Chapter 44
When I check Riley and Olivia while being stared at Al, the two were huddled close together and shaking enough to make rattling noises.
(Poor children…… what were done to them I wonder? But, it can’t be helped. Al looks to be in high spirits, does he unexpectedly like things like this? He seems to be quite S-ish)
Noticing my eyes of pity, All called out to me.
「Hey Feli, weren’t you thinking something rude just now?」
「!?…… S, stop joking Al, I wasn’t thinking anything rude! Not even this tiny bit!」
My voice was hollow because he hit the bullseye.
「Hmm~…… your eyes are swimming Feli…… oh well. Claude, I will have you to let me call you Otousama as well」
「Yeah, of course. May I also call you Al?」
「Un, I don’t mind if it’s you. By the way, what about them?」
「Could you wait for a little?」
Saying such, Claude approached the two.
「Are you two all right?」
「Claude-sama, just what is that fellow!?」
「That guy is dangerous! Moreover, I also wasn’t able to appraise the little girl I’m supposed to be in charge of! That little girl is dangerous too!」
Al and I didn’t know whether to admire or be amazed by the two people who said what was on their minds while trembling with pale complexions, but Claude clearly denied the two’s words.
「The two certainly possess large powers, but they are not dangerous…… if you don’t antagonize them, that is. I judged so after listening to their circ.u.mstances and getting to know their personalities. I understand your worries about me, my wife and people working in the mansion, but I would like to believe my judgment now. If you can do that, I will tell you about their cirucmstances」
「Claude-sama…… understood. I will believe in Claude-sama」
「…… Me too」
「Then, let’s talk. What I’m about to tell you is known by His Majesty, representatives of every race, and Austin’s party. First, Felice is――――」
The two still didn’t have any strength, so Claude-sama talked about our circ.u.mstances while the two were still sitting.
｛It seems that those two aren’t bad people｝
｛That’s right…… they were worried about Claude and wanted to protect those important to them, didn’t they? But, their way of going about things was bad｝
｛Indeed, I wonder if they didn’t realize that Claude-sama and others would be in danger if they fought here｝
｛I guess they weren’t thinking straight after being hit by my
｛Ah~…… that could have happened｝
｛I was holding back quite a lot too though｝
While we were talking via telepathy, the sitting two stood up, moved before us and dropped on their knees. That startled me.
「「I’m truly sorry!」」
「「Eh?」」
「I have selfishly caused you discomfort without even listening to your circ.u.mstances first. With your permission, I would like to serve Albert-sama with all my sincerity」
「Me too! I have done something so rude. If you allow me, would you please let me serve you with all my heart, Felice-sama?」
「「Please!」」
The two lowered their heads, but I’m honestly a bit confused by their desperation.
We were puzzled and unable to give a reply, so Claude stopped the two.
「Calm down you two…… sorry about that Al, Feli. Both of them grew up in environment similar to Feli’s so……」
「Similar to mine?」
When I asked, Riley and Olivia spoke about themselves.
「I’m a child of a certain n.o.ble’s mistress, my mother died when I was ten and father sold me to a man as a slave because he didn’t want me anymore. Because I had fighting strength, I fought on front lines of a war as a battle slave, but I was saved by Claude-sama after losing a battle, and I’m now treated as person by everyone in the mansion」
「I was a merchant’s daughter. I was kidnapped by a certain organization when I was six and was trained to be an a.s.sa.s.sin. A few years later, the organization was crushed and I went to search for my family. However, in the process, I learned that the ones who guided the kidnappers to me…… were my parents. Just when I became desperate and thought of killing myself, I met Okusama and got rescued by Claude-sama and the people of the mansion」
「The two had troubles at first not only with work but with the normal life as well. I think they will be able to support you guys because they have experience」
「I don’t really mind, you know? I understand those feelings of wanting to protect your important people」
「I’m good too. But, grasp the situation properly next time before acting. The one who will be troubled is your employer after all. Also, unlike me, Feli is a genuine four-year-old. She might seem mature, but don’t get it wrong. In the guard related things, Riley should give priority to Feli as well」
「「Eh? …… Then」」
「「Let’s get along」」
「「Yes!」」
While thinking that the issue is settled, Claude gave Riley and Olivia instructions just in case.
「Listen, just as Al said, perform your guarding duties with Feli in the center. Also, always be vigilant of kidnappings. And then, this is the most important thing, but……」
「「Most important……」」
「Be sure to teach them common sense. If they try to do something that is out of common sense, stop them. If you won’t be able to stop them, be sure to report without a fail! Don’t pamper them!」
「「Haa? …… Yes」」
「You may not understand now, but you will eventually understand」
Claude looked at the two again and said with a serious expression.
「That was rude, Otousama. No matter how you put it, we have common sense at least」
「That’s right, Otousama. We can properly hold back, we are not so heartless」
「「Right~」」
「I don’t want to hear that from you! Where was the common sense in your actions until now!」
「「Eh~?」」
「Seriously…… listen here Riley, Olivia, I can’t really tell whether these two really understand or not. Don’t take your eyes off of them」
「「Yes!」」