H28.3.31 Revised.
H28.4.21 Re-revised.
Upon receiving Alicia from my father and returning to the first-floor office, my seat had been moved to a private room partitioned alongside the executives of the Raymond Trading Company, such as Gaspar. Beside it, a seat for Alicia, who had become my ‘personal secretary,’ was also prepared.
My office work that day barely progressed, preoccupied with Alicia waiting beside me. However, when the regular hour arrived, I returned home with Alicia, hailing a carriage.
Alicia herself seemed a little nervous, having never visited the main residence of House Raymond, where she would be living from today.
“It’s alright. Mother and my sister will welcome you too!”
I gently held Alicia’s hand and offered her words of reassurance.
“Yes!”
Alicia nodded in response with a cheerful affirmation.
Upon arriving at the mansion, my mother Shakura and sister Miuuki, accompanied by the butler, head maid, and other maids, as well as the chef and other servants, welcomed Alicia’s arrival.
“Welcome! Alicia.”
My mother said, pulling Alicia into a warm embrace.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Alicia replied nervously.
“Please call me Mother.”
My mother then rephrased, with a slight hint of pout.
“I have returned. Mother-in-law.”
Alicia hastily corrected herself.
“You’ve worked hard for these six months.”
My mother smiled gently and began stroking Alicia’s head.
“Sister Alicia! Please take care of me too!!”
My sister Miuuki, standing beside Mother, also seemed to have taken a liking to Alicia.
“This young lady is Alicia Garland from the branch family, who will be living in this mansion with us from today.”
After the greetings with my mother and sister were concluded, Mother turned and introduced Alicia to the servants.
Then, my mother personally led Alicia to the room next to my private room.
“I redecorated it according to Alicia’s preferences, as heard from the branch family. What do you think? Also, the luggage sent from the Garland family is over there.”
“Thank you, Mother-in-law. And… I love it.”
“Oh, that’s good. If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to ask. Hal, I’ll leave the rest to you.”
My mother, being considerate, left us alone.
“Hal, that was quite a welcome.”
“Indeed.”
“By the way, could you call me Hal?”
“Yes… Hal.”
Alicia replied in a small, whispered voice, her cheeks flushing, perhaps out of shyness.
“Still, this is a luxurious room? It’s twice as spacious as my private room at the Rendol Estate where I used to live, and the furnishings are…”
Alicia changed the subject, perhaps from embarrassment, and took another look around the room.
“Can I see the bedroom for a moment?”
“Yes, please do.”
Perhaps due to her attachment to her private room or the lack of personal belongings purchased by Alicia herself yet, she readily granted permission.
Entering the bedroom, I tried to open the door on the right wall, but it was still locked.
“Hal, is something wrong?”
Alicia asked with a puzzled expression.
“Actually, this door connects to my bedroom.”
“Eh? Why?”
Alicia’s cheeks immediately flushed as she hỏi.
“Originally, this room was for my legal wife, so it had always been vacant.”
I continued explaining while looking at the door.
“That’s why Mother accommodated Alicia here. However, the fact that this door is locked means that conjugal matters will be reserved for after our formal wedding ceremony.”
I explained the meaning of the locked door to Alicia.
Turning around, Alicia appeared relieved.
“Shall we go to dinner? I’ll guide you to the dining hall.”
As my intended destination with Alicia, dinner was already ready, and it began the moment we arrived.
My mother, Shakura, clearly took a great liking to Alicia, maintaining a cheerful smile throughout.
The chef also seemed to have put in a lot of effort, offering a feast.
Afterward, we each showered to wash off the dirt and sweat. Feeling tired, we decided to sleep in our respective private rooms.
We went to sleep in our respective bedrooms, but late at night, a soft knock on the door alerted me. Opening it, I found Alicia, changed into her nightgown, standing there.
“What is it? Can’t sleep?”
I asked Alicia gently.
“Hal, I’m anxious! Can I sleep with you?”
Alicia tilted her head and asked something outrageous in a cute manner.
Incidentally, Alicia was wearing a pale blue, silk negligee. Due to the thin fabric, the outline of her nipples and the shadow of her crotch were dimly visible, creating a very alluring sight.
I had a concern that if I brought her into the bedroom in this state, things might escalate further, but seeing Alicia’s distressed expression, I couldn’t bring myself to refuse.
“Alright. Come in.”
I led Alicia into my bedroom, and we lay down on the bed, holding hands.
“Hal, I’m sorry.”
Alicia apologized, but my own heartbeat was pounding loudly, and I struggled to hide it.
After a while, Alicia fell asleep, breathing softly like a child. However, I, on the other hand, found myself unable to sleep, constantly aware of Alicia’s warmth and sweet scent, and welcomed the morning vigil.
As the sun rose and its light began to fill my bedroom, Alicia awoke.
“Good morning, Alicia.”
“G-good morning, Hal.”
As we exchanged morning greetings, perhaps remembering her visit to my room in the middle of the night, Alicia replied with a flushed face.
Alicia’s bashfulness piqued a little mischief in me.
“Alicia, may I give you a morning kiss as a greeting?”
I half-jokingly asked.
“Yes.”
Taking me seriously, Alicia closed her eyes and accepted my kiss.
I lightly touched my lips to hers, giving her the sort of kiss that lovers might share for the first time.
And with this simple act, both our faces turned bright red.
“Well then, shall we get up?”
“Yes, Hal.”
Alicia’s cheeks were flushed bright red, and she looked very cute.
As Alicia, still half-asleep, shifted, her duvet slipped, and the beautiful swell of her breasts peeked through her pale blue negligee, making it impossible for me to look her in the eye.
“Hal, I’m sorry. I’ll go change right away.”
Sensing my reaction and recalling her state, Alicia hastily returned to her room.
Today, I have taken the day off from my father to help Alicia move.
After breakfast, I will help her unpack her luggage, finish that work by noon, and then take her to the suburban mansion that serves as the base for ‘Princess Harem’ in the afternoon.
There’s nothing to hide, but these things are best dealt with promptly.
