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“I’m saying, what my sister means is…”

I stumbled as I summarized the situation while sitting across from Older Sister Adela.

“So there are rumors going around that I have a special relationship with Camila—no, I mean, the Hero, the Saint, and the Administrator?”

“That’s right.”

Older Sister Adela nodded and began to explain.

“There have been mentions among the international department journalists and diplomats. Of course, it’s just gossip level.”

“What specifically has been said?”

—

Episode 10 – Turn Northwest

—

The setting was the Embassy of the Kingdom of Abas.

At that time, due to the aftermath of a terror attack, the Government of Abas was protecting Camila on the request of the Cult National Affairs Council, and the embassy was the location of that protection.

I was in charge of her protocol.

On the surface, it seemed like a cushy job with little to do; the other embassy staff were too busy, and since I had some familiarity with them, I ended up taking on everything.

Perhaps due to the aftermath of that incident, the management of Camila’s security remained my responsibility even after some time. Not only that, but I also ended up managing Lucia as well.

I couldn’t explain how it came to be this way. I could only say it happened that way by chance.

Of course, it wasn’t particularly difficult or troublesome, as both of them were capable of taking care of themselves, so there were no uncomfortable aspects.

More than anything, I enjoyed the increased time spent with Camila and Lucia compared to the old days when I was overwhelmingly busy.

But it seemed I got too cozy with them.

“Ah.”

“Hey, you know that going in and out of the Hero’s room at night? The gossip has spread like wildfire.”

Looks like whispers were flying among the diplomats.

Current-serving diplomat, Older Sister Adela, smirked.

“Putting that aside, what’s this about the Saint?”

“You went out multiple times on relief missions with the Saint in the slums near the Magic Tower a few months ago, right?”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

“The day before, the Magic Tower leaked to the foreign journalists’ club that you and the Saint would be working together in the slums. They even said you’d be flying out of your busy schedule to follow the Saint.”

Foreign journalists’ club.

It seemed the Foreign Affairs Ministry had spilled the beans to foreign reporters’ communities before Lucia and I set out for our relief work.

A sigh escaped me.

“Damn….”

I wasn’t the type to curse normally. But a love triangle rumor involving Camila, Lucia, and me?

Honestly, that felt a bit off.

Sure, I carved out time to help, but I never neglected my official duties. And what? I voluntarily followed Lucia? Pure nonsense.

“I didn’t volunteer. I was the one who proposed it to the Cult first.”

To be exact, Lucia proposed it, and the Military Intelligence Agency stamped it, but you know, it’s all the same.

The explanation of a half-baked diplomat was added to by the seasoned older diplomat.

“Even if you say that, no one will believe you. The priests are known for their pride, and even the Akidemi kids know that. It would sound more believable if you said you followed along on volunteer work.”

“Come on.”

“Diplomacy is all about saving face, you get that. By the way, you need to practice your diplomatic rhetoric. Diplomats say you speak well, but you lack the vague, roundabout ways of saying things. Is it because you’re a soldier?”

Older Sister Adela tilted her head.

“Didn’t the Information Agency train you? When I asked before, they said they do that before deploying.”

“We need to pack and send you out right away—who has time for training?”

“Anyway.”

Older Sister Adela leaned back against the sofa to continue speaking.

“Don’t think too seriously about it. Rather than a scandal or rumor, it seems people think you two are friends—kind of like that.”

“People won’t take it that way.”

“Well, that’ll depend on the article’s tone.”

It’s all up to how the scribes twist the pen.

If a picture of Camila and me smiling while carrying out official duties is featured, it might pass as friendship, but if there’s a photo of the two of us locked in an embrace at a scenic spot far away from the hotel on a Sunday morning, you can bet the Foreign Affairs spokesman’s hair will be falling out by the handful every day. I might as well be swimming in a barrel 150 meters underwater.

As I sat on the sofa, frowning for a moment, Older Sister Adela, half lying next to me, asked.

“Why so serious? Cheer up, buddy. You’re a man, why are you brooding over a joke…?”

“……”

My face crinkled in annoyance. The playfulness that Older Sister Adela had exuded turned into a cloud of concern.

“Hey, are you serious?”

“……”

“Oh my, well at least you’re not married yet. I mean, I don’t mind if it’s an affair while you’re single, but just be careful not to get caught up in bigamy.”

She kept nagging me with irritating comments for a while.

I shot a glare at my sister who was babbling nonsense alone.

“What kind of nonsense are you spouting? Stop mumbling to yourself and sit still.”

“Come on. Then why are you so seriously contemplating something without talking?”

There were plenty of things on my mind.

The embassy staff leaking my whereabouts to reporters, a senior official from a foreign government leaking event-related information to a public community without prior consultation.

Of course, I couldn’t call that information classified, but given it was related to the safety of Camila and Lucia, it wasn’t something to just brush off.

But if I were to give a warning, I feel like there would be backtalk, and if I were to protest, I wouldn’t have a good enough reason to do so. I worry that only Older Sister Adela, who conveyed the message to me, would end up suffering.

Above all, I couldn’t imagine the Military Intelligence Agency being unaware of the rumors circulating among the diplomats.

As I shared my concerns, Older Sister Adela spoke to me.

“Wow, are you really worrying about that right now?”

“Well, it’s not like we’re really dating or anything.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, that’s right. Why would I date those people?”

Me, dating Camila and Lucia? If that happened, my career would be over in an instant. The Information Agency forbids relationships with foreigners entirely.

Of course, just having a relationship with a foreigner wouldn’t mean I’d have to live with my head down for the rest of my life. The Military Intelligence Agency could only fire me; they couldn’t do much else.

But leaving a stable job isn’t exactly easy.

“If I break the rules, I have to resign, so how can I even think about dating? All of this is to make a living.”

I was trying to sound serious about it.

However, Older Sister Adela, picking her ear with her pinky finger, smiled and started spouting nonsense without a care.

“Just in case, make sure to use protection.”

“Please shut up, Sister.”

*

After having a secret conversation with Older Sister Adela (a topic embarrassing to share with others), I returned to my room.

And for the first time in a while, I enjoyed a relaxing vacation.

I had dinner with family I hadn’t seen in three years,

brought a gift for the chef who had been in charge of our dining table since my academy days,

visited the head maid who had managed the mansion since my father’s childhood,

met the newly arrived servants, guided by them,

sneaked into my brother and sister’s rooms to drink some hidden whiskey,

tracked down my younger sister to insist she should start paying back a bit each month,

and just in case, made sure to inform the company through a secure line that I had arrived safely, wrapping up my day.

The head of the Nostrim Family arrived at the family home.

I sensed the bustling atmosphere of the mansion and quickly tried to grasp the situation, catching a passing servant to confirm my suspicions.

“Who has arrived?”

“Ah, young master. We just received a message from the train station. The head of the family has arrived.”

“Ah, I see.”

Although the Nostrim Family has been producing civil servants for generations, they are still nobility.

Unlike other families, they have a coat of arms, and thanks to the income from the real estate established on the lands granted by the royal family, their accounts are quite healthy. Not to mention the culture, achievements, honor, and reputation built up over centuries.

It’s not surprising to see a senior official from the Ministry of Finance playing the role of the king at home, but the Nostrim Family isn’t so uptight that they would put on a grand production with relatives and servants all coming out to greet the head of the family.

However, since today was a meaningful occasion where the entire family was gathering after several years, it seemed the steward and head maid had put in a bit of extra effort.

I wore the suit that Francesca had gifted me, adjusting my steps as I donned the watch from Saint Veronica on my left wrist.

“Welcome, young master.”

“Long time no see, Steward.”

The elderly gentleman with neatly combed white hair greeted me with a genuine smile.

“I’ve watched you since you were learning to walk, and today is the most splendid I’ve seen you.”

“Thank you. You still look like a gentleman yourself, Steward.”

“How can an old man like me compare to you? Haha.”

As I exchanged greetings with the steward, my gaze shifted toward the front gate. In the distance, the family carriage was approaching.

The carriage, adorned with the family crest, passed through the tree-lined street and arrived in front of the mansion. As the door opened, a middle-aged man in a coat stepped out.

A middle-aged woman approached him, guided by the head maid, suppressing a smile that seemed ready to soar to the sky.

“Charles.”

“Grace.”

“Isn’t it a bit late?”

“Sorry. I came as quickly as I could.”

That was the extent of their conversation.

As soon as they met, the two embraced and kissed passionately. Though they’d seen each other for 28 years, it was an intense kiss that I still found hard to get used to.

Older Brother Jerry chuckled awkwardly, while the steward and head maid laughed as if there was nothing they could do about it. I poked Older Sister Adela, who was watching them blankly.

“At this rate, aren’t they going to have a fifth child?”

“Come on, no way.”

We glanced at each other and chuckled.

The middle-aged man, after finishing his private greeting, slowly approached with his wife, arms linked.

He lifted his hat slightly and called out cheerfully.

“It’s been a while, kids!”

The head of the Nostrim Family, Charles Nostrim, Earl.

Reuniting with my father was quite a dynamic experience.

And thus, a peaceful day was drawing to a close.

 

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