Sonya summoned her sons to Paula's room.
Her room was decorated as you would expect from a 12-year-old girl.
"Why did you call us here, Mom?"
Rudel asked because it was unusual for everyone to be here.
But for some reason, Paula was happy.
"This is something normally discussed with your father, but he left for work. So one of you will take his role."
"Paula will have her first debutante ball in society."
"Really!?"
"Hmph, hmph."
She made that sound while puffing out her chest.
At the age of 12, it's normal for boys and girls to have their debutante ball in society.
But in the case of rural nobles, it would be something like a party for those of lower status.
"I don't have proper etiquette and I don't know the feudal lords of the territories, but you do."
"But the invitation says she can bring two guests, which is equivalent to her parents."
"That's why I gathered you, so you can civilly decide who will go."
(Mom knows us so well that she knows we would beat each other up over any reason.)
The brothers thought as if they were still 10 years old and fighting over toys.
"Very well."
The brothers decided to use rock, paper, scissors to settle it.
Everyone wants to go with Paula, but their mother doesn't want fights.
"Let's do it!"
The brothers moved their hands to decide their future.
◇◇◇
"Hurry up, Lyle onii-chan!"
The winner of the hand duel was Lyle, who accompanied Paula.
Bram and Rudel lamented on the floor for losing to him.
His invited partner was Elaine.
She wore a beautiful purple dress that matched her slender figure. The front and her back weren't very covered, leaving her large breasts partially exposed.
Lyle didn't know where to look, as she was beautiful and her body very sensual.
Once they arrived at the place, Elaine was surprised.
"How to put it... it's very rustic."
"Well, it's a country mansion and a party for rural nobles."
The mansion was large, but it wasn't the kind of place you'd expect for a party.
The building created for parties on the Bradford territory was better than this place from her point of view.
Generally, she was used to more expensive places where money was squandered without sparing a cent.
But that was the old Elaine, the new Elaine would live differently from what she knew.
"I like it. It fits the place, I feel like here I won't be judged for every move I make."
"Well, not all rural nobles are like the ones you saw at the party."
In the same ballroom, the adults and the children were at different ends.
Elaine was with Lyle, which caused them to be the main topic of conversation.
"I can't believe it, the Frazer daughter will be married to the Bradford's?"
"It seems the youngest son isn't the only one who can achieve merits."
"It's truly incredible that you go from being a peasant to being the head of an earl's family."
"Yes. My future husband is a wonderful man, if it weren't for him, I wouldn't be here."
The nobles praised Lyle and Elaine didn't miss the opportunity to praise him.
Although that made her happy, it still left him embarrassed.
Then they heard a loud sound coming from the other side.
There were Paula and a boy arguing.
Lyle went immediately to see what was happening.
"Paula, what's wrong?"
"Lyle onii-chan, this boy dared to mock my family."
The boy with red hair and a wild look mocked Lyle to his face.
"I am the son of Earl Rayford. Noah Von Rayford."
"Obviously I'm not going to believe the lies this girl is telling."
"Lies? Are you telling lies, Paula?"
"Of course not! I was telling them about the battle you had against those foreign pirates and he started mocking me, saying it was a lie."
Lyle understood what was going on.
"Paula, if they don't believe you, that's their business. You knowing it's true is what's important."
"That's why I'm telling him it's a lie! Because you are liars!"
"What did you say?"
Lyle was now the target of the boy's criticism.
"My father always said the Bradford's were a family of poor peasants who only took advantage of the war to make achievements and deceive the kingdom."
"How do you expect me to believe those same people could repel an enemy invasion?"
"It's obviously a lie."
Elaine couldn't stand them speaking ill of her husband's family. Lyle wanted to hit him, but he couldn't pick a fight with his father.
But there was someone who could.
Paula gave Noah a strong slap, it resonated throughout the place and he fell to the floor.
"I can tolerate you not believing me. But I will not tolerate you speaking ill of my family."
"My older brothers don't lie and are great men who are called heroes."
"As a daughter of the Bradford family, I will defend my family's honor no matter who it is."
Before coming here, Alisa had a little talk with Paula about how she should behave if someone offended her.
Obviously, responding with violence wasn't part of it, but Paula knew that Rudel always solved things that way and could end problems if she showed her strength.
Elaine ran to protect Paula in case Noah behaved violently towards her.
Lyle did too.
But what happened was strange for everyone.
"You're incredible, Paula-chan. You looked very mature."
"You're very cool, you taught him a lesson."
"Please be my friend."
The boys and girls gathered around her. As if Paula had crowned herself as the boss of the place.
Even Noah himself, lying on the floor, looked at Paula in a hypnotic way.
(It's the first time someone treats me like this.)
Despite that small incident, nothing major happened and the day ended with laughter and dancing.
◇◇◇
They returned home after the party ended.
Elaine was in Lyle's room, both sitting on the bed sighing.
"It was exhausting today."
"You must get used to it, as the future head of the Frazer's you'll go through something like that every week."
"I don't think I can stand it."
"I will help you, it's my duty as your wife."
She took Lyle's hand, squeezing it tightly.
"It made me happy how everyone was amazed to hear about our engagement."
"Me too. Although your father's approval is still needed."
"My father will be happy. When Russell returns, he'll inform us if he came home; then I'll take you to him."
"In the meantime..."
She turned her face to his.
Lyle understood what that meant.
"Until then, I want to receive your love, can we?"
"Nothing would make me happier than that."
Slowly they brought their mouths closer, both were very shy, but gradually their lips touched and a light exchange of saliva occurred.
It wasn't a passionate kiss, but one from two inexperienced people.
It lasted a few seconds, but for them it was a long time.
"How was it?"
"I liked it. And I want to keep doing it in the future."
Elaine was delighted; she also wanted to do more things with him.
"Emm, Lyle-san, can I ask you a favor?"
"What is it?"
"Close your eyes for a moment."
Lyle heard a familiar sound.
"Open your eyes."
Upon doing so, he found Elaine on the floor, she had a collar with a chain wrapped around another.
"Kuh. Damn you, no matter how many times you violate my body, my heart will not surrender to you."
"Elaine-san!?"
Lyle was scared by what he was seeing and hearing.
"Now, Lyle-san, say 'no matter how much you resist, your body will be mine', come on, say it."
She said with an expression of jubilation while the pupils of her eyes turned into hearts.
Lyle understood it: she did have a problem, but now that she changed, she turned that problem into a fetish.
"Come on, Lyle-san, let's enter the world of role-playing together! The only strong emotion I need in my life."
"I don't want to!"
Even though he said that, Lyle couldn't disobey an enamored Elaine.
________________
With this, we close the interlude, enjoy it.
Did you like Elaine and Lyle's relationship? Well, I did, and more than I expected: https://danbooru.donmai.us/posts/10488124?q=artoria_pendragon_%28lancer%29_%28fate%29+
________________
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