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I was already feeling tired before I had even unpacked.

— My nepheeew~ I heard you just arrived? Auntie will be there right away!

The communication crystal suddenly lit up with a one-sided drunken rambling and announcement.

Her enthusiasm was almost terrifying, as if she might burst through the door any second. At least it wasn’t a surprise visit—she had the decency to announce herself first.

Still, the thought of a duke descending upon a hotel full of academy students was a nightmare. What kind of relaxing school trip would it be if everyone had to host such an intimidating figure?

They might consider it a social event if it were another duke, but dealing with a drunkard duke who didn’t even leave her territory was a bit...

— Give it to me.

— Huuuh? Darling, you want to see nephew toooo?

— Of course. So, hurry up.

— Okay! Here!

I heard Uncle’s voice next to the Wise Duchess just as I was about to suggest that we visit the ducal mansion instead.

What a relief. The suffocating tension I felt vanished in an instant. As expected, Uncle was the only one who could rein in the Wise Duchess. His reliability was unmatched.

— I see you’ve arrived safely, Carl. That’s good. Was there any discomfort on the way?

“No, there were no problems at all.”

Uncle, who had pushed aside the Wise Duchess and grabbed the communication crystal, greeted me with a gentle smile.

This—this was the proper way to start a conversation. When contacting relatives, exchanging pleasantries should come first. The Wise Duchess just made a unilateral announcement about coming to see us as soon as she heard we arrived. Please, learn at least 10% of your husband’s manners.

— Your aunt is making a fuss about wanting to see her nephews, so we’d like to see you today.

“Ah, yes. I understand.”

— Of course we won’t be coming to the hotel, so don’t worry.

Those perfectly sensible words eased my worries once more.

— Why don’t you and Erich do some sightseeing in the meantime? Let’s meet somewhere nice.

He meant that they’d come and find us if we slipped away to somewhere without many people.

It was a reasonable compromise. After all, it was bound to cause a commotion whether the Wise Duchess came to the hotel or we went to the mansion. Meeting at a third location would still create some noise, but it’d at least be the least noisy option.

— Ah, it’s fine to bring your other companions too.

That made me chuckle. If Uncle wanted to meet anyone besides us, then who else could it be but their future nieces-in-law?

“Thank you for the thoughtful suggestion.”

Of course, I was planning to bring them along even if Uncle hadn’t mentioned it. Even the Wise Duchess might be a bit quieter with the Mage Duchess right there.

***Erich’s expression changed as if he was a patriot who’d lost his country when I told him we were going to meet the Wise Duchess, but it was just a minor issue.

“Would you prefer to go, or for her to come here?”

“A nephew can’t make his aunt come to him.”

That single comment was all it took to get him moving. No matter how much of a recluse Erich was, he couldn’t risk getting his cheeks smothered in public. Honestly, I couldn’t blame him—I’d want to bite my tongue and drop dead if that happened to me in front of an audience.

“Sarah, you come along too.”

“Y-Yes? Me too?”

I casually suggested to Sarah, who was worriedly watching Erich trudge along like a zombie.

I had a solid excuse to invite Sarah since Uncle had specifically mentioned bringing along the ‘future nieces-in-law’. While Sarah and Erich weren’t officially engaged nor was there any romantic tension between them, that was all the more reason to bring her along.

She needs to gain an advantage at times like this.

Sadly, Sarah fell behind Countess Horfeld in many aspects—her innate health and the status of her family, for example—things that couldn’t be changed through effort alone.

That was why we needed to maximize Sarah’s strengths when we could. Unlike Countess Horfeld, Sarah could stay by Erich’s side.

“They already know your name. I’m sure they’ll be delighted if I tell them Erich’s childhood friend has come to say hello.”

Sarah’s eyes moistened at those words. Unlike a certain someone whose situational awareness was on par with an amoeba, Sarah was perfectly perceptive. She likely realized that my suggestion was for her benefit.

“Yes! I’ll get ready right away!”

I couldn’t help but smile slightly as I watched her hurriedly look for her coat.

I felt a bit sorry for Countess Horfeld, but what could we do? Sarah needed to assert her own strengths to stand a chance against such a formidable rival. Even if she lost in the end, it was better to fight fiercely and accept defeat with dignity than to surrender without trying.

“Are you already looking out for your future sister-in-law?”

The Mage Duchess whispered gently as she watched. I guess it was obvious to others that I was blatantly taking care of Sarah. Of course it was, since I didn’t intend to hide it in the first place.

But damn it, why couldn’t Erich notice even this?

“I should at least help out if my brother’s causing others heartburn.”

I suppressed a sigh that almost escaped instinctively and answered casually, but it was also sincere.

The situation could spiral out of control if I didn’t step in, considering Erich’s utter lack of awareness. The last thing I wanted was for Sarah, after finally recovering her health, to collapse from stress. If that happened, I wouldn’t be able to face Mother—or the head maid.

“You’re a good brother. Someday, Erich will realize how much you’ve done for him.”

I really hope so.

***We went out, but I wasn’t sure where to go. Uncle told me to go sightseeing with Erich, but visiting a popular tourist destination wasn’t an option.

I can already imagine how much attention that would attract.

Meeting them discreetly in the middle of a tourist hotspot? Sure, hiding a tree in the forest would work in theory, but that’d be taking it too far in this case. The forest would be so dense that the tree couldn’t even get through.

Still, the fact that Uncle specifically suggested meeting outside implied there was a suitable place. With the mindset that something would turn up if we looked, I got a map—

“Ah, there might be fewer people here.”

“Oh.”

I couldn’t help but react as soon as I saw where Irina was pointing. It was indeed an ideal spot.

Although technically part of the sanctuary for non-human races, the area had long since become a run-down old district due to continued urban expansion. It was so desolate that calling it a ‘district’ felt like an exaggeration.

Tourists wouldn’t venture there, nor would most locals or even the non-human residents. While it lay just outside Santoria’s walls, it was only a short carriage ride away. It was far enough for privacy and close enough for convenience. It was perfect.

“Why don’t we visit the sanctuary area after greeting aunt? It’d be a shame to go all that way and not take a look.”

“That’s true.”

I nodded at Erich’s reasonable suggestion. The Mage Duchess seemed curious about it too, so it would be a good chance to take a quick tour.

With the plan settled, I pulled out the communication crystal. I should at least leave a message about where we were going so Uncle could find us easily.

***I quietly closed the book I was reading as I heard footsteps approaching beyond the door. That sound was definitely Mother’s steps. I’d rather not risk keeping my book open, only for a stray drop of liquor to fall onto it and ruin my day.

“Lilyyy!”

Sure enough, Mother burst through the door not long after.

Honestly. I told her so many times that she needs to maintain her dignity as a duchess. No, even if she isn’t a duchess, isn’t it common sense to knock or call out from the door before entering someone’s room—?

“You’re reading again? Geez, I told you to go out and play sometimes!”

Mother hugged me and kept kissing my cheeks as soon as she entered the room.

She smells like alcohol...

It felt like I was getting drunk from the strong smell of alcohol every time Mother kissed my cheek or every time she opened her mouth. It’s strange; people shouldn’t get drunk just from the smell.

Anyway, I gently pushed away Mother, who had gone from just kissing my cheeks non-stop to sucking on them. She does this every day, but it’s troublesome if she does it today too. Today is the day we’re meeting guests.

I need to explain it to her clearly.

I stared intently at Mother as she slid away. Today is the day we’re meeting Krasius’s family members, who are also our relatives. Moreover, one of those relatives is the current Prosecutors’ Office’s Executive Manager.

Even in the countryside, I’ve heard of the Prosecutors’ Office’s Executive Manager—a young man whose many achievements had already made him a political heavyweight. There’s no way I could let him see me clinging to Mother like this, receiving kisses like a child. If anything, I need to present myself well in front of an important relative and not embarrass myself further.

So, I need to tell Mother that her behavior is tarnishing the honor of the 300-year-old Salon ducal family and embarrassing the countless vassals who are following the ducal family. I should also tell her that showing excessive affection towards me is also undermining my dignity as the heir to this noble house.

I can do this.

Yes, this isn’t being cruel to Mother. It’s saying what needs to be said for her and the family’s sake.

So don’t hesitate, Liliana Salon. Even if Mother hates me for it, it’ll only be for a moment—

“Noooo! Lilyyy! You can’t leave mommy’s arms!”

She pulled me back into her arms before I could even open my mouth.

“M-Mom! I can’t breathe!”

This time, I was hugged so tightly I could barely breathe. Panicking, I even used the childish word ‘mom’ instead of ‘Mother.’

And that embarrassing word only made her hug me tighter.

Why?!

I can’t understand it. Shouldn’t a duchess scold her child for showing improper behavior? I’m not a baby anymore—I’m a ten-year-old lady already!

“You’ll make Lily faint at this rate.”

I couldn’t escape Mother’s arms even though I struggled as much as I could, but I was finally released thanks to Father’s words, who had approached us at some point.

I hurriedly hid behind Father’s body as soon as I was free, using him as a shield. Even Mother wouldn’t ignore Father and rush at me.

“Del. I told you to just tell Lily to get ready to go out, not to make her cry.”

“I-I’m not crying...”

I instinctively denied Father’s words, but my eyes were wet when I wiped them.

This is all her fault. A proper lady shouldn’t cry over something so silly, and yet—

“Hic—“

“Oh dear.”

Father stroked my head as I burst into tears from the frustration.

And somehow, that only made me feel worse.