066: A Red-haired Duke's Daughter

November 26, 2020 - 8 minutes read - 1643 words

“I heard about Mr. Nord’s story! You chopped through the dragon’s neck in one swing!” Fan

“I heard that the total length of the dragon could wrap around the whole royal castle, is that true?” Fan

“It was possible because of everyone’s teamwork. And I don’t remember it being quite as big as the royal castle.” Nord

Nord is still surrounded by his admirers, daughters and boys aiming to be knights. Nord defeated the dragon before Eleanora or I were born. The children around him must have grown up listening to the story of the dragon slayer rather than witnessing it. It seems Nord has a large amount of enthusiastic fans.

“Hey, Eric?” Al

“What?” Eric

“Have you seen a the Dragon Slayer play?” Al

“Huh? You haven’t seen the play about your father?” Eric

“This is the first time I’ve been to the royal capital. I haven’t had the chance to see it.” Al

Of course I want to watch it, I’ll definitely find time to see it.

“I’ll guide you!” Eric

“What? Eric?” Al

“As thanks for the mayonnaise, I’ll be your guide for the day.” Eric

It’s surprising that Eric would volunteer for something like that. The royal capital is both vast and complicated, so it’s better to have a guide if you want to be efficient when visiting points of interest. Eric isn’t from the royal capital, but he must be somewhat familiar if he’s suggesting it.

“That sounds good.” Al

“When is a good day?” Eric

“Would tomorrow work?” Al

“Ok, then we’ll do tomorrow. Meet me in the square around noon” Eric

“All right” Al

Just as we agreed to meet up, the entrance door opened and someone significant entered. Everyone at the venue turned their eyes to the door to watch, or were they compelled to watch?

The girl is wearing a red dress, and she walks gracefully as if it comes naturally. She has long bright red hair that sways as she walks, over delicate skin as white as snow. She has a terrifyingly well sculpted face, with red eyes. She has sharp eyes reminiscent of birds of prey, like the Duke of Leingeland from yesterday.

She must be the daughter of the Duke. Her eyes and hair resemble the Duke. She looks around 10 years old, so a little older than me? She has a calm atmosphere, and if you look at her delicate body, you’d be able to tell she’s a girl. Behind her, an elderly butler follows respectfully. I didn’t notice the butler at first, she overshadowed him so much. Perhaps some who were more enamored with her completely missed the butler. She walks to the middle of the venue, then curtsies to the crowd.

“Thank you for participating in the exchange event hosted by the Leingeland family today. Her Royal Highness Princess Cordelia will soon be arriving here. Tonight, please deepen the friendships among the aristocrats who support the kingdom. Therefore, please enjoy yourselves tonight.” Daughter

Her greeting was returned by a round of applause, after which the venue returned to a lively atmosphere. She went off to greet the high-ranking aristocrats like Duke Vladie.

“Oh, the daughter of a Duke? I don’t want to get close…” Eric

Eric mutters, when I looked, his face looks desperate.

“Hey, Eric?” Al

When I call out to him, he doesn’t respond, so I wave my hand in front of him. He swats my hand away.

“That hurt, what’s wrong with you?” Al

At that point, he finally started responding again.

“Ugh, there was something dirty in my face.” Eric

“Are you trying to start a fight again?” Al

That bastard said it with a straight face, was my hand dirty? I make sure to wash my hands with quality soap. As we’re having our conversation, the Duke’s daughter continues to greet important aristocrats. Others walk up to her to exchange greetings, while others are watching from a distance. Those who are moving to greet her likely have existing relations or want to begin friendly relations.

It seems that some aristocrats are exchanging wordless greetings as they pass by. I doubt I can understand current aristocratic relations by observation, so I started to eat. Really though, what would a Duke’s daughter want to talk to the sons of Barons? Even if she passes by, I can just nod to be polite.

Or at least, that’s what I thought…

“Oh Eric, did you hear the rumors? You did something yesterday.” Daughter

When the Duke’s daughter saw Eric, she called out to him. I was so surprised, I almost choked on the steak I was eating. I managed to get it down by drinking some fruit juice. Does Eric know her? If so, I should have avoided him and stayed with Elna.

“Yes, I’m sorry for making a disturbance yesterday.” Eric

Eric blushes and lowers his head. What should my response be? I was also involved in the disturbance, should I lower my head as well? When I was trying to think through that, the Duke’s daughter turned towards me.

“Well, I don’t care that much. Thanks to you, I found someone interesting.” Daughter

“Eh?” Eric

“Oh, don’t worry. By the way, is he one of your friends?” Daughter

“I, uh, I’m not entirely sure if that’s what you’d call him…” Eric

“Hey, why would you say that? Excuse me.” Al

His words are muddy said with a bitter expression.

“You’re noisy, do you have any manners?” Eric

“What did you say?!” Al

Eric snorts when saying I don’t have manners, and the Duke’s daughter starts laughing at my response.

“You look to be on good terms” Daughter

“Is that how it looks?” Al & Eric

Our coordinated response causes the Duke’s daughter to laugh even more.

“Nice to meet you, Alfred. I’m Alicia Leigneland.” Alicia

Since I’ve been greeted politely, I’ll politely bow in exchange.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Alfred Slowlette.” Al

For a moment, I had the thought that it was weird she knew my name, maybe yesterday’s incident had been relayed to her?

I wondered if Alicia would move on, but she’s surprisingly still talking to us. Perhaps she got tired of greeting the adults? Children of that age would prefer to have a casual conversation. Interestingly, Eric and Alicia seem to be close friends. He seems to have a red face, is he embarrassed?

“Oh does Eric still have no fiancée?” Alicia

“Yes, I still don’t have one.” Eric

“Hmm, really? I think Eric would be popular…” Alicia

“Uhh, is that so?” Eric

No, Eric, don’t be fooled. There’s danger in her words. Us guys shouldn’t take those words for granted.

“Well, I can’t do it, but can’t I do something about it? Do your best without acting popular.” Alicia

She includes a message, like ‘Why not go out with me?’. I don’t want to hear it.

“Then, how about…” Eric

“Foolhardy!” Al

I hit Eric’s head before he was going to say something stupid.

“What are you doing?!” Eric

“Excuse us, Alicia.” Al

“I don’t mind” Alicia

I grab Eric’s neck and move to the edge of the room.

“Not so tight! What are planning to do?” Eric

“I want to hear what you were going to say. What did you mean a second ago?” Al

“Something about applying for an engagement” Eric

Eric frowns at at me, I think this guy is too clumsy for romance.

“Weren’t you listening to Alicia?” Eric

“I was listening, Eric must be popular.” Al

I’ll take that response as he doesn’t get the trap he’s walking into.

“Silly, it’s the kind of words that are actually a trap. What’s more, she said ‘You must be popular’.” Al

“What do you mean?” Eric

I convey the correct meaning of Alicia’s words to the naive Eric. Alicia’s lack of fiancé is due to her having too many choices, like standing in front of a vending machine. Eric and I are in a different situation, where we can’t find the needle lost in a desert. We have a large difference in appearance and situation.

I had to rephrase the vending machine metaphor to food on a table, since he wasn’t familiar with vending machines. After that, Eric held his head and moaned. I think it’s too early to apply for an engagement with just some familiarity. Eric still wants to apply for engagement when they become better friends. I’m not sure their current relationship is more than shallow.

Why are there foolhardy guys around me like Thor and Eric?

Alicia is a beautiful person, but the kind of person you want to observe from a distance. I don’t think her smile could belong to a normal daughter. Am I the only one who feel that way?

When we returned Alicia asked me the same question.

“Does Al not have a fiancée?” Alicia

Alicia was having a hard time calling me Alfred, so I said she could call me Al. Some might think she’s a friendly person, but I feel she’s no different from the other people I’ve met, people who worry you since they feel troublesome.

“No, I don’t have one.” Al

I answer flatly, I don’t have any intention of responding. I don’t want to attract attention like Eleanora, I’ll be fine. Emma exists, at least.

“There were rumors you might be engage to Lana, the daughter of the Misfeed family?” Alicia

“It’s definitely not. Where did that rumor come from?” Al

Alicia smiles some, looks like she has an answer.

“Is that so? Sometimes fiancée’s are decided soon after birth. Even if my partner is a few years younger, I won’t be ashamed. It’s common in our kingdom?” Alicia

Oh, so you aren’t saying anything about the cause of the rumor. Also, are the aristocrats of this country really sane?

“It’s really different…” Al