Casia eventually reappeared in the room, her presence signaling the next phase of our introduction to the mansion. "Young misses, I'm sure you've settled in now. Please follow me; I will show you around the mansion," she announced with a warm smile.

Excitement surged within me at the prospect of exploring the vast expanse of the mansion. Without hesitation, I rose from my bed and eagerly pulled Saori along with me. However, Anco remained stubbornly seated, declaring, "I ain't coming."

Unfazed by Anco's defiance, Casia persisted, her tone gentle yet firm. "Young miss, come with me. I will be showing you around the mansion."

Anco's retort was sharp. "Huh, didn't you hear what I said, you damn servant," she snapped.

Saori intervened, her voice calm but resolute. "Enough, Anco. Just get up and let's go," she urged, her patience wearing thin.

Reluctantly, Anco relented, grumbling as she rose to her feet. "Sigh, since you guys won't leave me alone, perhaps I'll tag along," she conceded begrudgingly.

With Anco reluctantly joining us, we followed Casia out of the room, eager to embark on our exploration of the magnificent mansion that awaited us.

With Casia as our guide, we ventured through the mansion, exploring it. Casia showed us the various rooms, bathrooms, and even introduced us to many of the maids and butlers.

After a full forty minutes of exploring, we found ourselves exhausted, taking a breather outside in a medium-sized greenhouse. The space was adorned with beautiful flowers and a small pond, creating a serene atmosphere.

Casia then offered, "Young ladies, can I get you something to eat or drink?"

Anco jumped in, "Oh, definitely! Something sweet to drink, please. And do you have any sweets?"

Casia nodded, her smile warm. "Of course! We've got cakes, cookies, pies, tarts, macarons, and even some spicy and sour snacks, along with various drinks."

I was surprised by the variety, but it made sense given what Saori had told me about nobles and their wealth. From barons to dukes, each title seemed to come with its own set of privileges and luxuries. And as the niece of a countess, Aunt Frisca certainly lived up to the high standards of nobility.

"Wow, then if you don't mind, I'd love to have a slice of cake," Saori exclaimed with a smile.

Anco, ever the enthusiastic one, chimed in, "Give me everything!"

"Stop being greedy, Anco," I interjected, earning a nasty look from her.

Casia, always polite, addressed us, "As you wish, Miss Saori and Miss Anco. And what would you like, Miss Giselle?"

"Uh, maybe a cup of tea and some cookies," I replied, trying to keep it simple.

With a gracious bow, Casia left to fulfill our requests. As I gazed around the greenhouse, I couldn't help but feel captivated by its beauty. It was a place where time seemed to stand still, offering a sanctuary from the outside world.

Before we knew it, Casia returned, carrying a tray laden with treats. I couldn't help but express my surprise, "You're back already? It hasn't even been Twenty minutes!"

"Of course, it was quite quick," Casia replied with a smile.

"How?" Saori inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"Meals were already prepared before you arrived, and they were kept heated with magic, so it's as good as new," Casia explained matter-of-factly.

The mention of magic once again intrigued me. "Ahh, Casia, what's this about magic? I mean, I know what it is, but is it really that incredible?" I asked, eager to learn more.

"Of course, young miss. Magic is said to be a source of power that can even defy the laws of the world. I mean, that's advanced magic, but magic is awesome. You can use it to help people," Casia explained enthusiastically.

"I see. But where did you learn it, Casia?" I inquired, intrigued by the notion of learning magic.

"Madam Frisca taught me simple magic to use, since she attended the Grogerry Academy of Magic," Casia replied.

Her words caught both mine and Saori's attention, while Anco remained distracted with the food.

"An academy?" Saori questioned, her interest piqued.

Casia chuckled softly. "Ahahaha, yes, young misses. It's the place where Madam Frisca learned magic and swordsmanship. That's how she gained her noble title."

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Earned her title, I see," Saori remarked thoughtfully.

"Madam Frisca is skilled in magic and swordsmanship, and she served the country well in a war 15 years ago. Afterward, she earned the title of countess, and she was granted this city to govern," Casia continued, sharing more about Aunt Frisca's background.

"Wait, so she's like the landlord of Berlynne?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"Yes, young miss. Madam Frisca is the landlord," Casia confirmed.

Wow, that meant Aunt Frisca was pretty amazing. Even if she was quite rude, she possessed power, wealth, and fame. No wonder she behaved so haughtily.

"That is amazing," Saori exclaimed genuinely, unable to deny the impressive feat despite her feelings toward Aunt Frisca.

Even Anco, who often harbored disdain for rich people, couldn't help but acknowledge, "Oh, so she's not just a pretty face. Quite interesting," she remarked with a hint of admiration.

Casia smiled warmly in response. "Of course, young misses," she affirmed.

Our conversation was then interrupted by the arrival of our mother. Taking a seat beside Saori, she addressed her with an apologetic tone, "Saori, sweetie, I'm sorry for hitting you earlier. I was wrong."

"It's okay, Mother. Standing up to aunt frisca must be quite tough, even for you, after hearing how impressive she is," Saori reassured her, understanding shining in her eyes.

Curious about the encounter, I piped up, "Mom, what did she want from you and Dad?"

"It was just a small discussion on how we were doing in Jonathon Town and all," our mother explained, downplaying the significance of the conversation.

Anco approached Mom, surprising us all with her genuine comment, "I heard she's a powerful woman, so that's why she became a noble. She's quite admirable."

I couldn't help but be taken aback by Anco's sincerity. It was a rare occurrence, but a welcome one.

Mom's smile widened as she nodded in agreement. "Yes, she is," she acknowledged before diverting the conversation. "Now, is that food? I'm feeling kind of hungry. Don't mind me, kids."

With that, Mom helped herself to a slice of pie and began to eat. As I watched her, surrounded by my sisters in this grand mansion, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. The food was delicious, the mansion was spacious and immaculate, and everything seemed perfect in that moment.

I savored the cup of tea that Casia had graciously brought me, taking in its warmth and rich flavor. With each sip, it felt as though I had been transported to a place of pure bliss. The tea was exquisite, soothing my soul with its comforting warmth.

Back home, opportunities to indulge in tea were rare, as the herbs needed to make it were always expensive. Instead, we often resorted to heating up milk as a substitute. But now, as I relished in this simple pleasure, I couldn't help but appreciate the luxury of being able to enjoy a proper cup of tea.

As I nibbled on the cookies that accompanied the tea, I found them equally delightful. Lost in the moment, I sat there, indulging in my meal, while thoughts of Aunt Frisca danced through my mind.

Soon after finishing my tea and cookies, my mother decided it was time to address Anco's behavior. With a sense of determination, she announced her intention to take Anco aside and ensure she understood the importance of speaking respectfully, especially in the presence of other family members.

I bid farewell to the tranquil greenhouse, addressing Saori before my departure. "Saori, I'm going to head out," I informed her.

Saori simply nodded in understanding, and with that, I made my way out. As I strolled around the grounds, taking in the grandeur of the mansion, I eventually found myself at the edge of a large lake nestled behind the estate. The sight before me was breathtaking.

To my surprise, Aunt Frisca was also present by the lake, her presence commanding attention. As she noticed me, she approached, and with a soft smile, she remarked, "Beautiful, isn't it?"

I couldn't help but agree. "Ah, yes, it is quite beautiful, Aunt Frisca," I replied, struck by the serene ambiance of the scene.

Taking a moment, I gathered my thoughts before addressing her directly. "Aunt Frisca, I have something to ask you, or rather, to say," I began, my curiosity getting the better of me.

Turning to face me, Aunt Frisca listened attentively, prompting me to continue. "I heard about your journey—from attending an academy that teaches magic to serving in a war and eventually becoming a noble. How did you become so incredible?"

"Ahh, you're making me embarrassed," Aunt Frisca began, her tone softening as she opened up about her past. "You see, even though your father and I are related, we have different fathers. My father was a man of unknown background who appeared one day, and eventually, my mother gave birth to me. I was born with a large amount of mana, and because of that, my mother saved up quite a lot of coins to send me to the academy. I excelled there and became strong. Then, I served in a war with an enemy. After we won the war, I became a countess, and I'm also a former commander."

I was stunned by her revelation. Aunt Frisca had suddenly shared her life story with me, and strangely enough, she didn't seem as rude as she had earlier today.

"That's awesome," I replied, unable to hide my admiration, a smile spreading across my face.

"Giselle, the talent that I had, you and your sisters may have it now. It may also be the same for your cousins," Aunt Frisca explained, her words carrying a weight of significance.

"Huh? You're saying I and my sisters likely have mana?" I asked, my mind reeling with the implications of her words.

"Well, yes. Mana is something that is passed down. Even if it was only one person in the family that had it, the descendants will always have that mana," Aunt Frisca confirmed.

With that, Aunt Frisca excused herself, stating that she needed to tend to her duties. As she walked away, leaving me to contemplate her words, I couldn't shake the feeling of happiness that enveloped me. Despite the unexpected turn of events, I couldn't deny that this family gathering was shaping up to be an intriguing affair.

As I resumed admiring the tranquil scenery of the lake, my attention was suddenly captured by a large green creature making its way towards me. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was a massive turtle.

With cautious curiosity, I reached out my hand to touch its head, surprised when it allowed me to do so, appearing content with the interaction. Lost in the moment, I found myself confiding in the turtle, sharing my thoughts and excitement about Aunt Frisca's revelations, even though I knew it couldn't understand me.

"You see, Mr. Turtle, my haughty aunt just told me I have talent, and the same goes for my siblings. I'm kind of excited. I mean, I want to ask her more, but I don't want her to become annoyed and chase me away," I explained, my words echoing softly across the serene landscape.

However, the fear of drawing my mother's ire for straying too far lingered at the back of my mind, reminding me of the need to return to the mansion soon.

Realizing that I had been talking for quite some time, I bid farewell to my newfound friend. "Oh, gotta go now. Bye, Mr. Turtle," I said with a smile before making my way back to the mansion.