CH 7

7  It Takes a Long Time Until The Meeting

TN : 7/15

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I, Theodore Goldberg, was happily swinging my wooden sword(rolling pin) under the clear blue sky on this day as well.

Hmm? You’re asking why I was using this rolling pin from the kitchen? Well, it was because the wooden sword that Kevin had prepared for me turned out to be too heavy for me to lift properly. As such, I had no choice but to use this.

Eh? You were asking why was I not afraid of being scolded by the maids anymore? Well, apparently the one we used last time couldn’t be used for cooking anymore, so they ended up buying two new ones. Ergo, they allowed me to use the old one. Though, I did feel sorry towards the chef for ruining the rolling pins. Sorry, Chef!

Anyway, that was why the carefully prepared wooden sword was still lying in wait in my room. I suppose I could only try to use it after I grew up a little bit more.

Then again, I guess that way was more normal. After all, as far as I knew, the nobles only started training their children in swordsmanship when they reached the age of five.

However, according to Kevin, since I insisted on starting the lesson now…

“Well, it should be fine for you to start now as long as it is just running around with that pole in your hands. Especially since there’s no need to worry about the correct form or style for you. However, when the time is right, I’ll drill those into you even if you don’t want to learn it, Young Master.”

Considering this, it seemed that he was trying to raise my stamina and physical fitness first by making me play with him. Furthermore, when I was panting with exhaustion, he would go and taunt me.

“Oh my, giving up already?”

Throwing out such lines, he would provoke me. Seeing this, I was sure that he was holding a grudge against me over the fact that I had ignored him before.

But still… I couldn’t help but get angry and glared at him and his stupid grin. Especially when I realized that all the running he did while accompanying me wasn’t even enough to make him break a sweat.

Anyway, thanks to that exhausting exercise, I slept like a log that afternoon.

However, marked my words, Kevin. Although I might lose this time, I was definitely going to make you scream ‘Gyagu’ in ten years. [TL: Gyafu–> Expression of someone choking due to their miserable defeat.]

Swordsmanship training aside, the progress of my study was quite favorable too. Not only had I learned the letter used in this world, but the amount of vocabulary I learned also increased by days. Naturally, I had yet to learn it all.

For example, I still had a hard time composing a sentence with correct grammar using this world’s language.

This world language was just like the Japanese language, there were several rules to use it properly, such as the corresponding letter or the greeting at the beginning of the letter. Additionally, there were even additional gibberish jargons that nobles needed to learn.

When I remembered that I had to learn those gibberish jargons, I felt really depressed. Especially since I not only had to learn how to read it, I had to see through the meaning behind those gibberish sentences as well.

Haa…

Well, language studies aside, my mathematical studies were going very well. My tutor even said that I was an arithmetic genius. Then again, it was only natural. After all, there was no way I would ever stumble on the kindergarten-level calculation. Otherwise, as a former high school student, I would be too ashamed to ever show my face again.

But of course, please spare me from the topics like integral and differential.

There were other subjects I had to learn as well, such as geography and history. There were also magecraft lessons that replaced science lessons in this life.

Why was I learning magic right now, you ask? Well, although I couldn’t use magic right now, this lesson was done to prepare for the time when I could use magic and its danger. Not only that, but it was also to introduce the mainstream magic and element. However, there was a special note that the tutor told me about. One shouldn’t expect to cast flashy magic like the one depicted in the fairytales.

Still, I wondered to myself… Could I even understand how to use magic when the textbook was as thin as the children’s picture books?

Oh well, for now, let’s cram as much magic knowledge as possible before I turned te~n! Fight me!

◇

The days passed by in this way until a certain day. On that day, everyone was busy ever since morning arrived. When I asked them what occasion they were preparing for, they looked surprised. Faced with their flabbergasted expression, I pouted. I didn’t hear anything about this matter, you know? So, why were you looking at me like that?

“Young Master, today is the day you’re going to meet Marquis-sama. Do you remember that there’s a messenger from the royal capital who came just the other day, right? They brought with them the news that Marquis-sama has called for you. So, today is the day you’re going to go and visit your parents.”

I see… Wait, does that mean I can leave the mansion now?! I looked towards them with bright and questioning eyes.

“Yes, today marks the first time you will leave this mansion. That’s why you’re being made to dress up properly. Let’s show them you’re studying properly during their absence, shall we?”

YAAAY~, finally, I could see the outside wo~rld!!!

Soon, I had fully prepared myself. My attires were spick and span, I looked every inch the noble I was born as in this world. I then stood in front of the mansion front-door, waiting. Before long, a carriage stopped in front of me and opened its door.

Carri… age? Seriously, a carriage? It’s not an automobile or a magic car? I looked at it, dumbfounded, not expecting it at all.

Furthermore, it was using a horse to propel it forward. A genuine, living horse. It was not some sort of horse golem I had thought it would be when I saw the carriage.

Faced with this unexpected sight, I really had to wonder to myself. What in the hell is wrong with this world’s civilization?

“Ah, this must be the first time you’ve ever seen a horse. Want to get a closer look, Young Master?” Kevin asked as he lifted me up, bringing me closer to the horse’s face.

IT’S HUGE!!! I yelped slightly before curiosity overcame me as I asked, “Can I… touch it?”

“Yes, but move your hand slowly, so you don’t agitate it. After that, brush the bridge of its nose.”

Following Kevin’s instruction carefully, I brushed the bridge of the horse’s nose and marveled to myself.

Yup, it’s a genuine, living horse.

At this, I couldn’t help but let out a gasp. Whoah, adding my previous life to this one, this is the first time I see a real horse from up close.

I stared at it in wonder while it stared back at me. What is this creature? What? Its eyes are so gentle…

“Thank goodness, it seems that this guy likes you too, Young Master.”

Really? That’s for the best then. I thought with a beam. Then, I waved my hand in greeting toward the horse. It was like telling him to ‘please take care of me’. After I was done with that, I boarded on the carriage along with Martha, and we set off.

Along the way, I clung to the window, enjoying the passing scenery with relish. However, soon, the sight of the garden passed by and was replaced by the avenue.

Idly, I thought that the speed of our movement was slower than when I rode the bicycle. Was it because I was riding in the carriage that it became slower? Meh, couldn’t be.

Anyway, unlike my expectation that came from reading various novels, my butt didn’t hurt at all. The shaking was only around the level of how it was like when I rode a bus in my previous life. From this, I could see that the suspension system already existed in this world. Additionally, the seat was comfortable and fluffy as well. Still…

Geez, what the heck is up with this world’s civilization? Everything is mismatched somehow.

While I was riding the carriage, Kevin and the other soldiers surrounded the carriage, acting as my bodyguard. Two were placed in front, and two were placed in the back with Kevin moving freely in between. Thus, the total of escorts I had with me was five people.

Including the coach and Martha, there were a total of seven people who followed me on this journey. And that was only me, a child. If I was replaced with my father or my mother, I wonder how many escorts would follow them?

Hmm… Nope, I couldn’t imagine just how many escorts would be needed for one trip alone. Well, I suppose this was why they couldn’t come back too often. Anyway, regardless of the possible reasons, it didn’t matter to me. After all, I would meet my parents again soon. Ah~ I couldn’t wait to meet the~m!

Then again, maybe it was better if we reduce the number of the escort as much as possible after this.

While musing on the thought, we finally left the avenue area and arrived at the main residence where my father was staying around ten minutes later.

And yes, you didn’t hear me wrong. As a matter of fact, my father’s place wasn’t that far. It was basically just the next house. That was just how vast the site for the mansion was. If I were to measure it, perhaps the site of the mansion could be compared to a certain super huge research building of a certain famous university back in my previous life. [TL: Particle accelerator]

How come I compared it with that site? Well, I meant, my mother had her own mansion. So was my father. Furthermore, there was also the mansion that was prepared exclusively for the guests. Not only that, but several buildings were also built close to the mansion that was dedicated to the chamberlain, maids, the soldiers, and also the gardeners. Basically, it was the abode exclusively for those who took care of the mansions.

Furthermore, we even had a leveled ground called parade ground and a ground for horses and stables. Not to forget, there was a parking lot specially reserved for the carriages we owned too…

Erm, well, I suppose I could only explore my house (the entire site really) after I grew up a bit older.

Anyway, after going around in a circle-shaped garden, the carriage finally stopped in front of a door.

The driver opened the carriage’s door and I descended. At that time, the chamberlains and maids had already lined up on both sides and bowed down to welcome my arrival.

Honestly, seeing that, I couldn’t help but feel that they were doing the staffs’ ceremony when they opened and closed the department store back in my past life. They made me feel like I was not in my home at all, and I couldn’t help but want to ask them to spare me.

Please tone it down, guys.

“Welcome, Theodore-sama. I’m the grand chamberlain of this mansion, Sebas. I’m the one who will entertain you today, feel free to ask me if you need anything.”

The one who addressed me was a nice looking middle-aged man whose appearance practically screamed ‘I’m a butler!’ to me.

Well, he is a butler. A real one! He’s definitely not a cosplayer. Woo~w. I thought, starry-eyed.

“Thank you, Sebas. Please take care of me. Can I meet my father right away?”

However, when he heard my reply, Sebas’ eyes slightly widened. He seemed to be surprised, but why?

EH? What’s the matter? Did I say something wrong just now? I thought, timidly looking at Kevin and Martha who stood behind me. However, I saw that they were grinning from ear to ear, causing me to worry.

Are you two alright? I asked with my eyes, but then Sebas started to speak.

“My apologies for the discourtesy, Theodore-sama. Yes, Master has already been waiting for you. Please, follow me. This way.”

Eeeh, he has been waiting, huh. Sorry, dad. Hearing that, I hurried after Sebas while saying, “Thank you for waiting. I deeply apologize for making him wait for me.”

“… No, it’s alright. Master also can’t wait to see Theodore-sama again. It’s just Theodore-sama happens to arrive faster than the scheduled time, surprising us. No one is at fault for this matter.”

“Is that so? Thank you very much.”

What’s wrong with you, Sebas? Are you sure you’re not sick today? I wondered silently, even as I eyed the way the chamberlains, maids, Martha, and Kevin looked like they’re desperately enduring their laugh.

Geez, increase the pace, please.

Soon, we arrived in the parlor that was located deep in the mansion.

As expected of the main residence, all the corridors were wiped clean, as if they would shine at any moment. Furthermore, it was devoid of any kind of decoration that nouveau riche liked. Instead, the decoration exuded dignity and elegance.

Anyhow, I entered the parlor and saw a youth in his twenties turning around to see me. His face was very gentle.

This marked my first meeting with my father.