Chapter 14: Envy and Desire
Several days have passed since I learned the terrifying fact that I have the presence of monsters.
I couldn’t completely hide my shock, but Ralph kept apologizing with a remorseful expression, so I forced myself to cheer up.
Anyway, there’s nothing I can do until I meet Saintess-sama. There’s no point in moping around. I’ll try to stay positive and enjoy myself, even if just a little.
“Ah, good morning, Hugo.”
“Good morning, Lisette-sama.”
Every morning, after getting up and getting ready, it has become a routine for me to take a walk in the spacious and beautiful garden of the Marquis’ house before breakfast. I also exchange light conversations with him, who is a gardener, every morning.
He is the same age as me and seems to be from the countryside, so we get along well. The content of our conversations is mostly about crops.
And so, today as well, while having a conversation that lacks any hint of romance, as if we were not young men and women, I was unexpectedly called out. As I turned around, as expected, Ralph was there.
“Good morning, Lisette-sama.”
“Good morning, Ralph.”
It’s unusual for him to be here at this time.
“It’s about time for breakfast. Shall we go together?”
“Yeah, I’ll let you do that.”
“Thank you.”
For some reason, he extended his hand, and I thought it would be rude to ignore it, so I took his hand. And just like that, our hands ended up holding each other.
Surprised, I looked up at Ralph’s face as we walked side by side, but he had the same refreshing smile as always.
“. . .Are you close with that man?”
“We just talk during our morning walks.”
“I see. It’s a shame because he might be moving to the estate soon.”
“Is that so?”
It’s a little lonely, but there’s nothing I can do about it. Thinking that, Ralph continued, saying, “Instead, if I may.”
“Starting from tomorrow, would you walk with me? I didn’t know that walking outside in the morning could be so pleasant.”
I’m glad that Ralph understands the joy of morning walks; basking in the morning sun clears my mind and feels good. Without any reason to refuse, I nodded.
“I sometimes oversleep, but if that’s okay with you, then please.”
“Thank you.”
With a happy smile, Ralph said, “I love you,” and once again, his smile was brighter than the morning sun.
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Nadia has been staying at a classmate’s house since last night, so it was just the two of us for breakfast today.
“Hey, is there anything I can do? I feel uneasy just being taken care of like this.”
“Lisette-sama, it’s enough for you to talk to me. In fact, I want to pay my gratitude for that.”
“Well. . .”
It’s unsettling to just be a guest like this. I asked if there was something I could do, but Ralph didn’t even listen to my request.
There really isn’t much for me to do every day. Maybe it’s because I almost always had something to do in the past, I feel restless.
On the other hand, Ralph has been busy even though he’s always in the mansion, and it’s strange how he comes to the sanctuary every day.
“What does a hero do?”
“When there’s a request from the knight order, I occasionally go to subdue higher-level monsters now that the Demon Lord has been defeated.”
“The Demon Lord. . .”
I can’t imagine Ralph, who is so refreshing and sparkling, defeating the Demon Lord. In the first place, I can’t even imagine the strength of the Demon Lord.
“How does one become a hero?”
“You have to be chosen by a sword. Only a hero can touch the holy sword.”
“That’s amazing, to become one like that.”
It’s like a story from a picture book I read as a child. It seems that the holy sword has become a part of him, and he can summon or dismiss it as he wishes.
“By the way, I usually help my father with his work. After all, I’m supposed to be the next Marquis.”
The Marquis couple couldn’t have children, and they were drawn to Ralph’s achievements as a hero and his personality, so they adopted him, or so I heard from Nadia. But in reality, it was also because of the king’s instructions to ensure that the hero never escapes from this country.
But Nadia said she loves the Marquis couple because they are wonderful people who don’t care about such things.
“But even though you came here every day, when did you sleep?”
“I didn’t sleep.”
“Huh?”
“A hero is tough.”
Ralph said that as if it were a matter of course, and it made me feel a little sad.
“Please, don’t do that anymore. Ralph is a person before being a hero, so you shouldn’t neglect your life as a person.”
“. . .I understand. I’m sorry.”
Perhaps because I spoke a little harshly, he looked at me with wide eyes and muttered an apology.
But soon, he smiled with a smile that seemed to be filled with joy.
“Only Lisette-sama says that to me.”
“Huh?”
“Because I’m a hero, hardly anyone worries about me anymore, as long as everyone is safe and happy, they are satisfied. But from now on, Lisette-sama will be by my side. I won’t push myself too hard.”
I felt relieved at his promise. After that, we had a trivial conversation, but I suddenly asked something that was bothering me.
“Why is Ralph so good at farming and taking care of animals? It didn’t seem like something someone would be good at naturally.”
“I had experience a long time ago.”
“I see.”
In that case, did he have the experience before becoming an orphan? I don’t know anything about his family, and it might be a painful matter to think back on. I decided not to ask any further.
“. . .Actually, I have a birthday party next month.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. I’m not good with social events myself, but due to my position, I have to hold a fairly large-scale one.”
If it’s Ralph’s birthday party as the hero of the country and the Marquis’ son, it will be quite grand. I couldn’t help but worry that he would become even busier from now on, I thought as I had a piece of fruit.
“So, I have a favor to ask Lisette-sama.”
“. . .Yes?”
I have a bad feeling about this request. . .
“As my fiancée, could you attend the party?”
And to that outrageous request, I ended up coughing violently.
