𝐔𝐧𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭
After returning to school for the first time in a while, Caroline seemed really worried about me.
She seemed anxious because I stopped coming after the tea party, wondering if something had happened to me.
ㅤ
“I was just feeling under the weather and took some time off. It has nothing to do with Caroline.”
“Well, if that’s the case. . . would it be alright if I invited you to another tea party? Ever since last time, the butler has been really enthusiastic and has been making sweets every day.”
“Oh, that’s lovely. The treats were really delicious. I ate all the sweets you gave me right away.”
“I’ll pass on the compliment. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled. He’s been talking about nothing but Tianne-sama ever since.”
“All I did was tell the truth. It’s Caroline, who permitted and encouraged the baking of sweets, who is truly wonderful.”
“Right. Even so, it’s always ‘Tianne-sama, Tianne-sama.’ It’s just too much.”
ㅤ
Caroline glanced away for a moment and then remained silent.
ㅤ
“If it’s alright, may I send you more sweets?”
“Oh, I’d be delighted! They were really delicious!”
ㅤ
I shared the sweets I received with Edgardo, and we ate them all.
ㅤ
“Well, I’ll send some more then. If you eat too much more, you’ll gain weight.”
ㅤ
While chatting amicably with Caroline, I attended the class and, when it ended, I stopped by Marina’s research lab.
It seems that Thor is working hard together and they get along well.
ㅤ
“I still haven’t made anything satisfactory! I should be focusing on my studies as the heir, but that’s going nowhere. . . Maybe my sister should take over the role instead. . . Oops, sorry for bringing this up! Thanks to Thor helping me, progress has been quicker. Thor even talks to someone as out of place as me, so. . . I’m grateful.”
ㅤ
I couldn’t help but stare at Marina, who was blushing slightly.
I sense love is in the air. . . with Thor!
ㅤ
“. . .Just out of curiosity, what do you and Thor talk about every day?”
“We talk about Tianne-sama and Thor’s older sister! It’s really fun!”
“. . .I see.”
ㅤ
Maybe Thor and Marina are surprisingly compatible.
ㅤ
After returning to the dormitory from my first day back at school in a while, everyone began to move. I feel guilty for not being more helpful.
I pressed buttons on various automatic vacuum cleaners, trying to do something, when the door opened and Roa-sama came out.
He looked a bit pale.
ㅤ
“Roa-sama, is something wrong? Has something happened to the former Emperor?”
ㅤ
I had just heard from Caroline that the former Emperor seemed to be unwell. It seems to be a regularly circulating rumor, but its truth is unknown.
ㅤ
“I’ll make some tea. Please have a seat.”
ㅤ
In the quiet room with no one around, only the presence of Roa-sama sitting on the sofa moves.
Even though I said I’d make tea, all I do is leave it to the cooking appliance. I returned with a cup of black coffee, and Roa-sama looked downcast.
ㅤ
“The former Emperor is well. It’s okay.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“He is still secluded in the detached palace as always.”
ㅤ
There is something off about Roa-sama’s accusatory tone; it’s unlike him.
ㅤ
“Alice didn’t know much about it.”
“Yes. Ever since the Empress he deeply loved passed away, the former Emperor has been mostly staying in the detached palace.”
“Exactly, the former Emperor is always there. He gathered all of his late wife’s belongings and took them to the detached palace, refusing to come out. Despite objections from his subjects, he specifically wanted that palace, which was originally intended to incarcerate royal family members who committed crimes. Only he knows the way in and out.”
“Why would he desire such a place?”
“It’s just speculation, but. . . I think he didn’t want anyone else in their love nest. He didn’t want to bring anything unnecessary into it.”
ㅤ
Roa-sama let out a smile that seemed somewhat self-mocking.
ㅤ
“The former Emperor brought in all her belongings. Not just clothes but also the bed, tableware, and even her portraits. Apparently, the only thing left for the current Emperor and his siblings were a few letters from their mother.”
“That’s unbelievable!”
“Even those would have been confiscated if their existence became known. Thanks to some quick thinking, they were left behind. New portraits were drawn by the current Emperor’s order, but they couldn’t be displayed prominently and are placed inconspicuously.”
ㅤ
Roa-sama looks so pained while speaking, I don’t know what to say.
ㅤ
“I apologize. I ended up talking about something irrelevant to Alice.”
“No, it’s fine!”
ㅤ
I firmly grasp Roa-sama’s hand.
ㅤ
“Roa-sama, you’ve always encouraged me. You’ve listened to me. I might not be able to help much, but I’ll listen if you want to vent. If you want to speak but not be heard, I’ll listen with earplugs in!”
ㅤ
Roa-sama looked a bit surprised, then let out a relieved laugh.
ㅤ
“Earplugs, huh? I never thought of that.”
ㅤ
My hand, which had been resting on Roa-sama’s large one, was gently enveloped.
ㅤ
“. . . . . .There’s something I want to talk to you about, Alice.”
Translator’s Blog
Blog
- Yo, Millennials: This TikTok Dictionary Translates Gen Z So You Don’t Sound Like a Boomer
- Is Your Friend Turning into a World-Class Shut-in? How to Help Your NEET Buddy See the Sunlight Again (Without Becoming Their Personal Sun)
- The Social Isolation Speech Impediment: How Being a Shut-In Can Make You Sound Like a Robot
- Do Your Gym Bros Think You’re a Weirdo? (Secret Signs You’re the Gym Oddball)
- My Two Classmates Just Went Full Anime Fight Club Over… WAIFUS?!
Leave a Reply