LIGHTNOVELWORLD Episode 53
Chapter 53
While carrying Alshade, time came to an end as the carriage stopped, and the coachman informed us of our arrival at the mansion.
I had grown somewhat accustomed to having her on my lap, so when she stood up, I felt a little reluctant.
Unlike my previous life, my body was enhanced with mana and blessings, so bearing Alshade’s weight on my lap didn’t bother me much. That might have been one of the reasons.
Since my emotions could be conveyed to Alshade, I suspected she might have noticed, but I didn’t intend to show it on the surface.
“We’ve already arrived, haven’t we? They say time flies when you’re having fun, and it certainly feels that way. I wish it were the other way around.”
“…I feel the same way, but why did you stand up and sit down again?”
“Maybe because you seemed reluctant to let me go.”
Alshade, wearing a triumphant smile, turned to look into my face.
“Isn’t it… unfair that only you can read my emotions?”
As expected, she had figured it out, but it was embarrassing to hear it said to my face.
I suddenly wondered, if in my previous life, characters who could read emotions and thoughts, as if they were depicted in fiction, actually existed, wouldn’t people’s reactions to them have been even harsher than what I just said?
I trust Alshade, so it’s fine, but it wouldn’t feel good if a stranger unilaterally read my innermost thoughts.
Come to think of it, there was a character who could read emotions in the Wildia Chronicles too.
She should be around the same age as Alshade, but I wonder what she’s doing now?
“You’ll just have to get used to it. Besides, you guessed the words I was about to say in the carriage earlier, didn’t you? Emotions are something you can understand to some extent by looking at reactions like facial expressions. It’s even more apparent if you know each other well.”
“I only figured it out because you said something similar before. It was like a half-baked bet. Besides, isn’t it pretty difficult to read other people’s emotions?”
“Not at all. I, for example, know that you were just thinking about another woman a moment ago, even though we were talking. You really are a hopeless knight.”
“(Gah, she caught me.)”
I hope my current expression doesn’t look too strained.
The highlights in Alshade’s eyes that peered into my face seemed oddly weak.
Considering my past experiences, this seemed like a situation on the brink of crisis. There was a slightly unsettling pressure, but it hadn’t exploded… yet.
I hoped that if I could explain myself clearly here, there would be no damage.
“By the way, do you know that woman personally?”
“No, I just remembered someone I saw a long time ago, so we’re not acquainted.”
I had only seen her once (on a game screen), so I wasn’t lying.
“You are not lying … Rio are you listening?It’s impolite and nonsensical to think about other women while talking to me. Oh, the opposite is perfectly fine, even encouraged.”
“(Isn’t the opposite also impolite?)”
“It’s not a problem, right?”
“Uh, yes.”
I don’t know if my doubt was written all over my face or if she had read my thoughts like earlier, but Alshade emphasized this with a smile.
Once I nodded, her face lit up.
…What’s with the ever-changing expression?
“Alshade-sama, Rios-sama, please forgive my interruption of your delightful conversation. Would you consider getting out of the carriage soon? It might be more appropriate to continue your conversation in your respective rooms”
When Vivian suggested to us, who were still lingering in the carriage seats, that it was time to get off, Alshade nodded in agreement.
“That’s right. Well, Rio, how about carrying me like a princess from here?”
“No, that’s not a good idea, especially with people watching.”
“…I guess you’re right. We can save the princess carry for another time… Most of the arrangements with the family have been taken care of, so now we just have to wait for Father’s return.”
When I decisively rejected the idea of a princess carry, Alshade gave in and muttered something under her breath while still on my lap.
Ignoring Alshade for now, I got off the carriage first and extended my hand to help her down more easily.
“Thank you. You look very dignified.”
“…I feel a sense of accomplishment when you say that because I had to go through quite a strict evaluation.”
“Well, Vivian is strict.”
Alshade seemed to recall Vivian from the past and smiled wryly, but the actions related to Alshade were not particularly strict.
As a knight, my etiquette and behavior reflected on Alshade’s reputation, so I had been taught every action with strict Spartan-style discipline. However, the most challenging part was learning how to invite someone to dance after passing the rudimentary etiquette.
According to Alshade, it’s common for a knight from the same house to escort a young lady who doesn’t have a fiancé or to be her dance partner.
What was strange, though, was that after I passed the basic training, Vivian compared my posture to the illustrations in a book and made corrections.
Despite my inquiries, she wouldn’t explain, insisting that it was necessary. I had given up trying to find out why, but I wonder what the purpose of those corrections was?
⌈⌈ “Welcome back, milady.”⌋⌋
Entering the mansion, we were greeted by the synchronized voices of the servants.
It was quite a spectacle given their numbers, but apparently, not all the servants were present.
“Rio, I’ll head to my room first. Take your time and join me later, alright? Maidens need time to prepare,” Alshade said.
“Understood.”
Entering the mansion, I took off my uncomfortable jacket and handed it to Vivian, nodding in response to Alshade’s comment.
I watched Alshade and her guard, Orto, depart at a slightly brisk pace.
“Speaking of which, does Vivian know anything about my spear instructor?”
In the carriage, the topic had quickly changed, and I knew very little about my mentor except that I had one.
Since I had some time to spare, I decided to take a chance and ask Vivian.
“Yes, I’m familiar with it. It’s someone associated with Orto-sama.”
If it was someone known to Orto, there was a high probability they were a renowned warrior.
“Orto’s acquaintance huh… Do you know their name or any nickname?”
I asked Vivian, hoping that knowing the name or nickname might provide some insight based on my knowledge of the original story.
“Yes, their name is Edward Menas. He’s a renowned warrior with the nickname ‘Demon Spear.'”
(“(Demon Spear, huh…)”)
“Demon Spear” Edward Menas.
Among the choices for mentors in the original game, he was the strictest when it came to spear techniques.
I wanted to become stronger to defeat the Minotaur before the impending calamity, so having a mentor who would provide rigorous training was a dream come true.
However, I remembered that he had set conditions for taking on disciples, and he was known for his unwavering warrior spirit.
Perhaps he agreed to be my mentor because of Orto’s introduction, but he might also give me some kind of challenge or task to test my abilities.
If it followed the same pattern as the protagonist’s experience in the original game, it would involve landing a blow on Edward while he held back. However, unlike the noble-born protagonist in the original story, I had just started learning martial arts.
If I were to try it, I would go all out, but honestly, I wasn’t confident that I could land a hit.
“I thought he might be a famous warrior since he’s an acquaintance of Orto, but it seems he’s even more than I expected.”
With a mixture of anticipation and a slight sense of unease about being trained by such a renowned figure, I walked down the mansion’s corridor.
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