We Returned To The Mansion In The Carriage
“…Do I have to decide now?”
“Hmm, indeed… I do understand that this is rather sudden for you. Very well, tomorrow. As long as you can give me an answer by tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow!? You are surely in a great rush, Anne!”
“What do you mean, Ms. Claire? These matters are more about feeling and one should rely on their intuition. But perhaps you have experienced one too many proposals and attempts at arranged marriage, that it has dimmed your senses?”
“You only saw the advantage in it once you learned of the Silver Fenrir’s attachment. I don’t think you have any right to talk about feelings!”
“And why is that? A man who orders a Silver Fenrir… Such a man would be incredibly appealing to someone in my position… Can you really not see it?”
“Well… That is true, but… Mr. Takumi wouldn’t do…”
“Go-Good Leo! Arrghhh!”
Ms. Claire was in a terribly bad mood again.
Well, I suppose my appeal really did start and end there… Though, I also had Weed Cultivation… But I suppose that didn’t really add to my appeal as a man.
And so I confusedly watched Ms. Claire and Anne argue as I thought of the right way to refuse her.
…Was this how Ms. Claire felt every time her father tried to matchmake her?
Regardless, the carriage continued to move along. Outside, I could occasionally hear Mr. Ekenhart’s screams.
“Finally… Hah… The journey was very tiring.”
“What a good welcome. I suppose that’s what should be expected from a duke’s house.”
It did not take long to return to the mansion.
We got out of the carriage, and with Mr. Ekenhart in the lead, we faced the servants who came out to greet us.
Mr. Ekenhart looked very exhausted after being carried around by Leo… But he had held up.
As for Ms. Claire, she had been arguing with Ms. Anne the whole time, and was tired as well.
Surely Ms. Anne must be the same, I thought as I turned to look at her. But she seemed rather cheerful as the servants greeted her.
…Perhaps she was tougher than she looked.
“Your Grace, will you have dinner immediately?”
“…Indeed. I am quite tired… I shall eat and rest right after.”
“Certainly. It will be prepared right away.”
Ms. Helena stepped forward and addressed Mr. Ekenhart.
Of course, the reason that he was so tired, was because of Ms. Claire and Leo.
As for Leo, running around seemed to have relieved her of stress, and she looked quite pleased as she wagged her tail.
“Welcome back, father, sister, Mr. Takumi and Leo!”
“We’re back, Tilura.”
Tilura had realized that we had returned, and she came running out to greet us with a big smile, and with Sherry in her arms.
Considering the direction she had come from, I suppose she had been training in the back garden? She sure was passionate.
She greeted everyone except for Ms. Anne, who she did not know very well.
Ms. Anne looked a little annoyed at being ignored…
“…You all seem a little tired.”
“Haha. You can tell, Tilura?”
“Yes, children can be very perceptive.”
After looking at us, Tilura could tell immediately that we were tired.
But then again, it was incredibly obvious with Mr. Ekenhart and Ms. Claire.
Though, I had also gone through a lot today. So perhaps it was showing on my face as well.
I had fought at that store. And then there was that whole ordeal with Ms. Anne on the way home.
…So it was the same reason as Ms. Claire.
“Hah… I can relax now…”
After we returned, we enjoyed the meal that Ms. Helena prepared for us, and told Tilura about what had happened in town.
And since everyone was tired, we retired to our rooms right after.
Considering the state they were in, I was a little worried about Mr. Ekenhart and Ms. Claire…
As I was tired as well, I warmed my body in the bathtub, and then went to my room to pet Leo and relax.
“Still…do you think Ms. Anne is serious?”
Leo tilted her head to the side.
now that I thought about it, Leo was outside giving Mr. Ekenhart the ride of his life, so she didn’t know about what had happened.
“Uh…Leo. This may surprise you, but…”
“Wuff? Wuff-wuff… Wuff?”
I explained the situation to Leo, and she raised her voice in alarm.
So even Leo was surprised after all…
This is a fine opportunity? Get it over with?
“No, Leo. I don’t even know her… I’m trying to think of a way to refuse her.”
“Hate… I don’t know her well enough to say. But it’s all so sudden, so I asked for some time to think. Though, it’s only until tomorrow.”
I talked with Leo as I thought of the best way to refuse her.
I didn’t know her enough to feel a strong dislike, but that didn’t seem like a convincing argument.
I petted Leo’s fluffy fur and thought hard about it for a while… But I had no good ideas!
I suppose I should just tell her that I had no intention of getting married. But if she asked the reason…
“Hmm? Yes, who is it?”
“It is I, Claire. Mr. Takumi, can you spare a moment?”
“Ah, yes. Of course.”
As I wondered what to do, I heard a knock at the door.
And when I called to it, Ms. Claire answered.
What could she want at this hour… Most people were asleep at this time.