"Yes, Beatrice-sama. My name is Rem—the younger sister," said the blue-haired girl—Rem—introducing herself.
"I'm the elder sister, Ram," the pink-haired girl—Ram—followed.
"Rem, Ram… such lovely names—and you're both adorable," Shichen praised them sincerely.
"Thank you, but I think Rem is cuter," said Ram.
"No, Sister is cuter," Rem replied seriously.
Instead of reacting to Shichen's compliment, the sisters started praising each other. Their bond was clearly close.
"Shichen, what are you saying? Obviously I'm the cutest!" Betty said, a little jealous.
"True—Betty is the cutest," Shichen said, ruffling her hair.
"Hehe~" Betty squinted happily, enjoying the head-pat.
Ram watched quietly, shocked on the inside. Beatrice, who usually kept others at arm's length, could show a side like this… Just who was this guest?
"Hm? Ram, what's wrong? Do you want me to pat your head too?" Shichen noticed her gaze.
"I…"
"Don't be shy. I may be a guest, but you don't have to treat me like one—and I'm very interested in maids."
"Oh no, Sister's been targeted! He's going to do something indecent to you!" Rem exclaimed.
"What are you saying, Rem? The guest said he's interested in maids. That obviously means you. He's probably already ravished you in his mind," Ram retorted.
"You're a maid too, Sister."
"I'm not as good as you are, Rem."
"Guest, if you must do anything, do it to Sister—please spare Rem."
"No, go for Rem—she's better than me. Please spare Ram," Ram said.
"…" Shichen twitched at the corners of his mouth. One moment the twins' sisterly bond was touching; the next, they were throwing each other under the bus.
He knew they were joking—but how could they slander him like that? As if he needed to imagine such things? It's not like he was some pure, inexperienced virgin.
"And what happened to your maidly decorum? Is this how you slander a guest?" he couldn't help chiding.
"Oh my~ didn't you say not to treat you like an outsider?" Ram said with a playful smile.
"That's right. Are you going back on your word?" Rem asked with a grin.
"…Fine, you win," Shichen said with a helpless shake of the head.
"Alright, enough playing with them, Shichen. You promised to keep me company," Betty said, shaking his hand and pouting.
"Right. Rem, Ram, I'll continue touring the mansion with Betty, if that's alright?"
"Of course. With Beatrice-sama's assurance, there's no problem," Ram nodded.
"Then Sister and I will prepare breakfast. Please wait a moment," Rem said.
"Calling me 'guest' makes me an outsider again—just use my name," Shichen said.
"Your name? Very well, Shichen-sama," Rem nodded.
"…Drop the '-sama' too."
"Then Shichen it is," Ram said casually.
"Mm, that's better. If you were too formal, I'd feel bad about ravishing you in my mind," Shichen teased.
"So you were ravishing us in your mind?" Rem said, feigning fright, gripping her sister's hand as she trembled.
"Rem, we'd better run, or Shichen will give in to his animal instincts," Ram said.
"Run!"
Hand in hand, they trotted off toward the kitchen.
"Sigh." Watching them flee as if for their lives, Shichen sighed—then smiled. Meeting them in person at last—it was impossible not to be happy.
"Hmph—so you really do like Rem," Betty huffed, displeased.
"Perhaps…" Shichen didn't deny it. He'd already guessed a certain possibility—no matter when, he genuinely liked Rem.
"But I like Betty too," he added, giving her hair an extra thorough ruffle.
"Mm~"
Even though he mussed her hair, Betty didn't mind in the least; a sweet smile stayed on her small face.
"Hehe~ come on, let's keep exploring the mansion."
"Let me lead!" Betty took Shichen's hand and marched forward, spirits high. Shichen took Est's hand too and followed with a smile.
The estate was huge—impossible to see it all at once, and many places weren't worth touring anyway. An hour later, Betty had brought Shichen to the garden. They hadn't finished, but she planned to save the rest—to make sure she had more time alone with him.
"So you're here… Eh? Why is Beatrice here too?"
They hadn't been in the garden long when Emilia's gentle voice drifted over. When Shichen looked at her, his eyes lit up. Emilia had changed her hairstyle; her waist-length silver hair was unbound, falling straight down her back—pure silver long and straight. She wasn't wearing yesterday's cloak; instead, a soft white dress that flattered her figure. The skirt was surprisingly short, and her long, perfect legs drew the eye.
"Tch—what are you doing here, Emilia?" Betty clicked her tongue, displeased.
"Huh? Beatrice, you sound upset with me," Emilia said, puzzled as she walked over.
"Of course I am. You interrupted my alone time with Shichen," Betty said, hands on hips.
"Alone time… Shichen… what's going on?" Emilia didn't follow.
"So that's how it is," said a neutral voice as Puck popped up in front of Emilia. It was daytime—his active hours.
"Puck, what is it?" Emilia asked, confused. She remembered that Beatrice wasn't usually very friendly with anyone.
"Emilia, Betty has formed a contract with Shichen," Puck replied.
"What? Really?" Emilia looked to Shichen for confirmation.
"That's right," he nodded with a smile.
"A-amazing… But you only just met Beatrice," Emilia said, incredulous.
"Perhaps it's fate," Shichen said—he couldn't exactly explain.
"Fate?" Emilia's gaze flicked to silent Est. Est was also a spirit, and yesterday the micro-spirits had fawned over Shichen…
"Shichen, you're very popular with spirits."
"Maybe."
"Betty, is Shichen the one you've been waiting for?" Puck asked, unusually serious.
"Puck, Shichen is the one I've been waiting for—and only him," Beatrice said earnestly.
"I see. Then, Shichen—please take care of Betty from now on."
"Don't worry, Puck. I'll look after her," Shichen promised.
"Humph—of course you will," Betty said proudly, lifting her little chin. Seeing her, Shichen couldn't help ruffling her hair again.
One thing surprised him: Betty and Puck weren't especially affectionate with each other—despite both being spirits and effectively siblings. Was that… because of him?
"Shichen, I have a question," Emilia said, watching the two of them.
"What is it?"
"Yesterday you said… this gesture means 'praise,' but it doesn't look like that now," she said—meaning the head-pats.
"Well…"
"Head-pats aren't just praise—they also mean doting," Betty said happily.
"D-doting?!" Emilia blushed, staring at Shichen in disbelief.
"Ahem—more than just. Don't overthink it, Emilia. It depends on the situation," he said.
"I-I see…" She was still very flustered.
"See? Now you've made her misunderstand," Shichen said, lightly tugging on Betty's cheeks—without force.
"Mm~ but that's what it means. And you like patting heads everywhere," Betty protested, pouting.
"Still arguing?" Shichen let go of Est and used both hands to gently tug Betty's soft cheeks.
"Don't—" she said—but her face was all smiles.
"Hahaha~" Emilia couldn't help laughing.
"What is it?" Shichen asked, glancing back.
"Nothing. I just thought—it's like you and Beatrice have known each other a long time."
"Of course! My relationship with Shichen isn't something you can just barge into," Betty said.
"B-barge in?"
"Don't even think about stealing Shichen from me!" Betty declared.
"So that's it. No wonder you were so hostile to me earlier… Don't worry, I won't 'steal' him," Emilia said.
"Don't be so sure."
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