NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5: Our House is Always Noisy
The scale of the Tzvalnea Castle was, to say the least, enormous, and it housed an overwhelming number of occupants.
Therefore, the dining hall was deliberately divided into two.
The dining hall that Ryushi used was also known as the “Family Gathering Room.”
The dining hall, used only by Astaroth and her children, was strictly off-limits even to the house servants.
Of course, the one who named it was the castle’s master, Astaroth herself.
Ryushi thought that there could have been a more decent name, but he wasn’t childish enough to voice this out loud.
He wouldn’t go as far as to point out her lack of naming sense.
“Whoops!”
Walking down a long corridor, Ryushi suddenly felt an impact on his back.
“Again…”
“I’ve told you it’s dangerous to suddenly hug me from behind so many times…”
Thinking of the suspect’s pure and innocent smiling face, Ryushi turned around with a troubled look.
There was a little girl clinging tightly to his back.
Her silver, fluffy long hair gave a cold yet divine impression, like the moon.
Her gentle, innocent face broke into a smile, and her clear eyes stared intently at Ryushi.
“Good morning, Ryushi Onii-sama.”
It was the second daughter, Esmeralda.
Her laid-back demeanor was somewhat misleading, leading many to misunderstand her as a slowpoke.
Just like Arissa, Esmeralda was sharp and action-oriented.
Those deceived by her appearance would face a bitter defeat. Ryushi himself had been tricked by Esmeralda, leading to a dire experience.
“I still haven’t gotten back my underwear.”
By now, it had been several months.
Ryushi had no choice but to believe Esmeralda’s words that she had already washed them.
“Good morning, Esmeralda. I’ve said it before, but it’s dangerous to suddenly hug from behind, remember? Big brother told you, right?”
“Oh my, I’m sorry, Ryushi Onii-sama. Esmeralda will be careful next time.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard that dozens of times already. I can’t trust you anymore, Esmeralda.”
“This time was just a coincidence. Please believe me, Ryushi Onii-sama…”
Ryushi thought that this exchange had happened far too many times. He sighed softly again.
Almost simultaneously, Ryushi’s sleeve was tugged downwards.
“Ryushi Onii-sama…”
Those round eyes staring at him were a silent protest from Arissa.
Her mood was clearly sour.
Ryushi knew better than to say “because she’s your older sister” at this point.
Both Arissa and Esmeralda, despite their appearances, were still very much children at heart.
They were in a sensitive phase where they wanted to be pampered and showered with affection, and as devils, they were loyal to their desires. Looking after them was also part of a brother’s duty.
“ Being a big brother is really tough…”
“I might die of overwork someday.”
Ryushi seriously thought so.
His two sisters mercilessly brought him back to reality.
“Ryushi Onii-sama, let’s eat together with Esmeralda today.”
“Wait, Esmeralda, that’s not the promise! Today it’s supposed to be Arissa and Ryushi Onii-sama!”
“I also want to sit next to Ryushi Onii-sama!”
“No way! Ryushi Onii-sama is going to feed Arissa!”
Both of them pulled on him, each voicing her demands.
Though they looked like children, their physical abilities were far beyond human Ryushi’s.
Trying to shake them off might result in a worse situation, so Ryushi, feeling helpless, didn’t resist.
“Alright, alright, both of you calm down. Esmeralda, remember the rotation schedule we agreed on for sitting next to me? According to that, today it’s Arissa’s turn.”
“Ryushi Onii-sama!” Arissa’s face bloomed with joy.
Her blue eyes sparkled like the surface of water reflecting the sun’s rays.
“Uhh… Ryushi Onii-sama…” In contrast, Esmeralda looked visibly disappointed.
Esmeralda’s face clouded over, and her jade-colored eyes began to moisten with tears.
Choosing one would mean making the other sad. Once again, Ryushi was reminded of the difficulty of his duty as a brother to balance their needs.
“… I’ll play with you later, so can you cheer up for now, Esmeralda?”
“… Really?”
“Yeah, really. But I can’t do it right after eating.”
“… Okay. Esmeralda will be patient.”
“You’re a good girl, Esmeralda. Truly my sister.”
Ryushi gently stroked Esmeralda’s head.
The sensation of her hair slipping smoothly through his fingers was somewhat ticklish.
Then, Ryushi also stroked Arissa.
Arissa shivered momentarily but soon relaxed under Ryushi’s caress.
The texture of her hair flowing through his fingers felt very comforting.
After the small commotion, Ryushi finally reached the dining hall, with Arissa and Esmeralda firmly holding each of his hands.
“Good morning, Ryushi. As a big brother, taking care of your sisters makes Mama very happy.”
“Good morning, Mother. Sorry for being late.”
The “Family Gathering Room,” or rather, the dining hall, was just a normal room, reserved for family use.
The space, dominated by a warm family atmosphere, was perhaps the only area in the entire castle that could be considered normal.
At the table, his other sisters were already seated, eagerly waiting for the meal.
Bracing himself for what was about to come, Ryushi took his seat.
“Good morning, Mother.”
“Good morning.”
“Good morning. Arissa and Esmeralda, you both did well with your morning greetings!”
Ryushi could only offer a wry smile as Astaroth, their mother, unabashedly doted on her children, regardless of the place.
Astaroth’s affection for her children seemed excessive.
To Ryushi, an outsider, her behavior and prioritization of her children sometimes led to trouble.
Recently, a servant who happened to be near the scene of an accident was almost punished as the perpetrator.
Ryushi had managed to prevent this by testifying as a witness.
“Astaroth-sama has changed since she had children.”
“Hmm, does having children change you like that?” “Well, one wouldn’t know until one has one’s own.”
“Then I’ll propose to Arissa-sama in the future.” “Seriously, don’t. You’ll die.”
The loyalty of Astaroth’s servants remained high, ready to lay down their lives if she wished.
Ryushi prayed that nothing would happen to disturb this peace.
“Good morning, Ryushi Onii-chan!”
“Good morning, Ryushi big bro!”
“Ah, good morning, Eltruge and Carnaza. As energetic as ever this morning.”
Eltruge, the third daughter, and Carnaza, the fourth daughter, smiled brightly.
Even Kururu, the youngest daughter cradled in Astaroth’s arms, directed her clumsy words at Ryushi.
“Ah, Kururu too, good morning. Good to see you’re well.”
“―― Well, now that everyone’s here, let’s eat.”
At Astaroth’s words, Ryushi’s expression tensed.
The moment had arrived! Ryushi’s gaze fell not on his cute sisters but on what resembled hungry wolves ready to pounce.
“Then, let’s eat.”
Like wolves given permission, they all dived into their meal.
There was no trace of manners or etiquette. The dining hall, which should have been a lively and joyful place, was instead overtaken by a tense atmosphere, under the watchful eye of a smiling Astaroth.
“Ah~ Arissa onee-sama! That was the meat Esmeralda was eyeing!”
“That’s what you get for defying your older sister, remember that― ah! Carnaza, that’s for Ryushi Onii-sama! Give it back!”
“Heh heh, first come, first serve, Arissa onee-sama~”
“Ah! Arissa onee-chan stole my bread!”
I just want a quieter meal.
Ryushi sighed deeply, a fact unbeknownst to the others.