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nTranslated by Niks

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n“Lady, do you have anything else to pack?”

n“It’s the same as going to the mansion anyway.”

nI looked around the room, answering Mary’s question.

nA lifeless unorganised room where luggage was left in the awkward corner.

n‘The most important things have already been put in the subspace.’

nDocuments related to my other identity, or the clues I have gathered so far were also there.

n“Then shall we go now? Master is waiting downstairs.”

n“Yes, let’s go.”

nLeaving the North, where I had been living for the past two years, was exhilarating.

nOriginally, either my father or Aaron came to the North every winter, but the appearance of monsters abruptly increased two years ago, so my father had to stay in the north for about a year.

nJust in time, Aaron had to go to the capital. So I came to the north with my father.

nBecause my father won’t let me stay alone in the Grand Palace.

nI didn’t think much of it two years ago when I left the Grand Palace and came here.

nFinally, we left the North and headed to the capital.

nFollowing the original work, which was accelerated by someone’s early return by a year.

n✿

nIt took two days travelling from north to the capital.

nMagically transporting from the north to the Grand Palace.

nReturning to the Grand Palace after taking a day off and using magic to transport back to the capital mansion.

nIn front of the magic circle connected to the capital, I could hear Fern’s grumbling voice in my ear.

n“The Lord was so mean. My body’s not the same anymore.”

nNot surprisingly, Fern was muttering with a slightly pale face.

nLong-distance travel magic was challenging, but he was also a great wizard, so it wasn’t impossible for him.

n“Fern… You’re not even in your mid-thirties, what are you talking about?

n“I’m a wizard! I’m sure it’s okay for those who are strong physically like the Lord himself, but it’s not for me.”

nWhen he scolded with a smile, Fern began to talk about the wizard’s physical strength, which he emphasized a hundred times more so far.

nFern, who was warm and reliable when Erita first saw him, had disappeared.

n“If physical strength was a problem, I’ll tell Gahill.”

n“…I’ll ask.”

nThere was a time when Fern was playing pranks on his physical strength as an excuse, and was captured by the Knight Commander.

nI don’t know what happened there, but I definitely remember that Fern’s look was like a zombie the next day.

n‘After that, if you were the leader, you left the crane.’

nFern swore, but in the end murmured his dissatisfaction and unleashed his magic.

nEven after becoming a great wizard, he remained the same.

nAfter a few seconds, the white light that’s distinctive to travel magic appears.

nThe scenery gradually revealed a location in my memories when I opened my eyes.

nIt’s been quite a long time, but I still remember clearly.

nIt was then…

n“Father, Erita.”

nThe voice of someone more welcome than anyone else called me.

nAs I turned my head, a handsome man dressed neatly stood.

nIt was my brother, Aaron.

nHe grew stunning like it always does. The expressionless face warmed as soon as our gazes met.

n“You’re here.”

n“Yes.”

nAfter a simple greeting between my father and Aaron, a friendly gaze turned to me.

n“Brother!”

nIt’s been half a year since I’ve seen him, so I couldn’t hide my joy, and when I ran to hug him, a familiar scent hit the tip of my nose.

nThe temperature of his arms was as cool as father’s. There was no time to be ashamed of being hugged like a child.

n“Erita, how have you been?”

n“I’m fine. What about you?”

nIn fact, he still had a pretty face, but he became a little sharper because of his sharp jawline.

nTwo years ago, when I went to the north with my father, my brother and I headed to the capital alone.

n“My brother’s still handsome.”

nAs Aaron smiled and patted my hair, I saw the people waiting behind me in surprise.

nAll of them were people who only stayed in the capital mansion.

n‘…Now, I’m used to this surprise.’

nThis was the reaction when I first went to the North. It was different that the antagonist was not Aaron, but father.

nOf course, I know that after a week, everyone would get used to it. Humans are adaptable animals.

n“Let’s both do that and go in first.”

n“Yeah. It’s cold, so let’s go inside and talk.”

nAs I sniffed, my father and my brother began to move together in unison.

nFebruary was cold in the capital.

nBut it was warmer than the snowy winter in the north, anyway.

nEntering the mansion, we headed to the drawing room.

nIt was early for lunch, so I decided to just drink tea. I took a sip of the steaming chamomile tea.

n“Aaron, was there any inconvenience in staying?”

n“Yes. Was the North okay?”

n“It’s always been the same. But lately, the monster wave has noticeably decreased.”

nMy father and Aaron were giving a simple greeting.

nNeither of them had a soft personality, so they spoke harsh words, but even this was a big development.

nThere were no words or short-answer conversations before, so it couldn’t be called harmonious even with empty words.

n“Yes, it was okay.”

n“There are a few things that bothers me.”

nI shook my head at Aaron’s words, my ears pricked up so as not to interrupt their time.

n“That’s the annoying part.”

nOh, I know what it’s about…

nThere was no way that he would like the social world where pretense prevails, or the capital, which was at its peak.

n“I think I know why my father hated the capital.”

nAt Aaron’s words, our father seemed to understand immediately. I knew it would be that,

n“There’s that part”

nAmong the people who could relate to this part, I let out an awkward laugh.

nYou’re really worried about making your social debut in a capital city.

nIf it weren’t for the haste original, there would have been another year.

n“Erita.”

n“Yes?”

n“There are a lot of strange people in the capital. Moreover, at this time, there might be more.”

nI shook my head at the sudden words of my father. No, I couldn’t easily believe that there were strange people out of the blue.

n“Strange people?”

n“Yeah. Wasn’t the debutante coming up? It’s a time when all the idiots are stuck in their flock.”

nIt was a bitter content that did not match the friendly tone.

n“Hmm. So you’re talking about the debutante that’s a month away, right?”

n“Yes. Soon, all those people will come to the capital.”

n“That’s right, Father.”

nOver time, the faces of father and Aaron have changed seriously.

nThere were things I had heard about that I thought they were overprotective.

nThings that happen in society every year.

nAlthough were located in the north, such stories have been heard from beyond the region.

nIt often appears in stories told by maids or in novels secretly read.

n“Erita, just hit them in the face as soon as someone asks you for a dance or approaches you during your debut.”

n“…What?”

n“If you don’t want to touch them, you could kick them with your foot. Don’t worry about the mess.”

n‘Wait… Wasn’t that too much?’

nIf you did such a thing as a debutante, I’d be in the headlines of the newspaper.

nBut I couldn’t say that to these two serious people, so I just smiled vaguely.

nThe tea time that started with the joy of reunion ended with a topic about all kinds of bad guys in the capital.

n✿

n“Okay, today’s class is over.”

n“Thank you, ma’am.”

nEmma smiled contentedly as I lifted the edge of my skirt and greeted her.

n“What?”

n“It ended earlier than expected because you followed me well…”

n“You could make a social debut right away.”

nI laughed at Emma’s playful words.

nEmma Chiron,

nShe was the wife of Count Chiron, one of the vassals of the Grand Duke, and she was the one who made my social debut from the North.

n“Is it okay if Emma comes to the capital city?”

nIt was a famous story that Count Chiron visited my father with tears when Emma’s asceticism was decided.

n‘The two of you must have a good gold thread.’

nSo, for that reason, I didn’t feel comfortable.

nOf course, I’m happy that Emma’s with me, so I could be ready until the very end.

n“Hoho! it’s okay.”

n“It’s important to be apart from each other to be more precious.” Emma said playfully, and she gently brushed the fan.

n“When you’re in a relationship, it’s essential to push and pull. Got it?”

n“Ahaha. Am I in a relationship?”

n“Of course, My lady is all grown up now, and it should be as true as possible since it has to break through the Grand Duke or the Grand prince’s objection.”

nI smirked awkwardly at her words as she winked.

nRomantic Relationship…

nCome to think of it, I’ve only dated once in my past life.

nWas it when I was in high school? I don’t even remember the name right now.

nIt was clear that father and Aaron would be incompatible no matter who the man I brought.

nNo matter how perfect you bring someone, you’ll somehow get into trouble.

n“Or my son is okay, too.”

n“…Emma’s son is only 12 years old now.”

n“Oh? Don’t you like younger people?”

n‘Well I’m 18, but 12 is too young.’

nWhen I laughed awkwardly, Emma laughed, saying it was a joke.

nAnyway, in my situation, love is a luxury.

nKnock, knock~

nAs soon as I was about to arrange the seat, I heard a knock.

n“I think you left the door open earlier.”

nAs I turned my head, I saw Aaron leaning against the wall.

nHe was dressed in outing clothes wherever he went.

n“Grand Prince, Lady, I’ll leave first.”

n“See you tomorrow, Emma!”

nEmma, who greeted him, left first.

nThis is my opinion, but Emma seemed to be more uncomfortable with Aaron than my father.

n“Brother!”

nI was glad to see Aaron in the morning because we had a schedule for lunch.

nIt’s been three days since I came to the capital, but I haven’t seen him in the past half a year, and I kept missing him.

n“Are you done with your class?”

n“Yes. It just ended.” I nodded my head to answer his question.

n“Do you have any other plans for today?”

nWell, I won’t be doing research for a while. I’ll read the book later tonight.

n“I don’t have any.”

n“Then shall we go on a picnic together?”

nAt Aaron’s words, I jumped up from my seat immediately.

n“Sure. Let’s go, brother!”

nAaron smiled lowly as I approached him, and crossed arms with him. I just thought I wanted to go out, but as expected, my brother…

n“You have to prepare.”

n“I’m wearing my outdoor clothes right now.”

n“I just need to get a hat and coat for my hair.”

n“Yes. Then let’s go together. I’ll be waiting in front.”

n‘Oh, you’re such a sweet guy brother!!’

n“Brother.”

n“Huh?”

n“It’s okay, be honest with me.”

nAaron stared at seemingly not understanding what I meant.

nI looked around and whispered in a small voice.

n“How many times have you been in a relationship?”

n“What?”

n“Be honest, I’ll forgive you.”

nNo matter how much I think about it, there’s no way he has ever done it.

nIsn’t it Aaron, who has been popular since he was a teenager even in the Grand Palace?

nBut in the capital, he could officially go to the social world. Would the noble girls leave that face alone?

nAaron burst out laughing at my words. As we entered the room, I peeked out and said.

n“You have to answer me when we get out. Okay?”

n“Okay. I’ll be honest with you.”

nAt that time, Aaron promised, and replied with a face still full of laughter.

n“Oh my. I guess there’s a real one.”

nMary had to work hard to keep her itching mouth shut when she dressed me up and asked if I had anything exciting to do.

n‘I told him to be honest, so I should keep it a secret.’

nBecause promises are meant to be kept.

n‘…I guarantee that it will be more than that.’

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