“I couldn’t show you the completed version because of the delay on my end, but I’m glad to see you enjoyed it anyway.”

Although the conversation had veered off into topics like the mansion’s security, the capital’s security, and even old memories, Liesel brought things back on track and ended the discussion with those words.

“Well, if I get to see it the next time I come, that’ll be good enough for me, right?”

True enough, the hall occupying the wide space of the courtyard was still incomplete, and in that sense, the mansion wasn’t in a fully finished state just yet.

That said, even if not this year, I’d surely be visiting this mansion again next year when I come to the capital from Riana. There’s no need to go all-out about it.

If I could see the completed hall at that time, that’d be fine.

That’s what I thought and answered casually, but…

It wasn’t just Seriana—both Liesel and August also looked troubled.

“…Did I say something weird?”

“It’s not weird, but… that wish won’t come true.”

“Huh?”

Wondering what she meant by won’t come true, I tilted my head at Seriana’s words, and then Liesel spoke up in her place.

“Sera-kun. You’re about to become part of the Müller family, right?”

“…Yeah.”

“In that case, your place of stay will be the Müller family mansion. Of course, if Seria or I have to report something to the capital and need a messenger, there might be times when you’ll visit this mansion again, but…”

Liesel hesitated there, then turned to Seriana—as if passing the baton.

Seriana took over and began explaining.

“Sera. This is the Lyseria family mansion. While someone from the Müller family like you might stay here as a guest, there will naturally be restrictions on your movements within the mansion.”

“…………!?”

“Even if Liesel and I give you permission, you’re still from another house… we can’t just let you roam free.”

Now that she mentions it, that makes sense.

If this were some kind of guild or national facility, I might be able to get a tour with the proper channels.

But this mansion belongs to the Lyseria family, and those managing it are merely agents.

If it were in Riana territory, it wouldn’t be a problem no matter which city it was in… but this is the royal capital.

We were just talking about this earlier, but you can’t station many guards in a mansion within the capital. Naturally, capital guards patrol daily to maintain order and ensure nothing happens—but there’s always a chance.

If something were to happen to someone staying in a duke’s mansion in the royal capital… could Miles really take responsibility for that?

Also, judging from the way Seriana phrased it, the worst-case scenario they’re worried about is me doing something wrong in this mansion.

Of course, the three of them here know I’d never do anything like that, but can someone like Miles—who barely knows me—trust me that much? Honestly, probably not.

In fact, no matter how much permission I have, letting someone act freely in a mansion under their management would be a failure on Miles’ part.

If I really wanted to, I could ignore the rules and go look around. But doing that would be the end.

Not just for me, but also for the trust between the people working in this capital mansion and Seriana’s folks from Riana.

“If you come visit again and want to go into that hall… well, maybe for a dinner party or something. Would you want to attend?”

“…I don’t want to.”

Even if I did attend, it’d be for the event—not to go poking around at will.

In that case, I’d just be forcing myself to go to a party I don’t even like…

“Sorry. I know I can trust you to move around freely, but I can’t exactly tell Miles to slack off on his duties.”

Liesel told me that apologetically.

He outranks Miles by a long shot, and he’s technically the master.

But that doesn’t mean Liesel can just order anything he wants.

Since he entrusted the mansion’s management to Miles, unless it’s Seriana or himself, everyone else is subject to Miles’ discretion.

Maybe Seriana understood that too—and that’s why she accompanied me on the tour today?

“Well… we do send you to the capital once a year, and if you show up here every time, maybe eventually Miles and the others will realize they don’t need to worry about letting you move freely?”

“Yeah… I’ll be patient.”

My voice lacked a bit of energy as I replied to Seriana, but it couldn’t be helped.

At the very least, I got to see the interior.

I would’ve liked to see the exterior too, but… I’ll save that for next time!

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Sera ・ Blessing ・ 【Hideout】 +1 【Prayer】 【Mira’s Blessing】 【Wind’s Garment】

Blessed Item ・ 【Floating Orb】 +1 【Shadow Sword】 +1 【Scarlet Bee Needle】 【Fairy’s Eye】 【Dragon’s Lung】 【Amber Sword】 【Danrem’s Thread】 【Serpent’s Tail】 【Ankle Bracelet】 【Amber Shield】 【Purple Wings】 【Red Sword】 【Monkey’s Arm】 ・ 3 cards

Seriana ・ 【Area Detection】 ・ 【】 ・ 0 cards

Elena ・ 【】 ・ 【Green Fang】 【Amber Sword】 ・ 4 cards

Alec ・ 【Strong Strike】 ・ 【Red Shield】 【Fierce Horned Trumpet】 ・ 10 cards