Summoned and Unwanted

“Mother...”

Russo noticed his mother suddenly suffered from memory loss because of her condition. He held his mother’s hand and gently caressed it.

Russo smiled warmly at his mother and said, “Luisa. You are my mother, and I am your son. How would you like to play with animals and children sound? I bet it is going to be fun.”

Luisa smiled like a child and hugged Russo. “Yes, I wanna.” She answered.

Russo cried a tear of joy and helped his mother go to sleep.

*Day 140 – 26 October – Monday – Early Morning*

*Knock, knock* Russo woke up early in the morning with his heart racing from worry. He moved his gaze. Fortunately, his mother was sleeping beside him.

*Phew* Russo sighed in relief. The person knocking on the door wasn’t there to inform him about his mother becoming forgetful, and they saw or found her after going missing.

.....

Russo went to open the door, and to his surprise, Ben greeted him. Behind Ben was a carriage with the Lionheart insignia and the Sofy looking at him from the coachman’s seat.

“I went to chat with Koss’s sons yesterday evening, and I heard how you accepted to live in the Lionheart’s branch family’s mansion. ” Ben moved his gaze and pointed at the carriage. “I visited today early in the morning and asked Sofy if she could offer transportation. She accepted after I explained how it would be tiring for your mother.”

Russo became happy with Ben’s consideration.

“It will take some time to pack everything. I am sorry I will keep you two waiting for some time.” Russo apologetically said while acting as if the veteran vice-captain Ben was a Captain instead of him.

The carriage door opened, and a tall hooded woman stepped out. Behind her followed a one-armed maid. The two women approached Russo, and he became intimidated by the mysterious woman standing in front of him.

The tall height and two pointy tips on her covered head were starting to attract attention. Not to mention a maid following her nervously made many onlookers believe something newsworthy was about to happen.

“I am Sakura Lionheart, Vincent Lionheart’s wife. I came to help and hope to clear any misunderstanding about me.”

“Good day, Captain Russo. I am Zefine, a maid of the Lionheart family branch.”

The two women introduced themselves.

‘That foreign name almost sounds like a demon’s name.’ Russo thought as he tried to see the covered color of Sakura’s skin. ‘But her voice sounds nice, unlike her intimidating presence.’

Sakura noticed a person looking at her from a window. “Excuse me.” She said while entering the house without permission.

“What are...”

Ben leaned his head and whispered, “Do not be intimidated by her stature and actions. I heard she is a tomboy and a rough brother-like affectionate kind.”

“Sorry.” Said Zefine with a blush while passing Russo.

Sakura and Zefine went over to Luisa.

“Could lady Sakura wake her? I am feeling nervous and I am afraid of falling on the bed.”

Sakura gulped when Zefine’s suggestion caused her heart to skip a beat. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead, and she nervously extended one finger. Sakura gulped again and gently nudged Luisa’s shoulder in fear of breaking her bones.

Luisa opened her eyes. A hooded person and a maid entered her sight, but instead of becoming frightened, Luisa reached out her hand and touched Sakura’s face.

“Don’t be frightened. Grandma Luisa will take care of you.” Luisa said to Sakura. She looked at Zefine and continued, “Could you be a dearie and help this poor hooded girl?”

“Mother... Those two people are here to help us leave our house. Please don’t be rude to them.”

Luisa smiled as if Russo’s words didn’t affect her. She abruptly removed Sakura’s cloak and stared at her for a moment. “Are you fine, dearie? Your skin is strange.” She told Sakura in a worried tone.

Russo became shocked that a demon was in his house. “Mother, don’t be afraid. I will solve this matter.”

Ben placed his hand on Russo’s shoulder. “She is Vincent’s wife, and she is the reason he can not let a single thief inside.” He explained, hoping Russo would stop worrying.

“My skin is fine because I am of the demon race, like your son said.” *Gulp* “Are you afraid of me?”

Luisa slowly shook her head. She lifted her bedsheet and wiped the nervous sweat on Sakura’s forehead.

“How do you feel now, dearie? ” Luisa warmly asked.

“I am... fine, but are you really not afraid of me? ” Sakura responded in a wavering voice.

“Why afraid or you dearie? Your clear eyes and plum cheeks from numerous smiles tell me you are a good person.” Luisa warmly responded.

Russo facepalmed. *Sigh* “So that is why you like to follow people who smile and laugh for instructions.”

“Lady Sakura. Can you help miss Luisa get into the carriage? You can leave gathering Luisa’s stuff to me.” Zefine offered.

“Okay.” Sakura wore her hood and asked Luisa, “Can I help take you to our carriage?”

Luisa looked at her son. After Russo nodded, she accepted, “Sure, dearie. Help grandma Luisa walk.”

However, to everyone’s expectations of being helped, Sakura extended her hands and lifted Luisa without much difficulty.

“My, my. You are strong, dearie, hehe.” Luisa praised and joked, showing how she wasn’t unhappy with how she was being carried.

“Thank you. ” Sakura responded. She felt weirdly happy about being strong for once.

‘Vincent told me everyone has their own strengths and quirks. I thought he was trying to cheer me up, but now I suppose he was right. I feel happy being praised for my strength.’ Sakura happily thought while taking Luisa inside the carriage.

“Mister Russo. Can you tell me where your mother’s clothes are?” Zefine asked.

“It is in the wardrobe next to mother’s bed.”

Russo momentarily stared at Zefine, opening the wardrobe. He saw Zefine take the clothes and place them on the bed one after the other.

Zefine extended her only hand and very slowly folded the clothes. Unfortunately, she was still training and getting used to folding clothes with one arm.

‘Should I help, or will she think I am showing pity?’ Russo pondered with a conflicted frown while staring at her missing arm.

Ben leaned his head and slyly whispered, “Why don’t you help the maid? Don’t worry. I will let the two of you alone.”

Russo blushed. *Cough* “Let me help you.” He said while swiftly getting away from Ben.

“There’s no need. I can work fine with one arm.”

“I insist. ”

Russo tried to help while Zefine hardheadedly tried to fold the blouse before being helped.

“...” The two of them touched each other’s hands by accident. Both of them momentarily froze and raised their gaze. Their cheeks blushed when their eyes met.

“Hehe.” The spectator Ben, chuckled and closed the door as if his job was done.

“Sorry.” Both said. They averted their gaze, and the accidental touch didn’t happen again.

*Lusterfall Noble Academy*

Jun Ye Rim was in her bedroom petting Blemish when she heard a knock on the door.

“It’s Lilith. Can I enter?”

“It’s not like the door is locked.”

Lilith became confused for a moment. She thought Jun Ye Rim was feeling bothered and didn’t want her to enter.

“I will talk to you another time then.”

“It’s not like I told you not to enter.”

“...” Lilith shook her head and entered. She went beside Jun Ye Rim and asked, “Do you want to come with us to the library after the homeroom lesson ends? I have a hunch it will not last more than ten minutes, and reading a book beside a friend is fun.”

“Why don’t you go with your man to read books? Having a friend will be less fun than having your man.” *Cough* “But it’s not like I oppose the idea of reading a book in the morning.”

“I hope to see you in the library, book friend.” Said Lilith with a beaming smile.

“I’m rather busy... maybe if I have time, I might take a peek and leave.” Jun Ye Rim responded.

Lilith left the bedroom. Jun Ye Rim slightly smiled and thought how it wasn’t bad to have a book friend.

*Knock, Knock* “I am Iris. Can I enter and check your arm?”

“...” Jun Ye Rim was going to experience a busy morning before leaving for the homeroom class.

*Class A Classroom*

Maria entered the classroom late as usual. No one was surprised anymore.

*Sigh* “A new activity will become available from next Thursday onwards. The activity is something many of you have been expecting to participate in.”

*Sigh* “The ranking matches will begin, and participating in a ranked match will exempt the team from all the lessons for the day.”

Maria frowned and spoke in an angered, annoyed voice, *Tsk* “But I hope I will have students attending my lesson every Thursday.”

*Sigh* “Now let me explain that I do not receive complaints.” Maira spoke as if it wasn’t her job to inform them.

*Sigh* “The fights will be a five versus five capture the flag battle, and the best teams of each year will participate in the yearly grand tournament.”

“Yes. Finally, we can fight.”

“My team is balanced, but I hope we and be in the top three.”

.....

“What about Melissa?” A classmate said, causing the other students to stop acting eager to compete.

They knew Melissa was a contender for the top three spots, but currently, Melissa was the only member staying in the academy. One was expelled, and three were in their family’s home.