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 - 38

Chapter 38: The Pride of a Noble

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The carriage ride back had been quieter than the trip there. Fia, perhaps a little tired, had fallen asleep leaning against my shoulder. Each time the carriage swayed, the small silver flower tied in her hair gently trembled. She had really seemed to enjoy herself all day. That alone was enough.

Across from me, Yuka sat as expressionless as ever. But there was a subtle change. Her gaze drifted outside more often than usual. Tarinuka was the same. Outside the window, across the street. A shadow was there, keeping a steady distance and blending into the crowd. 

Yeah, I saw him too. The guy in the black robe. The first time, I thought it was a coincidence. But seeing him this many times, there was no way it wasn’t suspicious.

…Seriously. When the carriage turned a corner, the shadow turned too. As we got closer to the district where our mansion stood, the number of people thinned out. Fia’s quiet breathing could be heard. I spoke as naturally as I could.

“…Hey, are we being followed?”

Yuka slowly turned her gaze toward me.

“Yes.”

An immediate answer. Apparently, Yuka and Tarinuka had already noticed.

“Since when?”

“Since before we entered the clothing shop.”

Tarinuka added in a low voice.

“They are not bad at concealing their presence. Likely not an amateur.”

That’s kind of impressive…

Well, if even I could notice it, there was no way those two wouldn’t.

The carriage came to a stop in front of the mansion. The gate was already open. The moment we stepped down, the air changed.

…Isn’t it too quiet?

Careful not to wake Fia, I lifted her into my arms.

She’s so light… Even though she’s this small. If there’s a reason someone’s targeting us, it’s probably me. I am part of a ducal family, after all.

We entered the mansion, and only then could I finally relax a little. That was when Yuka spoke quietly so only I could hear.

“Luka-sama.”

“Yeah?”

“Shall we kill them?”

Her voice held no emotion. It was as if she were simply confirming dinner plans. Tarinuka didn’t object. If anything, he seemed to be waiting for my answer. That was honestly terrifying, and I didn’t want Tarinuka acting on something that might just be my misunderstanding.

“…”

But both of them had already identified the person as a target. As a threat to be eliminated. That was what it felt like.

Holding Fia, I thought for a moment. Her smile from earlier today. The way the silver flower shone as she asked, “Is it pretty?”

…I don’t want that to be taken away, but still…

“Let’s not. Or rather, let’s think it through a bit more.”

Yuka’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“It could just be that we happened to be going the same way.”

“If it were an abduction attempt, today would have been the best opportunity.”

Don’t say scary things like that!

It was true though. The crowds had been huge today, and there were plenty of escape routes.

…That was close. If we had gotten separated, that could have been it. Still, it was suspicious. They had been watching us the whole time.

“…Maybe they were checking something? I’m not good with this kind of thing.”

I muttered. Yuka nodded quietly.

“I constantly felt their gaze. They may have been investigating something.”

That sent a chill down my spine. Seriously, I didn’t sign up for suspense in my isekai life.

“I tried to shake them off once, but it was ineffective. It seems they are using magic detection.”

Ah, so that’s what that sudden sprint was about. She suddenly said “exercise!” with a smile, and I almost got left behind. Then yesterday’s lesson came to mind. Anyone could sense magic to some extent. Following us through a crowd like that must have been…

Actually, no, Tarinuka stands out. The armor is obvious.

…Were they measuring something about Fia?

“I will strengthen the barrier around the mansion. I will also report to Madam and the others.”

Yuka spoke calmly.

“Night patrols will be doubled. Any intrusion will be eliminated immediately.”

I carried Fia to her room and laid her down on the bed. The silver flower swayed softly beside her pillow. Her defenseless sleeping face.

I like this part, and this part, and this part too… okay, all of it. I can’t even protect someone like this. But I can choose.

“…Yuka.”

“Yes.”

“Tonight, the three of us… no, until things settle down, let’s sleep together.”

My voice came out lower than I expected. Yuka bowed her head quietly.

“Understood.”

What I want to protect is both Fia and Yuka. I won’t let anyone take them.

“Tarinuka, can I leave things to you?”

“Yes, leave everything to me.”

Reliable as always. His usual demeanor made it even more reassuring.

…Maybe I should stay awake all night.

A night that felt like it was sinking into darkness. Outside the mansion, atop the rooftops lined in a row, stood a black shadow. Tracing the faint remnants of pale pink magic with their fingertips…

“…As I thought… I will take it back, humans.”

The low murmur disappeared into the wind.

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“…Ah.”

I woke up to the morning sunlight filtering through the curtains. Last time the three of us slept together, I couldn’t sleep at all, but tonight I slept soundly.

Maybe my mind feels sharp now… probably just my imagination. Still, the mansion is quiet. Usually I can hear the maids walking through the halls.

Looking beside me, Fia was still asleep. At this hour, Yuka would normally be awake, but today she was still quietly sleeping next to us.

I gently brushed the hair off Fia’s cheek.

Her steady breathing… cute. What about Yuka? She’s slightly curled up, her hair down instead of tied like usual. In other words, cute.

…Waking up next to two beautiful girls? Dangerous. My impure thoughts are acting up. But still… yeah.

“…I’m glad I came to this world.”

The moment I muttered that softly.

“Did you say something?”

Her eyes were open. Wide open. Yuka was staring at me from an extremely close distance.

“No, nothing. Also, aren’t you too close?”

Fia was still asleep. Her small hand had unconsciously grabbed onto my clothes and didn’t seem willing to let go.

Fine by me. I’ll stay by your side from cradle to grave.

At that moment.

Knock, knock.

A restrained knock at the door echoed.

“Young master, may I come in?”

Tarinuka’s voice. This was the first time he ever came to my room in the morning.

“Yeah, come in.”

The door opened, and he bowed while still in armor.

“We have confirmed signs of an attempted intrusion on the northeastern wall of the mansion’s perimeter.”

The atmosphere changed.

…Seriously, give me a break.

“Traces of interference with the barrier, along with physical footprints. Likely the same individual.”

Yuka slowly sat up. The sleepiness was already gone from her eyes.

“When?”

“After midnight. Likely after the young master had retired.”

So I did fall asleep after all. Fia stirred slightly. Lowering my voice so as not to wake her, I asked.

“Did they get in?”

“Negative. It appeared they were testing the barrier’s strength.”

Same as yesterday.

They’re gradually closing in. That’s a really unpleasant approach.

“…Thanks. What about Mother?”

“She is already aware. She is in the reception room with Fazil-sama.”

Sorry for dragging them into this. Yuka stood up.

“I will watch over Fia.”

“Thanks. I’ll be back.”

Tarinuka nodded.

“I will handle your escort.”

A few minutes later, we arrived at the reception room. Mother was elegantly drinking tea, while my older brother Fazil had documents spread out before him. Mother looked elegant, but her eyes weren’t smiling.

“Good morning, Luka.”

“Yeah, good morning, Mother.”

Fazil looked up.

“An attempted intrusion, huh. That was faster than expected.”

“Do you think it’s the same person from yesterday?”

“Almost certainly.”

Mother set down her cup.

“Interference that traces the structure of the barrier. That’s no coincidence.”

Fazil continued calmly.

“The target likely isn’t the mansion itself.”

No need to follow us if it was. That would just raise suspicion. Their gaze turned to me.

“Probably targeting an individual. One of you three… or all of you.”

I knew that. But hearing it said out loud made it heavier.

“They were following you, weren’t they, Luka?”

Mother’s voice was quiet, but cold.

“Y-yeah, I guess so.”

“Then we should capture and interrogate them.”

That’s scary.

Fazil clasped his hands.

“Anyone bold enough to act this openly is a fool.”

From what I had heard, assassinations between nobles were usually outsourced to professionals. They already knew where we lived, so this situation was strange in many ways. I let out a small sigh.

“Mother.”

“Yes?”

“What happens if the opponent is more than we can handle?”

A brief silence. Then Mother smiled.

“In that case… we crush them with everything we have.”

I see. Then we’re fine.

Fazil nodded as well.

“Taking someone under a ducal family’s protection is the same as a declaration of war.”

So this isn’t just about me or Yuka.

I thought about it. Fia’s smile from yesterday.

…I don’t want that taken away.

“I don’t want to hand over my family.”

I said quietly. Mother’s expression softened.

“Yes, I thought you’d say that.”

Fazil added.

“You really are kind.”

“…Am I? I can’t really do anything myself.”

“It’s fine. You’ve got a capable big brother like me.”

He laughed jokingly. Even in this situation, he kept me grounded in normalcy. He didn’t let me feel anxious.

Sunlight streamed in through the window. Peace still remained. But it was steadily being chipped away.

Mother spoke one last time, her tone serious.

“Luka, if you’ve decided to protect something, then be prepared.”

“For what?”

“To become someone who takes from others as well.”

Those words sank quietly into my chest.

As long as I am a noble, and as long as I choose to protect, it is something I must never forget.

“…Yeah. I understand.”

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