Book 4: Chapter 5 (4)

FitzClarence Family

“Why is Allen here?”

Ester-chan curiously tilted her head to the side.

We were inside my dorm. Allen and I were seated on sofas across from each other while Ester-chan moved to my side as soon as she entered the living room.

She was acting as she always does.

Which caused a painful expression to flash across Allen’s face.

“It’s been a while, Ester. Tanaka and I were just talking.”

“You must have heard about him becoming a baron.”

“Y-Yeah, that’s why I’m here.”

“Really? Then we can all celebrate together. Right, Allen?”

“Of course. After all, Tanaka-san has done so much for me.”

“We’ll be holding an annual party tomorrow at my home; it would be nice if you would come, Allen. There will be lots of delicious food available. Ah, you have to come too! You’re the main guest and you have to be at my side!”

“Eh?”

“What?”

That came out of nowhere.

Two men were equally lost for words after hearing Ester-chan’s invitation.

“The FitzClarence faction will all be gathered at the party, so it’s a great opportunity to introduce you to everyone!”

“No, umm, Ester-chan, I’m not sure that’s….”

I can only imagine how she would introduce me…. Her father may even kill me on the spot.

“Ah, right! We need to go to the tailor to get you an outfit that will accentuate your wonderful features! I’m sure they’d love you as you are now, but the right outfit will make them love you as much as I do! I love you so much! Make me pregnant!”

“….”

The maid outfit she wore this morning was nice, but this is going a little too far.

I feel bad for Allen.

I’ll try and make it up to him.

“Ester-san, I’ve told you several times before. I have someone I like.”

“Yes, I know that.”

“Then –”

“I have some that I like too! It’s you!”

“No, I mean –”

“If you have someone you like, than you must feel just like I do! You work hard doing whatever you can just to get that person to notice you for a single moment! But, I’ve never seen you act that way while you notice me trying so hard every day. I think that’s the only difference.”

“….”

That is true.

I can’t think of a single thing that can refute her.

“I understand. I’ll go to the party.”

“You will!?”

“Yes.”

But I also care about my relationship with Allen.

“I’m so happy! Then we need to go clothes shopping now! If you’re going to be a noble you’ll need more than just one outfit!”

“That’s true, but I’d also like it if Allen could come along.”

“No, I-I’m….”

“That’s true. A knight’s suit of armour is usually enough, but it might be too cumbersome for a party setting. We can all go together!”

“….”

It’s similar to buying a suit as a salaryman.

There’s no doubt that I’ll need it in the future, so I might as well just go along with what she wants.

And it’s not like the lolibitch will give up anyway.

****

[Sophia-chan’s point of view]

This place is Dragon City, formerly known as Radius Grasslands.

Due to Tanaka-san’s absence, I’ve been working my hardest to manage the city as best I can under the assumption that any failures will not be excused. My ability to concentrate here is much more limited to when I was spending everyday lounging around in the school dormitory.

There aren’t any meals fit for nobility here either.

During this time, a certain problem occurred.

That is to say, a ghost appeared.

The location where this strange occurrence happened was one of the many public bathing facilities within Dragon City. This particular one was in the north district. The person claiming to have witnessed this apparition is a noble from the Pussy Republic. 

She’s a woman that I am only slightly acquainted with and she’s also the ruler of the territory that neighbours Tanaka-san’s.

I believe her name is Doris-sama.

A friend of Ester-sama that possesses two impressive drill shaped twintails on either side of her head.

“Are you the only one here!? Is that man gone!?”

Y-Yesh! It’s just me!”

And for some reason this drill person was checking the room to see if we were alone.

It appears that Doris-sama is scared of ghosts. She must have come here immediately after fleeing the bath based on the fact that she’s only half-dressed. What would she have done if Tanaka-san was in here?

“You are that man’s maid, correct!? A ghost appeared in the bath and I demand something be done about it!”

“W-Well, I’m just a commoner and I don’t know any magic….”

“Ooooohohohoho~! Only a simpleton would believe normal magic would work on a ghost! Even if that man threw his fireball at the creature, nothing would come of it!”

She’s still acting all high and mighty while trembling out of fear.

It’s actually kind of cute.

This is the side of a noblewoman that even her escorts would never get to see. She gives off a terrible first impression, but when I get a chance to look at her like this, she’s clearly beautiful and has a cool aura surrounding her. It’s some sort of attraction created by this wide gap between her attitude and appearance.

Why is my heart beating like crazy?

“…umm, I suppose I can take a look.”

I followed Doris-sama to the bath but there was no sign of any ghost.

“….”

“….”

There were no beings living or dead in the bath.

“I-It was definitely here! I’m not lying, okay!?”

“O-Of course.”

“I was washing out my hair right here when I noticed someone standing over me, but when I turned around they were gone!”

“Yes, I-I’m sure you did.”

“Seriously, if it was a person, where could they possibly hide!? Besides, don’t they realize the world of pain I, Doris of Ahan, could bring upon them for spying on me!? Or, could this all be Liz’s doing?”

“….”

I don’t think Ester-sama would do anything like that.

She’d just launch a frontal assault.

“Damn, I can’t stand that cowardly woman!”

“….”

Well, it seems that Doris-sama has already decided who’s responsible.

It’s a maid’s job to fall in line and support whatever the nobility wants to believe.

“Y-You’re right. For now, I think it would be best if you returned to your room….”

“Go back to my room!? You must be joking! I won’t rest until I find proof!”

A think forgoing sleep is a bad idea.

“….”

She should go to sleep like a normal person.

Why are so many nobles like this?

And I assume her refusal to sleep is going to lead to me losing sleep as well.

****