> Kira PoV <

"Oh, excuse me, miss Quasse?"

The receptionist girl called out to me, so I walk back to the counter. Ellie is talking with Picorio about scented candles, so I leave her be.

"A personal request just came for your team from Baron Luron."

So it came at last, huh? I knew I would have to face that guy eventually.

Baron Luron is the local big cheese. He’s the lord in charge of this city and its surrounding area.

Now, nobles are ugly creatures. In my completely unbiased opinion, all of them are perverts. Some are just better at hiding it than others.

So something like a request to an all-female team had only one way it could unfold.

"Let me guess, he wants to discuss it in private at his estate?"

"... yes."

The receptionist was also a woman, so she fully understood the implications. Nothing good comes from being 'in private' with a pervert.

And if I refuse the meeting, it still ends the same way. Only with more chains and guards.

The receptionist continued-

"The message said to visit immediately."

I furrowed my brow and pinched the bridge of my nose. Of course it did.

"We'll be going then."

I turn around to leave. As I pick up Ellie who's still discussing aromatic herb blends-

"I'll be praying for your safe return!"

-the receptionist called out with a wave of her hand.

She sure is lively huh?

* * *

We arrive at Baron's estate.

It's uselessly big, uselessly wide and uselessly expensive. The guards open the uselessly gilded gates. The uselessly polite servant guides us up to the useless mansion.

Ah, no good, my attitude will show on my face.

Speaking of which.

"Ellie, absolutely do not anger the Baron."

"Kira! This again! Last time-"

As expected, Ellie instantly complained.

"I'm not saying don't be on guard. If they get violent, we'll retaliate.

Just... if it's just simple rudeness, ignore it. There's a LOT of reasons for this, so please!"

{Ellie, Kira is saying that if you hurt the boss, the underlings will come too.}

{You can’t cuddle with Kira if you have to keep breaking arms, right?}

"That’s true..."

Ellie, please don’t make that indecisive face. You look like you really wanted to fight the underlings.

She thinks on Nano's words for a while.

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"Okay, then I promise-"

Nano, good job!

"-that I will give my utmost effort not to shatter his kneecaps."

.. or not?

*Gulp*

The servant who's guiding us swallows audibly. He's sweating profusely and his movements became stiff. He definitely overheard us.

* * *

The baron meets us in a sitting room. At least it's not an office this time.

He's much younger than I thought, early 20s maybe? He must have inherited the title recently. The face is rather handsome. The black hair and black eyes common in nobility are present.

"Greetings, Lady Quasse and Lady Ellie."

"Good day, Your Lordship."

"..."

Oh crap, Ellie!

{Ellie, repeat what Kira said.}

"Good day, Your Lordship."

Nano, good job!

"Please take a seat, the maid will bring refreshments."

We sit down on the sofa. The baron takes the armchair opposite us. There’s a small knee-high table between us.

"I'm glad you came. In truth, I have several things to discuss."

The maid brings us tea and sets it out on the small table. Once she leaves, the baron continues.

"Is it true you two are getting married to each other?"

"Yes!"

Replied Ellie with a proud look.

I guess she's looking forward to it after all huh?

"And this is not some plan of Lady Quasse to stir trouble?"

Wha- What sort of plan is that!?

"Stir trouble?"

Ellie responded before I could. I'm glad it's not just me that doesn't understand.

"Lady Quasse is dissatisfied with the way female adventurers are treated. So you became an adventurer as a form of protest, yes?"

"Your Lordship is misunderstanding something.

I just want to become a top-ranked adventurer. It's a completely selfish desire."

He keeps looking at us doubtfully. I still don't see what his problem is.

"So, this marriage is not just a stunt to get famous?"

... as expected from a noble. Their minds work in mysterious ways.

"That is absolutely not true, Your Lordship."

"Then, I want you to prove it."

"Excuse me?"

What is this guy even saying?

"Prove to me that this is a legitimate marriage and not a political stunt."

Well you say that but, how-

"I want you and Ellie to kiss right here in front of me."