062: Al's Calamity

November 22, 2020 - 8 minutes read - 1617 words

“Aha, it’s Al” Ra-chan

Ra-chan hugged me wearing her innocent smile, but Eric is scared away by her? That makes me worried, now I’m bothered about this new danger. I was pretty sure that Ra-chan was an aristocrat before. With her well-tailored clothes and an older sister that picked her up in a carriage, it was either nobility or a major merchant family. She’s now wearing a light blue fluffy dress, her skirt and twin-tails sway around in a cute manner.

“Al was also an aristocrat.” Ra-chan

I’m happy, but I can’t make myself too vulnerable at the same time. Ra-chan’s sister doesn’t seem so friendly.

“Oh! Don’t hug a person you’re meeting for the first time!” Sister

Of course she tries to scold Ra-chan, but Ra-chan retaliates by turning around and saying innocently.

“But I’ve met him before?” Ra-chan

“Eh?” Sister

She didn’t get the meaning of Ra-chan’s words, which help explain the situation. I would need to be the one to explain what had happened, so I fixed my mussed jacked from Eric’s silliness.

I described where I had met Ra-chan a few days ago when she was lost on the southern boulevard of the royal capital. Ra-chan objected me calling her lost with the explanation of “No, it was different”. Ra-chan nodded when I changed the story to her older sister being lost. The sister gets the humor and snickers at my story change.

“So you protected my sister. Thank you. I’m sorry that I didn’t realize it until now, since when I asked her about that day, she said she had played with some friends. Were you inconvenienced?” Sister

“No, it was fine. I had fun too.” Al

“Is that so? I’m sorry for an problems caused by my sister. By the way, may I have some of your time?” Sister

She said that while smiling, but her eyes didn’t seem to be smiling. I don’t think I can refuse the sister though.

“Oh, yes. It’s ok.” Al

I endured my nervousness and managed to answer assuredly.

“Then, can we have a chat on the terrace?” Sister

Ra-chan’s sister flutters her golden hair and walks over to the terrace. I start walking back to the terrace, I hope she doesn’t have a long story like the Duke.

“Ah! Are you going to play with the sister Al? You’re crazy!” Eric

“No, we’ll just talk for a few minutes. Ra-chan, I’ll be back soon, so just play with the ugly brother there.” Al

I feel like Eric was not appreciating my situation. I don’t think I’ve said anything wrong to her, I should be fine. I’ve just spent too much time around Eleanora, I’m sure.

“Wait, was that about me?” Eric

Eric raised a bewildered response and looks at Ra-chan. Ra-chan comes back quickly with a response.

“Ehehe, I’ll play with the rough-looking brother!” Ra-chan

Oh, now I’m torn. I’d like to see how Eric responds to Ra-chan.

“Come back quickly…” Eric

“Yes, yes” Al

The terrace overlooks the gardens of the Duke of Leingeland. Earlier in the day, I would have a beautiful view of the lush greenery, but it’s dark now. There wasn’t any clouds tonight, and between the moonlight and the light sources there was some visibility, but the landscape looks different than during the day. A nearby terrace holds a few aristocratic couples that are gazing at the moon in a romantic manner. They’re not talking much, since it’s hard to say something that doesn’t detract from the mood.

When I saw them, I thought about the time I watched a lunar eclipse. If I was an adult, I’d like to have some alcohol while watching the scene, but I’m only seven-years-old at the moment. It’s an age prohibited from alcohol, even in this world. Before I was reincarnated, I was an adult who liked to have some alcohol with delicious meals. I still think about pairings when eating meals sometimes…

“Can you listen for a moment?” Sister

When I was thinking about wines, I heard a frustrated voice that brought me back to reality.

“You’re the only man who was around Lana that day, right?” Sister

It seems Ra-chan’s actual name in Lana. Her sister squints and stares into my eyes.

“Correct, also one of my family’s maids was with us.” Al

What’s up with this cross-examination? Should I be thanked not interrogated?

“Fine, but it’s your fault that Lana started using weird words!” Sister

“Huh?” Al

“What’s this brother’s name?” Lana

“Eric…” Eric

Eric responds in an offhand manner, but Lana ignored his indifference.

“What’s your favorite food?” Lana

“Meat…” Eric

“What food do you hate?” Lana

Eric looked a bit embarrassed, so he paused a minute.

“Vegetables…” Eric

“You’re the same as me!” Lana

“Oh, we’re the same” Eric

“After she met you, Lana calls maids ‘bad maids’ or ’troublesome’ and when she gets a sweet, she says something like ‘cookies are good!’.” Sister

The sister is raising her voice. A couple who were previously looking at the moon are startled and move inside. I think the ‘bad maid’ phrase came from when Ra-chan and I were having a laugh at Mina’s expense. I guess the maids for their families mansion must have been surprised at being called bad maid.

I don’t remember troublesome being part of the conversation. I might have said it at some point, but I don’t know why Ra-chan would repeat it.

The cookies are good phrase is definitely not my fault. That was Mina who spread the legend of cookies while we were lined up at the food stalls. It is surely Mina’s fault.

“Lately, she keeps asking me to appear and disappear cookies.” Sister

Ok, I’ll take responsibility for that last one.

“I may have spoiled her a bit…” Al

“Can you not be so carefree!” Sister

I was trying to lighten the conversation, but she doesn’t seem interested. Why are women so quick to anger? Don’t stare at me so much.

She sighed as I put on an awkward smile.

“Ugh, it’ll be ok. It seems she really enjoyed that day. I’ll work on discouraging her strange phrases.” Sister

“Sorry, I’m regretting some of my phrasing.” Al

“I don’t know if you two will run into each other again, but if you do, please be more careful.” Sister

She points her finger at me in a threatening manner, then returns to the venue. Well, I’ll only be in the royal capital for a short time, so I doubt we’ll meet again. While I was thinking, she returned in an aggressive manner, did she think of something else to complain about?

“By the way, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Shelka Misfeed. I’m the daughter of one of the founding dukes of the country.” Shelka

Why would I want to get involved with another Duke’s family today? Have I heard the name Misfeed before? Maybe he was the author of a magic book?

“I am Alfred Slowlette, the second son of the Baron of the Slowlette territory.” Al

I don’t have anything else to say. Shelka hears my introduction and responds with a curt ‘Yes’, then returns to the venue for good. I guess that means Ra-chan is really Lana Misfeed, I hope I can just keep thinking of her as Ra-chan.

When I got back to Eric and Ra-chan, Eric looked tired. Ra-chan looks fine, so she might have been the one driving the conversation.

I was thirsty from my conversation with Shelka, so I asked a waiter for something to drink. I asked for wine, but was given water. It seems a Duke’s servants are consistent at policy.

Ra-chan looked at my water as if I was going to turn it into wine with magic, ran over and grabbed my arm. Yep, she’s still just Ra-chan. I’ll just pretend she isn’t the daughter of a Duke.

“Hey! How long will Al be in the royal capital?” Lana

“Didn’t I say you shouldn’t just hug a guy!” Shelka

I don’t consider her hanging on my arm as hugging? I don’t think that Shelka needs to be this strict. Well, maybe it’s something with being in a Duke’s family, do they have to comport themselves with more dignity than your average aristocrat?

“Haven’t I met Al before?” Lana

“There’s more to it than that!” Shelka

“Like what?” Lana

“Well, they should be family… or a lover.” Shelka

“What is a lover?” Lana

It seems that Shelka has gone beyond what Ra-chan understands, so Ra-chan tilts her head and asks that simple question. But it is a deeper question than she imagines.

Shelka is thrown into confusion and is having trouble coming up with an age-appropriate response. I’m drinking water, so I can’t help her. I don’t want to put my foot in my mouth by saying something I shouldn’t. Eric is off getting water, he’s got a good danger sense.

When Shelka realized she wouldn’t get any help, she regretfully spits out an uninspired reply.

“A lover is a person of the opposite sex who has feelings for you…” Shelka

“Hmm, I’m not sure I get that?” Lana

Yeah, that wasn’t enough detail for a four-year-old.

“Uh, it’s the person who kisses you” Shelka

Oh, Shelka went straight to romantic activities, I wonder how Ra-chan will respond now?

“Then it’s ok! Didn’t we kiss?” Lana

“Huh? What do you mean? Is it true?” Shelka

I’ve heard that children are doing all sorts of things earlier, but does that hold true for this other world? I take a sip of water while watching Shelka’s reactions.

“I did that with Al!” Lana

I made an immediate spit take at that comment.