Jii-chan emphasizes the start time until the end.
He’ll finish announcing Yoshiko-san’s debut to the clan until Misuzu and Ruriko enters the hall. Besides, she may keep her calm in the surface but Ruriko should be shocked by the fact that she turned to a slave. It’s better not to make contact with the mourners in that state of mind as much as possible. It’s a secret that Ruriko lost her position as the successor of Kouzuki house and was sold as my slave. The branch families of Kouzuki house who doesn’t know the circumstances.there will be some people who plan to raise their voice and say that they’d become Ruriko’s guardian.
I’m glad I spoke with you before the funeral ceremony. This is the only time I had to sell off Ruriko
Jii-chan tells me.
Yeah. Leave Ruriko to me
There’s nothing to entrust.she’s already your slave. Do what you want with her. You can also sell her off to other poeple
Jii-chan said.Ruriko and Yoshiko-san’s surprised.
Isn’t that obvious for a slave?
Jii-chan says calmly
True. If Ruriko is a useless slave for Danna-sama.we might just sell her off to another place.
Misuzu said looking at Ruriko.
That’s how it is
Jii-chan stands up and heads to the door.
.Yoshiko!
Yes, right away!
Yoshiko-san stands up in a hurry.
Then she looked at me.
.Please take care of Ruriko-sama
I.
You don’t have to tell me that. She’s my slave already. Even if I boil and eat her.that is for me to decide
Yoshiko-san glares at me.
.Hurry up
I’m coming now!
Yoshiko-san bows to Ruriko and Misuzu.then followed Jii-chan
Then.let’s meet up at the hall later
The door closes.
The people remaining in the room are. Me, Ruriko, Misuzu, Michi, Nei, and Margo-san only.
Ruriko.how do you feel right now?
Misuzu asks Ruriko.
.I’m ready for it. Kouzuki-sama’s right on his idea of banishing me from Kouzuki house.selling me as a slave to Kuromori-sama is somewhat a fancy solution but.it’s a mischievous choice which is very much like him Ruriko.why are you explaining your situation?
I have become a slave but.there was the plan of me and Misuzu-sama serving Kuromori-sama together. If Kouzuki-sama has judged that this is the best choice, then I will accept it without complains Ruriko talks as if she’s convincing herself.
Of courser.since I’m a slave, I will serve Kuromori-sama wholeheartedly. Please take care of me. I’ve given up as there’s no other choice
She bows to me.
That action is too elegant that there’s no gap. .In short. That’s not what’s in her mind.
.Ruriko is no good at all. You. You don’t know anything!
Misuzu scolds Ruriko.
.Yes?
Ruriko looks up at Misuzu blankly
You still think of yourself as the daughter of Kouzuki house. If you’re a slave then learn how to have a disposition as a slave!
Even if you tell me that.
Ruriko looks puzzled.
I don’t know anything on how to be a slave right now.
.Ruriko smiles
Ah.this girl. She doesn’t intend to be my slave at all.
How should I behave towards Kuromori-sama?Please guide me. I will do as told
Ruriko’s behavior is polite to the end.
.But. She may say like that but. In short.she’s trying to emphasize that I shouldn’t forget that she’s thedaughter of Kouzuki house. To treat her not as aslavebut adaughter of the house To teach her under that assumption .As expected. She’s born as the princess of Kouzuki house since she was born.and had lived in isolation. Treated specially.just being given, only living to reign in front of people. Ruriko’s a born princess. Even if her status falls to aslave, she tries to defend her position with elegance.
You’re just like Agnes
I mutter unconsciously.
Looking at Ruriko now.I remember Agnes. Ruriko’s expression of hiding her heart by looking elegant, acting prudish.looks very much like Agnes’ face trying to ignore us on the bed in the basement. Both of them only have themselves in their heart. They remain isolated from the world.
.Agnes?
Ruriko shows a curious face.
Oh, Ruriko doesn’t know.
I’ll introduce her to you later. There’s a girl like that
.Yo-chan
Nei whispers to me
I think you already know it but.you can’t spoil Ruriko here now
.Yeah
This girl.doesn’t know as she’s always beenisolated. Even if she became a slave.she thinks that Yo-chan would treasure her, treat her kindly
Nei whispers on my ear loudly so that Ruriko could hear.
Ruriko, you do believe that Danna-sama will treat you much better?
Misuzu asks,
Ruriko smiles.
Of course, I believe. Kouzuki-sama has entrusted me to Kuromori-sama. Kuromori-sama’s house and Kouzuki-sama’s house has a relationship.I believe that he won’t do anything insolent
As expected.she’s thinking politically
Besides, Misuzu-sama and Kuromori-sama has a relationship. If I’m treated badly.then it’s possible that Kouzuki-sama would interfere with your relationship.
But, didn’t Kouzuki-Ojii-chan said at the end?Now that you’re a slave, I don’t care what they do to youandYou can sell off Ruriko to others
Nei said
That is because Kouzuki-sama is a person who likes to joke.
Ruriko said with a smile
Ruriko.it’s about time you stop speaking insincerely to fool yourself
Misuzu said
You should know how strict grandfather is
.Yes
Ruriko’s face turns cloudy.
Ojii-sama is a person who follows what he says absolutely once he did. You’re no longer a daughter of Kouzuki house. You’re Danna-sama’s slave. That is what grandfather has declared.and no matter what horrible fate awaits you in the future.Grandfather will never help Ruriko. Even if you were to die.
.That’s true
Ruriko answers.
What you just told us now.that if you were not treated carefully, it’ll cause trouble with Kouzuki houseis athreat You tried to convince Danna-sama to treat you carefully by doing that, didn’t you?
Misuzu’s words are harsh.
.Yes. It is as Misuzu-sama said
Ruriko glares at me.
As I’ve lost the backing of Kouzuki house.I must protect myself with my own power
.Ruriko
Indeed.Kouzuki-sama has sold me to Kuromori-sama. But, even with that said, if Kuromori-sama treats me harshly.Kuromori-sama will definitely interfere! That’s for certain !
Ruriko desperately tries to protect herself with logic.
I.don’t wish for much. I just want a life worthy of my birth
Do you mean you want luxury?
Nei asks.
It’s not material! I want to be treated with respect that I deserve!
Ruriko answers
This is, ‘that’.just like the Daimyo receiving the daughter of Tokugawa Shogun during the Edo period
Nei said.
Even though she’s his wife.furthermore, a concubine.somehow, she’s the most bossy in the mansion that it’s gotten out of control.
Yeah. True, it feels that way.
But sadly.we’re not afraid of Kouzuki house’s authority at all
Margo-san said.
If ever Kouzuki-san tries to wage war on us.I think we can win. If we’ll lose, we can escape abroad. We don’t have a reason to stay in Japan and receive Kouzuki-san’s protection
.There’s no way that’s true!
Ruriko trembles.
It has a way.we’re a genuine criminal organization after all
Nei said
Yo-chan, for the time being.this slave must be punished!
She smiles at me.
.Then Someone pokes my back.
What is it.Michi?
Master.please allow me to give a suggestion
.Suggestion
Sure, speak
In this case.I think that we should slap her butt until it swells!
Michi.you
You look expressionless.but, are you angry?
.This slave is taunting Master too much