I wore my apron and prepared to do the chores again, just like usual. Mariane was still asleep after being tired from yesterday's school class. I didn't bother to wake her up because today is her day off. I started doing my chores by watering the plants first. Then Flora joined me in watering the plants. As I was watering the plants at the back of the house with Flora, just like usual, I heard a sudden knock at the door. We went to the front of the house, and we saw a woman in her fifties standing in front of the door, knocking and calling Mariane.
"Mariane!, Mariane!, Are you there?
Flora sprinted over to the woman and unexpectedly gave her a hug.
"Oh, hello, Flora, it is nice to see you again."
"Hello aunty, long time no see!"
I didn't understand who she was or why Flora was her friend. I then attempted to introduce myself and give her a formal greeting, but she suddenly showed her wands and aimed them at me while she chanted, "Spear of Ice...." While she hadn't yet finished, I yelled for a little while since I didn't know what to do until Flora attempted to shield me by blocking the wand.
Why are you in my niece's home, and who are you?
"No!, Don't attack him," Flora said while she tried covering me. "He didn't do anything."
I told her everything, including how I got to live with Mariane. She soon understood, although she was still doubting me, that I might harm Mariane because she doesn't usually go around boys. I handed the woman a drink after that and informed her that Mariane was still dozing off in her bedroom. I then carry on with my chores as I wait for her to awaken.
"Why are you doing the chores?"
"That's because I don't know where to go or what I should do, but I do know that I want to help and protect her."
"I see"
She then proceeded to the bookcases and asked Flora to assist her in finding a certain book. The book was described by the woman as having six different colors. I instantly recalled seeing a book similar to that, and I still recall where Mariane had placed it. I aided them in their search for the book while they were still doing so. Then I gave it to her after locating it on the top shelf.
"This book actually is a legendary book that can summon a servant that helps you in your adventure, when you need help, or when you just need a friend." She then opened the book. "Flora is actually the servant of Mariane, and Flora was actually born from this book."
"Wait really?!"
"Yes, but I kindly ask that you have a servant who will assist you if you wish to safeguard Mariane."
A sudden hovering sphere, resembling the one that struck me before I arrived in this world, appeared as she then opened the book and began chanting the passages written within. Then, without thinking, I touched it, and the next thing I knew, I was holding something. A tiny animal was grasping a shield. While it is as little as a cat, it almost resembles a bear or a raccoon. It opened its mouth and eyes gradually.
"Are you my master, yawn?"
"She says, "So this is your servant; let's examine its stats," and performs magic to reveal my servant's strength and prowess. It can only summon shields, I believe.
He's just like me, whatever it is, it's cute, but wait, are shields the only thing he can do?
"Yay"
After that, I placed it on top of my head.
Your servant is only at stage 1, just like Flora over there, but if you work with it really hard, it might level up. By the way, would you like to give it a name?
"To honor Mariane's love of chocolate, I'll call it Choco."
"I'm Choco?, Yay I'm Choco!"
After that, I abruptly realized Mariane was actually standing behind me. I gave her the opportunity to hold it because she appeared to want to. She genuinely has a Choco look to her. She is giggling incessantly as she observes the tiny animal.
"Are you the spouse of my master?"
"Well..., Uh.... no....,"
We were surprised by Choco's question, leaving Mariane speechless. He was then returned to me, where I set him down.
"Hello Auntie, have you discovered any indications of Alicia's location thus far?"
"No, not yet, but eventually."
"Alicia who?"
"She is my sister, and a soul of a dead vampire has possessed her body."
After the conversation, I couldn't say anything. I then move to play with Choco and Flora before leaving them both at the table so they may chat about her sister in peace. A little while later, I overheard them discussing something that piqued my curiosity.
"Are you sure you'll let him live with you? I understand that you've been lonely since your family died and your house was destroyed."
"He's not a bad person, anyway; I even hired him as my butler, you know."
"You've always been a stubborn child ever since the day I became your new mother, so it's your decision nonetheless."
"He might hear you, Aunty; this is kind of humiliating."
"Don't tell me you have feelings for him, haha."
"Keep quiet, he might overhear you."
I was flustered by their chat and kept wondering, "Is she really in love with me or not?" But I don't want to think about it too much, so I'll simply forget about it. After that, I take Flora and Choco outside so that I can test Choco's talent.
"Let's try calling up a lot of shields, Choco."
Then we began to summon shields until we were unable to maintain a count of the floating shields. We returned inside after a few hours. But I saw that her auntie was actually about to go back.
"I'll see you later."
"Good-bye, auntie!"
She flies back as we continue to wave our hands. I then turn to look at Mariane and then I suddenly hold her hands. Suddenly, she flushes.
"I love you and I want to be yours alone."
"Shut up! Idiot, I'm going back inside."
My body became stiff from embarrassment even at my own words. I also return inside. She suddenly gave me a bear hug as I entered the home and remarked,
"I love you too."
She then gave me a cheek kiss. She giggles after that and retreats to her bedroom out of shame. I blushed
"Does that imply yes or no, I wonder?"