A woman who looked exactly like Ranson introduced herself as Rita. Her long brown hair and barely visible freckles were quite impressive.

“Hello, I’m Rimon.”

“Hello, I’m Rina.”

The twins who looked similar yet different appeared to be around the same age as Rublion at first glance.

‘It would be even better if they were the same age.’

I was already concerned about peer relationships since Rublion was surrounded only by adults.

‘This might be an opportunity.’

The smiles of the two children standing with their hands neatly folded were truly childlike smiles.

It was refreshing after seeing so many smiles that seemed to have ulterior motives.

“Nice to meet you, children.”

At my greeting, the children, including Rita, greeted me according to noble etiquette. Rita was quite skillful, but the twins showed signs of having learned it hastily.

“For now, let’s wait here with me until Ranson’s conversation is over.”

“Yes.”

“Yes!”

The twins answered energetically and plopped down on the lobby sofa. As they did so, they kept touching the furniture with their hands, exclaiming how nice it was.

Rita watched her siblings for a moment before saying:

“Thank you so much for taking us in. We will never forget this kindness.”

I gently took Rita’s hand as she spoke politely.

“When you have the chance, tell Duke Artenbach. It was his decision after all.”

“Yes, I’ll make sure to do that.”

We chatted about various things while watching the twins run around the lobby like wild colts. I mostly listened to how they had lived and how Ranson and Rita had raised the twins.

Surprisingly, we had things in common.

“Oh, by the way, how old are Rimon and Rina this year?”

“They’re ten years old.”

“I see.”

I inwardly rejoiced. I thought they might be around the same age, but I was even more pleased that they were exactly the same age.

The important thing was whether Rublion would be interested in playing with these children, but they would inevitably run into each other while staying in the same mansion. So I decided to focus on creating natural opportunities for them to become close rather than forcing them together.

By the time the twins had tired themselves out from running around and were sitting still, gulping down cold water, Ranson and Askal came down to the lobby. Rita stood up and straightened her clothes, and I looked after Rimon and Rina.

“Then I’ll trust you and take my leave.”

“Alright.”

Askal nodded at Ranson’s words.

I’m curious about what they talked about, but I can ask about that later, right?

“Rita, I’m sorry for always leaving the siblings in your care.”

Ranson, who had approached unnoticed, patted Rita’s shoulder as he spoke.

“It’s okay, elder brother. I know it’s a choice for our sake.”

“…Listen well to what the Duke says, and don’t cause any trouble. I’ll definitely come back for you.”

“Okay, I will.”

Listening to the affectionate conversation between siblings made my heart tingle for some reason. Rina suddenly stood up and clung to Ranson’s waist.

“Elder brother, bring us wild strawberries when you come back.”

This time Rimon got up and clung to him.

“Bring toys when you come back.”

I couldn’t help but smile at the twins’ requests. The serious atmosphere from earlier instantly became warm and fuzzy.

After Ranson left the mansion, I showed the guests to their room. I asked if it wouldn’t be better for the siblings to have separate rooms, but respecting Rita’s opinion that they should stay together until they adapt to the new environment, I gave them a large room.

“There’s not really anything specific you need to do here, but if you feel like doing something, follow me around.”

Rita nodded and replied to my words.

“Then may I follow you starting tomorrow, young lady?”

“Starting tomorrow already?”

“Yes, I want to earn my keep.”

Her clear eyes were full of intelligence.

“Alright. Let’s go around together starting tomorrow.”

“Thank you.”

Rita smiled brightly. Thinking that she looked exactly like Ranson, I became curious about something.

“By the way, Rita. Do you have a real name like Ranson does?”

“Yes, my name is Rieta Teravita.”

Rita pointed at the twins and said:

“Rimon is Rambermon and Rina is Riena.”

“I see. If it’s okay with you, shall I call you by your real names?”

“I’d like that.”

“Me too!”

“Me three.”

I asked one person, but got answers from three.

“Alright. Rambermon and Riena. Starting tomorrow, you’ll be taking lessons with Rublion.”

“Ugh, I don’t like studying.”

“I want to learn!”

I was already smiling at the thought that the mansion would be quite lively from now on. I wondered if Rublion would be able to grow up with a more childlike demeanor if he became friends with the twins.

It was a moment of anticipation.

Rublion was carefully contemplating a life-changing decision. That was…

“Hello? I’m Riena. This idiot is Rambermon.”

“What? Did you just call me an idiot?!”

“What else should I call an idiot if not an idiot?!”

He knew that the Teravita children would be staying at the mansion, but he didn’t expect their first meeting to be this intense.

Rublion thought Rambermon and Riena were like unbridled colts. He worried that they might be disruptive during the upcoming lesson if they kept being this noisy.

So he was debating whether to ask for separate lessons or endure a bit and attend together.

‘Since I’m better at studying than them, Mother will see how great I am.’

Thinking this, it seemed better to attend lessons with those colts.

‘But I don’t want to suffer because they disrupt my studies.’

Then again, thinking this, it might be better to set up a separate study.

So it was a life-changing dilemma. He silently watched the colts who were still fighting. They seemed determined to see it through if no one stopped them.

Creeak.

The door opened and the professor appeared. Usually this wouldn’t be anything special, but now it was a ray of light saving him from this commotion.

“Young master, you look flawless as always today. Oh, these children… I’ve heard about them. Rambermon and Riena, right?”

The professor with long white hair smiled and greeted them, trying to make a good impression. Rambermon and Riena instantly stopped fighting and returned the greeting kindly.

The professor showed interest in the twins. Unlike Rublion, who seemed too smart to have anything left to teach, these blank slate children were greatly stimulating his desire to teach.

After finishing a simple test, the professor decided on the lesson plan. They basically knew how to read and write, but weren’t ready for the same studies as Rublion, so he concluded to add an assistant teacher for the twins starting tomorrow and ended the lesson.

Rublion stood up, hugging the pile of homework he received from the professor. He was planning to go straight to his room and finish the homework right away.

“Young master, where are you going now?”

Riena blocked his way and asked.

“To do homework.”

Rublion answered nonchalantly. Then Rambermon frowned and said:

“We just finished studying and you’re going to do homework now?”

“Yes.”

At his reply that seemed to ask what was wrong with that, Riena and Rambermon’s eyes widened.

“Young master, homework is done right before bed.”

This time Rublion’s eyes widened.

“Isn’t it more comfortable to do homework first?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to play to your heart’s content and then do homework with a refreshed mind?”

Rambermon countered Rublion’s logic. Watching this, Riena put her hands on her hips and said:

“Young master, we don’t know what there is to play around here.”

“That’s right. So you need to show us.”

Rambermon chimed in, striking the same pose as Riena. Rublion stared blankly at the twins who weren’t going to move until he agreed to go out and play together, then answered:

“If you go to the large tree in the garden closest to the main gate, there’s an open space good for playing. And behind the knights’ building, there’s a treehouse, so you can go there.”

He was about to turn around after saying that, but Riena grabbed Rublion’s arm.

“Oh my, a treehouse. Young master, I want to see that.”

“You’re so lucky, young master. Having a treehouse at home. It must be really cool, right?”

Rambermon sent an envious look and held his hand. Rublion, awkward at the touch of his peers, mumbled:

“…If you’re that curious, just follow me.”

While having tea time on the second-floor balcony, I turned my eyes towards the direction of the noise. There was a treehouse built like a secret base on a large tree near the knights’ building, and children gathered under it were making a racket.

‘Look how awkward he is. So cute.’

Even I thought the twins’ energy level wasn’t easy to keep up with.

Rublion, who was on the more serious side for a child, would probably find it challenging just to follow the twins’ random conversations.

“Looks like they went out to play after class ended.”

Anna said as she refilled my and Rieta’s cups.

“Indeed. It’s not often that he plays outside.”

This was a bit surprising. Rublion usually preferred static activities like solving puzzles or drawing pictures in his room. He seemed to be getting along quite well with the twins despite their opposite natures. He even looked like he was enjoying himself.

Rambermon tried to grab the ladder and climb up first. Then Riena started to yell loudly and pull him down. Rublion, who had taken a step back, quietly watched and then said something to the two children.

Order was brought to their chaotic play. Rublion climbed up to the treehouse first, and when Rambermon had climbed about two rungs up the ladder, he slipped and slid down with a swoosh.

Watching this, I was startled and my bottom lifted slightly off the seat. But Rieta laughed and said it was fine, that he wouldn’t get hurt from something like that.

The sound of uproarious laughter was heard. Rublion and Riena were holding their stomachs and giggling.

‘How childlike.’

I fondly watched Rublion wiping away tears from laughing too hard. I thought it was a good decision to bring Ranson’s siblings here.