Chương 433: Chapter 406. Returning To The Mansion

" Lord Matthew!" / Thump! Thump! Thump! / For the 5th time since we started the walk to the mansion, we were stopped by the nighttime Guards of the town. It was actually something I enjoyed seeing each time, since they all look quite grumpy and sad, until they saw my face and then they brighten up instantly. Of course, they can't help but run up to check on me.

At first, they all look concerned with all of the dried blood and singed parts of my clothes and skin, but I've healed up so it's nothing to be worried about, I just need a shower. After answering the guards' questions, we were able to finally make it to the front door of the mansion. I went to open the door... But... / Click! /" Ah... Right... It's like 3 in the morning, isn't it?" The door was locked... I'm so used to it being unlocked whenever I would come back.

Either from the Farming, Hunting or even after my travels, but I've never tried arriving back home so late at night... Though I guess this is more of a case of no one expecting me to return at all rather than returning late. Even with the Wyvern attack, it was only around midnight by the time we made it back to the city, not that I think about it. / Knock! Knock! Knock! / I knocked on the door a few times. Usually, we have 2 Employees work as a skeleton crew for the house. / Creak...

/ However, the face I saw was somewhat shocking." L... Lord Matthew!" Squeeze! GRIP!" Janet... Can't breathe..." Release... Janet opened the door, it was strange, since as the Head Maid, she should be sleeping now, since she's in charge of the daywork instead of the nighttime work. Her pink shoulder-length hair was all frazzled as if she hadn't kept up with maintaining it for some reason. It makes me somewhat worried.

Regardless of that thought, Janet still gripped me tight, but she released enough of her grip to where she wasn't going to break my spine. It looks like I'm not the only one that's nervous." You... You're here..." wet... wet... Janet had tears coming down both sides of her big light-pink eye. It rattled me a little. Since she's begun working as the Head Maid here at the mansion, Janet has been acting the part.

She's been calm no matter what issues had come up and the only time she's ever really changed her expression was when she was dealing with her family... Or not agreeing with me about mandatory days off. But now... Her eye is half full of warm tears and she has a giant smile on her face. It was like I was being held by my own Mom back when I was a kid. Granted, the fact that pretty much every adult Demon I run into is taller than me helps with that. Janet is around 8' 6" tall, so she more or less towers over me.

She still looks like she can't believe I'm here." I am, Janet. I'm safe and I'm back."" But... What happened to you? How did you get back? You look so skinny now? Did... Did they starve you?"" Well, they only fed me stale bread and water, so kind of? I've been eating a good number of vegetables and fruit on the way back though. As for what they tried to do, it'll be easier to explain it when Sarah and Anna are here. They failed at what they wanted to do though, because of my Job."" Ah! Right!

Queen Lily could feed you... But don't worry, Jim will make sure that you'll be able to eat your fill starting tomorrow! So, because you're a Paladin you were able to resist whatever they tried.... Thank the Gods." Release... This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. Janet was quite happy to know that I wasn't completely starved. Along with that, the news that their plans failed also brought her joy. She released me from the hug as she was more relaxed now.

Everything was going great... Until she noticed something I forgot about..." Wait... Isn't this blood?"" Uh... Yes... They sent a squad to hunt me, I had to fight them to get away. Eventually, I fought their leader... I think it was their leader anyways? But I couldn't beat him, I had to do some things to get away, that's why I'm slightly singed in different places, but I got away."" Oh right, I was asking about that, wasn't I?"

"!" Chill! I felt a chill run up my spine as I heard Cynthia realize she forgot about her questioning of me earlier... Panic is setting in! I need to make her forget again!" So, Janet... Let's head on in! I'm sure Sarah and Anna would love to know I'm back! Are they asleep?" I quickly walk into the mansion as I hope and pray Cynthia forgets about it." Ah... It's been 2 months since I've seen this place! Still looks great!" I start saying anything to get the attention away from my dried blood." Uhm... yes...

We've continued to look after the mansion since we knew you'd be back, Lord Matthew. As for Sarah and Anna, no they're not sleeping, they're in your office."" My office? Ah... Have they been Governing while I was gone?"" Yes. Along with them, Emily and Colin have been overseeing the day-to-day operations of Roseland Products."" I see... I'll need to thank them all for their hard work."" I think Lady Sarah and Lady Anna will be more than happy with you being home, Lord Matthew."" I guess so.

No reason to keep them waiting, I'll head up!" I quickly made my way up the stairs attempting to escape from Cynthia. For some reason, she's been scaring me non-stop since I made it back... Maybe she was just worried about me? I'm thankful, but the strange pressure she's exerting... Something just tells me that she'll react badly if I tell her about that tactic I used with Angel's Spear. Besides, it's not like I'm truly escaping, everyone is following me to the office. Before long, I heard them."

No, Alice might think she'll head out to Alfheim, but even if she does set out for it, she'll eventually cool her head and come back. She's always been like that."" What do you mean?"" Well, she's possessive. Back when we were kids, she'd absolutely hate anyone taking a doll or stuffed animal of hers, she'd freak out until she got it back. Even when it came to the Servants only taking the toys and stuffed animals to clean them since she took them everywhere with her. She's having similar feelings now.

But it's fine, because she'd always calm down in an hour or so and then apologize for her outburst. I'm pretty sure it has to do with her instincts as a Beastmen. They're a very possessive people. Honestly, I still wonder how Uncle Alan doesn't get torn apart by Aunt Aria and Aunt Andrea."" I see... But still... I think we should stop them, don't you?" I felt like I stumbled onto an interesting conversation.

Though I wondered why Alice would make such a big deal out of coming to grab me, I mean, I am just her Friend... Well, I have heard of dogs and cats being possessive even in my world... I guess it's just the quirk of the Beastmen Race? Anyways, I think I've heard enough. / Creak.. /"!"

"!" I opened the door and walked in. Sarah and Anna were seated at my desk as they were speaking to each other and Emily was currently taking a nap on the couch where Ruby usually naps during the day. The sound of the door opening naturally drew their attention. I walked into the room and that was all it took for them. / THUMP! THUMP! BANG! / GRIP! GRIP!" Huh!?" As soon as Sarah and Anna saw me, they jumped out of their seats and over the desk.

Then, like 2 flying cannonballs, they tackled me into the ground and quickly wrapped their hands around me. Their hands felt warm and gentle. I missed this feeling. After I was tackled to the ground, I heard a still half-asleep Emily make a sound. She must've woken up after the loud bang from me landing on the ground. / Sniff! Sniff! / Sarah and Anna had buried their faces into my chest and neck, and I could hear them beginning to sniffle. I just put my hands over their heads and started to stroke their heads."

Sarah, Anna. I'm back... I'm back where I belong. Everything's going to be okay now." / Step. Step. Step. / Sarah and Anna nodded their heads to my words. I looked up from them to see Emily walking up to us from my left side. / Sniff! /" Ma... Matthew?"" Yes, Emily... It's m-" / Thump. / Grip Emily dropped to the ground and quickly grabbed ahold of my left hand that was petting Sarah's head.

Emily looked at me with a strange expression on her face and then her big blue eyes started to fill with tears, just like Janet's." Ho... How? I mean... You were..."" I know... I had to wait for the right moment to break out. It came and some stuff happened, but it's okay. I made it through. I'm back now." I tried to reassure them as best as I could. It was at this time when the other girls all walked in.

Sarah and Anna raised their heads from my body, and I could see tears and snot beginning to pour out of them, but also very happy smiles. Everyone had smiles all around the room. I couldn't help smiling myself. I mean, just like I said to Sarah and Anna. I'm finally back where I belong. Surrounded by my Friends and Family. Everything was great... Until I heard a familiar sound. / Woosh! /" Again?" I quickly say the first thing that came to mind, as I saw the red light begin to fill my vision. Seriously!?

What is going on!?