Chapter 37: The Old Man Gets Cornered by the Guild Master and the Receptionist

That Fel… she’s a surprisingly good actress…

I was stunned by the complete change in her demeanor.

And it seemed the effect was tremendous.

“My…!”

Emma-san and Mira-san gasped in unison, the tension on their faces suddenly melting away as they let out sighs of relief.

The tense, crackling atmosphere that had frozen the entire room just moments ago dissipated as if it had never existed.

The harshness vanished from Emma-san’s beautiful face, replaced by her usual serene expression.

The tension left Mira-san’s stiff shoulders as well, and she patted her chest in relief.

“…Hee hee… I see, so you are not related by blood. If that is the case… there is no issue at all. Hee hee… Though I suppose that is… very much like you, Shuzou-san…”

“Oh… thank goodness… I completely misunderstood. I thought you had a wife or someone, Mikami-san… but I see… an orphan child… That’s truly… so like you…”

The two of them murmured this, looking pleased.

“Shuzou-san… why have you never told us something so important until now? That is so distant of you.”

Emma-san, her expression now completely serene, smiled at me.

Her smile was, as always, as elegant and beautiful as a noble lady’s at an evening ball.

“Mikami-san…”

Mira-san, too, was staring intently at me with her large, glistening eyes.

For some reason, her eyes were filled with admiration and respect, and they shone brightly.

Her usual cheerful self is charming enough, but seeing this side of her, a gesture she doesn’t normally show, makes my heart skip a beat.

“I… was also an orphan in the Royal Capital… a long time ago. And Mother, who was an adventurer there, was the one who took me in. So… um… what you did for this child, Mikami-san, I… I understand it so, so much. You really are exactly the person I always thought you were… a truly kind… and wonderful man…”

I’d heard before that Mira-san was Emma-san’s adopted daughter, but… she was an orphan?

That makes this even more awkward.

I mean, it’s not like I took Fel in of my own volition. If anything, she’s just latched onto me against my will.

On top of that, I only just met Fel yesterday.

Under their gazes of pure goodwill and praise, I was feeling an intense wave of guilt and unease.

“N-No… it was, uh, just sort of how things turned out… haha…”

I stammered out an excuse, my eyes darting about.

I probably should have told the truth here, but I just didn’t have the courage.

And the guilt from lying was making me act more and more suspicious.

“No, Shuzou-san… This is a very important matter.”

Emma-san spoke, cutting off my excuse, as she leaned forward forcefully across the table.

Then, she took my dirty hand, enveloping it gently but with an undeniable strength in her own smooth, white hands.

As she leaned forward, the magnificent dress Emma-san wore gaped open at the chest, generously exposing the deep valley between her bountiful mounds right before my eyes.

It was as if I could feel the texture of her fine, soft skin just from her grip on my hand.

A sweet fragrance, like some elegant perfume, tickled my nostrils.

I couldn’t help but gulp at the overwhelming sight bursting from her dress, my gaze completely transfixed.

Whether she noticed my insolent gaze or not, Emma-san’s lips curved into a strangely bewitching smile as she squeezed my hand even tighter.

“Shuzou-san… I…”

“Hey! That’s not fair, Mother!”

Mira-san suddenly cut in, almost shouting.

She also leaned forward with vigor, as if to compete with Emma-san, trying to grab my hand over her mother’s or perhaps reach for my other, free one.

Mira-san’s dress was also designed to emphasize the youthful firmness of her chest, and as she leaned forward, its ample swell loomed right before my eyes.

“E-Emma-san… a-and Mira-san, too… What in the world are you…”

I had fallen into an unbelievable situation, with the beautiful mother and daughter grabbing my hands from either side, sandwiching me between their soft-looking chests and bodies.

I desperately summoned every ounce of my rationality to look away, but I was powerless against the intensely stimulating sight before my eyes and the soft sensations traveling up from my hands.

Just then, Emma-san said, “Honestly… Mira… You are not a child anymore… to be all over Shuzou-san… ahem,” frowning at her daughter’s interruption.

She then pulled her captivating body away from me and spoke once more.

Then, Mira-san also moved away.

I was relieved, but at the same time, I must admit to the improper feeling of being more than a little disappointed.

“Now then… that being the case, Shuzou-san. We will need to reconsider what to do with you from now on.”

Emma-san’s voice was calm, but her gaze seemed to pierce right through me.

Huh!? Reconsider what to do with me… Does that mean she’s going to take back firing me?

My heart gave a heavy thump with renewed hope.

After all… if I’m going to be looking after Fel, I can’t be unemployed.

That’s why the kind-hearted Emma-san is surely going to let me keep my job at the guild.

No… but… this whole thing with Fel is a complete lie…

Trying to save myself with a lie like this… how low can I sink?

Along with that hope, a wave of self-loathing for my own pathetic nature washed over me.

I wonder what they were thinking as they watched my face flush red and then turn pale.

Oblivious to my internal conflict, Mira-san quietly approached Emma-san and whispered something in her ear. Her profile was serious, holding a beauty that hinted at a hidden resolve.

“Mother, I wouldn’t mind at all if Fel-chan were to come live with us. In fact, I would welcome her.”

Emma-san nodded elegantly at Mira-san’s words.

“Yes, you are right, Mira. Fortunately, this mansion has plenty of unused rooms. We can have one prepared for Fel-chan immediately.”

Having said that, Emma-san turned back to me, her smile gentle, yet her eyes held the glint of a powerful will.