A week had passed since I started traveling by a horse-drawn carriage.

Even though I had rested at an inns on the way, my lower back hurt.

“We’ve arrived~!”

I alighted from the carriage and stretched my hips as much as I could while my sister restlessly arched her back.

“Okay, here’s your luggage, Neria.”

I received the luggage from the coachman and started handing it to Neria.

“—Why are you trying to make Neria carry it!?”

With a thud, a rather large man emerged from the entrance.

Pastel green hair. His features were clearly beautiful, but when I saw the seething gentleman with round cheeks and a double chin, I inwardly asked Cecily.

Is that Papa?

[…Yes.]

I see.

So that’s the culprit who made Cecily so weak.

Well, then…

I immediately put Neria’s luggage on the ground and hugged the gentleman.

“Papa, I’m home. I missed you.”

“Why are you acting creepy all of the sudden!?”

That’s awful, Papa. How could you say that to your daughter whom you haven’t seen for such a long time?

So, can I just blow him away now?

Can I just reduce the entire building into charcoal?

However, no matter how much magic I tried to summon—

[—I’m begging you, please stop?]

Cecily stopped me, so despite my frustration, I left Cecily’s papa alone. Papa brushed me aside and went straight to Neria who stood frozen in place.

“Aah, Neria, what’s the matter with you? How could you share a carriage with someone else? I always told you to come home separately, right? She is different from you, Neria!”

“…I’m sorry, Father. I’m a bit tired from the long journey.”

Cecily’s older sister stared at her father as they were about to have a touching reunion.

I could tell that Cecily was downcast.

I carried my luggage away without worrying about anything.

“Right, I think I’ll take a little break in my room, too.”

I thought I heard someone yelling from behind me, “Hey, bring Neria’s luggage with you!” but I didn’t care. I greeted the man who seemed to be the butler before asking Cecily about her room.

[…Over there.]

Why are you slurring?

However, when I followed the directions to a room in the corner and opened the door… I heard an unpleasant squeaking. As I coughed from the storm of dust, my vision gradually cleared up.

“Hey, isn’t this worse than a warehouse.”

I couldn’t even laugh. It was worse than a warehouse. Half a year had passed since Cecily last visited her parent’s house. During that time, the room hadn’t been aired out properly. I guess the only time they came to that room was to stow firewood and oil.

Hey, don’t store something like that in your daughter’s room?

I slammed the door shut and turned on my heels.

Of course, the room I was headed for was the room that the gloomy Neria went to.

Immediately after she disappeared into the room with a maid, I barged inside.

“Sister! Shall we sleep together from now on!?”

“Absolutelyyyyyyyyyy noooooooooooooooooooot—!!”

What’s with the extreme reaction?

Even I felt somewhat depressed after receiving her abject refusal.

After forcefully transferring my luggage in Neria’s room, I went to the dining room. Apparently, they had prepared an early dinner for us in time for our return.

This is the marquis family we’re talking about. What kind of lavish meal is waiting for me…?

[My only advice is, don’t get your hopes up…]

But why, though? The mansion looks magnificent, and there are plenty of servants. They must be living a comfortable life, right? To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much from the looks of the villages along the way.

Indeed, when I saw the villages we passed by in the carriage, I didn’t have much hope.

I heard that there was a nationwide famine a few years ago, so I wondered if the Travasta family was also facing a recession… Yet, they lived in a very splendid and prosperous mansion.

Well, I should mull over the pros and cons of being a lord after the meal. After all, I had just gone on a long trip—

—With that, I eagerly waited for the door to be opened.

As soon as the door was opened, a delicious smell tickled my nostrils. Marinated fish was served alongside a mouthwatering green salad.

Amazing, raw fish.

There didn’t seem to be a sea or any rivers in the area, so I wondered how much money they spent for this.

As I looked for a place to sit, I eagerly awaited the next dish that would be served right after. Only then did I notice—

—Only three meals were prepared.

Two of them were in front of Papa and Mama, who were already seated.

Oh, so that’s Mama.

Cecily’s mother had graceful blonde hair. Despite the perennial sorrow in her face, she was still beautiful. As soon as our eyes met, she awkwardly averted her gaze.

Which means, I have to talk to Mama later…

Another meal was presented before Neria.

Oh, right, Cecily, where do I sit?

“What are you standing around for? No matter how long you wait, your food won’t come out.”

I finally caught on when Papa spoke with a grin.

Did they exclude Cecily from the family dinner?

…Then what did you eat at times like this until now?

[There would be leftovers and I’d be made to share with other servants. Unless I did something bad, there should be some food left…]

Oh, so they aren’t going to finish it all?

—Then it’s a quick fix!

Well, I could just force them to leave, but they were Cecily’s precious family. I wanted to avoid resorting to brute force and violence as much as possible.

So, I approached Papa without hesitation. As I plopped down on his lap, which I could tell was plump even through his pants, Papa was startled.

“Eh”

I gracefully crossed my legs.

Cecily took after her mother, so she had surprisingly long legs.

“Wow, it looks delicious! Hey, Papa. What would you like me to start with?”

No matter how his stubby legs resembled pig trotters, he was still my Papa.

Papa must’ve been happy when I smiled and acted spoiled.

“Cecilyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy—-!”

Hehe, he called me by name for the first time today. I did it.

---

Read ahead on patreon~

***T/N: I can’t wait for our villainess to diss out punishment to this wifebeater.

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