7-2 Part 1
A Brief Vacation in the Aion Duchy
- Brother-in-Law -
Translator : PolterGlast
After that, I was
put on the back of a horse and guided to the Ducal mansion where Aneue
and the others were said to be waiting. Viewed from afar, the marble capital
was very beautiful. However, upon approaching, it was far more cluttered and
convoluted than I imagined, and on top of that, there were an excessive number
of slopes.
Proceeding through
the interior of the capital, I was led to a mansion towering on high ground. It
is a distinguished family with deep ties to the Imperial Family. The huge gates
were opened, and deep within a ridiculously vast garden, a humongous mansion
awaited me.
"It looks more
comfortable to live in than the palace in the Imperial Capital..."
"The Imperial
Capital?"
"Yeah, the lord
here is surely more blessed than the Emperor."
"Hahaha, you
say that as if you've seen it."
I heard the mansion
has something called an Audience Chamber, but I was taken to the living
quarters instead. Passing through a spacious living room, the patrolman knocked
on the door of a room even further in. An order to enter was given immediately,
and only I was shown into the
study.
"Well, if it
isn't Ashley-sama, it has
been a while."
"So it is you.
It really has been a while, Jake."
I had expected it,
but there was a familiar face ahead. Aneue's husband, the current head
of the Duke Aion family, Jake-Lizas. The last time we met must
have been over two years ago.
"You've grown a
little taller. Your physique has improved too; I think you've become manly like
Georg-kun."
"Stop with the
polite language. No matter how you look at it, you are higher ranked than
me."
He is Atomina-aneue's husband. Therefore, there was
no way he didn't know the circumstances of my birth. I appreciate the sentiment
of treating me as a member of the Imperial Family, but it's unsettling and
doesn't suit my nature at all...
"You haven't changed a bit. Atomina
used to complain often about that part of you."
"I bet. More
importantly, sorry for barging in so suddenly. ...By the way, where are Aneue
and the others?"
"They are bathing.
It seems it was rough..."
"I told her not
to, but Aneue even took on the role of coachman herself.. She must be quite
exhausted."
This is a better
place than the suffocating palace in the Imperial Capital.
Unconsciously, I found myself constantly observing the world where my
brother-in-law and Aneue lived.
Those days when Aneue
left the palace, and I could only watch Georg changing, might have been
quite painful. Well, eventually I was forced to get used to it.
"I think you've
already heard, but please shelter Dulin."
"Yes, I have
already heard the circumstances. It is only natural to protect Atomina's
friend. ...However, I want to keep it a secret from my father. I am terribly
sorry, but would a detached tower be acceptable, Ashley-denka?"
"Hiding her is
wise. Right about now, auntie is probably searching with bloodshot
eyes... Let me stay there for a while too."
"As you wish, Ashley-denka."
"Stop
that..."
"You haven't
changed, truly..."
Those words from Jake
had a somewhat precarious ring to them, as if he were a little tired. But I'm
not so boorish as to pry just because of that. I resolved myself to live in the
tower as Dulin's guard for a while.
◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
"Ash—Firefly-shan,
please tell me a story. Dulin likes the stories from the book of the
other world."
"Yeah, gladly;
there's no reason to refuse."
Three days have
passed since I hid in the tower with Dulin. It was fun at first, but
admittedly, we were running out of things to do.
Talking for hours a
day with Aneue included is a tough routine for a blockhead. Still,
telling the stories of the other world I boast about to Dulin remained
fun no matter how much I talked. Ah, I glossed over the parts I only
half-remembered with arbitrary embellishments.
I am Dulin's
guard. I took care not to leave her side as much as possible. Aneue
keeps an eye on the outside of the tower. I watch the inside; that was the
arrangement we made.
However, past noon
that day, my brother-in-law Duke Jake-Lizas appeared at the tower. Even
though he hadn't shown his face once until now, wary of discovery by outsiders,
I wondered if something happened outside.
"Shall we talk
a little...?"
"Of course, I
don't mind. What is it?"
"No, not here; I
want to talk atop the tower."
"That
is..."
"It's okay, Dulin
is covering her ears...!"
Dulin covered
both ears facing us. I'm happy she's being considerate, but that would make Jake
feel considerate in return.
"If it won't
take long, I'll go with you. Dulin, we're heading upstairs. If anything
happens, scream. I will definitely save you."
"Fue...? What
did you say?"
"I'm we're
heading upstairs. If you are attacked, scream."
"Understood!
Being a freeloader... Duke-sama, I am sowwy... Dulin is causing nothing
but twouble for people..."
That's wrong. No
matter how many times I say so, this is her personality; Dulin insists
that she is at fault. Should I have refused and stayed after all...?
『Hand over the book.』
However, at that
moment, Zirant's voice echoed in my ear. I don't have it on me right now. It's
still stuffed in my bag.
『I will protect her for a little while. Kukuku... If you do
not believe me, I will not let you rely on me next time.』
Taking the Book
of the Evil Dragon out of the bag, I handed the small thing to Dulin.
Zirant, I have no memory of ever relying on you.
"This is Firefly-shan's...
mysterious book...?"
"Don't look
inside. Keep it on your person until I return; that way I can be at ease."
"Yesh. Because
I'm a good girl, Dulin can keep promises."
"Yeah, wait a bit. Let's go, Jake."
The dragon who usually just watches says she will protect Dulin. Taking her up on her offer, I went up to the top floor of the tower with my brother-in-law.
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