Volume 2 Chapter 10 Introducing My Female Friend To My Mom Is Nerve-wracking
Randy started going to school with Liz, and now it was their second break. In this world, there are 7 days a week, but for some reason, school breaks are on the second and 4th Saturdays. That said, other Saturdays are half days for classes.
So, every Saturday afternoon is basically a break──Randy has half days every day except Friday──so it's not an exaggeration to say that. And now, Randy and the others are approaching Saturday afternoon.
Having been at school for about 2 weeks, Randy wanted to check on how things were going in Victor Territory, so he decided today was the day to go home. Of course, he was with Liz and...
"Are you really okay with this?"
...Cecilia looked doubtful.
It was already decided that Cecilia's family and Liz's family would join forces. There seemed to have been some trouble with Cecilia's former fiancé in the morning, but Cecilia said it was fine.
Anyway, since they had become allies against the central powers, Randy had already talked to Cecilia about Liz's exile and Ellie's existence, as far as they knew.
Randy didn't want to involve too many people, but Cecilia was determined. She strongly felt that she didn't want to just let those who looked down on Liz and herself get away with it.
(Those big nobles are scary)
As expected from a long-standing noble family, you might say, but since Randy was acting with her, he stopped using honorifics. It was something Cecilia asked him to do, but for Randy, it felt like he was half-heartedly thinking, "Whatever happens, happens."
Anyway, with their new ally Cecilia, they flew ten days' distance in a carriage with just a snap of Ellie's fingers──
"Is this it?"
"We're back."
"Yes."
In front of Randy and the others was the Victor family mansion, which didn't look much different from when they left. After all, it hadn't even been a month since they left. It would be strange if it had changed.
"It's Randolph. I'm back."
When Randy waved to the maid who was cleaning in front of the mansion...
"Oh, welcome back, young master──."
...The maid froze and dropped her broom.
"What the──."
"Master! The young master has brought back another young lady!"
The flustered maid shouted loudly as she rushed into the mansion.
"Another? Brought someone back?"
"It was unavoidable."
Randy pouted at Cecilia, who looked confused. Liz, the young lady who was actually brought back, could only manage a wry smile.
Just as the maid hurried back into the mansion, the inside became noisy, and everyone in the mansion started to appear.
The curious maids, along with Alan and Keith. And then...
"Randolph?"
""Brother?""
...His mother Grace and sister Clarice appeared, along with his little brother Cecil.
Seeing his little brother after a long time, Randy couldn't help but smile and rush over.
"How have you been──."
"Randolph, first explain yourself."
His hand reaching out to Cecil was stopped by his smiling mother Grace.
"Mom..."
"No."
Randy, who was given a strong smile, couldn't help but look at his father Alan for help, but as expected, Alan looked away. Feeling helpless, Randy disappeared into the mansion with Liz and Cecilia.
* * *
"I see. So you are Miss Elizabeth, and this is Miss Cecilia, mentioned in the Marquis's letter."
Randy silently nodded at his mother Grace, who elegantly tilted her cup.
"First, let me introduce myself. I am Grace Victor, Randolph's mother."
Grace, who bowed while sitting, was hinting that they should feel comfortable, but... even though she was a Viscountess, Liz and Cecilia couldn't act too casually around the lady of the house.
The two, who had already greeted her earlier, once again said, ""Nice to meet you,"" with graceful curtsies.
"You don't have to be so formal. After all, it's just the countryside."
Grace smiled and set her cup aside, looking at Liz and Cecilia with a big smile. To anyone who saw it, it was a gentle and kind smile, but for Randy, who knew the truth, it was the kind of smile that made him think, "Oh no, this is bad."
"Mom, they are──."
"Step aside, Randolph."
Grace pushed Randy aside and turned her sparkling eyes toward Liz and Cecilia.
"Wow! You both are so beautiful..."
With her sparkling eyes, Grace praised the two and continued with her smile.
"...So, which one of you is Randolph's potential bride?"
"Uh──."
"Eh──."
Liz blushed, and Cecilia's face stiffened.
"Oh, so it's Elizabeth after all."
Grace laughed playfully, and Liz stammered, "W-why would someone like me..."
"Mom, please stop. Liz is embarrassed."
"What's wrong with that? You haven't shown any interest in girls at all!"
Grace pouted but then suddenly noticed something and smiled at Randy.
"'Liz' is a cute nickname, isn't it?"
Caught off guard by the unexpected comment, Randy stuttered, "Uh," and Grace nodded, looking satisfied.
"That's fine for now."
Grace nodded a few times and then looked at Liz again.
"So? When will Ms. Eleonora show her face?"
With a mischievous smile, Grace made Liz widen her eyes, and Liz relayed Ellie's words, saying, "'If she feels like it.'"
"Oh? Is that so? Even though you are a potential bride... Well, that's fine. Whether you are an ancient great magician or a former Marquis's daughter, you are now part of our family. You are like my cute daughter. If anything happens, just let me know."
Grace smiled again, and Liz's eyes widened once more. But this time, it was a different kind of surprise. After all...
"Hmph. Interesting. You call me your daughter?"
...Ellie peeked in.
"Yes. You and Elizabeth. As for Cecilia, well, being a Count's daughter makes that impossible."
Randy couldn't help but think to himself, (Liz is still a daughter of the Marquis family) as he watched Grace shrug her shoulders.
"What an interesting woman. Well, since we're going to be in each other's lives, it wouldn't be right not to greet you──."
Saying this, Ellie introduced herself with a smile, saying, "If anything happens, this great magician will help you," and then she vanished.
Even Liz, who had just returned, was surprised, and so was Randy. It was probably the first time Grace had pulled Ellie out with just one word and even made her say, "I'll help you," aside from Randy and Liz.
In the official history, one reason why the final boss, Eleonora, took so long to destroy a Dukedom was because of Grace's presence.
With her motherly nature, she healed the hearts of Elizabeth and Eleonora, who were filled with despair, many times. However, even though Eleonora's soul eventually fused with Elizabeth, it still took time...
The time it took became the time spent on school events in the official history, which is one reason why it took so long for the Dukedom to fall.
On the other hand, the fact that Grace was harmed deepened Elizabeth and Eleonora's despair even more.
Anyway, the 3 of them, who met in a completely different way from the official history, would build a brand new relationship.
Unaware of all this, Grace turned to Randy's younger siblings, who were peeking from near the door.
"Clarice, Cecil. Say hello."
At Grace's words, Clarice, the younger sister, and Cecil, the younger brother, came forward. Clarice was 12, and Cecil was 5 this year. Clarice's eyes sparkled as she faced Liz and Cecilia, and she awkwardly curtsied.
"I'm Clarice Victor... which one of you is my big sister?"
Clarice dropped a bombshell, and Grace cheerfully added, "Well, it's still a bit early, but it might be Elizabeth."
"Mom──."
Ignoring Randy's stop, Clarice's eyes sparkled in front of Liz.
"Can I call you big sister Elizabeth?"
"You can just call me Liza since it's shorter."
"Then, Big Sister Liza!"
Randy held his head in his hands at the conversation moving on its own, but the only relief was that Liz didn't seem to mind. Seeing Liz's shining eyes as she said, "I wanted a little sister too," Randy let out a sigh of relief.
"Sir Randolph, please make Liza happy."
"Even you..."
As Randy slumped his shoulders at Cecilia's words, his younger brother Cecil gently patted him.
"Cecil... you're the only one on my side."
Randy hugged Cecil, who was smiling shyly, while Liz looked at them with envy, saying, "I wanted a little brother too."
"Sir Randolph..."
"Please don't say anything more."
As Randy hung his head, Alan patted his shoulder, looking like he wanted to say,
"Just give up, Randy. I'll help you pick up the pieces."
"Help me out there."
"At least you have Cecil."
Randy turned to Grace and the others, pouting, "You heartless people," while his father shrugged and laughed.
"Mom, I have a meeting with the old man, so──"
"Yes, leave this to me."
With a big smile from Grace, Randy felt a bit uneasy but didn't say anything extra. He followed Alan and Keith out of the reception room.
As Randy stepped out the door, he could still hear the cheerful laughter behind him.
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