Right now, I nervously peek at the doorway to the guest room where Asagao and her friends are currently talking about something. I can tell that everyone inside is all high quality and high profile people. It’s a little embarrassing to mingle with such bright people…

If I go there, I’ll stand out like a sore thumb.

What would you feel if there are three princesses, one daughter of the beast general, one daughter of a demon noble, six summoned heroes, a maid, a pirate, another pirate with goat horns and the demon lord herself are in your house?

I feel like my legs are going to give away and my mind is in catastrophe. One thing is that Alstroemeria completely fits in their group as she is sparklingly bright and beautiful too. Though, when did Princess Asagao grew that fast?

Still pretty adorable though whatever words I say…

“Ah, Miss Cecille, again, thank you very much for letting us in. It may be a bother but we greatly appreciate it.”

“N-N-N-No! It’s an honor for Princess Asagao and her companion t-t-t-to use my humble home!!”

“Please, there is no reason for you to be so nervous. We should be the one to feel sorry.”

“Y-Yes…”

That’s easy for you to say!

Geez, someone like you can get away with any crime with just an innocent smile like that! I am not implying anything bad with those words…It’s just that smile like that is so unfair that it can move so many people.

Everyone’s attention spans over to me and I got stared at.

For someone as old as me, I am like an auntie in a place full of lively youngsters. Except for Mana and that one guy with lethargic eyes, though, they still look stunningly handsome and beautiful. Where do they get so beautiful bloodline?

Damn it! Just give me a little bit of your beauty!

I give Alstroemeria a quick glance with scornful eyes and she immediately picked up what I wanted as I gesture outside. Her body jerked a little when I did that and she smiles nervously while walking out of the door.

“W-What is it?”

I didn’t answer Alstroemeria’s question, instead, I lead her outside of the mansion. As soon as we got out of the door, I begrudgingly stare at her.

“Eee…”

“Haaa…goddamnit Alstroemeria! You should have at least told me that you are coming with a lot of friends!”

“That’s a little bit impossible!”

“I know that! Dumbass!”

“Eee…!”

“What I am trying to say is that you should at least let me prepare!”

“That’s a bit impossible for us to know too. But you know, you look a little funny when you came earlier!~”

“That’s what I wanted to prevent them from seeing, you moron!!”

I move as fast as I can behind Alstroemeria and grab her whole body. Putting enough strength in my core and legs, I raise her body up and proceed to slam her head backward, performing a suplex on this idiot!

BAM!

“Why are you so worked up, Big sis Cecille?~ Also, it has been a while since you did this to me!~”

“Shut up, you idiot! If you had told me that your friends are coming, and tons of them, I could prepare something for a better reception!”

“You don’t need to do that!”

“This is your first time bringing so many friends! You don’t know how that made me happy!?”

“Eh?”

“Wha--?!”

“Thank you very much, Big sis Cecille…the thought alone made me happy.”

“I-I-Idiot! I…I didn’t say anything!”

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“Ehehehe!~”

I let go of Alstroe from the hold of the suplex and fixes my posture in embarrassment. It’s kind of sounded a little creepy coming from me so I tried pulling the words but, Alstroemeria knows me better…

She pulls away from me a little and beams a smile that even overpowered that sun’s warmness. She has certainly grown. I know that there is a long way ahead of her but, even with just one step ahead she slowly evolves into a better person that always smiles.

Maybe because the road that she has taken to is a road where she is bound to meet Princess Asagao?

Whenever she comes back like this from an adventure with Princess Asagao, she grows up unnoticeably by people around her but for me, for my eyes, Alstroemeria is doing her best to be strong despite all of the misfortune that happened in her life. She has found her solace and she wanted to protect it as much as possible.

Her attraction to Princess Asagao caused her to control her strength, to control and even hide her emotions, to smile even brighter even though there are lots of things that are burdening her thoughts.

All of it, I know it. I’ve taken care of her for several years now. However, even though I am happy that she continuously matures, there is this heavy feeling that bothers me now.

It’s true that because of Princess Asagao, she has grown but, I feel like…she is going to take Alstroemeria from me. I am little saddened by the thought that someday she will drift away from me.

Wait…this is exactly how…a parent thinks…right?!

“Alstroemeria!”

“Y-Yes?!”

“What do you think of me? As a person? As someone related to you?!”

“What with this so sudden…?”

“Answer me! This is important!”

Alstroemeria’s eyes widen as I ask such sudden question. Even I surprised myself by asking such bold question. No matter, as long as she gives me an answer, I will be satisfied.

She started contemplating as she put a finger to her lips and looks up like she is really thinking. Well, even though she is an idiot, she is capable of thinking, okay? I also thoroughly taught her of some common sense…

Suddenly, she again beams a smile at me…

“Big sis Cecille is as is. You’re the kind but rough big sister for me. You’re always there when I need you. That’s why I love you. Please, don’t get tired of taking care of me.”

“N-N-Not an auntie or anything?”

“No, you’re too young!”

“ALSTROEMERIA!!”

“You’re crying?!”

Tears immediately blasted from my eyes from Alstroemeria’s sweet words. I didn’t think that she thought of me so highly like that! I immediately pulled her body towards me and hug her with all of my might.

“Alstroemeria, as long as think like that, I will never ever let anyone have you easily!”

“Yes…hmm? Let anyone have?”

“Yes! Live with me for as long as you’d like!”

“No…you should really get married sooner or later. Isn’t that normal?”

“…….”

I carried Alstroemeria in my arms. Even though she is strong, it’s not like her normal weight is monstrous or anything so I can carry her easily.

“Big sis Cecille?”

I started sprinting towards the sea…

Alstroemeria immediately realized my intention and in an instant, her face becomes pale and she started shouting.

“Wait…wait, wait, WAIT! I can’t swim you know!”

“I DON’T CARE! YOU SHOULD DROWN NOW!”

“EEEEHHHHHH?!”

.

.

.

“Umm…what in the world happened to the two of you?”

“Umm…a lot?”

Alstroemeria answers Asagao’s question as she stands at the front of my doorstep. She is probably waiting for us. However, her question pertains to what actually transpired…

Alstroemeria and I are both dripping wet and reek the smell of salt that came from the sea. Of course, after I threw her at the vast ocean, I immediately rescued her in panic as I came to my senses.

“Umm…I am actually looking for a map. Miss Cecille, I am sorry but can I ask you a favor?”

“A map, right?! I can get that for you in a heartbeat!”

“I think you should dry yourself first…”

“No matter! I am strong against cold and sicknesses!”

I run away from them and make my way towards the guild. It is true that I am strong against cold and sicknesses since, in my younger days, I’ve built a strong body to toughen out any kind of pain and illness.

However, what Princess Asagao asked was kind of unexpected!

I have tons of maps in my house but…all of them are from my adventuring days full of doodles and writings and they are quite old too. I am going to embarrass myself again in front of them if I offer such low-quality map.

My only choice is to get some good maps from the guild master.

I sprint at my fullest and in just a mere dozen of seconds…or so…we ragged breathing…

BAM!

Even though I am dripping with seawater, I barged in the guild with dilated eyes and rough smoking breath. My lean muscles have already bulged from my clothes. I am not bulky though, they are just lean, slim muscles…

“Ah…Miss C-Cecille?!”

“What?!”

“Hiiii!”

I growled at one of the female receptionist. Even the adventurers got taken aback from my sight. Even the high ranking adventures look at me with respect and fear.

Not minding the attention from these people, I staggeringly walk towards the guild master's office. To the eyes of the people around me, I must be really menacing right now, though, I don’t really care anymore.

As I grab the knob of his door, I slammed it open again.

“GUILDMASTER!”

“WHAT?! CECILLE, YOU LOOK LIKE SOMEONE STRAIGHT OUT FROM A WAR!”

“Nevermind that, I have a favor to ask.”

“I should mind it but, okay…what is it?”

“Do you have a map?”

“A map? You have a lot of those, right?”

“Your best unused map in stock. I’ll buy it.”

“Deal! Knowing you, you will pay immediately!”

This bastard…

He didn’t even hesitate to sell it to me. He knows that I am in no time to bargain so he thought of getting the most expensive map he has, although, I really appreciate the fast transaction.

.

.

.

I left the guild master downhearted as I told him that put it in my tab for now. It feels like I am a scumbag but, well, I am a scumbag for feeling triumphant at his defeat.

And so, I am bringing this extra large deluxe map to Asagao and co.

I wonder what they are going to use it for…

Well, finding locations of course…that’s the very first thing you do when you have a map…

I feel so tired now and I have not even rested yet. I am already sober enough to function like a normal person but my appearance might look so unappealing…

As I enter my house, my stomach suddenly started to grumble. It seems that I am hungry too and I haven’t noticed it myself up until now. Damn, I should have eaten those side dishes at the tavern…

SLAP

A loud slapping sound enters my ears.

Because of that, I became a little alerted and tried to locate where the sound came from. It obviously came to the guest room where I throw them all in since there are too many of them for me. I left them with snacks and drinks when I talked with Alstroemeria but right now, I don’t even have an inkling idea of what is happening to them.

I insert my head in the small gap of the door to see what’s happening just to be stunned…

Even though the slapping action was already done, from the aftermath, I’ve already concluded who received and gave the slap…

Bacarra is standing in front Asagao who has a reddish cheek visibly from being hit…

“You, you lied to us the whole time. If they can forgive you, I won’t. I myself have lied…however, you masked yourself against us. You are no more than a traitor too…”

“I’m sorry…I’m really sorry…”

Princess Asagao sincerely said to Bacarra as droplet of tears started dripping out from her beautiful watery blue eyes…