“Micchan, are you there~?” (Mitsuha)

“…Again, you suddenly came without prior notice…

So, how is your sister?” (Michelle)

The reason I came to Micchan No. 2 today was to have a meeting for the next Society.

No, I’ve had a lot of meetings with Micchan before, of course, including the preparation of items to be purchased, but I’ve also discussed the agenda and other matters to be announced.

And the fact that she asked about Colette-chan’s condition first and foremost out of concern is one of Micchan’s kindnesses.

The way she speaks is a bit haughty, probably because as the daughter of a high-ranking noble, she cannot afford to look lousy or be ridiculed. Micchan is, by nature, a kind and good girl.

“Colette-chan has been discharged from the hospital. She can eat and drink normally now…The scar isn’t that bad, but it’s still there.” (Mitsuha)

“……Is that so……” (Michelle)

Micchan’s expression darkened a bit.

Well, what if a girl from a noble or royal family got a big scar on her body…

The person herself was not worried about that at all, or rather, she was happy about it.

…Colette-chan was neither noble nor royalty, right?

For commoners, a few scars don’t matter.

As Colette-chan said, the scars from protecting her master were like medals.

Even I would be proud of the wounds I’d get from protecting Colette-chan and Sabine-chan.

…Well, it doesn’t matter what kind of injury I’d get in my body, it doesn’t leave scars…

The Marquis seemed to be away today. His wife wasn’t here either, so maybe they’re having a party somewhere or something.

Oh, unlike Count Bozes and Iris-sama, I don’t give Marquis Mitchell honorific titles in my head. And when I say it out loud, it depends on the people present and the situation.

“So, about the next Society tea party, are there any problems or things you want to bring up on the agenda?” (Mitsuha)

“Problems, huh……. Well, let’s just say there are……” (Michelle)

“Eh?” (Mitsuha)

I asked just in case, but I didn’t think there really was a problem…

I thought that there was nothing to worry about after crushing the aggressors…

“What kind of problem do we have? I thought things were going well now…” (Mitsuha)

“I mean, it’s going too well, and that’s the problem.” (Michelle)

“Eh?” (Mitsuha)

What the hell is that? If things are going well, there should be no problem!

“…It went too well, and the gap between us and other nobles’ daughters widened too much. Like our make-up skills, sense of unity, and reputation amongst the nobility and the common people…

Now, Society members are treated as servants of the Goddess, angels, or saints.

So, for those who don’t have a fiancée, there are literal mountains of applications…

And for those who have a fiancée from barons and viscounts, there will be disruptions from counts and marquises.

It would be good if they were betrothed to their childhood friends or really good friends with the family of the neighboring fiefdoms or their parochial families, even if it was just a political marriage…

Still, there are pressures from factions and production deals, and they’re trying to force themselves from the sidelines……” (Michelle)

Oh~, I see. Of course~…

No matter how much a daughter of a Count or Marquis they are, not everyone can marry an heir of an aristocratic family of the same or higher rank than their own… Especially when it comes to the second, third, and fourth daughters…

Even if it’s the son of a viscount or a baron, she would be lucky if he is the heir, and there may probably be many marriage proposals with people below the second son who cannot inherit the title.

But then, a higher-ranking nobility butts in and pushes their own sons……

……No way!

No no no no no no!!

I will not allow you to make a pretty little girl cry, even if the Gods allow it, I won’t!

……If a girl isn’t pretty enough, is it okay to make her cry, you ask?

No, all girls are cute because they are girls!

It doesn’t matter what she looks like. The very existence of a ‘girl’ is adorable!

Just like all chicks and sparrows are cute!

The Yamano family had dogs, cats, chicks, and sparrows.

For example, I raised a colored chick sold in front of the school gate at my elementary school until it laid eggs.

……Oh, I thought colored chicks were all males!

First-born chick identifiers, do your best!!

“But I’ve heard things like ‘we’re overflowing with applications’, which sounds like a happy scream, and it doesn’t sound like they’re in that much trouble…….” (Mitsuha)

“Well, it’s the circumstances of each family, so it’s hard to say anything obscure.

Besides, some of them are happy that a good match has come to them, so I don’t want to make any comments that will put a damper on that……” (Michelle)

“I see, so it’s hard to say…” (Mitsuha)

“Until now, the situation wasn’t that desperate, but it seems that some people are finally cornered and are starting to get out of control…” (Michelle)

Umu umumumu…

“Oh, and what about you, Micchan? Are you okay?” (Mitsuha)

Yes, Micchan must have had trouble with that kind of thing since the beginning. It’s just gonna get worse…

“My father wants someone who belongs to the royalty, duke, or marquis household, and I don’t have a fiancé, a close friend, or a childhood friend like that.

For the sake of our Mitchell family, we should probably go for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, but that person is a bit… As for me, I would rather go for His Royal Highness the Second or Third Prince… What are you trying to make me say! !” (Michelle)

No, I didn’t ask about that……

You blew yourself up on your own, Micchan!

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, you know, that one? The one who snuck into the party under the alias “Viscount” and verbally abused my slim figure in public.

……Well, in truth, he’s not…….

I’ve never met them, but I’m not sure if the second and third princes are more sane than that one…

Micchan, you seem to have a good eye for people, don’t you?

“I was so salty with the applications from the Counts and below that many of them gave up on me and tried to switch to other members of the Society, which made it easier for me.

With that being said,., I feel sorry for the people who had to suffer because of it…” (Michelle)

Saying so, Micchan makes a somber face.

You don’t have to feel responsible for something like that.

Even so, I knew it. Micchan is a good girl!…

…But still, it’s troublesome.

Using faction pressure or commercial transactions between territories as a shield is nothing more than a regular bargain for nobles. It’s not like it’s cowardice or a crime, and it’s not something that deserves to be complained about.

Besides, the parents may welcome and be happy to receive an application from a butting-in-higher-ranking-aristocrat.

It doesn’t matter whether they are in love with each other in aristocratic marriages. It’s a family connection through political marriage. As the daughter of a noble family, she is allowed to live a luxurious life using taxpayers’ money, so it is wrong to complain about it.

If you don’t like it, you can leave your aristocratic status behind and elope or become ordained.

……However, it’s not possible to graduate from the Society if you marry, counterattack, or penalize the nobles who pushed the engagement to Viscount Yamano and the Society.

In order for the Society’s influence to be strong in the aristocratic world, we need to stay connected to our members even after they marry.

And we can’t be an obstacle in the case of a marriage that one would normally agree to, or be a child making tantrums because the current fiancé is a jerk and wants to break off the engagement and get engaged to someone else.

Umu umumumu…….

“Micchan, do you have any good ideas? I don’t care if it causes a little trouble for me in terms of labor, costs, and reputation.” (Mitsuha)

“…………”

Are~, Micchan is looking at me with suspicion.

No, even I would do that for my cute girlfriends!

Yeah, that’s right. It’s not like I always act only for my own benefit.

=====

Author’s Note:

“Working” and “Potion”, volume 9 of the comics, are now on sale!

Thank you very much for your purchase. (^^)/