CH 57

57  Monologue of a Certain Duke Daughter 7

In the afternoon, the day after the Magic Unsealing Ceremony, Elliot came for a visit with Black (Rex) and the others like a bolt in the blue. As they had sent a message that told me they would come in the afternoon, everything had been prepared to welcome them. However, I still hardly believe this turn of events.

I meant, Elliot had never – not even once – worried about me. So, his visit this time was unprecedented.

Plus, the first thing he said upon entering the parlour room was, “How’s your condition? Getting any better?” with a worried tone.

What was happening here?! Still, despite feeling something was amiss, I felt delighted to know that he was worried about me. So…

“My deepest gratitude for visiting me while I was sick. Please let me apologise for making everyone worried about me as well.”

I expressed my gratitude to Black (Rex), Blue (Simeon), and Red (Vince), the three who came with Elliot for this visit. At the same time, I also apologise since I did trouble them with my condition after the ceremony.

“I see.”

After that, we fell silent.

Yeah, this always happened every time we met. We simply had no topic in common that we could converse about. That’s why, usually, I would have already prepared a topic to break the ice before we met. However, on this occasion, I didn’t prepare anything. Thus, the silence that fell between us.

In this silence, everyone went to sit in their seats while the maid prepared the tea and assortments before they left, leaving me with only my wet nurse, Meriel.

To be honest, the reason I created the study group was so that we could have a proper and honest conversation with one another. One that hopefully would extend even outside the study group.

“Well, thank goodness that you are in good health now. I mean, just what happened in that appraisal room?”

Rex, who realised that I had not prepare any topic for this sudden visit, took the burden to break the ice. Seeing this, I realised that though he always gave an impression of being an emotional person, he was a man who could do it if he was willing to just try.

Still, I felt quite silly for just realising this now. After all, as the son of Prime Minister Blackcurrant, he was carrying the hope of those around him to become a proper right-handman to Elliot in the future. How could he not be eloquent with his speech?

Even in the game, his image as an intellectual vice president was there, complementing Elliot. And despite only being ten years old right now, I saw that his talent had almost blossomed, though there were still many occasions where his composure slipped.

It was especially so whenever he saw Theodore’s idiotic conduct and speech. At those times, the number of times I saw blue vein popping out on his forehead was numerous. Then again, that might be the reason why he got that wise man-like aptitude about him.

Yeah, there was no mistake about it. Even in the game, he was the capture target who would often scold Heroine-chan’s speech and conduct. Although I was sure of this theory, I still had this little feeling that tell me something was off.

Well, I had to put that matter aside for now, though, since there were guests.

After all, right now, the honest to a fault Rex was conducting himself appropriately in front of me, the Duke’s daughter. It would be remiss of me to not respond. However, before I could do so.

“Yeah, your face is as pale as the paper back then. Rather than that, why are you still alive now?”

“Simeon!”

Rex rebuked Blue (Simeon) while I sweatdropped inwardly. Yup, his tongue is as barbed as ever.

In the game, Simeon’s setting was a gentle-looking young man. Alas, his appearance and his mouth were as different as heaven and heart. He never stopped spewing barbed remarks whenever he talked, in-game or otherwise.

Truly, with that barbed tongue, I wouldn’t have expected that he was the son of the gentle Bishop Cobalt. Still, considering his angel-like appearance, I couldn’t help but feel that it was a waste.

Then again, I hated Simeon, just like the Katrina in the game that hated him. And talking with him face-to-face only made me realize that I really couldn’t bring myself to like him.

“Look, you’re making that expression again. The look of someone who dislikes me. Since that’s the case, shall I gouge your eyes so you won’t see me again, or shall I just crush it all together?”

“SIMEON! THAT’S ENOUGH! YOU WENT TOO FAR!” Rex screamed, ending up covering Simeon’s mouth.

“Rex-sama, please stop such improper conduct. That’ll only hurt Simeon-sama. And my apologies, Simeon-sama. Can you at least tell me the reason why you’re so displeased with me? Because not even I can guess the reason for that.”

“Are you sure you want to know the reason?”

“Yes, by all means.”

A smile then bloomed on Simeon’s face.

“Everything.”

This fu*cking brat… Okay, I give up. This brat is just that kind of person! I huffed inwardly. But still, anyone would be hurt if you said it straight to their faces. Good grief, I really hate this brat after all.

Then again, even in the game, this brat was an extremely troublesome character whose affection is hard to raise. He was also the most rebellious character amongst the capture target.

“Please don’t mind him, Miss Katrina. He has this tendency to bark at anyone who displeases him, including girls. There’s no need to fret over his remark.” Red (Vince), who up till now was listening in silence, glared at Simeon.

Vince, who wanted to become a knight, naturally couldn’t just overlook such transgression.

As for who Vince was, well, his appearance resembled the typical refreshing sportsman you saw in middle school. Of course, complete with a sport-like attitude too. And perhaps, because he had already undergone the necessary training to become a knight, he was a step ahead of his peers in terms of maturity.

Really, his honest and straightforward personality was the exact opposite of Simeon’s personality. And yet, these two got along really well. How mysterious.

“But…”

“The fact that this guy is spitting such a barbed remark is the proof of the favorability he holds towards someone.”

“Hah? What kind of misunderstanding is this? I’m not joking when I say I hate her.”

“You really should learn how to be honest to yourself a little bit.”

Is that so? I wondered as I felt that his twisted way of speaking right now seemed to be a little different from the game. What I felt from the current Simeon seemed to be pure disgust. Sharp and barbed.

I did wonder why though since I didn’t think I did something that would make him hate me.

“Whatever. It seems the person herself doesn’t realize it. Since that’s the case, nothing can be done about it.”

Eh, what?

However, for some reason, Simeon simply shrugged his shoulder as if saying ‘Good grief’.

What did he mean by ‘Nothing can be done’? Is there something I’m supposed to get but don’t?

“Anyhow, you seem to be as energetic as usual. So, this means that you can participate in the study group.”

“Yes. I’m the initiator, after all. I can’t just be absent for no reason.”

“That’s a relief. In fact, I’m thinking of calling a teacher to teach us practical magic after our unsealing ceremony. And when I consulted Luke about this matter, he said that he knows an appropriate teacher for this matter. Furthermore, it seems he has already invited said person to teach us. At least, that’s what we found out when we came to visit this time. Anyway, currently, Luke is visiting said tutor before coming over.”

“Oh my, I’m looking forward to meeting the person then. I wonder what kind of person the teacher is.”

“According to Luke, an oddball,” Elliot muttered when he heard my words.

Ah, so, our new teacher may be that person. The one Luke respected the most… so, if I’m not wrong, it should be Bates-san, Oriana’s uncle.

Whew, I’m really glad he survived that assassination attempt. I thought, feeling glad that the event was straying away from the scenario I knew. Boundless relief surged within me at this knowledge since it was proof that I could change the future. That meant, I did not need to wait around for my death to come.

“An oddball, eh… he should be a rare magic tool researcher, right? Sounds to me he’s a great person though.”

“Look, you’re doing that again.”

Simeon cut in.

“Although His Highness Elliot only said ‘Oddball’, you immediately know who he’s referring to. How did you know that?”

… AH! Dammit, my game knowledge backfired on me.

“W-Well, I’ve met him in person a while ago after all…”

“Enough. This is why I hate you. Especially that expression that looks like you know everything. I don’t care about you being the saint or whatever, but I can’t stand that attitude of yours.”

“I-I have no intention to do that, though. Still, I apologise if you feel unpleasant because of that.”

“SIMEON! YOU WENT TOO FAR!”

“Calm down, Rex. I know that all of us feel the same way.”

“That’s because she’s the saint. Furthermore, even without that, you really went too far just now. Apologise at once.”

WAIT A MINUTE!!! SINCE WHEN DID I BECOME THE SAINT?! HOW DID THE TOPIC GO IN THIS UNEXPECTED DIRECTION AGAIN?!

While I was fretting, Vince just looked at Simeon and Rex who were glaring at each other silently. On the other hand, Elliot didn’t seem to be interested in this matter. Instead, he simply drank his tea elegantly, all the while ignoring everything that was going on.

… Uwa~, I really want to punch his face right now.

“A-Anyhow, everyone, please calm down first. How about a second helping of tea?”

“Nope. I’m going back.”

""

“Then go.”

Wait a fricking minute~! Please don’t go back with this kind of mood! I screamed in my heart. Alas, my heartfelt scream failed to reach the blue basta*rd as he went to the door.

At that moment, another one-hell-of-normies-pair entered the scene.

“How do you do, Katrina-sama~? We’re coming to visi~t.”

Yes, the one who came in was Theodore, accompanied by a dolled-up Muriel.

… No way… another source of headache…