𝐄𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫
Awoken by the morning sun, I stretch deeply and get up. There’s the typical lethargy of waking up, but my head feels clearer than expected.
Perhaps the slightly firm bed suits my body. The beds at school were fluffy and comfortable, but I felt like I was sinking too much into them.
ㅤ
Gently moving so as not to wake up the still-sleeping Emilia, I washed my face and combed my hair.
Light makeup and hair tied in a low position. I added a pale orange ribbon that I bought yesterday.
I heard that this is currently in trend in this town, and it has a bit of lace on the edge. By wearing this, I might be able to blend in more with the town and have smooth conversations when I visit the shop where I made the purchase.
ㅤ
When I go downstairs, breakfast is already prepared. The ninja couple must start their day early.
I thought of making something if there was no breakfast, but it would be bad to overstep the servants’ work. If the roles were reversed, I might have worried if they didn’t like my cooking.
After a moment of thought, I return to my room and take out some stationery. I write a note of thanks to the ninja couple and express my desire to occasionally cook to keep my skills sharp.
ㅤ
“. . .I should have written this yesterday.”
ㅤ
I’d feel sorry if I made them uncomfortable.
I slide the envelope under the door that seems to lead to the servants’ quarters, and upon opening the dining room door again, I find Edgardo there.
ㅤ
“Good morning, Edgardo-sama. You’re up early.”
“Good morning. You’re up early as well, Alice.”
“It’s a habit to wake up early.”
“I understand.”
ㅤ
In front of Edgardo, there is a pile of bread and jam.
I like croissants and walnut bread, but the lord knights eat hearty bread in the morning because that won’t fill their stomachs.
Fluffy scrambled eggs with various vegetables sautéed in butter and sprinkled with herbs, along with roasted meats of various kinds. Sausages and ham.
The breakfast for active and hearty-eating men always looks impressive.
ㅤ
“I’ll join you for breakfast.”
“Of course. The onions are recommended. They are sweetened by cooking slowly and topped with herb butter.”
“Wow, sweet. . .! The onions are incredibly sweet!”
“Yes, they are. There’s a variety, and I hope Alice enjoys them too.”
ㅤ
Edgardo looks a bit fidgety, like a large puppy.
I was worried for no reason that he might not have good memories, but it seems to be a precious hometown for him, which is good.
ㅤ
We eat croissants with chocolate in them and drink tea after the meal.
I’m envious that Edgardo, who ate so much, remains slim. He must exercise a lot. I’d like to work out, but doing so while sharing a room with Emilia might make me seem mad.
ㅤ
“. . .I really hope you come to like Valka territory, Alice.”
“I’ve only visited one town, but it’s lively and everyone is kind, a very nice town indeed!”
“I’m glad to hear that. If. . . if you like it and want to settle down, you’re welcome to.”
“Uh, that is. . .”
“I don’t mean marrying me! Although I’d be very happy if that happened! But simply, I hope you like the land where I was born and raised. And you’re planning to open a shop, right? It could be one of your options. The residents are kind-hearted and often help each other out, so it’s easy to live here.”
ㅤ
Edgardo’s face, mixing the charm of the Valka domain and his unchanged feelings, is shining.
ㅤ
“I am very fond of this town. If there’s a chance to open a second store, it will be my first choice.”
“A second store, you say. . .”
“We have Thor, so it’s a bit of a problem to move too far from the royal capital. . .”
“Ah. . .”
ㅤ
Edgardo, having guessed from the mention of Thor’s name alone, shook his head regretfully.
ㅤ
“I have decided to train instead of going to the town. If I go to the Valka house, there are many who know me.”
“Don’t you have a magic tool for transformation?”
“It should be arriving soon. My father is not suited for knighthood, but he trains as much as my grandfather did. Without becoming a different person, I’d be recognized before I even enter the front door. It’s frustrating not to be able to go to the town, but it’s Prince Linus’s order.”
“Roa-sama is really kind, isn’t he?”
ㅤ
That means you’re giving Edgardo time to gather his thoughts for facing his father, right?
It might be too lenient for someone in charge, but that’s what I like about Roa-sama.
ㅤ
“. . .I think so, too.”
ㅤ
Edgardo, who smiles, seems more solid than when he’s with the knights. The confidence he has from working hard since childhood to succeed the family seems to be showing on his face lately.
Edgardo is younger than me and shares similarities with Thor, but Edgardo is still Edgardo.
ㅤ
“Since you said you’d leave the town to the three from yesterday, I won’t overthink my role.”
“Really? I thought you’d go with Emilia-sama.”
“Miss Telhar is strong, but it’s difficult for her to go out day after day. With Prince Linus here, it’s also hard to reduce our numbers any further.”
“Then, I’ll do my best to gather information!”
“Please do. Asking the three of them is also to prevent Maurice Maigret from realizing how many people are investigating. If he doesn’t know how many are behind him, he can’t move hastily.”
“Understood. I’ll pretend I’m the only one inquiring around.”
“Yes. . . .Be careful.”
ㅤ
Edgardo squeezed my hand tightly, but this isn’t romantic. It’s a pure concern for a comrade’s well-being.
The hand he grasped is warm. It feels like the heat is conveying how much he’s worrying.
ㅤ
“There’s a security magic tool in the basket, so it’s okay. If necessary, I’ll activate it with the strength it takes to grate raw potatoes!”
ㅤ
And then run away! There’s no way to win by fighting, so just escape!
ㅤ
“I’ve prepared several places to escape to. Please check the map before you go out.”
“. . .Understood!”
ㅤ
I make a fist with determination, but I have no confidence.
I’m a bit directionally challenged. Even looking at a map, I can’t understand a thing. The fist gradually lowers, and finally, my head droops powerlessly.
ㅤ
“. . .Once I enter the town, I’ll first pass by and check that place.”
“If it’s not safe to escape to, please go somewhere else. The most important thing is to escape.”
ㅤ
. . .Maybe I’ll join Edgardo for a bit of training. I should at least practice running.
ㅤ
I ran a bit, took a break, and then set out for the city before lunchtime. Today’s plan is to have lunch at yesterday’s market.
It seems that I will wait here until Maurice Maigret arrives and, depending on the situation, I might also investigate another market.
ㅤ
Today, since there are only three people on the carriage, we enter the town without alighting. At some point, the carriage stops, and first Shiro opens the door and steps out.
The carriage is positioned right beside a building. The door of the carriage and the door of the house overlap, allowing us to enter the house without showing our faces or figures.
ㅤ
As we each descend from the carriage and enter the building, we find ourselves inside a house. The place seems to lack a lived-in feel, perhaps because it is unnaturally tidy and devoid of trinkets.
ㅤ
“Thank you for your hard work. From now on, we will be coming and going from here, so please remember this place.”
“Understood.”
“Alice, feel free to move around. Shiro and I will definitely be close by.”
“Yes. Today, the plan is to first check the evacuation site and then go to the market.”
“Understood! Take care not to get lost!”
ㅤ
After ensuring there are no sounds of footsteps, we leave the house. The weather is nice and the sun is warm, which makes the slightly cold wind feel just right.
First, we thoroughly memorize an evacuation spot, and then we head towards the market. Even though we were here yesterday and may not learn anything new, the fact that we’re finally given a task fills us with enthusiasm.
ㅤ
“Hello. Is it alright if I shop here again today?”
“The young lady from yesterday! You. . .”
ㅤ
The auntie catches her breath and falls silent. Before I can wonder why, I’m enveloped in a shadow.
ㅤ
“Are you the Ojou-san who has been inquiring about me?”
ㅤ
I whirl around forcefully.
There stands a large man, looming over me as if to cover me.
ㅤ
Underneath the distinctive long black hair is a well-formed face, yet the eyes lack any light. He is taller than Edgardo and, surprisingly, more muscular and solid.
A light voice is emitted from his thick lips.
ㅤ
“Would you like to have tea?”
“Tea. . .?”
“Yes, tea. . . .Oh, was that not right? I heard that’s how you invite someone.”
ㅤ
Facing Maurice Maigret, who tilts his head, my brain spins at high speed.
. . .I must not call for help. I cannot provide information about the presence of Rene and Shiro to Maurice, not knowing if he is aware of them.
It is also best not to use the anti-crime magic tool. If I use it after being called the inquiring Ojou-san, suspicion will turn to certainty, and Maurice might flee the town.
ㅤ
What to do, me!
Translator’s Blog
Blog
- How to Deal with Your Cringey Otaku Classmate (Without Turning into a Weeaboo Yourself)
- Is Your Cat Plotting Your Demise (While You’re Face Down, Drunk)?
- My Brain on UFC: Why I’m Convinced I Could Totally Take on Adesanya (I’m Lying, Don’t Tell Dana)
- The Social Isolation Speech Impediment: How Being a Shut-In Can Make You Sound Like a Robot
- What if Disney Princesses Were Real? (Spoiler: Not So Magical)
Leave a Reply