Chapter 259
Chapter 259
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Wine and Confessions
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Grace really likes Karen.
But Karen only sort of likes Grace.
Their relationship, as I saw it, might have been different from what I'd imagined.
Back in our childhood, I definitely thought the two of them were super close sisters.
I still leaned toward that view now, but maybe the gap between them was wider than I'd thought.
"Heh... I've been thinking this for a while. Don't you spend money way too carelessly?"
"What do you mean?"
"Just... you know? I knew your family was richer than I expected. But it's weird every time you come over."
"Hmm...?"
After dinner, as we lounged around on the sofa wasting time, Grace suddenly brought it up.
She was sprawled out so casually as she talked to me.
But Karen, sitting beside her, was perched more primly, keeping a slight distance.
She'd been openly disappointed ever since Grace and I started chatting nonstop.
"Every time you visit the mansion, the garden's different. And all the artwork inside—every piece is expensive."
"Ah."
"Plus, the outfit you're wearing right now is from Viscount Heteviti, who's super popular in the capital."
"Oho."
"It's always the latest line. How much money do you even spend?"
"It's not that much. Just a bit from my small businesses?"
Grace definitely had a keen eye for fashion and art.
Ivana and Ella didn't seem all that interested in that stuff.
The garden aside, her nagging about my clothes felt so typically young noble.
That was the vibe.
"Huh...?"
"I run a ton of businesses. And we don't have a separate territory, so the profits usually go toward my living expenses, Mother's allowance, and salaries for the mansion servants."
Compared to our earnings, our spending was really low.
Even against other noble houses, we spent way less than you'd expect.
Luxuries? Pretty much just what I indulged in, and even that was dwarfed by what we brought in.
"Pfft... Were you worried about me?"
"Hah?! Worried...? No way!"
"Pfhehe..."
"From the start, you show off those super expensive jewels on your ears and neck every time you visit. That's why I brought it up...?"
"Got it, got it. You're so sweet."
"I'm not...!"
Anyway, we just gossiped lazily on the sofa.
Almost like showing off to Karen.
Just spending time proving how chummy Grace and I were.
I'd made up my mind for sure, seeing how much more attention she paid me than I'd expected.
"Oh, right. What kind of food do you two like? Or anything you're craving—I'll ask the chefs for a midnight snack."
"That okay?"
"Of course? That's what they're here for, and I pay them well. No need to worry."
"Um... Sis, what do you want? Cheese like usual?"
"Me...? I'm good with anything... Cheese like Grace said... Yeah. That's fine."
"I'm pretty full from earlier, so cheese sounds perfect for me too."
"Pfhu, got it. I'll request some wine to go with the cheese. Take your time?"
With that, I left the room.
I'd known Karen's tastes for ages.
We'd eaten together plenty of times, and since childhood, she'd often copied my favorite foods.
She loved cheese and meats, and dishes with spicy sauces too.
Of course, Grace had spent ages with Karen.
"She'd have to know."
I'd figured as much.
But before Karen could speak up, Grace had voiced her preference for me.
And Grace's expression beside her.
That was the key.
"Pfhehe... Grace is such a... total idiot in so many ways."
Karen was way more fragile than she let on.
She needed delicate handling, but dragging her around too roughly wouldn't work either.
Grace just didn't get that.
"Sigh..."
For now... our adorably foolish Grace first.
Better to take it slow.
Though I planned to advance on Karen alongside her.
*
"Come to think of it. Is this the first time I'm drinking with you, Miss Grace?"
"Was it...?"
"Since we became adults, I don't think we've drunk together alone. I've seen Older Sister Karen drink since she's older than me."
"Yeah... This is probably the first time we've done this separately this year."
We'd just hit adulthood this year.
Naturally, drinking with Grace was a first.
Same with Ivana, Ella... Academy friends—we rarely drank at all back then.
Lize and Rozalin? I'd been feeding them since I was little, dealing with them drunk...
Anyway.
"Shall we toast lightly first? Hate to just chug our first drinks."
With that, I kicked off the drinking session.
I liked alcohol anyway.
And tonight, there were two far tastier things than booze waiting.
"Pfhu..."
Couldn't help but smile.
.
.
.
"Suuu..."
"You're weaker to alcohol than I thought, Sis."
"Yeah... I haven't drunk with Sis much either, so... surprising."
"Pfhehe..."
I'd poured pretty heavily from the start, so Karen was already dozing off.
Not fully passed out.
Just nodding off, head drooping.
A light nudge would probably wake her—she was only lightly asleep.
"Sigh... Right. Miss Grace, mind if I ask something?"
"What?"
Hooking Grace was simple.
Basically, the exact method I'd used to confess to Ella back then.
First line... roughly.
"Seeing anyone lately? Anyone you're into?"
"H-, Huh?!"
"You're an adult now, Miss Grace. Don't the other ladies your age talk marriage and such?"
"Not really...?"
"Oh? Really?"
First button: decently fastened.
She was shocked I'd bring it up, and had zero prospects.
"But why suddenly...? You got someone...?"
"Me?"
I'd started it, so naturally she wondered about me.
She'd pivoted right there.
I could've played dumb and started pure romance with Grace—no big issues immediately.
But ultimately, I wanted both her and Karen in my harem.
I wanted them.
Denying it outright wouldn't help.
So my answer:
"Yeah."
"...Hah!?"
"Well, more than one or two. Dating them, I guess? Yeah."
"More than one or two... Huh?"
"Pfhehe..."
Her shock was delightful.
Exactly the reaction I'd hoped for.
Totally expected.
"What? Dating people is one thing, but more than one or two...?"
"Um... I'm seeing several. One favorite, but I don't play around with the rest."
"Huh...?"
Utter disbelief.
I'd react the same.
But being this open and bold upfront was better for both.
Karen wouldn't remember anyway, passed out drunk.
"Truth is, I like girls."
"Hah...!?"
"So with a few, we're way past close friends... you know? Pfhu, that kind of thing."
"Wh-what..."
Grace's cheeks flushed beet red, totally flustered by my words.
Well, hearing your close same-sex Academy friend is into women? Odd not to freak.
I got it, so no teasing too hard.
Plus, she needed time to process.
"For real...? Not a joke?"
"Totally real. Ever seen me with a guy at the Academy? Nope."
"True... no."
"Not booze talk. I really like girls."
"Ah..."
Exactly.
That's why I'd flaunted skin and light touches in front of Grace at the Academy.
Even close girl friends don't do that normally.
"...So...? Who are you seeing?"
"Um... Kinda awkward to say... You probably know them, and since we're not that close...? Hehe, too soon for friend reveals."
"...Huh?"
I deliberately hid details.
She could guess vaguely, but without specifics... Grace's personality meant she'd hate it.
Unavoidable dissatisfaction.
"Problem if I know?"
"Not really. But you never know? They're who I like. Feels off spilling to outsiders too easily."
"Fair... but I'm not exactly an outsider...? We're friends..."
"Just 'cause friends... it's kinda personal."
"......"
I'd revealed I like girls.
But not who.
She knows them, though—plenty of info dropped.
"...Hey."
"Yes?"
"You said... several like that?"
"Yep."
"So you've dated a bunch, gone on dates a lot?"
"Yeah. Pretty much."
Eyes brimming with curiosity.
Face screaming intrigue, inching closer.
This confirmed it.
Grace... was absolutely doable.
"So... you've done it... with girls?"
"Yeah."
"...Gasp."
For real. Definitely.