A New Encounter (2)

"Understood. So, can I meet Amy now?"

"Of course. Miss Amy is waiting for you. Please, get into the carriage."

As the carriage started moving, a beautiful garden filled with roses unfolded outside the window.

If the Ogent Family had expressed their style with grandeur, the Karmis Family's style appeared to be freely expressive. Throughout the garden stood unique works that disregarded norms and unity.

"It's truly wonderful. Feels like I've stepped into a dreamland."

"I'm glad you like it. The Karmis family garden reflects the tastes of every member throughout generations. Each section is decorated according to individual preferences. It could be said it's a unique family tradition that values individual personality. The artificial fountain you see now was proposed by Miss Amy when she was ten. We call it the Rainbow Fountain."

Shirone peered out the window. As the cone-shaped fountain sprayed water, the scattered droplets created a beautiful rainbow.

"Haha! A rainbow fountain. That's very much like Amy."

Adel observed Shirone enjoying the garden with warm eyes. He had a feeling why Amy's face seemed brighter than before upon finishing the semester and returning home.

"The Karmis Family has a talent called Red Eyes. Thanks to this, they stand out much faster than others, no matter what they do. Knowing this, the family tends not to interfere with each other. There were reports about the Arcane incident, but the family head only reviewed Miss Amy's security and instructed to leave her alone."

Shirone was astonished. An incident that endangered his daughter's life, and they simply left her alone. He could sense how broadly the people of the Karmis Family viewed the world.

"Of course, it's not that there's no affection among family members. It's just their nature. There were times when Miss Amy, being the youngest, didn't understand those family ways. She even wandered when she was younger."

"Ah, I see. But I didn't know there was such a story behind that."

Shirone recalled his first encounter with Amy. When he was bullied in the alley around twelve years old, he harbored much resentment toward her. But now everything was different, and upon learning about her past circumstances, he felt closer.

"In recent days, watching Miss, I believe she has changed a lot from when she was younger. Now, just like the other gentlemen of the family, she seems to enjoy her own things. Perhaps all this thanks to you, Shirone, thank you."

Shirone could read the sincerity in Adel's bowed figure. After all, if he had been caring for Amy since birth, he might not just harbor feelings of a servant.

The reason for his strict evaluation of Shirone must have stemmed from there. Of course, a significant part was probably due to the jealousy they felt as if their beloved granddaughter was being taken away.

"I'm sorry for causing you trouble. The head butler shouldn't have had to come out to receive me."

"You're kind, Shirone. But you don't have to worry. Since Miss Amy gave you permission to enter, I was just a passing servant, and the Mistress ordered anyone to leave."

Shirone was curious about the people of the Karmis Family. Even the head of the household was thinking so intensely about Amy, how strictly would the family treat him? It was scary to think about it.

"Ugh. Now I'm nervous. I hope not to receive too much criticism."

"Haha! You'll surpass your expectations. But please, don't get too offended, because that's just how their dispositions are."

As they chatted, the carriage reached its destination.

Shirone followed Adel inside the mansion. A splendid hall adorned with numerous artworks welcomed him. Spiral staircases wound up to the fourth floor on both sides.

"My lady, Miss Amy's friend has arrived..."

"Kyaaak! Unbelievable! He's really a man!"

A woman who looked exactly like Amy slapped her cheek and exclaimed. It was Isis, the head of the family.

As a dancer who made her name known in the kingdom when she was young, she still looked youthful even in her fifties. But maybe because of that? All her movements felt childish and unrestrained.

"What? Shirone is a man?"

"Me too! I want to see too!"

Two men came running from the hallway leading to the living room. They were the eldest son Dian and the second son Ares.

Dian was unusually young for a man in his thirties, and Ares, who was two years younger than him, had a thick beard, making it impossible to guess his bare face.

Both looked at Shirone as if they couldn't believe what they were seeing. Just by looking at their surprised eyes, one could tell how confused they were.

"Um, hello... I'm Shirone, Amy's friend..."

"Now, set the greetings aside and come quickly. Dear, Amy's boyfriend is here."

Isis abruptly grabbed Shirone's wrist and seated him on the sofa. There was someone waiting there. It was Shakor, the leader of the Karmis family, whose name Shirone even knew.

He was a man who wielded powerful influence in politics but retired out of disillusionment with all sorts of corruption.

"Mmm."

As Shakor lowered his newspaper, his appearance was revealed. He was the tallest among the family members and had a perfect body balance, unfitting for his age.

Shirone started to break out in a cold sweat, like a rabbit leaping into a lion's den. The stares evaluating him as a piece of art were unbearably heavy.

As the men's eyes glowed red, Shirone swallowed his saliva. The sight of three people activating Red Eyes at the same time was quite frightening.

'Ah, I remember. They have me stored in their minds.'

Knowing their own memory abilities, Shirone felt as if he were chained. Perhaps they could transcend time and space and remember this moment forever.

"Um, hello?"

Unable to withstand the uncomfortable atmosphere, Shirone challenged embarrassment and greeted again. Only then did the Red Eyes fade from the men's eyes, and Isis stuck to him as if she had been waiting.

"Wow, you're handsome. Is this a joke? Are you really Amy's friend?"

"Yes, I am."

"Oh? Then, are you in the same class?"

"No."

Isis frowned. The brothers also tilted their heads. Nervously, Shirone opened his mouth, thinking he would have to add one more word.

"But starting next semester, I'll be in Class Four."

"Ah!"

Suddenly, the three of them flashed a bright smile. The same expression, Shirone panicked. They seemed uninterested in the class from the beginning.

'Where am I? Who are these people...?'

Shirone suddenly recalled Adele's words.

"You'll surpass your expectations. Please don't feel offended."

Adel's advice wasn't a lie. But the family was surpassing expectations in a different sense than Shirone thought. Should he say they have a nice but eccentric temperament?

"When did you meet Amy? Are you dating? Huh? Do you also hold hands at the academy?"

"Eh? No, that's..."

Shirone did his best to stop. It was better to save his words here since Amy's position was the priority.

"Why so much commotion? What are you all doing surrounding the visitor without the involved person?"

A voice descending the stairs saved Shirone, who was on the verge of collapse. Amy was looking down the hallway from the spiral staircase on the second floor.

The second son, Ares, spoke while stroking his beard.

"Eh? Did you change clothes? You rushed to your room when you heard Shirone was here."

Amy preemptively avoided any misunderstandings.

"And so? Should I meet him in pajamas? Anyway, everyone disperse. Dad, is it okay if I talk to my friend?"

"Sure. This is the first boyfriend you've brought home, right? It's the tradition of the Karmis Family to go out of their way to ensure you don't feel unfair later. Hahaha!"

Despite Shakor's mischievous joke, Amy didn't raise an eyebrow. It was crucial not to give them an opening, as they would dig relentlessly.

Even as Shirone ascended the spiral staircase, Isis's interrogation continued.

"Amy, tell us honestly. Is he your boyfriend? Are you two dating? Huh?"

Amy quickened her pace as if she couldn't hear anything. But her mother, who passed on her strong will to her daughter, was as tenacious as Amy.

"Don't do that, talk to me. What's going on between you two? Are you dating? Right?"

"Yes!"

Amy, unable to endure it any longer, sharply exclaimed and headed to her room.

Isis's mouth hung open, stunned. Even Shakor was surprised and glanced toward the staircase.

But the two were already out of sight.

When Shirone and Amy entered the room, they awkwardly sat across from each other with the table between them.

Shirone first looked around the room. The bookshelf was filled with magical books, and in a corner not in view, some unread romantic novels were stacked.

'Ah! Those must be the ones Senior Cerielle lent.'

She was known as a warrior in the academy, but her room was surprisingly feminine. Especially, a large doll seated on the bed caught his attention. It was a bear doll with sharp, slit eyes.

"You have a doll. That's also a teddy bear."

"So? Is it not allowed to have dolls in my room?"

"No, I just think it's like you. Haha!"

Amy clicked her tongue and shut her mouth. Honestly, she couldn't think of what to say. This was also the first time she had shown her room to a man outside her family.

"But, is it really okay? Pretending to be dating at the academy is one thing, but I don't think there's a need to lie to your family."

"Don't worry about that. They probably won't care anyway.

Amy's family was indeed unique and free-spirited, just as she said. However, she could faintly feel they were connected by a familial love they didn't openly display.

"Enough of meaningless talk. Why did you suddenly come to my house? Do you have something to say?"

"The thing is..."

Just as Shirone was about to speak, the door silently opened. Isis's face peered slowly through the narrow gap of the door.

"Oh, did I interrupt at a bad time? You should have some tea while you talk."

Isis carefully shuffled her feet and placed the tea on the table. Meanwhile, her eyes were fixed on Shirone.

Just as Shirone was about to speak again, the door opened, and this time, Dian entered.

"I brought some snacks..."

Dian's gaze couldn't leave Shirone either. His body moved forward, but his head was turned sideways, which was somewhat comical.

Amy sighed. It was a unique situation for them, and from her perspective, it would be amusing.

They were siblings who showed no interest in anything outside of extraordinary events, but they had never seen their sister's boyfriend visit the house.

"I understand. Everyone, just come in. I know you're all waiting outside."

As soon as Amy's words fell, feet pushed the door to open it. Ares appeared, holding a plate in both hands.

"I brought some fruit... Haha."

"Enough, just come in. Since we've come to this, let's formally introduce him. Shirone, are you okay with that?"

"Ah, of course."

And so, all the family members except Shakor ended up sitting in front of Shirone.

"This is Shirone, a promising student from the magic academy. And Shirone, she's my mother. She was a dancer when she was young."

"I see. No wonder she's so beautiful."

"Hohoho! Amy takes after me. But don't fall for me, that would be troublesome. I don't want my daughter to get hurt."

"Ah, yes."

Shirone replied affirmatively. No matter how much he thought, there wasn't another response he could give.

"And this is my older brother, Dian. He's a certified fifth-rank swordsman and serves as the leader of the archers in the royal castle. He came to his hometown to seek advice from dad due to political issues."

As Amy finished speaking, the family members looked at her as if they were surprised.

There was no need to mention the family's internal matters, not even to a boyfriend. In the end, it was proof that she, too, was nervous inside, despite pretending to be calm.