The Incompetent Noblewoman Marries the 'Devil of the Far East' as a Substitute Bride—Told by Her Parents to 'Die in Place of Your Sister,' She Left the House, but Her New Family Turned Out to Be Wonderful and She's Happy - Episode 1.7
Once again, I gaze at the Ichijo family’s mansion.
The building is a single-story structure.
The buildings in Asakusa were like that too, but the structures in the Far East are long horizontally rather than vertically.
The mansion stretches out as far as the eye can see.
The garden is also beautifully maintained.
and on either side of the cobblestone path extending from the front entrance, men and women dressed in black clothes are lined up in an orderly fashion.
“Master Satoru, who are these people in black suits?”
“Everyone is a servant of the Ichijo family.”
If we were to hire this many servants, it would probably cost a considerable amount.
The number of people alone reflects wealth.
“Akino, Sojiro, are you there?”
“Ha…!”
From the line of people in black clothes, two stepped forward in front of us.
One is a tall woman.
The other one is an even taller, well-built man.
Both of them have distinctive appearances.
First, they wear an ornament on their head that looks like a horn.
The woman has two horns.
The man’s horn is one.
And the biggest feature is…
“Um, Satoru-sama. Why are you both covering your faces with cloth…?”
With a cloth adorned with intricate patterns, the two are covering their faces.
“Various things happened.”
I feel like I’ve been brushed off.
Does Satoru-sama not want to say it?
“Let me introduce you. This is Akino Doumeki and Soujirou Doumeki.”
“Doumeki…”
It’s an unusual surname.
Akino is a woman.
It seems that Sojiro Aozora is a man.
Akino-sama approaches and bows slightly.
“Nice to meet you, I am Akino Doumeki. This is my younger brother, Soujirou.”
You two are like siblings.
“Hello, nice to meet you. Akino Akino-sama.”
“Addressing us with ‘sama’ is unnecessary. We are servants serving the Ichijo family.”
“Ah, no… but…”
Because there was a time when I was treated like a servant… as I was about to say.
“Rei”
With a smile, Saiga-sama approaches, saying “Niko~.”
“Were you just about to say something negative? What do you think would happen if you said it out loud?”
Before coming here, Lord Satoru mentioned it.
From now on, every time I make a negative remark or voice a negative thought, Satoru-sama will cover my lips with his lips…
That’s so embarrassing…
Well then, let’s not use the honorific.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Rei Saiga. Akino Akino…san.”
“Yes, please take care of me, Miss Rei.”
M-Miss…?
It feels like I’m dreaming.
I, who was treated like trash below the servants, now being called “young lady” by the servants in such a large mansion…
“Come on, Sojiro. Greet the young lady.”
Ms. Akino tells Mr. Sojiro … no, Mr. Sojiro
He steps forward with a sudden movement.
Height is about 2 or 3 meters…
It’s powerful, but a bit… scary…
“Wow! Big sis… you’re so beautiful!”
With an upbeat voice, Mr. Sojiro Sojiro says.
Huh…?
“Hey, hey, Satoru big brother, you think so too, right?”
Th-this huge guy is calling Satoru-sama… “big brother”…?
Maybe, he’s more childish than he looks… Soujirou-san…
“Do you understand, Sojiro? Rei is beautiful.”
“Right?! She’s super pretty and super cute! I wanted a beautiful older sister like her too, ouch!”
Akino-san steps on Sojiro … no, Sojiro-kun’s foot.
“Greetings to Lady Rei”
“Tch… always resorting to violence right away…”
Ah, they really are siblings, I thought while watching their interaction.
“Hey there! I’m Hyakumekidoumeiki Soujirou! Nice to meet you!”
Suddenly, Sojiro-kun reaches out his hand.
That hand is covered with a black leather glove.
I realized it belatedly. Ms. Akino, Mr. Sojiro, and… the other black-suited people too.
Everyone has extremely little skin exposed.
It’s as if they don’t want their skin to be seen.
“Um…?”
“Ah, excuse me. Nice to meet you, Soujirou… you.”
Sojiro-kun is holding my hand.
Despite the large hands, the grip was gentle.
“The greetings are done, right? Akino, and Sojiro. I have a mission to assign to you two.”
Ms. Akino and Mr. Sojiro kneel before Lord Satoru.
“You two will work as Rei’s bodyguards starting today.”
Gu, guard…?
“Wh-what…! Someone like me…!”
I was about to say that I don’t need any bodyguards, but I stopped myself.
It’s because Satoru-sama is creeping closer. My, my lips… are going to be taken…
“Isn’t that a bit exaggerated…?”
“Yeah, that’s right, Satoru big bro. It’s true that Rei-chan is cute, but…”
Rei-chan…
“Hey! Soujirou! That’s rude, you know!?”
Akino Akino was seriously scolding.
“It’s fine. Akino Shuno-san. With the -chan suffix…”
“However…”
“I’m happy because I’ve never had anyone call me in such a familiar way before.”
Then, Sojiro-kun says, “I see.”
“Rei-chan… it must have been tough for you! But it’s okay! Everyone in this house, just like you, has gone through hard times to be here. But everyone has become happy since coming here!”
Yeah, yeah, and the other black-suited people were nodding too.
You could also see Akino Akino-san smiling from the fabric.
“So, Rei-chan, you can be happy here too! Absolutely! I’ll make sure of it!”
“Soujirou-kun… thank you. For saying such kind words.”
When I was on the western continent, everyone around me looked at me with disdain.
But… from the people here, I don’t sense even one person with such a dark, insidious atmosphere.
…Ah, I’m glad I came here.
“Let’s get back to the topic, Rei. It’s only natural to assign you a bodyguard. You possess the rare and coveted ability known as the ‘Ability Killer’s Ability.’ That power is something that this ability-driven society, especially in the Far East, would do anything to get their hands on.”
Indeed, it seems that many people desire this power to nullify others’ abilities and neutralize demon poison.
I heard that the ability users fight against youkai.
“Especially, the other [Five Flower Clans] might resort to extreme measures to get you.”
“…your family”
“Therefore, we need guards to ensure you aren’t taken away. Both of you, make sure to protect Rei properly, okay?”
“Understood.” “Okay!”
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