The Talk

-----Yui's POV

It was quite fun to spar again with someone different like Hogar. He had a very different style compared to Alice and Kendal, so it made for a nice time to learn something new. Actually, now that I think about it, his style was similar to Marcus' but his attacks were a lot weaker, but that's probably due to us just sparring and not trying to overpower each other.

Kaede on the other hand looked to be more so watching than actually summoning anything. I did watch Violet summon some birds though which added to the environment in the courtyard.

We're now back inside, sitting in the dining room with Violet and Collin. Their father is still yet to come down so we're just waiting. A maid is also starting to prepare dinner a little ways away.

Collin: "You sure gave Hogar a workout, haha."

Yui: "It was fun! It's not everyday I get to spar with new opponents."

Collin: "I honestly couldn't tell who was better. Your swordsmanship is practically flawless."

He mustn't have seen Alice fight then. I still don't know how well I'll compare when we spar this weekend, but I like to think I'm still a little behind her.

Violet: "Why didn't you try to summon anything back there?"

Kaede: "I was going to, but I just don't think it'll be a good idea. I don't wanna accidentally blow up your house."

Violet: "Pfft!"

From when I was glancing over in her direction when we were in the courtyard, I did see her drawing magic crests, but I guess she didn't activate them or something. I still can't believe my mother is a summoner though. I have to ask her about it when I visit this weekend.

?: "And who might this be?"

Suddenly, I hear a voice coming from behind me. I turn around in my chair to find a tall man with a clean, black beard with blue eyes looking at me. Looking at the similarities, he surely has to be their father.

Yui: "Ellen von Leinhart, sir."

Father?: "Leinhart? Are you Oliver's daughter?"

Unlike Ulma who asked whether I was Iris' daughter, he instead asks about my father. With what I know about his distaste towards my father, I hesitate for a moment before nodding my head. At first he looks a bit displeased, before sighing.

Father?: "My name's Rupert von Crestel. I know your father quite well."

Yui: "It's a pleasure to-"

Rupert: "He's a disgusting man. I may be wealthy, but he just flaunted his wealth. I honestly have no idea what Iris sees in him."

Oh? Am I sensing some kind of love triangle? Ever since we came over to his house, there's still no sign of a mother around, so there could still be some friction going on.

Violet: "Father! You're being rude!"

Rupert: "Sorry!"

He quickly apologized at Violet's call. The sight of it made it feel like her father was beneath her in a way.

Rupert: "My apologies, Ellen. But I despise your father."

Yui: "It's okay! I've never been that close with him."

Rupert: "Oh? Now that's interesting. What makes you say that?"

Yui: "He never gave me a chance growing up. I always felt like a disappointment to him, and even still I feel the same way."

Rupert: "Ah~ That's right. I heard the rumors you were 'mana-less', but from what I saw in the tournament, you still shone in my eyes. Like I said, he's a foolish man."

It honestly feels nice hearing someone else talk shit about my father. Violet is still clearly mad at her father, but I'm completely fine with this. I might have accepted Iris as my new mother, but I still for sure don't see Oliver as a father yet.

Collin: "Dad, could you tone it down?"

Rupert: "Yes yes. I'm sorry."

Yui: "It's okay. But how did you know my mother?"

Rupert: "She was our school's idol. Every man and woman knew her. A lot of men even tried to court her in our academy days, but they all failed. It's why I was surprised that stuck up Oliver managed to marry her."

Yet even more things to talk about with my mother. Rupert is making my father seem like a completely ass, so I do wonder what my mom see's in him.

Yui: "Did you also try?"

Rupert: "Of course. But I'm now happily married."

I watch his gaze shift past me towards the kitchen. The maid from the kitchen came walking over towards us before Rupert wraps his arm around her waist. Wait, this maid is his wife? I look over to Violet and Collin as they both begin to chuckle amongst one another.

Maid: "It's an honor to meet you. My name's Ann. And Violet and Collin here are my children."

This is quite strange. Usually in noble families, they tend to marry amongst each other. But for Rupert to marry a commoner? That goes to show his uniqueness as a noble. He actually seems more like someone in our past life than someone in this world.

Kaede: "Why are you in a maid attire?"

Ann: "Simply put, I work here."

Rupert: "She became a maid of mine a couple decades ago. But I grew quite fond of her shortly after her employment. It was love at first sight."

Ann: "It took me a while to accept the idea of it though."

Rupert: "I did confess to you many times, haha."

Ann: "That you did."

Rupert: "She eventually gave in though, and now here we are."

Isn't this like secret information? I know how strange it is, so would Violet and Collin like for me to keep the fact that their mother is a commoner to ourselves?

Yui: "I won't speak of this with anyone!"

Collin: "Huh? What are you talking about?"

Violet: "Yeah, we're not ashamed of our mother."

I stand corrected.

Yui: "Sorry. I might have jumped to conclusions."

Ann: "It's okay. I know it's odd for someone like me marrying into a Count's family."

Rupert: "It's not weird at all!"

He brings Ann closer to his side, as if saying with his body that she's his. I'm not Ann, but seeing that made my heart flutter a little, and seems as though Ann also seems to have gotten a little embarrassed herself."

Ann: "I-I'll continue on with dinner. Are you two staying for dinner?"

Yui/Kaede: "Yes."

Yui: "Only if that's okay with you."

Ann: "Not at all. I'll also prepare your rooms after dinner is ready."

Kaede: "Oh, we're heading back to the dorms, so don't worry about it."

Ann: "Are you sure? It gets quite cold in the night."

Yui: "We'll be fine. Maybe another time?"

Ann: "Yes!"

She seems to be quite enthusiastic with the idea of us staying over. It might be due to what Ulma said earlier about Violet not having any friends over, leaving the empty rooms to go to waste.

Ann ends up going back into the kitchen with Rupert now sitting with us at the dining room.

Collin: "So you two do want to stay over another time?"

Kaede: "If that's okay?"

Violet: "Mhmm!"

Rupert: "Ah~ You sure have changed, haha."

Violet: "...Shut up."

Rupert: "Hah!"

I guess Violet really has taken a liking to Kaede, even prompting a reaction out of her father. But to think she can just tell her father to "shut up" like that is crazy. And what's even weirder is that he's fine with it?

Yui: "You two sure have an interesting dynamic."

Violet: "It's because father used to always pester me to make friends, but I never saw the point in it."

Rupert: "You only ever needed your brother, right?"

Violet: "Mm."

I do hear that twins tend to be a lot more closer with one another than regular siblings. So I guess this is what they mean. I take a moment to look at Kaede, but to my surprise, she looked quite shocked, but choosing to hide it somewhat. If I didn't know her well enough, I would've thought she was just acting normally.

Yui: "Kaede?"

Kaede: "Hmm? What's wrong?"

Yui: "No- nothing."

Is it just me or is this atmosphere quite unusual? I guess I'll ask Kaede about it when we get back to our room.

Rupert: "Oh! I almost forgot. Congratulations on your win in the tournament, Kaede!"

Kaede: "Thank you."

Rupert: "It was the most dominating performance I've seen in all my years spectating that tournament. Truly well done!"

Kaede: "Maybe this year's contestants were all weak?"

Rupert: "Hey. That's my kids you're talking about, haha."

Kaede: "Sorry."

Rupert: "It's okay. I'm proud with Violet's and Collin's performance. It's just unfortunate with how strong the competition is. But I'm thankful you managed to become friends with my daughter and son."

Kaede: "Thank you. They've shown me a lot in class, so I should be the one that's thankful."

Rupert: "Ah yes, Violet's been talking about you at home."

Violet: "Father!"

Rupert: "Hah! And I get to see these reactions as well."

Violet: "...Whatever."

Collin: "Pfft."

Violet: "What's so funny?"

Collin: "I can see where dad is coming from. It's cute seeing you react like that."

Violet: "You too!?"

I didn't know what to expect when coming here, but I feel like I've learnt quite a lot about this family's dynamic. I was stressed about my father's and Rupert's relationship, but Rupert seems quite fond of my mother, so there might be a chance. We still have a lot of time to figure it out, but right now I need some information from mom.