The Protagonist’s Party is Too Diligent – 114
EP.114 Invitation (4)
When we arrived, the sun was already beginning to set, so we quickly made our way into the main mansion. Since we planned to stay for several days, there was no rush to explore the estate just yet; we could do that tomorrow.
Leo and Baron Grace seemed to have some matters to discuss separately. When Leo glanced back at us while following the Baron, his expression suggested that their conversation wouldn’t be a simple one. Given the Grace family’s traditions, it was likely that he would be sparring with his father. In fact, the Baron’s strength was known to be among the highest in the game world. And he wasn’t the type to go easy on his son either.
I could understand Leo’s expression. If I were him and returned home for vacation only to find an even more intense training regimen waiting for me, I’d probably make that same face.
At the same time, a sense of dread crept in. If I went back to the palace, I’d likely have an audience with the Emperor as well, wouldn’t I?
The situation would be complicated even if Leo wasn’t undergoing specific training. Being around me would pose another issue. At the academy, men and women interacted freely, but in noble society… it was difficult to gain a good impression if a man was constantly surrounded by women.
If women were flocking around a man with a macho, dominant presence, that could be seen as a point of pride, but if a pretty boy like Leo was chatting and laughing with women… well, that could raise some eyebrows.
I couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for Leo. While Alice and I were here, he would inevitably have to endure those kinds of looks from others more than once.
“When I heard that the ‘sister’ Claire always mentioned was the princess, I must admit, I somewhat doubted Claire’s memory.”
The Baroness said, elegantly sipping her tea as she spoke.
Noticing she didn’t put any sugar in her tea, I briefly considered following suit, but I quickly decided that it would only make me leave my tea unfinished, so I added just one lump of sugar. It was a relief that the atmosphere didn’t seem to be one where such small details were under scrutiny.
“……”
Not knowing how to respond to the Baroness’s comment, I bought some time by taking a sip of tea.
“I think it’s understandable.”
“Sister.”
Claire replied softly, sounding a little sad, but quickly closed her mouth and subtly glanced at the Baroness.
Since the Baroness and her husband would never treat Claire differently because she wasn’t blood-related, it seemed likely that Claire was more concerned with me being called ‘older sister.’ The Grace couple was relatively progressive, but they were still nobles, and for nobles, calling someone “older sister” who wasn’t one by blood was an improper expression, especially when the person being addressed was a princess.
Ironically, because the Grace family didn’t discriminate against those who weren’t blood-related, they viewed me as a definite member of the imperial family.
“It’s fine.”
I spoke before the Baroness could say anything.
“We lived so closely in our younger years, relying on each other like that.”
At my words, Claire’s face flushed a little. Alice looked back and forth between the two of us, a curious glint in her eyes.
Alice had never asked me about my past, and while we never made an explicit promise not to, there was an unspoken rule between us. Not just for me, but for other imperial children as well.
The fact that Alice didn’t know about Claire’s past was likely due to that same reason. But with someone in front of us who knew about my past, I couldn’t blame Alice for feeling a curiosity that was now evident in her eyes.
Still, she didn’t ask.
“Is that so…”
The Baroness scrutinized me carefully as she spoke.
She was probably being cautious since Claire’s memory had been confirmed by the princess herself.
“Claire and I came from the same orphanage. I’m the one who brought Claire here.”
“And you brought the other children as well, correct?”
“…Yes.”
Although there was no reproach in her voice, I couldn’t help but feel a bit embarrassed when speaking about it openly like this. In a way, I had essentially taken on the responsibility of those children. I knew full well what the Grace family was like.
Moreover, at the time, I had planned to stay with them as well.
I often wondered what my life would have been like if I had been placed here. Would I have grown up with Claire and Leo, playing and arguing over who would be the older sibling? Or would I have taken on the role of the eldest, like I had originally intended?
Then again, without any swordsmanship skills, I might not have been adopted by the Grace family at all. In fact, Claire was the only one among the children who was adopted.
Still, I would have taken the academy entrance exams. I might have ended up in a different class.
If that had happened, Alice and I wouldn’t have been in this equal relationship. Instead, I might have looked up to Alice.
One choice could have completely altered my future.
“There’s no need to worry too much.”
The Baroness, perhaps interpreting my expression and reaction, gave me a gentle smile.
“All the children have grown up wonderfully. Some have already started working as retainers for our family.”
“Really?”
Hmm…
To be honest, I didn’t know how the other children remembered me. For Claire, it seemed like a vivid memory, but for the others…
Honestly, I couldn’t even remember their faces or names clearly.
I had studied the game content thoroughly, writing notes on paper repeatedly to retain details, and I had even visited places related to the game’s background when I could.
But I hadn’t put much effort into remembering other things. Just living through it all had been a bit overwhelming for me.
Still, I was glad that the children hadn’t gone astray.
“In fact,” the Baroness said, setting her teacup down with a slightly heavier tone. “We didn’t tell the other children who you truly are. It’s a sensitive matter, after all.”
“I appreciate that.”
I responded honestly.
It didn’t matter if the fact that I wasn’t blood-related got out, but it was better if my true identity remained hidden. The less known, the better.
In that regard, Claire calling me “sister” was a bit risky, but… well, Claire had always been something of an oddball among the nobility.
Plus, the other noble students all assumed I had something behind me, so no one was too eager to get involved with me. So, I didn’t mind if Claire used an unusual title for me.
“However, if you wish, we can arrange for you to meet the other children.”
“……”
I looked over at Alice and Claire.
Alice seemed a little curious. Since Claire was one of the children I had saved, she probably wanted to see what the others were like as well.
As for Claire, it seemed like she was eagerly anticipating the idea.
Though she had been adopted by the Grace family, she had likely been close to the other children before. I had only spent a brief time with them, but Claire had surely spent her childhood with those kids. In other words, they were probably childhood friends.
That thought piqued my interest a little too.
The children likely wouldn’t recognize me, but I was curious about the relationship Claire had built with them. The Grace family had a more open and comfortable atmosphere with their retainers, so perhaps Claire was living with them in a casual way, addressing them informally.
And, more than anything, I was curious about how meaningful the actions I took back then had been.
However.
“But it’s already getting late.”
Although we hadn’t had dinner yet, it was getting close to that time. While commoners might sleep just a few hours a day, the nobility lived differently. And the Grace family wouldn’t treat their retainers like factory workers, making them work late into the night.
Wouldn’t it be a bit much to tour the estate at this hour? Especially since, with a princess visiting, everyone would have to come out and greet us.
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
The Baroness spoke confidently.
“There are children in this house learning various trades. Since today’s lesson was in the afternoon, there should be no problem if we go and see them.”
At her words, both Alice and Claire looked at me at the same time.
“…I understand. In that case, I’ll gladly take you up on your kind offer.”
In the end, that’s how I responded.