Chapter 52

52: To Coolden Again

Being Roberto-sama’s lover was outrageous .

Where did this concept even come from?

Even so, Captain Weller, Ada-san and Master were all staring at me as if they were waiting for my reply .

(Everyone, what are you expecting!?)

“It hasn’t even been a month since I started talking to Roberto-sama . Far from being his lover, I’ve never even held hands with him . ”

“Ayesha, you’ve just became an adult and are still 16, right? Is Roberto-sama 21? You’re both at the perfect age . Well, isn’t Roberto-sama obsessed with romance? He’s an upper-rank noble, so he would marry someone of the same status . If so, then why don’t you become his lover, Ayesha? Marriage between nobles is like a contract…… Oww!”

*STEP*

I got a little irritated and stepped on Captain Weller’s feet . I trampled on them .

I was more short-tempered than I thought I was . I’m sorry, Ms . Dolcie . It seems like I can’t behave like a lady anymore…

“Well, hey . You know, this drunkard is talking too much . If you’re 16, you still long to get married, right? He’s saying that a lady like that would want to be Roberto-san’s lover . Honestly, you’re disliked because you’re so insensitive . ”

I nodded next to her .

An arranged marriage was common between nobles . Even more so for upper-ranked nobles . I’m sure Roberto-sama knows this . If he wanted to have a lover who wasn’t of equal status to him…… Then, he would go with a commoner .

But, since I have no support as I am now, wouldn’t it be possible to say that I wouldn’t have a noble-like marriage? It was possible for me to have a lover if I’m a temporary commoner . But, my partner wouldn’t be a noble like Roberto-sama .

Honestly Captain Weller…… How do you even see me?

“But, have you already finished with your errands, Ayesha-chan?”

I could only smile wryly . I want you to take a guess…

“… Well, it was dreadful . ”

“I see . ”

“……”

Then, the session finished somehow .

I don’t know if I should be happy that they didn’t dig too deeply…… I had mixed feelings .

◊♦◊♦◊♦◊

The next day, I took a carriage again and returned to Coolden .

I thought about visiting my mother’s grave at the Royal Capital, but then decided to do so once I became a commoner . It was still too early .

The ride was free because it was a pick-up carriage, but the return carriage would cost money . I also paid the inn fees at Hen Inn . It was honestly annoying . I would probably need to take a carriage when I go back to the Royal Capital . I didn’t want to spend more of the limited money that I had on things I didn’t need .

If I’m going to work at the Royal Capital, then I also have to prepare a dress . It gave me a headache thinking about the amount of money I would need to spend in order to prepare for it .

Unlike with the Edenbach carriage, I had no willpower to embroider on a swaying carriage .

Even if I had to show the store my embroidery, I would have to refuse them if they wanted to hire me .

I should give Bobles-san and his wife an embroidered handkerchief for giving me a taste of the commoner lifestyle…… I thought as I stared blankly at the scenery outside of the swaying wagon .

I got off the carriage in the centre of Coolden . The fresh green buds had increased and the small flowers on trees and petals were dancing in the wind .

My neck was a little cold because my hair was in a ponytail, but it was finally spring . I can feel it here more than I could in the Royal Capital .

I tried to catch the pink petals as they fell from the sky, but they fluttered out of my hand .

It was like a small amount of happiness was escaping, just like my current situation . I smiled wryly .

The carriage which went to the outskirts, where the guards’ building was located, didn’t operate in the afternoon . It only ran in the morning and at night .

I still had time . I won’t ride on the wagon I rode on before . I don’t want to deal with how shaky it is . I learnt this .

I held the black bag in one hand and carried a shoulder bag on my back as I walked .

I had nothing that I urgently needed to do . This was a good chance for me to take a closer look at the town and enjoy the nice weather . I walked down the main street where I could and decided to ride the carriage as it passed .

(This is such a nice town . I wanted to live here a little longer . )

I thought as I walked, then I heard a voice .

“… Ayesha-san … Ayesha-san . ”

I turned my neck and saw a rustic wagon running beside me .

Now that I look at him, I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before… Ah, the noble-ish person from the guards’ secretary office .

The carriage stopped and I also stopped .

“Hello, Ayesha-san . I didn’t think I would meet you here . Did you just come back from the Royal Capital? Why don’t you ride on the wagon if you’re going back to the guards’ building?”

“Hello, Secretary-san . Well then, please give me a ride . ”

“Sure . My name’s Marche du Reinfield . Nice to meet you . ”

“I think you already know mine, but I’m Ayesha Org . It’s very nice to meet you . ”

So he was a noble after all . I don’t want to get involved with nobles anymore .

But, he’s friendly and social, so he didn’t feel like a noble . A smile made its way to my mouth .

I was lucky to have met a wagon, get a ride and return to the guards’ building .

Then, when I returned to the guards’ dining hall I was greeted by Bobles-san, “Are you alright?” People surrounded me, so I quickly took refuge at Bobles-san’s house .

No matter what, I’ll enjoy my time with the Healing Emery and the cute children!