After I, a Penniless Noble, Entered a Fake Engagement with the Most Elegant Duke’s Daughter at the Academy, For Some Reason She Started Showering Me with Love - Chapter 11.2: The Little Sister Rabbit Keeps Getting Away

Chapter 11.2: The Little Sister Rabbit Keeps Getting Away

“Lulu.”

“I’m sorry, big brother! I’m just going to pick some flowers real quick!”

The moment I called out to her while she was hanging laundry in our overgrown, barely maintained garden,

Lulu took off like a skittish cat.

“…That makes three times now.”

She’d already run off during breakfast.

And again at lunch.

At first, she wasn’t acting nervous at all.

But the second I brought up the mining survey expenses, this started.

“There’s definitely something going on.”

Even before I came home, I already knew we couldn’t have possibly had the money for something like that.

And judging from Lulu’s reaction, I wasn’t wrong.

Which means… the source of the funds is something she doesn’t want to talk about.

Don’t tell me… they borrowed money?

Suspicion turned into anxiety.

There was no way I could just leave this alone—

But the one person who probably knew the truth kept running from me like this.

While I stood there, struggling with what to do next,

I suddenly heard a soft chuckle behind me.

The corner of my temple twitched.

When I turned around, I found Yuri sitting on a weathered garden chair,

Watching the whole thing unfold with great amusement.

“…Having fun, are we?”

“Fufu. You’re pretty entertaining to watch.”

Even without a mirror, I could feel my face twist in frustration.

Seriously, what was this duke’s daughter doing here in the first place?

Sure, maybe most of the reason she came was just for fun—

But knowing Yuri, she’d still slip in something meaningful under the guise of amusement.

Even this situation probably had…

Well, maybe not a deeper meaning this time.

“So, what’s your plan now? At this rate, you’re just a hunter chasing a rabbit without a gun.”

“Can you not say it like that? Just say I look ridiculous.”

“Hahaha.”

She really knew how to push people’s buttons.

Was everyone in the duke’s house born with this twisted personality, or was it just Yuri?

I reached out to hang the laundry Lulu had left behind and spoke to Yuri.

“If I can’t catch the runaway rabbit, then I’ll talk to the one that won’t run.”

“Oh? And by that, you mean?”

I grabbed a piece of laundry and unfolded it.

“I’ll talk to Mom.”

“Hate to break your cool moment, but… isn’t that a pair of women’s underwear in your hand?”

………Why would she leave something this sensitive behind and run off!?

Just as I moved to put it back in the basket,

I heard footsteps approaching from the direction of the house, and my shoulders jolted in surprise.

No way—

Don’t tell me Lulu came back now of all times!?

Frozen in place, holding up a pair of pure white panties, drenched in nervous sweat like a waterfall,

I heard a voice—mature, yet familiar—call out to me.

“Cru, you’re home. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to welcome you. I’m sure you’ve heard, but things have been rather hectic in the territory—”

Her voice cut off.

I could practically hear the blood draining from my face.

Slowly, I turned around—

And there she was. Without a doubt, it was our mother.

A refined beauty who looked like an older version of Lulu.

But unlike Lulu’s softer features, the sharp eyes she had made her presence even more commanding.

The kind of gaze that told you she didn’t mess around.

Those very eyes were now fixed not on me…

But on the underwear still embarrassingly held in my hand.

The subtle way her sharp gaze drooped slightly left a lasting impression.

“Cru.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“As the eldest son set to inherit the family title someday, I won’t tell you not to take an interest in the opposite sex. But please refrain from feeling aroused by your sister’s underwear.”

“That’s not it! You’ve got it all wrong—please hear me out!”

That look she gave me, like “I understand, boys your age are curious”,

Somehow hurt more than being outright scolded.

For any son, a mother who’s a little too understanding about these things is the most embarrassing kind of parent.

“We’ll have a proper talk about that later.”

“No, we really don’t need to—because it’s seriously just a misunderstanding!”

“Then… would you also say that is a misunderstanding?”

She nodded toward something behind me.

Following her line of sight, I turned—

And there was Yuri, watching us with a gentle, oh-so-innocent smile.

Ah.

Yeah. Too late now.

She even gave a small, cheerful wave.

And when I turned back to Mom, her earlier soft expression was gone—

Replaced by brows so furrowed they could cut glass.

“You must be Lady Yuliana of the Arrose ducal house, correct? We weren’t informed you’d be visiting. May I ask what this is about?”

“Well… I kind of just… tagged along?”

Tilting her head with an innocent smile, Yuri looked the very picture of charm—

But Mom let out a heavy sigh and pressed her fingers to her temples, like she was getting a headache.

“I really didn’t want to say this right after my son finally returns home, but… Cru.”

“…Yes, ma’am.”

“We need to talk. You’re coming with me.”

Unlike Lulu, I couldn’t exactly make a run for it.

So I just slumped my shoulders in defeat.

And there was Yuri, watching me with a big smile, clearly enjoying the show.

I’m not some kind of stage act, you know.

Well…

I was planning to talk to Mom anyway, so in a way, this worked out.

…Or at least, that’s what I told myself to stay sane.