The Crawford family mansion is located in the suburbs, a little way from the center of the island.
There are no other houses nearby. The magnificent mansion is surrounded by a large garden, which is further surrounded by a high wall.
At first glance, it looked like the house of some nouveau riche. But there was a good reason for this, to avoid being a nuisance to the neighbors.
Every member of the family treated some form of magical research as their life’s work, so the mansion frequently resounded with loud explosions or strange cries.
While this is a common sight for Allen, who has lived there since childhood, it would surely have been unwelcome if they had lived in a crowded residential area.
Allen and the others were ushered into the mansion's reception room.
The spacious chamber was covered wall-to-wall with a deep-pile carpet. Luu and Gousetsu, exhausted from their long journey, flopped onto their backs with their bellies exposed.
Allen and Charlotte faced each other sitting on the other side of the low table was his adoptive father, Harvey.
He spoke with a gentle smile on his face.
“Well now. It really has been a long time, Allen. I’m relieved to see you haven’t changed… though…”
His words trailed off as his eyes narrowed toward Charlotte, seated at Allen’s side.
He deliberately pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at eyes that weren’t the least bit wet.
"I never thought you'd bring such a cute girlfriend home. If there were a championship for social misfits, you might not win outright, but you’d certainly qualify for a seeded spot… And yet, is this really a mutual relationship? Your dear papa worries his cute son may have strayed from the proper path of humanity.”
“You always say one two words too many…”
“A-Ah, Allen-san has been very kind to me! Of course, our… relationship is mutual. Of course, our... relationship is, um, consensual, right?"
“Charlotte, enough. Don’t feed my uncle’s pointless delight.”
"Wow, it's rare to see Allen blush. Today is a thoroughly wonderful day."
“Keep it up and I’ll silence you physically.”
Allen glared at Harvey, veins twitching in his temple, while Harvey only deepened his smile.
It would be a waste of time to rise to his provocation here.
Allen let out a deep sigh and stared at Harvey again.
"So, Uncle, let me get straight to the point... is it true that Charlotte's sister is here?"
"Yes, of course it's true. Eruca."
“Yes, yes, I’ll get things ready.”
Harvey gave a casual nod and exchanged a look with Eruca. She waved lightly and left the room.
Turning back, Harvey addressed Charlotte.
"I am aware of all the circumstances surrounding Charlotte. It sounds like you've been through a lot. I'll do my best to help, so please don't hesitate to ask if you need anything."
“Th-thank you very much.”
Charlotte nodded stiffly. She seemed nervous about meeting someone new, especially Allen's father, but her tense expression seemed to stem from something else.
She swallowed hard and asked timidly.
"More importantly, why did Natalia come here? Did something happen to her?"
“In conclusion, she’s only here on a study abroad program.”
“Study abroad…?”
“Yes. It’s quite common. When a noble household is in turmoil, their children are often sent here temporarily until the trouble blows over.”
Harvey shrugged lightly.
It's a common story, both now and in the past. They use their money to disappear, either by being hospitalized or studying abroad, until the scandal dies down.
And this island, half a day’s voyage from the mainland, was the perfect hiding place.
"This time too, an offer was made through a connection. Our academy welcomes all applicants, so I readily agreed. That was about three months ago now."
"That long ago... If that's the case, she should have contacted me right away."
“Ah, but here’s another common story, she concealed her identity. I only discovered very recently that she was your sister, Charlotte.”
“Well, that makes sense. That incident is well-known even in our country… Naturally she’d want to keep it secret.”
Allen let out a small sigh.
The Charlotte incident had thrust her family, the Evans, into the spotlight nationwide.
And Natalia, as the legitimate heir born of the lawful wife, was far too important to be left exposed to gossip. Sending her away for protection was only natural.
“But if it’s just a study abroad, that alone shouldn’t count as ‘something serious,’ like Eruca said. So what exactly happened?”
“Yes, well… before we get to that, just one thing.”
Harvey raised his index finger.
His smile remained gentle, but a dull light flickered in his eyes. His voice, calm yet pointed, carried a sharp question for Allen.
“Allen. Won’t you reconsider that matter we once discussed?”
“No.” ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ NoveIꜰire.net
Allen answered instantly, without hesitation.
Charlotte blinked and tilted her head.
“That matter…? What is it?”
“The cause of the fight between me and my uncle, like I told you.”
Three years ago, Allen had quarreled bitterly with the professors of Athena Magic Academy, ultimately resigning his post.
But then, Harvey had made him a proposal so unbelievable he had thought his ears deceived him.
“My uncle here is the headmaster of this academy… and he wants me to inherit the position.”
“Ehhhh!?”