Maurice 1
Extra Story: A Young Lady Came to Our House!!!
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GREAT! Amazing! Unbelievable!
My big brother came home after a long time, and when the whole family got together, the first thing he said was:
“I have someone I want to marry.”
A moment of silence fell on the spot.
And then, right after that, bewildered shrieks came forth from everyone’s mouths. No doubt, we annoyed the neighbors. But blame my brother for that!
“Don’t lie. Brother, you’ve been terrible at keeping in touch. We’ve heard all these embarrassing rumors around the village, like that you go by Frosty Archmage Viol or something now.”
“That’s right! Even I don’t have a girlfriend, you know?”
“It’s okay; you don’t have to force yourself to marry just because you’re the eldest son, all right? Some people just aren’t suited to some things.”
I showed my skepticism first. Then, our younger brother, Bart, and our even younger brother, Michel, joined in. Viol has a reputation for being the best Mage in the country. He’s a High Mage, even. And he pays all our tuition. We’re proud of him, but he’s never been good at getting along with the villagers.
And he doesn’t have much common sense, either. My brother’s daily life is possible because he has enough money to hire as many housekeepers as he likes.
“I’m not pushing myself too hard,” he said. “I’ve found someone I love, and she also loves me.”
“Oh, really? Well, good for you, Viol! I always thought there would be someone who would understand your good points!”
“I see. I might be able to greet my grandchildren sooner than expected.”
Ma and Pa were celebratory, but wait a minute…!
“This might be a ruse!” I cried. “Viol is unsociable, but he has money. What if she’s a gold-digger? He’ll be robbed and cast aside!”
“She is also a High Mage, so money shouldn’t be a problem,” Viol said.
“Then she must be into your looks! Are you sure about her? What if she just sees you as arm candy? What if she dumps you when she gets bored of your face?” Our youngest brother, Michel, seemed concerned about that possibility.
My older brother is honest despite his surly demeanor. It was easy to imagine him being used and hurt.
“Sometimes she dotes on me as one would a cat, yes,” Viol said. “But she respects me well enough. It’s all right.”
Doting on such a tall, imposing, and slender man as if he were a cat? What kind of nerve did this woman have, anyway?
“Well, wait. What is this girl like?”
When Pa asked that with an amused look, Viol groaned a little and said something even more outrageous.
“Everyone probably knows her face, and I think you must have heard the rumors about her. It is Lady Seren, who recently ended her engagement with Prince Helios and became a High Mage. Her battle record was projected into the sky. You all saw it, didn’t you?”
“Eh? You mean that flying girl?”
“The bear-killer…?”
“That’s right. She is an excellent High Mage.” Viol nodded at my other brothers.
“But… But Lady Seren…”
I looked to Ma and Pa. I wanted their help, but they were both pale in the face.
“S-Speaking of Lady Seren, isn’t she a duke’s daughter…?”
“Yes, but since she’s now a High Mage, she’s been excluded from the Duke’s family,” Viol said flatly.
“Y-You… You didn’t do anything dastardly, like steal away Prince Helios’s fiancée, did you?” Pa accused.
Y-Yikes! No, no, couldn’t be!
There’s no way my brother would have the courage to steal the fiancée of such a dashing prince as Prince Helios.
“I would never do such a terrible thing,” he said. “The other day, I went to the duke to formally greet him, and he kindly gave me his approval, so I don’t think there is any need to look so worried.”
Oh, phew, I thought, breathing a sigh of relief. I didn’t want to go making enemies of the royal family.
“Listen, Viol, there are plenty of good girls in the village and town, you know? They’re not classy girls, but…” Ma was sounding timid now. But I understood how she felt. “I don’t know how to talk to a young lady who grew up in a duke’s household. Couldn’t you have picked someone more… down to earth?”
“I can’t imagine what it must be like to date the daughter of a duke.” After I unintentionally agreed with Ma, Viol lowered his eyebrows a little.
“Both His Grace and Lady Seren are friendly people. Far friendlier than you would expect of aristocrats…” he said. “But I think it would be quicker if you met them and saw for yourselves. My residence would be fine… What I mean to say is, would you like to meet Lady Seren?”
“…What do you think, dear?”
“Hmm.” Pa thought it over for a moment, then grinned. “No, bring her here. It’s a run-down house, to be sure, but this is where you grew up, Viol, and it’s still our home. She can see where you came from, and if she still insists she wants to marry you, then we will have no objection. All right?”
I thought it was reasonable, myself.