The Suspicious Person Was Ignored
“Hmm, it’s nothing. He just forgot something and remembered it right now.”
Liza had looked puzzled at how distressed Mr. Ekenhart had become.
Though, Leo was just sighing in exasperation…
“…It cannot be helped. We cannot just stand around here. …I’ve made my decision! We’re going in!”
I wasn’t sure what had been going through his mind, but Mr. Ekenhart seemed determined now.
I suppose he had prepared himself to face Ms. Claire and be warned by Sebastian…
Regardless, he now faced the door as if it was a great challenge he was up against.
…Though, I couldn’t see his exact expression, due to the cloth.
“Welcome back, Mr. Takumi and Leo!”
We were greeted by some servants who must have been standing ready on the other side.
Liza was a little startled by this welcome, and could not say anything.
“Ah, stop right there, Leo. Sorry, but is there a wet towel that I can use?”
“Thank you. Did you forget already, Leo? You have to wipe your feet first.”
I asked a nearby servant and accepted the towel.
Thankfully, they had one prepared.
And so I wiped all of the dirt off of Leo’s paws.
Leo had been surprised as if it had completely slipped her mind. And so she lowered her head apologetically.
As we had been to all sorts of places today, she was quite dirty…and so I had to wipe her paws thoroughly.
Hmm. Liza was watching us with deep interest. Did she want to wipe Leo too?
“Welcome back, Mr. Takumi.”
“Ah, Ms. Claire. We’re back.”
As I considered letting her do the work, Ms. Claire stepped out from behind the servants.
And so I stood up and greeted her.
And then Mr. Ekenhart muttered her name. What happened to all of that resolve?
Liza just looked puzzled.
“And who is this girl?”
“Uh…it’s a long story, but…”
“Is that so. The ears and tail… Is she a beastkin?”
“Yes. Apparently. How do you feel about them?”
“They are our neighbors. I suppose you’ve learned about them then.”
“…Yes. We visited the orphanage and I was told various things.”
Ms. Claire glanced at Liza while we talked.
Of course, I had merely gone to town and came back with a beastkin child, so she was curious.
And judging by what she said, Ms. Claire seemed to know the situation regarding them.
She also didn’t seem to have any prejudices, and looked at Liza with a warm expression.
There were no traces of her strange drunkenness from yesterday, and she spoke in her usual way.
As for Mr. Ekenhart, he continued to try and talk to Claire in a quiet voice, but she refused to react to him.
…Perhaps she was angry…
“And the orphanage did not accept her?”
“Well…they didn’t have enough room right now…and Leo insisted that we bring her here…”
“Wuff! Wou. Wuff-wuff!”
“I see… Very well. If that is what Leo wants…then we will support her decision!”
“…You can understand what Leo is saying?”
“Somewhat… Not as completely as you, Mr. Takumi.”
Ms. Claire said with a chuckle.
I suppose it was because she had spent so much time with Leo? Or did it have to do with her connection with Sherry, who was her familiar?
In any case, just like Mr. Ekenhart, Ms. Claire also accepted Leo’s wishes.
So that was half of the problem solved.
…Now it was just a matter of what Sebastian would say.
She was a similar age to Tilura, so they could be friends. And surely the servants would also grow fond of her.
But as the butler, Sebastian might be a little harsher with his decision…
Well, I wasn’t actually that worried about it.
“Who is that pretty lady?”
“Hahaha! Liza, this is Ms. Claire. She is the master of this house.”
“Will someone notice me! Heey!”
Liza tilted her head and asked about Ms. Claire.
Ms. Claire was quite pleased. Both by the compliment and by how cute Liza looked when her ears and tail moved.
…Actually, Mr. Ekenhart was probably supposed to be the master of the house… But he surely did not look like he was at the moment…
“Now, this is no place to talk… Let us go to the drawing room.”
“Indeed. So much has happened, and I’m sure that Liza is tired.”
“Hey, hey… Notice me!”
“Hah… I already have. Now, who is this suspicious person?”
“Suspicious person. How rude…”
Ms. Claire then guided us to the drawing room, as it would be no good to stand here and talk. It was also then that she finally sighed and acknowledged Mr. Ekenhart’s presence.
If only he would take that cloth off of his face and stop moving around so much…
It was no wonder that some people didn’t show him much respect.