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Volume 1 Interlude 7 — Shion — Soft (During)
Regular Chapter
— —
Two or three times a week, Zechs-sama visits the castle town. That was possible because he could change his appearance and interact with the castle town's children.
I cannot deny that it was an occasional relaxation, but to be honest, I would prefer it if he didn’t change his appearance. After all, even the color of his hair and eyes has changed. For an aristocrat, that was a blasphemous act. As part of my spy training, I've also learned values around that, so I still had a sense of avoidance.
Even so, I understand the logic. Both Zechs-sama and Caroline-sama have a color that could be easily identified unless it was disguised. However, I would like to complain about how they could easily change the color of their hair and eyes.
With the exception of Zechs-sama, Young Lady/Master Caron-sama and Orca-sama have been completely poisoned by his values. They have no qualms about changing their hair color at all. Perhaps it was too late for them, but I sincerely hope they will learn at least some common sense…
Then, I accompanied their outing this time. Until recently, Zechs-sama and the others had gone out alone, but now that he has taken control of the Foranada, there was no longer a need to conceal the fact from his subordinates. Since Caron-sama had been attacked in the past, Zechs-sama said that he wanted to have a strong escort.
However, this does not mean that I’m the main bodyguard. There was a person from the dark side who works for Foranada, and they were still hiding in the shadows. I'm only here as a backup in case of an emergency.
The children who play with them seem to know Zechs-sama’s true identity, but just in case you are wondering, I am also using [Disguise]. As expected, I didn’t feel comfortable messing with the color of my hair and eyes, so I only made slight changes to my face and physique.
“Is it all right if Zechs-sama doesn't join them over there?”
It had been less than an hour since they joined the castle town’s children. Caroline-sama and Orca-sama were still playing, but only Zechs-sama was sitting by my side.
He laughed when I asked him about it.
“It's fine, I can't be crazy like those kids.”
“Ha…”
I let out a vague reply.
It was no surprise, given that he spoke to me as if he were much older than I am, despite the fact that he was the same age as those children. Zechs-sama frequently speaks and acts inappropriately for his age.
Perhaps realizing my feelings, Zechs-sama coughed and tried to change the subject.
“Let’s put me aside, how’s Shion these days?”
“What do you mean?”
It was a very broad question that I was at a loss for an answer to.
Acknowledging my reaction, he groaned, “Hmm…” Then he twirled his right index finger in the air and said.
“I want to ask you how you are doing these days. I want to know how your work is going, whether you are satisfied with your personal life, and so on. Or even something more trivial.”
“How am I doing…?”
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The question was still abstract, but I somehow understood the gist of it. Perhaps Zechs-sama wants to deepen his friendship with me—Who was his subordinate.
If other families heard that a nobleman got along with his subordinates, they might laugh at the idea, but in the Foranada, it was a commonplace routine. No, it was the norm under “Zechs-sama's rule.”
Ever since he took control of Foranada, Zechs-sama often held small talks with someone under his control. Sometimes it was an individual meeting, and sometimes it was a group discussion among several people. At first, his subordinates—myself included—were skeptical about what it meant and were terrified that something might happen, but their attitude gradually softened.
We just talked to each other. We report on each other's recent situations, talk about daily events, and so on. It was really nothing more than a casual conversation.
As a result, the atmosphere in Foranada became brighter. The castle, which had been cold and tranquil when I arrived—or even before that—became noisy in a good way. It had devolved into an intolerable workplace of banter and laughter.
This was what Zechs-sama was aiming for, and I believe his keen eye was really amazing. I have said this many times before, but it was enough to make me wonder if he was really a child.
Getting back to the topic.
I guess this time was part of it. I had had several opportunities in the past, so I knew what to expect. Starting with, “how you are doing these days,” was a bit odd but I convinced myself that he, too, was at a loss for a topic to talk about.
But, I really don’t know what to talk about. I have been spending most of my time with Zechs-sama, so he knows most of what I usually do.
I put my fingertips to my lower lip and hesitated…but, I never got a chance to come up with anything.
“Kyaa!”
Suddenly, the girl's scream echoed in my ears.
Returning from my sea of thoughts, I turned my eyes and saw a girl about five years old fall down in front of me. In addition, she had spilled out a large amount of fruit that she was probably holding onto the ground.
Fortunately, none of the fruit seemed to be crushed, but it would have been very hard for a five-year-old to carry all of it back.
I turned my attention to Zechs-sama next to me, but he was already on his way to pick up the girl's fruit.
I realized that this type of behavior reveals his heart.
“Fufuu.”
I let out a chuckle and followed Zechs-sama. He seemed to pick up the fruit for her, so I headed toward the girl.
“Are you all right?”
I kneeled down in front of the girl and helped her get up.
Thank God, she does not seem to be hurt. She looked like she had fallen down hard, but it wasn't that bad.
I felt relieved and brushed the dust from the girl's clothes.
To be honest, her clothes were in tatters. I could tell that she came from a family that was not well-off. Perhaps the fruit she was carrying was a treat for her.
Pitying her, I spoke to the girl.
“Is there anything that hurts?”
“I’m fine…”
The girl replied with tears in her eyes. She seemed to be in pain, but her attitude of holding back was a little cute.
I ask again while thinking about it with a smile on my face.
“I don't want there to be any injuries, so are you sure you're okay?”
“Un, I’m really fine…”
I looked into the girl's eyes. There was a hint of hesitation, but she didn't seem to be lying. So she was probably fine.
I stand up from the spot, feeling relief. Then I lightly pat the little girl's head.
“Now then, Onii-chan will bring your fruits, so please wait for a while, all right?”
“Okay…Thank you, Onee-chan.”
Saying that the little girl hugs me. It was so adorable that I couldn't help but relax my cheeks.
However, her exhilarated mood was showered with cold water by his next words.
“Shion, that kid stole your wallet.”
“Eh?”
Zechs-sama, who had returned before I knew it, suddenly made such a remark.
Because of it, I reflexively looked at the little girl's hand. There, as he said, was my wallet.
The little girl has a nervous expression on her face. She seems to understand that escape was futile.
I see, so it was all an act. She deliberately fell in front of the person she thought she could steal from and scattered the fruit all over the place. While they were worried about her and take care of her, she would steal their valuables. It was a despicable crime that played on my conscience.
“For the time being, let's just hand her over to the guards.”
Zechs-sama said as I was stunned, and the girl reacted strongly to that.
“Eh, w-wait! I'll give you back your wallet, just let me go!”
She looked extremely dismayed.
Well, that was understandable. She was definitely caught red-handed, and if she were turned over to the guards, she would definitely have a criminal record. If she had a record, her life would be even more impoverished. First and foremost, she wouldn’t be able to live in the castle town. This world was harsh on criminals.
There was another way, but from the looks of her, she doesn't want to rely on it. I completely understand how she feels.
Zechs-sama, on the other hand, was unwavering.
“No, I can’t do that. A crime is a crime, and I couldn't overlook it.”
His attitude was stubborn, which was unusual for a man with a flexible mind.
Judging from his appearance, she must have guessed that it would be difficult to persuade him, so the little girl turned her target to me.
“W-Wait, what I stole was Onee-chan’s wallet. Then shouldn't Onee-chan be the one to decide if she wants to let me go or not?”
“M-Me?”
I was going to follow Zechs-sama's decision, but I was surprised she suddenly talked about me.
However, he seemed to think that the girl had a point, and Zechs-sama gave a small nod.
“Fine, I’ll go along with Shion’s decision.”
“E-Ehh….”
What should I do? I really had no idea…
…Do I need to think about it? Even though she was a young girl, a crime was a crime, as Zechs-sama put it. She must receive proper judgment.
Perhaps realizing my thoughts, the little girl scrambled to me in a panicked manner.
“Please, Onee-chan! I will never steal again, so please let me go this time. I'll change my mind!”
“Uuhh…”
The pleading of a five-year-old agitated me. Seeing her face, which looked as if she was about to start crying, my resolve wavered.
The girl seemed convinced that this was her chance, and she continued to furiously appeal for remorse.
As a result—
“...understand, I forgive you this time. But, don’t do this again, okay?”
“Thank you, Onee-chan!”
I made the decision to let it slide.
After that, The girl thanked me and leaves the place in a hurry.
Zechs-sama did not express any negative opinion about my decision, but he did say one last thing.
“Shion’s soft, aren’t you?”
The word that he described to me—the same as the head(father)—would remain on my ears forever.
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"“It's fine, I can't be crazy like those kids.”"
ReplyDeleteLegit bruh moment there
👍🏻
ReplyDeleteLet me guess that one was the original heroine.....
ReplyDelete