"So what's the matter? Is uncle still trying to bring me back, by any chance?"
"No way. Papa has already given up on you."
Erika shrugged her shoulders in exasperation.
He downed his tea while standing, and crudely returned the cup to the table.
"A lone wolf like brother is unfit to hold a post at the institute. If that's the case, it would be much more fruitful to have you present the results of your research while wandering around."
"What, so you finally understand?"
"If you ask me, that's just a bunch of nonsense."
Erika glared at Allen with an icy stare.
Meanwhile, Charlotte discreetly pulled Allen's sleeve.
"An uncle to Allen, but a father to your sister?"
"Oh. She's my stepsister. We are not related by blood."
Allen nodded to Eruka with his chin.
In fact, Erika and Allen did not look much alike. The only thing they had in common was their hair color, but while Eruka's was black, Allen's was half black and half white.
"I lost my parents when I was a child and was taken in by a distant relative, the Crawfords. Erika is their daughter. She's the same age as you."
"Oh. Is that so... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry into your family affairs."
"I don't care. It doesn't bother me if you know."
"... I'm still very confused about the whole thing."
Erika stared at Charlotte with a surly face.
"Who is this? Is she brother's girlfriend?"
"What...!"
At that moment, Charlotte's face turned red till it reached her ears.
Flustered, she hurriedly looked at Allen and Eruka alternatingly.
"No, you have got it wrong! Oh but, that, uh, well... t-that's also bad--"
"That's right, Eruka. Don't be rude."
"What--"
Charlotte looked back as if shocked for some reason.
Allen said as he patted her on the shoulder.
"It must be horrible for Charlotte to be misunderstood for being in love with such a socially awkward and insidious genius wizard. So, for the sake of her honor, I will thoroughly deny it."
"I don't think so!"
"Sometimes my self-evaluation is absolutely perfect, isn't it?"
Erika curiously stroked her chin and stared at Allen and Charlotte.
"If she's not your girlfriend, then who is she? Why are you with my brother?"
"Well, that's..."
Naturally, Charlotte was at a loss for an answer.
But Allen simply said, "This is Charlotte Evans. She's a wanted fugitive who has escaped from a neighboring country."
"Wait, Allen?!"
"What--?"
When Erika tilted her head in puzzlement, Allen gave a brief overview of what had happened so far.
She had been exiled from her country for a crime she did not commit. He was currently in the middle of teaching her various mischiefs while keeping her hidden.
When the explanation was over, Charlotte visibly paled and asked Allen, "Is it all right?"
"I'm sure she'll find out on her own anyway, even if I deceive her now. In that case, it would be faster to explain it honestly."
"But she's your sister... I'm worried for Allen..."
Charlotte looked at Erika with concern.
After a moment, Erika let out a long sigh and held her forehead.
"I always thought you were an idiot, but I was wrong. You're a total idiot."
"Oh, and why is that?"
"It's a given!"
Erika stabbed her index finger at Allen.
"It's not about giving food or letting her hit you... instead, you should teach her more mischief that will make her happy!"
"So that's what you're getting at!"