When Kent and his companions finished organizing the things they were taking, they heard the sound of a carriage stopping outside.
“I wonder if Caro-san is back?”
Kent said, and the door opened, and Caro entered.
“Kent-san, Marie-san, thank you for waiting. Um, Clara-san, are you okay to move around?”
“Yes, I’m fine. I’m sorry for all the trouble. I’ve decided to stay at your house too. Please take care of me.”
“Oh my… it’s not like it’s a big deal to have one more person join us now…”
Caro said with a bewildered look at Clara’s forceful words and actions.
“By the way, why are there three carriages stopped outside?”
When Kent went outside with the luggage, he saw three carriages stopped.
“Um… it’s because when I mentioned at the shop that Kent-san and the others would be living at my house for a while…”
Caro began to speak hesitantly.
“Caro, I’m sorry to keep you waiting.”
“My apologies. Thank you for having me.”
“I’m sorry for inviting someone like me.”
“Yay, going out, going out.”
“Wow. Going out in a carriage.”
“It’s a carriage. Let’s all go out!”
“Meal…”
People came out of the shop, carrying luggage. The shop was already closed, and a “Busy” sign was hung on the entrance.
“Kent-san, I’ll go get my luggage too.”
“Master. Please wait a moment.”
Catherine and Al went into the house to retrieve their luggage. Marie had prepared it in advance, so they quickly returned with their luggage.
“Master. I cannot leave the shop, so I will stay and watch the house. Everyone, please take care.”
Emily came out to see them off from outside the shop.
“Huh? Was Emily able to go outside the shop?”
“You’ve been able to go outside the grounds for a while now. Could this be a new ability as well?”
Emily, who couldn’t leave the shop, felt a sense of incongruity at being outside and asked, to which Emily replied like that.
“So, everyone is coming to my house, and that’s why we needed three carriages.”
In the end, besides Kent, Marie, Catherine, Al, and Clara, Rachel, Elnet, Patty, Bry, Antoni, Till, Hanako, and everyone else from the shop except Emily, who couldn’t leave, were going to Caro’s house.
“Is it okay for so many people to come all at once?”
“I have my father’s permission, so it’s alright. However, the servants are very busy with this sudden acceptance.”
Caro said with a wry smile. Then, when preparations were complete, they got into their respective carriages and headed for Caro’s mansion.
“Kent-sama, with so many people suddenly descending upon you, is Caro-san’s house that large?”
“Hmm, it’s probably normal?”
“If that’s the case, it seems like it will be quite cramped.”
Marie, Catherine, and Clara were riding in the carriage with Kent. Clara asked Kent worriedly. Kent was not familiar with the size of noble houses, but he answered that way because the houses around Caro’s house were not much different in size compared to them.
“Speaking of which, I’ve never been to Caro-chan’s house either.”
“Me too, me too! I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of house it is.”
Marie and Catherine said with expectant expressions about what kind of place the house they would be staying at would be.
“Um… this is the aristocrat district, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is?”
Clara said, looking surprised. The carriage was currently traveling through the aristocrat district. Caro’s mansion was located in a relatively close area to the slum district, so they should arrive soon.
“It looks like we’ve arrived.”
“This place is…”
Clara said, looking surprised. At that moment, the carriage door opened from the outside, and a maid was waiting outside the carriage.
“Oh no, I have to get to work too.”
Saying that, Clara was the first to get out of the carriage and stood beside it.
“Please take my hand as you step down. It’s dark, so please watch your footing.”
Kent and Marie were surprised by Clara’s actions, who was performing her job precisely, unlike the useless maid from Kent’s house. After that, she followed Kent and the others without saying a word.
“It’s a big house. This is Caro-onee-chan’s house.”
Catherine said, looking up at the mansion. People who had gotten out of the other carriages also gathered.
“I’ll have the servants take your luggage, so you don’t need to worry about it. Now, I’ll guide you. Please come this way.”
Caro took the lead and started walking towards the entrance. Everyone followed. When they reached the entrance, a waiting servant opened the door, and they entered the mansion. Then, other servants lined up at the entrance to welcome them.
“Welcome back. Young lady. Welcome, esteemed customers.”
The voice of a man who appeared to be the butler echoed, and the other servants repeated it.
“Welcome, Kent-dono. And the friends of my daughter. Please consider this your home and do not hesitate to stay here.”
“Baron Frederick. It has been a while. We will be staying with you from today.”
“Elnet-sama. It has been a long time. You have become very beautiful in the time I haven’t seen you.”
“Flattery is unnecessary. I am dressed like this now.”
Elnet was wearing her usual swordsman-style clothes, so anyone could see she wasn’t dressed like a duke’s daughter. It felt a little awkward for her to perform the courtesies of a duke’s daughter in that attire.
“I’m on duty, but may I ask one question?”
“Hm? What is it?”
Clara said, speaking from behind Kent, who was watching the exchange.
“Caro-san… no, Young Lady, are you Baron Frederick’s daughter? And is that person Elnet-sama, the Duke’s daughter, correct?”
“Yes, that’s right?”
“I must apologize… for such a blunder… Please excuse me. Thank you.”
After hearing just that, Clara moved back and withdrew.
(I can’t believe a duke’s daughter is working as a shop clerk… What kind of shop is that anyway?)
From the back, Clara’s muttering could be faintly heard.
“Well then, as I have been indebted to my daughter’s care, I intend to entertain you to the best of my abilities as a token of my gratitude.”
” ” ” ” ” “We will be in your care.” ” ” ” ” ”
And so, the communal living at Caro’s mansion began.
“Well then, about the room assignments…”
Kent and the others gathered in the large hall to decide on the room assignments. First, Patty and her younger siblings were assigned rooms, and Al and Catherine were in the same room. Rachel and Elnet were assigned single rooms.
“Then, I’ll be in the same room as Kent-san…”
“That’s not possible.”
“Eh?”
As Marie spoke, Caro stopped her.
“Marie-san, you and Kent-san have been sharing a bed recently, haven’t you?”
“Yes… well.”
“If we give you the same room, other people won’t be able to sleep with Kent-san, will they?”
“Ah… so that’s what you mean. I’m sorry. We have to be fair to everyone.”
Marie, understanding Caro’s intention, chose a single room.
“Then, Kent-san, please use this room.”
The room Caro guided him to was equipped with a large bed, and for some reason, the walls were thick and well-soundproofed.
“This is a guest room, but it’s a special room mainly used by those who might… well, do such things, like newlyweds. You can make as much noise as you want here.”
Caro explained about the room where Kent would be staying, with her cheeks blushing.
