[00 Months: 12 Days: 04 Hours]'If I had known things would turn out like this, I would have worn something formal… damnit!'
I thought I was just meeting Seraphina, but what was with this arrangement?
Four other noble ladies? I wasn't informed of that.
'This would have been a nice way to score some points and form connections with other noble people besides Seraphina.'
And yet I flopped. Why did things turn out this way? Why?
Despite my inner turmoil, I maintained a neutral expression when addressing the young ladies, observing each and every one of them with keen eyes.
As I surveyed the table, my gaze lingered on the four young ladies.
All of them had golden hair like Seraphina, though each had a distinct style that seemed to reflect their personalities. They shared a familial resemblance with Seraphina but each held their own unique traits.
The lady seated to Seraphina's immediate right had a sharp angular face that accentuated her delicate features.
Her blonde hair was cut short, adding an element of sophistication to her otherwise youthful appearance.
Her eyes were alert, scrutinizing, and I could tell she possessed an intellect that was not to be underestimated.
Next to her was a woman with striking beauty, her blonde hair cascading down her back in voluminous waves. Her azure eyes, just like Seraphina's, held a mysterious allure.
Her face was a perfect blend of soft and sharp features that exuded a timeless elegance. She was stunning, in a quiet, composed manner.
Beside the beautiful lady sat another, whose figure was more voluptuous compared to her sisters. Her hair was tied in a loose braid that fell over her shoulder.
There was a warm and approachable aura about her, and her smile was inviting, belying the strength her physique suggested.
Finally, the lady at the end had a lean, athletic build. Her hair was gathered in a high ponytail, a few stray locks framing her face.
Her sparkling eyes, full of determination, complimented her fierce look. She held herself with a sense of purpose and a strong-willed demeanor.
As my gaze returned to Seraphina, she rose from her seat.
"Luke, come closer," she beckoned, her voice cutting through my observations. "Let me introduce you to my sisters!"
'I knew it! They're her sisters. The resemblance is uncanny.'
As I neared the table, she introduced the ladies in order, confirming my suspicion.
"This is Beatrice, our eldest sister," she gestured towards the lady with the sharp angular face and short hair. She was the firstborn of the Lyma family, a responsibility that was palpable in her aura.
She then motioned towards the woman with cascading hair, "This is Celestia, the second of us five." Celestia acknowledged me with a nod, her composed beauty leaving a memorable impression.
Seraphina gestured next to the lady with the warm smile and voluptuous chest, "The third sister is Amelia," she introduced. Amelia gave me a welcoming grin, her friendly disposition radiating around her.
Finally, Seraphina pointed towards the lean lady with the high ponytail. "And the last one is Rosalia, she's just a year older than me." Rosalia's eyes held a spark of competitiveness, and I had a feeling she was as strong as she looked.
I studied the four women, each of them different in their own ways, yet all undeniably part of the same family.
As sisters of Seraphina, I knew that they were women I should not underestimate.
"Greetings, Noble ladies. My name is Luke. I am an Adventurer." I knew that introduction was getting old, but it was all I had.
"Well now, Luke, where exactly are you from?" Beatrice inquired, leaning slightly across the table to me. Her tone was friendly, but there was a probing nature to it that made me slightly on guard.
"Ah, I'm from the West," I answered after a brief hesitation, scratching the back of my head, deciding to play it safe and vague.
'I mean, back on Earth, you could say I'm from the West…'
And then, talking about this world, the Western Republic best represented how Earth operated before it became apocalyptic.
'Plus, the Southern Kingdom isn't that close to the Western Republic, so I guess I'm safe.'
"The West, you say?" Beatrice pressed, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. "And what brings a man from the West so far from his place of origin?"
I could feel the weight of her gaze on me, scrutinizing, dissecting. I tried to keep my expression neutral, but it felt like an uphill battle. "That's a... personal matter, I'm afraid."
"Oh? But we are curious, you see," Beatrice pushed, her lips curving into a teasing smile.
I felt a bead of sweat trickle down the side of my face. I was cornered and I knew it.
The question now was, how do I navigate this? Sёarch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
Just when I thought I would have to concoct some sort of plausible story, Seraphina came to my rescue. "Beatrice, that's enough. You're being too hard on our guest," she admonished, her voice containing a note of steel.
"He is already confirmed to be trustworthy by the Guild. There's no need to pry further."
A soft chuckle escaped Beatrice's lips as she leaned back in her chair. "You're right, Seraphina. I apologize for my forwardness, Luke."
As if on cue, the other sisters chimed in, "Our eldest sister is always like this. Please don't take it to heart, Luke." A round of giggles echoed in the room, and even the maids who were in the corners had their lips twitching in suppressed laughter.
Even the butler was smiling slightly.
'W-what? They were all in on this?' My thoughts popped.
I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment.
I struggled to maintain my composure, but despite my attempts to hide it, I could tell by the way they were all looking at me that my blush was quite noticeable.
'Damnit… so much for first impressions.'
To think I would be humiliated like this during my first interaction with these girls… how very unsightly.
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[A/N]
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