I Reincarnated as a Mob Villain in a Game World I Had Been Playing~ Using My Knowledge of the Game, I Lived a Carefree Life but for Some Reason I Became Famous Everywhere~ - Chapter 18 - A Certain Red-Haired Sister ②

Chapter 18 – A Certain Red-Haired Sister ②

“Hey, Sister. Father, he…”

“Yes. I guess Father didn’t let us join because he can’t show his normal self in front of that man.”

Next to the reception room where their father, mother, and the Jet-black were gathering, Karen and Lyfia were in the adjacent room, whispering to each other while listening intently.

What the sisters heard was not the Duke’s usual dignified “Well done for coming,” but a humble “I humbly thank you for coming.”

In order not to lose their prestige as Dukes, not to be ridiculed by others, and not to be taken advantage of, their parents have always displayed a dignified appearance, but today was different.

The sisters could tell just by listening to their parents’ voices that they were dealing with the situation with their heads bowed deeply.

“…I really feel sorry for Father and Mother.”

Karen is the victim in this case. She is not at fault in any way, but in aristocratic society, making one’s parents bow down is considered the epitome of unfilial behavior.

That is because her parents, who hold the title of duke and control a large number of people, are doing “the bowing” because of her.

“……”

‘She helped my daughter.’ Only for the sake of that line of thought, The Duke put up an unflattering appearance.

While Karen was having mixed feelings that couldn’t be put into words,

“Well, I wonder if you have time to be depressed.”

“Eh…?”

Lyfia changed Karen’s tone of voice and made a comment.

“First of all, you have to explain that you cut the stone pavement with that person’s sword, don’t you?”

“Hah…”

It was a sigh that meant ‘you’re right!’

“I’m constantly causing trouble…”

“Fufu, maybe you’ll be praised for being a great swordsman.”

“Of course not! What’s with that sword’s sharpness in the first place…? That incomprehensible sharpness is half the problem…!”

“Indeed, it’s not like the stone ground would be cut like butter…”

“Y-Yes, that’s right… I didn’t even put much force into swinging it…”

It was impossible to encourage a person who was remorseful for something that was not their fault. 

Shifting the focus towards making her reflect on her shortcomings and brightening the atmosphere is typical of an older sister who understands how to handle her younger sister.

“But I’ll make it up for all the trouble I’ve caused. I’ll be more filial.”

“It’s not just that, right? Don’t forget to ‘do what you couldn’t do before and enjoy all the things you’ve been holding back.'”

“!”

It was a quote from the man in the carriage that made Karen happy. 

“So it’s no time to be depressed. That man hid it from us, but he healed Karen’s leg until the higher-ups got angry with him.”

“…Y-Yes. Sister is right.”

Lyfia, who put her hand on Karen’s leg to emphasize that she was healed, successfully made Karen change her mind. 

After this conversation was over, they listened in the reception room again when they heard…

‘I would very much like to thank you for what you have done for us…’

‘We will respond to any request with sincerity.’

The voices of their parents could be heard.

‘W-Well…’

And the man sounded reluctant, as if he was atrophied…

The man might belong directly to the Imperial Capital, but he was acting “like an ordinary person”. He didn’t show any greed, as had been expected.

“Sister, I’ve been wondering for a while. Why does that person refuse to accept our thanks…? He saved me from danger and even used such a precious elixir, but he doesn’t ask for anything in return… He doesn’t even act in a way that would offend Father, so it’s obvious that he doesn’t intend to get any compensation.”

Karen’s tone carried this implicitly, ‘Why can he be so gentlemanly like that…’

Obviously, Karen has nothing but good feelings towards the man.

Lyfia also feels the same way as Karen.

“I think for him, he was just doing a natural thing.”

“He should just accept our gratitude honestly… Instead, he’s trying to deceive us by saying he’s just an ‘ordinary person’ and hiding the fact that he belongs to Vertal.”

“Fufu, he’s certainly unordinary. Usually people would be intrigued by that.”

A show of gratitude from the Duke is such an alluring thing.

Whether it is bestowing a rank of honor, giving away land, giving money enough to live in luxury, or presenting the opposite sex for marriage…

Basically anything practical can be achieved.

“But… Isn’t he wonderful? He has conviction, he has no ulterior motives, and he is kind.”

“W-Well, I can’t deny that there might be some truth to that… Just a little bit, though.”

Lyfia smiled at Karen, whose mouth was a little pouty and not fully honest.

“I wonder if we could somehow see that man’s face… Karen is also interested, isn’t she?”

“Ah, I haven’t said it, but I’ve seen his face before. When he helped me.”

“Eh!?”

Lyfia thought that no one had ever seen his face because he was so stubborn about hiding his appearance.

Her blue eyes widened and she leaned in towards Karen.

“K-Karen! What was that man like!?”

“…Sister, it seems like you’re quite fixated on that person, aren’t you? I heard the same words from you during the carriage ride as well.”

“I… I didn’t say that.”

“If you tell me the truth, I’ll consider telling you.”

“……”

“……”

At this moment, Lyfia’s unusual pouting expression was met by Karen’s equally pouting gaze.

“…………”

“…………”

How many seconds did these cute sisters fight in this silent space?

“I-It’s not like I’m interested or anything… Well, maybe a little…”

“Then I won’t tell you.”

“Eh!? That’s not what you promised!”

“I didn’t say I’d tell you… It’s a secret only for me…”

Inside the room, Karen was exuding possessiveness, and Lyfia’s face was bright red as she argued back.