Zoe & Lira
With the soundproofing magic tool activated—
“Umm, once again… it’s been a while, Bell.”
“Hehe, it has, Joan.”
I was finally able to greet her properly, and I felt relieved.
“Young Young lady Bell?”
“Ah, um, let me introduce my maids. This tall one here is Zoe.”
Zoe, with her tall stature, long black hair tied in a ponytail, and green eyes, was dressed not in a maid outfit but in attire more fitting for a valet. She looked like a cool woman straight out of a male role from the Takarazuka Revue.
“I’m Zoe. Though I’m introduced as a maid, I apologize for my appearance. I’m actually majoring in the knight course at the academy. However, I’ve been assigned as Young lady Bell’s attendant, so I’ll be living here.”
“And this is Lira.”
A petite girl with bright orange twin tails and round brown eyes—an adorably cute girl.
“Nice to meet you, Young lady Joan. I’m Lira. I’m in the civil service course at the academy.”
After Bell introduced her maids—
“Um, now it’s our turn. First, this is Sarah.”
“I’m Sarah. I’m majoring in the civil service course. Pleased to meet you.”
“And this is Anny.”
“I’m Anny, also in the civil service course. Nice to meet you.”
“Bell? How old are Zoe and Lira?”
“They’re both seventeen.”
“Huh? Wait, my two are also seventeen… wait, don’t tell me you all already know each other?”
““““Yes.””””
““Eh— tell me these things!!””
““““Haha.””””
“So not only do you know each other, you’re actually close?”
“Yes, we were in the same class for three years.”
“It’s not just that you and I get along, but our attendants are close too. That’s so nice.”
“Yeah. I was worried whether I could get along with your maids, Joan. I’m so glad.”
“Umm… Bell, be honest with me. You don’t like sitting at the same table as your maids, do you?”
“Eh… um… actually, back home, we sometimes eat together—”
“L-Young lady Bell, that’s…”
“I’m glad.”
Zoe and I both reacted before Bell could finish.
““Eh?””
“Ah… I apologize, Young lady Joan.”
Zoe quickly realized her slip-up and bowed her head.
“No, no, please raise your head. Umm… in our household too, we sometimes all eat together with the servants and guards, so I was just happy to hear that.”
“Eh? You too, Joan?”
“Yeah. We sit around a campfire, eat, drink…”
“Really? That’s how it is at my house too~”
“Food tastes better when everyone eats together, right?”
“Yeah.”
““““Haah…””””
““Hm?””
“Ladies, that’s only because the Barst and Lampail families are… unusual.”
“Exactly. It’s absolutely unthinkable at other houses.”
“So let’s keep that conversation just between us, alright?”
“Understood?”
Zoe, Anny, Lira, and Sarah warned us in that order.
““Yeees…””
““Concise replies!!””
Zoe and Sarah scolded us.
““Yes!””
“Well, anyway, let’s all sit and have tea together.”
“Eh? Joan, really?”
“Eh? Of course. Ah… but just in this room.”
“Then you have to come to my room too.”
““““Haah…””””
We somehow got all four to sit down, and we enjoyed tea together.
“By the way, Bell, did you register as an adventurer?”
“Of course! Look.”
Bell pulled out an iron plate with a halberd mark and ‘Barst’ engraved on it from around her neck.
“Then me too… here.”
“We match. What’s your rank, Joan?”
“I just got promoted to D-rank recently.”
“““Huh?”””
“D-rank… at the Lampail Guild…”
“And you’re… only ten…”
Zoe and Lira were muttering something to themselves.
“I also got promoted to D-rank recently. But at the Lampail Guild, that’s like E-rank, so I have to work harder.”
“Let’s go to the guild together next time!”
“Agreed!”
“Um… Young lady Joan, are you a tamer?”
“Eh?”
“Umm, well… I couldn’t help noticing over there…”
“Ah, I forgot to introduce them. Pearl, Rosso.”
Pearl and Rosso came over.
“This is Pearl. And this is Rosso.”
“““……”””
“Joan… don’t tell me…”
“Ah… yeah. A Fenrir and a Carbuncle.”
“I’ve… never seen one… they’re adorable…”
“Such a tiny Fenrir…”
“They really exist…”
From top to bottom, Bell, Zoe, and Lira.
Pearl looks small because she’s in puppy size right now.
“Um, Young lady Joan, I know it’s a lot to ask, but may I… may I please touch Pearl and Rosso?”
Before Lira could finish, Zoe jumped in to stop her.
—Pearl, Rosso, is it okay if they pet you for a bit?
—Oh, well, I guess… just a little.
—I’m embarrassed… but I’m okay with it too…
While I was having a telepathic conversation with the two, Zoe and Lira were still talking, and Bell was anxiously watching them.
“Lira, both of them said it’s okay to pet them.”
“““Eh!”””
“Joan, are you sure? You’re not forcing them?”
“Nope, I asked them properly… Here.”
I said that and gently handed Pearl to Zoe and Rosso to Lira.
“Ahh… so fluffy…”
“Ahh… too cute…”
The two who were arguing just moments ago were completely defeated by the fluff.
“Joan, Joan, me too, can I?”
“Yeah, of course.”
After that, Bell was also utterly defeated by the fluff.
Hehehe… no one can resist the fluff. No one!!
What do you think about this chapter?
