Book 2: Chapter 46
Book 2: Chapter 46
When I woke up, it was pitch black. The private room given to me was small, but in this world where there is very little indoor entertainment, it was more than big enough. The light shining through the window was faint.
…Ah, it’s been about one month since the “Sprout and New Moon Banquet”, so the moon in the sky should be a new moon… No wonder it’s so dark.
「I’m hungry…」
「…Then I’ll prepare something for you to eat.」
「Oh, thank yo–… M-M-M-My Lady!?」
I became flustered when I saw the young lady in the darkness.
「What are you so surprised at? I am your lord and you are my escort. Isn’t it natural to be by your side?」
「Ah…」
I noticed dark eyes bags under the young lady’s eyes. It was quite obvious that the young lady had been watching over me without even having to use【World Ruler】.
I was in nightwear. Someone must have changed them. My body felt refreshing, so someone must have also wiped and cleaned the dirt. Bandages were also wrapped around parts of the body that could not be fully healed with【Healing Magic】.
「My lady, it was you who wrapped this bandage around my left wrist, wasn’t it?」
「How did you know!? Ah, you’re thinking that’s why it’s wrapped clumsily right?!!」
「What about the chief butler and the maids?」
「I told them to step back. You are my one and only escort, after all.」
An escort’s job is to work the body – at least that’s what I think, and my mission is to “do anything” to protect the young lady’s life. This is work. And I’m getting paid.
However, on the other hand, I can also understand the young lady’s feelings. If the person guarding me gets hurt for my sake, even I would do my best to take care of them–however, that sentiment is mostly only seen among commoners.
Thus, I think it’s quite unusual for a daughter of an Earl family to care this much about an escort.
No… maybe it just means that the young lady is more kind than I thought, and has delicate feelings.
「My lady… you seem to be able to control your mana now.」
「Yeah… my father gave me a【Mana Control】skill orb. In this situation, the award ceremony will be postponed again. He said he would punish any noble who complains about this.」
「Haha…」
I wonder since when the Earl had been acting independently of the award ceremony. His actions at that time seemed to be two or three steps ahead.
「What happened to… Louis-sama?」the young lady asked, fearfully.
…I see, the young lady was brought back to the mansion without knowing everything.
「He died.」
「!」
The young lady started trembling, but then she closed her eyes quietly.
「Is that so…」
「Yes.」
「Louis-sama became weird after looking at my “Magic Eye of Inspire”.」
Is that what happened? Does the young lady blame herself for Louis’ death?
I could have said that you don’t have to worry about it, or that it’s not your fault, but I didn’t say it. I didn’t think that such superficial words would be helpful to the young lady, and more importantly, I didn’t know what exactly transpired.
By the time I arrived… Louis was already dead.
「Reiji …?」
「………」
I looked at the palm of my hand. The number of lives I can protect is limited. There is a limit to what I can do.
I have 16 years of my previous life and 4 years after my memories returned. I was supposed to have gained some life experiences, but it’s not enough at all. The weight on my chest felt almost like crushing my heart. But–
「My lady.」
I’m sure the young lady, the 12 year old girl, was also going through the same pain I was.
「Please become a person who can master the Magic Eye.」
「!」
If she can’t control the “Magic Eye of Inspire”, it will certainly cause more tragedies, but if she becomes able to control it, it will be extremely useful.
For example, encouraging a speaker before a speech, removing the anxiety of performers in front of a large crowd, or giving a light push to a lover who is thinking about a proposal.
Of course… it can even be used for war.
「I… I used it incorrectly.」
「That’s not true.」
「No, I’m sure it is. Otherwise, Louis-sama…」
「Lord Louis would never ever blame you no matter what. Even in death.」
I truly believed that. That showoff, selfish Louis boy—was a normal boy. He wouldn’t have blamed the girl he liked.
「But… without these eyes–」
「My lady, that’s not the case. You were born with those eyes, right? People can’t choose their birth, but they can choose how they live.」
I rolled up my bangs. I sparked a small fire with【Fire Magic】, and showed the base of my hair.
I was thinking of dyeing it soon since it was becoming black again.
「My hair is black. That’s why I was hated and abandoned by my parents.」
「!!」
The young lady widened her eyes. A sad look spread on her face.
…No, my lady. I didn’t want your sympathy.
「But now I’m having a good time every day. Because I chose to be hired by Earl Sillys, and decided to spend my time with you, my lady.」
「…With me?」
「Yes, with you. That is why the important part comes from here on. What will you choose to do from now on? If you can use your eyes properly, it can help a lot more people than the “Magic Eye of Inquiry” can.」
「…More than my father?」
「Yes, the Earl…」
He was valued by the Holy King because of his “Magic Eye of Inquiry,” but he was hated by many. He has never said it, but I’m sure there must have been times he hated being in that position.
As long as he can see through lies, it must be very difficult for him to make a true friend he can trust.
「My father… he’s an amazing person.」the young lady said, sighingly.
She was shouldering the heavy responsibility of succeeding the Earl as the Head of House Sillys. The hand on her knee was restlessly opening and closing.
「If so, would you like to stop?」
「–What?」
「You just have to end the Earl House. Since it is a noble house that originally has no territory, if you pay off sufficient money to the people working here and return the title, you can be free. You can study again and aim for a position in the government. You can do business in the city, you can live gracefully, and live a long life. And on the contrary, if you seek a thrilling life, you can become an adventurer. You have the choice. If you want, my lady, I can even take you out of this country.」