Published: August 2, 2025
Today, three chapters posted simultaneously.
This story is the first chapter.
That night
After returning to the inn once, finishing packing and canceling the lodging, we went back to the Duke's household mansion. Since the Duke and Duchess were attending to other guests, we were shown to the rooms where we would be staying first.
The guest room... to put it simply, it was like a famous hotel's suite room I had seen on TV in my previous life.
I was surprised not only by the size of the room but also because there were two more doors inside it, one on each side. The first room was the living room; the door on the right led to the shower and toilet, and the door on the left led to the bedroom. These three rooms side by side were all given to me alone... Moreover, a maid was always waiting in a separate room to take care of me, ready to come immediately when called.
It seemed they were considerate enough to assign one of the maids I knew—either Mr. Alone, Ms. Lilian, or Ms. Luluneze—to attend to me. Honestly, I felt quite embarrassed, but they said this was the standard treatment for guests of the Duke's household... I wonder if this is due to cultural differences or a matter of financial power... Oh? It seems someone is coming...
“Please come in!”
“Excuse me. Lord Takebayashi, your husband and three colleagues are requesting a meeting. What would you like to do?”
It was Mr. Fuse and three of his colleagues—could it be!
“I’ll meet them. Please show them in.”
“Understood.”
Ms. Luluneze gracefully flicked her tail and went out with refined movements.
Waiting near the entrance to greet them, she returned in a few minutes.
As expected, she was accompanied by the four.
“Long time no see.”
“Indeed!”
“How have you been?”
“Glad we’re all safe and sound.”
Mr. Kamil, Mr. Jill, and Mr. Zeff.
The same three as when we first met were standing there.
“Hey, hey, you’re forgetting me, aren’t you?”
“You met Mr. Fuse yesterday, didn't you? More importantly, why didn’t you tell us you were getting married yesterday?”
I was a little confused because of that. At first, I didn’t even understand Ms. Luluneze’s story.
“Well, I intended to tell you at first... but sending you back to the inn took quite a bit of time. I thought it would be weird if I said ‘Oh, I’m getting married!’ just as I was leaving.”
“True, that might have been a bit confusing...”
“Also, well, I can get married now because you helped me back then. I wanted to properly thank you. I thought I’d report it all when we met.”
...Mr. Fuse, have you changed your tone a bit?
“After nearly dying once, Mr. Fuse had some things on his mind.”
“He says that’s why he confessed.”
“Hey, hey Jill, Kamil.”
Mr. Fuse hurriedly stopped the two.
“I think there’s no point hiding it now... but you two stay back a bit. Especially you, the bride.”
Mr. Zeff’s words made the two snap to attention.
“Please don’t worry about me.”
By the open door stood Ms. Luluneze, straightening her posture as if nothing had happened. Whether it was pride as a maid or something else, she tightened her expression and restrained herself... but her face was bright red. It seemed she wasn’t good with this kind of talk.
“Please, everyone, come inside. Let’s sit and talk.”
“That’s right! Don’t mind us.”
“Well then, excuse me.”
We welcomed the four inside and sat on the living room sofa... Ah, I forgot I was using the table!
“Sorry for leaving things messy.”
“It’s us who came suddenly, no need to worry.”
“Don’t mind it~”
“By the way, what’s with this tub?”
“It seems to be filled with sand...”
“I was restless because the room was too fancy, so I made this.”
From an unbefitting container in such a luxurious room, I pulled out a roughly human-shaped stone about the size of a figurine.
It was still a rough draft—a prototype of a statue.
“Also this and this and this...”
“There’s quite a few!?”
“They were buried that deep.”