Chapter 409: The Countess

　As the group waited in the drawing room of the castle, which was also Tauro’s parents’ home, the sound of heels clacking, which could not be drowned out by the carpet, grew closer and stopped in front of the door.

“—This room, right?”

　A woman’s voice can be heard outside the door confirming something.

　Then the door opened.

“Welcome Tauro! No, welcome home! I can’t tell you how much I’ve looked forward to this day!”

　The woman who appeared was a very elegant woman with beautiful long golden hair, blue eyes, and a straight nose. It was Countess Aida, Countess of Graunewald, Tauro’s new mother.

“It’s been a long time, Mother. I am sorry it has taken me so long to visit you.”

　Tauro apologized as he bowed deeply.

“Look at me, already! I was so looking forward to your return, Tauro-san, you know? ─ ─ Yes, I have prepared a room for you, and I should have had him show you there, but he wants to surprise everyone, so he decided to hold off on introducing you until the unveiling party. That’s why I showed you here first. The unveiling party is scheduled to take place in a month, but is that okay?”

　Countess Aida was so happy that she spoke all of that in one go, then waited with a smile for Tauro’s reply.

“Of course, mother. It’s my first time here, so I haven’t quite gotten used to it feeling like it’s home yet.”

　Tauro honestly told Countess Aida that he was confused.

“Yes, I know. …… And unlike the residence in the Royal Capital, this castle house is somewhat larger, so it’s understandable that you’re confused… –Then shall I show you around the house now? ─ ─ No, you must be tired from your long journey, so it would be better if I just showed you to your room today. Perhaps you can tell me more about your adventures over dinner?”

　Countess Aida said this and took Tauro’s hand.

“Tauro-san, once again, thank you for becoming our child. Also, I am really happy that we were able to welcome you here. And yes, I would also like to thank your friends for helping my son. As a mother, I ask that you continue to take good care of my son.”

　Countess Aida thanked them and bowed to Ragune and the others.

“Countess Graunewald, we are also indebted to Tauro. It is beyond gratitude.”

　Ragune replied, making the Countess look up.

“That’s right. I also owe a debt of gratitude to Tauro for helping me. I’m the one who should be grateful!”

　Zion also answered and bowed her head.

“I agree. Our leader does some reckless things, but more than that he does a good job as our leader.”

　Ankh answered Countess Aida, whom was a familiar friend to him, just like Count Graunewald.

“You have always had this attitude, Anhk …… but you must be Zion, right? I’ve heard stories about you, but you’re such a polite girl. I wonder where you learned your  manners?”

　Countess Aida was impressed by Zion’s responses, as she was close in age to Tauro.

“From my mother… My father was a respectable man, so she simply taught me to behave in a manner befitting a daughter of his. ……”

　Sion, perhaps embarrassed by the praise, looked down a bit and hid her face behind her hood.

“I see. Your parents must have been fine people. …… Tauro-san’s friends are also important guests of the Graunewald family, so you should think of this as your own home, okay? Ah, but, Ankh, no, you can’t, okay? You, you’re always so quick to make a move on the maids.”

　Countess Aida welcomes Ragune and the others, while making fun of Ankh to the amusement of everyone.

“When did that happen?”

　Ankh immediately responded to Countess Aida as she told him a story from the past.**Ankh immediately responded to Countess Aida because she had an old story to tell.  

　Afterwards, Countess Aida, Tauro and the others spent a pleasant time in the reception room.

“Mother, is father busy? I was hoping to make a report on the territorial patrols and other matters up to this point. ……”

　Tauro suddenly changed the subject.

“He’s busy right now. He just left for an inspection just now, so he might not be back until the evening.”

　Countess Aida apologizes to her son.

“No, then, it can’t be helped.”

　It was only natural, as Tauro hadn’t expected to be able to meet him so soon without making an appointment.

　Thus, after a pleasant exchange in the reception room, Tauro and his group were shown to Tauro’s new room.

“I tried to keep the interior design as simple as possible based on your adventure stories, do you like it…?”

　Countess Aida opened the door to Tauro’s room with some concern.

　The room certainly had fewer paintings and expensive vases than the rooms in the Graunewald household’s mansion in the royal capital, but it was still overwhelmingly spacious.

　And instead of the paintings and vases, the room was adorned with rare exotic ornaments from all over the country, as well as swords, shields and other weapons on display, creating an interior that seemed to be based on the image of an adventurer that Countess Aida had always heard about from Tauro.

“Mother ……, what’s this?”

“I thought up of a room based on an adventurer concept, from your stories, Tauro-san. Is that okay?”

　Countess Aida asks back with a smile.

“Hahaha… Can I ask you to please clean up some of it?”

　Tauro chuckled and asked for the room to be a little more bleak.

　While they were having the things removed from the room, rooms were prepared for Ragune and the others around it.

　And,

“Let’s all have dinner in the evening. I’m sure he will be back by then.

　Countess Aida replied to Tauro and the others, and then, presumably being busy herself, one of the servants explained the plans for the rest of the day before she hurriedly left the place.

“…So this is my new home…. It still doesn’t feel real.”

　Tauro let out this thought as he sat down on the bed in his new room and took a breather.

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