Passing through the front gate, we made our way through a stone pathway.
("Holy… Fina's family must be rich!") [Solace]
Looking left and right, I saw water fountains, a variety of flowerbeds, and bushes sculpted like statues. The trek to the front door was a long one, allowing me to take in all the scenery before reaching the door.
"Haa…" [Fina]
Seemingly a bit nervous, Fina opened the door.
("Woah…!") [Solace]
I was left speechless from what I encountered upon entering. The first room had two staircases spiraling upwards, and a large skeleton of an animal displayed in the middle. The walls had the heads of creatures I had never seen mounted on it, and swords hanging right below them.
"Welcome, young mistress." [???]
As I examined the room, a woman wearing an attire I found a bit familiar called out to us.
("That clothing… Is she a maid?") [Solace]
The woman standing by wore something similar to a maid outfit. The only thing different about it was the fact that there weren't any frills on the ends.
"Hello, Madeline. Where is my father?" [Fina]
The woman who I now thought of as a maid tilted her head downwards, as if to give respect before speaking.
"The lord is currently dining with the young master. A meal has been prepared for you beforehand, so please partake in it when you arrive." [Madeline]
"..." [Fina]
Keeping her mouth closed, Fina walked past the maid and ascended the stairway. We passed through halls along with other people that also were clothed in maid outfits, sometimes even butler outfits.
("Never thought I would see something like this in my life…") [Solace]
The tour of the mansion ended when Fina happened upon two large doors. Placing her hands on the handles, she inhaled deeply.
"Just a little more…" [Fina]
("Just a little what?") [Solace]
Fina pushed open the door, revealing another large room. There seemed to be two people inside the room already, dining at a ridiculously long table that filled the centermost part of the room.
"Ah, you're here. Have a seat." [???]
Sitting at the end of the ridiculously long table, next to a younger man, a middle aged gentleman quietly sipped on a glass of red wine.
("...That must be the father.") [Solace]
The man wore some kind of suited attire, except that it was overly decorated with gold tassels hanging off the shoulders. I then observed him closely, allowing me to notice that his hair was somewhat dark brown. Not enough to be mistaken as black, but most definitely brown.
"...Pardon me." [Fina]
She heeded the man's command, taking a seat near the lord's own.
"Young mistress, your meal." [Maid]
A random maid came by with a stroller. Not one of those that carry a baby, but those ones that carry trays of food.
("Wow, that looks good. Too bad I can't smell or feel hunger.") [Solace]
From the experience of being a spirit for the past few days, I never felt hungry. Considering that I was human previously, I felt like something was missing.
("I miss eating…") [Solace]
The maid took all the plates and laid them all out in front of Fina. Soup, lobsters, steaks, and a variety more was positioned in front of her.
("That… isn't something one person can eat.") [Solace]
"...What's with the extravagant meal, father?" [Fina]
Now that she mentioned it, her meal was different from the others. The young man that also accompanied them at the table had a simpler meal, and so did the father.
"I felt that you had a hard day at school, so I asked the servants to prepare a meal rich in nutrients. What do you think, Relton?" [Father]
He looked at the young man to the side, but all he received was silence.
"Finea, it appears your brother is busy with… his meal. I hope you understand that I speak for us both." [Father]
("That's her brother?") [Solace]
Fina's brother didn't seem all that friendly. Unlike his father, Relton had blue hair and eyes. Speaking of eyes, he also had a beauty mark underneath his right one.
("I've gotta say… he's hella handsome.") [Solace]
I shook off my gaze on his face and moved to his attire.
("Huh, same as Fina.") [Solace]
Just like his sister, Relton wore a school uniform of the same color. The only difference was just the differently colored tie.
"..." [Fina]
She gave an uncaring look towards her father and began to dine on the steak. The family continued to eat in silence, but the father spoke when most of the dishes were finished.
"Finea, how is school?" [Father]
"It's fine." [Fina]
Cutting off any potential conversation, she answered bluntly.
"I see… Finea, how do you feel about finding a significant other?" [Father]
"I don't intend on finding one." [Fina]
("Jeez… She's being super hostile.") [Solace]
Never having seen such a side, I was a bit nervous.
"Is that so? That's unfortunate. I already promised your hand to the Chelsea house." [Father]
It was then that Fina stopped eating.
"...Excuse me?" [Fina]
Taking a harsh tone, she glared at her father.
"During one of our meetings, I spoke to Heltic Chelsea. He promised three mines in exchange for your hand." [Father]
"And you just… AGREED?!" [Fina]
"It's beneficial for our house. Those three mines hold much value." [Father]
"You're selling me off to some old man for… money?![Fina]
Her face burned with anger. I wasn't going to say I was a bit scared, but I'm not going to say I wasn't.
"I didn't agree with marrying you to Heltic. It was meant for his son." [Father]
"His son?! That's even worse! Don't you know the rumors surrounding that filth?!" [Fina]
"Rumors are simply rumors. It's unfair to base your emotions off them." [Father]
"He killed his previous fiancées! I'm not willing to become the fourth!" [Fina]
("Huh?!") [Solace]
At that point, I was pretty sure Fina just dropped a bomb. A guy who had killed not one, but three people? That's not someone I would want marrying Fina, much less anyone.
"Enough. You can't refuse." [Father]
"I don't care. I'm leaving." [Fina]
Scooting the chair back, she stood up and began to move towards the exit.
"Finea! I command you as the head of the Haverend house to stop!" [Father]
Yelling across the room, I felt a strange pressure press down on me.
("What the-? I'm not even outside though!") [Solace]
"Alert: Elevated levels of mana have been detected." [Spirit Guide]
Fina turned to look at her father. After staring for a moment, she scoffed at him.
"Resorting to power? I expected more from you." [Fina]
("Yikes.") [Solace]
I wasn't sure if taunting him was the right idea, but it sure was effective.
"|Dante|!" [Father]
He thrust his hand forward, and the image of a rocky human appeared.
"Alert: Presence of a |Greater Spirit| has been detected." [Spirit Guide]
("Uh oh.") [Solace]
The earthy looking spirit launched out what looked to be chains at Fina, so I tried to block it.
("Damn it! I can only act as her shield!") [Solace]
I popped out in front of Fina and closed my eyes in preparation of the impact.
"|Lacra|." [???]
It was then that I heard the chains rattle. Seeing as I didn't feel any impact, I opened my eyes.
("Wha…") [Solace]
I saw a blue watery person floating before me. Seeing as they had the earthy chains wrapped around their arms, I assumed that they blocked the attack for Fina.
"...Relton. What is the meaning of this?" [Father]
"You're ruining my appetite." [Relton]
It turned out that the brother was the one defending us. Though he was mostly silent the entire dinner, I was starting to see him as a cool guy.
"Relton, let go." [Father]
"Will you leave Finea alone if I do?" [Relton]
Fina's brother raised an eyebrow, seemingly uncaring of his father's opinion.
"...Tsk! Finea, you may leave." [Father]
Crossing his arms as if he was a pouting child, the earthy spirit faded.
"I'll be taking my leave then." [Fina]
And just like that, we left the chaotic estate.