I Was Reincarnated as a Duke as a Matter of Course, So I Bought a Slave on a Whim and Now There’s No Turning Back - 31

Chapter 31: Toward a New Life and Family

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It was when I returned to the mansion with the four of us, including Fia.

As usual, Mother was waiting, and I thought she would give me her usual hug, but she seemed just as curious about Fia (which was natural). There was no way she could ignore her son coming back from a day out with a “bought” slave.

“Ehh, what’s with this cute kid!!!… Wait, who is she?”

Damn it! I thought Mother, who was usually so relaxed, would be fine with it! After a lot of comments, though, she said it was fine as long as it was my choice. Truly, a model mother.

After that, we immediately called Moore and gave Fia a bath.

…Huh? What about the “naked bonding” plan? I left that behind. I mean, how could a twelve-year-old take a bath with a little girl?

Let the one who always wants to live on the edge deal with that.

I asked her age just in case, but she didn’t say anything. She was still small, and maybe that’s just how slaves normally are. Yuka adapted surprisingly quickly, but I had a feeling this girl wouldn’t be the same.

“…So that’s the situation, Yuka.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, Fia seems more mentally fragile than I expected.”

I never had a little sister or dealt with someone younger than me.

“…Then that’s for the master who bought her to handle,” Yuka turned her head with a pout. She seemed annoyed at my “lost child RTA.” I felt bad, and I promised next time it would take at least ten minutes. Anyway, what would happen with Fia? By “what happens,” I meant how she’d be treated at home. Like Yuka, I could ask to give her the Noctire family name. Would she become a maid like Yuka?

“Yuka is currently our maid, right?”

“No, she is Master Luka’s personal maid.”

Was it really necessary to correct me on that? Well, if that was the case, Fia might end up in a similar position.

I don’t really want her to work too hard. Kids should just play and sleep, sleep, sleep.

It was a while before Fia came out of the bath, carried by Moore…

Her body, which had been dirty with dust and blood, was now clean. She had some minor injuries but Yuka had healed them, using magic.

…I should ask about that later.

Right now, my attention was all about Fia. Her pale pink hair was carefully combed, and her skin was translucent white.

…Elves really are unfair, aren’t they? Cute and beautiful, and now we live together.

“…“

Fia stayed silent, looking down. She wore oversized pajamas and the sleeves dangling past her hands. Could it be she was actually a small animal in disguise… sorry, Rine.

“Fia.”

I tried calling her name. Her shoulders twitched in surprise.

…She’s still scared. 

Well, of course. A strange mansion, surrounded by strangers. To put it bluntly, she was like a dog or cat whose owner just suddenly changed. There was no way she could feel safe.

“…Let’s sleep for today. You must be tired.”

No reaction. But her ears twitched. She was listening.

“Do you want to sleep here? Or in another room?”

I asked that because it was said that small children needed human warmth. And no, it was not because my brain was broken over lolis.

Silence.

After a short pause, Fia walked over. She grabbed the hem of my clothes.

…Ah (I’m melting).

Yuka glanced sideways.

“She’s completely attached to you now.”

Ah, that was close. I was about to leap (I had leapt).

“Really? Then I’m happy.”

I muttered. Fia half-hid behind me. It wasn’t exactly affection, more like self-defense. She was looking for a safe zone, and I just happened to be it.

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At night, after Fia went to sleep, I had a light discussion with Mother.

“It’s better not to reveal that she’s an elf, right?”

“Of course not~!?”

Exactly.

“But since Luka-chan brought her, we’ll do what we can at home.”

Long live the duke’s family!

“Her family name? Will she get one?”

“Yes, if it’s okay, she will receive the name Noctire.”

“Hehe, how kind.”

I think my parents, who indulged my selfishness, were even kinder. Of course, this name didn’t work as a rope to bind her. This was just the easiest way to give her the backing of the ducal family.

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Back in my room, I carefully returned without waking Fia.But she was sitting on the edge of the bed. It seemed I ended up waking her. 

“Sorry, Fia. Did I wake you?”

“…“

“Fia?”

She slowly lifted her eyes. She looked at her wrist. Red marks, the kind left by being tied tightly for a long time. Apparently, Yuka’s magic couldn’t erase old injuries or marks.

…That hurts to see.

My chest felt warm at the sight. 

“Can you sleep again?”

I patted the blanket. Fia didn’t move for a while, but slowly lay down. Still, she didn’t close her eyes. Her body was stiff, on alert. I gently placed my hand on her head again.

“It’s okay. I’ll protect you until you sleep. If any weird guy comes, I’ll beat him up.”

I wondered if that was okay. Saying I’d beat someone up might be bad for her education. Still, Fia twitched slightly, and her body relaxed just a little. After a few minutes—maybe ten or so—I finally heard her soft breathing.

…Finally. Childcare is going to be even harder than I thought.

Yuka whispered softly.

“Psychological trauma… I assume?”

“Yeah, something like that.”

Since when were you here? Try to be quieter next time, okay?

“…Master Luka, may I sleep here as well tonight?”

“Yeah… huh?”

How unusual for Yuka to ask something like this… but she’s cute, so it’s okay (IQ 5).

That night, the three of us slept in a line. She smelled so nice I couldn’t sleep.

No, this is unforgivable!! (basking in happiness).

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