C121
"I see. Then, may I meet Amy now?"
"Of course. The young lady is waiting for you. Please, get in the carriage."
As the carriage began to move, a beautiful garden full of blooming roses unfolded outside the window.
If the Ogent Family had expressed their style with grandeur, the style of the Carmis Family seemed to be freely expressive. Unique works that ignored standards and unity were erected throughout the garden.
"It's really wonderful. It feels like I've entered a dreamland."
"I'm glad you like it. The Carmis Family garden reflects the tastes of all the family members over the generations. Each section is decorated according to individual preferences. This can be said to be a unique family tradition that values individual personality. The artificial fountain you see now was proposed by Miss Amy when she was ten years old. We call it the Rainbow Fountain."
Shirone stuck his face out the window. When the cone-shaped fountain sprayed water, the scattering water droplets created a beautiful rainbow.
"Haha! A rainbow fountain. That's very Amy-like."
Adele watched Shirone enjoying the garden with a warm eye. He had a hunch why Amy's face seemed brighter than before after finishing the semester and returning home.
"The Carmis Family has a talent called Red Eyes. Thanks to this, they stand out much faster than others, no matter what they do. Knowing this, the family tends not to interfere with each other. Reports also came in about the Arcane incident, but the head of the household only checked the safety of the lady and gave instructions to leave her alone.”
Shirone was stunned. It was an incident that put their daughter's life at stake, they just let her be. He could feel how broadly the people of the Carmis Family were looking at the world.
“Of course, it is not that there is no affection between family members. It's just their nature. There were times when the young lady Amy, the youngest, doesn't understand such families. She even wandered when she was younger."
"Ah, I know that. But I didn't know there was such a story behind it."
Shirone recalled his first meeting with Amy. When he was bullied in the alley around the age of twelve, he resented her a lot. But now it was all over, and when he learned the circumstances of her past, she felt closer.
"In the past few days, seeing the young lady, I think she has changed a lot from when she was younger. Now, like the other gentlemen in the family, she seems to enjoy her own things. Perhaps this all thanks to you, Shirone. Thank you."
Shirone could read sincerity from the bowing figure of Adele. After all, if he had been taking care of Amy since she was born, he couldn't only have the feelings of a servant.
The reason for his strict assessment of Shirone must’ve stemmed from there. Of course, a significant part was probably due to the jealousy that felt like his beloved granddaughter was being taken away.
"I'm sorry for causing you any trouble. The head of the butler shouldn't have had to come out to meet me."
"You are kind, Shirone. But you don't have to worry. As Young Lady Amy gave you permission to enter, I was a servant passing by chance, and Master just ordered anyone to go."
Shirone was curious about the people of the Carmis Family. Even the head of the house was thinking so terribly about Amy, how strict would the family treat him? It was scary to think about it. (집사장조차 끔찍하게 에이미를 생각하는데 가족들은 얼마나 깐깐하게 자신을 대할 것인가? 생각하면 두렵기도 했다.)
"Ugh. Now I'm nervous. I hope I don't get a lot of criticism."
"Hehe! It will exceed expectations. But please don't be too offended, for that's how their disposition are."
While talking about this and that, the carriage reached its destination.
Shirone followed Adele into the mansion. A splendid hall decorated with numerous works of art welcomed him. Spiral stairs meandered up to the 4th floor on both sides.
"Master, Young Lady Amy's friend has arrived..."
"Kyaaak! Amazing! It's really a man!"
A woman who looked exactly like Amy hit her own cheek and shouted. It was Isis, the mistress of the family.
A woman who looked exactly like Amy slapped her own cheek and shouted. It was Isis, the lady of the house.
As a dancer who made her name known in the kingdom when she was young, she still looked young even at the age of over 50. But perhaps because of that? Her every move felt childish and unrestrained.
"What? Shirone is a man?"
"Me! I want to see too!"
Two men came running from the hallway leading to the living room. They were the eldest son Diane and the second son Ares.
Diane was uncharacteristically young for a man in his mid-thirties, and Ares, who was two years younger than him, had a full beard, making it impossible to guess his bare face.
The two stared at Shirone as if they couldn't believe what they were seeing. Just looking at their shocked eyes, one could tell how confused they were.
"Um, hello... I'm Shirone, Amy's friend..."
"Now, leave out the greeting and come this way quickly. My dear, Amy's boyfriend is here."
Isis abruptly grabbed Shirone's wrist and sat him down on the sofa. There was one person waiting there. It was Shakora, the head of the Carmis Family, whose name even Shirone knew.
He was a man who wielded powerful influence in politics, but had retired due to disillusionment with all kinds of corruption.
"Hmm."
As Shakora lowered his newspaper, his intellectual appearance was revealed. He was the tallest among the family members and had a perfect body balance, unbecoming of his age.
Shirone broke into cold sweat, like a rabbit jumping into a lion's den. The gazes that were assessing him like a piece of artwork were unbearably burdensome.
As the men's eyes glowed red, Shirone swallowed his saliva. The sight of three people activating Red Eyes at the same time was quite frightening.
'Ah, I remember. They have me stored in their minds.'
Knowing about their abilities of self-memory, Shirone felt as if he was shackled. Perhaps they could transcend time and space and remember this moment forever.
"Um, hello?"
Unable to stand the awkward atmosphere, Shirone braved the embarrassment and greeted again. Only then did the Red Eyes fade from the men's eyes, and Isis stuck to him as if she had been waiting.
“Wow, he is handsome. Is this a joke? Are you really Amy's friend?"
"Yes, I am."
"Oh? So, you're in the same graduation class?"
"No, I'm in Class Five."
"Hm?"
Isis frowned. The brothers tilted their heads, too. Flustered, Shirone opened his mouth thinking that he would have to add one more word.
"But starting next semester, I'll be in Class Four."
"Ah!"
Suddenly, the three broke into a bright smile. The same expression, the same reaction. Shirone fell into a panic. They seemed to have no interest in the class from the beginning.
'Where am I? What are these people....'
Shirone suddenly recalled Adele's words.
- It will exceed your expectations. Please don't feel offended.
Adele's advice was not a lie. But the family was exceeding expectations in a different sense than Shirone thought. Should he say that they have a pleasant yet eccentric temperament?
"When did you meet Amy? Are you dating? Huh? Do you hold hands at school too?"
"Eh? No, that's..."
Shirone did his best to stall. It was better to spare his words here, as Amy's position was the priority.
"What's all the fuss about? What are you doing surrounded by the family without the person involved?"
A voice coming down from upstairs saved Shirone, who was on the brink of collapse. Amy was looking down at the hall from the spiral staircase on the second floor.
The second son, Ares, spoke while stroking his beard.
"Huh? You changed your clothes? You rushed to your room when you heard Shirone was here."
Amy preemptively prevented any misunderstandings.
"So what? Should I meet him in my pajamas? Anyway, everyone disperse. Dad, is it okay if I talk with my friend?"
"Sure. This is the first boyfriend you've brought home, isn't it? It is Carmis Family’s tradition to do everything possible so that you won't feel unfair later. Hahaha!"
Despite Shakora's mischievous joke, Amy didn't raise an eyebrow. It was crucial not to give them an opening as they would tenaciously dig into it.
Even while Shirone was climbing up the spiral staircase, Isis's questioning continued.
"Amy, tell us honestly. Is he your boyfriend? Are you two dating? Huh?"
Amy quickened her pace as if she couldn't hear anything. But her mother, who passed her blood on to her daughter, was as tenacious as Amy.
"Don't do that, talk to me. What's going on between you two? Are you two dating? Right?"
"Yes!"
Amy, who couldn't endure anymore, yelled sharply and headed towards her room.
Isis's mouth fell open in a daze. Even Shakora was surprised and looked up at the staircase.
But the two of them were already out of sight.
When Shirone and Amy entered the room, they sat awkwardly opposite each other with the table between them.
Shirone first looked around the room. The shelf was filled with magical books and, in a corner that was out of sight, a few unread romance novels were crammed.
'Haha! Those must be the ones lent by Senior Cerielle.'
She was well-known as a female warrior at school, but her room was surprisingly feminine. Especially, a large doll sitting on the bed caught his eye. It was a bear doll with sharp, slanted eyes.
"You have a doll. That's a teddy bear, too."
"So? Is it not allowed to have dolls in my room?"
"No, I just think it just like you. Haha!"
Amy clicked her tongue and shut her mouth. To be honest, she couldn't think of what to say. This was also her first time showing her room to a man other than her family.
"But is it really okay? It's one thing to pretend to be dating at school, but I don't think there's any need to lie to your family.”
"Don't worry about it. They probably don't care anyway. They're just having fun amongst themselves."
Amy's family was indeed free-spirited and unique, just as she said. However, he could faintly feel that they were connected by familial love that they didn't show openly.
"Enough with the pointless chatter. Why did you suddenly come to my house? Do you have something to say?"
"The thing is…"
Just as Shirone was about to speak, the door quietly opened. Isis's face slowly peeked in through the narrow door gap.
"Oh my, did I interrupt at a bad time? You should have some tea while you talk."
Isis carefully moved her feet and put down the tea on the table. All the while, her eyes were fixated on Shirone.
Just as Shirone was about to speak again, the door opened and this time, Diane entered.
“I brought some snacks…”
Diane's gaze also couldn't leave Shirone. His body was moving forward, but his head was turned to the side, which was somewhat comical.
Amy sighed. It was a unique situation for them, and from their perspective, it would be amusing.
They were brothers who showed no interest in anything outside of extraordinary events, but they had never seen their sister's boyfriend visit the house.
"I get it. Everyone, just come in. I know you're all waiting outside."
As soon as Amy's words fell, feet pushed the door open. Ares appeared, holding a plate in both hands.
“I brought some fruit... Haha.”
"Enough, just come in. Since it has come to this, let's introduce him formally. Shirone, are you okay with that?"
"Ah, of course."
And so, all of the family members, except Shakora, ended up sitting opposite Shirone.
"This is Shirone, a promising student from the magic school. And Shirone, this is our mom. She was a dancer when she was young."
"I see. No wonder she is so beautiful."
"Hohoho! Amy takes after me. But don't fall for me, it would be problematic. I wouldn't want my daughter to get hurt."
"Ah, yes."
Shirone responded affirmatively. No matter how much he thought about it, there was no other reply he could give.
"And this is my older brother Diane. He's a certified fifth-rank swordsman and serves as the leader of the archers in the royal castle. He came to his hometown to get some advice from dad due to political issues."
As Amy finished speaking, the family members looked at her as if they were surprised.
There was no need to mention the family's internal affairs, even to a boyfriend. In the end, it was proof that she was also nervous inside, even though she was pretending to be calm.
---
Tags:
Infinite Mage (Novel)
