Invitation from the Head

[Act 3]

The head of the Ranieri family was a beautiful woman called Sofia Patricia Ranieri.

Dignified, bold, and not one to feel out of place in a violent, male dominated work line. In fact, Sofia may even be more gallant than most, and was the type to rush in head first into battle as the vanguard herself.

Once, during a battle that happened near the harbour, she had fought relentlessly under the heavy downpour until the battle was over. Such an episode was illustrated in the game, she recalled.

[You lot, just stick with me! These bastards dared sully our beautiful capital, we’ll wash it clean with their own blood!]

Inspired by Sofia’s valour, her subordinate members then fought with unparalleled vigour.

(9 years ago, Sofia had become a family head at age 20 herself. Quite young for inheriting the family name plus, it was quite rare for women to be the heir to the family as well and yet…….she had gone against the usual standards of the society of this world where women would be married off, and she has remained a bachelorette even now.)

Even though she could imagine just how much more harder it must have been for a single woman to take control of one the 5 great houses all by herself.

That alone was enough to earn her respect but if Sofia also happened to be nice to her on top of that, it was only natural for her to instantly like her.

“I hope we didn’t make you go through something scary, little girl.”

“N-not at all!!”

Seeing her apologize with a wry smile, Francesca quickly shook her head to the side.

They were currently at Sofia’s personal mansion which was also located somewhere within this forest where they had come to BBQ. This was one of the many villas here, and even her family members weren’t allowed to go in and out of here freely either.

Francesca had been invited to such a place, and had received a warm welcome here.

Sofia also sat down on a soft looking chair as she smoked her cig and smiled.

“I had always wanted to meet the Calvino’s young miss for quite some time you know? I had heard she was someone with a weak constitution that didn’t like to appear at high society parties but, I had also heard that even that Ewald was always doting on her daughter after all.”

“I-it’s my honour……!”

“Ahaha, no need to be so nervous okay? Though I guess to a girl who’s not always stayed in touch with matters of the underworld, another family’s head might be too intimidating I guess? My bad.”

“Oh no! That’s not the case at all! In fact I’m not scared one bit!!”

The real reason why Francesca was acting so stiff and awkward was not because of the reason Sofia had guessed.

“ufufu, why not become a friend with this sister too? Francesca-chan?”

“[A f-friend]……!!”

2 more older ladies were sitting beside Francesca. Both were in casual dresses, and their hair were lightly tied but, there was no doubt that they were both top class beauties.

Probably, they too were prostitutes directly working under the Ranieri family, who were currently having a break time before they head out for work again.

The two ladies sat down on both sides of her with Francesca in between, and were smiling as they continued to admire Francesca.

“The more I look at you, the more adorable you look. Your hair is so silky and smooth, your eyelashes are so pretty, and even your eyes so big and beautiful.”

“What kind of care do you do for your skin? Maybe it’s because you don’t use a lot of makeup normally but, surely you do something more on top right?”

“Also, the red colour of your hair is also so lovely as well. I have only ever seen your father from afar but, he had the same coloured hair as you as well right?”

The ladies continued to giggle and calling her ‘cute’, ‘cute’, and whatnot as they gently caressed Francesca. Sofia exhaled the smoke out of her mouth and showed a wry smile before chiding them.

“You two, don’t bother the innocent girl too much okay?”

“Ara, but we’re doing no such thing family head. We just want to be friends with this girl, that’s all.”

“U, um!”

Meanwhile, just hearing the word [Friend] had Francesca’s heart beating rapidly from excitement.

“D-do you truly mean it? Would you two really like to be my frie—–“

“Francesca.”

“Wha!”

A large hand suddenly covered her mouth, stopping her from finishing her sentence.

Francesca mumbled, as she tilted her backwards to look up towards Leonardo standing behind the sofa.

“Nmumu??”

At first, only Francesca had been invited inside Sofia’s mansion.

[I must repay you for ruining your fun time. I’ll apologize to your school friends later on as well but as the organizer of this little trip, I must give my apologies to the girl first and foremost. So? Young lady, would you mind coming to my villa?]

At that moment, Leonardo shrugged his shoulders and interjected into their conversation.

[Ranieri-dono, it is rare for us to meet like this at a place that’s not a meeting. As my cute fiancée’s companion, may I also for you invitation as well?]

Looking back up, Leonardo who had been watching the girls talk until now looked at her with a very gentle gaze.

“Haha, forgive me. I was trying my best to endure since it wasn’t a bunch of men but, I really can’t allow it after all.”

“?”

“I told you not to get tricked by bad adults, didn’t I? You shouldn’t be trusting people who start calling you [friend] as soon as you meet them, you know.”

With just her eyes, Francesca questioned Leonardo.

(You’re saying to not trust them yet? Why?)

He surely must have read through her eye signals perfectly. As his moonlit eyes got tinged in a slightly darker glow.

“……….Only I can…”

“…….?”

Leonardo quickly smiled, and then with a gentle tone of voice but still scolding her, he continued.

“Forget it.——-Those girls’ real aim is probably to get closer to your father for business I imagine.”

“!!”

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