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“Open the gates! Lady Siabel Shianella and Princess Shione Shianella are entering!”

The gatekeeper’s loud voice heralded the majestic castle doors slowly swinging open.

The Count’s House had become yet another home for me where I felt most at ease after a long absence. It was only natural to regard returning to the Count’s House as a homecoming, not just for Shione but for me as well.

—”Shione, Ray. Mother has sent a letter saying that a ceremony of celebration for our return and victory has been arranged.”

—”A ceremony of celebration, you say?”

—”She instructed us to ride from the castle gates to the central plaza of the residence. And of course, Ray, you’ll take your place right at the front with us.”

—”…Is it really alright for me to be at the front?”

—”Who has worked the hardest wandering around but you? It’s you and Diolia, right? Ray, within the Count’s House, you’re one of the heroes who stands head and shoulders above the rest. Naturally, you should be in the front.”

We were getting ready to mount our horses, preparing to greet the colossal city beyond the castle walls.

The ceremony was not just a display of the returning group’s existence but a demonstration of its greatness, solidifying internal unity and showcasing influence. After the reconstruction following the war, the Count’s House required a special event to completely overcome its scars. We were to be the stars of that event.

Perhaps that’s why Shione seemed to feel a lot of pressure in this situation.

“Lady Shione, are you feeling that tense?”

“No, not at all! Look, does this look like the face of someone who’s tense?”

Shione tried to smile, but the stiff dimple and her blinking eyes unmistakably revealed her tension.

Seeing this, Diolia couldn’t resist chiming in as well.

“Haha, you’ll probably feel fine once you’re actually inside. But if you’re that tense, how about taking a deep breath now?”

“…Does it really show that obviously to Lady Diolia?”

Diolia replied with a small smile.

Just then, behind the now fully opened gate, Siabel took the reins of her horse and spoke.

“Let’s go in; Mother must be waiting for us.”

The ceremony began.

Crowds gathered around the main road, all eyes fixed on us, filled with admiration and respect that made my shoulders instinctively lift in pride.

The heroes who had saved the Great Forest and the Marquis Family, especially against the demons. Whether they were serfs or merchants, those living in Count Shianella’s domain couldn’t help but be excited about the triumphs rooted in the native customs of their land.

“Ah…”

As Shione quietly murmured while gazing at the crowd, she finally began to ride naturally.

“It seems you’re more relaxed than before.”

“Yeah, it feels way better than I thought it would out here. Though, it feels a bit… ticklish inside.”

“Enjoy that feeling. After all, you’re truly the hero who defeated two gigantic demons.”

It seemed that since Shione had a strong desire for recognition, my words were particularly effective.

Holding onto the reins, Shione waved her hand slightly towards the people.

Thus, amidst the salutes and cheers of the Count’s House standing army, we finally arrived at the central plaza, the main meeting point of the residence.

‘The person up on the platform is… Ainel Shianella.’

The central plaza had a large and elevated platform installed, and there stood the head of the Count’s House, watching us.

Maintaining an expressionless demeanor, cold as a knight, Ainel raised the corners of her lips as her daughters appeared. She seemed particularly focused on Shione rather than Siabel, suggesting that she had been quite worried about Shione all this time.

As we drew closer to her, Ainel slowly descended the steps of the platform, one at a time.

Upon reaching her, Diolia and I, as well as the two sisters, intended to kneel and bow, but Ainel prevented us.

“There’s no need for any of you to lower yourselves. The public’s cheers are focused entirely on you; it wouldn’t do for those who have triumphed in war to kneel.”

At those words, Siabel went first, and then Shione solemnly declared her achievements.

“I, Siabel Shianella, first daughter of Count Shianella, have commanded the Marquis’ forces as ordered and repelled the demons, saving the Marquis Family!”

“I, Shione Shianella, second daughter of Count Shianella…! Following orders, I supported the Great Forest and thoroughly eradicated the demon, saving the Great Forest!”

Given that they were before their mother, Shione’s voice rang out even louder but trembled more than her sister’s. However, the clarity of her voice captured the attention of the entire crowd.

Moreover, what she was about to report wasn’t just about saving the Great Forest.

“Through the legacy left by the first lord in the Great Forest, I have acquired the magic of the founding lord…!”

The founding lord.

A commoner who was granted a title above the Count due to recognition of her prowess. Her revival of the miraculous skills unearthly from fairy tales, combined with this achievement.

“Through this, I contributed to the Marquis’ forces and helped repel the demons, saving the Marquis Family!”

In the end, she had even saved the Marquis Family as well.

Shione’s achievements were monumental. The past infamy of being a reckless child was completely overshadowed.

At the moment everyone cheered for her, Ainel couldn’t afford to simply smile at the sight of Shione staring right at her. The greater the honor her daughter acquired, the more it proved the numerous hardships she had endured. To her, Ainel felt as though she had only lent her a bow and offered a pat on the head.

With her heart swelling, she quietly smiled.

‘Whether the public and retainers view her positively or negatively…’

After a pause, Ainel suddenly embraced Siabel. It was a sudden and unexpected act.

Instead of immediately praising the heralded achievements of the knights, she first showed a hug as a family. Some might be moved, while others might feel disappointment, claiming it was too emotional, or openly clicking their tongues.

But Ainel didn’t care. She had reached a state as a Sword Master that her two daughters couldn’t even hope to replicate. She was already the complete sovereign of the Count’s House, beyond reproach.

She then embraced Shione as well.

“You’ve worked hard, Shione.”

Tighter than with Siabel.

“I’m proud of you.”

Shione, taken aback, cautiously embraced Ainel back.

The first embrace between mother and daughter. Though the hard armor stood between them, it didn’t diminish the warmth of the moment.

Once the hug ended, Ainel led us onward.

“Follow me. We still have things to do on the platform; let’s leave the cannon fire for the mansion.”

The ceremony continued in a joyful atmosphere.

*

Returning after a long absence, Shione’s room was kept clean. It seemed the servants had periodically tidied up while she was away.

However, today, instead of diving onto her fluffy bed and striking a cute pose like before, Shione sat before the table, deeply contemplating something.

‘I suggested to Ainel that if she was tired, we could set aside the official matters for later and talk some other time.’

Shione had insisted she wanted to discuss something today.

I thought maybe she needed time to organize her thoughts before going to meet Ainel separately.

Taking that opportunity, I picked out a formal attire suitable for Shione and placed it on the wardrobe as I spoke.

“It seems you were right, Siabel. Mother must have really missed you, Shione.”

“…Please stop talking about that.”

“How can I forget those big teary eyes you had at the celebration? And weren’t you warmed by the situation?”

“Did you enjoy seeing me cry that much?”

“Yep!”

“Ah, if you say that one more time, I will—”

“It’s cute, you know.”

“…What?”

Having completed her preparations to be annoyed, Shione found herself at a loss for words.

Not that it mattered.

Having finished preparing Shione’s formal attire, I seamlessly continued with what I had to say.

“I’ve laid out the outfit you’ll wear to see Ainel. I’ll pop back to my room for a bit.”

“Oh, right. Now that I think about it, I forgot to tell Ray about that.”

“Eh?”

“Ray, you’re going with us to see Mother.”

“Me too?”

Although I had been told later we’d have another discussion, being suddenly called to meet the head of the family again was unexpected!

While I pondered over this, Shione confidently declared.

“I said I’d do that as soon as we return to the Count’s House.”

With her legs propped up on her chair, she hugged her knees.

Her chin was buried in her legs, and with her bright blue eyes peering at me, Shione’s demeanor hinted at something ominous.

“It looks like my sister doesn’t seem to be thinking of marriage anytime soon. Then shouldn’t I hurry up and do it?”

What was she imagining as her toes fidgeted endlessly alongside her dark undertones? It could only mean one thing.

“Well, all that leaves is to tear up that contract and tie the knot another way.”

Suddenly, she hesitated mid-sentence.

Then, she blurted out one word.

“…Darling.”

Boom!

Having said it herself, Shione couldn’t contain her laughter.

She dove into her bed in her usual motion, now curling up with just her head peeking out from under the blanket, stubbornly refusing to come out.

Ultimately, Shione had sealed away her time with Ainel.

“Mother, what do you think about burning Ray’s slave contract?”

To straighten out the current relationship and begin anew.

 

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