033: A Pure Mind

October 3, 2020 - 8 minutes read - 1518 words

The Slowlette family was having dinner with our guests Count Melna and Viscount Yulina and Lynaria. Bartolo’s food and specialty spaghetti were well received by our guests, one might think Melna would be full after all he ate at Celia’s restaurant, but he was eating plenty at dinner.

After dinner, the adults went to the drawing room to chat and relax. I’m walking back to my room, when I notice someone following me.

“Why are you following me? Mrs. Lynaria?” Al

“Mrs. feels a bit wrong, please just call my Lynaria.” Lynaria

“Well, Lynaria, why are you following me?” Al

“I want to chat with Alfred” Lynaria

Lynaria tilted her head like she was confused why I wouldn’t want to chat.

“It’s fine, but my room doesn’t have much space and isn’t very interesting.” Al

“That’s fine” Lynaria

I’m not sure about her, but let’s head back to my room for now.

A few steps later, I feel something is off, like something is sneaking up on my head?

“…” Lynaria

“What’s wrong?” Al

Looking back at Lynaria, she isn’t doing anything weird, perhaps I’m imagining things.

“No, it’s nothing. I’m sorry” Al

Thanks to Eleanora, I’ve had to become sensitive to the presence of surrounding people. Eleanora has a habit of sneaking up on people without making a sound and just standing behind the person.

“…” Lynaria

I’m getting that sense of something around my head again. This is just weird. If it was Eleanora doing this, I would have been hit a few times already.

I’ll try walking faster, that might fix the problem. What is happening? There’s only Lynaria and me around, where is this weird feeling coming from. Before I can solve the mystery, we arrive at my room’s door.

“… Ah” Lynaria

“…” Al

Lynaria has placed her hand on my head when I stopped.

“Pat!” Lynaria

“No, what?” Al

“I’m sorry, did I hurt you?” Lynaria

“No, it didn’t hurt. It was just very surprising to get patted on my head unexpectedly.” Al

“You know a difficult word like unexpectedly! That’s so nice.” Lynaria

“Uh, ok” Al

I think this person is uncommonly innocent.

“Well, Al was so cute that I wanted to pat your head.” Lynaria

So the presence near my head was her. It’s like I’m a small animal.

“Do you like children?” Al

“That’s right, I like children younger than I. Mainly since I was the youngest daughter in my family. I always wanted a younger brother.” Lynaria

Lynaria is emphasizing that last part. I see, I can understand her desire. In my past life, I was the youngest brother with older sisters. My sisters loved to play with me like I was a toy. If I had a younger brother, I might be able to redirect some attention to him.

“I understand that feeling, I’d like to have a younger brother too!” Lynaria

“Really? Then why not become my child?” Al

Well, that’s a weird place for the conversation to go.

“I think that’s an odd thought. First, why don’t you think about making a child with Viscount Yulina?” Al

“Well, it’s Eustelle, and making a child… it’s embarrassing.” Lynaria

“But you’re married?” Al

About now I realized that we were talking out in the hallway, I went ahead and invited Lynaria into my room.

“I’ll start warming up the room now.” Al

“How are you going to do that? I don’t see any fireplace?” Lynaria

I answer Lynaria’s question by creating two small fireballs.

“Wow, you’re using magic? Elna said you’re good at magic.” Lynaria

“Well, I like to practice magic as part of my daily life.” Al

Recently, I’m practicing magic in an effort to escape from Eleanora’s detection. Magic is an enjoyable way to enrich your life, and a valuable protective power.

“I can only use some Wind Magic. Is there a trick to becoming better?” Lynaria

“Hmm, I’d recommend using it regularly. You can cut twigs or circulate the air in a room. If you use it often in small ways, it’s an easy way to practice.” Al

“Do you practice Wind Slash or Intermediate Attack Magic?” Lynaria

“Not really. Attack Magic is a disruptive type of magic. I don’t use it since there isn’t much call for it around Koriat Village. I can find many ways to use it in everyday applications that don’t require bloodshed.” Al

“I see. Al’s way of thinking is quite interesting.” Lynaria

“It’s difficult to improve, but by practicing every day, it should become easier to use.” Al

Magic can reward a person with a flexible strategy. Magic can be used to improve life. At the same time it can protect from threats, it mainly protects from my sister for me. At this point, Lynaria is looking around my room. It’s a bit embarrassing to see her so engaged.

“Oh, you have Reversi” Lynaria

Lynaria notices my Reversi set. Well, I’ve been playing it most of today in the tournament, and a good bit in previous days as well. Hopefully she won’t want to play a game tonight.

“Recently, it’s becoming common in more than just the royal capital.” Lynaria

Looks like the traitor Triela is doing well at market penetration. Good for him.

“That’s nice.” Al

That might have come out a big angrier than I mean. Lynaria hasn’t done anything to me, besides patting my head.

“Yes, thanks to that, my father was overjoyed to get a few sets. Oh, he’s the current Duke Lau Vladie.” Lynaria

“Duke?!” Al

Wait, Lynaria has such a powerful parent?

“Wait, didn’t you hear about that?” Lynaria

“That’s the first time for me!” Al

Speaking of court ranks, Dukes are the highest rank of the aristocracy. The only more powerful people are the King and Queen. Obviously, Dukes hold large territories and must regularly achieve big results.

“Al didn’t listen when Father explained that.” Eleanora

Eleanora has entered the conversation, when did she appear? Did she knock on the door?

“Yes, I knocked before entering. There’s no reason to be so surprised.” Eleanora

I have no idea what she’s saying. Lynaria is as surprised as me.

“Does Lynaria have some connection to the royal family?” Al

“No, I don’t have any connection to them” Lynaria

Lynaria denies my question in a hurry. That’s nice, I don’t want to get involved with the royal family.

“Then, can you tell us how you got married to Viscount Yulina?” Al

“Yes, I wanted to hear that story too!” Eleanora

Eleanora piggybacks on my question.

“Well, uhh… it was love at first sight.” Lynaria

Lynaria is blushing quite a bit and diverting her eyes from us. It’s cute but a little shy.

“With Viscount Yulina? When?” Al

Eleanora wants to hear the next part of the question. Love stories are popular with girls of any world.

“Um… seven years ago.” Lynaria

Wut? Viscount Lolina is a criminal! Well, maybe Lynaria is older than she looks, how old could she be?

“Excuse me, hold old is Lynaria?” Al

While this world marries earlier than Japan, they don’t marry at 10 years old.

“I turned 16 years old this year.” Lynaria

In other words, this started when she was nine? I know that some aristocrats will get betrothed pretty young, but what’s with claiming love at nine? I may have been raised in Japan, which has things like The Tale of Genji as a classic work, but even I think this is weird.

“So how did you get permission to marry?” Eleanora

“Well, my father didn’t approve of a relationship at first. After several years of requests, I was able to get him to approve. I was then able to begin a relationship with Eustelle.” Lynaria

She’s beaming now.

“For how many years?” Eleanora

“It took seven years” Lynaria

Lynaria continues beaming from her efforts.

“How nice” Al

It seems this is more clear at this point. A higher ranked girl fell in love with a lower ranked boy. She fought to get acceptance from her father, who eventually granted it. Now she’s being cherished by the one she fell in love with. I’ll give you my sincere respect.

“Love of different status. Nice…” Eleanora

Eleanora looks impressed with the story.

“Eleanora doesn’t have enough feminine power, so it’s impossible for her to have that sort of romance.” Al

“Huh? I don’t have feminine power?” Eleanora

“Do you even understand feminine power?” Al

“But of course, I’m a girl and I have power.” Eleanora

Feminine power is the inner strength of a woman who live a rich life. She highlights her existence by showing off her beauty and taste. That is, the power to be chased by men. A fantasy power for Eleanora, nothing is further from reality. I think Eleanora is mixing up girl and feminine.

“That hurt?! Why did you hit me?” Al

“My intuition said you deserved it” Eleanora

“What kind of oracle is in your head?” Al

“Fufufu, you two are on good terms.” Lynaria

I’m holding my head and Eleanora has her arms crossed. Lynaria is giggling at the whole situation.