SLO Chapter 65

[No Place Like Home]

I came back to spend my break—which ran from the end of the year to spring—at home.

Syrup welcomed with her tail wagging, looking cute as always.

…However, what were Myril and Ruby doing here? They must have left school earlier than me, but why…

“I decided to use the wish you promised me for the opportunity to work as your maid so that I can take of you during the break,” Myril clearly stated her desire to take care of me with a beaming smile.

“Me too-nya!”

You wanted to take care of me too, Ruby? Bet you just tagged along with Myril.

So apparently, as a reward for helping me with my research, they had chosen to be my maids.

Huh? Did that count as a reward? You got paid so it was okay? But Ruby, wouldn’t you earn more money by working as an adventurer…? Well, whatever. Thinking about it was a pain.

“Be sure to do your work properly, both of you.”

““Yes, ma’am(-nya).””

Syrup—who had apparently become my head maid—strictly instructed the two.

But I got to say, I felt like Syrup had become prettier than the last time I had seen her.

I wonder what she had been doing? And hadn’t her figure improved?

“What have you been up to while I was gone, Syrup?”

“I have been raising my level by working as an adventurer.”

“Raising your level? Ah~, that must be why you look even prettier than before. I hear when your level goes up, your body becomes more refined, more tight, and your skin becomes more beautiful.”

I see, no wonder.

“A-am I pretty?”

“Mhm. You are pretty.”

Syrup’s face went beet red and she ran off.

“Lord Luc is an expert womanizer-nya…” Ruby looked at me with reproachful eyes.

“Lord Luc! I will also raise my level further!” Myril said enthusiastically.

Seemed like I would still lead a lively life even after coming back to the mansion, but it wasn’t all that bad.

But really, there sure was no place like home. At school there had been so much stuff to do. Not to mention, Professor Cirrus had looked like she got a bone to pick with me. only here I could kick back and just enjoy myself.

“Bal. To the library, please.” I asked while lying on top of Bal.

As the deputy head butler, Syrup’s mom was in charge of the mansion’s finances.

I had asked her to regularly buy new books, so there should be quite a backlog waiting for me there now.

Syrup the head maid brew tea for me, Ruby cleaned, and Myril kept things tidy and in order and waited on me by my side.

Yup. Now this was my ideal sloth life. All that was left was…

“Luc, I came to make you dinner again today.”

“Yay. Your cooking is the most delicious.”

Karin prepared dinner for everyone.

Surrounded by six people, the dining table was lively… ahh, I guessed this was what they called happiness.

“Thanks as always, Karin. It was really delicious.”

“Hehe, I’m delighted you liked it.”

“But aren’t you pushing yourself? You’re busy with work, right?”

After dinner, I chatted with Karin in my room, leaving the cleaning up to the others.

It was my daily routine to console Karin and flirted with her.

“Luc. I’m just doing what I want to do the most.”

“What you want to do the most?”

“Yes, I feel the happiest when I’m cooking for you. Besides, now we not only have Syrup but also Myril and Ruby. I feel like we are one big, lively family, and I love spending time with everyone.”

Karin was really an amazing girl. She had not participated in the Sword Emperor’s Cup, instead opting to return to her home early to resume her work.

Ever since I returned home, she came to cook for me every day, and she didn’t cut corners when taking care of me.

Fearing she would collapse from exhaustion, I treated her with healing magic and gave her a massage every day.

“I’m sorry, I have a meeting and need to hurry back, so I’ll pass on the massage today.”

“Eh~ I’ll feel lonely.”

“Hehe, please massage Syrup, in exchange. Oh, right. Your father has decided to hold an onboard party to celebrate the new year, so please come along, Luc.”

“Eh~, do I have to go?”

An onboard party? That sounded like a major pain.

Houses with connections to Deskustos House would definitely be coming, and of course, my brother and sister. The prospect of meeting them didn’t really excite me.

“I knew you would say no, but you have to go this time.”

“Why?”

When I asked, Karin put on an apologetic face. “It doubles as Lord Testa’s wedding announcement party. And… I hope you can attend as a member of the Caribbean House, not Deskustos House.”

“Ah~, I guess I have to go, then.”

I didn’t care about my brother… but I didn’t want Karin to get ashamed.

On an occasion when nobles gathered and when they were going to announce my brother’s marriage, if I didn’t come with Karin, people would be talking behind her back and she’d definitely be the subject of nasty rumors.

That was just how noble society worked, so although it was a pain, I had no other choice but to go.

“I don’t care about my brother… but I don’t want to embarrass you.”

“You normally don’t care about me either, but… that’s so you, Luc. As long as you have shown your face, you can leave whenever you want. As for the preparations, I’ll take care of them, so you don’t need to worry about that. Oh, and you can ride Bal, too”

“Mhm. I’ll sure do that. Thanks, Karin.”

She was a super capable fiancée.

It felt like she was wasted on me, but I couldn’t live without her.

“O-oh, right… I have to go back soon… s-so… can you hug me tight?”

How could she be such a hard worker and so cute at the same time?

“Come here.”

I hugged Karin and cast recovery magic on her. The magic enveloped her whole body. I hoped I could lessen her exhaustion with it, if a little.

“Phew~ now I’m fully charged with Luc Energy!”

“Mhm. Don’t push yourself too much, and come back anytime.”

“Of course. My only place to return is to your side.”

After seeing Karin off, I plopped myself down on Bal and had it take me back to my room.

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