Sitri's face reddened as she spoke, "Uhh, no. I didn't mean it like that, it's just..." The boy snickered as he looked at Sitri, then shifting his attention to me, "Please pay it no heed. Sitri just doesn't like formalities, and she didn't think that it was impertinent of you. Anyways, my name is Sean Bell Florence, and this here is my twin sister Sitri Bell Florence."
No wonder they look the same, it's because they're twins. "Are you perhaps from Marquis' house Florence of the southern dominion?" It wasn't me, but Sophia who asked the question. "Hmm, we can talk about that once you get inside. Since it's already getting dark and all."
Accepting Sir. Sean's invitation, we stepped inside the carriage. From the outside, it looked like it was just a normal horse-pulled carriage, but for some reason, once you stepped inside, the space widens as if the carriage was just a cover-up.
"Spatial manipulation," sean spoke up upon seeing my surprise, "we had to hire a world traveler to make this." It honestly looked like a bungalow house complete with a kitchen, a dining room, a bathroom, a living room, and four other rooms. looking out the windows, it showed nothing but the outside of the carriage, confirming that this was truly spatial manipulation.
"Amazing," I commented. Sean gave out a proud look and invited us to take a seat, "now then, where are these two beautiful girls going?" Excuse me? Do you mean me as well? I felt slightly irritated by his remark, but I think it's fine since even I thought that White was a girl at first.
"Actually, I'm a boy," I corrected Sean. After all, this may lead to troublesome things if I didn't. After saying that, Sitri seemed to have choked on her tea as she tried to stop her laughter. On the other hand, Sean looked like he had just eaten something he didn't like.
"You're a boy!?" Sitri gave up on trying to stop her laugher and instead laughed uncontrollably, "even I didn't see that coming." Is this her real persona? I asked myself. Compared to the earlier Sitri who looked composed and elegant, this one didn't seem as mannerly as I thought.
"A guy, huh," Sean looked depressed, but him being depressed is better than him possibly trying to take advantage of me. Sophia gave out a soft smile, "please don't worry. It is understandable to mistake White for a girl," She says, trying to comfort the lifeless Sean.
The situation seemed chaotic, so I instead changed the topic. Clearing my throat, I called their attention before asking, "I was just wondering, but if you're from a marquis household, shouldn't you have knights as escorts?" Looking around, it seems that it's only the two of them who are traveling, and it didn't seem like they have a coachman either.
"Ahh, that. Since we are a marquis household from the southern dominion, we figured traveling incognito is better," Sitri explained, "Besides, this carriage is maneuverable from inside, so even a coachman isn't necessary."
She then pointed at the orb on the table which serves a purpose similar to a CCTV monitor showing the front of the carriage. Looking at the silver mechanical horses, it seems that one of the two horses suffered damages from the earlier fight.
"We're going to need to stop at a repair shop in town. Sitri, I'm taking a bath first. Go and escort them to their rooms," Sean called out to Sitri. "Yeah, yeah. I got it," Sitri replied listlessly to his brother while signaling him to 'just go' with her hand.
After Sean left, Sitri stood up and signaled us to follow after her. "Hey, about earlier. Thank you for saving my brother," Sitri thanked me by bowing slightly. "It's no problem. In fact, we were kind of scared to help since we wore similar clothing, so we're also sorry about that," I said with a slightly apologetic expression, "besides, he might have been fine since Sir. Sean had the quasi-blood attribute."
"Hmm? You didn't know?" Sitri asked with a surprised look, "quasi-blood can't heal any mortal injuries, so he might have seriously died there if it wasn't for you." I see, then that would make sense, but to think she would try to act all indifferently earlier. I guess they have a love-hate relationship or something.
We then arrived in one of the rooms, Sitri asked us to settle down before we joined them for dinner. Originally, Sitri wanted to give us our own rooms, but I refused since I feel better having Sophia with me in a foreign space. I doubt the twins would do something so bold like stealing Sophia, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
Sean is kind and seems to be a happy-go-lucky type of person. Although he may grow up to be a playboy, I don't think that would hinder his maturity. On the other hand, Sitri seems to be putting on the mask of an elegant lady, but actually quite contrasting on the inside. Though that's not necessarily a bad thing, since she seems to be sincere regardless.
After settling down, I decided to also take a bath. Although my raincoat repulses any dirt from approaching me, that didn't excuse what happens inside of the raincoat-- the sweat for example. Besides, having a bath at night feels better than bathing early in the morning.
Sophia didn't necessarily need to take a bath since she's an automaton. Because of her raincoat, she didn't get dirty, and it's not like she can sweat either. Regardless, she still took a bath after me.
I went to the dining to meet up with the twins. Sitri was already sitting and reading a book while Sean was serving the food. "Smells great," I complimented Sean's cooking, but silence responded to me. I looked at Sitri and Sean who were both staring at me with a puzzled look.
"Are you sure you're a boy?" Sean eyed me curiously. I shifted my attention to myself, I was wearing a normal shirt and pants, so that didn't seem unusual, but I guess I look glistening with my hair flowing straight down and my fair skin looking lively after a bath.
I let out a small chuckle, "Please give up. I am a bonafide male," I responded with a playful tone. Sitri chuckled as she watched Sean blush from embarrassment. Though I doubt he should be embarrassed about that since it was an honest mistake.
"Sit down," Sitri invited. I gave out a small smile before joining them. "How about Sophia?" Sean asked, seemingly curious. "She can't eat though," I responded to Sean's inquiry.
"What do you mean?" It wasn't Sean, but Sitri who asked. "She's an automaton, so of course she doesn't need to eat." Their faces began to look even more puzzled by my response. I honestly thought they already knew that Sophia's an automaton because of her gem-like eyes, but I guess that was just my imagination.
"Didn't you say she's your sister?" Sean asked. "She is my sister. She's part of my family after all," I answered confidently. I wasn't planning to spill any beans, but I might as well use this to see if they're wearing facades.
Sean sat down with us and pondered for a moment before speaking up, "The automatons we always see don't act as human as her though." I observed Sean in case a glimmer of greed appeared in his eyes, but luckily, it seems that he was just pondering about it.
"That is true," Sitri murmured the same, "but we need to discuss a more pressing matter first." Sean and I looked at Sitri who closed her book. "Where exactly is your destination, White?" She asks. I don't have a reason to lie about this, so I just told her the truth.
"Actually, we're traveling to Ius Viride," I answered. The twins brightened up at the mention of Ius Viride, "Well, aren't you lucky. We're also traveling there," Sean spoke up. "That is true," Sitri followed up, "we're actually on our way to enroll at the academy of Ius Viride."
"Doesn't the southern dominion also have an Academy? Why travel one-fourth of the continent for another?" I asked. Sitri twitched while Sean just gave a small nod, "Yeah. I don't know why either, but Sitri just suddenly changed her mind and said she wanted to study abroad."
The way Sean spoke was like trying to mock Sitri, which looked effective as Sitri began shrinking on her seat. "I- I have my reasons, okay!" Sitri shouted on Sean's face, but sean just covered his ears and acted like a victim caught in a crossfire.
"Here I thought you wanted to marry the young duke and become the future duchess," Sean murmured before letting out a sigh, "How about you White? Aren't you too small to enroll in the academy?"
"I... I'm just going there to find something," I answered with a gentle smile. Since I don't want a possible leash that may possibly bind me down, it's better to keep this a secret first before I can assure myself that they are genuine.
"It's not really anything important, it's just that my friend urged me to find it for him. Sorry if I can't give more details," I elaborated. Fortunately, they don't look like they'll pry and just play it off like a personal secret.
"By the way," I called their attention, "forgive me if I'm being rude, but do you have another reason for inviting me?" I asked. Although I don't doubt that they seem kind, I was a noble too, and I doubt they would have no agenda for doing so.
Sean chuckled before speaking up, "Don't be so serious. Actually, your strength, despite being young, feels impeccable. So I was wondering if you could be my sparring partner."