Chapter 4 - Volume 1 (1/2)

If you wonder what happened with Wolfgang Eisenhut after the words spilled out of my mouth.

Well, his eyes only widened with bewilderment.

（H-huh? Somehow I was thinking of a different reaction）

For one, I was expecting the image of him transforming into a fire-breathing dragon. And naturally, a hate-filled glare along with it.

Having my hands in front of me in a complete stance had become a waste of effort

If I illustrated his current situation, it would be like encountering a cat as an unknown enemy. Rather than caution, it was surprise that was greatly bred.

Guessing from his reaction, it seems like the young boy has never experienced insults from anyone of the same age. Actually now that I think about it, even if the person was an adult he wouldn’t normally face any rebuttal from them.

His father is the duke; it won’t do to call his son short.

A cold sweat ran down my back.

Anyone who lives in modern day Japan would most likely agree with me when I say this. I certainly don’t want to be a victim, but I also don’t want to be a perpetrator.

Even if the other person was a yandere in the future. Right now, by answering back with a similar remark, it ended up becoming a breakdown of a mentally weak child. My earlier remark was not befitting an adult.

「Uhm, that was rude. I’ll apologize, that was inexcusable」

My words became an opportunity to melt the ice, Wolfgang’s face flared up with blood.

「D-don’t think I’ll forgive you!」「Hah. Well, I’d be fine even if you don’t forgive me 」「…tch!」His white face became red like a ripened tomato. It might be because he is young, but it doesn’t seem likely to see any blood vessels popping from him.

Speaking of which, I wonder how much this young boy gets spoiled every day. To be so surprised by someone just answering him back.

Although Duke Ranuncula was a fine gentleman, I wonder if he’s the type of father that couldn’t scold his son. If I’m not mistaken, people in their later years tend to cherish their children more.

（…nh? Come to think of it）I arrived at a certain possibility.

「Umm… about Duke Ranuncula, he usually lives in the imperial city right?」

「Are you planning to tell my father?!」

I wouldn’t have thought it’d be this cute that he got scared thinking I was planning on telling on him, I forced myself to give him a civil smile.

「No. I’m not planning on doing such a thing, so could you engage me in some idle talk?」

Glaring at my proposal, the young Wolfgang looked like a cautious cat with hair sticking out from its body. The smile aimed at softening him was downright fake.

I repeated my words to somehow ease his wariness.「I’m interested in your relationship with your father… my father has to travel all over the country because of his work, so I don’t get to see him often. If you live apart for a long time, you end up not having anything to talk about. Since Duke Ranuncula is busy, wouldn’t he be staying at the capital all the time?」

When I revealed my intention, the other person’s interest was slightly piqued.

「It’s true, my father is usually at the capital. He only comes back a few times a month.Talking about your problems with Duke Lilia was unexpected. You’re quite the talkative lady」

「Yes… however, the only thing we can talk about is our fathers – my father is eloquent at conversations, but he can’t follow any of the fun stories I give. In that situation, wouldn’t family conversations feel lonely then?」

That was supposed to ease his worries, but I ended up saying more than I expected.

However, it looked like it paid off. The young Wolfgang, who had an earnest expression, began opening his mouth.