After Randy began attending the academy with Liz, their second weekend break arrived. In this world, a week has seven days, but for some reason, the academy takes its days off on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month. That said, classes on other Saturdays are always half-days.
In other words, every Saturday afternoon is effectively a day off—although Randy, has half-days off everyday except Friday.
And now, it's one of those Saturday afternoons.
About two weeks had passed since Randy started attending the academy.
Feeling it was about time to check on the progress of development in the Victor territory, he decided to return home today. He's accompanied by Liz and…
"Are you absolutely sure about this?"
…a skeptical Cecilia.
It had already been decided that Cecilia's family and Liz's family would ally with each other. Despite a bit of morning drama involving Cecilia and her former fiancé candidate, she assured them that it was no longer an issue.
Now that they shared the same goal of opposing the central government, Cecilia had been informed about the circumstances surrounding Liz's exile—at least as much as Randy and Liz understood—and about Ellie's existence.
Randy would have preferred not to involve more people, but Cecilia was resolute. She harbored a strong desire not to let the people who had wronged Liz and him get away with it.
(Nobles are terrifying.)
While Randy was impressed by the old and prestigious status of Cecilia's family, the fact that she was now part of their group meant she'd asked him to drop formalities with her. For Randy, this request was half "resigned" and half a reluctant acceptance of his reality. "Whatever happens, happens" he said.
And so, with their new ally Cecilia in tow, Ellie snapped her fingers, and the group instantly traveled a distance that would have taken ten days by carriage.
"Is this it?"
"We're back."
"Yes."
Before them stood the Victor family mansion, looking much the same as it had when they left. After all, it had only been about a month since their departure—it would be strange if it had changed.
"It's Randolph. I'm back," Randy called out, raising a hand to a maid who had been sweeping the front of the mansion.
"Oh, young master, welcome ba—"
The maid froze mid-sentence, her expression stiffening, and the broom she had been holding slipped from her hands and fell to the ground with a clatter.
"Did He Bring Home Another Girl?"
"What's the—"
"Lord! The young master has picked up another young lady!"
The flustered maid shouted loudly as she disappeared into the mansion.
"Another? Picked up?"
"It wasn't intentional."
Cecilia raised a skeptical eyebrow, and Randy pouted in response.
Liz, who had quite literally been one of the "picked-up young ladies," could only manage an awkward smile.
Just as the maid hurried inside the mansion, it erupted into commotion. A chorus of hurried footsteps echoed, and one by one, the mansion's residents appeared.
Curious maids gathered, followed by Alan, Keith, and then…
"Randolph?"
""Big Brother?""
…his mother, Grace, his sister, Clarice, and even his youngest brother, Cecil.
Seeing his little brother after so long, Randy couldn't help but smile and run over.
"Hey, Cecil! How've you—"
"Randolph, explanations first."
Randy's outstretched hand froze as his mother Grace, smiling warmly, cut him off.
"Later, maybe—"
"No."
Her smile turned firm, brimming with an undeniable authority. Feeling cornered, Randy cast a pleading glance toward his father, Alan, only for Alan to avert his eyes, as though he hadn't seen a thing.
Resigned, Randy sighed and led Liz and Cecilia into the mansion.
——-
"So that's how it is. You must be Lady Elizabeth, and this young lady must be Lady Cecilia who was mentioned in the marquis' letter."
Grace elegantly raised her teacup to her lips, and Randy gave a silent nod.
"Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Grace Victor, Randolph's mother."
She offered a polite greeting while remaining seated, subtly signaling that the guests should feel at ease. However, Liz and Cecilia, despite being accustomed to noble settings, found it difficult to relax in front of the lady of the house, even if she was only the wife of a viscount.
Having already introduced themselves upon arrival, the two young women rose and performed another graceful curtsy, "Pleased to meet you."
"There's no need to be so formal. After all, we're out here in the countryside," Grace said with a warm smile as she set her cup aside.
Then, she glanced between Liz and Cecilia with a radiant smile—gentle to some but nerve-wracking to Randy, who recognized it as a sign of something brewing.
"Mother, they're—"
"Step aside, Randolph."
Grace gently pushed her son aside and fixed her sparkling gaze on Liz and Cecilia.
"My, my, both of you are so beautiful…"
She praised them with glittering eyes, her smile unwavering as she continued:
"…So, which one of you is Randolph's future bride?"
"Wha—!"
"Excuse me—!"
Liz flushed a deep red, while Cecilia's expression froze in disbelief.
"Oh, it's Elizabeth, isn't it?" Grace teased, her tone playful.
Liz, flustered, stammered, "Oh, no, I couldn't possibly…"
"Mother, please stop. You're making Liz uncomfortable."
"What's the harm? It's not like you've had any women around you before."
Grace pouted but then seemed to have a sudden realization. Her smile returned as she fixed her gaze on Randy.
"'Liz' is a nickname, isn't it?"
Caught off guard, Randy choked on his words, "Uh…"
Grace, clearly pleased with his reaction, nodded to herself in satisfaction.
"For now, that's fine," she said, nodding a few more times before turning back to Liz.
"So? When will Eleonora be showing her face?"
Grace's fearless smile made Liz widen her eyes. Then, she repeated Ellie's words on her behalf:
"'When I feel like it,' she says."
"Oh my? Is that so? Even though she's a potential bride as well… Well, it doesn't matter. Whether it's an ancient grand magus or a former marquis' daughter, right now, she's part of our family. She's like a precious daughter to me. If anything happens, don't hesitate to let me know."
Liz's eyes widened again at Grace's warm smile. But this time, it wasn't out of shock or fear—it was surprise. After all…
"Hmph. Interesting. To claim me as your daughter, how audacious."
Ellie suddenly appeared, her presence materializing unexpectedly.
"Indeed. You as well, and Elizabeth, too. Cecilia, however… well, being a Earl's daughter makes that a bit difficult," Grace said with a casual shrug.
Internally, Randy couldn't help but think, Liz is technically still a marquis' daughter.
Ellie, intrigued, gave a small laugh. "You're an interesting woman. Well, since I'll be in your care, it would be rude not to introduce myself." She gave her name and added with a sly grin, "If anything comes up, the grand magus will lend her aid."
Then, as suddenly as she had appeared, Ellie's presence vanished.
Even Liz, who had witnessed Ellie countless times, was astonished. Randy was equally surprised.
It seemed Grace was the first person, aside from Randy and Liz, to draw Ellie out and make her offer her assistance with just a few words.
In the original game, one of the reasons the so-called final boss, Eleonora, took so long to destroy the duchy was Grace's influence.
With her overwhelming maternal warmth, Grace repeatedly healed the hearts of Elizabeth and Eleonora, which had been consumed by despair. Even so, Eleonora's broken soul ultimately fused with Elizabeth's.
This prolonged emotional process was one reason why the events of the academy arc had enough time to unfold in the original story.
On the other hand, the despair deepened when Grace was killed, further accelerating the tragedy that followed.
But now, in a completely different encounter from the original story, the three were forming an entirely new kind of bond.
Unaware of any of this, Grace turned toward the door, where Randy's younger siblings were peeking inside.
"Clarice, Cecil. Come say hello," she instructed.
At her words, Clarice and Cecil approached Liz and Cecilia.
Clarice, twelve years old, and Cecil, only five, gazed at the newcomers with sparkling eyes. Clarice, with a hint of nervousness, performed a somewhat clumsy curtsy.
"I'm Clarice Victor… Which one of you will be my big sister?"
Her innocent question dropped a bomb. Grace, the ever composed, added fuel to the fire with a smile. "Well, it's still a while, but perhaps it will be Elizabeth."
"Mother—!" Randy's attempt to interject fell on deaf ears as Clarice turned her shining eyes toward Liz.
"May I call you Big Sister Elizabeth?"
"Elizabeth is a bit long. Just call me Liz," she replied kindly.
"Then, Big Sister Liz!" Clarice exclaimed cheerfully.
As the conversation moved forward without his input, Randy buried his head in his hands.
The only solace was that Liz didn't seem to mind.
In fact, she smiled warmly. "I've always wanted a younger sister," she said, her eyes sparkling. Randy sighed in relief.
"Lord Randolph, please take good care of Liz."
"Not you too…" Randy groaned, slumping his shoulders and sat down
Cecil, his youngest brother, gently patted his back in consolation.
"Cecil… at least you're on my side," Randy said, pulling Cecil into a hug. Cecil laughed softly, clearly tickled by his brother's affection.
Liz watched the scene with admiration. "I've always wanted a younger brother, too," she said wistfully.
"Lord Randolph…"
"Don't even finish that sentence," Randy muttered.
As he hung his head, Alan, his father, patted him on the shoulder with an expression that seemed to say, Just give up.
"Randy. If it comes to it, I'll take care of your remains."
"Help me instead!"
"We've got Cecil as your backup," Alan said with a shrug, grinning mischievously.
"Heartless," Randy grumbled, pouting as he turned back toward Grace and the others.
"Mother, I need to meet with Father, so—"
"Yes, yes. Leave things here to me," Grace said with a bright smile.
Randy couldn't shake the feeling that she might say something unnecessary, but with Alan and Keith urging him, he left the drawing room.
As the door closed behind him, Randy could still hear the cheerful laughter echoing from within.