Oops, a few hours later than when I normally post, but I lost track of time due to having a ton of morning meetings, blegh.
Short chapter today!
TN: Toasty
ED: Toasty
「Ah, this old guy is so cool.」
「Which one?」
「This old guy is missing his right hand, so he replaces it with an axe.」
「Ahhh. He’s flashy, swinging an iron ball like that around.」
「I haven’t read that far yet.」
「Oops.」
Leo told me not to spoil the first book, so I apologized. Because he had his brown wig on, how dazzling his hair was is reduced, so I could manage to look him in the eyes and apologize.
I started going to Nico’s house, Count Rudolstadt’s estate, and occasionally Leo would go as well.
Nico’s mother, Elvira-sama, seems to often ask Nico when the next time we’re coming is. Nico was surprised by her sudden offensive.
Nico seemed to have intended to only invite me, but Elvira-sama asked if he had another friend, so from the second time onwards, he decided to match it with Leo’s observation days. When I asked Leo if it would be okay to look at the downtown area, he replied that logically, it was important to learn about the lives of his subjects. I thought he just wanted to play, but it seemed like he didn’t usually play around, so I said nothing.
Since Leo is wearing a wig, we can’t play around in the mansion, so we just play in Nico’s room. At first we tried playing chess, but Leo just overwhelmingly won and it wasn’t fun. I just managed to memorize the rules.
Then I calmed down by reading a book. Right now, I’m reading Nico’s pirate books. When it comes to picture books I read with Ojou, there are adventure stories and other stories I like, but none of them are in this kind of wild genre.
There are only a few illustrations, so it’s a lot like reading shounen manga. The style of painting is something you might see in a museum, but I feel a sense of vigor to it that I think is nice. I think Ojou would scream if she read it.
「What is it?」
Nico felt someone’s eyes on him and asked the person looking at him.
「No, I think this is the reason for the tone I use when talking with Isaac.」
「Ah, I see.」
I agree with Leo’s words. If anything, Nico has a fouler mouth than me. I was wondering where he learned it from.
「Is it bad?」
When Nico frowned as if he was being complained to, Leo showed a dazzling smile.
「No? I thought it would be nice if you could talk to me as openly as you did.」
「……I’m being open enough already.」
「I see. That’s too bad.」
When Nico replies that any more is unreasonable while being amazed, Leo accepted his reply with a smile that didn’t look disappointed.
「By the way, is there such a thing as lese-majeste?」
I suddenly became curious and asked.
Off the record, both Nico and I use casual speech to Leo, the prince, but if we accidentally do that in an official setting, I wonder if we’ll only be scolded. I’m a commoner, but Nico seems to meet him at parties, so he’ll be fine. Well, I don’t think Nico would let that kind of mistake slip out.
「Are you asking if being disrespectful is a crime? There’s no such thing.」
「Eh. There isn’t?」
「Respect for other people can’t be forced. Making such a law would only alienate the hearts of the people.」
「Well, I think there will be more people who get excited.」
「Hmmm, that’s the way it is, huh?」
It’s true that I’ve never heard of anyone being punished for lese-majeste. If someone were to be be punished, it would be the topic of conversation in the downtown area since it would usually be a commoner. There’s no point talking about something that doesn’t exist. Based on my knowledge of manga from my previous life, I just thought it was something that existed.
Leo closed the book he was reading and looked up.
「When I first started learning swordsmanship, I once broke my mother’s music box by swinging a wooden sword indoors.」
When Leo suddenly started talking about his past failures, I almost tilted my head for a moment, but Nico and I closed our books and listened, thinking that it was probably related to the current topic.
However, it was surprising that Leo would have such childish clumsiness. Leo has an aura that makes you think he’s been able to handle everything with ease ever since he was born. What do you say about this? Winners? Blue-bloods? For now, I’ll just say honor student.
In any case, it seems that Leo, who had just learned swordsmanship, was intent on becoming stronger quickly and was trying to practice on his own indoors when his hand slipped and the wooden sword flew off. Unfortunately, it hit Leo’s mother’s music box and caused it to fall.
「My mother laughed and forgave me, but my father told me to bring the broken music box.」
Leo thought he would be scolded, but even though he was frightened, he obediently took the music box and brought it to his father. I don’t know how old Leo was when this happened, but if it was Johann or one of the other kids, he’d run away from a certain preaching to at least once. I often saw Johann’s aunt grabbing his by the scruff of his neck.
It seems Leo’s father didn’t scold Leo right away and put him on his lap instead.
「He asked me how long I thought it took to make the music box.」
In response to his father’s question, Leo said he thought about a month. He seems to have had a good intuition about how long it would take a craftsman to complete the work, including assembling the parts of the music box that made sound and then making the box to put it in. The reason for length was that it would also take some time because the workmanship on the box was so detailed and beautiful.
「But, my father said, it was more.」
When the time spent composing the song to be included, the time making the parts, the time mining the metals, the time cutting down the wood for the box, the time the wood grows, all was in Leo’s hands, his father said.
When Leo heard this, he realized that the music box in his hands was very valuable and apologies washed out of him like wave.
「And then, to break it only took a moment.」
Leo nodded as his father admonished him. Leo thought he was going to finally be scolded, but instead of a lecture, what came was a gentle pat.
「At that time, my father taught me power is the same. People don’t obey the royal family unconditionally, but because of the trust earned by our ancestor’s achievements. The reason our subjects respect me is because of their trust and their expectations of my future.」
Leo’s father taught him that if he wields power for no reason, he will easily break it, just like the music box. His father told Leo that it will also take some time to repair the music box.
「I couldn’t fix the music box that I broke. I was scared that I had done something that just apologizing couldn’t fix, so in the end all I could do was cry and apologize.」
Instead of scolding him, Leo’s father made his son repent by telling him the facts. Leo’s father is kind of amazing. However, I feel like Leo, who was able to understand such a story, is too smart.
「After I started to calm down, my father asked me something.」
There are many things in this world that are easy to destroy, take time to build up, and are difficult to repair. What would Roy want to do with that?
「I want to take care of them, I answered.」
If that was the case, his father said while he patted him on the head and praised him, then Roy would make a good king.
Leo’s cheeks flushed with joy as he remembered that moment.
「Incidentally, the music box was a craft from my mother’s country, so I had to ask a craftsman from my mother’s country to repair it, and it took about two months. When I came back, I apologized to my mother again. I remember that very well.」
「So, what did you want to say?」
Leo was smiling as he talked about his memories, and Nico quickly delivered the punch line. Leo apologized and returned to the main topic.
「In other words, creating a law that punishes disrespect is an act that destroys the authority established by previous kings. So, you can rest assured that it would never happen in my father’s or even my generation.」
Leo gives his answer with a smile. However, I felt a little pressure on my smile and thought about it for a while.
「Ummm…… in other words, don’t worry too much about it?」
「It would be creepy to be respected so much by Isaac and Nicholas now.」
「Lately, when my father takes me there to greet you, it’s obviously too cold.」
「Then that’s mutual, isn’t it?」
Since it’s the first prince and the son of the prime minister, it would be strange if they didn’t at least say hello. I’ve only talked to Leo once in a formal setting, but I was terrified. I can understand Nico’s feelings a bit. Apparently, Leo was also in a similar state of thought.
「Still, Leo’s father is amazing.」
It’s difficult to make someone reflect without scolding them. My father’s fist rains down before his mouth opens. Well, it’s basically my fault for doing something that made me get punched. My father is quiet, so it’s an extreme comparison, but normally you would have tried to scold someone first. You should have to explain it first.
Leo’s honey-colored eyes widened at my comment, and then his eyes softened.
「Ahhh, I respect you.」 [T/N: I have no idea, it’s literally “Ah, respecting”, and there’s barely any context.]
As always, Leo’s choice of words is childish. Still, his expression was, age appropriately, honest.
「…So, when was that story compared to now?」 [T/N: Hard to convey but this is Nico talking.]
「Hmm. I think it was about six years ago, so it was when I was four years old.」
「Ugeh.」
「You’ve been giving model answers like that ever since.」
That’s unbelievable, Nico said. I also thought he was too smart, so I had a similar reaction.
「When I was around that age, I used to pick up chestnut acorns.」 [T/N: Zack talking here.]
「What do you do with picking up chestnuts?」
「I just picked them up. …Ah, I asked the old carpenter to turn the big one into a spinning top.」
Just collecting a lot of clean items that aren’t moth-eaten gives me a sense of satisfaction, and it’s simply fun. You can use anything like chestnuts, round stones, cicada shells, and so on. I just collect things that I see at the time that I think are good. Leo tilts his head, not thinking that the action itself is a game, and replies by asking if that’s all.
Unlike my previous life in Japan, tools such as drill bits were not available in ordinary households, so I relied on an old carpenter to make the tops. In addition, acorns tend to roll easily and are difficult for children to make holes in. Even if you have the tools, it will be better to leave it to a skillful adult to make the top properly.
「What is a spinning top?」
「It’s a toy that spins around on its own if you twist it a little. We compete to see how long it can spin.」
「I want to try it next time.」
Leo’s eyes sparkled and dazzled with interest. I never thought he would be interested in something like this, so I faced him directly. I instinctively closed my eyes tightly, as if I had been blindsided.
「Are you going to reveal it now?」
「Isn’t it fine?」
「You brat.」
Seeing Leo get excited, when I had that idea I’d have no choice but to go along with it, Nico mumbled as if exasperated.
At Nico’s words, Leo happily smiled.
「I’m also a kid, too.」
The person in front of us was definitely a boy one year younger than me.
Ojou called me to the gazebo in the west.
Even if I had promised her to show her a rainbow, would it be okay to meet her in such a cold place at this time of year? Well, since there’s a pond, it’s easy for me to use magic since I don’t have much magical power, but I’m worried Ojou might catch a cold.
Besides, the flowers here are asleep. It would be an inappropriate place to visit on a birthday.
Come to think of it, Nico pointed out that I haven’t been worried this year. Last year I couldn’t think of a gift and I was worried for a long time, so Nico must have remembered it too. I thought about asking Nico for advice several times. But when I replied that this year’s plans were already made, he gave me a strange look.
As I was thinking about this, I saw a pale golden color in the breezeway from the main building.
The deep green coat was long and warm with white fur on the collar and hem. Peeking out from the hem of her coat, the layers of peach lace were swaying like petals.
After confirming that the young lady had come to the corner leading to the gazebo in the middle of the breezeway, I used my magic. I adjust it so that the arch of water particles hangs in the middle of the hallway leading to the arbor. That way, the setting sun would reflect and the young lady would be able to reach the pavilion by passing through the rainbow arch.
The rainbow was well shown and Ojou’s face took on a dazzling, joyful glow.
「Happy birthday, Ojou.」
「Thank you.」
I offered my congratulations to Ojou, who had arrived at the pavilion, and she returned the favor with a smile. Ojou was smiling happily, and I was almost satisfied just by being greeted by her. I think about it every year, but I feel like it’s not worth it for Ojou to go out of her way to meet me because I’m the one who gave her the present.
Ojou took out a small message card from her coat pocket and held it up to her eye level.
「You haven’t forgotten about this, have you?」
「Oh?」
This is the promise I handed her last year. I wrote it myself, so I remember it well.
That year’s gift was a ticket to listen to whatever she said. The content is decided by Ojou, so I don’t know what the present will actually be. Ojou, who receives presents, is always the one who gets the gift, so I’m prepared for some impossible challenges.
With a feeling of being challenged, I nodded.
「Then, let me ask you a favor.」
「Mhm.」
Ojou also looks at me with a challenging look, so I put all my strength into her fist and wait for her request.
Several seconds passed as we were facing each other head-on, as if we were glaring at each other.
Ten seconds passed, and as expected, I asked.
「Ojou?」
「I-I’ll say it……!」
「Mhm.」
Ojou asks me to wait a little bit, so I nod and wait. Meanwhile, for some reason, Ojou began to take deep breaths.
Ojou’s expressions become more and more tense, and I’m starting to get a little nervous as well, wondering what kind of request she’ll ask me.
After taking several deep breaths, Ojou made a small fist and looked at me with a determined gaze.
「……ch.」
「Ch?」
「Even from now on, please touch me!」
「Eh?」
I tilt my head in confusion, not understanding what she said, or rather, what it means.
Ojou’s face turned bright red and she started to get nervous, probably because I asked her a question back.
「W-when I say 「touching」, I don’t mean it in a weird way!? I mean… patting my head, holding my hand, things like that…」
While explaining, Ojou’s words gradually lost their momentum. I wonder if the examples she gave are embarrassing for a young noble lady. Duke-sama would take it for granted, and the Ojou might be fine with it, but unlike Duke-sama, I’m not part of the family.
「That kind of thing isn’t a present, isn’t it?」
「It’s because Zack hasn’t even touched my hair since then!」
When I told her that it wasn’t worth asking such a thing for a birthday present, she glared accusingly at me.
「Ever since my engagement with Roy-sama was decided, you’ve been strangely respectful in that aspect… It’s strange to be so considerate even though it’s Zack!」
「Even though it’s me……」
I wonder if I seem that reckless to Ojou. No, that’s how it was when we first met, so I guess it can’t be helped. But four years have passed, and I think I’ve grown a little. maybe.
But is it okay? My master, Heinz-san, the butler, taught me that a person of the opposite sex should not casually touch a young lady. Especially if she is an engaged young lady.
「…Won’t Leo complain?」
「Do you think Roy-sama is that narrow-minded?」
I heard that Ojou doesn’t have any romantic feelings for Leo, but I don’t know about her fiancé Leo. However, when Ojou told me about it, I imagined Leo looking at her with a normal smile. I wonder if that’s just a lot of tolerance.
Ojou and Leo are so close that they understand each other, so why haven’t they developed into that kind of relationship?
「It’s unfair to pat Flora on the head but not me.」
「I see, I see.」
I’ve been watching her since I was little, and when her little sister Flora asks me to, I’ll pat her on the head. As I was told, I realized that Flora was also a young lady. To Flora, she only thought she was Flora.
While she was nodding in agreement with Ojou’s opinion, for some reason her cheeks became redder and she looked down.
「You said you’d listen to anything.」
Ojou mumbled that. She sounded accusatory and her voice was weak. I didn’t nod at all, so maybe she misunderstood that I didn’t like it.
「But, if it’s the same as always, it’s going to become not a birthday present.」
Ojou reflexively looks up, thinking my words meant a refusal. I put my hand on Ojou’s head.
「I’m just happy.」
I continue to stroke it gently and the feel of her soft hair returns. The feeling of touching her for the first time in a while had a softness that I was familiar with, and I realized that she liked me doing this. She naturally relaxes.
For a moment, Ojou’s eyes widened as if she didn’t understand what was going on. However, as I continued to stroke her head, her complexion gradually improved, and by the end she turned bright red again.
「I-I……」
「What is it?」
「N-nothing, it’s nothing.」
Ojou’s mouth moved and she tried to say something. But when I tilted my head, she didn’t say anything more and just looked down. She keeps her head down, enjoying my patting, and I can’t stop. When should I stop this?
Ojou’s mouth seemed to be smiling as she looked down, so I decided to pat her for just a little while longer. I put my feelings of congratulations in the palm of my hand—
And done! Not a whole lot to say for this chapter, it felt a little skippy? But it was nice to see the passage of time as well as Ojou/Zack getting closer. Still found it hilarious that Zack asks “Why aren’t Ojou and Leo getting close enough to be in a relationship?”. Oh Zack, never change.
See you all next time!
Toasty Translations 