Volume 4 Chapter 4 Part 1 (1/2)

Volume 4 Chapter 4 Part 1

Translator: Imlartis Editor: Queenie

Contrary to my expectations, the dinner reception was in reality a very small matter. After all, it was just the governor and us, husband and wife, so you can easily imagine the reception’s scale. Even though I was certain it would be treated as a spectacle like the evening balls at the royal capital.

It seemed that few knew of the ruins which were our main goal for coming to the island, which is why we decided to go with the story that we came here purely for travelling.

Whether she herself wanted it or not, once it became a dinner reception to which Royal Court’s Head Magician and the world’s hero was invited, it should be appropriately grand. For this exact reason it wouldn’t have been surprising if it became an evening ball, however it wasn’t anything like that. The lady only said, “There are certain circumstances.” with a smile which seemed to say that she couldn’t tell us more. I couldn’t help but think that we might not be welcome. Either way, rather than a grand evening ball, a small dinner reception like this one was much more comfortable.

The next day the investigation party gathered by the governor, with the man as the leader, finally left for the ruins. At breakfast I heard that because it was the first day, the lady herself would also be joining the expedition. As I hadn’t found anything to raise an objection to, I went together with the servants to send them off at the gate.

Since the investigation of the ruins at the Unknown Forest hadn’t been publicly announced, the outsiders thought that the lady of Nibbiellata Isle was giving the Royal Court’s Head Magician a tour in order to deepen their friendship. The official reason I didn’t join them was, that they recommended me a more free and personalized sightseeing rather than a stiff official tour. It sounded forced, however there wasn’t anyone brave enough to point it out.

「Lady Leticiela, Edi. Please be careful. 」

「Thank you Lady Filmina. I’m very sorry, however please let me borrow you husband for a while. 」

The lady said with a calm smile. I returned the smile and to get the attention of the man who was impatiently waiting to depart I lightly pulled at his overcoat.

As I pulled on his overcoat, from deep within the hood I saw his questioning eyes and flashed a mischievous grin.

「Edi. Don’t cause Lady Leticiela and the party any trouble. 」

「I will try. 」

「Oh, it won’t do unless you clearly say whether it’s a lie or a promise. 」

This man dared to speak and act in a way as though he personally wanted to destroy the thing called communication. I had no idea what he might do if I didn’t give him this kind of warning.

As if he realized my inner mumbling the man looked down at me and snorted.

「You too. Don’t draw unnecessary attention and don’t get caught up in something dangerous again. 」

「… I will try. 」

I had a feeling that it wasn’t completely my fault and there was some unstoppable force at play, however even if I tried to poorly argue back, I had a feeling my words wouldn’t have any effect on this man. I could easily imagine him refuting me completely and myself eating a loss, which is why I just obediently nodded my head.

Just like this that man, the governor and the investigation team members posing as guards entered the carriages heading to the ruins and left the residence. I was still anxious about the ruins but there wasn’t a single thing I could do. The best thing would be to kick back like the man told me to.

As I watched the carriages until they disappeared from sight, the butler who also came out to send everyone off, quietly spoke.

「Lady Filmina. I’ve heard you will be going sightseeing. What do you think about somebody from the estate showing you around the town? 」

I blinked unconsciously at his words. I see, being guided around. It implied that the person would also serve as a guard. However even if I was told that…

「Thank you, however I’ll politely decline. I would still like to go sightseeing so could you prepare a carriage to take me to the town? 」

「That won’t be a problem, however… Will my lady really go alone? 」

「Yes, thank you. 」

I nodded smilingly at the butler asking me doubtfully.

I am not such a child, that I can’t go sightseeing alone. It’s true that having somebody from the residence guide me around would be most efficient. However being with me, who is that man’s wife, would cause the staff considerable stress and I myself didn’t feel like being under surveillance, so I’d rather pass on that. That man told me to relax and for that I needed to be at ease. Maybe it was just me being selfish; I knew that was probably the case.

When I told him that with a smile, the butler didn’t say anything further.

「Please wait a moment. 」

He bent at his waist and bowed once. I nodded and went back to the guest room for a moment. I prepared a small bag with parasol, wallet, handkerchief and other small articles inside and returned to the entrance.

The butler worked fast and a small carriage had already been waiting for me at the front door.

「Have a safe trip. 」

「Thank you. 」

I waved lightly at the bowing butler, and as if taking that for a signal, the small carriage started swaying with a rattle. The residence visible from the window of the carriage, which was swaying at a constant rhythm, quickly disappeared from view. While I was thinking about what to do when we reach the city, the carriage arrived at the main street which passed through the center of the market.

「My lady, what about returning? 」