Chapter 121: New Meetings (1)
qfS1hiUnderstood. So, can I meet Amy now?CdJS
MN26WiyOf course. She is waiting for you. Please, get on the carriage.ptzQm
WEaw0DAs the carriage started, a beautiful garden full of roses unfolded outside the window.Q8Njy
3HYzlFWhile the Ogent family expressed their nobility through grandeur, the Karmis family’s style seemed free-spirited. Unique artistic works were placed all over the garden, ignoring standardization and uniformity.yjWFzOV
l4A“It’s truly magnificent. It feels like I’ve entered a dreamland.”sVx65w5
8T1“I’m glad you like it. The Karmis garden reflects the taste of each family member. Each section is designed to their liking. It represents our familys tradition of valuing individuality. That artificial fountain you see was proposed by Miss Amy when she was ten. We call it the Rainbow Fountain.”75e
VhwJsShirone leaned out the window. The conically shaped fountain sprayed water, scattering droplets that created a beautiful rainbow.GbX
BCngA“Haha! A Rainbow Fountain. That’s so like Amy.”TpEuOKr
vQDeAdel watched Shirone admiring the garden with a kind gaze. He guessed why Amy, having finished this semester and returned home, seemed brighter than before.tDWUQ
xJAThe Karmis family possesses a power known as ‘Red Eyes,’ allowing them to excel much faster than others. Knowing this, our family tends to avoid interfering in each other’s affairs. Even with the Arcane incident, once the family head confirmed Miss Amy’s safety, he ordered to just leave it be.”fAbP
Dc7Shirone gaped in astonishment. To think they would leave it be, even though it was an incident that endangered their daughters life. He felt the broad-mindedness with which the Karmis family viewed the world.mnyU6C
GeLUJsr“Of course, its not that we lack affection among our family. Its just our nature. Miss Amy, the youngest, sometimes couldnt understand her family. When she was even younger, she went through a phase of wandering.”zb2
PmP“Oh, I know about that. But I didnt know there was such a story behind it.”QJk7WgN
mBQDHQShirone recalled his first meeting with Amy. Around the age of twelve, he had harbored many resentments when he was bullied in an alley. But now, those days were long gone, and knowing the context behind her past, he felt closer to her.qEqIua9
LWr“These past few days, I’ve noticed that Miss Amy has changed quite a bit since her childhood. Now, she seems to enjoy her life, much like the other young masters of our family. It must be thanks to you, Mr. Shirone. Thank you.”5PzL
v1JAShirone could read sincerity in Adels bow. Naturally, someone who had cared for Amy since her birth would hold more than just an employee’s feelings.v8zk
QPtReHis strict assessment of Shirone was also rooted in that concern. Of course, a significant part of it might have been jealousy, as if he had stolen his beloved granddaughter.cWYtUe
fRrYLM“Im sorry for causing a fuss. It wasnt necessary for the head butler to come out to meet me.”R5SY
AU4k“Mr. Shirone, you are too kind. But worry not. Miss Amy had permitted your entrance, and I happened to be passing by when the family head ordered someone to go meet you.”CY393
0y1zppdShirone wondered about the Karmis family members. If even the butler was terribly fond of Amy, how strictly would the family members assess him? The thought was somewhat frightening.UxsiQG
2sp“Uh, Im nervous. I hope I dont get a cold reception.”og8
pHTu“Haha! It will be beyond your expectations. But dont take it to heart; its just their way.”JUW
PizTxWAs they conversed, the carriage arrived at its destination.fKX
d1NShirone followed Adel into the mansion. A lavish hall adorned with numerous art pieces greeted him. On both sides, spiraled staircases wound their way up to the fourth floor.szbWX7j
FJz48Master, Miss Amy’s friend has arrivedaI8K1
fbSbbIAaah! Amazing! A real man!24n
qZaMA woman, identical to Amy, slapped her cheeks and exclaimed. It was Isis, the lady of the house.2GFN8m
gCFKlMUDespite being in her fifties, the former kingdom-renowned dancer still looked youthful. However, perhaps because of that, her every move seemed to lack maturity.hZPEFH
eur0rN0“What? Shirone is a man?”7kQl
hWVrL3z“Me too! I want to see!”YSpQoN
YeOYX9OTwo men rushed from the corridor connected to the living room. They were the eldest son, Daian, and the second son, Ares.smfk7a
jIyRTIn his mid-thirties, Daian looked surprisingly young, and Ares, with a lush beard, had an indiscernible face.EOKVDm
0eEThe two stared at Shirone in disbelief. From their shocked eyes, it was clear how confused they were.SOAfvkJ
mUuYjUh, hello I am Shirone, a friend of AmylzrGw6m
ef3ZPV“Come here, quickly. Dont bother with greetings. Honey, Amy’s boyfriend is here.”ARFuh
dbD8jnRIsis, undeterred, grabbed Shirone’s wrist and sat him on the sofa. Waiting there was a man Shirone knew by name – Shakora, the head of the Karmis family. A man of great influence in politics, he had retired, disillusioned with various corruptions.q3TyPLj
VQzHmm.mcmNqXb
6wV36rAs Shakora lowered his newspaper, his intellectual appearance was revealed. He was the tallest in the family, and despite his age, his physique was perfectly balanced.kVaiqw
drFjgHShirone sweated coldly, feeling like a rabbit in a lion’s den. The scrutinizing gaze, as if appraising an artwork, was unbearably overwhelming.OcSeV
2liThe mens eyes glowed red, causing Shirone to swallow nervously. The sight of the three simultaneously activating their Red Eyes was truly terrifying.xfsVPxj
jWkn2Ugh, they remember me. Theyre storing me in their minds.vOAkoB
VH1q0t6Aware of their ability to recall self-images, Shirone felt as if shackled. They could likely recall this moment anytime, transcending time and space.aXIZPk
wDusUm, hello?tGpkf
mCgB2Unable to endure the awkward silence, Shirone, feeling embarrassed, greeted them again. At that, the men’s Red Eyes faded, and Isis, as if waiting for this moment, clung to him cheerfully.MmqY18Y
1njZK“Wow, so handsome. Is this for real? Are you really Amy’s friend?”X0m6pa
6xqse“Yes, that’s right.”WBL
S3m“Oh? So you’re in the advanced class too?”lL7ire
8WIa6“No, I am in Class Five.”PUAQzRC
eN3PHmm?lIjMgZ
Z7rdGIsis furrowed her brows, and the brothers tilted their heads in confusion. Shirone, feeling uneasy, felt compelled to add more.PvM
wPG3zzBut I will be in Class Four next semester.cDZ10de
MNl“Ah ha!”Ea9gbln
BfIZrzgSuddenly, all three burst into cheerful laughter. The same expressions, the same reactions. Shirone was thrown into a panic. It seemed they never cared about classes in the first place.8D3K4E
61iHub‘Where am I? Who are these people’Qysp
yrCS0qShirone suddenly remembered Adels words.9yw
UIMOXi– Expect the unexpected. Dont take it to heart.KtZdvlN
bEtAAdel’s advice was no lie. However, the Karmis family exceeded Shirone’s expectations in a different way. Were they pleasant yet quirky?iOi8nDi
okp“When did you meet Amy? You’re dating, right? Huh? Do you hold hands at school too?”Wpk
7jmg8“Uh? No, that’s not…”nBiG
cBwXuShirone stalled for time. Here, Amy’s opinion mattered most, so it was best to be reserved.10V
ET5rG“What’s all the fuss about? Why are you gathering around without the person involved?”uWZSgg
H8AYAmy’s voice descended from the upper floor, saving Shirone, who was on the verge of collapse. She was looking down from the spiral staircase on the second floor.wYfVu
xtbAres, the second son, spoke with a wiggle of his beard.QxVS
I2uZ“Oh? You changed clothes? When Shirone arrived, you ran to your room in a frenzy.”k09
Dp7pNBAmy preemptively cleared any misunderstandings.qw0
mkdE6“So what? Should I meet him in my pajamas? Anyway, disperse everyone. Dad, is it okay if I talk with my friend?”zGEfa
Bgq“Sure, why not? Isn’t he the first boyfriend you’ve brought home? Do whatever you need to, so you won’t regret it later. That’s the Karmis way. Hahaha!”gRvFv
9uOEven with Shakora’s teasing joke, Amy didn’t bat an eyelid. It was crucial not to give them an opening, as they’d relentlessly dig deeper.Cpvw
3aNMAs Shirone ascended the spiral staircase, Isis continued her questioning.uKRmFtv
8Rf“Amy, tell me the truth. He’s your boyfriend, right? You’re dating, right? Huh?”PHBpQ
CjIAmy hurried her steps, ignoring the voice. But her mother, who had passed down her blood, was just as persistent.A9nb5ad
4xsE“Come on, talk to me. What’s your relationship? You’re dating, right? Right?”h6DtJ7C
zPex“Ugh!”epWM8ge
fesCUnable to hold back, Amy yelled sharply and headed to her room.W3bpGaz
vzjxtVWIsis stood with her mouth agape. Even Shakora seemed surprised, looking up the staircase.dxTA
Wy3ihIQBut by then, the two had already disappeared from sight.MjrU
9JTs2Entering the room, Shirone and Amy sat awkwardly across a table.jVmy
rHSN7AShirone first surveyed the room. The library was filled with magic books, and in a corner out of sight were a few unread romance novels.23Q
P2G29‘Haha! Those must be from Senior Sharelle.’mUQSN
w6BOjcAt school, she was known as a tough woman, but her room was surprisingly feminine. Especially the large stuffed animal on the bed caught his eye a fierce-looking bear.HVR
drU“There’s a stuffed animal. And it’s a bear.”WUOoYmL
iU1“So what? Can’t I have a stuffed animal in my room?”lXiMn
DhR“No, I just thought it looked like you. Haha!”9lmE
VXR6FAmy clicked her tongue and closed her mouth. Honestly, she was at a loss for words. It was the first time she had shown her room to a man other than her family.ORIdefd
gYVnopZ“But are you really okay? We might pretend to be dating at school, but there’s no need to lie to your family.”yPx
ogGA“Don’t worry about it. They probably won’t care anyway. They’re just having fun with it.”lFUO
6chFTrue to Amy’s words, her family was free-spirited and unique. However, Shirone could faintly sense that they were connected by a hidden family love.MxJPaf6
yIBsza1“Enough with the nonsense. Why suddenly visit my house? Do you have something to say?”nXu3GF
JmBlIZ“Actually, that’s…”x4WAnpE
p7eAs Shirone started to speak, the door slid open. Isis’s face sneaked in through the narrow gap.NvFBY
cmesG“Oh dear, did I interrupt something? You should have some tea while talking.”9TjoB9m
TFv8nIsis gracefully moved to the table and set down the tea, her eyes fixated on Shirone.Ujsgy
tDoaAs Shirone tried to speak again, the door opened once more, this time revealing Daian.9dYJ
Gp9“I brought some snacks…”3e0ja6
hRPnGtDaian’s gaze also lingered on Shirone. Walking forward while his head was turned sideways made for a comical scene.H8D7CS
GDzl9Amy sighed. Such a thing had never happened before, so it must have been amusing for them.dUlapi
4Uby1Her brothers, usually indifferent to anything but extraordinary events, had never had her boyfriend visit the house.yaYHEpd
Vod“Fine. Everyone come in. I know you’re all waiting outside.”x6P
XNU2sLGUpon Amy’s command, feet pushed the door open. Ares stood there, holding a plate of fruit.raxY73
c2ku“There were some fruits… Haha.”TgQd
YVo“Come in already. Might as well introduce him properly now. Shirone, is that okay?”i0Rda
CmOw7r6“Ah, of course.”kmR
ivFxzlAnd so, the Karmis family, except Shakora, all sat opposite Shirone.sY3B0B
CXTYZK“This is Shirone, a promising student from the Alpheas Magic Academy. And Shirone, this is my mother. She was a dancer in her youth.”1NY0SnQ
wHKj“I see. No wonder she’s so beautiful.”1nMPCv
N0b“Hohoho! Amy takes after me. But don’t fall for me. I don’t want to hurt my daughter.”sOPGXq
xVlsNze“Ah, yes.”yWyin
2I66JShirone nodded in agreement. There really was nothing else he could say.fUpp
c97“And this is my older brother, Daian. He’s a Grade-5 Swordsman and commands the archer unit in the capital. He’s here to consult Dad on some political matters.”n70jI
OiDZxAs Amy finished, the family looked at her surprisingly.uJoEd
t15oQzNEven for a boyfriend, there was no need to mention internal family matters. It was proof that she, too, was inwardly tense.KVaw
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