Case 15: On the topic of a weirdo heiress.

''Lady Penelope.''

''Yes?''

''I don't mind doing this whenever you want since it is in the contract... but I would strongly prefer you notify me beforehand. Would that perhaps be alright?''

When I directed my gaze toward her face, which made my eyes a bit uncomfortable because I had to look up and to the side, I saw the corner of her mouth twitching as she nodded.

Even though it was the first time I had hugged anyone's arm this closely, I could tell from her slight tremors she was shaken. Knowing Penelope, maybe she was having some sort of delusions swirling in her head.

She was a weirdo.

Still, if weirdo, why hot?

Penelope was beautiful, but if I had to comment on her charm, I would say that she really sold me on that gap moe. From a seemingly icy cold heiress to a helpless pervert...

''...''

Somehow, I was starting to get nervous. Would she unleash some unholy plays on me?

Eventually, we reached my room, where I gently guided Penelope inside. Immediately upon entering, the heiress of Bourbon began to look around, a strange air of excitement rousing from her little gestures.

With a crisp clack, I locked the door, and it also warranted Penelope's attention.

''...''

''...''

For a while, I just smiled as we looked at each other. It was awkward, but Penelope still spoke first,

''You said there was a cat in here?''

''Ah, about that.''

''...?''

''M-Meow.''

''...''

''...''

Crap. I shouldn't have done this stupid joke. Let's just get into it right away.

''So... um... should I strip myself? Or... would you like to do it?''

''...!''

There it was.

Penelope's obsidian eyes finally widened the moment I blared out my coat and bent my waist forward a little. A smirk appeared on my face, which apparently embarrassed Penelope a little. Then, having gained a burst of confidence, I briskly approached her.

''Did you... do this kind of thing before?'' She asked.

''Perhaps?''

''...''

With a faint blush on her cold cheeks, Penelope gently held my hand. I could feel her heat transferring onto my palm, seeping through my skin.

Afterward, she let me sit on the edge of the bed and began to inspect me closely from various angles.

''Um... Lady Penelope?''

I thought I had embarrassed her, but somehow, I was being embarrassed instead. My body was a tad more sensitive than that of ordinary people, so even as she merely stared closely at it, I was restless.

Following a few moments of scrutinizing, Penelope finally reached her hand out.

There it was... hm?

''...?''

I had thought she would definitely grab my face or my chest first, but Penelope's slender hand only caressed the crown of my head. Then, she slowly combed through my hair, using as little strength as possible. After she had run through the length of it, she patted my shoulder.

I started to realize that something was wrong.

The following actions were bizarre on a logical level.

Even when Penelope had a vulnerable girl who would let her do anything she wanted before her eyes, all she did was pats and rubs. The way she cupped my face felt just amazing, the way she patted my thighs so nervously made me want to laugh, and the way she was too shy to touch my chest despite her apparent interest was absolutely adorable.

Finally, with a slightly mellowed expression, Penelope knitted her hands with mine, kneeling on the ground like a devoted knight.

I was immediately struck in the heart.

No, I was.

What was this creature? Why was she so cute?

''Lady Penelope.''

Barely containing a silly smile, I called.

''Shh. A beautiful girl must be enjoyed slowly.''

''Pfft—''

And when I heard that corny line, I couldn't hold it anymore. For a brief moment, a look of pure shame befell the heiress's face. She tried to pull away, but I tightened my grip instead.

''If you say so... then shall I let you enjoy me slowly?''

''...''

Penelope didn't reply, yet through the slightly lifted corners of her lips, I got my answer.

So, I spent a good amount of time holding hands with Penelope before she excused herself, citing work reasons. As I watched the back of her car getting smaller, someone tugged my dress.

''Lyra?''

''Big sis... who was that?''

''Ah, it's Lady Penelope from the other day.''

''Why was she here...?''

''Ah... let's say she had some business with me.''

''Really?''

Suddenly, I noticed something odd. Lyra had been strangely... talkative since earlier. When I finally looked into her eyes, a chill ran down my spine.

A soulless, blank space as though the abyss.

What was that...?

Brushing it off, I tried to soothe my little sister by stroking her head as usual, which seemed to work. When that strange feeling finally subsided, I naturally tried to change the topic altogether.

''Right, Lyra. Are you free this Sunday? Her Highness had invited both of us out for an outing.''

''...I am.''

''Great! Let's start preparing clothes tonight.''

I knew that she would agree, but I asked just in case. Refusing a member of the imperial family, especially mundane ones like this, was not looked upon favorably, after all.

Still, Lyra was the protagonist, which was categorically higher than anyone in this world.

''Hello.''

''...Hello, Lady Lyra.''

''L-Lyra, won't you greet Her Highness properly...?''

Perhaps that was why she showed this much sassiness when she met Rachael these days. She used to greet her properly, so what happened?

Fortunately, Rachael didn't seem to mind it at all.

''It's not good to stand in this snow for long.''

Taking my hand, Rachael personally guided me into her car. I felt immensely flattered every time she did this. How many people would have the privilege to have an imperial princess do this for them?

By now, I had more or less comprehended the backside of this car.

Like many rich and powerful people, Rachael's car was a shiny black, and its design evoked a sense of class right from the first glance. The backseats were spacious, and it didn't lack anything here as well.

It even had a television. A television.

''Whew...''

In any case, like usual, I sat in the middle, surrounded by Lyra and Rachael on my sides.

''Kyrie.''

''Understood.''

The car started moving.

As I gazed toward the driver seat, where a mature-looking woman wearing a maid costume sat, I suddenly realized that my hand was still being grabbed.

Instead of my hand gently being on top of hers, Rachael had somehow enveloped my whole fist with her palm.

It was these subtle yet proactive acts that made my heart flutter.

''You look stunning today, Miss Cecilia.''

''Oh... thank you. You look cool, too, Your Highness.''

''No need to flatter me. I always dress like this. Plain, isn't it?''

''My, I think I love that plain aesthetic of yours, then.''

''I'm glad.''

A slight smile from Rachael was all that needed to blast my heart away. As her eyes narrowed, her long and slim brows weighed down together with them, creating an absolutely majestic expression that would no doubt be lethal to any maiden.

I purposely wore a neckless attire today, but what should I do if Rachael actually wanted to ravage me...?

Just imagining the wolf-like Rachael pinning me on the wall dulled my rational thoughts. I would likely be eaten. I would be consumed, actually.

Fortunately, there was a perfect distraction nearby.

''Lyra...''

''Big sis...?''

What should I do, Lyra? There are already two wonderful ladies whose signatures I would definitely want in a marriage contract... together with my name, of course.

My instinct as a female kept wanting me to comply with my biological desires and bear their children...

Ah... not good, not good. I shouldn't be this thirsty this early.

We still have one more main love interest, after all.