Elnette's Annex

“This is my residential wing.”

Guided by Elnette, Kent and Josette entered the building. It was already July, and it had become quite hot outside. Since the place they were in until just now was fully air-conditioned, they had spent their time comfortably; however, because the owner had been absent for a long period, the windows had remained closed, making the inside of this building feel very hot. Due to the master’s sudden return, the servants entrusted with managing the building hurriedly went around opening the windows throughout the structure.

“It has been a long time since I entered this building, but it certainly is hot, isn’t it?”

Josette let out a word of complaint. Kent looked around the interior. Structurally, it didn’t seem different from Josette’s, but there were no decorations at all.

“It’s incredibly bleak, isn’t it?”

“Well, yeah. Recently, I’ve hardly set foot in here, and even when I occasionally returned, it was just a place to sleep.”

It was bleak, but the cleaning was thorough. One could say that was expected of a Duke’s household.

“Welcome back, Milady.”

A flustered, sweat-soaked maid welcomed them in. Kent thought this maid had probably also seen Elnette and rushed to open the windows in a panic.

“I have returned. Now, please guide the guests to the drawing room. I am going to change my clothes.”

“Understood. Then, guests and Josette-sama, please come this way.”

Parting with Elnette for a moment, Kent and Josette were guided to the drawing room by the maid. As expected, the drawing room also lacked excessive decorations, with only the bare minimum of items placed there.

“I will bring some drinks, so please wait a moment.”

The maid gave a bow and left the drawing room.

“It has been a long time since I entered Older Sister’s wing. It wasn’t this bleak when I came before, but since that incident, Older Sister has changed.”

Josette said as if reminiscing about the old days.

“What was the old Elnette like?”

“Let me see. She was the sister I admired. She was elegant, refined, and liked by everyone. I think the fact that she is liked by everyone hasn’t changed even now, but before, it wasn’t a friendly feeling like it is now.”

“Since I’ve only seen the current Elnette, I can’t imagine it.”

Kent couldn’t picture what Josette was talking about. If anything, she felt more like a long-time familiar friend than a noble’s daughter, so even being told she was a lady didn’t quite click. Kent thought that the broken engagement was an event that had influenced Elnette to that extent.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Older Sister, those clothes…”

“These are clothes I wore during my student days; I was worried if the size would fit, but I managed to put them on somehow.”

Kent was surprised by Elnette, who wore a dress like a noble lady and had even changed her way of speaking.

“I’m shocked. In this outfit, I think everyone would believe it if you said you were a noble lady.”

“Ohohoho. Quite so, quite so. After all, I am a lady.”

Elnette said, puffing out her flat chest. Kent unconsciously compared Elnette’s to Josette’s.

Noticing the gaze, Josette looked away and shyly hid her chest with both hands. Elnette didn’t seem to notice and was fully immersed in playing the lady.

(Their faces are similar, and indeed, when they stand side by side, I feel like I can clearly tell they are sisters. But when I compare them, the disparity is…)

“So, why did you go out of your way to change, Elnette?”

“Because… I wanted you to notice my charm.”

“You don’t have to force it; your usual way of speaking is fine.”

“Is that so… I worked hard at it, but did it not suit me?”

“No, it suits you very well. I think it was good to see another side of you. But for me, the usual way of speaking is easier to get along with.”

“G-get along… I see, I see. Then, just as Kent says, I’ll return to my usual way of speaking.”

Elnette, who misunderstood slightly, said with a slightly red face.

“Please don’t enter a world that is just for Older Sister and Kent-san.”

“No, I don’t think that’s the case?”

“I suppose I’m just an existence consisting only of breasts.”

Bringing up the previous matter, Josette said with a pout, puffing out her cheeks and turning away.

“Does Kent really prefer large breasts after all?”

“T-that’s not the case.”

Elnette asked Kent.

“Then let’s find out. There!”

Elnette grabbed Kent’s hand and, just like that, reached inside the neckline of the dress Josette was wearing and made him rub her chest.

“Kyaa! Older Sister, what in the world are you doing!”

Josette raised her voice at the sudden occurrence and protested to Elnette.

“Now, now. It’s just a little experiment, so bear with it.”

Because his hand was being gripped with all of Elnette’s strength, Kent could do nothing about it.

“Then next…”

Saying that, she pulled Kent’s hand out from Josette’s chest and placed Kent’s hand inside her own chest in the same way. Looking at Kent’s face at that moment, Elnette spoke.

“You have a face that says Josette’s was better after all, don’t you?”

“I’m sorry.”

It seemed to have shown on his face, so Kent apologized honestly.

Crash

Suddenly a loud noise occurred, and the three of them looked in the direction of the sound.

“Milady… what are you doing…”

Cups and drinks were scattered across the floor. And the maid, who had returned with the drinks prepared, was looking at Kent and Elnette with a shocked expression. Kent’s hand was inside Elnette’s clothes, and it was in a state where it was obvious he was touching her chest.

“Someone! Someone come! Something terrible is happening to Milady!”

The maid, who assumed Kent was attacking Elnette, raised a loud voice and called for people. The sound of several footsteps could be heard approaching the room, the door was opened, and several servants entered.

“What happened! What’s wrong!”

A male servant asked the maid in a flustered manner.

“Milady is being attacked by this man…”

The maid managed to squeeze out the words.

“All of you, calm down.”

Josette said, seeing the actions of the servants. Receiving Josette’s words, the servants who had entered the room shut their mouths and became quiet.

“This person is in a relationship recognized by Father. Therefore, they were just flirting as lovers. There is no problem at all, so please withdraw.”

When Josette said this, the surprised servants lined up in a row in front of Elnette.

“We are very sorry for being so distraught. Milady, congratulations. All the servants offer their blessings.”

A man who looked like a butler wearing black clothes spoke as the representative. Some among them were even moved to tears.

“You guys… thank you.”

The servants, who thought Elnette had already missed her chance for marriage as a noble and would continue to be single from then on, were very happy.

“…Ugh, the outer moat is being filled in bit by bit, and the gap for me to enter is disappearing.”

While watching Elnette being given words of celebration by the servants, Josette regretted that she had dug her own grave with what she had said in the heat of the moment.