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Being in a tree is great.
That’s what I thought as I sat on a sturdy branch of the splendid tree in our garden.
My name is Christina Noir. I’m a genius.
At one I could walk, at three I could talk, and by five, I had exhausted all the books in the library.
The household I was born into is a Duke’s family which boasts a 300 year history. Our garden has been maintained by excellent gardeners for generations. Even this tree that I’m sitting on was apparently planted a hundred years ago.
Even after a hundred years, this tree shows no sign of withering. The branch that supported my weight was sturdy and I could feel the tree’s quiet but massive existence from the trunk that supported my back.
What was most wonderful of all though was…..
The rampant, lush foliage obstructed the woman’s view as she searched for me from down below.
Calling my name repeatedly was a woman in her mid-thirties. Slim and tall, possessing a slender, straight and well-proportioned back, she was of a strict disposition.
Mariywa Toinette.
She’s the governess employed by my family to oversee my education.
“Humph”
“A mere employee dares to threaten me with cheap lies?”
“….. Even if I came down and apologised, I’ll be struck with the whip”
“Christina-ojousama? This is my last warning. If you refuse to come out after hearing this….. Your lessons today will be stricter than before”
It….. It’s a threat after all!
In the past five minutes, I heard the whip fly once, more intensely than usual, in the remote distance. My shoulders instinctively trembled, but not attending the lessons was my victory.
Mariywa was different from the live-in servants who worked here. The time for the pickup carriage to arrive was set in stone and can’t be missed. In other words, if I hide till then, Mariywa can’t meddle with me. Consequently, I would have to wait here until it arrived.
Perfect. Not a piece lacking, it was the perfect, accomplished plan.
“Christina-ojousama? ….. Che”
“I won…..!”
“Hahaha! Mariywa! After all, you’re just a lowly servant! To think that with your position that you could best me, Christina Noir, the eldest daughter and heir to the house of Duke Noir! Kukuku….. Fuwahahahahahahhaha!”
“—e -samaaaa”
“Oneee-samaaaa….. Where are youuuuuu…..”
The delicate voice trembled slightly. Hearing that voice, I unhesitatingly leaped off the branch.
“Fufufu!”
“Onee-chan has answered your call, Mishuly!”
“What, Mishuly! You were looking for me weren’t you? Onee-chan will always be by your side—”
“—nn?”
“….. Why are you even here, Mariywa”
“….. May I ask why you are here, Miss Toinette”
“To discover the idiotic tomboy who decided to hide in the trees, I borrowed the assistance of Mishuly-ojousama”
I protested instinctively at Mariywa’s words. Receiving my outburst, Mariywa responded ingeniously with a raised eyebrow.
“It goes without saying! Isn’t that you, a person from hell, who would plan and scheme to use an honest person like Mishuly!?”
“Hoho. Splendid work, Ojou-sama. As per declaration, today’s class will be stricter. Have you prepared yourself to take a good look at hell?”
“Ah….. Erm….. Mariywa said that onee-sama was lost and you didn’t come back during meal time so she was worried…..”
Preoccupied with running away from this hellish ogre, I had made my younger sister insecure. This was a disgrace and unbecoming of the older sister. To the world’s cutest, younger sister who was worried for me, I apologised and hugged tightly.
Mariywa’s argument had implied that I was partly responsible. The uneasy countenance was swayed with a tight embrace, gradually turning into a smile.
Uh huh. My younger sister’s smile was definitely becoming. Feeling the body temperature of the angel in my arms, I was convinced again.
“A-again, Onee-sama….. ehehe ”
“Now then, Ojou-sama, relationships between sisters are such blessings….. It is already enough”
“Fu, fufufu, fuwaaaahahahaha! Naturally! Let’s do this, Mariywa Toinette! I will turn the tables on you, leaving you speechless!”
“O-Onee-sama!? That….. Isn’t that painful? Onee-samaaaa!”
At seven years old, this is the personal, rare story of a proud Duke’s daughter.