Chapter 3-33 : Adoption

After listening to Chloe’s explanation, Mylia was finally able to understand the reason.

Jasmine was the fourth daughter of the Atwood Family, but if Mylia adopted her, she would become Baron Mylia’s eldest daughter.

There was a bad rumor about the second daughter of the Atwood Family that cheated on her husband, and most aristocrats in the royal capital knew about that, so in order to make Jasmine’s life in the royal capital easier and protect her from Aaron in case he would come to take her back, they need to change her status.

Mylia leaned her back against the sofa, took out some leaves of the World Tree, and started thinking while eating them.

（If Jasmine onee-sama wants to get married, the change of her status will help her to look for a fiancée. It will also help us to stop Robin’s plan. But the problem is…）

Mylia turned her gaze to Jasmine who was sitting next to her.

「I think it’s a good idea but… Jasmine onee-sama, you will become my daughter. Are you okay with that…?」(Mylia)

Jasmine then tilted her head cutely and smiled at Mylia.

「Fufu. I don’t mind. Should I call you Mom?」(Jasmine)

「Mo, mo, mo… That’s…! I, It feels so wrong… My back feels itchy…」(Mylia)

「Is that so?」(Jasmine)

Mylia felt strange to be called ‘Mom’ by her 17-year-old sister.

After eating all the leaves of the World Tree in her hands, Mylia turned her gaze to Chloe.

「Chloe onee-chan, is it quite common for people to adopt their own blood relatives?」(Mylia)

Chloe put her fingers on her chin and thought for a moment.

「Hmm… It rarely happens but even so, it’s surprisingly common. If you are a noble, you can make your own aristocratic family, and to keep your family existing, you will need an heir. To get an heir, you can get married and have a child, or you can adopt someone, and of course, adopting a blood relative is possible.」(Chloe)

「I see…」(Mylia)

（I feel like I’m starting to understand, but… Ugh, I don’t get it after all… I keep thinking that adopting your own older sister is weird… Looks like the aristocratic society in this world is too complicated for me to understand completely…）

「Anyway, Mylia, you need to adopt Jasmine onee-sama to cut off the connection between her and the Atwood Family. Well, it’s just temporary. When Jasmine onee-sama gets married she will become a part of her husband’s family anyway. ーAh, thank you.」(Chloe)

After explaining to Mylia, Chloe thanked the maid who came to refill her teacup.

After refilling Jasmine and Mylia’s teacups as well, the maid politely bowed and left the room.

「So, Chloe, should I call Mylia ‘Mom’?」(Jasmine)

Jasmine looked at Chloe with her eyes wide open as she asked.

（Does she want to call me ‘Mom’ so badly!?）

Mylia could only watch them with an awkward expression.

「Hmm… Having a cute mother like Mylia is not bad at all, but I think you should keep calling her Mylia. Calling a girl five years younger than you ‘Mom’ doesn’t feel natural after all. People would think you two were weird siblings.」(Chloe)

「I see… You’re right…」(Jasmine)

（Jasmine onee-sama looks a bit disappointed but good job, Chloe onee-chan!）

「If anything, I would prefer to be called ‘Mom’ by her~ That would be awesome!」(Chloe)

At that moment, the most genius student in the Commerce Department of Adrashelm Royal Girls Academy used the full power of her brain to imagine herself being called ‘Mom’ by her little sister.

「Oh, I think I can understand. Life would be wonderful if you have a lovely daughter like Mylia.」(Jasmine)

「Right? Right~!? I knew you would understand my feelings! ーThat’s right! I’m a noble too, I can adopt Mylia as my daughter! Ahh~ what a brilliant idea, if I do say so myself.」(Chloe)

「Ch, Chloe onee-chan, please calm down. That will ruin everything.」(Mylia)

「Uuu… I know. I just wanted to say it. Besides, you’re a baron. There’s no way I can adopt you… Hahh… What a shame…」(Chloe)

Chloe sighed, looking seriously disappointed.

（Uhh… They thought I could become a perfect daughter probably because I’m shorter than them… Ahh, I wish I was a little bit taller…）

Mylia was a bit frustrated that she grew slower than everyone else. She even thought that she would never be taller than 140cm for the rest of her life.

「Ahem! Alright, let’s get back on topic.」(Chloe)

Chloe cleared her throat to regain her composure and looked at Jasmine and Mylia with a serious face.

「Let me ask you one more time. Mylia, Jasmine onee-sama, do you agree with this plan?」(Chloe)

「I don’t have any objections.」(Mylia)

「I don’t mind becoming Mylia’s daughter either.」(Jasmine)

「Alright. Jasmine onee-sama, it’s up to you but do you want to get married?」(Chloe)

「Honestly, yes… Marrying a kind man, having children, and living happily as a family has always been my dream since a long time ago. I’ve always dreamt that a wonderful man would take me away from the Atwood’s mansion… I will be happy if you two can make my dream come true, but… I’m not sure if anyone wants to marry someone like me…」(Jasmine)

After listening to Jasmine’s words, Chloe and Mylia looked at each other and tilted their heads.

「Seems like Jasmine onee-sama isn’t aware of her own beauty. What do you think, Chloe onee-chan?」(Mylia)

「Yeah, it seems so. If she went to a party wearing a beautiful dress, I’m pretty sure she would be surrounded by many men. I honestly didn’t know that she would be this pretty without her long bangs.」(Chloe)

Mylia and Chloe talked to each other a bit loud on purpose so that Jasmine could hear them.

「Is that really so…? Do you think men will like a woman like me?」(Jasmine)

「Of course!」(Mylia)

「No doubt about it!」(Chloe)

「Fufu. Thank you, Chloe, Mylia.」(Jasmine)

Saying that, Jasmine smiled at the two.

（Look at this smile! No man can resist Jasmine onee-sama’s lovely smile!）

「Now that you’ve decided to get married, I would recommend the second son of the Darelias Family. Elizabeth-sama told me that they are a respectable family in this city. I met them the other day and I think they are good people.」(Chloe)

「Darelias Family…?」(Jasmine)

「They are the first aristocratic family that sent you an engagement letter. I thought you knew about them.」(Chloe)

「Robin onee-sama hid everything from me, so…」(Jasmine)

「I see. Well, we can talk about it later. Their second son’s name is Gilbert. After talking with him, I do think that he is a thoughtful and kind gentleman. You should see him. I’m pretty sure you will like him.」(Chloe)

「Gilbert-sama… Do you really think such a nice gentleman will gladly marry someone like me…?」(Jasmine)

「Of course. Jasmine onee-sama, you should be more confident in yourself.」(Chloe)

「If you say so… I’m looking forward to seeing him. I hope he will like me…」(Jasmine)

「He will.」(Chloe)

Jasmine’s face turned a bit red as she imagined herself marrying such a wonderful man.

（Ahh~ Jasmine onee-sama, you look like a maiden who thirsts for love…）

Mylia smiled as she wished her older sister happiness.

「Alright, I will take care of this adoption matter. Mylia, I want you to keep it a secret for now. Don’t tell anyone, okay?」(Chloe)

「Roger that~」(Mylia)

Mylia raised her thumb up as she replied.

「I think Aria will be here soon. When she arrives, can you continue the preparations for the party with her.」(Chloe)

「Alright, but, Onee-chan, what are you going to do?」(Mylia)

「I’m going to go to a dress shop with Jasmine onee-sama. She needs some dresses and everyday clothes after all.」(Chloe)

「I see. Then you can use my money as much as you need!」(Mylia)

「As the person who manages your money, I should say no here, but don’t worry, I will buy her as many good dresses I can find!」(Chloe)

The two then raised their thumbs up at each other.

「Mylia, thank you. But… I don’t know if I will be able to pay you back…」(Jasmine)

「You don’t have to worry about that. I can make money anytime I want after all. Besides, I want to see Robin’s annoyed face when she sees you wearing a better dress than her!」(Mylia)

「I see. I kinda want to see it too. Fufu.」(Jasmine)

Jasmine put her fingers on her mouth and giggled.

「Just you wait, you landmine woman! We will make you regret messing with us! Gaaahahahaha!」(Mylia)

While recalling the face of a villain in a movie, Mylia laughed evilly.

Howeverー

「How do I look?」(Mylia)

「You don’t look like a villain at all.」(Chloe)

「You look cute as always.」(Jasmine)

「Eeehh…? I was sure I did it pretty well though.」(Mylia)

Seeing Mylia say that while puffing her cheeks, Chloe and Jasmine looked at each other and laughed.