Freedom

"Greetings to you all" She greeted, casually

They all know each other

She's the most recent since she met them five or six years ago when the trio knew each other from early childhood

Bound by unique circumstances.

Nicolai is Count Graham's third son, he is eighteen years old and the earliest to meet Aravind

Aravind, Nico, and Etheria are of the same age

No one in Nicolai's family cares about what he does so he mostly hangs out with the knights or Aravind

While Michiel was uniquely a a commoner orphan. which is nearly impossible to find near the Grand Duke heir's side

He saved the Grand duchess's life with his special ability when he was 11 years old and was granted permission to befriend the 9-year-old Aravind at the time

So he has accompanied him since then as his personal aide

He's got a skinny untrained body so people really underestimate his swordsmanship but he's pretty good

Anyways they all looked at her stupified.

She doesn't leave her desk almost ever.

Etheria, the renowned swordsmanship genius, was an enigma. She rarely ventured from her desk, earning the nickname "Talent Waster." Yet, here she was, unexpectedly joining their company.

"What on earth are you doing here?" Aravind asked, surprised.

She smiled, amused by their reaction. "Isn't that a bit rude? I came to help, after all."

She inspected the tent "But where is that famous girl?"

'Hm..?' her gaze falling on the blood-stained towels "Anyone care to explain?"

"About that..." Nico was about to relay his concerns

But then they heard another set of footsteps

The spacious tent's entrance opened

●●●

I looked around and saw someone new

A gorgeous woman with impressive magenta hair and deep purple eyes

'Hm?'

"Have I seen you before?" I asked, she felt a little familiar

"Probably..." She answered a little dazed for some reason

"Well then nice to meet you, I'm Sicil-" Half in my sentence I got another nosebleed

"Oh man, really?" How annoying, it's probably because I used the sound transmission

It used to be as easy as blinking but I was clearly pushing limits. Still, it doesn't make it any less frustrating

"I'm Etheria" She introduced herself as she handed me a handkerchief from her pocket

I am really ruining everybody's handkerchiefs now...

"That was a bad introduction; as you can see I'm not in the best condition right now" I excused myself and sat down

"Would anyone bother and explain to me the situation?" Etheria looked at the three

And they all looked a little unwilling

"You seem to know each other" I noticed they were all casual and Aravind didn't mind it

I also started to subconsciously treat them casually although I am basically a criminal

"Well, we encounter each other here and there" Etheria dismissed it

They look like good people, I should try and persuade them now so it will not be too late

"By the way, about the investigation that you talked about before..." I inquired

"That? We'll need to torture you to get Aneirin Theodosia's location first then we'll jail you in the castle until you are fully sentenced" Aravind casually replied

"....."

'Oop...Nevermind' I thought

"Hmm...."

Aravind observed the girl deep in thought

"Is there something wrong?" He asked

Something wrong? Did he expect me to cheer or something?

"Can't you just exile me directly please?" I requested gently and then looked down somberly

"I just didn't want to marry a bald old duke that had affairs with young maids and just got divorced, Telling me to betray my young brother is just too cruel..."

"Mm..." he groaned and closed his eyes evidently stirred.

The other three also avoided her gaze

●●●

He also knew she didn't do so wrong that deserved torture and wasn't even suitable for exile.

His just personality and noble dignity can't take torturing this soft weak-looking young lady although she caught him by surprise earlier

He knows better than to get tricked by looks, or words

However, he genuinely believes that her "heinous offenses" are full nonsense rubbish

Her family just determined she was no longer of use

The Marquisette is that type of person

How can they be of the same blood yet so different...

However irresoluteness can be a crucial flaw for a future grand duke

But that also doesn't mean he has to let go of his principles...

'Haaa' he internally sighed

"I'll hear an earful later" He thought of his father and visibly shuddered

"Fine...I'll spare you the trouble and directly exile you"

'Yes!! It worked' She rejoiced inside as her act seemed to work

Well it's not like she lied...

"Please let me accompany you" Nicolai quickly spouted

"I need to repay my lifesaver" Michiel cut through

"Me too" Etheria interjected as well

'No why am I your lifesaver too?' Secilia almost uttered, baffled

But she got really excited that she instead blurted out

"Can I bring my younger brother too...?"

Getting rid of This torture and lack of sleep defeated her sense of reason

They looked speechless

"....."

"T...to the exile?" Nico stuttered

"Yes....pleease?" She tilted her head and looked innocently

"Did you perhaps really kidna-"

"No!" She yelled "He really hated staying alone in that cursed house so I couldn't just leave him" She sighed

"...."

'It looks like that house really sucks.' Is what their faces were saying

"Now where is he...?" Etheria asked

"Will you really exile me though?" Sicilia narrowed her eyes, suspicious that they might betray her

She did become a little stupid from exhaustion but hadn't lost that much reason

"Who would trick you about wrongfully exiling you" Aravind sighed a little speechless

"So you do know it's unjust" She pouted a little

He coughed awkwardly

"Should we write a death contract? I am ready to do it, you saved my life after all" Michiel interjected

"Fine by me" Etheria agreed

"I agree as well" Nico too

"..." The gazes all focused on Aravind

"Haaaa Sure, I don't betray a promise anyways"

"Are you sure you'll be fine? Doing it without the Grand duke's permission seems bad" Secilia asked

"I am his only heir, The most he can do is beat me to a pulp. Additionally, I prefer asking for forgiveness rather than permission." Aravind said simply

"Wow" Secilia exclaimed

"Why...?" He asked grumpily

"That was a little cool" She admired

He blushed so hard that she burst out laughing

"Are you sure you want to get exiled though? I can help you live in hiding" Etheria suggested totally dismissing the stupified Aravind

"I wouldn't prefer that. It'll be really annoying if they find me, and also, I don't want to live a cowardly life." I replied honestly

"How bad can it be that both siblings prefer exile over the chance of getting discovered" Nico muttered

"Anyways, I'm going to bring him"

"Bring him?"

"Now?"

"Alone?"

"From where?"

They all asked simultaneously

She smiled graciously and curtly replied

"I won't tell you that"

They wrote the Death contract and signed it with their blood

"It'll be really short" Sicilia reassured them as she left the tent

●●●

I ran excitedly far from their range

Incredibly happy that I will finally have a good night's sleep

After a 10 minute run

I pulled Rin from my pocket and put him down

"Get ready, I will return you to your original size" His eyes filled with light and he smiled adorably

I smiled back, Infected by his cuteness

And instantly, I removed the control on the molecules of his body

And he returned to his usual height

I felt a sense of liberation and incredible peace of mind

And it seems it was the same for Rin

He hugged me tightly.

"Do you not regret coming with me after all that?" I asked teasingly

"Not even an ounce" he replied his head buried in my tummy

"Okay, now we have to go back" I told him and he nodded

He must've heard what was going on

So he looked at ease, perhaps just a little nervous that he would meet strangers

He held my hand tightly and we walked

As I got near the tent I unwillingly heard their voices

"As I thought we should've secretly followed her, It wasn't in the contract..." Etheria complained

"I told you I don't break my word." Aravind sternly replied

"But what if a monster attacked her on the way!"

"Why are you so worried anyway, You barely even know her" He retorted

"Uh....That's-"

I cut them as I entered, Rin holding my hand

"Woah...She really did bring him" Michiel muttered

"He's so cut-" As Etheria was about to speak

"I am Aneirin Thodoria, Pleased to meet you all" He greeted with a blank icy voice

'Hm? What's wrong with his vibe?'

We all exchange dazed looks

"I heard this blood is my sister's" He pointed straight at the towels

And looked at them one by one

"N- no...but who told you that..." Nico muttered

"T...That's not tru-"

I shut up right away as he smiled coldly

'Who's this'

It seems my lovely brother turned a little weird