𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞
While enjoying the scenery and chatting with Roa-sama, we walk. I feel more relaxed than when I’m in the knight brigade’s dining hall, and the conversation is light.
Along the way, we talk about inconsequential things like how that cloud looks like bread.
Roa-sama and I have so little in common that finding similarities is difficult. Furthermore, Roa-sama is using a pseudonym, making it awkward to ask about commonplace things.
While the two of us were searching for “the most delicious-looking cloud,” we arrived at our destination.
ㅤ
“Wow. . .! Beautiful!”
ㅤ
Surrounded by trees and flowers, a large lake stretched out before us. There’s no one else around; the large lake is all ours.
The lake is a beautiful turquoise blue, so clear that you can see the bottom.
ㅤ
“I hope you like it.”
“Yes!”
ㅤ
I smile and nod, then suddenly realize.
ㅤ
“Is this the destination?”
“Yes.”
“Are there any buildings or people around the lake?”
“No, this lake is off-limits to talk about.”
“. . .I thought today was a tour of another knight brigade. . .”
ㅤ
Roa-sama looks surprised. I’m surprised too.
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“Since Roa-sama said it was okay to use the brigade’s kitchen and ingredients, I thought the knights and kitchen maids from other brigades might want to try the curry. I divided the lunch into smaller portions and made a lot.”
“The large amount is not a problem. . .I should have explained properly.”
ㅤ
There is a splendid table and sofa set up on the thick mat laid out in the shade of the trees. Sitting on the sofa, Roa-sama briefly glances to the side.
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“Shall we sit for now?”
“. . .Yes.”
ㅤ
I place the lunchbox on the beautifully carved table.
I guess this sofa and the large cushion on the mat beside it were prepared by Roa-sama’s servants? They look very expensive, but I’ll put that out of my mind for now.
Roa-sama extends their hand, fulfilling the role of an escort this time, and seats me on the sofa.
ㅤ
“I’m not good at taking breaks, it seems. I was told that I’d be forced to take a rest if I continued training like this. So, I thought I should try to figure out how to relax on my own.”
“Searching for relaxation.”
ㅤ
I never thought Roa-sama didn’t know how to take a break. They’ve been continuously working hard, and maybe even their breaks were part of their training.
ㅤ
“Why am I involved in this break? Did you really want to eat curry that much?”
“That’s part of it, but. . .I tend to start training when I’m alone, so I was advised to spend a day off with someone.”
“I see.”
ㅤ
The Fourth Knight Order is probably confidential. When I go out, the ID I present at the castle gate doesn’t have my name or workplace on it. The contract says not to talk about the Fourth Knight Order, and my family was made to sign it too.
So maybe Roa-sama couldn’t invite anyone outside of the order.
I don’t know why the partner is me, but maybe the others had some business. . .Roa-sama is always alone. . .
ㅤ
“The lord knights seem busy.”
“That’s not the case, but. . .if Miss Norchev wishes, let’s go with that reason.”
“Hmm.”
ㅤ
Because they can use their power to silence me if needed?
ㅤ
“No, that’s not it! I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I don’t want you to look at me like that. I invited Miss Norchev simply because I wanted to spend a day off together.”
“. . .Understood.”
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Even after hearing the reason, I still don’t quite understand.
ㅤ
“Is today a day to rest both body and mind?”
“Yes, it is.”
ㅤ
Since Roa-sama sighed in relief, I decide not to question further. Even if Roa-sama is not inclined, his retainers might make me disappear.
ㅤ
“Then Roa-sama, I will now fully demonstrate how to relax.”
“. . .Ah, yes. I would like to see an example.”
“I feel more at ease on a cushion, so I’ll move there for now.”
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The cushion placed beside me is so big that it looks like three people could sit on it. Sitting down, I feel enveloped in its softness, it’s very comfortable.
The cushion has a curious sensation, somewhere between that of a beanbag and cotton. Lying down on it feels even more comfortable than the bed at my parents’ home.
ㅤ
“Roa-sama can sit on the sofa if you like, or you don’t have to lie on the cushion, and you can even stand if you want. It’s important to find the posture and environment where you can relax the most by letting go of tension.”
“. . .I see.”
ㅤ
Roa-sama stands up and sinks into the cushion. His body is so large that the cushion appears to be compressed under him.
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“. . .I’m not used to lying down except when sleeping, but letting go of bodily tension on purpose is indeed comfortable.”
“If you feel uneasy doing nothing, shall we play a word game?”
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A word game would be a last resort. Keeping a conversation going when it’s just the two of us, and there’s nothing to talk about, is impossible. Just lying down and not having the conversation break is more than enough for me.
Before I joined the knight order, even if the other person was a friend of Thor, I could never have done something like this.
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“A word game. . .what is that?”
“It’s a game where we take turns saying words. The next word has to start with the last letter of the previous word. For example, if I say ‘apple,’ you have to say a word that starts with ‘e.’ The first one to run out of words loses.”
“I see, sounds interesting.”
“Then I’ll start. Cloud.”
“Mongmush.”
“Mong. . .huh? What?”
“Mongmush. It’s a tradition in a small village by the sea in the countryside. Before eating, people touch their nose three times and their mouth three times. It’s said to express gratitude for the meal they received that day.”
“Roa-sama, you’re so knowledgeable!”
ㅤ
I had no idea about such a custom.
As I keep repeating the catchy word “Mongmush” in my mouth, Roa-sama lowers his eyebrows apologetically.
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“. . .I apologize. I lied. It was meant to be a joke.”
“And here I was, genuinely impressed!”
“I did it on a whim.”
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I was a bit startled, maybe even a bit angry, but seeing Roa-sama so downcast, I ended up speaking kindly.
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“I was just surprised, it’s fine. Roa-sama, you’re surprisingly playful, aren’t you?”
“I’ve never made a joke before, but I’ve always wanted to. Thanks to Miss Norchev, I could. Thank you.”
ㅤ
Roa-sama might be, just maybe, a bit of an oddball.
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