Chapter 52

After waiting at the table for a little while, Chloe arrived with breakfast.

The menu consisted of sliced bread, fried eggs, soup, salad, and yogurt.

“It looks delicious, but it’s pretty ordinary…”

There was no French toast.

“What kind of breakfast were you expecting?”

Chloe asked.

“I’m not quite sure, but maybe something colorful and luxurious? Something befitting a young lady.”

“Hmm, this is pretty normal for her. Even young ladies eat salmon meals for breakfast sometimes, and last night she had sweet and sour pork.”

That doesn’t really suit her…

But, actually, my own mother often stirs her natto enthusiastically.

Maybe that’s what it is.

“Wow… Oh, itadakimasu.”

“Please do.”

Being quite hungry, I started eating the breakfast.

“Yeah. It’s delicious.”

“Thank you very much. Please don’t hesitate to enjoy.”

With that, I gratefully kept eating.

However, the maid watching me with a smile became particularly distracting.

“Uh, are you just going to stand there? Won’t you sit down?”

“Maid servants do not sit. Does Tsukasa-sama’s home not have maids?”

“Our place is an ordinary household, though…”

Of course there aren’t any.

“Surely there would be maids at the La Folle mansion?”

Does she know I am from the La Folle family…

Did Sharl say something?

“There might be some kind of servant at the La Folle mansion?”

Hmm, how was it?

Was that person a maid?

“Most likely. Their house is quite large, after all.”

Well…

“Uh, how many people know that I am from the La Folle family?”

“It’s fine. The people of Iver don’t know. In fact, they might not even be aware that the young lady has male friends.”

Male friends?!

“Yeah… Sorry, I was wondering because my mother told me not to mention it to my grandmother.”

“Of course. On our side too, it’s something we couldn’t possibly tell our master.”

In that case, good.

Though, I’m not sure if it’s really good…

“This is bothersome, sorry.”

“Not at all. The young lady seems to be enjoying herself.”

“Does she?”

“Yes. However, Tsukasa-sama, why don’t you ask why the young lady is living here, away from her parents?”

Ah…

I’m actually super curious.

Isn’t she supposed to be the next head of the house?

And if so, why Japan?

“I don’t ask because Sharl doesn’t seem like she wants to talk about it. I’ll ask if she offers.”

Everyone has things they don’t want to talk about.

As for me, I haven’t mentioned my relationship with Toko, and even to Toko, my sister and family member, I haven’t said anything about the bracelet.

“I see… Now I understand.”

Chloe’s expression turned serious again and she stared at me intently.

“What?”

“Nothing… Ah, it seems you’ve finished eating. Would you care for some coffee after your meal?”

“Domo~”

Chloe returned to a smiling face, took away the dishes, and quickly brought out the coffee.

“By the way, Tsukasa-sama, what do you think of the young lady?”

“A bit clumsy, but she’s kind.”

“Hmm…”

Chloe’s expression became serious again.

“What?”

“It’s nothing… but the relationship between Iver and La Folle isn’t good. In Iver, the La Folle family isn’t seen in a favorable light.”

“Isn’t that mutual?”

It’s probably the same on our side.

“Most likely, yes. But meeting and talking to her in person, she’s actually normal. In fact, she feels more like a cheerful older sister.”

“Toko too?”

“Yes. Just earlier, when I met at Tsukasa-sama’s house, she seemed like a very expressive person.”

Well, she must’ve descended from sleep and come downstairs. If there had been a maid, she might’ve acted that way.

“Basically, she’s an idiot. She’s a smart idiot.”

On the other hand, I’m just a dumb regular idiot…

…just plain dumb.

“Hmm… it seems rumors about the academy have never been reliable. Your sister didn’t seem like a Snow Princess to me.”

Snow Princess (laughter).

“Sharl was also rumored to be arrogant and full of pride back then.”

“Ha! Isn’t that funny? In reality, she’s the opposite—very sensitive and full of complexes”.

Oh…

Don’t say that….

“How long have you known Sharl?”

“Yes, I’ve been serving her for many years now.”

So that’s why she speaks so casually.

“Is that so…”

“Do you want to see some old photos of the young lady?”

“I do.”

“Then how about we exchange contact info? I’ll send them one by one.”

When asked that, I reluctantly took out my smartphone, which I brought this time.

“Why one by one?”

“Sending them all at once wouldn’t be fun, would it?”

Maybe it’s true.

After exchanging contact info with Chloe, while drinking the remaining coffee, I started hearing noises from upstairs.

“Is that Sharl?”

“It seems so. 7:30… She woke up earlier than expected. I’ll go check.”

Saying this, Chloe left the living room.

Soon after, I could hear voices through the door.

“Why didn’t you wake me up?! Also, my alarm???”

“I’m sorry. I thought a bit more rest might be good for you.”

I feel the same way.

“That’s not a problem at all! Besides, we had an agreement! It’s already 7:30! Oh? I haven’t heard from Tsukasa yet?”

Since I’m here.

“Uh…”

After the voices disappeared, the phone rang.

Looking at the screen, it was Sharl, so I pressed the call button.

“Hello?”

“Ah, Tsukasa!? Sorry! I overslept… Wait? Your voice sounds like an echo… or rather, I just heard a ringtone? Hmm?”

Just as I thought that, the door suddenly swung open, and there stood Sharl in a luxurious silk-like night robe with her hair down, holding her phone to her ear.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning… Ehh?! Why are you here!?”

Why me?

I don’t understand either.

“Huh? But this feels like déjà vu… just like with Toko that time. Do you understand how Toko felt when she was surprised?”

“No! That time, I was surprised too!”

Ah, that’s right.

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