LIGHTNOVELWORLD Episode 45
Chapter 45
“Good morning, Al.”
“Morning, Rio.”
This exchange must have happened at least seven times by now.
It’s been a week since I woke up, and I’ve reluctantly grown accustomed to the fact that the blonde-haired young lady, who isn’t there when I go to sleep, is always sleeping next to me when I wake up.
The morning after the first day was quite bewildering, but now we exchange greetings calmly.
“We have morning training, so you should get up.”
“I know. I don’t intend to slack off either, but I’m not a fan of early autumn and winter mornings.”
[T/n: me too(。_。)]
Saying that, Alshade buries her head in the blanket.
The season has progressed to late autumn, and the temperature has dropped significantly.
Moreover, even though it’s morning, it’s still quite early, with the sun not having risen yet, making the air quite chilly.
I understand the feeling of wanting to dive into the blanket, but unfortunately, reality is harsh.
I grab the blanket and pull it off, causing Alshade to let out a distressed cry.
“Oh, Rio’s warmth!”
“Don’t say weird stuff! Besides, Al has the highest affinity for the ice attribute, so you should be able to handle the cold.”
To Alshade, who’s looking at the blanket that was pulled away with a regretful expression, I say this with a bit of exasperation. She retorts as she gets out of bed.
“But this is different. You know, it would be a big problem if I couldn’t feel the temperature change on my skin, right?”
“Well, that’s true.”
“So, even if I burrow into the blanket after I wake up, it can’t be helped.”
“I get it, but make an effort not to.”
“I understand.”
Alshade nods, but I don’t feel like her effort to not dive back in will actually be put into action.
After all, there’s a hint that she’s enjoying this exchange. As evidence, she has the same expression as when her mischief succeeds.
I let out a sigh and pick up the bell on the desk next to the bed, ringing it.
After a while, I hear a knock, and I grant permission to enter.
“Excuse us.”
I don’t know their names, but the maids who have become familiar to me over the past week enter one by one.
Naturally, among them is also Vivian.
“As usual, this bell is handy.”
The bell I rang is a pair of magical instruments, and when one is rung, the other also rings.
And the maids, who heard the bell ringing in the waiting room, came here.
At this point, it’s quite clear that Alshade has no intention of sleeping in another room.
Alshade’s figure is obscured by the folding screen brought by the maidens, and at the same time, Vivian approaches me.
“Your attire, if you please.”
“Ah, yes.”
Between morning training and the changing of clothes four times that happen before and after bathing, I’m starting to get used to this.
I’m even getting comfortable with Vivan undressing me.
…I still feel embarrassed when it comes to bathing, though.
“What’s the schedule for today?”
As Vivia dresses me, I ask her about today’s schedule.
I don’t have an unmanageable amount to remember, but according to Alshade, it’s a good habit to ask about the schedule in advance.
“After morning training, there’s breakfast. Then, post-breakfast, it’s the morning study session, which is focused on language acquisition. In the afternoon, it’s basic mathematics and a history lesson on the warring Lumiarde Empire after lunch. And then, it’s bath time.”
“Lumiarde Empire? I thought we briefly covered the Kingdom of Rient yesterday, so I assumed we’d continue with that.”
“Yes, ideally, that would be the case. However, the Lumiarde Empire is currently in a state of war and has also plotted against our household. There is a possibility that they will attempt something again, so I thought it best to prioritize gaining at least basic knowledge.”
“I see. So it’s better to know something about the enemy, even if it’s just the basics.”
“…Exactly.”
I can recall the details about the Lumiarde Empire thanks to Milo’s help, but those were introduced in the story after it began.
Given their expansionist ideology, it wouldn’t be surprising if things have changed quite a bit in the ten years since. It’s probably a good idea to know the current situation.
Plus, going into detail about the Rient Kingdom would likely take some time.
With those thoughts in mind, it seems like Vivan has finished helping me change and is now moving away.
“Thanks for your help.”
“Your gratitude is unnecessary.”
Vivian bows politely to me.
Due to the training for dealing with honey traps, I’ve developed a slight aversion to her over the past week, but she’s showing proper respect, so I’d like to overcome that sooner rather than later.
“Are you done on your end?”
“Yeah, I’m done. What about you?”
“I’ll take a bit more.”
I haven’t bothered with things like fixing my hair because it’ll just get messed up during training anyway, but Alshade is having it done, so it’s understandable that she takes more time than I do.
Well, she doesn’t seem to be wearing makeup, though.
I started joining the training on the morning of the third day, and when I heard that Alshade was having her hair and such done by the maids, I asked if that actually made sense. Alshade and Vivian both gave me a lecture.
Apparently, it’s a maiden’s heart to want to look presentable when in front of someone they like.
Well, I didn’t say it’s pointless since we’re seeing each other in our just-woken-up state, but I didn’t vocalize that. Some things are better left unsaid.
“…I’m done. Shall we go?”
“Got it.”
The folding screen is moved aside, and Alshade and I leave the room together.
Normally, the maids would accompany us, but at Alshade’s request, we’ll be heading to the training grounds just the two of us.
I suppose we’ll meet up with them at the training grounds in the end, but I guess this is also a part of that maiden’s heart thing.
I’d rather not say anything unnecessary and get another scolding.
I don’t fully understand, but I’ve heard that there are covert guards in the background, so there’s no need to worry.
Moreover, it would be difficult to secretly prepare forces to attack this mansion, given the heightened security since the recent incident. So, worrying about it would be pointless.
“Rio, are you getting used to this life?”
As Alshade walks beside me, she throws a question my way.
During our time together heading to the training grounds, as we’re both trying to get to know each other despite being new acquaintances, we often engage in small talk.
“Yeah… I’ve gotten used to it to some extent. There are still parts I don’t feel accustomed to, though.”
For example, the training for handling honey traps during bathing, I’m still not used to that at all. I have no idea how long it’ll take to get used to it.
“Yeah, I heard you haven’t even stripped down to your underwear yet. If you don’t get used to it, before you know it, you might end up with a fait accompli, you know?”
“I do understand, but isn’t there some way to deal with it without resorting to being so confrontational in the first place, like pushing away the ladies who approach me?”
I think I’ve become less tense compared to the first time, but from Vivian’s perspective, I still have a long way to go.
Lately, I’ve been wondering if it’s easier to push them away rather than getting used to it.
“If the other person is a noble above the rank of a Viscount, pushing them away might be seen as a rude act, so it’s safer to get used to it and let it slide.”
“I see… Well, I’ll do my best.”
“Yeah, give it your best shot. Once you’re somewhat used to it, it’ll be a relief in many ways, and I can join you in the bath, so…”
“The second part is your real motive, right?”
“Well, yeah…?”
Alshade tilts her head.
It might not be strange at all from Alshade’s perspective, but for me, saying that I’ll take a bath with her as if it’s nothing is quite unusual.
…I want to believe that I’m not unknowingly confusing the common sense of my past life with the common sense here, and that Alshade’s perception is not the norm in this world.
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