Time passed so quickly as nothing out of the ordinary seemed to happen. Other than some preparations like dress, accessories, and gifts, I spent my days as ordinarily as ever.
For long distance travel like this that required such a short time, we'd be using the teleportation portal service. In a 'whoosh!', we'd arrive at the North territory!!
Though my family wasn't as wealthy as the other ducal families, apparently, we had a nice budgeting, so it wasn't really a problem.
I admit that I love traveling leisurely using carriages or other transports. I can daydream while looking at different scenes, what else is more relaxing than that? I'm sure that there are some others who think the same way as I do.
And after talking with Luca, it seems like the royal family might also come—though it will just be the king… and eeh, Luca's also coming?!
"Well, we're of the same generation, and as he is the only child of Loera's main family, he will most likely succeed the clan as the head. Father said that I should get to know the people I will be working with in the future."
Such was his reasoning.
That might be true, but little Ein is still six… wait no, he is not even six years old yet at this time!
A person's personality might change quite considerably after one turns into an adult—but I guess it won't hurt to know someone as early as possible. We can identify the changes easier that way… I guess?
…I wonder what kind of kid my nephew is?
-
Therefore, right after school, Alt-nii and I quickly returned home to prepare.
As soon as we were done, we boarded the fast mana-powered carriage to the teleportation portal and teleported all the way to the North territory.
Aaaaah, I felt so dizzy when the teleportation happened!!
The sensation was so strange—and even after experiencing it quite a lot of times in my two lifetime, I still couldn't get used to it without feeling dizzy.
We quickly traveled to Loera family's residence.
As I observed the surrounding—ah, this is really the North territory! The atmosphere here is quite different than that of the West and East… It feels more developed here, and even the commoners or low-rank nobles seem to be wealthier.
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And then there is the Loera clan's residence!
Among the Four Dukes of Riviera, Loera clan's definitely the biggest clan, okay? There is the main house and branch houses…
Meanwhile, the Grabberton and Fumitsuna are more or less on the same level…
With the Hartmann family as the smallest clan so far. Yup, so small that it can't be called a clan anymore.
Dad, Mom, where are our relatives? None??
What happened in the past? Were they all dead, banished, or something? Family feuds?
Ah well…
Anyway, I felt like my eyes would be blinded soon if I continued to stare at how big the Loera residence was. It was as big as the one I remembered in my memories.
In the past, I didn't feel so envious of this luxury as my previous family was more or less so wealthy too.
But now… welp, I can't say that I don't feel jealous at all, right? Gotta be honest sometimes…
Still, if I recalled how I found my days so dull despite the luxury I experienced as Reinst, this was certainly better. So, I still felt content with my life and with my family circumstances.
Since we rushed our ways here, we arrived quite early, although there were already other nobles gathering.
However!
"Oh, you've come!! Welcome!! Thanks for coming all the way here!!" Clyde, who was greeting the guests, enthusiastically welcomed us.
"Clyde-san, thanks for the invitation!"
"Lyra, you've come as well! It's nice to see you," Clyde patted my head—but before he managed to do so, Dad walked in front of me, blocking the path of Clyde's hand…
Aww… that's too bad… Wait, no! Clyde was your half-brother in the past, and getting your head patted by him like how one pat a child's head wasn't that nice… I guess?
So… thanks, Dad?
"Congratulations, Clyde-san. Your son has finally turned six years old! You must be really happy," Dad said while having this "business smile" plastered on his face.
"Thank you, Valkyane-san. Thanks for bringing your wife and children here. I hope our children will get along well."
"Hoho, yes, I hope so too."
…Dad, your last sentence… it was so monotone, okay?
It certainly didn't seem that sincere, okay?
You sure you're a spy?? Wasn't that a bit too obvious, or did you intend to do so in the first place?
…Perhaps dying at the age of 13 was quite disadvantageous, as I couldn't really tell the adults' intention for doing something like this. I felt a bit sad as I should be at the same age as Clyde if I didn't die…
"Speaking of which, this is your first time coming here, right? Would you like to sightsee around our residence?" Clyde suddenly offered a very… interesting offer!
"Oh, but don't you need to greet the guests?" Mom asked in concern.
"There are the other adults from Loera's branch families and the servants, so it's alright. I specifically welcomed the guests before, as I was waiting for the Hartmann to arrive," Clyde said without beating around the bush.
Eeh, are we really that special?
Strange, we just met several times, but how could I give so much impact to Clyde and Nicole?
At this point, I'm not sure if this favoritism will turn out to be disadvantageous or advantageous. On one side, it's nice to forge a good relationship with the other nobles, especially with fellow ducal families. But on the other side, if we were to get too close and were taken advantage of—oof! I probably shouldn't think negatively of the others like this.
I decided that I would try to take another perspective in this second life, didn't I?
In the past, Mother used to tell me to be wary of the others, especially the other nobles as we wouldn't be so sure if they would someday stab us behind the back or not…
[Be close to them, but make sure to put some distance. That way, you won't get hurt.]
Those were Mother's words of advice that I adhered to in the past. Especially since I was in a tough spot of competition—for the seat of the queen.
I was sure that Mother lived by those words as well.
But when I looked at Dad, Mom, and everyone that I know as Lyra—I think… I'd like to try it. To be close to the others, that is. Without guarding myself, without deliberately keeping a distance.
Even to this day, I'm not sure what made me think like this. Perhaps it was due to the years I experienced as Lyra, surrounded by loving people?
Ah, whatever. I don't want to think of such a complicated matter. I concluded that it was because how different my living circumstances were. Yep, that must be it.