Don't Bully Me, Miss Crois
"Don't bully me, Miss Crois..."
"Sky... heav... black... whis... gold..."
"...Young Master Kael. Might I ask what those strange spell-like words mean?"
"Huh? I dunno!"
"......"
Quite a bit of time has passed since the founding festival.
Well, "quite a bit" is an understatement—it's been a huge amount of time.
But even so, I don't remember much from that day.
The official documents state that Mom became my sword.
And the princess assigned me a special new messenger bird, stationed right in my room at the family estate.
It's not sent directly from the imperial family, but under the personal name of "Crois."
I've gotten a few letters since then, too...
Every time I see her neat, elegant handwriting, it burns itself into my mind so intensely.
Way better than big sis Preliana from the north. I could never write like that.
And the funny thing? Big sis Serdi and big sis Elania are terrified of the princess.
Or rather, they're super wary of her... keeping this weird distance.
Anyway.
Big sis Elania headed back to the academy, and big sis Serdi went off to the imperial guild for some mercenary work.
Serdi's a genius who graduated early from the academy's mercenary program, after all. Places dying to hire her are a dime a dozen.
...Oh, wondering how much time has passed?
In this world, it's gotta be at least a year.
In other words!
I'm nine years old now!
One step closer to being a grown-up!
Good job, me!
"...Young Master. Please consider your age. We can't treat you like a child forever."
"But I'm still little!"
"You're nine. Nine. Soon, you'll have to attend the Debutante for the nobility."
My body shivered at those words.
Debutante...
The grand stage where noble boys aged nine or ten show themselves to the noble ladies and debut into high society.
There, boys have to prance around in frilly, embarrassing clothes amid luxurious halls, dancing and posturing to draw eyes.
...But super fortunately!
I don't have to dance!
I vented my worries to the princess via messenger bird last time, and the very next day, she made me the only exception.
...As expected of the princess.
"Th-that... um..."
I opened my mouth cautiously.
"Do I... really hafta go...?"
"No, you don't."
The skeleton drew a firm line with her voice.
"B-but... can'tcha talk to Mom...? I wanna tell the princess too..."
"...Young Master Kael. Do you know who insisted most strongly that you attend the Debutante?"
"Wh-who...?"
"Lady Aurelia, the family head."
Huh? What're you talking about?
Mom? Mom said I have to go there?
"N-no way... Mom wouldn't..."
"...Young Master Kael. Such words would be a grave insult to the family head. But currently... her position is quite precarious."
"...What do you mean?"
The skeleton scratched her skull and shook her head.
...Oh, by the way, right now she's in her monster lich form, not her human disguise.
She told me it constantly drains mana to maintain the human shape, and more than that, it feels awkward and weird.
It's the body she had 200 years ago, rotted away after death. In other words, she's spent the other 200 years as that bare skeleton.
So unless I say otherwise, she wanders the estate just like that.
Anyway.
The skeleton let out a rattling sigh and gently stroked my head.
"To put it simply, Young Master Kael... it's your fault."
"Huh...?"
"Lady Aurelia la Elion has become the 'sword' of Kariel la Elion. You know this best, don't you?"
"Yeah..."
Of course I do.
I threw that tantrum to make it happen...
Seeing my slightly downcast nod, the skeleton cleared her throat awkwardly and carefully rubbed my cheek.
"A sword protects someone and cuts down others—it's a tool, a weapon. Those trained and educated to be such become 'swords.' But you chose the family head amid all those proper swords."
"So why's that a problem...?"
"I told you. A sword is a tool, a weapon. Not treated as a living 'person' with rights."
My mind froze slowly.
A sword is a tool, a weapon.
Her voice concluded it, and my eyes trembled uncontrollably.
Mom... a tool? Because of me...?
"No need to overreact that much."
The skeleton added quietly.
"It's just conceptual. In reality, she's human. And since you chose a 'non-sword' as your sword, there's no formal issue."
"Th-then why's Mom in trouble because of me..."
"Young Master Kael."
Her bony finger lightly pressed my lips.
She stared into my eyes.
Purple glow flickered deep in her skull sockets.
"In noble society, for a heir of the empire's most prestigious house like the Elions, every move, every word draws eyes. If that house's head becomes a 'sword'—even if formally fine—what do you think happens?"
"...A ton of rumors...?"
"Yes."
The skeleton nodded and continued.
"They won't say it openly, of course. Can't dare voice it when the empire's founder is at the center. But..."
She paused, eyes closing.
Then snapped her finger bones, conjuring illusions of my sisters with mana.
"First sis: empire's youngest major general. Second: mercenaries begging for her. Third: future commander set to shake the front lines. But you, Young Master Kael..."
"...I'm seriously lacking, huh..."
"...Regrettably, yes."
My chest stabbed.
Big sis Preliana too busy to even visit the estate.
Serdi dragged between guilds.
Elania topping the academy, hailed as tomorrow's commander.
Me? Frail body, babied so much I'm useless at physical stuff or magic.
Raised like a flower in a greenhouse...
"Of course, you're designated a top VIP at the Debutante. Rumors of your princess ties, sole son of Demon King and Hero."
So I must attend the Debutante.
If I don't, Mom's self-proclaimed sword status shakes too.
And my own rep drops...?
In a noble world of words, the damage is obvious without imagining.
"In short: if you skip the Debutante, bad talk about the family head spreads subtly even more."
"...Got it."
It's not just about going.
I have to debut there, prove who I am, what talents and charms I have.
"...Guess I hafta go... for Mom... since it's my fault..."
My throat tightened a bit.
"It's not your fault, but know the eyes are on you regardless."
"Yeah..."
Debutante...
Wonder what it's like.
In the game, protagonist was female, childhood skipped in flashbacks.
Mom wasn't noble, so no debut for her either.
Thoughts swirled.
I hung my head and took a deep breath.
Bustling.
Noisy chatter, clinking glasses everywhere tickling my ears.
Noses filled with luxurious food aromas, sweet flowers blending perfectly.
I sighed softly amid it.
I'm not outgoing, but can't relax in this crowd.
I knew it'd be like this—actually, this setup suits me fine, no complaints.
Thanks to Her Highness, no embarrassing "manly" dances.
Got a comfy corner seat, fewer stares.
Everything's great.
Really all good.
No problems.
Up to here, perfect.
Of course, I gotta show my charms and skills, but the vibe's good anyway?
The issue is...
"Here, ahh~"
"...Nyaam..."
"Good boy~ Eating well. Tasty? This food's low quality~ Mine was way better, right?"
"Om, om... gulp... Y-yeah..."
"Hehe... Knew it'd be bad, so I brought snacks. Here, this one~"
"Y-yeah..."
I opened my mouth blankly.
"No no, not like that~"
The princess places a cookie right on her chest.
"C'mon, my little puppy~ Time for num-nums~"
"......"
Why... are you making me sit on your thigh like this...?
And why's your voice dripping with killing intent like that...?
But weirder still—that intent's aimed at everyone but me...
"...Nyaam..."
"Hng... Could even nurse if you want..."
"Wh-wha?! B-breast...!?"
"Hehe... Joke~"
"Eek!"
The princess chuckled.
Joking, she chuckled—then slowly lifted her clothes, fingers trailing her bare stomach...
So softly... so naturally...
My body shivered.
Warm, ticklish touch rubbing my chest gently...
"...Heung..."
...This feels all kinds of wrong...