𝐈𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐧
As Arthur said, the time it took to run through the secret passage was not as long as before.
After passing through several secret passages, the last one led out inside the house. Rene gave a quick signal after scanning the surroundings of the house from the window.
Shiro dashed out of the house and returned in a few minutes.
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“All clear. Let’s go.”
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They quickly climbed into the carriage parked behind the house. As soon as the door closed, the carriage set off.
A small sigh escaped.
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Inside the carriage, there were two large sofas facing each other, reminiscent of the interior of a train.
As Roa-sama sat down, Shiro promptly stood by his side, attentive.
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“Please, take a seat, my lady. There will be a transfer once we leave the capital, but it would be best to rest for a while.”
“I will gratefully take your advice.”
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Emilia, looking a bit pale, sat opposite Roa-sama and was comforted with a back rub.
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“Thank you. . . I will feel better once I sit down.”
“You must not overexert yourself. Would you like some medicine?”
“I’ve already taken some before leaving the school, so I’m fine.”
“How about some water?”
“I’m quite alright now, thank you.”
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Do you think you’ll vomit if you drink?
I believe that a noble lady vomiting in a place like this is probably an unbearable humiliation. If you’re feeling unwell or experiencing motion sickness, I think it would be easier to vomit quickly, but. . .
In a situation where no one can see you, it’s impossible to go outside and vomit. I also don’t want to vomit in this space.
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Some stand and keep watch vigilantly, taking turns to sit and rest.
Roa-sama asked Edgardo in his usual tone.
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“It was a two-day journey to Edgardo’s territory, wasn’t it?”
“Yes. Once we leave the capital and switch to a magic tool, the journey will speed up.”
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The capital city can only be traveled to by horse, but once you leave the capital, you can use magic tools resembling cars for transportation.
It seems that there are something like highways between the territories. I’ve never left the capital, so I haven’t seen them, but I can imagine what they might be like.
I’ve heard that trains are faster, but they accommodate a large number of people. Since there’s a higher chance of being noticed by others, we’ll be traveling by car this time.
In this windowless, confined space, for two days. Hmm, I wonder what to do about the toilet.
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This question was quickly answered upon switching to the magic tool.
The magic tool, which looked like a small bus, was more spacious inside than it appeared.
There were three rooms in total: a living room-like space with sofas and a table, a bedroom, and a small toilet.
The bedroom had five simple beds lined up, cramped together. The beds were small, an effort made to accommodate as many sleepers as possible.
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Even in such a situation, I couldn’t help feeling a bit excited, and seeing this, Roa-sama smiled.
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“Is this Alice’s first time riding something like this? Think of it as a magic bag.”
“Imagining myself inside a magic bag is quite a strange feeling.”
“It’s a rare contraption, not many get the chance to ride it. It’s my first time as well.”
“It doesn’t look like that from the outside, amazing!”
“There’s little vibration, so it should be comfortable. We must not let our guard down, but there’s no need to be overly tense. Let’s take turns napping.”
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Seeing Emilia’s color returning a bit, Roa-sama glanced at the bedroom.
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“Please go ahead and sleep, my lady. Even though it’s still morning, you’ll likely fall asleep since you didn’t get much sleep last night.”
“. . .Thank you. I will take a little rest then.”
“I will stay with Emilia-sama. Oh, I’ll leave the magic bag I borrowed from Edgardo-sama here. It contains food and drinks.”
“No, I am fine on my own.”
“But. . .”
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Emilia murmurs quietly to herself.
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“The magic bag contains your personal items as well, doesn’t it? It’s a bit cruel to let a gentleman rummage through it.”
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The magic bag also contains underwear.
Seeing my blushing face, Emilia laughs.
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“I’m feeling much better than before. If anything comes up, I’ll rely on you. I’ll probably fall asleep soon, and Alice, you should come too when you feel sleepy.”
“Yes. Good night.”
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I watch Emilia leave obediently and take out a drink from the magic bag.
Roa-sama would like black coffee, and Rolf and Arthur would probably drink coffee now too. Cocoa for Edgardo.
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“What would Rene-sama like to drink?”
“Hmm, I feel like having lemonade now.”
“I’ll make it hot for you.”
“Thanks!”
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I place a coffee pot and a milk pitcher on the table, and pour three cups of coffee.
I place hot lemonade with plenty of honey and lemon slices in front of Rene. Sweet cocoa is for Edgardo.
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“What would Wanko-sama like?”
“I’ll have a café au lait.”
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Then, I should probably also place sugar on the table.
I decide to have straight tea and sit in an empty spot on the sofa.
Everyone is sitting now, but they are armed and not really relaxed. If needed, I am prepared to hold off enemies to allow Roa-sama to escape.
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After drinking his coffee, Roa-sama says with a soft voice that reassures the listener.
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“It’s unlikely that the Ouldra family is involved in this matter. I need to investigate a bit more, but please know that I do not suspect Rolf or the Ouldra Count family.”
“Of course, I am aware. Please continue your investigation thoroughly.”
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Rolf, who winked, puts down his coffee cup.
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“For better or worse, my father does have talent. If he learns that someone in his territory is plotting to usurp the throne, he will eliminate them immediately. His priority is the development of his territory, and he will show no mercy to those who threaten it. My younger brother, the next head of the family, is different from my father and has a decent heart. If there are any traitors, he will notify the royal family out of loyalty.”
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I look at Rolf, whose voice carries a hint of irony.
Rene and Arthur clearly have a good relationship with their family. It is evident from the pleasant family stories that occasionally come up in conversation.
Roa-sama often talks about his brother. Edgardo only rarely mentions his father.
But Rolf almost never talks about his family.
He said with few words that the red hair is the proof of the Ouldra Count family, and that the house will be inherited by his brother, which is why he left.
All I could say was, “Is that so?” Comforting or accepting might not be my role to play.
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“The Valka family has not had interactions between grandfather and father for many years, so even if the grandfather has not partnered with Dyson, it cannot be confidently said that father has not. It’s a shameful story for a son. . . but without delving too much into personal matters, the management of the Valka family is still not entrusted to me. . .”
“There is no need to belittle oneself. If that’s the case, I too have only had a handful of private conversations with my father, and I leave matters of the country to my elder brother.”
“. . .Indeed.”
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Edgardo seems to think that it’s a different scale of things. I think so too.
Perhaps due to having something warm to drink, the tension that had stiffened my body has melted away into a comforting warmth. If Emilia is still awake, I should ask if she’d like something warm to drink as well.
Roa-sama noticed me zoning out and smiled gently.
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“Alice, you should rest a bit too. Since we weren’t attacked during the transfer, it should be safe for a while.”
“Thank you. Please don’t hesitate to wake me if I oversleep.”
“Sleep to your heart’s content.”
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I say goodnight to everyone, bow lightly, and enter the bedroom.
Emilia seems to have already fallen asleep. Her complexion looks better, which is a relief.
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Oh right, if Emilia is here, I can’t enter the bedroom. Maybe I’m still numb from being abruptly woken up when I fled from the Fourth Knight Order.
I was caught by Roa-sama with my hair undone, and even my sleepy face has been seen. . . If I were a beautiful girl, this might have been the thrilling start of a romance! But the other party is me.
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Lying down on the bed next to the beautiful Emilia, I think about Thor and everyone I left at school, and surprisingly, I fall asleep quite easily.
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