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As Aleksei took her hand and Ekaterina stepped down from the carriage, the line of servants waiting to greet them bowed their heads in unison.

That was when;

“Lord Aleksei!”

Unexpectedly called out by such a shrill voice, he looked over.
Standing there were a nobleman and a noblewoman dressed in luxurious attire that clearly marked them as nobility, not servants. They were unfamiliar to Ekaterina. Though not very similar in appearance, they were likely father and daughter.
Behind them stood another group dressed in what appeared to be noble attire, though less opulent than the father and daughter.

“Welcome home! I’ve been longing to see you!”

The young lady, who appeared to be the same age as Ekaterina, eagerly walked up to Aleksei. She had bright green hair and blue-green eyes, and although her features were stern, it was fair to say she was quite beautiful.
It’s the hairstyle, however… Quite the magnificent drills, I mean, rolls.
Are you some villainous noblewoman, dear? Though I can’t speak of others like that. I’m the true Villainess, after all. And speaking of stern face features, mine is also exactly that.

Aleksei directed his neon blue eyes coldly at her. Though, she seemed entirely oblivious of it and showed him a beaming smile while trying to shove Ekaterina away.
As if to flaunt their relationship to her, Ekaterina pressed herself closer to her brother instead. The young lady finally stopped, glaring at Ekaterina with displeasure. —Then, upon realizing she was Aleksei’s sister, she flushed and forced a smile.
Several young ladies who had followed her surrounded the vertical-roll girl.

Hangers-on! She’s got hangers-on!
To add to that, the vertical rolls… so she really is a villainess. Me vs. Vertical Rolls? True Villainess vs. Local Villainess?!

“You are being rude, Kira. Lord Aleksei, we welcome your safe return. As head of the branch family, this Novadin welcomes you.”

Her father bows. His hair is yellow—more yellow than blonde. His eyes are orange, perhaps? He’s quite handsome too, but his smile, which should be endearing, seems somehow insincere.

Not to mention, what’s with that “welcome home”? It almost sounds like this girl thinks she’s the mistress of this mansion.

Well then, what should I do?
Just as she thought that, Mina the maid glided over. With an almost exaggeratedly reverent bow, she offered Ekaterina a fan.

“Thank you, as always so thoughtful.”

Smiling as she accepted it, Ekaterina flicked the fan open and hid her mouth behind it.
From behind the fan, she pressed herself closer to Aleksei.

“Who might they be, Onii-sama?”

I tried to keep my voice low yet clearly audible. Besides, with me pressed this close, surely even Lady Drill-Hair couldn’t get near my brother!

Aleksei’s mouth turned up in amusement.

“Count Isidore of the Novadin family and Lady Kira. They’re from one of the branches.”
“Well… how unfortunate.”

Ekaterina sighed from behind her fan. I tried to make it look like I was obviously hiding my disappointment.

“To think a branch family of the Jurnova House should commit such an act of rudeness—failing to understand the proper honorific for the head of the main house and presuming to address him by name. It pains my heart to think of the daily hardships my dear brother must endure.”
“You needn’t concern yourself with me. What is unforgivable is the sheer discourtesy of not even offering a greeting to you—a duchess and mistress of Jurnova.”

Here, the siblings both glared down at Father and Daughter Novadin. Not merely looking down, but actually looking condescendingly on them.

Alright, I got Lady Drill-Hair glaring. And her entourage is freaking out—or rather, why are they blushing? Is it because my brother is too handsome?

Drill-Hair, sulking and clinging to your dad won’t do you any good. My brother and your father are worlds apart in every way—like the difference between Mount Everest and Osaka’s Tempozan (about four meters high (by our estimate)).

And the father, Count Novadin, seemed momentarily flustered by the beautiful siblings looking down on him.
But he gave a slight smile and shrugged his shoulders.

“…my apologies, Your Grace. But please understand, as Lord Aleksandr’s close friend, I wish to do my utmost to fulfill the role of a father figure to you.”

Ekaterina thought.
Wow, this guy is super shady.

“It is a pleasure to meet you for the first time, Lady Ekaterina. I apologize for not being able to greet you during your mother’s funeral. You have grown into a beauty, just like your mother. However, your mother was a bit more patient, a true model of a noble lady.”

Those words caught Ekaterina’s throat like a splinter. She could hear the contempt not just for her, but for her mother too.
This guy… He probably took advantage of Mother being quiet, became that old hag’s lackey, and bullied her.

“Lord Aleksandr was a man of deep friendship and impartiality. He called me his brother and told me to consider the duke’s residence my home. I wish to cherish that brotherly bond forever.”

Novadin brandished Father’s name like a talisman, but Aleksei cut him off.

“The day I permit you to do as my father did will never come. If you wish to consider my father’s house your home, then go to the mausoleum and live there.”
“Wh-…”

Even Novadin was rendered speechless by the harsh words.

Right that moment, people appeared, surrounding the duke and her sister like a protective barrier. They were Aleksei’s close aides such as Novak and Aaron, and knights of the order led by Rozen.

“…Oh my, is that Viscount Novak’s?”

Novadin addressed Novak in a stiff tone, likely driven by rivalry as fellow branch families. Behind Novadin, several nobles of lower standing also stood firmly in place.

Count Isidore Novadin. Actually, I’d heard this name from Onii-sama aboard the fast ship.
Being a count house, it held the highest rank among the branches. That’s why he claimed to be the head of the branches, despite currently holding no official role. One of my father’s self-proclaimed best buddies, a confidant of the late duke—or rather, a childhood playmate. He’d shuttle between the imperial capital and the duchy, partying hard with that deadbeat in the capital and running wild in the duchy under my father’s authority.
In other words, this is a meeting between the old and new powers of the duchy.

“Your Grace, young lady. You must be weary from your long journey. Shall we enter the castle?”

Lord Novak completely ignored him! Not even acknowledging him—in a way, that’s the most cruel!
Then again, while Novadin and my father were basking in their moment of glory, it was Onii-sama and Lord Novak as well as the other aides who bore the burden of governing the duchy. Honestly, even if I did notice them, it’d be a waste of my optic nerves.

Still, why is this guy so arrogant? Is he trying to make a comeback by installing Lady Kira as Duchess? If so, he should be trying to ingratiate himself with my brother instead of clashing with him.
I swear I won’t be mean to whoever becomes my brother’s wife. “No in-law-bullying, absolutely not!” is my personal motto.
If you’re trying to exploit Onii-sama for your family’s prosperity, you’re out of luck, Lady Drill-Hair!
If anything, it seems like Onii-sama despises you.

“I’m not tired, but I’m worried about Ekaterina. She’s so delicate, yet she’s been attending to the people all this time. I want her to rest soon.”
“It has been a most pleasant journey for me. However, if Onii-sama wishes me to rest, then I shall do as he commands. In that case, please rest too, Onii-sama. And everyone else too.”
“…Such a kind child.”

Aleksei smiled tenderly and stroked his sister’s hair.
Lady Drill-Hair and her entourage seemed to stir—was something going on?

“My Lady.”

Knight Commander Rozen presented a small bouquet to Ekaterina.

“One of the knights received this from a villager. He said two young sisters brought it, wishing to present it to you, my Lady.”
“Oh, how delightful!”

Taking it, Ekaterina couldn’t help but smile. It was a simple bouquet of roadside flowers, but precisely because of that, she was touched that young children had thought to give it to her themselves.

But then,

“Such filthy a thing, how disgusting.”

A mocking voice rang out. Of course—it was Kira, the girl with the vertical curls.

“A duchess’s daughter shouldn’t touch such shabby flowers from the rabble. How pitiful for you, Ekaterina-sama.”

…Hey.

“Lady Kira is absolutely right.”
“What was that knight thinking? Did he intend to insult Lady Ekaterina?”
“How pitiful to be pleased with such a thing. Is there no gentleman who can offer her a proper flower?”

Kira’s entourage giggled, seizing the moment.

You girls are quite skilled at making sure your voices carry, aren’t you? And your lack of awareness that my brother’s aides are visibly annoyed? Your level of cluelessness is impressive, yes.
I felt a momentary irritation, but then I remembered. This patheticness… It’s just like the Yes-Yes Trio.

Ekaterina pressed one hand to her ear and smiled brightly at Rozen.

“Oh dear, I seem to have heard the buzz of insects just now.”

Rozen’s eyes widened for a moment before he chuckled softly.

“If only it had been a sound with a bit more charm… but what can one do? After all, they are not human, merely vermin.”

Novak, Aaron, and the other aides to Aleksei suddenly found themselves struggling to suppress their laughter.

“Lord Rozen, I must thank the knight who accepted the flowers. I am delighted he showed kindness to a little girl. Protecting the weak and defenseless is the very essence of chivalry, I believe.”
“You speak truly. We of the Jurnova Knights consider it our duty to protect the ducal house and its subjects.”

Rozen bowed, and the knights following him also smiled, bowing their heads to the lady of the knightly order.

“If a knight’s duty is to protect his lord and the people, then surely a lady’s duty is to shower the people with kindness.”

Aleksei smiled at his sister.

“You are kind to everyone without distinction. You are beautiful, wise, and compassionate—the finest noblewoman.”

Ah, his Siscon filter is debuting on the old powers of the domain.

“I only wish to be a sister who does not shame you, Onii-sama. The people welcome me only because you and everyone else govern so well.”

Oh no, I wanted to show off my brocon too, but this is just stating facts. I must practice harder to master the way of the brother complex!

Ekaterina hid her mouth with her fan and glanced briefly at the Novadin father and daughter.

“How old is that young lady, I wonder? Once she learns proper etiquette, I should like to speak with her.”

She murmured, then smiled faintly.
Unbeknownst to her, her gaze had become a charming, sidelong glance. Kira the daughter glared angrily, but her father, Isidore, found himself smiling involuntarily.

But Ekaterina had already turned her back on them, placing her hand in her brother’s escort.

“Come now, Ekaterina.”
“Yes, Onii-sama.”

And so, the duke and his sister, accompanied by their retinue, left the old guard behind and strode proudly into their own castle.