Yesterday was a strange day where my family told me they wanted to get closer to me. I won't lie, I really liked that they want to be more united, which is why when I came down for breakfast, my mom greeted me with a breakfast I like but that was generally difficult to prepare back then.
Now she can make it because the house robots and maids can help her, but she says she wants to do it alone.
While I was having breakfast, a maid approached me and handed me a letter on a silver tray. The maids came from the territory, so they were all trustworthy; the manners they were taught came from the maids of Alisa, whom her father left behind.
I opened the letter and the content was: "The presence of Marquis Bradford is requested at the palace as soon as possible, by order of the Prime Minister." It seems Mayer-san has finally returned to the kingdom.
"Did that stupid king also return or did he stay there?"
But even if it says to go as soon as possible, it says there's no hurry.
"It's trying to tell me I can take my time, surely because he expects me to bring him some souvenir."
From that day, the day I saved Erselica's butt by sacrificing my territory, our relationship became strained, and you could say I lost an important ally.
But now he wants to see me after a year.
"I wonder if it's time to make peace."
"No hurry, I'll do a few things and then go."
"Here you are, I thought you were outside."
Ellen approached me and I was expecting some kind of weird signal from her, but what she said was quite normal coming from her.
"I need to talk with your older brother."
"With Lyle?"
Then I remembered why she was here.
"Is it about Elaine nee-san?"
I call Elaine "big sister" only because of the possibility of her becoming my sister-in-law, but if things are bad, I shouldn't even call her that.
"You're being very friendly, I see. But yes, it has to do with her."
Suddenly, the table fell silent, everyone focused on Ellen. Since yesterday, Elaine had been missing; she was in her room but showed no signs of wanting to come out.
"Right now she met with your brother of her own volition."
Immediately, we all ran to a room to watch the video Ixion must be transmitting.
◇◇◇
In a room more elegant than the previous one, were Lyle and Elaine.
He wore a fine suit, while she surpassed him in elegance. A purple dress that complemented her leather purse.
The dress was so thin that she wasn't wearing a bra. Therefore, her large breasts rested naturally on the thin fabric that hid them.
Every time she breathed, her breasts could be seen rising and falling rhythmically.
"Is something wrong?"
"N-no, I'm fine."
Lyle averted his gaze from her cleavage, but the embarrassment remained on his face.
(I don't know what face to show her after what happened that day.)
(I want to apologize, but I don't know how to do it.)
"To start, I want to apologize for my behavior that day."
"Huh?"
Suddenly, Elaine apologized; Lyle couldn't believe it.
"Yes. I ran away for no reason and left you here alone. That behavior from a lady is something that would put her family up for public booing."
"I went into shock, but I'm better now."
Lyle wants to say the same, but doesn't know the words to say.
He wants to fix the matter, but Elaine spoke.
"I will accept your offer."
Both he and his family spying on him said the same thing at the same time, "Huh?" due to how unimaginable it was to hear that.
"But I won't make it easy for you."
"Close your eyes, please."
Lyle obeyed and closed his eyes; he heard her purse open and her take something out of it.
(What could that sound be? It's familiar.)
"Open your eyes."
Lyle slowly opened his eyes and the first thing he saw was a dog-like collar held out to his face.
Then, the collar was placed around his neck as if it were just any accessory.
Next, she handed him the leash and with embarrassed eyes told him:
"You seek to destroy my pride by humiliating me, but I will not yield no matter how much you humiliate or torture me, and make me do weird things like making me walk naked in the middle of the night with only a coat, or even make me clean for you covered only by a bikini."
(That was way too descriptive for a rejection!) everyone surely thought that.
"But my pride is unbreakable. No matter what you do, even if you violate my body day after day, night after night. My pride as the daughter of the Frazer´s will remain intact and clean, unlike my body!"
This was Elaine's revenge for what happened the other day. She was thinking about how to return the embarrassment to Lyle.
But, at the same time, she felt even greater shame for saying things taken from a novel for married women.
She was truly crying from the shame she felt saying those words.
Seeing Lyle's reaction, he was so horrified that he fainted seconds after hearing what she said.
Although he wasn't the only one; in the adjacent room, everyone lay expressionless on the floor from what had just happened.
(If there's any anecdote about disastrous engagement dates, this one would undoubtedly be number 1!) everyone thought that before fainting.
Seeing Lyle lifeless, Elaine left victorious. But after going up the stairs, she covered her face with her hands and ran at full speed to her room.
Now, no one had any idea what would happen with this possible engagement.
◇◇◇
While the Bradford family was unintentionally ridiculed by Elaine.
Erselica and her group of idiot boyfriends were at the back lake of the house, fishing.
"Yes!! I caught a big one!"
Erselica was collecting the fish caught by the five fools she calls boyfriends. No one could take away her happy expression.
This lake was artificially created by Ixion, but it functions like a real one, so the fish come directly from the waterfall that connects the territory to the ocean.
Once they finished fishing, they returned home to cook their catch.
There, in the distance, they saw Liam, who was dressed like a farmer, even wearing a field hat, complete with dirt stains.
He, since he arrived, had been harvesting in the Bradford family's garden. Rudel gave him permission because it was a nuisance having him wandering around.
Liam was harvesting his own vegetables when he saw them arrive.
"Erselica, guys, looks like you caught a lot."
"That's right. How are your crops going?"
"I want to make the best ramen in the world, so I must learn to cook the best ingredients. At first they died, but now I've managed to keep them alive."
"I feel I'm one step closer to fulfilling my dream of being the best cook in the world."
Liam said this proudly, despite being the next king.
Felicia and other maids were taking care of him; the horror on their faces upon hearing Liam's declarations made them look like they were watching a slasher film.
On the other side, helping him, were Cana and Allen; for them, Liam's declarations were nothing new. In fact, they just saw it as "It's normal for this guy to disappoint you," thus losing all the little faith they had in him.
"Hey Allen, this country is doomed, isn't it?"
"It's as you say. Fleeing would be the most reasonable."
"But we have the Count—Marquis Bradford in charge, so he must do something with this simpleton."
"Wouldn't it be better if the Marquis killed him and took the throne?"
Cana's response would have gotten her beheaded instantly; the maids heard it, Erselica heard it.
The only ones who didn't hear them were the five, who were looking in amazement at the vegetables Liam had harvested.
But, despite that statement, no one lifted a finger to say anything, because deep down they knew it was true.
In the depths of their hearts, they undoubtedly wanted to say.
(That would be for the best, but it won't happen.)
Since Rudel was designated as the official caretaker for Liam and Erselica. If for some reason someone tried to kill them, they would face Rudel.
Even if many people wished for Liam to lose the throne, Rudel would make sure he becomes king, because that is his secret objective.
Some might think it's loyalty to the royal family. But they truly have no idea of the truth hidden behind that decision.
Allen and Cana kept talking, even though the words "kill" and "Liam" were in the same sentence sometimes.
Felicia couldn't take it anymore and went to scold them.
"You two. Please don't say things like that."
She had come to defend Liam.
"No matter how right you are. The prince is the only heir and son of His Majesty the King."
"Trying to remove him from the picture would mean a fight with the royalty and the ducal family. Therefore, it's better if everything remains just as it is."
Allen pointed a finger at Liam, who was showing off his farming tool.
"You're saying this country should have that guy as king? I'd rather serve the Marquis for life than that guy."
Felicia didn't know how to respond, because it was true.
"If you really want there to be another prince. Tell the Marquis to impregnate the queen, he looks at her like a wolf watching a sheep. He'd surely be pleased to do it and take care of the palace forever."
"Please don't make jokes like that. Miss Alisa already has many problems with the recent women to worry about more problems from the shameless womanizer Marquis Bradford."
"The Marquis, at least, is a nice guy, he's not an abuser like that Jude fellow, and really none of them have felt offended by him, right?"
"W-well it's true he's not a bad man. But his behavior is very heartless."
"The guy is a hero, glasses-wearing onee-san. In the year I've known him, he's shown himself to be calm, lazy, and you can get along with him. He even paid us a salary, despite us not serving him."
"It's true, if I were a heartless woman like Teacher Erselica, I'd go for him."
"C-Cana, don't say that, because otherwise the teacher will get angry. Although it is something she would do, hahaha."
The two started laughing now at their mistress. The level of confidence they had in Liam and Erselica was colossal.
If another servant did that, they would be fired or executed. Even before Rudel, everyone maintains efficient behavior; even if someone sees him lazing around, they wouldn't dare disrespect him.
Rudel's image with the staff has risen to the level of being respected by all as someone highly superior to them, not to mention how dangerous he is.
After laughing a while, Allen said to Felicia.
"Hey, onee-san. Having another prince, according to you, would bring ruin to the country's political power. But right now, the royal family's reputation is in the gutter, isn't it?"
"Wouldn't it be better to improve it with another child?"
"That's why I gave you history books. In the past, there were big problems among the royals involving potential heirs. The result was a bloodbath. The Altfode royal family is kept to a minimum to avoid that."
"Having another child would break that balance and bring a possible civil war from the opposing faction."
Hearing how dangerous the situation was, they decided to be quiet.
But at that moment, Bram arrived, as the meeting between Lyle and Elaine had ended.
"Good morning, Bram-sama, is the meeting with Elaine-sama over?"
"Yes. It was worse than the first time, since now—"
He stopped, because in the distance he saw Ada, a beautiful maid with brown hair and eyes, heading towards the house after cleaning the stable.
"Excuse me, please."
He headed towards her with hurried steps.
"A… Ada."
He called her name and she turned around.
"Yes? Oh, Bram-sama, good morning."
"Good morning, Ada. I need a bit of your time."
"Of course."
She replied with a smile and they left the place so no one would see them.
Once they were away, Bram, full of embarrassment, told her.
"I'd like to talk about what happened that day."
Then, Ada understood the reason for coming here.
That day, when they attacked Erselica's mansion, he protected her and confessed his feelings.
They grew up together, so Bram always had feelings for her, but that day, she kissed him.
Bram understood that kiss meant something could happen between them, he just needed confirmation from her.
"I've been thinking a lot about that day. And although it scares me a little, after talking with my brothers, I think my parents wouldn't mind if you were my wife—"
She covered his mouth with her fingers so he wouldn't keep talking.
"Bram-sama, I think you misunderstand something. I'm flattered by your feelings for me all these years. But it can't be."
Upon hearing those words, Bram felt his heart stop.
"Right now, you have the possibility of becoming the family heir. Even if you weren't, likewise, being the second son of a family that is on the lips of the nobles…"
"If a woman like me, a commoner and a maid, were to become your wife or the lady of the house…"
"It would bring you a lot of criticism, especially for my younger brother."
Her honest smile hurt Bram more than the rejection he received.
"Now, if I were to consider being a concubine… I don't think I'm worth it, I wouldn't bring anything to your family, a woman who barely knows how to clean and read, hehe."
"That's why…"
She took his hand and brought it to her large breast, with tears in her eyes, she told him the final words.
"It's better to leave this as a cute secret between the two of us. And act like it never happened."
"I understand…"
After accepting her proposal, she bowed as a farewell and ran away from there while still crying.
Bram, on the other hand, stood staring at the leaf-covered ground for a while and then went to his house.
◇◇◇
In the Bradford territory, Ixion built a hospital. It wasn't open to the public yet because doctors were needed, but its facilities were functional and of the highest technology he could release without worrying about them being stolen or copied.
In the room called "physiotherapy room," lay Lucy, who was receiving her daily treatment.
Due to her injuries, she had to do one hour of exercise per day under Ixion's supervision.
In the room, there were all the tools needed for someone who needed to regain mobility in their body.
From weightlifting to a pool.
Right now, she was swimming in a pool the depth for a five-year-old child. It was three meters long and she wore a swimsuit chosen by Ixion, which helped move her limbs like an exoskeleton.
"That's it, use a little more strength."
*Gasp*
She was straining to reach the other end, moving her feet as if spreading her toes.
She had to repeat this training daily if she wanted to walk again as soon as possible.
Lucy wanted to enter the academy with everyone and so she told Ixion "I will strive to be with everyone. So you can be rough with me." But she didn't imagine the excess effort she would exert.
"That's it, less than a meter to go."
Lucy used all her strength, as the rehabilitation consisted of going from one side to the other once. But even if it was just once, it was difficult for her due to her feet.
"I did it!"
Finally, Lucy touched the edge and was helped by some underwater robots to rest her feet.
"Very good, you've done your stretches and now your swimming. For today, we're done."
"It was… a piece of cake…"
She said with a smile while seeming to have swum for hours nonstop.
After finishing, her hour of exercise, she was cleaned and changed by robots. At first, she felt embarrassed about a robot seeing her naked, but eventually she got used to them and didn't mind anymore.
"Let's see, your tests are the same as yesterday, the margin of improvement is the same. Try moving your toes."
"Sure."
Lucy used all her strength, moving her toes slowly.
"Good, now try moving your knee."
At that moment, someone knocked on the door; it was Rudel, who had come to see Lucy.
"Ixion, how is Lucy doing?"
"Just in time. Lucy."
"I know."
Lucy seemed to understand what Ixion was trying to tell her. So, she used all the strength in her arms to stand up.
"Lucy, don't push yourself if you can't."
"No… sooner or later I have to do this."
Using her strength, she moved one foot to the floor, then the other, and, leaning on two robots, managed to stand up.
Then, she took a step, similar to a baby's. Then another, and then another, with slow but steady steps.
She looked like a turtle on two legs.
Lucy used all her strength to stay on her feet.
"Rudel!"
"Yes."
Lucy, as she got close to him, collapsed and fell forward, being caught by him.
She could have walked a little further, but she wanted him to catch her.
Lucy hugged Rudel and her head moved side to side on his chest, saying "Hehehe, it was a success."
Rudel smiled and stroked her head.
"You're amazing."
"Naturally. I'm your wife from a foreign land and I must be amazing."
She looked at his face with a smile from ear to ear.
Ixion approached to report her status.
"Lucy can move her toes, but slowly. Instead, she developed strength in the bone from the knee down to support herself."
"At this rate, in a few days she will be able to walk normally. But she won't be able to run for another month or maybe two. Remember the damage was to the nerves and the trauma they received was severe, but just like a lizard losing its tail for a new one, in a short time she will be able to move it naturally."
"In summary, Lucy, by the time you enter classes, you will be able to walk with everyone."
"You'd save a lot of time if you got straight to the point."
"If I did that, I'd seem like a fool who thinks he knows what he's talking about; it's not my fault I have to explain it to you with apples. Or would you prefer I rate it from one to ten?"
"You really are the worst."
"Your words are a compliment to me."
"You two really get along well."
Said Lucy after hearing them argue, and they responded in unison, "I don't get along with him at all."
And she started laughing as she was placed in the wheelchair by the robots.
"Lucy, it won't be long before I can show you the capital as I promised." Said Rudel, stroking her cheek; Lucy took his hand affectionately and she wanted to tell him something.
"Rudel, I…"
But she was interrupted by the five colorful-haired boys who entered.
"Rudel, here you are, we were looking for you."
Lucy initially had no problem with them, but once she became Rudel's partner and they started interrupting her life, a look of displeasure began to appear.
"Oh, Lucy, what's with the long face?"
Asked Chlust, looking at Lucy staring at them as if to say "You guys are not needed here."
Frey spoke to Rudel about the reason they were here.
"Rudel-dono, is it true you're going to the palace to see the Prime Minister?"
"Yes, I'll go tomorrow. Today I'm gathering gifts to bring him, why do you ask?"
Clovis was the one who gave Rudel the news.
"The guys wanted to spend tonight together with you, because we don't know if we'll see each other again before returning to classes."
"Huh? What the hell are you talking about?" replied Rudel as he normally would. "I'm just going to the capital, I want to get back home as soon as possible."
"But we don't know if they'll keep you there helping them. Now more than ever, as your subordinates we must have stronger bonds with you." replied Warren, showing his burning gaze in his decision.
He wasn't the only one, the five were the same.
Before, Rudel would reject them with insults, but now he thought about it.
"Alright. It would be annoying to deal with you guys later."
"Yes!!!"
Shouted the boys.
"Tonight no one will sleep!"
"We must plan what activities we'll do."
"Especially what pranks we'll pull on Clovis."
Seeing them rejoice over something so absurd, Rudel smiled involuntarily.
"You look happy," Lucy told him, watching him smile.
"I spent so much time with these fools that I ended up developing a sickly fondness for them."
"I can say the same about you, master. I can't live without telling you the truth to your face."
"Shut up."
Rudel turned to Lucy to resume his question.
"Lucy, what did you want to ask me?"
"Nothing. It can wait until you return." she said after seeing the five happy boys still talking nonsense.
"Alright."
"Lucy needs to rest, so you guys leave."
Rudel took the five away and Lucy said in a low voice.
"He also needs his personal moments. Next time will be our time together."
◇◇◇
Erselica had finished having a snack again.
Since she was at Rudel's house, she could eat at any time without problem, because the food was provided by him or his family.
When she entered his room to tell him something.
She found Ellen in her underwear on the floor and Rudel on top of her.
The curves of her body matched the sensual blue underwear she was showing.
"Huh? Erselica? I can explain."
"Get away from her, you idiot brother!"
Erselica thought Rudel had crossed the line from decent to depraved again and punched him in the stomach.
Ellen laughed at them
"It's really true you treat him like your brother. Well, I shouldn't be surprised by this from the man of a thousand secrets."
"Besides, if he did something to me, it wouldn't matter. After all, I'm his woman now, so I expect that."
Rudel, who grabbed Erselica's head, told her, "Learn to listen first. She came into my room and took her clothes off, I told her it was too early for that and she lunged at me."
"For the simple fact of hitting me, you've earned losing your weekly allowance."
"Noooooo!"
"Well, what did you want?" asked Rudel while she suffered on the floor.
"I came to tell you that the guys are ready for your farewell party."
"Now it's a farewell party. Thanks for the gesture. By the way, Ellen, tell this girl the reason you came."
Ellen was getting dressed, but her way of doing it was sensual.
"I will accompany him to the palace, not only to make our thing official. But also because I'll take Sara to teach her what a civil servant's work is like."
"Sara will work as a civil servant?" asked Erselica, and Rudel replied, "She will be an ambassador between the republic and the kingdom, now that we have a closer relationship."
"I see. If there's nothing else, I'll leave."
Rudel left the room and they were left alone.
Before Erselica left, Ellen said to her.
"You should be careful too."
"Huh?"
"Your reputation in the capital is so bad that if it weren't for him, many would demand your head. Even today there are many involved with the traitors who haven't been judged, so be careful."
"There might be assassins here and you wouldn't know."
"Eeeek!!!!"
Erselica ran away because of what she was told.
◇◇◇
The boys' farewell party for Rudel ended without any problems.
But, instead of going inside to sleep, they stayed outside camping in sleeping bags.
"That was really fun, don't you think?"
Said Liam, curled up in his bag.
Rudel replied, "It wasn't so bad, I thought you'd blow something up, but nothing happened."
"Hey, that was Chlust's fault."
"It wasn't my fault. I didn't know the gas was connected to the water pipe."
"How do you blow up a water pipe?"
"Hahahaha."
The guys kept talking nonsense until Clovis said.
"When we get to the academy, will the six of us still have relaxed days like this?"
Hearing himself included, Rudel thought about it.
(Before it was just me and these guys separately. But now it seems I've been included in their group.)
"Well, as long as you don't cause trouble, nothing bad will take away our peaceful days."
"But I also have to stay away from you, or your idiocy will rub off on me."
"In that case, we should do the opposite and get closer to you, hahaha."
Laughter wasn't lacking that night, and, despite what he said, Rudel felt happy with those fools, and they all went to sleep while the campfire kept warming them.
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There will be no fanservice, but rather an illustration of the scene where Ellen is changing; I didn't like the artwork, so that's why I didn't include it here, but I'll share it with you: https://storage.googleapis.com/syr-art-prod-text-to-images/4c11354c-f83b-47dd-a73a-40577ab4a19a_width%3D896%26height%3D1152.jpg?X-Goog-Algorithm=GOOG4-RSA-SHA256&X-Goog-Credential=syr-main%40syr-art-prod.iam.gserviceaccount.com%2F20251217%2Fauto%2Fstorage%2Fgoog4_request&X-Goog-Date=20251217T045015Z&X-Goog-Expires=3599&X-Goog-Signature=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&X-Goog-SignedHeaders=host
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Here is the Mega link where you can see the chapters with illustrations in PDF format, as well as the characteristics of the characters and armor: https://mega.nz/folder/75wTzA4b#W-_qGvlSP9miCm1jpk54IQ