Random Encounter and More Discussions

[Rebecca POV]

While walking through the hallway that leads to the guest room, a lady with red hair and grey eyes, wearing a red long formal dress with accessories. She looks like an older version of Eris but feels somewhat less violent than her.

"Ah, Hilda. Good morning, nice to see you here" Philip greeted the red-haired lady.

"Good morning, darling"

"Rebecca, this is Hilda Boreas Greyrat, she is the mother of Eris" Philip introduces the identity of the red-haired lady, who I now know was Eris's mother. I immediately pick up the hem of my dress and bowed appropriately, greeting her like proper noble.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Hilda-sama. My name is Rebecca Greyrat, the younger sister of Rudeus Greyrat" I then introduced myself to Eris's mother, which made her look at my direction and approaches me.

While standing in front of me, she scrutinized my appearance, especially my head area. Seeing her observing me, makes me uncomfortable, nervous, and accidentally recalled unpleasant memories from the previous world.

"Your hair seems to have the same color as Paul's, though your eyes are different from him" she then judges the color of my hair and eyes, making me confused on why she comments on that specific body part. I think I have to respond appropriately to give her a good impression of me.

I strike with my usual pose, which I haven't done for a long while now. It's been several days since I last done this pose in front of someone.

"Well Hilda-sama, you could say that I got these eyes from my mother's! Is it quite pretty, right?!" I boisterously boasted to Eris's mother about my eye color, making the atmosphere silent.

"""..."""

'Shet, I think misspoken a little'

'(A little, huh? Your dumbass screwed up big time, idiot)'

'I am hoping she'll just let it slide for now, I think'

'(Hah! You think?)'

Hilda kept on staring at me for a little while now and she haven't said anything to rebuke my statement or anything.

She then closes her eyes and take a deep breath, ready to say something. Here it comes....

"Pfft... Fufufufu~" Instead of an angry rebuke that came out of her mouth, a gentle laughter that echoes through the hallway. I was bewildered by sudden giggle from Eris's mother that even onii-chan and Philip was surprised. She laughs for a short moment before regaining her composure.

"Fufufu, it is indeed gorgeous, dear. Also, that pose you did there reminds me of my daughter" Hilda said in a motherly tone, which is surprisingly different from my expectation of reaction she would do.

"I like this one, darling. She would definitely fit right in the mansion"

"Is that so, I'm glad you are quite fond of her already"

"Indeed. Well, I'll be taking my leave now. Talk to you later, dear"

'See, Kiana. Everything is fine'

'(What!? How!?)'

'I think my charm help me win her first impression'

'(Charm, my ass! That is bullshit!)'

Hilda then said her farewell and walks pass us while giving onii-chan a cold side glance.

'What the heck was that? She doesn't like onii-chan?'

'(Seems likely)'

'Well, that's quite rude of her. She likes me but not onii-chan? Isn't that unfair'

'(Well, you could that it is true. But who knows, she might have a valid reason for having animosity towards your brother)'

'I guess you're right'

"Well, that was quite an interesting response from Hilda, Rebecca. You really outdone yourself" Philip praises me for giving Eris's mother a good first impression.

"I don't even know how that happened. I guess I got lucky this time"

"Yeah right, I don't know why her reaction towards me is different from yours" onii-chan sulks for having totally different treatment from Hilda, so I gave him a hug to comfort him.

"Don't worry, onii-chan. Even if people will treat you poorly, I'll be always here to cheer you up" I reassure onii-chan, making him smile and pats my head which feels good.

*Ahem*

We snap out of our bonding session because of Philip's coughing, getting our attention towards him.

"Well, shall we continue our walk to the guest room?" Philip prompts us to continue to follow him towards our destination, so we separate from our hug and continued following Philip through the hallway.

-------------------------------------------------

When we arrived at the guest room, Philip told us to sit on the sofa and we complied to the instruction. Three beast maids also came to the room with a tray of fruit wine and served it to us. We drank the juice and Philip begins his discussion.

"To begin today's discussion, I'd like to thank you first, Rebecca, for saving my daughter, the beast girl and your brother from the kidnappers" Philip thanked me for saving the three from the thugs that attacked them in the alley, which I still don't remember doing it. However, I will not be going to correct Philip on that one and just play along with the conversation. "Of course, Philip-sama. You're very welcome"

Philip also told me that the incident of me saving Eris will be a secret for now and let everyone know that Ghislaine to be one does all of the work. I asked why that was the case and onii-chan explained to me that Philip wants to keep our identity hidden from the other nobles.

"However, since the identity of the perpetrator who's responsible for the kidnapping incident was revealed, there will be a change of plans in the future"

"What plan do you have in mind right now, Philip-sama?" onii-chan then asked Philip about the plan but Philip shook his head.

"No, it's too early to start a plan yet. Besides, I want to hear about the authenticity of the information told me earlier by telling me the whole story. Rebecca, if you please, explain to me what happened in your captivity" Philip inquires on the events occurred in my side.

I told Philip about my kidnapped experience once again, telling what happened from the beginning up to the end. Of course, I also hide Kiana's existence and identity in the report, convincing Philip in most of the story I am telling him. However, Philip was confused on some part of my story, like the part on how I broke out from my restraints and how Otto escaped from the room without me noticing.

Luckily, onii-chan backs me up and explained to Philip about those parts for me. He explained that someone might have helped me break free from the restraints and knocked out Otto. As for Otto escaping, onii-chan explained that Otto might have used an invention or someone else help him escaped.

As expected of onii-chan, he thought of using my excuse earlier, as well as his speculations in convincing Philip on the plot holes of the story.

"I see... then where's this person that helped you escape from your restraints? And how about this gadget or person that helped Otto escape. Do you have any idea on what is it, Rebecca?" Philip asked if I have suggestions to help with the wild guesses that we are saying. Without not knowing what to say, I just told Philip what I have in mind.

"Apologies Philip-sama, but I don't know how to answer this question. The person that saved me left me before I could question her and as for the method that Otto used to escape was unknown, since I was busy fighting the thug that time"

"Is that so? Well then, let's say that this Otto was more cunning than I thought" Philip frowns in frustration at the person we were dealing with. I questioned Philip for more information about Otto if knows something.

"I only knew him in several meetings and party for the past seven years and I still have less idea on who this person was other than being the right-hand man of prime minister" Philip replied to my question, saying that Otto was an enigma to him.

I asked Philip on what we should from now on since we don't know anything about Otto. He told us to stay low for now and let him and lord Sauros deal with the matter.

----------------------------------------------------

"With that matter is settled for now, I will also announce about your job, Rebecca" Philip then announce about my job. He told me that I will be teaching swordsmanship to Eris along with Ghislaine.

"This also means that you will be responsible for controlling Eris's violent tendency. You will train her how to manage her strength and temper. Do you understand, Rebecca?" Philip briefly explains the contents of my job, which is basically taming Eris's mad lioness personality. "I understand, Philip-sama" I complied to Philip's instruction, making me pump on the task given to me.

'This is it, Kiana. the job that I was assigned for'

'(Oh, is that so. Congratulation, kid)'

'Yeah, I know right. I am well-prepared for the task that was given to me and I will never back down from a challenge' I said to her while clenching my fist in preparedness.

'(Oh really? Good luck out there, kiddo)'

'Thanks, I really need it' with Kiana's encouragement, I ready to tango with the red-haired lion!!

*SLAM*

.... Or not.

While I am pumping myself up for the job, Lord Sauros suddenly slams the door open and he marched his way inside the room.

"WHERE'S REBECCA?!" He then demands to know where I am while frantically looks around the room.

"She's over here, father" Philip points out my location, which I wave my hand at him. Lord Sauros then walks in front of the sofa that I am sitting at.

I am nervously sweating right now. Even onii-chan is also sweating profusely at the sight of Lord Sauros intense stare. He then took a deep breathe, readying himself to shout at me.

Me and onii-chan instinctively covered our ears to prepare for the worst shout we will experience at point blank range. Here it comes!

"First of all, I thank you for saving my granddaughter. I deserve my gratitude" he calmly said it to me, ruining my expectation that he will definitely shout.

"A-ah, is that so. Y-you're welcome, Lord Sauros"

"SECONDLY!!" never mind, he freaking yelled the word as soon as I let my guard down.

Lord Sauros intimidatingly points his finger at me, making me confuse on what's going to happen.

"REBECCA, BECOME A LITTLE SISTER FOR MY ERIS!" he loudly announced to me, making me ears deaf.

'Wait, did he say something about little sister?'

'(He said that you have to become Eris's little sister or something)'

'...'

"Say what?!" I yelled in realization on what Lord Sauros said, making me utterly shock on the statement. Even onii-chan is also bewildered and perplexed on Lord Sauros demands.

"You heard what I said! You will become my granddaughter's little sister and you will be treating her like a big sister!" Lord Sauros repeats his demand and further explained it to me, making me terrified on the instruction itself.

'On second thought, Kiana. I might not be well-prepared for this shit! I want to back down right now!'

'(Good grief...)'