“Seiran, I’ve finished the shopping you asked me to do.”
“Oh, Seiran-sama. The young lady is waiting for you in her room.”
“Understood. Then.”
Returning to the mansion and reporting my arrival. The steward immediately responded to my voice. This is the mansion of the noble Rasgas family, which has produced many vassals and court officials. They hold a position in the middle of the noble ranks. Hypocrites. I have never done anything wicked.
“Young Lady Rie, it’s Seiran.”
…I called out in front of Young Lady Rie Shan Rasgas’s room. I didn’t have permission to enter. It’s a middle name that only those close to her are allowed to use. I called out, “Young Lady Shan.”
“You can come in.”
“Excuse me.”
“Welcome back, Seiran.”
“Yes, Young Lady Shan.”
Along with words of労い, I approached and Young Lady Rie Shan looked up at Seiran. Sitting on the bed, she had Seiran sit next to her for fun conversation, mostly about her experiences outside.
“As expected, if education isn’t sufficient, living becomes difficult, doesn’t it?”
“Yes. If you lack knowledge, you can be deceived by bad adults.”
Therefore, Young Lady Shan, please be sure not to skip your lessons.
“Ehh, but…”
That teacher is so pretentious. His lessons aren’t useful at all. I’ve learned that. Who am I supposed to talk to like that?
“…I’ll ask Husband to see if we can get a new teacher.”
“Wait. Tell me more about your experiences outside~”
I cannot. Young Lady Shan’s future is in jeopardy. I must go right away. It will take time to find a new teacher.
“Pout~”
“You’re ruining your cute face~?”
“It’s not Seiran’s fault. Ugh, if you want to go to Father, then go.”
She threw a pillow at me. It hit my face and I caught it in mid-air before it hit the floor. I smoothed out the wrinkles in the pillow, placed it on the table, and left the room.
I went to meet the head of the Rasgas family, Husband, and reported about Young Lady Rie’s teacher.
“What a troublesome person. The teacher who recommended him was someone I owed a great deal to.”
“At this rate, Young Lady Rie’s future…”
“Understood. I will find a new teacher soon.”
After finishing my conversation with Husband, I returned to Young Lady Shan’s room and reported that the matter of the teacher would be resolved soon.
“Thank you, Seiran.”
Young Lady Rie Shan didn’t know that Seiran was a woman.
How long had we talked? The topic turned to Young Lady Shan’s marriage prospects. If they become relatives with the Rasgas family, they would be like a rabbit borrowing the tiger’s might.
“I keep saying I’m too young to get married~… Father is too impatient. The other party probably doesn’t even see me.”
“That’s not necessarily…”
It’s not impossible. Besides Young Lady Shan’s charm, there are likely those who are more interested in Husband’s wealth and status. Young Lady Shan is of marriageable age. Her appearance is modest, and she feigns innocence outside. Getting married and starting a family. Hmm, no matter who her partner becomes, I will follow Young Lady Shan to the ends of the earth.
Several days later, a marriage prospect appeared with a servant and a gift.
“My, my, I apologize for the sudden visit today.”
“…Welcome.”
I welcomed the marriage prospect as Young Lady Rie. My face was smiling, but I sensed that the other party was not to my liking. We made small talk. The marriage prospect then asked if I’d like to take a walk in the garden without attendants.
“Yes, with pleasure.”
Refusing would be rude to his family. If I get through today, and avoid making a promise for a future meeting, the marriage talk will fall through.
“Kyaa?!”
“What?! Young Lady Rie? What’s wrong, Young Lady Rie?!”
Could it be that to forcefully marry her, he had a physical relationship with Young Lady Rie and threatened her, forcing the marriage to prevent scandal?
“Seiran!”
“Wh-what is this… what happened?”
The marriage prospect was lying on the stone path, covered in blood. Fortunately, Young Lady Rie only seemed to have blood splatters on her. I asked in detail what had happened.
“A yokai, you say?”
“Suddenly a whirlwind blew, and then I heard that person’s pained voice.”
When I looked back, he was already lying there, covered in blood. No one was nearby. There were no signs of magic tools being used. It’s impossible for monsters to enter the capital, let alone this district, due to security.
“Perhaps one of the servants mistakenly killed him, don’t you think? (whispered)”
I secretly consulted with the person who rushed over with me. Young Lady Rie was to be cleaned up in the bath.
“I will go and report this to Husband. You are to tend to this person’s wounds.”
“Yes, sir.”
The bloodshed within the Rasgas family’s grounds quickly spread throughout the capital. The family that suffered damage sued the Rasgas family, asking about their security. The head of the household refrained from retorting that their son was alone with the daughter. Other noble families publicly criticized them at the court, calling them spineless and weak. Nevertheless, the anger was directed at the yokai that the daughter claimed to have seen committing the incident. It was likely a Kamaitachi, a fusion of a corpse and wind. They are pursuing clues about that thing.
“Spread the word that a reward will be given for useful information.”
“Yes, sir.”
