I ended up feeding Pursena. I was angry, sure, but it’s not like I could just starve her. I, of all people, knew the importance of food, especially considering how much food I had to eat to replenish my strength after abusing blood manipulation for reflexes.
Somewhere along the way, it affected my growth, so I looked older than my actual age. And in addition to that, I wore a mask and platform boots, so most people who don’t know me would assume that I was an adult.
I naturally retraced my footsteps towards the boss room. I could see my lovely little sister talking to the saintliest girl in the place. Isolde. The most reliable person in my cohort of weirdos and slaves.
Knowing her, the description of me would be similar to a clumsy mage since I somehow ended up tripping in front of her a lot… Perhaps that would somewhat cure my sister’s impression of me being a pervert?
I thought as I stared at my darling Aisha’s reaction… Nope. Aisha had the look of resignation. Isolde’s thoughts about me seemed to have backfired. Rather than convincing her of my innocence, Aisha was convinced that Isolde had been brainwashed instead.
After Isolde left, Aisha was sitting with Lilia in the same space. I didn’t know how to enter and start the conversation when Aisha suddenly spoke up to Lilia.
“Big Brother Timaeus really was dreamy. If I’m ever going to get married, it definitely has to be to someone like that. Right, Mother?”
“Y-yes, of course.”
… Has no one told that girl my real name? I pondered, but hearing the conversation from outside, I found it hard to even enter the room, let alone fix the misunderstanding.
“He was totally amazing when he saved me, you know? He waved his cloak and swished; then we already had in this building. I wonder if that was magic too. It’s amazing he can cast all that without chanting anything. Almost like the magic in fairytales.”
“Yes, indeed. It’s incredible…being able to cast like that without incantations.”
… I know at least a dozen who could do so aside from myself and Rudeus. That has yet to include those from the powerhouses like Orsted, Laplace, or anyone else from up there. Heck, even the Adventurer's Guild Master was a silent magic user.
“Besides, that was a first for me… Could this maybe…be love? Hey, Motherrrr. If my brother is actually dead, I’d like to serve the Timaeus instead~”
“…”
Nope. Never mind, she hates me. I’m screwed. Royally screwed. Of course, telling her my true name could solve the misunderstandings, but perhaps Aisha would have resented me if I did.
“I’d do my best if I were to serve Timaeus. But then one day, when my guard’s down and I’m getting changed and all defenseless, he’ll come in and push me down, all hot and bothered, and make me his mistress. That will mark the beginning of a daily routine of obscene lovemaking. To me, it’ll just be a physical relationship at first, but then one day he’ll propose to me, saying ‘I want your heart as well,’ and…hee hee!”
“…”
“…”
I covered my face in embarrassment. I was so speechless at the conversation I had been listening to that I sat there on the floor, right outside the door with my hands on my face. Lilia. Just what were you thinking in her head at the time for her thoughts to be so vividly impure?
Whatever the case, at the very least, Aisha wasn’t screaming in terror whenever she saw me anymore, so I might as well be satisfied with that. Even if she hates me—or Laurel, to be exact… Hah… Let’s hope for the best. I thought as I left the area.
…
Aisha’s POV
…
“Ah-ah, I wonder if my brother really is dead. Then I can go straight into the arms of the Timaeus.”
“A-as long as Lord Laurel hasn’t passed, you’re going to serve him, you understand?”
“Of course, I know that.”
“But just for a year, okay? After that I want to spend the rest of my time with the Timaeus~”
“N-no, that’s unaccept—hmm…”
Unbeknownst to Lilia, Aisha was laughing to herself. She’d already recognized Laurel, the same older brother who carried her on his back for a ride when she was younger, albeit slightly late due to his sudden six-month spurt of growth.
She was just using this opportunity to torment Lilia. In all honesty, Aisha didn’t have the best relationship with her mother. Lilia had always been overcontrolling, ordering her to do this or that ever since she was little, without ever giving an explanation. All so she could someday serve her older brother.
It was no wonder Aisha had grown sick of it… until she saw her brother in person. And while he had somehow turned into a pervert during these six months, he was as exceptional as always, perhaps far more than what she had remembered.
… The word "exceptional" might have been an understatement. Everything within this building they were at, whether manpower, people with ability, or other external activities… All of this was done in a span of six months.
That was not something easily achievable even if one had financial support. One had to have might while being able to rally people to the cause, along with reputation, knowledge and skill as well as the ability to socially interact with the existing forces without getting crushed.
If Aisha wanted to keep up with Laurel, she had to be beyond exceptional. She had to be perfect. Once she understood that, she was actually grateful for everything her mother had made her do. At the least, she could confidently face him without balking.
“Ahh, Big Brother Timaeus… Aah, he’s all I can think about. Those sturdy arms that lifted me up, his gallant face, and confident attitude…”
“Aisha.”
Aisha, who’d had a mischievous smile on her face, trembled with surprise at her mother’s sudden movement. Aisha was clever enough to estimate what would get her hit and what wouldn’t, but this time she didn’t know why her mother was angry.
“Huh…?”
Aisha froze as she felt something soft brush the top of her head. Lilia was patting her. Times like these, when her mother stroked her hair, were far and few between.
“Mother?”
“Aisha. Mister Timaeus, Master Laurel, or even Master Rudeus… whoever you choose is fine with me. As long as you are happy.”
“Ahaha… I guess you caught me after all…huh?”
Aisha felt uneasy about the soft sensation on her head, and her lips curled upward.
“I-I knew, of course! That the Timaeus is my brother… so I just kind of wanted to try teasing you, just a little…”
As she stammered her incoherent excuse, it suddenly occurred to Aisha that she might never have been embraced like this by her mother before. As soon as she thought that, an incredible wave of happiness swept over her.
It was the first time the young girl had ever experienced crying with joy. Confused by the tears that refused to stop, she just wrapped her arms around her mother and soaked her shoulder.
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