Chapter 60: CH 59

It was evening when we arrived at the François house holiday villa.

“That’s an amazing residence…”

“Seriously”

“Compared to the main residence in the royal capital, it is considerably small?”

The holiday villa illuminated by the setting sun was a magnificent building on a scale that you couldn’t think it’s a private property.

Misha and I leaked sighs of admiration, but it appears Claire-sama hasn’t become overcome with emotions.

“I will excuse myself first. Head maid, I entrust the rest to you”

“Certainly”

The long trip must have been tiring.

After giving instructions, Dor-sama promptly retired to his room.

“Claire-sama, please also rest in your room. I’ll have Rei bring the baggage”

“I can wait this much”

“In other words, Claire-sama wants to stay with me a little longer?”

Grasping the opportunity, I messed with Claire-sama.

Even so――.

“…”

“A, ara…?”

I thought I’d be denied instantly, but not a single bad word was said.

However, she isn’t acting affectionate either.

Claire-sama has an awfully complicated expression.

What should I do.

It’s not something I’m proud of, but I’m poor with such subtleties.

No, I’m really not proud of that.

“Then, Claire-sama, Rei, I’ll also excuse myself”

I wonder if she noticed the delicate atmosphere.

Saying so, Misha went back to her parents’ house.

From the start she was just hitching a ride, so it’s a matter of course her lodging is her parents’ house.

“Rei, please don’t be absentminded and carry the luggage”

“Ah, yes”

I got to work under the head maid’s orders.

Claire-sama is looking at that with a dazed appearance.

With assistance of maids working in the villa, organizing the luggage didn’t take long to finish.

Even so, it took about twenty minutes.

But, during that time Claire-sama continued waiting without uttering a single complaint.

“Thank you for waiting, Claire-sama. Let’s go to your room”

“… Yes”

Carrying Claire-sama’s luggage, I urged Claire-sama to come and she obediently followed.

What is it.

Is Claire-sama a little down?

Claire-sama’s room in the villa is a room with unobtrusive furniture becoming of a noble.

There isn’t much wastefulness, it feels like a room with little warmth.

Tidying up luggage, I observed Claire-sama’s state.

“Claire-sama”

“What is it”

“Where should I put away this outfit”

“Put it in the walk-in closet properly”

As I thought, she isn’t energetic.

“Claire-sama”

“What is it”

“Where should I put away this underwear”

“In the drawer over there…. Hey Rei, what are you doing”

Looking at me spreading her underwear one by one, as expected Claire-sama retorted.

“Eh? I thought of confirming what kind of underwear Claire-sama wears?”

“What are you doing!?”

Although Claire-sama began in exasperation, she suddenly paused, and a wry smile showed on her face.

“Are you meddling with me on purpose to cheer me up?”

“Eh? It was pure lust though?”

“Even if this was the case, could you not have nodded!?”

Good grief, Claire-sama sat down on the bed looking tired.

“I am a little dispirited. I took the most pride in being a noble, but now it feels a little painful…”

“…”

Claire-sama complaining to me, is it not the first time.

This might be serious.

“I understand what father is saying? Looking at Lene’s matter objectively and thinking about profit and loss, it is natural to discard her. But, I absolutely cannot do that”

I quietly listened to the words Claire-sama muttered like a soliloquy.

“If father heard me, I would receive good scolding, however I think I thought of Lene as my older sister. That is why, even after such a thing happened, I cannot tolerate her being spoken ill of”

Saying so, Claire-sama breathed a heavy sigh.

“Thinking that throughout the holidays I have to stay in this residence together with father makes me depressed…”

Then as if she suddenly noticed something, she paused and smiled bitterly――.

“Well, it is unrelated to Rei. I am sorry. Forget――”

“Claire-sama”

I said to interrupt Claire-sama’s words.

“Do you want to visit my home?”

“? Rei’s home?”

“Yes”

My parents live in this town.

I thought of going there and showing my face once during the holidays, but it might also be an interesting change of pace for Claire-sama.

“However, because I’m commoner, I might not be able to provide sufficient welcome for Claire-sa――”

“I will go”

“Eh?”

“I will go. What kind of family environment you grew up in to end up as a strange person, I am curious”

I heard something cruel.

“It’s just an ordinary house?”

“I do not care”

“Food is poor”

“Simple food is also good sometimes”

“Entertainment as well…”

“Isn’t there Rei”

I stated my concerns, but I’ve been told none of them are problems.

I wonder if it’s really okay.

“Well then, I will get the permission to go out. When can I come?”

“Even tomorrow”

“I understand”

I didn’t expect Claire-sama to cling to it like this.

I wonder what struck the chord with her.

“Ah, Claire-sama. Do you have a swimsuit?”

“Of course I do. But why?”

“My house is very close to the sea, so I thought it might be good to go swimming”

When I made the suggestion, Claire-sama frowned.

“… I am not good with sea”

“Ah…”

So that’s what it was.

Claire-sama is actually a complete beginner at swimming.

“Should I teach you how to swim?”

“Who, who said I cannot swim!”

Claire-sama turned her face away in a huff.

Yes, cute.

“Then, shall I teach you how to use your hands, feet, and waist?”

“There were some disturbing words mixed in!?”

“Selfish, aren’t you”

“Me!? I am at fault here!?”

We had a lively conversation.

Mmhm, the mood improved.

“Then, Claire-sama. I invite you to Taylor’s house”

“I am looking forward to it”

“Ah, Claire-sama”

“What is it?”

Claire-sama asked with a puzzled face.

That’s right, I have to warn her about this much.

“Please be careful around my mother”

“… Ha?”

“How to say it, it’s like that”

“… Like that?”

“In a sense, I think she is worse than me”

“… Worse than Rei…?”

Ah, Claire-sama’s face stiffened.

“I wonder if it is better to stop after all…”

“It will be okay”

“You, you are right. No matter how you look at it, I am a daughter of François house――”

“I think people like Claire-sama are mother’s favorite food”

“In what way will it be okay!?”

And like that, it was decided Claire-sama will visit my house.