𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲
The next day.
Ashe helped choose a formal dress, and manners for the tea ceremony were reviewed with Lapis.
A letter arrived from Esterize notifying about the tea ceremony’s date, and Albero reluctantly informed that he would attend.
After the class, when Albero talked about this to Garnet,
“Well, it’ll be a good experience. Go and attend.”
“. . . . . .For me, it’s frustrating that the expulsion got canceled. Those parents are eager to exploit my achievements, aren’t they?”
“That’s how nobility is.”
“. . . . . .”
“I’ll be attending the tea ceremony as a representative of the Fragment Duke family too. Lapis is still too naive, you see. . . . . .Her parents will be there, but they will try to introduce her to potential suitors whenever they can. . . . . .”
“Oh?”
“Sigh. . . . . .I wonder if there’s a promising man somewhere that Lapis would like.”
For some reason, Garnet glanced at Albero.
Unaware of such a gaze, Albero said. . . . . .
“More importantly, any leads on the other demons?”
“. . . . . .Not yet. We’re searching for traces of demons around the kingdom. . . . . .unlike 『Gluttony』 who acts recklessly, and 『Pride』 who shows evident changes, the remaining five haven’t made significant moves.”
“What about Kid’s 『Lust』?”
“Not yet. There haven’t been reports of an entire village being annihilated, with only one attractive man surviving. . . . . .”
“What about 『Sloth』 and 『Envy』 that Hubris mentioned?”
“Who knows. . . . . .”
“Any information on the remaining demons?”
“Not sure. . . . . .『Wrath』 and 『Greed』, right? No updates on them either.”
“Sigh. . . . . .”
“Don’t be so down. The deaths of 『Gluttony』 and 『Pride』 must’ve been conveyed to the demons. They’ll surely act. . . . . .All of you should hone your skills and get stronger. Also. . . . . .the enemy isn’t just the demons.”
“Huh?”
“The Demon Emperor. His seal has undoubtedly been broken. . . . . .We managed to seal him in the past battle, but this time, who knows. . . . . .”
“. . . . . .”
Garnet looked somewhat melancholic.
◇◇◇◇◇◇
A few days later.
The day of the tea ceremony arrived.
Lapis returned to the Duke’s main residence the previous day, getting ready with her dress.
Albero was getting dressed by Ashe and having his hair arranged.
Ridelle leisurely watched them, while Kid observed with a mischievous grin.
“. . . . . .Yeah, like this. How is it? Oh, don’t touch the hair.”
“Okay. Hmm. . . . . .it’s nice. Thanks, Ashe.”
“You’re welcome! Fufu, I thought I’d be helping Albero get ready a little later in life. . . . . .”
Ashe muttered nostalgically.
Ridelle smiled and said. . . . . .
“You two get along well.”
“We’ve known each other since we were kids.”
“Hmm. . . . . . that’s true.”
Ashe blushed and looked down.
Kid teased them, saying. . . . . .
“I wonder how the ojou-sama would react if she saw this?”
“Huh? Lapis? Why?”
“Heh, you clueless fool. So, they’re coming to pick you up?”
“. . . . . .A carriage is coming.”
Albero speaks with a look of displeasure.
Right. In front of the S-class dormitory, a carriage for pickup arrives. . . . . .It’s the carriage that Esterize and Rashild have boarded. He would have preferred separate carriages, but Fugil didn’t allow it.
It doesn’t take more than thirty minutes from the academy to the royal castle, but Albero didn’t want to spend even that short time in the tight carriage with Esterize and Rashild.
“Even so, it doesn’t suit me. . . . . .right, Ridelle?”
“Ah, don’t ask me. I think it looks pretty good on you.”
Albero is dressed in formal attire for a tea party.
It’s a calm design based on a dark green color. His black hair is neatly arranged, and he has light makeup on.
Albero says with a look of displeasure.
“I know better than anyone that this look doesn’t suit me. Seriously. . . . . .what a waste of money.”
“Well, I think it suits you━━.”
Just then, there was a knock at the dormitory’s front door.
When Ridelle responded, it was a middle-aged man dressed as a coachman.
“Albero Rushout-sama. I have come to pick you up.”
“Understood. Then, I’ll be going.”
“Take care. Say hello to Lapis for me.”
“A souvenir. Get me some suitable premium liquor.”
“Tell me about the tea party later.”
Albero goes outside.
There were three people in the carriage. Albero knew this, but he was still very reluctant.
“Get in here.”
“Good morning, Fugil-niisan.”
“Hmm, yeah. . . . . .come on, get in.”
“Yes, excuse me.”
Without greeting, Fugil tried to make Albero sit. Albero greeted him in response.
Fugil was wearing a slightly flashy outfit based on gray.
Facing him, the large-bodied Rashild was wearing a deep navy blue formal suit. It was probably custom-made.
“. . . . . .hmpf.”
Rashild snorted, but Albero ignored him.
Esterize, sitting next to him, also completely ignored him.
Esterize wore a dress that evoked a deep red rose. It daringly exposed her shoulders and elegantly showed her chest. A simple silver necklace emphasized the slender neck and her fair skin.
She had a very good figure, and it was evident that her slender and elegant legs extended from her skirt. Her long black hair was neatly tied up, and she wore light makeup with a red lipstick, giving a somewhat seductive look.
But it didn’t resonate with Albero’s heart at all. It was as if a mannequin in a town’s clothing store was wearing the same dress. The existence of something uninteresting can be completely ignored.
The carriage started moving slowly.
As it moved through the castle town, he felt like he was the center of attention.
Looking out of the carriage window at the scenery, Fugil spoke.
“Listen, Albero. . . . . .don’t say anything weird.”
“It’s okay. I remember the manners of the tea party, at least.”
“That’s not it! . . . . . .Just, at least greet properly.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“.. . . . . .if that’s the case, fine.”
With that, Fugil also fell silent.
Albero let out a big yawn.
◇◇◇◇◇◇
Without speaking, the carriage arrived at Asgard Royal Castle.
First, they were directed to a waiting room inside the castle. They took a short break there and spent time until the tea party.
The four of them, including Albero, were guided to the waiting room.
And there. . . . . .he was.
“Oh, it’s been a while. All of you.”
“Ah, you’ve grown. . . . . .let me see your face.”
Lord of the Rushout family, Alban. And his wife, Sally. . . . . .They were Albero’s parents.
With a creepy smile, Alban approached Albero. Sally followed, handkerchief in hand.
“Albero, you’ve done it! Haha, I’m so proud of the demon subjugation.”
“. . . . . .”
“It’s truly wonderful. I never imagined my son accomplishing such a feat.”
Sally dabbed at her eyes with her handkerchief.
Albero noticed but decided to wait and see.
“Esterize, you’ve been doing exceptionally well too. The rumors about A-class summoner Esterize and her siblings have reached the Rushout territory. We plan to move our home to the Nibelheim capital of the Helheim region soon. It’s close to the Kingdom of Asgard, so you can come home easily.”
“Yes, Father, Mother.”
“Rashild, Fugil. You both seem to be doing well too. I’m proud of you as my sons.”
“Thank you, Father.”
“Thank you.”
Esterize, Rashild, and Fugil all smiled.
Only Albero remained expressionless.
To him, it all seemed like a sick charade.
Sally placed a hand on Albero’s shoulder.
“Albero, please keep up the good work.”
“. . . . . .”
“Haha, Sally, don’t push him too hard.”
“Fufufu, indeed. Listen to what Esterize says, okay?”
“. . . . . .”
“Well, it’s almost time for the tea party. Let’s all go as a family.”
“. . . . . .”
Albero felt nauseated by the overwhelming creepiness.
Yes. . . . . .Both his father and mother acted as if they had never wronged Albero, without any apologies, behaving as if nothing had happened.
There was a knock on the door. A knight came to announce the beginning of the tea party.
The parents, arm in arm, led the way with Esterize and Rashild following.
Only Fugil spoke to Albero.
“. . . . . .Let’s go.”
“. . . . . .Nii-san, I. . . . . .”
“Please. . . . . .stop for now.”
“. . . . . .”
Fugil turned his back and began to walk away.
A faint whisper reached Albero’s ears.
“━━I’m sorry.”
It wasn’t the father, mother, Esterize, or Rashild. Fugil felt the most guilt of all.
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