Even Though I’m a Former Noble and a Single Mother, My Daughters Are Too Cute and Working as an Adventurer Isn’t Too Much of a Hassle

Three days after Shirley had learned that the Empires shadow was looming over her family, shes currently visiting the Adventurers Guild.

Shirley-san, I have a letter for you from the guild master.

..

Y-you dont have to look so disgusted with me!

On the letter was the crossed sword and staff of the adventurers guild and next to it was the emblem of the girl emblazoned against the dawn, Shirley frowned when she saw the symbol of the Golden Witch.

This feels a little too familiar. I ought to just throw this away, I dont really feel like being tricked and mocked right now.

A-ah, right I cant deny that Im ashamed on behalf of the guild for what happened before.

Shirley hadnt forgotten that the last time Canary sent her a letter, she and her daughters ended up snared in a double contract. Even more so because she was forced into something so shameful.

B-but, if the guild master sent you a letter personally, it has to be something important, right?

I suppose? That demon woman doesnt commit idle mischief after all. Its incredibly irritating.

So she said. Its inevitable that any letter that carries both the mark of the adventurers guild and Canarys own emblem will be important.

She doesnt know just what it is, but its possible that something on the level of a Dragon Kings attack has happened again.

Im going to take a look.

Ah, then Ill use a letter opener

No, dont. Theres a possibility theres some kind of curse or trap involved.

Youve known her for so long, but you really dont trust grandma at all

She gazed at the envelope with sapphire and crimson eyes. Shirley opened her eyes wide and used her ability to see everything, reading the words on the folded letter inside the envelope.

Having asked me to mediate, a certain personage of high birth wishes to meet you on the climactic day of the month, at two hours past noon. Whatever they wish to tell you is secret enough I could not write it thus, but I shall leave it up to you whether you wish to meet with them. If you intend to accept this rendezvous, please inform Yumina and she will organize proceedings. The meeting place is the reception room of Adventurers Guild in your remote little town.

Shirley frowned in suspicion.

It is common for people in high society like nobles to conceal their names when making meeting plans. But, for a meeting like this to happen at such a time There are only a few people who know the truth about what is targeting her daughters.

Whats more, what could be so important that some noble would lower themselves to meeting directly with a commoner? No, she doesnt know if its an aristocrat or perhaps some high ranking merchant, but either way these people so pressed for time wouldnt give it up idly.

(In the past, there were a few times where I was approached to be a bodyguard after an escort request.)

They were enamoured with Shirleys martial prowess and wanted to make her a part of their retinue as a personal guard, though she had to decline the offers despite the generous pay since it required always moving around with her client, but she was quite sure that this meeting wasnt about that.

Its impossible to think that the ever self-conceited Canary would let herself be the middleman if it was some sort of business proposal. In the first place, if it was something like that, they could have just sent Shirley the letter without having to use the witch as an intermediary.

(Which means Its a person so important that even Canary is willing to be a messenger?)

That narrows things down considerably. Shirley can only think of three people.

One of them is the great unifier of Canarys homeland, the Lord of the Land of Demons. The second is the ruler of the trading nation on the eastern seas where Canary is currently conducting business. And the last person, the one who is most likely considering this is his own backyard.

(Could it be the King?)

The head of the Pendragon family that rules the Kingdom and Canarys close ally Briefly, an image of the Black Lion King she met at a ball all those years ago flashed through her mind.

(Since hes so close to Canary, its not strange that he knows Im in the Kingdom, but why is he suddenly contacting me after ten years? And at a time like this)

She doesnt understand why the royal family would need Canary to mediate either. However, suddenly contacting her now when the Empires shadow was attempting to swallow her family whole, it was all too strange.

Now that she thinks about it Grania, the one who managed to pinpoint the location of the magics caster, was one of Canarys students herself. Its unlikely, but its possible things arent quite as they seem.

(I dont know how this will end up, but I dont have much choice.)

The end of the month was two days away. If there was a chance of proving the Empires guilt, of getting the full picture, then Shirley would seize that opportunity.

Alright, its perfect.

Shirley isnt usually one for self-flattery, but even she felt like she did an excellent job with dinner that day. Sophie and Tios eyes sparkled when they saw the meat pie baked to a perfect golden-brown colour and the simmering chicken stew laid out on the table.

Mama, did something happen today? Its so luxurious!

The meal made from a rented corner of the Deficit Houses kitchen, an inn for destitute adventurers to get a nights rest, looked extravagant considering the atmosphere of the dining room they sat in.

Usually, she cooks modest dishes based on bread or salads, but today she went all out and made both her daughters respective favourite dishes.

Did something good happen?

No, I simply felt like it. There wasnt any reason in particular.

She really did just feel like it. Cooking two meals like this takes a lot of effort, but its a labour of love and getting to spend quality time with her daughters over dinner is pure bliss for Shirley.

(Its possible we wont get many opportunities to spend time as a family soon)

Its still just her fears for now But its completely possible that Sophie and Tio could be swept up in the entanglements of power and politics.

Of course, Shirley wouldnt just sit by. For the future of her daughters, she would make enemies out of entire nations.

So, this is her way of making amends. Amends for the nights without her these girls may soon have to endure, with the uncertain waters theyre soon to sail.

Now, it wont do to let it go cold. Lets eat.

Thanks for the food!

Sophie scooped as much of the stew as she could on her spoon and Tio dug into the pie with her fork. When Shirley saw their faces light up as they took their first bite, Shirley sighed happily.

Even if she doesnt know what her enemies are truly after, so long as she can protect this peace, then she has nothing to fear. Even if her meeting with that noble visitor doesnt pan out, she knows that she isnt alone either.

The strength that exists in the bonds between people, it was something she had learned in this remote town.

Ahhh that was tasty! Thank you!

Yes, Im glad you liked it. Remember to brush your teeth properly.

Mm.

The twins polished off their plates and went back upstairs. Theyve become familiar figures for adventurers who pass them by in the hallways.

Im feeling sleepy because I ate so much, I wonder if I should lie down?

Mm. Youre going to get fat if you do that though.

When Tio said that expressionlessly, Sophie stopped in her tracks.

W-what are you saying? I-Im actually not sleepy, not sleepy at all okay?

Okay?

Sophie is actually slightly thinner than most girls and probably doesnt really have to worry about putting on weight, but shes at that age. The mere mention of gaining weight was enough to blow the cobwebs away.

A-anyways, youre not one to talk Tio! Youre always sleeping after you eat, even if youre good at exercising arent you being careless?

Its okay. Ive got an extra place to store nutrition.

What are you talking abou

She started to say, then she trailed off. To any bystander Tios figure seems to be easy to figure out in her sometimes shabby way of dressing, but Sophie noticed something strange.

T-Tio? A-are those?

Mm. They started growing from the beginning of the year.

She hadnt realized that the person she spent every day with had changed so slowly, but despite her chest being small Those bumps were definitely larger than the nothingness on Sophies chest.

It feels kind of weird when Im swinging a stick around, but maybe now mum will buy me a bra.

W-what!? B-but I was told by the shop person I didnt need it yet!?

When they got measured at school this year she was one centimeter taller than Tio and she felt like her arms and legs were getting longer as well, Sophie was beginning to think more and more that now Im beginning to look like an older sister.

But, reality is a harsh mistress. She couldnt have ever imagined that her little sister would overtake her like this.

Why Why! Why are you getting ahead of me, even though we should both be inheriting it from mama!

Sophie completely forgot about her slight height advantage as she struggled to recover from the shock of this new discovery.

Of course, the merits of chest size vary from person to person, but when it comes to this girl she always saw breasts as a measure of maturity.

This was just too much of a shock, the pride she had been building up as an older sister since that measurement at school was collapsing around her ears.

Dont worry.

Tio?

Tio put a hand on the slumped shoulders of her older sister.

Were just children, its good to be patient. Besides, height and chest size arent everything.

I know youre trying to cheer me up, but its not helping at all!?

Whilst Sophie pride as the elder sister had all but evaporated and Tio was beginning to get worried about her,

Y-You children!

How can you talk about something like that in the hallway!? Having heard the conversation all the way from the dining room, Shirley covered up her embarrassed face with her hands.

Living in a town like this and spending every day in such a vibrant inn and school, Shirley was worried that their surroundings were beginning to rub off on them if they can talk about things like that so openly, without a hint of modesty.

(Ive got to work even harder from now on.)

No matter what anxieties she has about the future, right now she has to teach her girls how to act like proper ladies, lest they draw the eyes of lechers.

She dashed off in pursuit of her girls, sending overwhelming bloodlust towards anyone who dared look in their direction.