A Sisters Ambush

The day before we left the capital, I took Tanya with me to walk around on the streets.

As a matter of fact, we had no gaps in our schedule. But since we could only come around the capital so often, we still wanted to make time for a shopping trip.

Plus, I want to bring home some souvenirs for everyone who was still hanging around back home.

What does everyone like?

For Rehme and Moneda, I prepared the capitals specialty sweets. The two of them were performing cerebral work, after all, so sugar was essential.

But for Sei and Merida, sweets would only make them think of work. So what should I choose then?

Any gift picked by you will make everyone happy!

I could only smile awkwardly in response to Tanyas answer.

That makes it the most troublesome. I rarely get the chance to give other people gifts, so I need to pick something useful to othersif its something they wanted already, that would be even better.

As usual, I changed before leaving. Even though wed already went through a few shops and picked a few backup gifts, I didnt think most of what we were seeing were good gifts

Just as I was worrying and strolling along the street.

Ahthat persons silhouette looks familiar!

Dean.

I didnt expect it to be Dean. Whats more, there was a woman I didnt know next to him.

Why was Dean hereand who was the woman by his side?

Questions like these took over my thoughts. I didnt know why, but my chest felt suffocated.

Ahno, no. Why he was here, who the woman wasnone of these were things I could interfere in.

Right now he wasnt in a contract with me. It was his freedom to be with who he wanted to.

Waving aside my doubts, I kept trying to convince myself. But somehow the uncomfortable feeling in my chest remained.

Just then, Dean noticed me as well. In that moment, his eyes went wide with surprise.

Seeing his reaction, my heart felt even heavier.

maybe we should just go home soon. But turning around right here was so unnatural. Plus we hadnt finished shopping for everyone!

Milady, its been a while.

Dean, it has been a while. I didnt expect to encounter you in the capital. Who is your companion?

Nice to meet you. My name is Letty. Ive been meaning to thank you and those around you for looking after my older brother.

brother?

Upon closer inspection, she did look a lot like Dean.

If you really had to name a difference, Deans eyes were deep green like jade, while Lettys were bright like an expensive olivine stone!

Yes. My family is rather overprotective of me, and they dont allow me to leave home myself. Every time you helped Big Brother, I would be at home managing things on his behalf. I apologize for not being able to visit until now.

Oh. In that case, Ive probably become indebted to her indirectly.

Now then, I should also take the opportunity to express my gratefulness!

Youre too polite. If its convenient for you, lets go somewhere else to talk. I also want to hear how my brother works under you, milady, Letty said with a smile as radiant as a flower.

Milady, please dont pay any heed to my sisters requests. Youre such a busy person, no need to take time out to accompany my sister

Hm, is there something that Brother doesnt want me to hear?

Lettyyou

Strangely enough, Dean seemed quite frazzled when standing next to Letty. It was the first time Id seen him like this.

Hehe, I couldnt help but chuckle.

I agree. Its not convenient to talk at length here. Lets find a place to sit down and talk.

Just like that, we entered a restaurant. It was a restaurant that had a good relationships with the Armenia family, so they just gave us our own room.

If it were in a random cafe by the side of the road, I wouldnt be able to introduce myself properly. That would render my disguise pointless.

Hello, let me formally introduce myself. Its a pleasure to meet you, my name is Iris Lana Armenia.

Nice to meet you. My name is Letty. Thank for you looking after my brother for so long.

That should be my line. For the longest time Dean has helped us out. Because of him coming over to help, you must have suffered through a lot of trouble. Im truly sorry

Thats an exaggerationI like my work anyways. I also have a lot of respect for you, milady, so dont talk of trouble!

Ah

Why does it feel like Lettys eyes are constantly sparkling!

Plus, we were only meeting for the first time. Suddenly bringing up respect like that-I didnt know what she was talking about!

Within a few years of your reign over Duke Armenias territory, youve managed to expand your lands economic development immensely. Whats more, many have even moved over because of its liveability. Youre a woman, yet you are active at the front line of politics and economics. As a woman, I feel happy and proud to hear your accomplishments!

Its like she saw through my thoughts and provided me with an explanation!

Even though shes an adorable child, she really is Deans sister!

Thank youyou also seem to work for Dean. What kind of help do you provide him?

I generally organize information that has been collected, and engage in relevant communications based on the informationbut most of the communication parts really goes to my brother. I provide background support and occasionally help out.

Background work? Organizing information and preparing for negotiations are all jobs that need patience. Although Im a substitute leader, thats also my main job. I think its not so different from what you do.

You shouldnt say thatin your situation, milady, you have to make decisions that youre responsible for after reviewing all of the information. So its completely different from my job. But hearing you say this, Im happy as well. From that point on, I enjoyed talking with Lettyat least I think I do

Uhdoes Miss Iris often experience this as well?

Yes, quite a bit. After hours of sifting through documents, Ill have a headache at the end of it.

Exactlyespecially at night. Its very difficult to get up in the morning!

Somehow, our conversation turned into concerns about health and how to relieve stress.

It didnt seem like something that we in our teens should be talking about.

We should be talking about something like our romantic troubles, or which dessert place was the best. Something that was more suited to girls our age.

But it did seem like Letty had been working hard the whole time. Her concerns in this area were completely relatable to us. Without realizing it, we had become obsessed with the topic.

Right now Dean had been abandoned on the side. It was just me and Letty talking.

Suddenly, Lettys smiling face fell. Her attitude turned serious as she suddenly changed the topic.

Lady Iris, as someone in a supporting role, I have something to ask youyoure obviously shouldering a workload thats two or three times what most people have. Just like my brother has me, shouldnt you also find someone to share your burden?

My current workload has already lessened quite a bitthere are some reliable people in the merchants guild, and my work in the territory has the servants at home and your brother to help me.

Ahhas Brother managed to help you?

Of course. Your brother is very detail-oriented, and can always attend to the split ends and other details very welland he hasnt made a mistake in his work yet. If Dean wasnt here, I dont know where I would be now.

Yep. Dean was my important right hand man!

Although I couldnt really explain it clearlybut, if it were Sei, Tanya, Rehme, or Sebastian, no matter how perfectly they could complete my orders, they still wouldnt understand the point of my words.

After all, they werent able to stand in my shoes, so I couldnt ask them to be observant on every issue.

But Dean somehow wasnt tied by that. He was always able to give me suitable opinions.

Whether it was something I came up with on a whim or after deep though, Dean could always give me suitable suggestions on how to realize them most effectively.

In the end, it was always a better result than I could come up with alone, even after thinking long and hard.

Dean really was my right hand manor perhaps someone like my partner.

Hm, is that soBrother really is quite attentive to details. And because of that, my work becomes much easier than it might be.

Lettys answer made me smile.

Heh, thats true.

Letty, I feel like this isnt something we should discuss in front of others.

Dean piped up for the first time.

Uh, Brother, I dont know when Ill be able to meet Lady Iris next. So Im saying all I want to say now.

Speaking of that, Letty, you dont seem to leave home much.

Yes, my family is too protective of me. But Brother keeps running around for work. If Im gone from home as well, then a lot of work wont be able to proceed and everyone else will suffer a lot of trouble on my behalf.

Hm. Then Letty, are you usually in the capital?

Yes.

I think Ill be coming here again. Then well see each other then!