eh?"

I didn't expect that.

Eléonore: "Self-centered! Greedy! Most of all, conceited!"

"S—Sister!?" What's up with her all of a sudden?!

Eléonore: "Commoners or nobles; they're all the same. The vocabularies maybe different, but the content of their brains can't be any more identical. When they speak, it's always about them, theirs, themselves! You crave it so much, huh!? Why don't you hire a painter to paint you with the crown and just stare at it all day at home!"

Sister Eléonore is mad now!

Eléonore: "Louise!"

"Y—Yes!?"

Eléonore: "Your charming and noble fiancé had revealed his true colours, but I know you'll just fall for some good-for-nothing man again!"

"Eh!? W—What are you talking about?! I-I-I didn't—!"

Eléonore: "Listen! And take it to heart! Even if you get married, don't go easy on the man, or he will turn out like the numbskull just now! Make it clear. Show him who's the master and who's the dog of the house! Do you get all that?!" *pound!*

"Eh~~!?" She punched the fence!?

Eléonore: "You mean 'understood'. Say it!"

"Understood! B—But there are millions of men out there. They probably are not all the same...I think..."

Eléonore: "They're all the same!"

"Eh~~!?"

Eléonore: "Fame, wealth, power: all they have in their head is personal interest! Your familiar is a good example!"

Luka: "Eh—Me?"

Eléonore: "Sleeping in the same room as a girl for months! Sneaking off to meet Cattleya in the middle of the night! He's definitely eyeing you with dirty, abhorrent thought day and night! Don't you dare deny it!"

"Wha-Wha-Wha-Wha—!?" L—Luka is...!?

Luka: "But I never—"

Eléonore: "Shut up!"

Luka: "..."

"S—Sister!?" She's gone crazy~! Father, help~!

Oh!

"W—What about Father! Father is a man too!"

Eléonore: "Father is the same!"

"Ehhhh~~!?" No way!?

Eléonore: "But he's our father; for him, being selfish is spoiling you and Cattleya, so it's okay!"

"So biased!" Wait, it actually kind of makes sense...but still unreasonable!

Sister is panting, and has stopped her rant.

She regains her breath, and stands straight up.

Eléonore: "All right. It's getting late; we should get in the house."

"You're going to act like nothing happened!?"

Eléonore: "Shrimpy Louise, don't get so hang up on a little rant or two. When you became an adult, you will find a thing or two you want to scream about every other day. Hurry up and put away what we bought already. It's almost dinner time."

Why am I the one getting scolded... Sister's already entered the house.

Luka: "Louise, what was your sister angry about, exactly?"

"I'm not sure either."

[...]

Pierre: "That old bear said all that to you!? Damn him! Next time we meet, I'll teach him what happens when someone mess with my daughters!"

Father is seething as he is eating. I'm too tense to taste the food.

It's clear who Sister Eléonore resembles; it's not just the hair colour.

Eléonore: "Don't worry, Father. I meet people like that all the time; I know how to handle them."

Pierre: "You're right. I know you can give them the tongue lashing they deserve, Eléonore."

What's with this weird kind of trust going on between them?

Eléonore: "Duke de Anjou was meeting with Father while we were out, wasn't he. Can I ask what you were talking about?"

Pierre: "Rather than talking, it's more like that old bear just came to complain one-sidedly. Of course, he started with general pleasantries, but not even a beat later he's nagging about everything under and above the sky. The matter of the former Crown Prince Wales, the giant avian; that's just the start! I had to listen to him repeating the same things over and over again for two hours!"

Eléonore: "In other words: about Louise's infamous exploits."

"Guh..." I'll never get used to hearing that...

Pierre: "Louise, you don't have to care about it. That old mule just wants to spit us. He had always been dissatisfied with how close we are to the royal family; closer than his family is, despite their blood relation."

"Now that you say it... Eh? Now that I think about it, why is House of La Vallière so much closer to the royal family that other Houses?" It's always been like this. I've never questioned it.

Pierre: "Ah... Well, there are multiple reasons. An ancestor of House of La Vallière once descended from the royal family, so there has always been some kind of relation. Then your mother was a knight of King Philip the Third, the grandfather of the current Queen. She and Queen Marianne was also...Ahem, quite close."

Father seems to hesitate at the end; I wonder why.

Pierre: "I, myself, held quite an authority in the court before I retired. You also were Her Majesty the Queen's companion when she was still a princess, just like how your mother and hers were."

They're all what I already know, but now that they're all laid out...we are really close, aren't we, my family and Princess's; amazingly so.

Eléonore: "So we have been in good relationships with the royal family for generations. I guess it wouldn't be strange Duke de Anjou or some other nobles would be jealous of our House."

Pierre: "Hm. If things continue to be as they are, Louise, your children and Her Majesty's heir would likely be the same."

Eléonore: "They would, wouldn't they."

Ugh, I don't even have a fiancé yet, and they're already talking about c—children. How do I even react to that.

I guess it will be good if, even generations after us, my family and Princess continue to be close, but I haven't thought that far yet.

Luka: "..."

Luka has been listening to our conversation with interest since the beginning, but he hasn't shown any reaction at all...

—! A—And why would I need to care about how he reacts!? There's no reason, is there!?

Eléonore: "Since we are on the subject: about Louise's fiancé, have you thought about it?"

"T—This again."

Pierre: "Hmm, I don't have any concrete plan yet. I asked Louise, and she said youngsters these days wait until they graduate from school before they think about engagement."

Eléonore: "Shrimp, where did you get that idea from?"

"I—I mean, Sister, you still—"

Eléonore: "Silence!"

I chose the wrong thing to say.

Eléonore: "...Still, doing it that way is not without merits. There are a lot of nobles at school. It wouldn't be out of question for Louise to pick out from one of them; if she doesn't do something she shouldn't before marriage."

Sister is glaring at me~!

Pierre: "Louise!? Don't tell me you...!?"

"I—I haven't done anything! Nothing at all!"

Eléonore: "Or there could be some pests around her."

"Pests...?"

W—Why is Sister looking at Luka?!

Pierre: "Louise!? Don't tell me you...!?"

"T—There are no pests! Insects! Nothing whatsoever!"

Come on~~!

Ilias: "...I cannot believe I am saying this, but maybe this story has too little monsters in it. Without them, I could not help but looking at the humans instead, and I am finding myself wanting to smite several of them as much as I do monsters."

PBW: "That's nothing new, though."

Ilias: "Indeed, it is not. You are on the top of my list right now, after all."

PBW: "...Ahem. So, the entire chapter was focused on cementing (not exactly developing) the character of Eléonore and how she differs from the original novel. She was originally much more mindful of traditions, if only just to not stir trouble. At first this chapter was only for Luka and Louise to interact with her house, especially with Eléonore who had too little role in the original novels, but it turned out to be a joy to write."

Ilias: "You did seem to be enjoying it a lot."

PBW: "A lot. Anyhow, the next chapter will be a challenge, or rather a trial, that The Author has to go through (no pun was intended at the time this sentence was conceived). It will also be a trial for those who know law and court proceedings, contemporary or historical, who would probably be cringing at every other line."