We talked face to face
“No, it’s because we are here. You saw how Claire puffed out her cheeks earlier? She used to do that all of the time when she was younger. But I rarely see it now… Ever since her mother died…”
“Fa-father…”
Claire puffed out her cheeks often. I even poked them sometimes.
But now that I think about it, she hadn’t done that when we first met.
She had felt a lot of pressure to act like a lady and be the daughter of a duke… But after I had given her some advice and told her to do what she wanted, she became more expressive.
“Yes, Mr. Takumi and Leo helped me to relax more. Were it not for them, we would probably still not see eye to eye. Especially matters like matchmaking.”
“No…”
“Wuff.”
“So, thank you, Mr. Takumi. Please take good care of Claire.”
“Father…”
“…Yes. Leave it to me. While I am not perfect and have many faults…I will do my best so that we can live happily.”
“Wuff!”
The villagers, servants, guards, employees, Mr. Euto…were all watching. But this was no time to be feeling embarrassed.
Maybe it wasn’t the ideal location for this, but Mr. Ekenhart was bowing his head now and entrusting me with his daughter. So I had to meet his expectations.
“Well, as her father, I would want you to sound a little more confident, you know? Well, I suppose that is like you. Had you been more sure, I might have demanded you demonstrate the results of your training right now…”
“Father, I can tell that you are just joking…”
“Haha… I am still spineless, I suppose. And can make no promises. But Leo and the others are helping me. And we can do it together.”
Mr. Ekenhart joked to lighten the mood.
But I had a feeling he would really want to fight me later…
“Wuff-wuff! Wuff!”
“Me too! I’m here too, papa! I’m going to play with sister Claire a lot so she’ll laugh!”
“Haha. I see. Leo and Liza will be with Claire too. Now I have nothing to worry about!”
Leo, the strong Silver Fenrir.
And Liza, who always softened the mood.
Yes, it would be difficult if I was alone, but I would be fine with everyone else… Of course, that included the servants, guards, employees…and the villagers, who were looking at us kindly.
“Now, let us go and be welcomed by the village. Mr. Takumi and Claire, take the lead!”
“Hey, don’t push me, father! Besides, you were already here, so you aren’t on this side anymore.”
“Hehe. But I want to watch you two from the back as you go in! Now, Tilura, let’s watch your sister and brother-in-law!”
“Yes!”
“Tilura… You too, Leo?”
“Wuff-wuff.!”
“Liza will push too!”
Perhaps it was because he was embarrassed now, but Mr. Ekenhart suddenly started to push us towards the village. And Tilura, Leo and Liza followed his lead.
We could not fight against their strength, and so, shoulder to shoulder, we moved closer and closer to the village entrance…
—
“Uh…Mr. Haines. And to all of the good people of Range Village… While things may not be perfect in the beginning, thank you for having us.”
After we were pushed through the gates and let go, I bowed to Mr. Haines and addressed the rest of the village.
Claire also bowed next to me.
She was popular among the people here, because she didn’t act better than everyone because she was a noble.
“No, not at all. We are very happy to have you all. The villagers were counting the days to your arrival with much eagerness. Having Mr. Takumi and Lady Claire live among us is more than we could have ever wished for.”