Adventurer's Guild Café: I Was Wrongfully Exiled by the Saint, So I Will Enjoy My Second Life with My Fluffy Friends - V 2.2 Chapter 8.1

“Alright then, I should get going.”

It had been a few days since Father was arrested.

Leah, having finished preparing for her journey, turned back to me at the entrance of the Adventurers’ Guild.

“I’ll be back before you know it.”

“Mm, take care. I’m not going anywhere.”

I hugged the noisy little ones and Lulu in my arms and showed her, See? I’ve got these ones with me too.

“Honestly, I’d rather stay here… but with Mother in that condition, I can’t.”

Since then, Lady Ingrid had been so shocked that she collapsed, both mentally and physically. For the time being, she had to return to the duchy and report everything that happened. Which meant the two of them were going back to House Lucia’s lands.

“Besides, you’ll probably be happier staying here, won’t you?”

Leah stroked Lulu, who was in my arms, and Lulu let out a soft, delighted kyuruu~.

“But anyway, once I’ve got everything settled, I’ll come back right away. Or I’ll have someone from the household come here instead.”

“Okay, I got it.”

When I nodded so easily, Leah gave me a look of exasperation.

“Seriously, do you even understand your situation? Sitting there with that dopey, peaceful face…”

“I-I’m not making that face.”

When I said that, Leah furrowed her brows.

“By the way, you’re planning to change your name when you get your family registry, right?”

“Um… if possible. I’d like to add Mother’s name, and become Kuna Atlantia.”

“Which means—you’d be Lady Kuna Atlantia Lucia, the duke’s daughter, the rightful heir of House Lucia, you know that, right!?”

“Y-yeah, I know.”

To be honest, it still doesn’t feel real. I can’t quite believe it. But the truth is, Mother was the eldest daughter of the Lucia ducal house, and if she were alive, she would have been the one to inherit the ducal title in the next generation. Right now, Lady Ingrid was set to fill that role… but now that I’ve returned, who knows what will happen.

As for me? I don’t have the slightest intention of inheriting a title. I don’t know a thing about nobility, and I haven’t studied for it either.

Realistically speaking, Leah probably understood that much. She didn’t try to force the matter on me.

“Anyway, you’ll have to at least greet Grandfather. Actually… I wouldn’t be surprised if he shows up here himself!”

Leah put her hands on her hips with a sigh.

There’s probably a mountain of things everyone has to do, but right now, we’re all exhausted. No one can move right away. As for me, I plan to stay here for a while, sort through what I know, and rest.

After that, Father was taken into custody by the Order of the Staff Knights. My stepmother and Agnès, after being questioned, apparently returned to Aluda. Apparently—because I only heard it secondhand. Most likely, they’ll be staying with Stepmother’s family for the time being.

Strangely enough, my heart feels calm. Even though there should be so many things waiting for me to deal with, I feel… refreshed. Or maybe it’s just the relief of being able to remain in this country.

“Well, I said a lot, but… I’m just glad you’re alive.”

“Mm. Thank you.”

Lady Ingrid, Leah—everyone carried so many feelings for these past fifteen years. But my stay here has been far too short for us to unravel it all. Once we’ve had time to sort out our hearts, we can talk again.

“It was a magnificent battle. I’m proud to have such a wonderful cousin.”

“…Thanks. But it was thanks to everyone else too.”

“Yeah. I’m just glad you’re not alone. That you’re loved, and that you’re happy.”

We shook hands, and then pulled each other into a firm embrace. The time for farewells had come.

“I’ll be back soon—so make sure you’re all better by then! Things are going to get rough from here on out.”

“Got it.”

When I nodded deeply, Leah gave me a bright smile and waved.

“Let’s meet again!”

Together with Lulu and the little ones I kept waving until her figure finally disappeared from sight.