Two as One Princesses

And as Ciel is falling asleep, the men are loudly talking amongst themselves. It doesn’t seem to be a falling out, but they do sound quite combative.
They probably thought that they just had to beat a little girl and they’d be on their way home. Even if that isn’t the case, they probably didn’t plan on being tied down to a place like this.

I soundproofed Ciel’s barrier when she fell asleep, so thankfully she won’t be disturbed.

Several minutes into Ciel’s deep slumber –I made it so they wouldn’t see Ciel’s face– the slim man and one other guy drew near.

「Hmph, to sleep in a place such as this, it’s so ridiculous that I can’t be flabbergasted. No matter how powerful of spells she may manipulate, in the end she’s just a little girl.」

I nod to the slim man’s monologue. Normally, sleeping will dispel one’s sorcery. In fact, Sphilamote Elicinary vanished a few minutes after Ciel fell asleep. Rather, I’m amazed that it lasted as long as it did.

「Resent yourself for your complacency in doing that incomprehensible ritual of yours.」

Spouting off that petty villain line, the slim man took the knife on his hip and aimed for Ciel’s neck.
At first I didn’t understand what he meant by “incomprehensible ritual”, but I realized that it was about Ciel playing in general. It certainly might look like some ritual without any context.

The approaching knife was blocked by the B-rank barrier, stopping it midair. The shock on the slim man’s face was evident as he quickly turned his head, likely to check the one responsible for securing their retreat. Just then, the man whom the slim man had been fixated on exclaimed loudly, 「It’s no use, we can’t get out」.
As I observe the man’s shocked face turn pale, a conviction takes hold in the back of my mind – once Ciel awakens, our work here will be done.

◇

I asked Liessyl if she would be willing to inform mother Fii about what happened here and she happily obliged. Liessyl is a pretty powerful spirit. Is it really okay to ask her to do errands like this? Well, she happily obliged, so I’ll consider that a yes.
I can’t say for sure since it’s hard to distinguish time here, but Ciel woke up as morning(?) came.

『Good morning Ciel.』
『Good morning Ain.』

Today, she’s fully awake from the start. It’s probably because she’s properly aware that we’re outside the manor. With this, she should be alright in case anything ever happens.

『Did anything happen while I was asleep?』
『He attacked you but after seeing the barrier blocking it, his face went pale.』
『Is that so? Why is that?』
『Perhaps he finally realized the difference in power?』

Or their difference in status. Even if he’s spearheading a coup to bring about a revolution, until that happens Mother and Ciel and I are still of higher status to the public.
After doing this, he can’t expect his actions to have no repercussions. To avoid that, he’ll have to shut Ciel’s mouth for eternity, which he can’t do in the first place.
It’s a perfect checkmate.

『At any rate, it’ll be nice to be home soon, so let’s settle things here and go home.』
『True. The food is more delicious at the manor, after all.』

Yup. After a good night’s rest, Ciel’s anger has subsided.
With bags under his eyes, a clear sign of their sleep deprivation, the slim man addresses Ciel as she awakens and crawls out of her sleeping bag.

「What do you want?」

It seems like he still doesn’t understand their difference in status. Or maybe he’s intentionally talking in this tone despite understanding that. Either way, it doesn’t change anything. In the end, he’ll understand whether he likes it or not.

『How should I reply? If I say little sister, he won’t know if it’s Viviana or the other, right?』
『Wouldn’t older little sister work well enough?』
『Understood.』
「Your older little sister.」
「Why! Why do even you always bring up Sumiaria!」

He suddenly exploded in anger, evidently hitting a sore spot. I guess this is the embodiment of an older brother consumed by jealousy towards his younger sister’s brilliance.
One could also interpret our desire for Viviana’s older sister, Sumiaria, as an aspiration for her exceptional talents. Consequently, his perception of us wanting his little sister instead of him, who is standing right in front of us, likely gives him the impression that we consider him inferior compared to his sister.

Under ordinary circumstances, no one would willingly seek the company of someone who launched an unexpected attack. It seems that his anger surfaced instinctively, before rational thought could kick in. Isn’t such behavior deemed inappropriate for someone from the upper class?

I’ve noticed that Ciel also instinctively becomes angry when I’m insulted, and I suspect the same might apply to me as well, reacting in a similar manner when Ciel is affronted.

「To begin with, I can’t give her to you. It has been decided that Sumiaria is to be with Triadol for Amyulute’s better future. If we go back on this, the Amyulute family will lose credibility.」
「So what?」

It seems like Ciel’s reply was far from his expectations, as the slim man was agape with shock. But in reality, the Amyulute family’s circumstances are irrelevant, we have the power to demand it either way.
While that could cause antagonism from the so-called Triadol family, they’re already against us in the first place, so I don’t feel the need to be considerate.

Naturally, Amyulute family’s credibility is none of our concern. Viviana is practically divorced from them anyways.
In my eyes, they’re nothing more than thugs assaulting Ciel. For some reason, I’m starting to really hate having Ciel talk to them.

『Can I switch with you?』
『Sure, but why is that?』
『I just had a thought, there’s no need for you to deal with this.』
『I see, got it.』

With that, I switched with Ciel without changing colors and gave the slim man an empty stare.