Translated by lyran1, edited by Minak Amie
Older Brother, worries about the maid???The room was dim.
There aren"t any windows, nor is there a lamp or a magic tool for lighting.
Nevertheless, the dimness lessens thanks to the mirror-like object placed in the center of the room as a light source.
The light reflected by the mirror comes from a different source. (TN: 本来鏡とは別な光源からの光を反射するものである)
However, it still emits a light of its own.
Thus, the interior of the room was reflected - there weren"t any paintings on the wall or gorgeous furniture.
What the mirror-like object displays are a few boys and girls who seem to be enjoying tea.
There are at least ten people gathered in a ring watching the scene.
Each one of their features are different.
In the dim light, the imposing figure of a man who seems like a soldier can be seen. There is also a skinny old man wearing a robe along with other men and women of medium build with no particular characteristics. Furthermore, there is also a person of small stature in a hood that covers everything but the eyes, making it difficult to tell the gender.
However, all of them stare with serious expressions at every move the boys and girls make in the mirror-like object.
Just like that, the boys and girl"s tea time continues.
A girl with silver hair complains about something to the redheaded boy.
The other boys and girl at the round table laugh peacefully as they watch the two—
Suddenly, one of them turns his eyes toward the mirror.
One of the people surrounding the mirror-like object says something to the others.
Some nod, others have anxious looks. (TN: ある者は憂い顔になる)
One man has a look of resignation as the woman next to him nestles closer looking distressed. (TN: Not sure if it"s resignation or resolution – ある男は覚悟を秘めた表情を見せ、その隣に居た女は悲痛な面持ちで男に寄り添う)
The situation within the mirror-like object is progressing. The blond girl hands a bottle of water to the boy who seems to be sick.
The boy drinks it, but his condition doesn"t seem to improve.
Then—
The mirror-like object makes a noise as if it is screaming and rapidly loses its light. Darkness envelops the room.
After a while, a light magic tool is turned on.
The expressions of the people in the room are complicated.
They realize that on the surface of the mirror-like object, there are several large and small cracks. As a result, the things that are reflected in the mirror are broken in pieces, distorting the appearance of what is shown.
As if it is implying something, everyone remains silent. (TN: その、何かを暗示するかのような有様に、一同は沈黙する)
The hooded person with the small stature is the first to break the silence.
After saying something, a man sitting in a fine chair in the middle of the room responds. Following that, several people bow to the man in the chair and leave the room.
The man and woman, for an instant, show a nihilistic expression because of what was shown but suppress it, like the others they thank the man in the chair and leave the room. (TN: 諦観に起因する虚無的な表情を見せるがそれを押さえつけ)
After that, the remaining people continue discussing things with the man in the chair and the hooded person.
I woke up the next morning of the royal palace"s New Year party in the usual room of the separate villa.
According to Roy, Father and Mother went to a tea party with some n.o.bles today.
By the way, I wonder if it alright for me not to accompany them to this kind of tea party for n.o.bility. Incidentally, even if I look back at my previous memories, I don"t remember ever being brought there.
Speaking of which, sons of n.o.bles in the Arfetz Kingdom begin to act with the obligations and etiquette of n.o.bility starting at the age of 12. I believe socializing is also included.
Although it seems to be hard, I want to interact with others in order to fix my bad reputation that seems to be spreading to other n.o.bles in the neighbourhood as soon as possible. However, it seems I will have to wait patiently a while longer.
While I am thinking of such a thing, I finish changing clothes and head towards the dining room, Michelin, who seems to have come a little earlier, is there.
[Good morning Michelin. There were quite a variety of events yesterday, did you sleep well?]
[Yes, I had a good night"s rest. Is elder brother"s physical condition alright?]
I was worried about the opposite. (TN: 逆に心配されてしまった)
[Oh, I"m fine now. Ah right, after breakfast I"m planning to go to the plaza to meet up with Gaspar and Bruno, how about joining Michelin?]
Michelin thinks for a while about my suggestion.
[I will join you. Since I am going to exchange letters with elder sister, it will likely be a good topic~]
It seems that at some point, she made such a promise with Princess Patricia.
I think I can feel the presence of girl power in the area. (女子力)
[…… Gathering information about Gaspar-sama. It"s a chance to hear some embarra.s.sing stories about Edward-sama.]
My little sister mutters while releasing a dark aura.
What kind of secret agreement did you make………
Somehow, I think Bruno"s involvement will lead to Prince Edward and Gaspar suffering enormous damage. Mainly on the emotional side. (TN: ブルーノが一枚噛んで来て結果エドワーズ王子とガスパールが甚大な被害を被りそうな気がする)
I want to think it"s just paranoia on my part, but the idea of the girls" exchanging letters seems to be awfully frightening. Kuwabara Kuwabara. (TN: It"s a chant against misfortune I think – くわばらくわばら)
For us, guys exchanging letters doesn"t make a good image. When I return to my territory after this, I won"t be able to freely play together with Gaspar and Bruno.
It seems that exchanging letters is time consuming and I"m not willing to do that. It may be nice to write down and exchange our feelings in sentence form. (TN: I think I translated it wrongly – 文に気持ちを込めての遣り取りというのも風情があっていいかもしれない)
Well, it depends on what kind of feelings you want to put in.
As I thought, I really want to divert my eyes from Michelin who has a scary smile on her face.
[…… Duke Alderton"s maids are amusing.]
Gaspar says this when he saw Kana collapsed on the plaza lawn with us surrounding her.
This trivial story dates back to only a short time ago.
[Hey, Marcel!]
As I approached the plaza, I was greeted with a baseball call. (TN: 俺は野球しようぜ的な呼び掛けに出迎えられた)
When I looked, I saw Gaspar waving his hand.
[Gaspar, that was fast! I"m leaving now!]
I told Roy and Kana who were holding the luggage. Michelin, who came with me, brought along Amy, her attendant. I started to run towards the entrance of the plaza. (TN: 荷物を持ったロイとカナ、一緒に来たミシュリーヌとお付きのエミにゆっくり来るように言うと)
I think it"s ordinary to see this type of idyllic scene, however, after this an unexpected incident occurred. (TN: ここまでは普通に見られる牧歌的な光景だと思うのだが)
[Ah, Elder brother is unfair!]
For some reason, Michelin came running along from the back after a rushed decision.
Turning my head to look, it might be a reflexive behavior peculiar to children that explains what was going on. (TN: 先を行かれた事に対する子ども特有の反射行動という奴だろう)
I too, with the same reflexive behavior specific to children - that is, being driven by those who are chasing, started to speed up.
Michelin, with an indomitable will, persisted.
It was a very heartwarming sight.
Really, if only Michelin and I weren"t the duke"s son and daughter. (TN: 俺とミシュリーヌの身分が公爵令息令嬢でなければ)
The three attendants rushed after us in a hurry.
The public order in this area is safe, second only to that of the security in the royal palace. That being the case, the chances of being attacked by a suspicious person is almost nonexistent. Still, I would be in a bad position if I got distracted, fell, and injured myself. (TN: 目を離した隙に転んでケガでもされてはお付きの者としてはかなり立場が無い)
However, once I began running, my momentum could not be stopped easily - I honestly forgot about the three attendant who were with me while I was running - As a result, an unbelievable sight that is difficult to describe in words happened in which two people, an attendant and a maid carrying luggage, were running after us with frantic expressions.
The three attendants were surprised by Michelin suddenly rushing after me. Roy and Amy may have been doing some kind of training because although they were surprised at first, they soon caught up with me and Michelin, immediately following after us.
Perhaps, even if I accidentally tripped, they could catch me before I actually fell.
The problem is what caused Gaspar to have such an expression towards Kana.
I was surprised by Michelin"s dash, moreover I was surprised again by the two colleagues who reacted immediately. The remaining one who had been awkwardly left behind, when she realized it was already too late as the distance from the other two was already too great, ran after us on the verge of tears. (TN: ぽつんと取り残されてからこれはまずいと気づくも既に彼我の距離は開く一方になっており、半泣きで走ってきたのだ)
However, unlike her other two colleagues, it seems like she hadn"t done any kind of special training, as her frantic speed didn"t match up with the others.
Or rather, she was giving it her greatest effort, but I"m afraid that her speed just wasn"t that fast. It gave off a somewhat sad feeling, her state made me want to watch her with warm eyes. (TN: はた目から見てすごい頑張っているのにドタバタするばかりであんまり速くないという、ある種切なさを感じ、温かい目で見守りたくなるような様子であった)
[Ah, I caught up……]
While sweating, Kana finally arrived at the entrance of the plaza.
Perhaps because I was the first to arrive at the finish line, it felt like she was late probably by about 2-3 minute.
[Kana, you did your best!]
[You have good willpower!]
Michelin and I gave her words of encouragement. (TN: 労いの言葉をかける俺とミシュリーヌ)
In response to that, Kana smiled with a sweaty face.
[I will follow Marcel-sama and ojou-sama because it is a maid"s task.]
Sweat glittering in the sunlight, a refreshing wind blew.
[……… By the way Kana, the basket was shaking a lot. How are the snacks inside?]
There were sandwiches personally made by the villa"s chef.
When Kana turned to face the basket, with a sound effect to match the situation, she opened the lid with determination -
She turned pale white and collapsed on the lawn.
[Kana—! Don"t die—!]
[The sandwiches are done for!]
On both sides, Michelin and I shake Kana, whose emotions were burning. Gaspar watched the situation seriously,
[……… Duke Alderton"s maids are amusing.]
Is what he said.
Still, it goes without saying, the expression was referring to the maid. (TN: -侍女までという言い回しが何を示しているかは言うまでもない)