CH 32

32  Who is The Kid Here?

Luke was still in a perplexed state, but when the auntie of the dinner came to our table to take our order, he returned to his senses and directly ordered a beverage without even looking at the menu. Looking at how comfortable and fast he was in ordering the snacks, I unhesitantly chose the same beverage as him. Beside us, at the other table, Richard, Kevin, and Luke’s attendants were also ordering the same thing as us.

The place we chose to talk in was just a small place, but the atmosphere here was calming, making me ease up slightly. Though, for some reason, the gentle-looking aunty who ran the dinner reminded me of the kind aunty from okonomiyaki store in the neighborhood back in my previous life.

Anyway, right now, we were sitting around the innermost table that was far from the entrance of the diner. Furthermore, in order to control the situation and prevent any mishap, our attendants were waiting by the sides of our table, ready to jump out. And for that reason, the air around our table was rather strained once the diner’s auntie left.

He~, interesting.

When the aunty came to our table with our order along with the snacks and left, I decided that I had enough of this strained atmosphere. Henceforth, I opened my mouth and asked Luke the question I had in mind without reservation.

“Well, the thing is, I came to this place in order to learn more about magic tools. I need to learn more since, frankly speaking, my knowledge is rather lacking in that area. But if you also don’t know much about it, then I’m fine even if you just tell me where I can get more information about it. That’s why, please help me.”

Since he seemed to be rather knowledgeable about this matter, my aim was for him to at the very least teach me what he knew. Yet, for some reason, Luke heaved a really deep sigh at my request. Then, he sent an angry glare toward me.

“I don’t even know what you meant by ‘Well’ here, nor do I know the reason why you approach me of all people to teach you about this matter. That’s too shameless. Besides, if you want to know more about magic tools, then there should be a magic tool research institute in your own territory you could go to. You can actually ask the researcher there rather than asking me. I mean, you’ve always been holing up in your territory after all, so it should be easier for you to get your answer if you return to your territory. Well then, we shall take our leave now.”

Nonono. Not so fast. Like hell I am going to let go of such a precious source of information. Moreover, the solution he gave me isn’t one I needed right now. I mean, going back and forth from my territory to the royal capital would take fourteen days.

Although we could shorten the travel’s time, it’s still too much. My current self does not have the leisure to go about such a long trip!

With that thought in mind, I hurriedly caught Luke’s arm as he passed by.

“Please, I want to know more about magic tools. I want to know whether the legendary magic tools are different from the common magic tools we use in our daily life, or the difference between Court Mage Department and Magic Tool Research Institute and the reason why the mage’s department is also researching the Saint’s Ornaments.”

“You really are a fool, huh.” He said as he glared at me while brushing off my hand.

“How can you ask about such a sensitive matter in this kind of place?! The mage’s department will make their move to arrest you if they know about this matter.”

Eh? Why are they going to capture me just because of that? I thought as I tilted my head in obvious confusion.

“Good grief… How can you be so ignorant of this matter? I don’t even need to wait for you to voice out your question to know what you’re thinking about right now. Haa… Alright, hear me out now. The reason is because the research about THAT is a state secret. Although there was a rumour out there flying about in the public, it was just a rumour to them that can be easily debunked. It’s only the insider who knows that the Magic Tool Research Institute is conducting research about THAT. Really, speaking of this matter out loud in such open space… Are you trying to turn yourself into a suspect because of that?”

A~h, so outside of insiders, only nobles of higher status had the privilege to know about that, huh. Geez, such a troublesome situation…

“Oh, right. I am quite surprised that you’re suddenly interested in learning about magic tools. I wonder why… normally, you would just play around with your girlish hobby, the laceworks… Could it be that you have lost your playmate?”

“… U~h…”

His words prodded me right at where it hurts and my face fell when I was reminded of the painful fact. He was right. I did lose my playmate… an adorable one on top of that.

Seeing my expression, Luke’s lips suddenly stretched into a grin and he nonchalantly said, “I see. It seems that even Miss Muriel has finally abandoned you too, huh. Well, it’s only natural since her father will be put in a difficult situation if she gets along with you. She’s a clever girl.”

I couldn’t even refute his remark since he was absolutely right.

“With this, Miss Muriel will finally return to high society again. What a relief… Now, Miss Oriana and the others will be able to feel at ease. They have always been worried about Miss Muriel because she has always been left out ever since she got along with you.”

When I heard his last words, I jolted and unintentionally stared at Luke with confused eyes. I had never known about that fact up until now.

“… It seems you truly have never thought about this matter, huh. Sure, that personage (Frederick’s) circumstances is rather special. However, he’s still a royalty nonetheless. We can’t afford to split the kingdom apart. That’s why we can’t become his friend. After all, we are part of nobilities and we have to protect the citizens from useless civil strife.”

At this point, Luke stopped speaking and looked at me straight to my eyes and continued, “Do you really think that personnage (Elliot) kept his distance from his step brother because of childish reasons such as hating him? Things aren’t that simple. We, the nobles, are born with responsibility. We are the future leader of this kingdom and we must be aware of our actions and its consequences.”

!!!!!

In that instance, I was really surprised. Luke was right.

I had truly never thought about such matters before, simply accepting my father’s words as it was when he said ‘It’ll be alright’ without knowing what he did in the noble society. I had been treating this life as if it was the same as my prior life, as if I was still a commoner, without even realizing my current status was that of a noble.

And now that I had realized this fact, I couldn’t continue as I was now. I needed to change. After all, I couldn’t use pretext such as ‘It’s because I’m still a child’. I mean, these rangers, who were around my age, were already – in their own ways – working to become a competent figure that could shoulder the future of this kingdom.

They understood that, in exchange for their status and power it afforded them, they were not allowed to act like normal elementary school children of my past life. Moreover, they accepted such a price since they knew that it was what they were born into.

Man, now I know why Luke was always looking at me with such a scornful expression on his face…

“Thanks, Luke. You’ve opened my eyes to reality. Please keep guiding me from now on too―― pretty please. Still… does your father really hate my father? Is the ‘Saint’s Ornaments’ really that important?”

Upon hearing my question, Luke heaved a deep sigh; a really deep one before he glared at me again.

“That part of you that willingly acknowledges your own faults might be the best thing about you. However, please stop bowing your head every single time since it only looks like you’re just teasing me when the third party sees that. This is precisely why no one ever approaches you. The children with lower peerage are at a complete loss when you, whose peerage is higher than them, suddenly bow your head to them. Please realize your station. That’s the only guidance I can give to you.”

After he told me that, Luke left his seat, but he stopped right before he walked away.

“Ah, which reminds me. Are you teasing me because my father hates your father? Well, since I know that you actually have no idea about this matter, let’s just set that matter aside. If you ask me whether my father hates yours because he returned the ‘Saint’s Ornaments’ to the royal family, then the answer is no. In fact, your father has already sent a notice to the other five noble families who have also received the ‘Saint’s Ornaments’ – which includes my family – and all of us understood his reason and accepted it. The one who are fussing about it are the other nobles. Your current action literally confirmed that fact. I don’t know what that personage (Frederick) had told you, but things have become really complicated since you’re such a good person.”

He then left the dinner after saying those words to me, leaving me rooted on my seat in surprise.