Four mornings later, four days after Father Nord told me that Viscount Doll was coming.

'Viscount Dole will be arriving soon.

　He had just finished breakfast in the dining room when Saara entered the room and said so.

　Perhaps she had seen a carriage coming in in the distance, or a squire had come in ahead of her.

'Yes!　You're already here?!

'Yes, I'll hurry up and get the dishes to the kitchen to greet you.

　Meena and Saara, the maids, hurriedly gather the dishes and put them on the wagon and leave for the kitchen.

　I don't expect Viscount Doll to come in here any time soon, but there's a chance he'll come in just in case.

''Well then, shall we go and pick him up outside as well?

　In the meantime, we also need to give Viscount Doll a welcome, so we head outside.

　However, it will be some time before the carriage arrives here. We could just sit at the doorway and look at the blue sky, but let's ask Viscount Doll about him anyway.

　I know that he loves dolls, but I don't know what kind of personality he has.

''Hey, what's Viscount Doll like?''

'He's a mild-mannered person. It's just that sometimes it can be a little hard to see your surroundings when dolls are involved.

If it weren't for his doll hobby, he'd be a perfectly normal, sweet guy.

　I'm a little worried when I hear what Father Nord and Mother Erna have to say.

　I wonder if they're okay. It's all doll-related stuff I'm dealing with this time.

Well, Al will be fine. As long as you show him a moving doll, he'll be happy with it.

　Maybe it's because he thinks I'm in charge of the messy part, or maybe it's because he thinks I'm in charge of the messy part, or maybe it's because Dad Nord's lines are somewhat other people's business.

　Is that really true?　I don't think the people who make dolls up to that point would be satisfied with just seeing a moving doll.

　As we waited with various worries, we heard the sound of carriages rattling in the distance.

　Soon the sound grew louder and louder and two carriages stopped in front of the gate.

　An old man who looked like a steward got out of his seat and opened the doors of the carriages.

　Then, a huge body came out of the carriage.

"....Deika.

Hey, that's not very nice.

　Sister Elinora, standing next to me, moans and Mother Erna gives her a small taste.

　But it would be no use.

　The size of the figure that came out of the carriage is equal to the Roomba, but more than that. It looks like it's nearly two meters tall.

　He wore monocle glasses and his hair was all back. He is a man with a stout face, with a trimmed beard around his mouth.

　Perhaps he is the Viscount Doll himself.

　I can't imagine he's very good at making dolls just from a quick glance.

　I'm not sure if it's because the maids coming up behind me are quite petite, but their size is noticeable.

　It was as if I could hear the sound of thumping footsteps in my brain as I took a step forward.

　........I'm going to be the one to deal with him? He doesn't look like a kind person like Nord Dad and Erna Mom say he is, and he seems dour.......

　While observing without being rude, I noticed that Viscount Doll's steps were a little slow for his height.

　I see, he's keeping pace with the maid and butler who are waiting behind him. With legs that long, a single step would be pretty big, too.

　It's just like Nord Dad and Erna Mom said, Viscount Dor is a kind person. I was the one who agreed with what they said.

　When Viscount Dorr walked up to me, his piercing face became soft and

'Hello, Mister Nord. I'm sorry for my unexpected visit this time. When I heard that you would be able to see the puppets in action, I couldn't resist.

No, no, Master Doll, thank you for coming all the way out here. Since we are not here to talk, please come in.

Yeah, thanks.

　After a brief greeting from Father Nord and Viscount Dorr, Meena and Saara open the door for me.

　When I entered, Mel was waiting for me, and she had neatly laid out the slippers for all of us.

''Hou, does the Surolet family wear these inner shoes?

　Viscount Doll seemed surprised by the slippers and stopped moving.

　In the Misfirito Kingdom, it's the norm to either go inside in your outer shoes, or prepare shoes that are different from your outer shoes and change into them. Such slippers must be rare.

　On the other hand, we don't get confused because slippers are commonplace in the mansion, so we wear them without confusion.

'It's easy to just put your feet in and they're not too tight. If you'd like regular shoes, I can provide those for you?

No, thank you. Let's try on these inside shoes.

　With that said, Viscount Doll takes off his shoes and puts his feet in his slippers.

　However, just like his huge body, his feet are also large, and perhaps that's why his slippers are so tight. The heels are also sticking out a bit.

　Mel has noticed this and is troubled by it.

　There are no slippers that are any larger than this.

It's a good thing that you're not too big, but this is a lot easier. Let's keep going.

　Relieved to see Viscount Doll looking satisfied for now, we walk towards the single common room.

　And then the sound of slippers sounding like petticoats can be heard behind us.

''Ugh, I'm sorry,''

　The owner of the sound is Viscount Doll's maid. He may be aware of the fact that he is also aware of the sleeves, but he was looking down in embarrassment.

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea to go to the beach or not.

'I'm sorry, Nord-dono. Do you have some smaller inner shoes for our maids?

　It's amazing how much care you take to be able to say a firm request for a maid, even though the sound is a concern. As expected of an aristocrat.

''.........Yes, it will be a little lovely, but is it okay?''

　I can understand why Nord Dad is hesitating here. Because the only size that can fit a maid is the kid's size that me and my sister Elinora are using.

'I don't mind.'

　Viscount Dorr nodded, and Mel quickly returned to the doorway to get a different pair of slippers.

''Here you are.

Wow, that's cute.

　The maid loosens her face at the sight of the green, geko-tachi slippers.

　Thank goodness they didn't say anything about being disgusting.

'You're right, Nord-dono, they're really cute. Maybe even a frog doll would be cute.

　The picture of a young girl maid mumbling and muttering while staring at her feet is a bit dangerous.

''Ah, um, sir. It's time to go inside........

Hm?　Oh, yes.

　Little by little, I felt that I was beginning to see a glimpse of Viscount Doll's love for dolls.



　◆



　When they entered the common room, they each sat facing each other and introduced themselves briefly.

My name is Gregor Doll. I'll be taking care of you for a while. This is Tickle, the maid, and Bastian, the butler.

Hi, my name is Tickle!　Best regards!

　Tickle, the maid, hurriedly bows her head after being introduced to Viscount Dorr. She's a girl with a young-looking face.

　She doesn't seem to be too used to a place like this, but you can tell she's trying her best. Well, our mansion is a looser environment than most, and I'm sure you'll be able to relax your shoulders at times.

'My name is Bastian. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to contact me.

　This old butler here is a very calm butler. With this, he could follow up on various things even if Tickle was nervous.

　This seemed to be the only person on Viscount Dor's side, and the introductions ended quickly.

''Well then, this is the next one. You know me and Erna, and I'd like to introduce you to my sons.''

Yes, by all means.

　Viscount Doll's gaze locks on me.

　I think he can't wait to see me move the doll, but I can't let him stare at me like that.

'This is my eldest son, Silvio, my eldest daughter, Elinora, and my second son, Alfried.

　We're in line, so introductions are easy.

'My name is Silvio. My father tells me that Viscount Dorr also enjoys playing reversi.

Yes, I am amused by what Lord Nord has given me.

Well, I'd love to have a fight later.

Yeah, that's what I'm hoping for. By all means.

　Come to think of it, Father Nord said he gave you a reversible in exchange for a doll. Brother Silvio is so unassuming.

　He's shown his communication skills as the eldest son.

　So, after Silvio, Elinora is next... I'm sure she'll introduce herself as if she's wearing a cat mask again.

"My name is Elinora. I will be happy to guide you when you head to the mountains and villages. I'm confident in my sword, so I will also serve as your bodyguard.

　That implies you just want to go hunting for demons yourself, right?　You look like you're buying your guide in good health, but your desire is spoiled from the second half.

'Ah, Mistress Elinora's skill with the sword is in my ear. I shall ask you to accompany me when I go out.

　After sister Elinora's introduction, it's me at the end.

'My name is Alfried.

'Oh!　You..........!

　Even though I just said my name, Viscount Doll leans forward and wraps my hands around my hands with his large hands in a gesture.

　Great, I don't feel like I can move my hands a millimeter. There was no actual force put into them, but they were overwhelmingly large fingers.

'I heard you can move a doll, right?　We'll have to see it later, by all means.

Yes, sir.

　I nod, and Viscount Doll smiles and lets go of my hand with a smirk.

　I feel like my chastity is in jeopardy somehow, but will it be okay?

　He's a nice guy, but I'm getting a little scared to deal with him.