Chapter 41 - Volume 3 (1/2)
Volume 3, Chapter 11: I turned Nine Years Old , Part 2
There was a clatter.
“ “ “………” ” ”
How did this happen?
I am currently in a carriage headed towards the Colts territory.
As I headed towards the Colts territory at the request of Duke Kaperu and the Archbishop, I was surrounded by my attendants and guards.
As always, I was with Bree-chan’s 15 female knight corps members, my four attendants, 10 house maids that Mother-sama arranged, including Vio, 8 of Rick’s royal maids, 18 of the elite royal guards that, including the Holy Knights, numbered 18, three civil officials, and finally, 20 mercenaries from the company Father-sama arranged for. Because Rickif part of the royal family, there’s this size of a retinue even for moving inside of the country.
And that Ba- Bar…… something or another, was actually Bear-san.
It was Bear-san that Father-sama had forced the rank of [Viscount] upon unreasonably with his status, but while putting on a troubled face that said “It can’t be helped”, Bear-san cheerfully took up being my guard.
At some point, it seems that Bear-san, who is single, adopted Noel-kun as his son.
How nice of Bear-san. I wonder if I can talk carefreely with Noel now? When I gave him the wakame seaweed as a reward, I suffered from the gurgling noises they made through the night after drinking.
And thus the tragedy repeats itself……
Normally, while travelling in a carriage that held ten people, I would be riding with my attendants, but because this time round there’s an issue with my [Dignity], the attendants were placed in other carriages while only Vio sat anxiously across from me.
I’m jealous of them.
“ “ “………” ” ”
The silence is heavy………
There were two boys sitting next to me. Rick on my right. Noel on my left.
The two of them were silent, with Rick gripping my right arm, and Noel holding my left hand.
How did this happen…?
“………”
I sent a look to appeal to Vio, but for some reason Vio was troubled and turned eyes that were filled with encouragement towards me, nodding many times as if saying [I know].
That’s not it… That’s really not it. Really, save me from this situation by any means.
Things were normal until Bear-san who’s now a Viscount introduced Noel to Rick.
Because Rick was 12 years old and Noel was 11 years old, they could be friends… or so I thought.
Now then, the flashback scene.
“Nice to meet you, Your Highness Roderick. I’m Noel.”
“Is that so? I know of Barnabas’ great fame. I was told that the Viscount’s son had excellent sword skills that surpassed that of a Holy Knight, are you really strong, Noel?”
“It is because I am undergoing training…… In a mercenary company, we are trained in the heat of battle.”
“I see. Since our ages are close, during this journey, would you mind having a spar with me? I hope you will consider enlightening me in the sword…”
“Is that true? I’ve heard that Your Highness Roderick’s sword technique is as good as that of a knight’s, so I thought I should be the one to ask.”
Then the two of them laughed and shook hands.
Things like the friendship between young boys is healing. Although Bree-chan was holding her nose and crouching down, did something happen to her?
And the maids were chittering noisily like cicadas.
When I peeked my face out to take a look, for some reason the atmosphere had changed.
“…Lucy!”
Noel who leaped out like a faithful dog rapidly grabbed onto my hands.
Since Bear-san got angry before, is it okay to do that now? I wonder if Noel also became a noble, so it’s okay?
“It’s been a while, Noel…… You’ve gotten bigger.”
“Lucy… You’ve become more beautiful.”
Saying such a thing so lightly again…… Noel has also grown to about 160cm tall, and since he was good-looking and cute, the maids made a commotion again.
Unlike what I remembered from the Dream World, boys here praise me without hesitation.
“Yurushia!”
Rick who had been dazed for a moment remembered himself and rudely cut in again, grabbing my arm as usual.
“Let’s go.”
“Where!? Wait, Roderick-onii-sama, it hurts”
When Rick tried to walk out while holding my arm as usual, I got pulled to the other side.
“Your Highness…… Lucy is in pain.”
Noel clasped my left hand firmly, staring at Rick while speaking in a low voice.
“ “………” ”
The two of them stared at each other in silence.
Even though it had been harmonious so far, why did it become this way? … Why, eh, I’m not going to play dumb anymore.
Even though they’re being misled by their feelings of love, Rick is thinking of me as his [Younger Sister] while Noel is longing for me as the [Saint-sama].
As a girl, it feels a little bit disappointing, but favor is favor. It seems that both of them are strongly possessive, though.
The one who truly loved me should let me go…… although that sort of story exists, if I said it here I would surely be given disappointed looks.
The ones that were happiest were the maids and the female knights. Under Bree-chan’s feet, there was a dark red puddle, while Sara-chan was repeatedly chopping at the back of Bree-chan’s head, was she possessed or something?
Flashback end…
Afterwards Bear-san, taking us into consideration, put us three on the same carriage,but that’s no good. Please don’t take their needs into consideration, please pay attention to mine instead.
“ “ “………” ” ”
It’s hopeless, I can’t say anything. I can’t say “Let go of my hand.” Well, I understand that both of them are worried for me, which is why they’re gripping my hands……
But… what are you two worried about?Both of you are acting like children.
Four days have passed on the carriage from the Royal Capital to the Colts territory……
It seems like the atmosphere inside the carriage would be like this until we arrived. At night, the two of them had had their sparring bouts with each other, as promised, but the scene seemed like they were strangely fired up in their practice together.
I didn’t know for sure, since I was sleeping.
＊＊＊
Everyone around me had complained about my going to the Colts territory so much that my stomach hurt, but actually arriving was a joy.
The joy from being released from that room was so terrific that even I even happily talked for 30 minutes with Duke Kaperu, who came to sarcastically receive us while wearing a bright smile, I’m sure you can understand.
I decided to attend the evening party on the same day that I arrived.
It’s ostensibly a welcoming party. Because we children had just had a several-day journey to reach this place, normally we would be resting today with the knights and civil officials, but since I was willing to accept the invitation, Duke Kaperu was even more astonished.