They Smile Weirdly

The first thing that Aria felt as soon as they started entering the mansion was how heavy the magic energy was. Which after being explained by Rei, turned out to be caused by the magic barrier. It seemed that his uncle, Mr. Fendi, had a lot of enemies. That's why he had high vigilance.

Also, the quiet atmosphere. Because for some reason all the servants and workers they saw wandering around the yard were not talking or making any noises. Even the gardener who was trimming the bushes seemed to move his scissors very slowly.

"I'm not liking this place already." Feny said first.

"You think? It's still not the worst part." Rei replied while gesturing his gaze to the front of the mansion, where the hosts were ready to welcome them.

The large man in the middle must be Mr. Fendi, Rei's uncle that he had told about. With just a glance, Aria could already see the unfriendly outline of his face--which was actually quite similar to Rei's--as well as the shape of his mouth that had curved downwards.

There was also a middle aged woman and a young man with brunette hair. Both of them looked elegant as other nobles do. But somehow the man looked so lavish. With fancy purple clothes, the gold accents almost made him look like he was attending a party.

Aria didn't really feel like she needed to ask more about Rei's cousin, so she pointed her gaze to the woman. "Is that your uncle's wife? She's quite pretty."

"Her name is Genia." Rei answered. "I heard my uncle kind of used her parent's debt to marry her. Maybe that's why she always looked gloomy."

And they finally arrived--which was why Rei suddenly put on a smile. "Oh uncle Fendi! It's been a long time since we met." He said kindly. "I'm glad you look healthy."

But apparently Rei wasn't the only one who suddenly widened his smile. So did his uncle. "You too! I was very surprised, you know. If you want to come, you should tell me at least a week before. Not last night." He said so too. Even though his tone sounded friendly, it also felt like he was complaining.

They hugged, but it was oddly unsightly at all.

Even Feny snarled at Helen. "They smile weirdly. It's like when my father met someone he owes a debt to." She whispered.

"I know. My parents also smiled like that when they had to greet a guest they didn't like." Helen replied.

Though they had to shut their mouths quickly because Rei glared at them.

"But Alrei…" Then someone interrupted. Turned out it was his uncle's wife, Mrs. Genia. "Who are they?" She asked while looking towards Aria and the others.

Rei slightly didn't expect her to ask first, but he still answered. "Ah, these are Feny and Helen. It's a long story, but I need to take them to the capital after this, so… Quickly, greet them." He said to the kids.

Feny wasn't sure how, so she just said, "Hello--"

But turned out Helen was already bowing while lifting her dress gracefully. "Nice to meet you. My name is Helen." She said.

"Oh, they're sweet." Said Mr. Fendi. "Though I have to say, it's weird to see you with kids." He commented softly.

"Well, things happen." Rei answered shortly.

But then his cousin, Oliver, was already walking closer towards Aria and even held her hand to kiss it. "And who is this lovely lady?"

"..." Aria almost pulled her hand in panic. But after she looked at Rei, she quickly realized that she shouldn't do it hastily. So she let him kiss her hand quickly.

"She's Miss Aria." Rei finally said. "She's a herbalist who's been working for me lately."

And when Oliver let go of her hand, Aria finally bowed deeply to them. "Nice to meet you." She said too.

And after several other small talk that was just as empty, they were finally allowed into the mansion.

Though of course Oliver couldn't miss a chance to approach Aria again. "But if you're a herbalist, can I ask for some medicine?" He asked. "Recently my hand hurts when I swing a sword."

"Uh, sure." Aria tried to reply casually. "If it's just painkillers, I can make them quickly."

"I still have a lot, you know." Interrupted Rei who heard them. "I'll give it all to you later."

Oliver went silent with his faint smile while looking at Rei. But then he replied, "How nice of you, cousin." He said. But then he still turned back to Aria. "But actually I also get headaches and have trouble sleeping, so--"

"Wow, food!" But fortunately Feny's call immediately stopped their conversation. In fact, as soon as she saw the dining table filled with a hundred kinds of foods, her feet immediately ran there.

So Aria and Rei both immediately chased and caught her hands.

"Haha! She must be starving." Said Oliver who laughed.

"Geez, you're so embarrassing." Helen also commented.

Curling her lips, Feny looked annoyed to hear that. "Hmph! At least it wasn't me whose stomach was growling all morning." She sneered back at her.

"What did you say?!"

The two of them looked like they were about to pull each other's hair, so Aria had to hurry and separate them. "W-Well, the trip sure was long, so of course everyone's hungry." She said then. "Even me and Mr. Rei are hungry too. Right?" She added.

Even though Rei just glared at her, as if he was grunting, 'Keep them quiet!!' or something.

Snorting, Helen then followed Rei and sat beside him. So Aria decided to held Feny's hand again. "Feny, you eat with me, okay?" Aria said while helping her to sit on the chair too.

But with a chuckle, Oliver commented again. "Somehow you're kinda look like a couple having twins--"

"NO WAY!" Rei shouted, even Feny as well as Helen. "How could I be twins with a scruffy girl like her!" Helen said first.

"Who wants to be compared to a sly and ugly brat like--" Feny was also about to reply too, but Aria quickly covered her mouth in panic. Even Rei immediately stuffed Helen's mouth with bread on the table.

"P-Please forgive their attitude. They weren't like this yesterday." Aria tried to explain.

"Right. And can you not say something like that?" Rei added. "Just imagining it gives me goosebumps."

"Which one? About having kids or having a mistress?" Oliver said again.

"Both."

"Geez!" Oliver still replied with a made up excited face. "Your fiancé must be relieved hearing that."

The atmosphere was awkward for a moment, but then Mrs. Genia spoke first. "Stop it, Ollie. Don't tease your cousin too much." She said.

"Why are you so serious, mom? I was just kidding." The man replied while laughing to himself.

Rei kept glaring at him, but Oliver didn't even avert his eyes and smile. Even though the meal had not started yet, it felt like all of them already got full by all the awkwardness.

So instead of eating, Aria just preferred to help Feny eat.