CH 123

Characters in this chapter:

Sapphiras Perfectio, 2nd son of the Earl of Aldridge

Percival Belisario, 3rd son of Margrave of Vanderwall on the Eastern Frontier

Theodore Belisario, 1st son of Margrave of Vanderwall on the Eastern Frontier

Curtis Belisario, 2nd son of Margrave of Vanderwall on the Eastern Frontier

Susanna, servant in the Belisario household

Flavia, Evelyn’s 2nd daughter, Percival’s maternal cousin

Dark grey clouds hang heavily in the sky and it looks like snow is about to fall. Under this cold weather, Percival is doing his morning workout. I’m spending my time relaxing in the warm room, feeling sorry for Percival, who is working hard outside. My physical fitness is catastrophic, so I should probably work out a bit more. It can’t be helped because humans are creatures that avoid difficult things.

Looking out of the window while drinking a hot cup of tea with honey after a meal, I see the knights and soldiers of Vanderwall, either in the bushes or looking up at the trees.

“……What are they doing?”

By the time I finished drinking the tea, they were still doing something, and I was so curious that I put on my felt overcoat and quietly left the room. The truth is, Susanna-san told me to stay in my room until Percival comes. I’m told that some of the guests are still staying at the castle. Since the other party are nobles, it would be troublesome if we accidentally met face to face and had a formal conversation, but I’m sure it would be fine if I wandered around the garden for a while.

I went out defensively while avoiding the public eye and called out to the knights who were rumbling around in the bushes.

“Excuse me, what are you doing here?”

“Eh? Ah, are you Sapphiras-dono? I’m actually looking for a hair ornament.”

“Hair ornament……”

Could that be the gold hair ornament I know?

“The daughter of Earl Miller seems to have lost the dragon hair ornament around here, but it’s not easy to find.”

“She didn’t lose it, she threw it away on purpose.”

The knight who had his head stuck in the bush said irritably. With guests staying at the castle and the new year approaching, it must be especially busy right now, so I can understand the frustration of being entrusted with extra work. They won’t be able to leave this place until they find it. If it’s true……the one who lost it, or Flavia who threw it away should have searched for it herself. Under this cold weather, they can’t tell a noble daughter to look for it on her own.

Anyway, that is the hair ornaments I know. Then that’s simple. If I’ve worn it once, I’m sure I’ll be able to find it soon.

“I’ll help if you don’t mind. Come, Cu Sith.”

I draw a summoning circle and call out for Cu Sith. If it’s Cu Sith, he can follow my magical power left on the hair ornament.

“Cu Sith, the hair ornament with my magical power should be around here somewhere. Can you find it for me?”

When I asked, Cu Sith quickly found the hair ornament buried under a dead leaf. He sits in front of me as if asking for praise, wagging his long tail behind his back so much I thought it was going to be torn off.

As expected, what he was holding in his mouth was the hair ornament that Flavia tore off last night.

“Is this it?”

He hands the hair ornament he found to the knight.

“……Yes, this is it! Thank you, Sapphiras-dono!”

“Boy, you’re good.”

“As long as I can be of help. Thank you, Cu Sith. You’re the best!”

After I stroked his head as much as I could while giving him magical power, he went home satisfied.

“So Sapphiras-dono can use summoning magic as well.”

As I was seeing off the knights who had safely found what they were looking for and had returned to their original work, a strange man called out to me. Judging from his aristocratic appearance, he must be one of the guests staying at this castle. He’s tall, well-built, and looks a lot older than me.

“……Yeah, well.”

“The transfer magic last night was really splendid too. I know a lot of magicians, but I’ve never met a magician like you who can perform transference with such precision and without chanting. It’s truly amazing.”

“Thanks for that……”

As long as he is a guest of the Belisario family, I know I can’t be rude. However, although he has a good-natured smile on his face, it somehow smells suspicious. It looks like it would be better to cut the story off here and go back to the room.

“Um, I’m sorry,”

“Margrave of Vanderwall said that Sapphiras-dono is a very talented magician, but to be able to use both transfer and summoning in the first year of the academy, you can’t just call it excellent.

I was about to say goodbye and leave when the man interrupted me and continued. I’m sure I’m a good magician. Are you going to talk about hiring me in the future or something like that? If so, I’ll turn you down as soon as I can.

“Besides……Sapphiras-dono is as beautiful as a spirit. His lustrous black hair is just like the darkness of the night.”

When the man said that, he suddenly reached out his hand and bluntly tried to touch my hair, so I quickly stepped back. The man looked a little surprised that I avoided him, but if anything, I should be the one surprised. It is unbearable to let a man I don’t know to touch me so casually. I’m not sure if we met at the entrance last night, but I don’t know him at all because I wasn’t introduced to him. Even if I had been introduced, I wouldn’t have let him touch me.

This guy is pretending to be elegant, but he’s looking at me the same way Gilliam, my former fiancé, looked at me. I think his ulterior motives are too transparent.

“……Ah! I apologise for the delay in introducing myself. I am Aidan Rockwell, Marquess of Torres.”

The man, perhaps noticing my suspicious stare, put his hand on his chest and introduced himself in a somewhat theatrical manner. Does he think that knowing his family background will soften my attitude?

“Beautiful magician, you should know your own value better. Percival-dono is indeed excellent, but he is only the third son. With Theodore-dono and Curtis-dono, he’ll only be commander of a unit at best.”

Oi oi, what the heck did you start talking about? My back is tingling. And what’s wrong with Percival being the third son? I don’t know what the man is talking about, but I feel intensely uncomfortable.

“Our Marquess of Torres family can adopt children from distant relatives. Therefore, it is also tolerant for the eldest son to welcome a male partner.”

“Heeh, I see.”

What is he trying to do by telling me about the affairs of the Marquess of Torres family? Whether it’s welcoming a male partner or adopting a child, you can do whatever you like. It’s none of my business. If you want small talk, do it with someone in a similar position.

It’s because of weirdos like this that Susanna-san told me not to leave the room. I have no obligation to go along with this man’s story, so it’s time to go back to my room.　

“Sorry for interrupting the conversation. I’m going back to my room now.”

“Please wait, Sapphiras-dono! Our Marquess family can offer you a suitable position as an excellent magician. I swear to you that I will love you with all my heart, Sapphiras-dono, who is as beautiful as a jewel. So, would you consider taking my hand?”

“Haa?”

I forgot to keep up appearances and involuntarily let out a low voice. Is this man proposing to me? Is this a joke?

“Sapphiras-dono.”

The man who knelt down in front of me now tried to take my hand, so I hurriedly withdrew my hand. Almost at the same time, I was pulled by the waist and the scent of lemon and mint softly envelops me.

“……Percival,”

“Sapphiras, are you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

He said some creepy stuff, though.

“Rockwell-kyou, what on earth are you doing here?”

The man stood up and slapped his knee, revealing a clear face with an ulterior motive expression that was directed at me. It’s the same face as when he said earlier that Percival is the third son, and somehow he thinks he has the upper hand. Perhaps he underestimates Percival because he is still young.

“I was inviting Sapphiras-dono to come to our Marquess family. The Belisario family hasn’t officially announced the two of you yet, either. I thought it might be a good idea to put my name forward.”

Percival’s arm, which was holding my waist, tightened and I could feel his anger. Percival knows my background. I’m about to be taken advantage of, so he’s probably getting angry on my behalf. But there’s no need to worry. If I want to be an adventurer, I have to deal with this level myself. I patted Percival on the arm as he hugged my waist, and smiled at him to show that it was okay.

“Since Percival and I are going to be adventurers, there is no way, even if the world turns upside down, that I’m going to join you, Sir. I’ve been officially authorised by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to be registered as an adventurer here. In the future, if you have any work for me, please ask the Vanderwall guild for help. You are welcome to request for us.”

We’ll charge you a hefty nomination fee, though.

“……Officially authorised by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.”

When I put forth His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, whatever-his-name-kyou’s complexion turned a little pale. The power of the marquess is nothing compared to that of the royal family. I may be a small mouse that borrows the power of the lion of the sun, but I will use whatever I can without hesitation. In exchange, I’m going to pay back what I borrowed.

“……Oh, that’s right. We haven’t named our party yet. What do we do now, Percival?”

We need a party name for requests. Thinking that, I looked up at Percival again, and for some reason Percival was blushing and hiding his mouth with the back of his free hand.

Huh? What happened all of a sudden, Percival?

melon: Ueehhh