Chapter 25 - Departure
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"Of course. When has this Elder Sister of yours ever lied to you, hmm? Just make sure of your schedule, and I will go with you to the City. Hmm, I'm sure that the City has changed a lot in the past fw years. We can have a good time together out there."
"Ohh!! Thanks for agreeing, Elder Sister!"
Tracey hugged me tightly in happiness. I could only pat her hair softly and tried to calm my own body.
Tracey must be really happy to get a chance to have fun with her childhood friend.
Well, as a capable childhood friend or as an elder sister figure, I just have to do my best to take good care of this lovely girl next to me.
Although I didn't have to care or worry about the succession-related affairs, I still had to do a few odd, sometimes unpleasant things.
My old man said that it was due to my brothers still being too young to handle such affairs. Honestly though, it's all just a pain in the butt.
It has been a while since Tracey's visit. We haven't yet gone on our outing together as I await the day that she is free to have fun again. She must have to deal with such things too, perhaps even worse ones, as she is an official heir. Hard to imagine someone so lovely employing tough methods. Maybe it is that she only shows her soft side to me, as her childhood friend?
On my way back from fulfilling one such duty, I found my father's assistant beckoning me over. Soon, he led me to the Count's office, where my father was sitting imposingly, surrounded by my younger brothers with fawning smiles on their faces as they continued to compete with each other.
"Hmm, I have received the report. Good work as always, Lily. Those people are tough to crack. Just as expected from my eldest one. A pity that you weren't born a boy."
"Thank you, father."
There isn't normally such fanfare or commendation after such messy jobs, though. And, what to say about my three brothers... they have already begun to scowl at me. After their birth, father didn't bother me with admin duties anymore. All that was left was just some unwanted grunt work, and that's what I do now.
This old fox, it's sometimes hard to tell what he's thinking.
"The details shall be verified by the guards later. You go rest now, Lily."
"I understand."
Ignoring the unfriendly eyes of my brothers, I walked back towards my room. All that time spent underground really gave me the chills. Time for a hot bath already.
Ah, right. Maybe I should move into my private residence already. Some time ago, I had requested it from Mother, and she did arrange one, very near to Tracey's territory.
I liked the place too, especially for how spacious it was. Still, I couldn't move in directly due to renovation and security concerns. The main reason for me wanting to move was simply... to have a place where I could act freely, away from the constant surveillance from the guards. I can't trust my father or my brothers not to play any nasty stunt on me.
Mom, though, had other ideas. She thought that I needed a separate nest for my love-making affairs. She wasn't entirely wrong, but the way she teased me about it was too much, saying that it would become my harem-keeping residence where her grandchildren would be born... you get my point, right?
Thankfully, Mother's approval meant that some of the most capable maids had been transferred to the residence beforehand to give final touches to the preparations.
It seems about time for it to be ready to move into too. Although its grandeur might not be able to compete with the Count's mansion, it would still belong to me, so no worries there.
Seeing Sarah making her way towards me, I quickly asked her about the progress of the renovation.
"Young Miss, that place has been ready for a while. Would you like to move in soon?"
Ehh?? But I was hoping to embrace her one last time in my bedroom...
No, maybe we can get the mood going there instead? Rather, what better way to test the firmness of the bed for the first time, right?
Hmm, sounds like a good reason to go already.
"Alright. Let's depart at once."
"As you wish, Young Miss."
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As Sarah and I sat together in the carriage speeding towards my new personal residence, I observed the citizens of the City moving busily, with the shopkeepers busy hawking their goods and a few children running after a stray dog. Just a view of the mundane yet simple life of the common people of the City.
Some young noble girls feel yearning towards such lives, lacking the deceptiveness and political intrigue they themselves are so used to seeing. As for me, though, nah, not interested in dwelling in poverty.
Why hate my luck for having been born to wealthy parents, to having such a good, loving mother. Being born into wealth hasn't been a bad experience. The little brothers are a pain, but nothing too special.
Hehe, with Sarah beside me in this life, why would I not wish to be born a noble? No chance at all!
Speaking of Sarah, she too was observing the common people, with a slight, barely noticeable smile on her face.
"The City is livelier than ever, Young Miss."
"Yes. The Count has been doing well so far. At least, the things here are peaceful and affordable. However, the credit goes mostly to my Mom. He got lucky to have wooed her in the past."
Well, the people don't seem vigilant towards the carriage. The people are not wary towards the merchants or nobles. I do hope that my younger brothers grow up well and capable, even if not for my sake, but for the continued serenity in the lives of people dependent on us.
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