Chapter 78

“What it means is exactly what the words suggest.”

Felix explained, “Ah, yes, that’s correct. You know about the recent fraud case that shook the royal capital, right? The one where the White-winged knights finally caught the culprits? The victim of that case, the former Viscountess, had to put this house up for sale, and…”

“No, wait, that’s not what I meant… Are you saying Gazelle and Felix bought this mansion?”

Come to think of it, there was such an incident. I happened to run into the White-winged knights Leon and Rei, who were investigating the case, and even had tea with them.

“Did the owner sell this house for financial reasons?”

“No, that’s not the case. This was a townhouse where the former Viscountess lived alone. Due to the incident, she decided to move in with her son in the main house.”

“I see… Well, that’s a relief then.”

“Fufu, Takumi, you’re so kind.”

Felix tenderly gripped my hand on the sofa. Then Gazelle, who was sitting opposite, put his arm around the back of the sofa and held my shoulder.

“Well, that’s the story. The Viscount family wanted to vacate this mansion as quickly as possible, so they put it up for sale at a lower price than market value. It was great timing, wasn’t it, Felix? We had just started looking for a house.”

“Yes, it was. The house was listed at an unbeatable price because it’s a bit off the main road. For us, it’s convenient because it’s close to the Black-winged knights. Takumi, wouldn’t you also feel more secure being close to the barracks?”

“Ah, yes… I guess so…?”

I see. So that’s what’s happening… No, that doesn’t make any sense!!!

“…You guys wanted to bring me here to show me this house?”

“Yeah, that’s it. Were you surprised?”

Gazelle turned a mischievous, innocent smile toward me.

Surprised? Of course, I’m completely stunned!!!

An unexpected surprise gift is a house!

I can’t hide my shock at the gift that has completely surpassed my expectations…

Felix said, “It’s not a very big house, so we were a bit worried about whether it would meet your expectations… But it looks like you’re pleased.”

No, I mean, yes, I do like it, but that’s not the point…

And the scale of this house being described as “not big” by Felix is something else!!!

He really is the third son of a Count… And for some reason, both of them are being unusually assertive.

What’s this feeling like I’m being trapped with no way out…?

“Let’s go see the second floor later. I was thinking the corner room on the second floor would be good for you, Takumi… but let us know if you have any preferences.”

“Ah, thank you, Gazelle. But, about that…”

I looked away from Gazelle and Felix, who were sitting on either side of me, and muttered while staring at my hands, “We’re talking about living together, the three of us… Are you two okay with that?”

“With what?”

“I like Gazelle and Felix… in a way that’s more than just affection.”

Upon hearing my muttering, Felix tightened his grip on my hand, and Gazelle strengthened the embrace on my shoulder.

“If we could continue to live together as three, I would be happy. But is that okay with you two?”

Then, Gazelle’s hand, which was wrapped around my shoulder, gently traced my cheek.

“We’ve said it before, right? If it’s for you, I’m willing to do anything. If you say you want us to stay together as three, then of course we will.”

“Gazelle…”

“Of course, I feel the same way, Takumi. If you wish for us to continue to be together, then we shall.”

“Felix”

But is it really okay?

If we could live together like this forever, it would be a dream come true since I love them both… but what is this feeling?

It’s as if I’m being encircled without even knowing it; a strange sensation.

It couldn’t be. Hmm…?

“―Ah”

“Hm, what’s wrong?”

“No, it’s just that… the snow seems to be getting worse.”

My emotions were difficult to describe as I lifted my head and looked outside the window. The sky was covered in thick gray clouds, making it seem unlikely that we could even arrange for a carriage now.

“Ah, you’re right. It might be better to stay here for tonight. Speaking of which, the previous tenant left a lot of books in the study. We can do as we like with them… Want to check it out later, Takumi?”

“Books? I can read them?”

Books in the study! Wow, this is amazing; I’m so happy!

Ever since I joined the Black-winged knights, I haven’t had much time for reading, other than the textbooks given in lectures.

“Eh, of course. The previous viscountess had quite a collection ranging from historical novels to entertainment novels, and even magical texts.”

“Is that so… Can we bring some here to read by the fire?”

“Of course. This is your home as well.”

“Ah, that’s true. It’s hard to relax in a shared dorm room, huh? Why don’t we all read and have some tea once in a while?”

Pushed by their smiles, I got up from the sofa and decided to go to the second-floor study.

I’m genuinely happy, but why did Gazelle and Felix suddenly give me such a huge surprise?

Certainly, both of them had said, ‘It’s fine if we’re together,’ but they also said, ‘We’d be happy if you chose us.’ What kind of change has occurred in their feelings?

I feel like they’re sealing off my escape routes from the way they’re steering the conversation… Nah, I must be overthinking it. Why would they need to cut off my escape routes?

Alright! With that decided, let’s head to the study right away.

“Hehehe, reading in front of a fireplace, huh? It feels like a situation out of a British movie.

I haven’t seen the entertainment novels of this world yet, so I’m really looking forward to what they have. I wonder what kind of books Gazelle and Felix like.

Just thinking about it makes me excited!

‘Ah, I forgot. I was supposed to go back to my original world…!’

***

Well, yesterday, the three of us—Gazelle, Felix, and I—had a relaxing time. We looked through the bookshelf in the study that the previous owner had left, discussing what kinds of books were there and what genres we each liked. Then we returned to the living room and passed the time leisurely, each in our own way.

Afterward, as the snow continued to fall, we had dinner in the dining room, prepared by the maid. It was very delicious!

By the way, the mansion’s servants, including an older man dressed as a butler, were employed by the previous owner. They would have had to find new employment if the mansion were sold. However, Gazelle and Felix decided to keep employing them when they purchased the mansion. So, the staff are very grateful to Gazelle and Felix, and everyone is very kind to the three of us.

Upon casual inquiry, they said, “The head house to which the lady is moving already has servants far better than us. We did get a letter of introduction, but it was uncertain whether we’d find another place to work due to our age. That’s why we’re nothing but grateful to Gazelle-sama and Felix-sama.”

‘So if the mansion hadn’t been purchased, those people would have lost their jobs…’

Newly arisen problems made me hold my head in my hands.

Thinking back on their happy faces made my headache worse.

Why didn’t I realize this sooner!

Even if I had, I couldn’t exactly say, “Ah, I plan to return to my original world! I’m returning this house!” Could a house even be returned?

Holding my aching head, I went to ‘Ingrid Perfume,’ a perfume shop located at a corner of the castle town’s main street.

“Welcome! …Ah, Takumi-san, it’s been a while!”

That person was shoveling snow in front of the store.

Lifting one hand in greeting to the shining face that looked up, I said, “Hey, Mars-kun. The snow was intense yesterday.”

“Yes, really… It must’ve been tough coming here with the muddy roads. Thank you for your hard work. You’re here about the order form, right?”

“Yes, is the shop owner in?”

“Sister is in, but she’s with a customer right now. While you’re waiting, would you like some tea?”

With those words and a smile, Mars, showing manners and thoughtfulness beyond what you’d expect from a teen, opened the store door for me. To be honest, it’s too dazzling for me, who’s bad at socializing!

Even if he’s over three hundred years old in terms of actual age, he’s lost his memories, so his mental age should be as his appearance suggests…!

Indeed, this boy working diligently at ‘Ingrid Perfume,’ shoveling snow in front of the store from morning, is the very person who arranged for me to return to my original world.

With eyes the deep red of blood and iridescent green hair, two horns sprouting from his head, he’s a beautiful young boy, Mars-kun, with an exotic atmosphere. However, his real identity is the ‘Demon King,’ who caused chaos in the Ritzheim Magical Kingdom three hundred years ago and was sealed by a summoned hero.