I Was Reincarnated as the Heir of a Villainous Family, Who Kept the Fallen Daughter of the Count as a Maid for Satisfying My Sexual Desires, Only to Meet My Demise at the End. If I Treat Her Normally, She Would Come Visit Me Every Night Which is Troublesome… - Chapter 17
Illegitimate Child
Elise’s POV
“Father, Mother, I’m off.”
“Elise, be careful.”
“You really are such a diligent child.”
“Don’t worry, Kain will be accompanying me.”
In order to reassure my parents, I end up telling such a lie. I’m actually more anxious about Kain accompanying me, but in the end, the desire to reunite with my benefactor prevailed.
At the gate of my mansion, I say goodbye to my parents and board the carriage.
“Magdalia-sama, please entrust Elise-sama’s safety to me.”
“I’m counting on you, Kain.”
“Please, take care of her.”
Kain pounds his chest in front of my parents to show his confidence.
Kain also tries to board the carriage, but…
“I’m sorry, Kain. I’ve decided that only my benefactor will sit beside me, so I’d like you to sit in the coachman’s seat.”
“…yes, Elise-ojousama…”
When I say so, he sulks and goes to the front of the carriage.
I’m heading to an area where the poor people live to give them healing alms.
“Elise-ojousama, we’ve arrived.”
“While I’m healing, please search for my benefactor. I’ll join you once I’m finished.”
“Understood.”
As soon as we reach the outskirts of the capital city, the atmosphere changed drastically.
Crumbling walls, holes in the roof…
We park the carriage in the area where the poor live.
I got permission from my parents to go here because I said I’m going to give healing alms to those in need. However, I didn’t mention I’ll search for my benefactor after I’m done.
“Elise-ojousama, don’t you think we should stop already? It’s hopeless trying to find him.”
“No, I’m not giving up yet.”
After I finished healing them, I search for any clues about my benefactor, my legs are tired.
Meanwhile, Kain is standing behind me with his hands crossed, looking listless.
Feeling annoyed with him, I part ways with Kain and move to another location to calm my anger.
While asking around the market to gather information, I overhear people talking.
“—Lotus-sama resigned as the Knight Commander.”
“—Seriously!?”
“—What will happen to this kingdom~”
“—Shh, Elise-sama is here.”
As soon as they see me, the people in the market stop gossiping and chuckle, covering their mouths.
It’s surprising how even here, talk about my brother spreads.
I’ve been asking around for a while now, I’m getting tired of not getting any leads.
Wait a minute…
Come to think of it, I’m curious about the rumour I heard earlier…
My parents were very happy when my brother became the Knight Commander. It’s because it’s been a while since someone from the Magdalia family became the Knight Commander. However, there’s a rumour that says my brother has been wandering around town, neglecting his duties…
What could have possibly happened to my brother Lotus, who was always so serious and diligent?
Surely…I can’t believe it, but could it be that my brother was seduced by a woman and went down a path of evil!?
“Eh!?”
Surprised by something unexpected on the bustling street, I feel like my knees are about to give way.
“Lotus-sama, I apologize for needing to accompany me on my shopping trip.”
“No, there’s no need to worry. I’m happy to be able to fulfil my master’s wishes.”
T-That brother of mine, instead of going to work, is walking with a beautiful woman and an adorable girl!
They are laughing together as if they are a happy family!?
“O-Onii-sama! It’s not right to have a girlfriend and even a child without telling Mother and Father!!!”
I stand in my brother’s way and told him so.
Ah, it seems like people are looking at us.
“Ellie-tan!? T-This isn’t what you think. I was asked by Nord-sama to escort them…”
“Ellie-oneechan, nice to meet you. I’m Marie!”
A very adorable girl that looks nothing like my brother greets me…
“Oh my!!! She’s so cute!”
Before I knew it, I’m hugging her tightly.
“Wait, Onii-sama! I won’t be fooled. You need to explain yourself.”
The four of us decided to go to a tavern to have lunch.
As I begin to regain some composure after smelling the scent of tea served, Onii-sama starts explaining…
“Eh!? You became a disciple of Lord Virance son, Nord-sama, and you’re now accompanying his sister, Marie-sama, and his maid, Meina-san, for shopping?”
“Yeah…”
“What Lotus-sama said is true.”
“Kuma-san is not my father!”
I feel embarrassed by my misunderstanding.
“B-But when the three of you were walking together, you looked like a family…”
Each of them shakes their heads, denying my words. Come to think of it…Onii-sama once told me about him becoming Nord-sama’s disciple…
“It seems like I have to go and pay my respects to Nord-sama who is Onii-sama’s master. Ah, it’s not like I have any interest in it at all. I just think that Onii-sama is indebted to him…”
I’ve heard his name mentioned a few times before, but I don’t actually know how he looks like.
In the aristocratic society, it’s customary to have a formal greeting with each other.
However!
I’m getting sick of the aristocratic society, so I want to elope with my benefactor, leave everything behind, and live peacefully in a remote area.
I want to spend our days indulging in each other’s love, expressing our affection physically, and being all lovey-dovey.
The person I admire is my benefactor…but this person named Nord, whom Onii-sama admires so much to become his disciple…if he interferes with the marriage between me and my benefactor, I’ll need to get rid of him.
Well, Kain will be the one who’ll actually get rid of him, you know ♡
I clench my fists under the table, trying not to let them notice…
“I really want Ellie-tan to meet Nord-sama, but…”
Onii-sama looks down, exchanging glances with Meina-san and Marie-sama.
“Elise-sama…I deeply apologize. We don’t know the reason for it, but it seems like Nord-sama is refraining from meeting Elise-sama…”
“It seems like Onii-sama doesn’t want to meet Ellie-tan!”
“What!?”
To not even want to meet me from the beginning…just how rude is he?
“What could I have possibly done to Nord-sama? If there’s any fault on my part, I must meet him directly and apologize. Onii-sama! Please speak to Nord-sama about this…”
“Ellie-tan…”
Onii-sama is looking at Meina-san and Marie-sama as if seeking their help.
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—The Virance Household—
The Villance family, one of the most powerful noble families in the Ackerson Kingdom…
It’s said that even if you’re a noble, if you oppose them, you will not be able to survive in this country.
Invited to that mansion, I can’t hide my surprise.
As the door to the parlour opens, a young man appears…
“Koho~ Koho~ Ah… you must be Elise. I-I’m Nord Virance… Koho~”
(TN: Koho~ above is the sound of coughing)
Before me stands a man wearing a mask.
I can’t help but to be surprised.
I see! Maybe he wears a mask because he’s not very attractive…that would explain why he doesn’t want to meet me.
Hmm? Wait a minute, that’s strange. If I remember correctly, I heard the people in town said that Nord-sama is a very good-looking man.
Hah!? Come to think of it…I feel like I’m forgetting something, but no matter how hard I try to remember, I can’t. I feel like I was with someone else…