Chapter: 4.5
This takes place after chapter 3, when they went to make sandwiches:
This girl really doesn't understand the concept of free will, huh. No matter what I try, I can't get out of her grip. I even use some magic and part of my real strength, but that's also useless. Did she specifically train her grip strength for this?
No, don't be ridiculous, Cid. No normal human being would ever do that. But Amelia isn't really normal either, so...
No need to think about it too much. I have to put more thought into getting out of this situation. If not... I'll be dead toast.
You might ask me, why I would be dead toast if I just simply hold her hand. That's just an act between children in their youth, right?
NAIVE!
Did you forget with whom I walking with? This is still the daughter of a Duke and Duchess. Popular ones at that, and if they see me, an unasuming background character, walking hand in hand towards her home, do you know what could happen? They might arrange something that would ruin my act as a background mob! The fact that our parents are good friends doesn't make my chances look better either. I can see their gazes and hear them talking about future marriages like I'm being sold off to them.
But shouldn't it the other way around? The girl will be wed off to a powerful family, so that her own family can gain more power?Yes, maybe in my old world.
But we're living in an Isekai right now. And just like Claire, Amelia can also claim to be the heir of the household once her parents retire, if she proves her worth of becoming a ruler over their domain.
That, like in my old world, would fall flat if she decided to marry someone above her status, like a prince or becomes a concubine of a king, or something like that. But I've heard (she drilled it into my head, once I asked her about it) that she doesn't have any interest in being enganged to any royalty. So that checks out.
So where does that leave me? That's right. My parents found it funny to act like they were discussing marriage prospects about Amelia and me in front of us. My eardrums still hurt to this day from Amelia's scream and squeal right next to me.
So I'm the one who they decided to wed off, because I didn't deliever any exceptional results while sparring or studying. So basically, I'm their one way to gain more fame and power through marrying Amelia. I could see their smirks, teasing her and me, but I suprisingly don't worry that much about it anymore.
Why? Because in the end, it's just plain old teasing from our parents that will never bear fruit in the future. Just like childhood friends, who drift apart after a period of time. While japanese media doesn't like that, it's not so uncommon in real life, you know? There's just one problem with my plan of drifting apart. Amelia just won't stop spending time with me. It's like I'm a magnet that she feels attracted towards for some reason. But I've never even done anything to her, except enjoying some of her free stuff that she always brings when visiting us.
So I can't really say that I understand why she's so insistent to spending time with me, even to the extend to fight off Claire to claim the right. But she learned to refrain doing that. Not because her parents told her to or because she saw that it's illogical to do something like that, but because I would always sneak away from the scene when it happend. And now they agreed on some system that would lead them to spend time with me equally.
Shouldn't I have the right to say something about that? It's my own time after all. And I heard some terrifying murmurs from both of them planning my bath time so they can join. I shuddered a little bit at that and because of that I would go wash myself when Claire and Amelia were both busy. But that didn't always work. And what do you do as a background character, when a naked girl joins you in the bath. That's right. Get a nosebleed and faint. That's my tactical retreat move in such situations, but they didn't stop there.
After waking up from my first nosebleed, Claire and Amelia came to me and told me that they won't stop doing that, so that I can get used to their company when I'm bathing. I tried to refuse, but the looks they gave me when I even mentioned a negative response got me goosebumps. And so I would always faint when they came in, making me lose a lot of blood that I had circulate to my nose so that it would look realistic.
After loosing too much blood to the point that I saw my mother four times, I had enough and asked Eta to make some fake blood. Thankfully, she already had it ready for some reason.
"Young lady! Why did you walk home without escort? That's dangerous! We would have brought you back home with the carriage if you just told the butler who was with you in the Kagenou Domain."
"Greetings. As you can see, I'm completely fine and have brought a guest with me. He's a very special friend of mine, so treat him nicely okay?"
"Y-yes, of course!"
She completely ignored the worries of her guards and makes her own demands. And also... Since when did we get here? We're currently standing in front of the entrance to the Hikaru estate, where we were stopped by the guards. It would take two days with a carriage to travel from the Kagenou Barony to the Hikari Domain. But my inner monologue didn't even feel like ten minutes. And the sun isn't even setting. Did we teleport?
Amelia turns to me. She looks a little bit worn out from something.
"As I thought. You didn't even pay attention to your surroundings, did you?"
".... Yes...."
"Yeah I can see that from your confused expression. Let me enlighten you. We took a shortcut and we were even faster by putting magic into our legs."
"But you dragged me-"
"Shhhhh. We ran like a happy couple back home, is that clear?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Don't call me that! That makes me feel old for some reason. Just go back calling me Amelia, okay?"
Such a forceful tone. She likes to boss around other people, huh. Doesn't suprise me, honestly. From the way I can guess how she grew up, I can see that she was always the one who had the last word in an argument. I should appease her for now, she's still the one making the sandwiches.
"Yes, Amelia."
"Better, now then let's not waste any time. I'm sure you're hungry, right?"
"Yes, Amelia."
The gates are opened before us, as we go in her house, or mansion? It's pretty big. Who am I fooling here. It's gigantic. If you compare our estate with this castle like home, it would be like looking a barn and royal castle next to each other. And don't get me started on the door. Who needs even such big doors like this? Are they expecting a giant to come through one day?
But I can use this.
If I can just get one moment where I'll be free of her grasp, I can wander aimlessly through the halls and hide myself from her for the rest of the day. And if she asks me where I was, I can just say that I wanted to go to the toilet but got lost. That's absolutely genius! But I have to wait for the chance to appear yet.
She still doesn't let go of my hand. It's like there was some super glue connecting us or something but in reality it was her handgrip that forced us to stay connected. But I feel the salvation coming to me when she finally lets go.
Huh, she's saying something. I should probably listen before she gets mad again and changes her mind.
"-so I'll go and get some ingredients. Be a good boy(-friend) and wait here for me, alright?"
There was something in her sentence that I don't like, but I will ignore it for now. I salute like a soldier before his commander before I speak.
"Understood. I'll not move until you come back."
"Oh? You're finally behaving exactly like I wanted. Did something happen while we were on our way here?"
"No, not really. I'm just excited for the sandwiches you make."
"And if you play your cards right, you can get these everyday when we begin to live together."
I don't like the way where this conversation is going.
"Uhh. No thanks. It's important to have a balanced diet after all."
I can see her making a disappointed face, before hitting me on the shoulder.
"Why won't you get the hint? Whatever, I'll be right back."
I just nod and wave at her as she distances herself from me. Every two meters she goes, she turns around to see if I'm still there. But I'm not that stupid to suddenly disappear when she can still see me. So I'll simply vanish when she goes through that door, that's also too big for anyone in this world, and use the bathroom excuse when she can't find me.
She either knows me really good or has extrem paranoia, as she suddenly decided to walk backwards to always look at me before leaving me out of her sight. As she finally reaches the door, I can hear her shouting something at me from the distance.
"Also, don't forget that you'll bath with me here tonight!"
"But I'll get a nosebleed!"
"Then get used to it! We'll bath together in the future, you know? Better sooner than later!"
"How about we don't?!"
"No!"
Geez. Always the commanding tone. Maybe I'll ask a maid for a place to bath. And when she sees me, she either throws me out or shows me a bath that's hidden from Amelia, where she doesn't find me. Or maybe I can just flee after we eat? So many possibilities, but only one that I can use...
As she finally goes through the door, I make myself ready for a spectacular escape. But I'm already interrupted before I can even start. While I had sensed them tailing Amelia and I from the beginning when we entered through the doors of this giant mansion, it seems they only make their appearance, once Amelia is gone. That makes sense. After all, who would kidnap the guest of the lady of the house directly in front of the lady herself.
Initially, I didn't care much about these people watching us from afar, but then I realized something. They weren't after Amelia, like how I first guessed, but after me! That literally perfect! I always wanted to play the victim role in such plays. That's the easiest way to get to a bandit hideout without even doing anything. So basically, free money by just letting myself get kidnapped!
But my happiness for my future fortune is halted and immediately destroyed as I recognize the people coming out from the corners. One was an attractive blond haired man with dark brown eyes. He looked like he was in his thirties, but could still move like he never left his prime. I've seen him somewhere before, but I don't remember where. Next to him is teenage boy with black medium long hair and sky blue eyes. He was only some years older than me. If I had to guess, then I would think that he's the same age as Claire but I'm not really sure. One thing I noticed is that they both look fairely similar to each other.
Hmmmm. These blue eyes are familiar. Like a certain person bothering me all the time... Ah!
I see. These two are probably related to Amelia. Well, at least the black haired boy, but I don't know about the Ikeman standing right next to him. They're looking strangely at me for some reason. But there's also a hint of disapprovement and haughtiness in their aura.
Hey, I haven't even done anything yet and you're already underestimating me?
Good. That's excatly what I always wanted how people see me. If only Claire and Amelia would look at me in such a way, then I wouldn't have to make the effort to avoid them every time they're close to me.
The black haired boy begins to open his mouth and speak. I have to listen to this, as I'm sadly not allowed to skip through a kidnapper monologue, why they take someone away. It's the law you know? It's like you're not allowed to interrupt a magical girl in midst her transformation. I would also find it insulting if someone were to ever interrupt me when I make a grand reveal that it was always the shadowbroker behind everything behind the scenes, you know. One bandit tried to shoot me while the slime was surrounding me and I punished him for it. Instead of killing him instantly, I ripped out his arms and legs one by one, while stopping the blood of gushing out, so he doesn't die immediately.
While that might seem psycotic, I just couldn't forgive him for breaking such a simple but important rule in transformation. Well, maybe I was irritated from the week before, as I always didn't find any treasures that the bandits would leave behind and that the girls went and did something exciting, completely leaving me out of the fun. I didn't make this play up for nothing, you know? I also want to be included in the fun!
I trailed for a bit there. So let's listen seriously for now!
"You're Cid Kagneou, right?"
Asking the victim it's name although they know that it's them. Check.
"Y-yes? What do you want from me?"
Stuttering to seem like that I'm really scared in this situation. Check.
"You'll be coming with us for a bit."
Not answering my question but proceding on with the kidnapping. Check.
"W-what, b-b-but w-why?"
They stay silent as the blondie reaches out to grab my left arm while the black haired guy grabs the other, proceeding to drag me away somewhere. On the way there, we were seen by some guards, maids and butlers but they only bowed their head slightly before resuming what there were doing. I don't know why they would even bow to someone like me and I don't think that these gentlemen dragging me away are someone of importance here. But whatever, time to think about my time in inprisonment. Maybe I'll get tortured for no reason, or maybe I'll have a cellmate, with whom I can plan out an epic escape from there.
But I wasn't dragged outside of the mansion for my ultra escape plan from Amelia, but instead thrown into one of the room in the estate. Admitely, it was already far away from where we were before, but I really hoped that I could get out of here as fast as possible. Looking around I can see some mold and chains on the wall. It seems that we're in the basement of this estate. That's even more exciting! After 'interrogating' me and then leaving me alone to suffer after they're satisfied, I'll break out of this cell and wait for the next time they come. And when they do, I'll make my debut and spout some cool lines like: "You are already way too late. Unfortunately, your time of living... has passed."
But they don't do anything to me. Instead they look at me curiously and even a bit confused as if I'm not giving them the reaction they expected.
Ah...
I was too immersed in my thoughts for the future that I completely forgot to make a scene or a cry of help. Heck, I had a blank face the entire time I was being carried not so gently. Time to fix this mistake of mine. Mob-techniques are my special moves after all.
I put on a frightend face as if I would crap my pants any moment, shake my body so much as if I was nacked during a blizzard and crawl away from my kidnappers in my attempt to flee. While I was doing that, I made myself look as pathetic as possible and made some stumbles over nothing that are even Gamma worthy.
"Ah! G-get a-away from me! I-I have done n-nothing wrong!"
"And that's the boy Amelia likes? He looks pathetic."
I can feel their disappointment drilling into my body! Yes, underestimate me more!
After clearing his throat, the black haired teen began to speak to me.
"Relax, boy. We aren't here to harm you. At least if you answer our questions appropriately. Is that clear?"
I choose to nod like I was some crazy person in an attempt to say yes to his question. I can see their opinion of me sinking in their eyes. Good. They'll never expect what will be coming for them.
"Good. First question: What is Amelia to you?"
Huh? I thought this would be about some random questions that I couldn't answer, and taking my unwillingness and obliviousness account I was certain that they would frame me ofr something I didn't even do, so they could torture me. Don't get me wrong. I don't like torture done on me. I don't even feel that much pain as I can reinforce some of magic into the spots they hit or cut and I can even heal myself instantly after the damage is inflicted on me. But I would like to showcase some of my well honed and trained Mob-fu. And one of them, fittingly, is 'crying like a baby, when hurt', so this is basically the best moment to test it right now.
But asking about Amelia, huh. I shouldn't keep them waiting, there are still some other questions for me to answer.
"A-melia? S-S-She's just a f-friend of mine?!"
There is a tick mark forming in his forhead. I swear that I've seen this somewhere before... Oh the blond ikeman is speaking. He in comparison looks calmer than his companion, but I won't be fooled. I can see the slight pure hate in his eyes reflecting when he's looking at me. So he's the time to hide his lust for blood, huh.
"Calm yourself. Second question: What do you think is Amelia's opinion of you?"
Amelia again? Why are we staying on that topic? I just got away from her. And if you're so interested in Amelia, why don't just take her yourself? Seems more logical to me.
"T-the s-same, sir!"
They black haired guy makes his way towards me, before grabbing my collar and coming near my face to look at me intensly and trying to look intimidating. That's also very background character like for a kidnapper when they're angry at their victim for something they said. But in my case, I have no idea what he would be mad about.
"You really think that Amelia thinks of you as a friend!? She rejected the most handsome sons of dukes on parties, broke the hearts of everyone trying to make a move on her and she doesn't even feel bad about it, because she knows and we know that no one was worthy for her. And YOU think that you two are friends?! Don't make me laugh."
Broke the hearts of everyone making a move on her? She's only eleven for christ's sake! That's creepy, but if you think about it more... I'm currently in an Isekai right now. The rules here are a bit different than my old world, so maybe it's not that uncommon for people to hit on eleven year old kids? No, there is no way that this is acceptable, plain disgusting. I shouldn't dwell on it for too long.
"Hiiiii!"
"Also don't call her Amelia! You don't have the right for that!"
"Y-yes, s-sir!"
The blondie who was watching this whole spectacle from the sideline only sighed and made his way towards us. Maybe he wants to his share of me too? But contrary to my beliefs, blondie did only remove the guy that was still grabbing me at the collar and said to him that he should let me go. Saving the best for the last, huh? He still has his calm expression as he speaks to me, but I can't see any warmth in his eyes. Understandable, who would pity the person they're kidnapping? That would be controversial.
"I see... Let's move on. Third question: What are your intentions with Amelia?"
Intentions? I don't have any intention doing anything with her. Heck, she's the one bothering me all the time without pause. You should ask vice versa: What are her intentions with me? She randomly decided to talk to a mob like me and wouldn't take no for an answer trying to reject her invitation.
"Intentions? I-I do-on't have any in-intention with Miss Hikari, I-I swear!"
"Lies! I can see the lust in his eyes just thinking about her! But unfortunately for you, we'll be the ones stopping you from doing anything to our precious Amelia!"
Ah, the young one just snapped for no reason. Maybe his emotions are sensitive? Or he's the type of person who gets irritated quickly. But the blondie who asked the question didn't look happy at all. And he wasn't even angry at me. But rather...
"Calm yourself, Adam! That is not the behavior that I like to see from you!"
"But father..."
They're related? I mean I can see the resemblance in their faces a bit. And the magic flow in their body is also a bit similiar, but I just thought that I was kidnapped by some brothers, who are young men trying to make quick money. But instead I'm just the medium for their father-son bonding time.
"Excuse my son for his outburst. Let us move on to the last question: Are you prepared for the consequences of being associated with Amelia? (Being seen in public, misunderstandings between nobles and some will even make your life worse than you could ever think of)"
That's a weird question. Consequences? Oh, you mean how she would get on ones nerves when she's with you? Or how she's sp stubborn, always trying to be right, even though we both know that she's wrong? Or how she wouldn't leave you alone even if you politely ask her to move away from you personal space as she literally breathes down your neck?
Yeah, that's pretty annoying to deal with. But I don't have to worry about it. I can just hold on until we're in the capital. Amelia will meet the protagonist, fall in love with him, join his harem and his adventure to beat some demon king or last boss. So she'll leave me eventually and I can go and do my stuff as a shadowbroker. Mayble I'll get to the boss fight before the hero party, so they can see what person is fighting against their enemy so easily and then I'll disappear while dropping a badass line.
"Yes. I'm ready to take on anything."
Ah shoot. I forgot to stutter. But he said that it will be the last question, so he'll probably think nothing of it.
He looks at me with a hint of suprise in his face, before it vanishes. I doubt anyone other than me could have seen his expression change so slightly. And just behind him, I can see his son picking up something in this room. Oh, it's a knife. I don't think that he will stab his father during their bonding time kidnapping me, so I think he's aiming it towards me. Yep, and I can feel him putting magic into this knife before throwing it.
"You're lying again! I don't believe anything you say! Go to hell before you can harm our Amelia!"
Wow, it was just like in anime and manga. He spoke so fast but still clearly while the knife was in the air. I thought that was just an exagerration that authors use so they can show the anger of a character while the character himself is already in action, but it was real all along. I can dodge it, no problem. But that would be too suspicous as I made myself seem like I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings. So I'll just take the throwing knife to my body and will just protect my vitals.
But suddenly the knife was shot down in mid air and completely vaporized into some steam. From an outsider's perspective it would look like someone blasted a pure magic beam to vaporize the knife, but that's wrong. If people were able to shoot pure magic from their body, why would they even learn swordsmanship? They can just blast something like a Kamehameha and if their magic output and efficiency is high enough, then they can just spam it. That would be boring, but fortunately for me, magic in this world is just like electricity in my old world. So it basically disappears as soon as it leaves your body.
So to sum it up, what vaporized the knife wasn't a magic blast, but rather another knife thrown at a even higher speed and more magic inbued to it that it was basically steaming hot. But more importantly, I wonder who will be the one that will save me-
"What are you two doing?"
A chilling voice sounds through the room. Instead of a hero that saves the day and warms everybody up, you could feel the temperature dropping several degrees, even though fire magic was just used. It's a female voice and unfortunately familiar to me. But I can see a silhouette standing behind her. The father and the boy back away immediately, trying to get away from Amelia as far as possible only to find their final destination at the wall.
Amelia takes a step forward.
"Did you not hear me? I asked what you two were doing?"
Man, she's looks really scary right now. I think the ends of her hair are standing up a little and I can literally see the aura of a demon standing there. That reminds me a lot of mother almost every time she talks to father. The person standing behind also begins to enter the room. It's a woman of elegance and beauty that other women would be jealous for. Her body was well developed and she smoth and silky black hair. Although she was smiling with her eyes closed, everyone who isn't blind could see that she also wasn't very happy.
"Hiiii!"
"W-wait! I can explain!"
And now they're the ones stuttering. Both of them seem to have stolen my technique to look pathetic. Unforgivable! I worked hard on my Mob-fu! And now you're stealing it and act like it's your own!? That's uncool man.
"Oh? Then please do so. I'm waiting."
Amelia comes to a halt, before looking slightly at me. As a true mob character I have to act accordingly to my role. Stepping away from her as far as possible but not to the guys. Teaming up with someone who steals your moves and techniques is a illogical action, so I just use the other wall that hinders me from getting further away. Everyone would be scared shitless if the incarnation of Satan and Diablos was furious at you.
She looks at the guys again and crosses her arms to implicate that she waiting for them to explain. Seeing the chance to get a glimpse of hope, the black haired guy starts talking frantically while sweaing buckets.
"You see, we thought it was a good idea to have a talk to him. It's obvious that you should greet your guests, right? And we did exactly that! Asked him some questions to get some idea about hus character and then we joked around for a bit, like all boys do. So you don't have to get so angry-"
"That's enough."
They boy shuts his mouth in record time. It seems like that his attempt to explain failed. No, it was more like, no matter what we would have said, she didn't want to listen or even believe him. But why is she even that much angry in the first place? Or is it just a thing for higher nobles to be mad at someone if they kidnap someone in their home, basically implying that their security in this place in complete trash? Yeah, that could be the reason.
"Do you even know what you could have done if I hadn't stopped you? If it weren't for the matter that you two are my father and brother, I would instantly take you two apart in such a way that you two would see death as a mercy from the goddess Beatrix!"
With every word she spoke, her anger seemed to double it's size even more than I initially could believe. How can someone be so mad at kidnappers. Wait...
Did Amelia just say father and brother? They're family! Oh, now I see why the blondie was so familiar to me! But I've never heard from a son of the Hikari's and Amelia didn't mention a word about him. But one thing is for sure: That brother is a massive brocon. No matter how you look at it, there are the red flags of him behaving exactly like Claire. I can see now why he always was so pissed at me when I talked about Amelia. But kidnapping the guest of your sister? Not even Claire would do something like that-
Scratch that. She would definetly do that. And she did, the one time when Amelia tried to sneak into my room at night. Luckly for me, Claire was coincidentally just going to the direction to my room for some reason, and they both met each other just before my bedroom door. They got into a heated argument before Claire decided that it would be a good idea to bring Amelia into our basement. After locking her up, Claire went back into her own room, tired from handing Amelia, that's what she told me.
I was curious how Amelia let herself captured like that and so I went to our family basement and tried to take a look how her condition is. Key word: tried. As soon as I came down there, I immediately heard a desperate cry for help. I silently cursed myself as this was the perfect situation for the protagonist to rescue the helpless maiden so that she would fall in love with him. But now I have to do this job.
In the Kagenou estate, some weeks prior:
"Cid? Cid! Are you here to save me? I knew that I could count on you. You aren't like you demon sister, decieving me to come all the way down here, only to chain me up-"
"Yeah, yeah. I get it. C'mon let's get you out of here."
I open her handcuffs with the key hanging just beside the cell room. After being finally free, Amelia proceeded to hug me tightly, as if she had found something that she's was looking for, for more than a decade. I don't exatcly get it, but I just hugged her back and we stood still in this position for a few minutes. Until I heard some heavy breathing coming down from her face. I was confused for a bit, before I finally realized what was going on. She was inhaling my scent!
After coming to the conclusion to what she was doing, I instantly shoved herself off from me. That was harder than I expected, as she didn't want to let go of me. But I made it eventually. Remebering the reason for coming down here, I ask her the questions that I had.
"So why were you in our basement locked up and chained with handcuffs on your hands?"
"Claire brought me here, tricked me and then left me alone to rot away, if hadn't found me here."
"How did Nee-san trick you?"
Claire wasn't really the one specialising in the art of decieving but was more like a person liking the brute force method. No matter what she did, in the end, it would come to a fight that Claire would mostly win. So I can see how Amelia was overpowered, but tricked? I can't really imagine that.
"Well... she said that down the basement would be the proof that you love me... and so I immediately rushed into the cell and before I knew it... I was chained up..."
The proof that I love her? What the hell is Claire talking about? And why did Amelia even fall for such a cheap trick like this?
"Oh, I see?"
"But just like a hero in shining white armor, you came to rescue me! Oh, how could I ever repay you back? How about getting married-"
"No thanks, sweets and money are enough."
"Killjoy."
"Whatever, let's get out of here. Oh, and also, don't ever tell anyone that this ever happend. If your family caught wind of this, then I'm pretty sure that my whole lineage would be beheaded in just a swift strike. So please don't say anything!"
If my whole family is dead, then I have to find a new role replacing 'Cid Kagenou'. And mom and dad don't deserve to be punished for something that Claire did. Even if it was stupid. And I can't let Claire die either. If she dies, then I would be promoted to the heir of the Kagenou Barony, which is such a pain. I wouldn't have the time to do something Eminence in Shadow like as no mob character is a ruler of a Barony even if it's a small one.
"Of course! I won't let you die! Especially not from the hands of my family. Don't worry, my parents hold you in a positive light right now. So don't mess up the work I did for you."
"Uhhh... sure?"
What did Amelia tell her parents? You know what? I don't even want to know.
Back to the present:
And so did Claire's first exposure to the kidnapper role end. Only Claire, Amelia and I know that Amelia suddenly disappeared but was back before anyone could make a fuss about it.
I swayed off for a little bit there, so let's get back to where we were before.
The black haired beauty behind Amelia finally makes her voice debut. She had a happy tone to her voice, but everyone knew that she only masked the blizzard in her eyes with that happy tone.
"And that's how you treat the friend of your daughter and sister?"
Simultaneously, the heads of the boys shaked in fear while also answering her question. The chilling tone is almost the same Amelia had. But it was even more sinister, like she had more experience to use it like that.
The blondie tried to raise his voice for a last attempt to survive the situation.
"B-but, h-honey. W-we only wanted t-to look if he was w-worthy for our little princess!"
"Do you have to take someone away without their permission, so you can only look if they're 'worthy' in your own eyes? Do you even realize how stupid that sounds?"
"Y-yes..."
The husband waved the white flag infront of this ice queen. The mother, I presumbly think that from the context, approaches the two guys, grabs them at their neck collar, before dragging them awaay somewhere. The boys tried to resist but were ultimately powerless against such a force standing right before them. The black haired dude who threw the knife at me, tried to claw his fingers into the ground but she simply stomped in his fingers when he did that. So after a short time, the mother dragged the desparetely screaming boys away, and we were the only ones left.
There was a undescribable silence in the room. I didn't know if I should make the first move or wait and see what she wants to do. Because honestly, I don't have any idea what her current mood is right now. And after seeing her seething rage towards her own family, I don't know if I'll be exception. But I'll believe in her. She did save me after all? Or was it rather to punish her father and brother for showing such a behavior towards a guest?
Some time earlier to the present:
Amelia POV:
I finally did it! I got Cid to come back home with me without Claire noticing! I have so many possibilities right now that I want to explore. I have a huge list in my room with things I want to do with Cid. So let's go up my room and take a good look of the things so I can plan out what I can do first and how much I can do today.
I know that I can't do everything at once as the time for that is lacking, but Cid and I still have a lot of time to spend together in the future. And after looking how he came along with me without complaining on the way, I can only see it as him not having anything against the idea of visiting our home.
If only he would show up more here or in balls hosted by some nobles in the area. There's even a annual meeting for nobles all over Midgar, but I've never seen Cid on any of them. Nonetheless, I still attend those only for the hope of meeting him there, so I can show off the world who'll be my fiancee in the future! Maybe I'll bring up the idea of Cid attending next time when I visit the Kagenou household.
On my way towards my room I meet a lot of maids who are looking rather confused about something. Seeing their curiosity awakened my own so I changed my path slightly and asked the maid on the side about their thoughts.
"What's wrong? You all look really confused about something. Is there something wrong?"
"N-no, it's nothing my lady. It's only that..."
"Only what?"
"After your description of Cid Kagenou, who you always praise and hold in high regards, he is rather looking so... plain."
After she spoke, she instinctively held up her arms in defense as if I would hit her for her comment. Do I really look like I would do something like that? Cid is also of the same opinion of me resorting to violence once something doesn't go my way. And yes, while I do that occasionally, it's only in extrem situations where I have to act quick. I hold a calm head in most things, I think.
But let's calm down this poor maid first.
"There's nothing to worry about. I won't hit you. I'm the one who asked for your opinion after all. And you're not wrong, Cid is really plain and ordinary to the extend where you wouldn't find him even if he was just among some people."
"To be honest, we expected something completely else."
What? I thought I gave them the right description of Cid, so that if ever decides to visit me personally, the guards would have a image of him and let him through. But their image was something different from what I can see. Hmmm.
"I see. But now that you've seen him, it's not a problem nor a mystery anymore, right?"
"Y-yes, my lady!"
"Good, if you'll excuse me for a bit, I'll go get somthing from my room."
"Understood!"
Our family hired some good maids. They all love their job here, though they're still nervous about the presence of someone with the Hikari name. But I think that they'll get used to it.
I head into my room and take my notebook with recipies and things I still want to do with Cid here. For example, house. A simple roleplay where one is the wife, me of course, and the husband, Cid in this case. And then they'll act like a lovey dovey couple during their play time.
But not for me! I have to use this chance. Normally, when I suggest to play house with Cid, he always looks so tired as if he doesn't want to do anything, and because of that he'd always resort back to his last defence against me: Claire Kagenou. One time I suggested playing house with Cid in front of her and she flipped at me. But she wasn't mad about us playing. No, she was more mad about her not being the wife in this roleplay with Cid, and when we both tried to explain to her how it would be weird if he acted lovey dovey towards his own sister.
But her only response was laughing disgustungly and smirking towards Cid in a dangerous way. I didn't even know that a smirk can be malenovous, but you learn something new every day, right.
After checking that I got everything, I head back down to take Cid with me to the kitchen so he can see me cook his food. Maybe it'll convince him to finally see me in a better light than his money spender. I know how he sometimes looks at me when I spend money in front of him. Most of the time I can't resist and buy whatever twice so he can have it, too and so that we have some matching things in the future.
Opening the door, I expect Cid still to be standing there or at least to be in this room where I left him. But on the contrary, he disappeared. At first I thought it was just some silly joke that Cid sometimes likes to play, and so I searched every nook, clits and shelf that I could find.
But there were no traces left of Cid. No a single clue where he could have gone.
This guy... I leave him alone for a few minutes and he disappeares?! And I won't allow his excuse of him going to the toilet and getting lost on the way! He can just ask the maids and butler standing before every room door.
That only leaves me with... Cid getting kidnapped... Oh no!
Of course! How could I forget?! I, the daughter of a duke and duchess, bring my precious friend back home, who is so weak that he can't defend himself against a little cat. Naturally, he would be a prime target for kidnapping, so that they can extort some money from me, so that they'll free him. These bastards! I won't forgive them! If something bad ever happens to Cid while I can stop it, then there will be hell on earth. I swear!
But let's get some support on my side.
Going up the stairs again, and turning into a different hallway, I knock on the large door standing right before me.
*knock* *knock*
"Come in."
I open the door and see my mother sitting in her work chair, drinking some tea while filling out some papers managing the household affairs and the things outside our domain, like trading. She really looks like she should catch a break anytime soon. And that's why I'm here!
"Good afternoon, mother. I have come to inform you that I've brought a guest with me."
"Oh, how delightful! Is it the boy that you're always talking about?"
"Mother! I'm not always talking about him! But yes, it's the same person."
My mothers changes her tired but still elegant expression to a happy sloppy one. You wouldn't expect this from my mother if you only saw her on the outside. But she's a human, too. Just like me, my brother, my father and almost everyone in this mansion. If I remember correctly, we hired some elves as maids some time ago, but I've never saw them for some reason.
"That wonderful! I can't wait to brag about his mother how she missed a crucial moment in your devolpment as a couple!"
"We're not a couple, yet!"
"'Yet'? Oh my, Amelia your intentions with him are as clear as the sun. But you still have a lot to learn! Let me show you some of my reference books that I used to seduce you father-"
"Enough! There are some bad news."
"Bad news?"
"Cid was kidnapped in this mansion."
My mother get a shocked expression. Understandbly, as her and my father put in a lot of effort to make this mansion as save as possible. And for someone to get kidnapped right under our nose, they have to be a skilled fighter. Or they're just a specialised stealth spy.
"Wait... It couldn't be... No, they wouldn't... but!"
"Mother? Is everything alright?"
Seems like that mother got an idea in her head. The instincts of my mother are second to none, so when she gets an idea, it'll come true as it happens or proceeds to fall in place. It's like the universe itself bends to her will when she uses her instinct.
"Amelia, follow me. We'll find Cid. He's still in our mansion, but they're underground in our cells and chambers."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
I sprint through the door and make 90° turn to tzhe right and almost dash without any clue what the fastest route to our basement is. Meh, it'll be fine. I've lived here long enough so I couldn't count the ammount of people killed on one finger. So I just dash off in some random direction, and then shout something back to my mom, while running.
"If you don't worry up, you'll never get to see your son in law, or your future grandchildren that'll inevetably come true if Cid doesn't die right now.
After hearing my statemenet, my mother picks up her pace to match it to mine, only a bit faster but that also failed. We divided our night patrol time into two halves, but only in the case if we found a crosswalk in our house.
And luckely for me, my mother found him before me, and we looked inside only to see Cid getting beaten up by some jocks. Because of the light I couldn't see the differences of the guys beating him up lag a boxsack.
But their figures are somehow familiar. I can't exactly describe it but there is just this feeling that I've seen their silhouettes before. But that doesn't matter right now. My top priority is getting Cid out of there as soon as possible. Though, my mother stops me before I walz through that door and beat everything up that isn't Cid.
"Calm yourself, Amelia. Even in such situations, you have to keep a cool head. And then you think about all the things that you want to do on them for hurting your loved one."
I don't even register what she said at the end as I take her advice to heart and think about deeply what I want to do on them. I look with a face full of apathy at the scene before finally snapping as I can see a magic reinforced knife flying towards Cid.
I won't allow that to happen! Not on my watch! What happens afterward is something the future me has to fix, so I storm into the room, throw a little paper ball that I ripped off from some pages of my notebook at the knife. Of course it was also imbued with magic and thus cancelled to power of the knife mid air.
That was a close one. Cid almost got hurt because of...
Brother!? And father?!
I can't believe it. My own family kidnapped their future son/brother in law without even hesitating a second after I left him.
No, that's unforgivable! Family or not, I'll act according to my ideals and my ideal right now is to punish them. Nothing more nothing less.
For my last amount of help, I let my mother in, so that she can also see what happend here. My brother tries some lame excuses to prove that Cid isn't worthy for me, but he doesn't know the real truth. There isn't a single person more suited for me than Cid. Everyone else is just backround fodder while Cid and I enjoy our carefree lives. I shut them up with a menacing tone that even I didn't hear before and give a signal to my mother so that she can take them away.
Now it's only me and Cid standing together in this room. I don't dare to make the first move. Cid probably understood immediately that these two are related to me. And I fear that he has build a grudge against us, especially me, as I'm the one who took him here only for him to get kidnapped by my own family.
There isn't a worse way to make the worst first impression of my family infront of Cid.
Cid POV:
Yeah, that's also a possibility. She didn't want them to sully the name of the Hikari's, and so they're punishing them now. And I, the witness and victim, will be cleared out of the way because I can badmouth their family and then act like as a victim in this situation. Not that anyone would be believe me anyway, but better safe than sorry, right?
But Amelia didn't do anything for the first five minutes. She was just standing there, staring at me as if I was some lost puppy she found on the street. That, before she finally decided to take my hand and lead me away somewhere. I just went with the flow of the situation, as I still have to act like I was scared shitless of her.
Our little walk didn't take long, as we reached the end of some random hallway (I didn't pay attention) and stood before a rather big door. Not as big as the doors before, but still enormous. Amelia let go of my hand and told me to stay outside, until she calls me to come in. Maybe there's something that she doesn't want me to see? Nah, there's probably some dust here and there which she quickly remembered, and now she tries to uphold her family image again.
But did you forget, Amelia? I'm just the son of a minor noble. I don't really have the influence to ruin your image nor anything. So don't worry about that! Naturally, I don't say that out loud, as she had a serious and panicked expression, as if remembering something important, once we stood before the doors. I don't get, but I'll let her do her thing, while I still have to find a way to get out of this mansion without angering our little duchess in making here.
After some while waiting for her to come out, the door opened slightly with Amelia's head peaking through from the other side.
"You can come in now."
She has suprisingly a shy expression on her face and the ends of her cheeks are beet red. Whatever, let's go in!
After the entering the room, I can proudly say that my room is like a doghouse in comparison to this. There's a queen sized bed with lots of plushies. On the side of the door when you directly come in you can see an antique table with different lamps on it that are also pretty old but still valuable on your left. Windows also aren't missing in this room. They lead outside towards a balcony where I can see a table for two with two teacups and one teapot. I can see another door leading somewhere and from the little creak I can guess that's where the clothes are gathered. So basically here wardrobe is bigger than my bedroom.
Life's bad man. But I have to stay patient. My bandit hunt is giving me some more pocket money for my shadow broker collection of cool things. If I hunt long enough or even get a different income, then I'll be richer before anyone can realize!
Amelia leads me on the queen sized bed, pushing me down. That may sound bad, but she actually did push me only slightly so that I had to sit. After making sure that I won't run away, she went back to the door and locked it. Wait, could it be...
That she also wants to kidnap me, and that act before her family was just theatry, so that she could give false hope for salvation! That's a really badass plot twist coming from you, Amelia! I'm proud of you! But sadly you targeted the wrong person. Nobody kidnaps a shadow broker before he can even reveal himself! And after the revelation there will be some diaglogue like: "What I can't believe that it was you the whole time?! But you were so weak!" And my line would be: " Appear strong when weak and weak when strong." And then it comes to a battle to life and death!
Oh man, I'm so excited!
"I'm really sorry what my father and brother did to you, Cid."
"Ah, don't worry about it too much!"
Now, reveal yourself as their accomplice and spout some cool lines that I can steal- I mean borrow of course.
"And that's a act from my family against a special friend of mine that I can never forgive."
"Yeah, but I didn't get hurt, so it's okay right?"
There's a chance that the mother is also taking part in this.
"I really want you to forgive us. And so I thought hard and my head was on the verge of explosing, before I reached the final conclusion:"
I feel you, Amelia. I also alsmost did destroy my head to find a way to counter a nuclear bomb. But I also did find a way, so I only have to train some more until I can control it.
"You get three favors from the whole household. It doesn't matter if it'll destroy our family image or our connections to the royal family, if you so desire, then we, the Hikari's, will fulfill your wish."
That's not what I initially expected. No, rather what the hell is this? Three favors, just from minutes with talking with the lord of this domain and his son? And I can literally wish for anything. Maybe I'll extort some money... No, that's a villain move, and I still have to act like a backround character.
But mobs usually don't get in these situations, so there isn't really anything from the sources of my old world that I could use. What is happening to me now is more like destined for a protagonist, but that's not me. I'll meet the protagonist in the capital, where the story begins, and not here in some random domain.
So let's refuse her offer for now.
"Eh? Three favors? You really have to do that! It wasn't so bad, you know?"
"But that's still a unforgivable mistake from our side. I didn't pay attention to my dearest friend and my father and that stupid dog decided to take you with them without your permission. You must have been so scared! I'm so sorry, Cid!"
As she rambles on and on, Amelia begins to cry on my chest as if I was her pillow. And did she just call her own brother a dog? He certaintly was a little better than our dear Delta. If he was Delta then I wouldn't have survived the first five minutes when she took me. Delta gets really impatient when it comes to her prey. And if the prey is weak, she wouldn't make the effort to fight me, but would rather kill me instantly. So he's just one rank above Delta.
"It's fine. Okay, how about this: I get my three favors and we'll never talk about this incident ever, ok? Not a word to my sister!"
I don't really want to think too much about this and Claire musn't get wind from today. If she does, she would burn the whole mansion down. Without even batting an eyelash.
"Okay! Whatever you want, we'll fulfill it!"
Now then...
"First, lead me to the dining room. That'll be my first favor and order for you!"
"Eh? That's it? I thought he would blackmail me into marrying him... don't lose hope, Amelia! He still has two wishes left!"
I heard something that I didn't want to hear, but let's ignore it. We're still young, so her worrying about marriage is completely unjustified. She'll find someone sooner or later probably. After that, Cid Kagenou will be just a half forgotten memory where she can't remember my face but knows that I existed.
Amelia unlocks the door and leads me outside. As I still don't know the way around here in this labyrinth, I let Amelia take the lead. But she insisted that we walk side by side, and after seeing her emotions going up and down today, I'll let her do her own thing. Not so long after that, we reach the dining room. Suprisingly, I can see my kidnappers sitting in the other side of the long table. They're tied up to the chairs with ropes that supress magic. They also can't speak as someone put an apple in their mouth, like pig before it gets grilled.
I use this chance to waste my second favor.
"Second: Amelia, make me a tuna sandwich, as we already had talked about it before!"
"That's your second wish!? Don't waste your favors! Do you even know how many people would kill for such favors coming my family?! Understood. While you wait, please take a seat right there."
She leads me to a fancy looking chair, sitting on the other side of the table, so that I can see the father and the brother clearly. Amelia disappears through the doors to make me a sandwich in the kitchen. That may sound bad in my old world, but in this fantasy isekai world, there isn't really a thing about gender roles, so you basically demand from anyone to go do something if you think they're qualified enough.
But not even one second after Amelia is gone, another woman emerges through the door. It's the accomplice of Amelia, the woman who took the guys away on their ears. There were two plates on her hands each.
Aww, what a nice wife and mother, bringing her husband and son some lunch so they won't hunger while they work.
She approaches them with their plates, before putting them down on the table directly in front of them. Only then I can get a clear sight of what this lunch is made of.
It's a shoe. A plain, old and molding shoe with soup in it.
My first assumption is that they didn't have any bowls left in the kitches and so had to use this alternative. I can't really prove this theory of mine, but I'm pretty sure that I'm wrong. Why I'm so sure, you ask? You just have to get one look on the face of the mother looking at the guys. She didn't even look angry, but instead had a chilling smile on her face. And because they're tied up, they don't have any chance to eat with their hands. The only way is to stick you head into these shoes and slurping the soup from it.
And they do it naturally. Food is food after all. You don't waste food, especially, because of the time that we're living in. I don't know, but mayble there'll be the black plague over this land and others, so I have to rationalize some food for the emergency.
After a while, the soup completely on the ground and the table cloths tainted by the color of the soup, Amelia came back into the room with her own plate in hand. I know that I ordered some sandwiches, but there's still the fear and paranoia that she'll also give me a shoe with soup in it. Luckily for me, Amelia did bring me a tuna sandwich. In this world it's only some bread with tuna pressed together in the middle, so I gave Zeta the important mission to look for some specific spices so that I can show her how to make mayo, ketchup or mustard. But I don't complain with the food directly in front of me.
"Thanks for the food, Amelia!"
"Don't worry about it! It was your wish after all!"
I can hear the sarcasm in her voice, but that's probably not important. I take one bite from the sandwich and I can feel my tastebuds exploding! Not in a bad way like they're too spicy or something like that, but rather that it's so good that I fear that my tastebuds will never accept anything else except this specific sandwich. And if were a normal boy then this would have happend to me, without a doubt. There was some magic inbued into the sandwich so that it can taste better, and will manipulate the senses of your victim.
But sadly for Amelia, I'm not a normal boy. I pretend to be one. We are not the same.
I enjoy my free food, while Amelia watches expectantly my reaction to her sandwich. After gulping it down and cleaning my mouth with a napkin that was given to me, I walk towards Amelia to give her some feedback to her sandwich.
"It tastes really great! But where's your share of food? Did you eat already?"
"Oh? I ate before I cooked your meal so don't worry!"
"That's good to hear. Ehm, I'm only curious, but what is happening to your brother and father? I thought your father is the lord of this domain?"
So why is he eating like a prisoner that got the short straw in life? Seems illogical to me.
"Why! We're only punishing them for their unslightly behavior towards you! Don't worry about it too much!"
I look over Amelia's shoulder and see the two of them crying on the ground, while they're still tied up. The floor is sullied with some substances from which I don't know if they're their tears of the soup they spilled trying to eat. And although he's the lord in this mansion, there's not a single maid or butler helping them with anything. That's a pretty cruel way of handling your master, you know? You would get beheaded for that in some places if you just show a little hint of hostility towards the master.
But Amelia's right. I don't have to worry about it. She and the people in this estate won't kill the two, which could be the awakening of a villain in the making. And while I find it pretty badass if it happened, I know that Amelia isn't that psychopathic to just kill some members of her family. Which is good, without a doubt, but also a lot of wasted potential.
I'm sure even king would shit his pants if saw the mood of the two women when they found me in the room with the guys.
But now that we're done with eating, I don't really have a reason left to stay here. Let's find some excuse to flee from here! Wait, did someone back home even know that I'm here...? I probably shouldn't worry about it too much. I know it'll be a massive headache afterwards but that will be problem of future me.
"Ah, before I forget! Get ready to take a bath, Cid! The maids will show you the way to our bathroom and will bring you the essential things."
"You won't join, right?"
"..."
"Third: I-"
Before I can even make my demand, Amelia shoves me towards the maid, whispers something to them with a red face and then runs away quickly. I look at the maid, who probably is the headmaid of this estate, and ask her something important.
"Was there any mention of her joining me later?"
"I'm afraid, I'm not allowed to answer your question, Kagenou-sama."
Yucks! I've never been called like that before. Even back home they either call me Cid or young master if they're new. But never something like this.
The maids lead me to the changing rooms for men where I can take off my stuff and store it in some basket. I don't have anything valuable in my clothes, so it would be fine even if someone stole something from me. But let's be honest here, who would even want to steal something from me? I'm just some mob, the second son of a minor noble. Nobody would expect something worth stealing from me.
After taking my clothes off, I take a bath towel from a stack that was standing on the side. I wrap it around my waist and then head towards the already hot water. Opening the door to the bathroom was another experience again. To my suprise, the door wasn't even that big, where you don't have to speculate if a giant can come through any minute, but was rather modest sized. But that was only the door, as the bathroom itself was huge where I can't even describe everything in it. And just like everything in this mansion, the bathroom was no exeption to being bigger than our estate, back in the Kagenou Barony.
Sometimes I have to think about why they even need such a big house, when they're just a family of four and there was enough room for the maids and butlers, so each of them could have a second room if they wanted. But it's probably just a status thing between nobles.
Releasing the bath towel from my waist, I fold it some times where it could fit on my head. Then I approach the huge water pool realising a whole lot of steam into the bathroom. I dip my toes into it to test how hot it is, and after my test, I proceed to sit in it. The bath gives me some wibes from my old world. I mean, it's at least as big as two bathhouses in Japan. I don't even know why you would need such a big bath. You're not getting in there with a group of 30 people. Especially not in this type of house.
Suddenly I hear the door behind me open. Out of curiosity and fear, I turn around and see the girl that saved me earlier in the most terrifying way imaginable. She had a bathtowel wrapped around just right under her armpits. Some curves were already forming, slowly turning her into a woman in time, and from what I can remember seeing from the matriarch in this house, Amelia will also be a beauty with a body to support her face. But something like this doesn't faze me that much anymore.
After all, the girls in Shadow Garden also have their own charm and there are seven of them. So just like any human would: I adapted to having beauties around me to the point that grew numb to them. But who knows? Maybe there'll be a girl that'll take my breath away. Probably the protagonist in this isekai, with her plot armor and generous filter of having everyone falling in love with them.
Amelia looks upset about something. She's forming a pout with her mouth... oh, I see now.
"If you want me to get out, you just have to say so."
"That's not it! But you've at least made progress. You didn't get a nosebleed this time."
Oh right, I forgot about that fact that I have to play. I'm really not in my element today.
"Uh... Claire helped me practise? So it's thanks to her that I can talk with you normally."
"Claire, huh... Damnit! She used her advantage of living with him to bath with him more than I could! That's wonderful of her!"
"Yeah. By the way, don't you find it weird how we two are together right now? Shouldn't there be a bath in the woman section. So why are you here?"
She puts on a fake suprised expression and smiles at me. Sinisterly, if I may add.
"Oh? But there is one. I just thought that it'll be good to take a bath together once in a while. Don't you think so, too?"
What is this girl talking about? If there's a women area for you to bath, then why in the goddess name are you here! Do you even know how bad this could've ended? If my hair was just some centimeters longer and we some years older, then this could have gone into a direction that I call the H-zone. You're lucky that I'm a shadowbroker.
"No, no I don't think so. But you wouldn't listen to me anyways. But I have one last solution left!"
"Wait... You wouldn't!"
"Third: I command you to leave-"
And just like before, she interrupts my command by forcefully shutting my mouth with her hand. She looks really panicked and desperate about something, as if I should save my last favor for somehing important. But there isn't really a thing that I desperatly need. While money is certaintly appealling, I can just hunt some bandits that just hauled their prey and then take everything with me. I can't even wish for more power, as she would probably misunderstand that as not having enough influence in things that matter in this kingdom. Then she'll introduce me to some important people, etc.
Amelia begins to move and speak while having her hand over my mouth pressing it firmly shut.
"We should celebrate your first success of not having a nosebleed when you see me half naked. And we do that by spending more time together!"
"That's more of a punishment if you ask me..."
"What did you say?"
She instantly snaps her head towards me and looks at me with a chilling smile. She learning way too many things from Claire without even knowing. Their resemblance is uncanny to look at. And I can't, for the life of me, handle two Claires in this world.
I have to stop her development right now! Before it gets too late to save anything.
"Nothing! Hey, how about letting me stay over for the night? As I'm already bathing here and got a change of clothes for free, don't you think it would be cool to have a sleepover together."
Back in the Kagenou estate, Claire's room:
Claire POV:
*CRACK*
Ah, my pen just broke in my hands. I was just writing with it before a uncomfortable feeling washed over my back.
I want to strangle a certain blonde girl right now for some reason, but I didn't even see her today. Maybe I'm just in a bad mood because Cid stood me up on our daily swordstraining. Oh yeah, what about Cid? Where is he right now?
I thought he was in his room doing some mundane things like always, but when I knocked there was no response. After that I kicked the door open to see if Cid was either sleeping, ignoring me or just not here.
There was no hint or trace that Cid was in this room in the last four and a half hour. Why do I know that, you ask? I have a good nose and sensetive senses. Just from the air density, the smell and even small footprints that would form for a very short while when you walk in your room, I can tell that Cid wasn't here for the past hours.
But where could he have gone? I know that he doesn't like wandering outside too far away from home. But wait...
The maids told me that they saw Cid and Amelia together for the last time at our gates. But they still have to be in our domain, as escaping as some kids isn't really a favorable idea to do and I doubt that she'll return to her own home, as I can still see their carriage standing next to some other carriages that were parked her for her. But her and Cid disappearing without letting anyone know?
Oh, Cid... It's seems like that I still have to lecture you about how you should treat your sister and your parents (but mostly your sister) and how it's important to announce to the person with connections to the higher-ups, that you won't be able to attend work on these days.
So my best guess, is that Amelia was sly enough to find a route where nobody can't see them, and that they most likey poured some magic into their arms and legs to fasten their way.
While my logic part doesn't like this idea, I'd rather trust my gut feeling for this. He was only wrong one time, and that was when I didn't really have the influence to do anything in that situation.
I just hope that Cid will come back safe and sound without being traumatised by something that Amelia showed to him. If that should ever happen, then I'll hunt both of them mercilessly till to ends of this pathetic world.
But a certain feeling is crawling through my bones. I feel like something is wrong and if I don't hurry it'll be too late to change anything.
Well then...
"That's a wonderful idea, Cid! And I didn't even have to force you to do it! You're finally learning how to behave around me."
I think I heard that already today. Why is she insistent in spending time with me? Whatever, just try to get it over with quickly and then dip home.
"Uh, yeah? But you have to ask your parents first and I don't think your father will be very pleased to hear me staying over."
"Who cares about that old man? Considering what he had done to you, it's only fair that he'll allow you to spend the night in our house."
But weren't my three favors meant to be a compensation for the things he and his son did to me? And also...
"Amelia, eyes up here. Don't just blatantly stare at my body like I'm some candy to eat."
"I don't know what you're talking about. But you certaintly are."
Isn't she only 13 years old? Why is she already making comments like this? Is it our difference in puberty?
I try to minimize my time spent bathing with her, so I decide to get out of as quickly as possible. Standing up to get out, or more like to escape from her, I quickly make my way to the exit of this giant bathhall, only for a hand to stop me in my ways.
"Where are you going?"
"I already spent a long time here in this wonderful bath. But I don't want my skin to shrivel, you know? And I'm sure it's not healthy so stay in there for too long, as you possibly faint. So I'm just getting out before anything bad happens."
My excuses were really lacking. But after a ton of convincing her and Claire the times before why I'm getting out so early, I don't think that she'll believe me anymore.
"Oh, is that so. Then you can may allow to leave. Make sure to dry yourself properly so you don't catch a cold."
She believed me?!
"Will do."
And so my escape was successful. But I couldn't help but feel a intense stare at my back when I walked out. Specifically down on my buttcheeks. I certaintly hope that it was only my imagination, but if it wasn't, the I may have to resort to some anti-Amelia things to keep me safe. But until now, everything has been safe.
After changing into my new clothes, as the maids brought the basket with my things away while I was bathing, I wander aimlessly through the halls of the mansion. I wonder how much money was invested in here. Building it, decorating it, hiring some personel to keep it maintained, all of that multiplied by the sheer size of this thing. Sometimes I really ponder about just marrying into a rich family so I can have some more pocket money for my shadow broker room. It's slowly coming together one by one. And according to my calculations, I should be able to save enough money, so I can decorate my room just when I turn 15 and head to the capital.
"Hey, you."
Suddenly I hear a voice coming from behind me. It's the voice of a young man and a voice that I've heard already.
"W-what? A-are y-you h-here to t-t-take r-revenge?"
Slowly turning around to face him, it doesn't even take one second to change my tone and body language to someone pathetic and weak. I'm always ready to play my role, even after I wake up or am about to go to sleep. Because that's the way of the mob.
He doesn't look angry like before when he interrogated me. He just has a irritated and annoyed look in his face. I wonder what he's planning to do to me?
"I just want to say... I'm sorry for what I have done."
Hm? This presence standing right around the corner...
"Ah. You don't have to worry about it! Amelia already gave me a compensation. So let's call it quits, okay?"
"Did you just say Amelia..."
Oh right, he doesn't like if you call his sister by her name in front of him.
Approaching me, while stomping his feet into the floor, he makes his way towards me, before stopping right infront of my face again. This guy is just like his sister, no feelings of personal space. Or is it just a family thing that's taught here?
"Did you already forget what I told you about calling my wonderful and beautiful sister by her name? You don't deserve it. You're a million years to early to even think that you're worthy of calling her that! I mean look at you, weak, timid and trembling just because I'm standing here. Don't you have any guts to show? I really can't see why she always talks so fondly about you. Because it should have been me! Not you! And-"
Ohhhh, I see. He's a massive siscon. Damn, now I can relate to Amelia a little bit more. Is this how Amelia feels when she visits us and meets Claire? And what did he say? She's talking fondly about me? But I didn't even do anything. Or is she just making things up infront of her parents, so it doesn't look like she's playing with some son of a baron who isn't even the heir in his family? Does she force herself to make look better? Oh man...
While I was monologuing, I wasn't listening to the brother who was shouting at me at this point. He's also shaking me violently and pulling his fist back. Oh! Is this the signal to go home? Getting injured and then running away because I don't feel welcome here, is one of my plans that I thought about while changing. But there was suddenly a person flying towards us in high speed and gave him a good smack on his head.
Is that steam coming out of his head? I hope he's okay.
"Ow, ow, ow! Who dares to hit me in such a way! Not even my father would punish me like this-"
"Shut up."
I feel like we're repeating a sequence here. This event already happend, you know? But recycling isn't always bad, as long as you do it in such a way where no one recognizes it as recycling.
"Hiiii- Sister dearest! What are you doing here?! I thought you were still bathing and then going up your room immediately!?"
"That was my plan until I realized that I left Cid alone and had to find him. But I didn't expect you to also search for him. And what suprises me more is the fact that you even tried threatening him again. Did you learn absolutely nothing from the punishment our mother gave you? Are you a monkey who doesn't even understand the most simple and basic instructions?"
She is really harsh with him. Or is that what you call a sibling bond? If that's the case, then Claire and I would have a lot to learn from them. But there's one thing in common in this. The sister is the one in command between the siblings. And that's a decision that you really can't change. But in my case it would be because of Cid's role towards his sister to act like a meek and helpless brother, while in this case this guy is just a siscon.
I mean, just look at his face. Normally, people would feel shame getting scolded, especially by their younger sister. But not this guy. He looks like he's having the time of his life right now and I can't even explain you why. This family is crazy, there's no doubt in that.
"-you absolute moron! Buffon! *Sigh* Why am I even scolding you? You don't really take my words seriously. So let's just decide on your punishment."
"Punishment?! Yes, please- I mean, noooo. Please spare me."
And he's a masochist, too. Great, absolutely great. Is there someone in this family that isn't batshit nuts? Maybe the father? No, he's getting bullied by his own family and subordinates. The mother? Also a no, as she's just a grown up version of Amelia, what makes her even more scary.
"You aren't allowed to talk to me, interact with me, or generally anything that has to do with me, you will cease to stop for the next month. I won't comprimise on this. Is that clear?"
He puts on a shellshocked face, as if someone told him, he isn't allowed to drink more than one cup of water every week. I can see the life in his eyes flying out as if they were ghosts. And he falls to the ground dramatically without supporting his body with his arms or legs. I know that both me and Amelia were able to save him from a hard contact with the floor, but I didn't want to move before she did and she basically just watched her own brother fall because of her words of punishment.
Erasing that calm and blank look from her face, when she finally decides to confront me. The merciless eyes were brought some light in it and she cracked a smile as soon as she spoke.
"Once again, I'm very sorry for the things my brother has done to you. I'll make sure that it'll never happen again. Absolutely."
"Don't worry about it. It's my own fault for walking alone here in this hallway so late in the night."
"No, that's not true. It's the fault of my stupid brother of mine-"
Oh no. She's in a bad mood. I have to get her mind somewhere else, before it's too late.
"By the way, where am I supposed to sleep? I mean the whole sleepover thing was basically just an improvised idea of mine, and I certaintly didn't believe at that time that your parents would accept it but here we are."
"In my room, of course?"
Don't say it like it was already decided between us! I never heard anything coming from your side when I proposed my idea.
"Are you sure? I don't think that a boy and a girl should sleep together in one room."
"What's wrong? Are you scared that I might kick you off the bed?"
"I didn't mean that, but if you insist."
Only later, after Cid was already long gone, did Amelia realize what Cid meant.
Leading the way to her room, where we were before already, she opens the door to it and I can see, that it's a little less messier than before. And that was only some hours ago. Plus I also saw her over half the time I was here, so when did she find the time to clean everything up?
"Well then, it's late already. Let's head to bed, don't you think so, too?"
"Yeah, you're right. After dealing with my troublesome older brother and my overprotective father, I can't help but feel tired."
She approaches the bed silently and carefully as if it was made out of glass. Not only the bed, but she treated everything in this room like glass that would break at the delicatest touch in this and my old world.
But instead of hopping into it immediately, she holds the blanket high enough for another person to fit in. She looks at me expectantly before frowning and sighing.
"You really don't get it? I'm giving you signs to join me in this bed, so that we can cuddle toghether!"
"..."
"C'mon, Cid! Make your way to Amelia! Almost there... You did it!"
Why am I being treated like a dog? And why did it feel so natural?
After giving myself access to lie down on this comfy bed. I just relax my eyes for a bit, before I can see a silhouette standing right before Amelia's windows to this room. The silhouette had similarities to person I don't think would come here with no reason, but I know that she would be able to achieve it.
Yes, that right. It was my sister, Claire Kagenou herself, pressing her face against Amelia's window to get a look what happens. And she's breaking the door open to personally interfere anything happening between Amelia and I.
"Stoooop! Stop! Don't move any further."
Claire holds her hands up, stopping us both doing basically nothing for the rest of the day, as we already finished our tasks. She then suddenly grabs my arm and violently drags me back to the balcon window she broke. Claire will have to pay for the destruction of her window.
"Wait! You can't just take Cid away from me! We already had something planned!"
"And so did we. But you had to butt in and change his plans to break his promise with me. I'll never forgive you for that."
"Can't we just go home now? Oh, I already bathed and ate before going to bed, so we don't have a problem me coming home later, right?"
"Uh, yes. I think that the maids have already made sure that nothing bad will happen if I ever mess up on something."
Yeah, because I always tell Alpha and the girls that they should be conscious of Claire, if she ever is in reach of getting information simply by observation.
"Well then, it was pretty fun spending time with you here. I'll see you next time."
After I said that, Claire grabs me by my collar on the back and drags me in high speed home. And so did my first encounter with the Hikari household end on a postive note, I think? The father and the mother are natural to me, while the brother can't wait to kill me in the worst way possible. But I didn't even do anything to him. He always lost his sense of self, everytime I talked about Amelia.
By the way, I wasn't able to use my last favor they gave me. Amelia always interrupted me before I could speak a whole sentence. Maybe it's a coincidence, but now that I'm thinking about it. I can use this favor as long as I want. And no extra wishes for my last command. But I'll choose wisely when to use this favor. Maybe when Amelia has a bad idea and I have to go along with her? Or if backs me in a corner, with the only option of revealing myself or using my favor.
That's genius! So I'll just spare my last wish for the most important moments in my life. But I know that I won't have to use it anytime soon, right?