My Grandparents Are Coming
Time flew by since the baptism ceremony, and winter had arrived before I knew it.
As for me, I still wake up six hours before the bell, take a stroll around the mansion, and help with breakfast preparations in the kitchen. Thanks to this routine, Abe and the others have expanded their repertoire of dishes.
On weekdays, I train with Nancy in the mornings. These days, my routine includes running ten laps around the training ground, doing 100 push-ups, 100 leg-raise crunches (in three sets), and practicing sword swings fifty times with each hand. I use a child-sized practice sword that weighs the same as a regular one-handed sword. Initially, I struggled even to lift it, but now I can swing it with both hands. Zack, who trains with me, has also improved.
In the afternoons, Aunt Rose, my tutor, teaches me writing, the history of this country, and manners.
[Rose Ballist] Margaret’s younger sister. Joan’s aunt.
[Lightning] attribute.
She used to work in the royal capital but returned to her family home after getting fed up with harassment at work. Margaret invited her to become Joan’s tutor.
On weekends, I occasionally visit the private guard corps' dormitory with my two older brothers, who act as my bodyguards, and provide cooking guidance.
＊＊＊＊＊
The academy entered its winter break, and my brothers returned home.
The house was bustling from early morning today.
When I left my room, I saw maids cleaning even more thoroughly than usual.
It was no surprise—my paternal grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousins from the Count Longest family were all coming.
As usual, I headed to the kitchen.
“Good morning!”
“Oh, good morning, Missy.”
“Huh? Mr. Abe, you’re alone? Where are the other two?”
“They overslept. They were drinking with the private guards last night.”
“Ahaha, I see. So it’s just you. Oh, would you like some ripple tea?”
I took it out of storage while asking.
“Oh, I’ll take some. That’s the one you were secretly making yesterday, right?”
“Ah, you noticed? Yep, it’s the one I made yesterday. It’s warm—here you go.”
“Thanks. It’s cold now, so this helps… Hmm, the ripple aroma is great—it goes right through your nose.”
“I just boiled ripple leaves in water and used that to make the tea.”
“Oh, by the way, a merchant is coming before noon tomorrow. Want to check out their goods with me?”
“Really? I’d love to!”
“Alright, I’ll let you know when they arrive.”
“Thanks~ By the way, Mr. Abe, have you met my grandparents before?”
“Of course I have.”
“What kind of people are they?”
“The old master is a bold man. He’s as big as I am and was once the leader of a monster subjugation squad. He used a greatsword and I heard he still trains regularly. I doubt even I could beat him.”
“Stronger than you, Mr. Abe?”
“Yeah, much stronger. He can slice things apart by wrapping his greatsword in lightning.”
“What? That’s scary! What about Grandmother?”
“... Terrifying.”
“Huh?”
“She used to be a royal guard for the Queen, and she’s skilled with a rapier. Like the old master, she can wrap her weapon in flames. The old master, Gray, and I often got scolded and knocked around by her on the training grounds.”
“Seriously!? That’s so cool! I wonder if she’d train me too?”
“Don’t even think about it. It’d be hell.”
“That bad? Oh, what about Aunt and Uncle?”
“They’re magic fanatics.”
“What!?”
“Lady Julietta was the deputy commander of the Magic Corps. She left after getting married but later earned her doctorate in magic research at the advanced academy and became a professor. Her husband, Lord Gilbert, is a civil servant in the royal palace, and he loves magic just as much.”
“Ah, so they’re a matching pair?”
“Without a doubt. Their kids should be normal, though.”
“You mean my cousins?”
“Yeah. The elder one is two years older than Young master Noel, and the younger one is three years younger than Young master Gene.”
“So, they’re ten years older and three years older than me. I wonder what they’re like. Do you think I’ll get along with them?”
“With you? Of course. You’re a natural charmer, after all. Haha!”
I find this unfair.
A “charmer”? I’m just being friendly to everyone.
Thump, thump, thump.
““Sorry, we’re late!””
The other two came rushing in.
“Good mor- Oh, good late morning.”
“Ah, Miss Joan... Good late morning?”
“Are you okay with your hangovers?”
“It just hurts a little. We’re fine.”
“Missy, don’t heal them.”
“Of course not. They brought this on themselves. You can drink alcohol, but don’t let it drink you.”
““... Sorry.””
“But here, take this.”
I handed them special sports drinks from storage.
Gulp.
“Ahh, this is great!”
“Yeah, perfect for the morning after!”
“I wonder if the private guards are suffering too?”
“What’s that, Missy? Are you going to take those drinks to them?”
“No~ I was thinking of using a little ‘magic’ on them.”
“Not fair! Why just them?”
Master interjected.
“Because... Grandfather and the others are arriving this afternoon, right? Don’t you think they’ll check out the private guards?”
““Ah...””
“If they’re hungover, it’ll be bad, right? A mountain of corpses is the last thing we need.”
“Missy, please. Help them recover!”
Mr. Abe bowed his head.
“Alright. But I can’t go alone, so will you come with me, Mr. Abe?”
“Of course.”
“Then let’s hurry. Time to go!”
“Alright, you two, take care of things here!”
I walked over to the two hungover men.
“Pain, pain, go away! (First Aid). Just for today, okay?”
““Thank you!””
They both bowed their heads to me.
Mr. Abe carried me as we rushed to the private guards’ dormitory.
What do you think about this chapter?
