Chapter 18 - Marquess Rommel
Marquess Rommel's residence looked different than usual. The luxurious dinner felt empty without the presence of the head of the family who was busy taking care of work.
In Marquess Rommel's study, several loyal servants accompanied him.
Something had happened and caught Marquess Rommel's attention.
"I heard that several small wolf packs were roaming around the forest and trying to enter the city?" asked Marquess Rommel.
"And what happened to Lily happened because of the negligence of the forest guard soldiers, is that true?" said Marquess Rommel further.
"It hurts me when Lily left without telling me her destination and preferred to meet one of our Maid workers rather than rely on her Father to find a weapon. Tell me, have I failed as a Father?"
There was no answer from his subordinates, all of them lowered their heads when Marquess Rommel asked about this problem.
"Marquess Rommel, maybe this happened because you didn't pay enough attention to Lily-sama" answered Sebastian who was standing beside Marquess Rommel.
"You know yourself how the political situation of this kingdom is, right? I still have to deal with one of the Dukes to control his power to the point of having to bother marrying his widowed daughter and bringing her children."
"And that's what made Lily-sama like this," Sebastian answered briefly.
Marquess Rommel fell silent after hearing Sebastian's answer, he remembered the beautiful memories with the previous Marchioness. Lily's biological mother who is now gone.
"I don't know what the previous Marchioness was thinking, but why did she make a death will like that?" Marquess Rommel asked.
"Maybe it happened because the previous Marchioness was a close friend of the Duke's daughter."
"But, that doesn't mean I have to marry her after she's gone, right?"
"Maybe there's a reason why the Marchioness made a death will like that."
"By the way, how is the royal family after that incident? I didn't expect the First Prince to do something like that to Lily. I know Lily is special, but something like that is too much."
"According to information from the royal messenger, Queen Elizabeth plans to visit this area and apologize personally. The time of her arrival is still uncertain."
"O-Our area is fine, right?" asked Marquess Rommel who panicked after hearing the information that the Queen would visit his area.
"Apart from the petty crimes that occur in the city and the routine control of forest monsters, I think… our area is in good condition," said Sebastian.
"Being fine doesn't mean there are no problems. After what happened to Lily, tighten the surveillance of forest monsters, especially around the Mansion," ordered Marquess Rommel.
"As you wish, My Master!!" hearing his Master's order. Several loyal servants who had gathered rushed to carry out their Master's orders and left Marquess Rommel's office.
"Marquess, I think it's time for you to attend dinner," said Sebastian.
"Ah, that's right. I almost forgot about this one."
"Marquess Rommel, I think this is quite a useful suggestion for you. Try to understand Lily-sama and your new family's condition."
"Kuh! I-I know that!" Marquess Rommel stood up from his chair and headed towards the dining room. Sebastian, who was his butler, followed in his master's footsteps.
Marquess Rommel arrived at the dining room door. He stopped and took a deep breath.
"Marquess Rommel?"
"I-I was just calming myself down before facing them."
Sebastian stepped forward to open the dining room entrance.
"W-Wait.. Sebastian! H-Hey!!"
Kraaak!!
The dining room door was wide open, the sight before them was the Marchioness waiting for the arrival of Marquess Rommel and her children.
"P-Papa!!"
"Paapaaa!!"
Alice and Alyssa who saw Marquess Rommel rushed towards him and hugged him.
"Is Papa's work done?"
"Papa finished working?"
Alice and Alyssa asked the same thing. Marquess Rommel looked confused by the sudden question.
"Good evening, Marquess Rommel" Far in front of the dining table a woman was sitting waiting for Marquess Rommel's arrival. She was a new Marchioness and Lily's stepmother.
"A-Amagi.. Ah! I mean Marchioness Amagi. Sorry... I'm not used to this," said Marquess Rommel.
Their marriage age was quite new so mistakes in pronouncing nicknames often happened.
"It's okay, I also want to get used to my new family title," replied Marchioness Amagi.
The new family continued their dinner.
"Papa! Why isn't Onee-sama back yet?" Alice suddenly asked this.
"Umu! Even Lily-nee wasn't in her room until the evening!" Alyssa also joined in the conversation.
"Lily still hasn't returned?" Marchioness Amagi asked.
"She's currently at Helena's residence, one of the kingdom's former greatest adventurers. We met this afternoon at the city gate after her daughter waited for me and asked permission to look after Lily for a while."
"Eh? Lily's in the city? How is that possible?" Marchioness Amagi was surprised by Marquess Rommel's words.
"That's the problem. Didn't all our carriages go out? How did Lily end up in the city?" Marquess Rommel asked.
"Marquess Rommel, based on the testimony of the Mansion's gatekeepers. Lily-sama went out for a walk without bringing any guards and the soldiers guarding the city gates said that Lily-sama arrived in the city while running," Sebastian replied.
"H-Huuh?"
"Huh?"
Marquess Rommel and Marchioness Amagi were very surprised by Sebastian's answer.
"Isn't the distance between our Mansion and the city quite far?" Marchioness Amagi asked.
"Did the soldier guarding the city gate tell the truth?" Marquess Rommel continued Marchioness Amagi's question.
"With all due respect, Marquess Rommel. Is a little girl with dark skin and wearing a white robe that hard to see in the morning?" Sebastian replied.
"As a parent, isn't it time for you to understand your child's needs? Handing a large amount of money to a child to buy a sword is not a common thing for parents. Even the King and Queen send small troops to watch over their children while they are in the city," Sebastian continued.
"Ugh!" Marquess Rommel was hit by a small, invisible blow from Sebastian.
Meanwhile, Marchioness Amagi seemed devastated by Lily's departure which she didn't realize.
"Besides, it seems that Lily-sama has great potential that has been hidden until now. Even Helena-sama seemed overwhelmed when fighting Lily-sama," Sebastian's statement caught the attention of everyone in the dining room.
"W-What does that mean, Sebastian?" Marquess Rommel asked.
"Eh? Marquess Rommel didn't hear her when she was talking about Lily-sama sparring with Helena-sama?" Sebastian replied.
"Even the adventurers around Helena-sama who see them sparring with Lily-sama speechless?" Sebastian continued to clarify the situation.
"Marquess Rommel, sometimes your attitude of not caring about the environment is a blessing for us," Hearing Sebastian's words, all the Maids and Butlers on duty in the dining room nodded in agreement.
"In the match, they betting ownership of ours Maid named Sakura Mio, Lily-sama managed to defeat Helena-sama in a one-on-one match. I even bought a recording of their match from one of the staff on duty," Sebastian hurriedly placed a round recording crystal on the dining table.
A small screen opened and displayed the match between Lily and Helena. All the Maids and Butlers in the dining room were surprised by Lily's ability to swing her sword with smooth and elegant movements.
"T-This is Lily's ability?" Marquess Rommel asked to make sure.
"Exactly, Marquess Rommel. It seems like Lily-sama has a hidden ability and the incident regarding the wolf attack triggered her hidden talent to come out."
"Which means.. the one who defeated the black wolf was... Lily?"
"I guess she was defeat them.." Sebastian answered shortly.
After Marquess Rommel's small question was answered. A small commotion occurred in Marquess Rommel's residence. Without Lily realizing it, several maid girls who saw the live recording of Lily's match against Helena formed a special faction that admired Lily's greatness.