Chapter 70
By the afternoon, I thought the servants’ attention might be waning, but then I saw a carriage entering the mansion.
“Miss, guests have arrived!”
“People came to see me?”
‘That’s not possible…?’
Though I felt some doubt, I ran out eagerly to welcome the people who supposedly came for me.
I dashed to the entrance.
Stepping out of the carriage was none other than Velicia, who had grown unexpectedly beautiful.
“Ah, Miss! I’m sorry…! How could I leave you alone like this…!”
Velicia suddenly apologized and hugged me tightly.
“Hmm?”
I patted Velicia, who was on the verge of tears, but I couldn’t understand what she was talking about.
Alone? What does that mean?
“What’s going on here?” I asked.
“I came because you said you were bored. I plan to stay here for a while.”
Bored? Me?
Though I was happy to see Velicia after such a long time, I had no idea what she was talking about. Every day was packed with tasks, leaving no time to feel bored.
Just then, another person stepped out behind Velicia.
“Oh, it’s Miss.”
It was a tall boy I had never seen before.
Startled by the unfamiliar presence, I could only blink.
“…Excuse me, who are you?”
The boy’s eyes widened.
“Ah, Miss! How could you…?”
“Oh, Miss. Have you forgotten Velicus already? Velicus is upset! You forgot me!”
Velicia giggled.
“That’s right, I’m Velicus. The one who protected you so wonderfully…! How could you forget me when you remember your sister?”
“You’re Velicus?!”
I was speechless at the dramatic change.
He had been about the same small size as I was at four, so when did he grow so much?
As I stared in awe, Velicus grinned, clearly pleased.
“Miss, am I that cool?”
“Just because you’ve grown a bit taller doesn’t mean you’re impressive. Funny, isn’t it? You’re still a fool.”
Velicia said teasingly, but I wanted to celebrate his growth.
The little boy had more than doubled in size—how remarkable. I felt so proud.
“You look great, Velicus. You’ve grown so much.”
“…Hehe.”
Velicus turned his head and smiled.
‘His personality hasn’t changed at all.’
Seeing the little boy I remembered merged with the grown-up Velicus eased my awkwardness.
“Don’t say things like that carelessly, Miss! He might actually believe you.”
Even as Velicia said that, she looked proud when I praised her younger brother.
‘She hasn’t changed a bit either.’
“Velicia, Velicus! Let’s go inside.”
Smiling brightly, I grabbed their arms and led them in.
I didn’t know why they had come, but the thought of spending time together again filled me with joy.
After giving a brief greeting to the head of the house, the children ran toward me excitedly.
“Miss, we greeted him! Let’s play now!”
“The head said we can have dinner with you tonight in the banquet hall.”
“Banquet hall?”
I shouted in surprise. That place was normally off-limits to children. Until now, the children quietly ate in their rooms while the adults used the hall.
“Just us?”
“Yes, just us. Gordio said he’ll prepare lots of delicious food!”
“It was definitely worth coming.”
The siblings smiled brightly.
‘How strange. Why would the head suddenly open up the banquet hall?’
It wasn’t impossible, but so many new things were happening today that it was a bit overwhelming.
“Miss, let’s invite someone else too.”
“That’s right. It’ll be more fun with more people!”
The siblings suggested.
“Someone else?”
Of course, I welcomed the idea. The more people joining, the merrier.
I peeked toward the study and smiled.
“Hey, anyone wants to have dinner with us?”
As I stuck my head out the study door, the attendants jumped up with a commotion.
“Ah, Miss?”
“Us?”
“The head allowed you to go to the banquet hall, but it’d feel empty if it were vacant.”
“Empty…?”
For some reason, the attendants seemed fixated on that word.
“We’ll make sure there isn’t a single empty spot!”
And so, we—
“It’s such an honor to see you here, Miss.”
“Miss, try some peacock meat.”
“Ah! I thought it was chicken. Peacock?”
The banquet hall was filled with attendants, and we had dinner.
“Oh, you’re here, young master. This way!”
Even Abelus entered midway, seemingly invited by the attendants.
“Abelus!”
I waved cheerfully, and he quietly perched at the end of the long bench where I sat.
“Oh, young master!”
“Long time no see, young master.”
“Long time no see, Velicus, Velicia.”
Abelus and the siblings greeted each other awkwardly.
At first, everyone enjoyed the meal together, but after a while, the children spoke among themselves, and the adults among themselves.
When the attendants no longer paid attention to me, I asked Velicia:
“But Velicia, why did you suddenly come back to the mansion?”
“Huh? Miss didn’t know?”
Velicia asked, surprised.
“Didn’t anyone tell you?”
Suddenly, the siblings started whispering to each other.
“…It’ll be fine, right?”
“Yes. Even I…”
Finally, Velicia spoke first.
“I thought it would be better to stay near the training grounds. I’ll train hard every weekend.”
Velicus added,
“Yeah, and while we’re here, I’ll play with you, Miss.”
“We can only play in the evenings because of school, but how does that sound?”
“Yes, sounds good.”
There was nothing bad about that for me. I could handle outings while the children were at school. Practicing powers with them would help me improve faster.
“But when do I stop being ‘Miss’? You’ve all grown so much already.”
“You’ll always be Miss to me, even if you become a little old lady.”
“That’s right, Miss is always Miss.”
The siblings laughed at their own playful banter.
Meanwhile, Abelus silently ate, deep in thought.
“Um, young master…”
Velicia glanced at him.
“What’s wrong, sister?”
“I was worried we might have called him while he’s busy.”
“No, don’t worry about it.”
That probably only made them worry more. Unlike me, the siblings were still awkward with Abelus due to their long-standing enmity under Erasinus. They also missed the chance to reconcile when they left the mansion.
Hmm…
I wanted everyone to get along, so I decided to ease the awkwardness.
“Abelus, look at Velicus. He’s grown so much!”
Abelus glanced at Velicus.
“…Has he?”
‘“…Has he?” Seriously?!’
Velicus, who had been so hopeful, looked disappointed at that response.
He’s probably not uninterested in Velicus; he just doesn’t know how to express it.
I pretended not to notice the awkward atmosphere and spoke in an even brighter tone.
“He might even be taller than you soon, Abelus. Right?”
“No way.”
Velicia denied it, but Velicus’s eyes sparkled, thinking it might be true.
“Really?”
“Come stand next to him, quickly!” I shouted.
But the result—
“Abelus is still a head taller.”
“Of course, Miss. The young master is still growing too, just like Velicus.”
“…Tch.”
“Velicus, that’s not polite in front of the young master. Sorry, sir. He’s been like this lately.”
“It didn’t feel rude, so no need to apologize.”
Abelus, who had initially stood up for us, sat back down.
“Velicus, you need to step up a bit.”
Velicus, looking determined, called for a servant.
“Hey! Bring me a big glass of milk!”
Then, in front of everyone, he drank a whole container in one gulp.
He slammed it down with a thud.
“One more bottle!”
‘Acting like an old man already!’
I giggled at him. Velicus was funny, but I also felt relieved—the future I had worried about seemed to have changed for the better.
