CH 19

19 Command Option is Voided

The room adjoined to the venue was specifically set for children. That way, they wouldn’t bother the adults while they were going on their activities. However, the huge door that separated it from the main venue was left open, so the concerned adults could easily take a look at their children’s situation whenever they wanted.

Furthermore, to make sure of their safety, there were many soldiers stationed at every important point. In addition, the waitresses who would serve the children’s area were also a part of the security team.

Still, in order to not intimidate the children, the soldiers did not look at them and simply stood at attention, ever ready to protect these golden-spooned children. Even the soldiers who acted as waitresses simply served attentively without revealing their fierceness.

At the moment, the children in this adjacent venue were either enjoying their macaroni, karaage-like dish, or sandwiches in their hand, while the other hand was either holding juice or sweets that were placed on the low table specially crafted for children’s use. Each table had three waitresses waiting to serve.

Yup, it seemed that it’s the child version of buffet party. Although the difference laid in that the children didn’t stand and mingle with each other. Instead, they were sitting obediently on the sofa along the wall as they ate their meal.

After my father left me in this room, I instantly went to the table in the corner of the room. The one with window viewing. Setting that area as my base, I enjoyed every single dish placed on that table and savored it carefully.

Yup, they’re delicious. I thought as I ate the meticulously prepared foods. Alas, for some reason, the surrounding people seemed to be put off with my presence.

But there was nothing I could do about it. This hunger of mine was truly unbearable at this point. As such, let’s just leave the job (of making friends) for later. Right now, quenching my hunger came first.

“Theodore-sama, since I’m your attendant, do tell me if you need something.” Richard, who was standing by my side, whispered.

“Eh? You’re allowed to come into this room, too?”

“Yes, after the greeting ended, everyone is allowed to be accompanied by their respective attendants.”

I see. In short, Richard and the other attendants have been waiting in this room to serve their masters once we are done with our greetings.

“How about you try these dishes with me? It’s delicious.”

“There’s no need for that, Theodore-sama. I’ve already eaten in a separate room prepared for us. Please don’t mind me and enjoy your dinner.”

Aah, I see. They’re not allowed to eat with their master, huh. Poor boy. I looked at him sympathetically. I mean, surely it must be a torture for him? After all, he could only watch us eat delicious sweets.

“You have it hard, huh. But, are you sure that there’s nothing amongst these sweets that you want to eat? You can tell me. I’ll be sure to ask the waitresses to wrap it up for you to eat later.”

“Thank you very much for your kind consideration, Theodore-sama. However, I don’t have it as hard as Theodore-sama himself does.”

Huh? What are you talking about?

“The Crown Prince’s close aides have been looking at Theodore-sama since a while ago.” Seeing my uncomprehending expression, Richard kindly informed me, causing me to become dumbfounded.

… Seriously?

“They’re over there.” Richard discreetly pointed the group out for me.

I casually turned my head and looked at the place Richard was looking at. Turned out, he was looking at the table at one corner of the room, whose floor was a bit higher than the rest of the room. And that place was occupied by the Crown Prince, Duke Lilac’s daughter, and their group.

That table consisted of two groups, Crown Prince’s group and Duke Lilac’s daughter’s group. And the two groups were certainly very… colorful. I meant, Crown Prince with his silver hair aside, the color of the other boys’ were also very distinctive. They had not only black hair, but also green hair, blue hair, and even red hair.

The Duke Lilac’s daughter’s group was also the same. Aside from Duke Lilac’s daughter with her purplish silver hair, the other girls in her group had blonde, black, green, blue, and red hair.

Their group was made of a total of eleven kids and they’re the future leaders of this kingdom.

And, for some reason, their coloring resembled that of the ranger squad and magical girl squad from my previous life.

Eh? Duke Lilac’s daughter you asked? Well, although her theme color right now might make it seem like she was a bad magical girl, she was definitely going to awaken her sense of justice and became the comrade of the other magical girls later on.

And yup, it was from that program. That particular scene left a deep impression in my heart when I accompanied my nephew to watch the Sunday’s morning programme. Really, you honestly shouldn’t underestimate the power of Sunday’s morning programme for children.

Alas, they were unfortunately lacking the color of yellow and pink to complete the ranger’s color. That fact really made me a little bit disappointed, but meh, we can’t have everything, can we?

Anyway, the rangers were sending an unnatural glare toward me. Some of them were even mixed with scorn.

Uwaa~. It seems I’m gonna have a hard time finding a friend. Sorry, Father. Although you have praised me for having a friendly personality, the children’s society is a harsh one, and being friendly isn’t enough.

“What should we do?” Richard asked wonderingly.

“Just leave them be.”

“Theodore-sama?”

Sorry, but please spare me from working under such a harsh boss. Besides, by this point, I’ve already missed the timing to butter up to them. Umu? Well, I might be able to somehow salvage the situation when I became a little bit older. But, until then, it’s better to get as far away as possible from those rangers.

“I might have hurt their feelings today. That’s why, it’s better for us to go unnoticed for the moment. Besides, trying to butter up to them right now might result in us making a joke of ourselves. Anyway, don’t worry. I’ll go and apologize to them the next time we meet.”

“I see. But, for some reason, Duke Lilac’s daughter is also glaring at us since a while ago…”

Ah, he’s right. D*amn. Stop. Please don’t look at me. Despite my silent plea, though, Duke Lilac’s daughter – AKA Drill – kept glaring at us.

Jiiii~~~

Drill is looking intently at you.

Drill is looking intently at you. She seemingly wanted to become your friend.

Do you want to befriend her?

Yes

▶︎No

Alas, even when I selected ‘No’ in the command option, Duke Lilac’s daughter (Drill) kept looking at me.

W-What is it?!

Drill is looking intently at you.

Drill is looking intently at you. She seemingly wanted to become your friend.

Do you want to befriend her?

Yes

▶︎No

Duke Lilac’s daughter (Drill) is still looking intently at you.

Still feeling the intense stare coming from the others, I sweated. Please don’t target me just because I’m yellow. I mean, look, there’s so many other yellows in this place! It doesn’t have to be me, right?! I wailed inwardly, praying that she would target the others.

Drill is looking intently at you.

Drill is looking intently at you. She seemingly wanted to become your friend.

Do you want to befriend her?

Yes

▶︎No

Duke Lilac’s daughter (Drill) is still looking intently at you.

Wait a minute, this command button must be broken! After all, how can this still happen repeatedly even after I’ve repeatedly chosen 『No』?! I was in despair. I couldn’t escape from Drill. However… I don’t want to join, alright?! Please spare me from joining your ranger and magical girl squad!!!

I looked around, trying to find somewhere to escape. At that time, I happened to discover a kid staying by himself in an inconspicuous corner. And that kid was picking up the dishes on his own. Perhaps he has no attendant with him?

Yosh, loner detected. Loner detected, preparing to approach the target.

Anyway, if you asked me which one I should choose between the two sides… it was only natural for me to choose the loner’s side!

“Erm, excuse me, may I sit beside you?”

Without even getting the other’s permission, I immediately sat beside him. Right now, I had a plan. I was planning to show them how I get along with this fellow loner. Seeing me with a loner should make them forget about me, right?

Yes, especially in Drill’s case. Please don’t look at me! Absolutely don’t!

“Theodore-sama, that personage is…”

Shut up, Richard. I’m trying my best to escape from the threat that is Drill right now. Please save your remark for later. I silently conveyed my thought to my attendant, not catching the other’s unease as I turned to the loner and started trying to break the ice with him.

But when I used ‘So tasty~~’, the boy―― who looked young, even though he should be at least one year older than me from his height―― seemed to notice something.

“You’re Lord Golberg’s son, right? Thank you for trying to talk to me, but I think it’s better for you to stop talking to me, you know? It’ll bring all sorts of troubles to you after all.”

“He? Why do you think so?”

“Aah… this must be your first time attending this kind of party. Alright, listen to me. My name is―― Frederick Serendiaz. You might not understand since you’re still young, though. Anyway, you should know that Elliot is glaring at you when you come to my side. From this, you should understand, right? You talking to me might bring trouble for your father later. That’s why I think it’s better for you to leave after some time passed by pretending that you got bored.”

Once the other finished speaking, I felt as if thunderbolt had just struck me. Far from a lightning rod, the loner was actually a freaking LAND MINE.

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TN : Will Theodore survived after he stepped on the landmine? find out the answer next week!!!