NOVEL NEXT Episode 21
Chapter 21
“…suu…suu…”
“…Are you asleep?”
Regular, rhythmic breathing could be heard near my thigh.
Whether she was satisfied with my response or felt relieved, I couldn’t tell, but shortly after hearing my answer, Alshade remained where she was, not moving from atop my thigh, and fell asleep.
Before hearing her story, I had wished she would move away, but I couldn’t bring myself to wake her up or ask her to move after hearing such a heavy tale.
In this situation, I couldn’t sleep, nor did I have the energy to do anything else, so I decided to pass the time by absentmindedly stroking her head. Just then, a knock on the door interrupted our solitude.
“…May I come in?”
“Orto-san, come in.”
“Pardon me… Oh, Alshade-sama is asleep. Did I disturb her?”
“No, I was just wondering what to do next.”
“Seems like the timing was right. I thought of bringing you both some water, but it looks like I’ll have to drink mine alone.”
Saying so, Orto lightly raised two wooden cups he had in his right hand. He handed me one of the cups and sat down on a chair in the room, sipping from his own cup.
After taking a sip of water and feeling a bit more at ease, I decided to strike up a conversation with Orto, using it as a way to pass the time.
“Phew, thanks. That hit the spot. By the way, Orto-san, how long have you been with the young lady?”
“…About five years now. I began teaching her swordsmanship when she turned five.”
“Five years, huh… What was she like before?”
I couldn’t help but ask about Alshade’s usual behavior.
While I’m well acquainted with Alshade as a character in the “Wildia Chronicles,” there’s much I don’t know about the living person, Alshade. Before serving her, I wanted to understand her usual demeanor.
“Regarding her usual behavior, first and foremost, she is incredibly dedicated to external matters. From training to studying to become the next head of the family, she applies herself with great enthusiasm. She’s particularly talented in swordsmanship and physical arts. I’m not familiar with the details of her studies, but given her personality, she must excel in all of them.”
“Her external behavior must be what she shows to the outside world and her retainers. Demonstrating a strong dedication to training and studying seriously is a part of her job as the next head, I suppose.”
Even so, Alshade seems to be the type who takes her responsibilities seriously. Orto’s assessment of her studies is likely accurate.
If she were to say that she couldn’t handle her studies despite her intelligence, I’d question either the content of what she’s being taught or the method of instruction.
Orto took another sip of water before continuing.
“Although it’s a bit off-topic, I gained some reputation in swordsmanship myself. I once attended a party where Alshade-sama was also present as a guest of the Baltzfeld family. Compared to other children of the same age, she stood out remarkably. Being a female heir is often underestimated, so she puts in daily efforts to avoid showing any weaknesses.”
“…As expected of her.”
“Yes.”
I gently brushed aside the hair that had fallen on Alshade’s cheek. Her profile was serene, not showing any signs of desperately struggling, even in this challenging situation.
I hope I can be of some help to her…
I now have a better understanding of her public side. The next thing I’d like to know is her private side.
“I’ve got an idea of her public demeanor. Could you tell me about her private side?”
“I don’t mind, but I’ll refrain from sharing specific anecdotes. Some aspects of her private life should be kept hidden. I might get scolded by Alshade-sama if I casually spill her secrets.”
“I understand. I don’t want to be scolded by her either.”
If I accidentally stumbled upon an amusing anecdote, and Alshade found out I had shared it, she’d definitely be upset.
However, I have no idea what she might do after that. She might demand that I share an embarrassing story about myself or make me reveal something like an interrogation.
And, feeling guilty about asking something I shouldn’t have, I probably wouldn’t be able to refuse.
“Privately, she’s cheerful and energetic. You’ve probably already experienced it Lord Rios. Alshadé-sama seems to be quite comfortable around you.”
“Ah, indeed. She has teased me a few times. Speaking of which, she told me that she regularly sneaks out of the mansion through a hole in the backyard to play in town?”
“Yes, that. She does it with the guards’ knowledge. Because of her earnest and serious nature, Lord Baltzfeld was worried that she might collapse one day due to overwork, so it was suggested as a solution.”
While she certainly has a serious side, I never thought it would be to that extent. Generally, children would want to play rather than study when they are young.
I see, it seems the Count Baltzfeld allowed Alshade’s inspection not out of favoritism, but for a cleverly disguised outing.
“So, the solution to that was her ‘market inspection’ game.”
“That’s right. At first, I invited her to join, but now she’s the one inviting me. The plan worked, and she not only managed to get enough rest but also developed a more flexible mindset. The only downside is that she’s developed a habit of teasing people close to her.”
“Perhaps that side was suppressed and is only now coming out. Wasn’t it part of her character from the beginning?”
“…That might be true.”
Orto loosened his lips slightly and smiled at my words. His gaze was fixed on the sleeping Alshade, filled with affection.
“…Orto-san, you care deeply for her.”
“Yes, but I can no longer provide her with true comfort. In the depths of her heart, I’m afraid I’m neither trusted nor relied upon now.”
When I looked at Orto’s face, I noticed the sharp and unwavering gaze of a man who hadn’t lost his edge despite his age.
“…Did you not notice?”
“…To be honest, no. I thought her acting was perfect from my perspective.”
“That’s the result of my years of experience. As a martial artist who has achieved success, one must also sharpen their observational skills. Even with her talent, I don’t consider myself so aged that I could be fooled by the young Alshade-sama’s acting.”
Orto’s words carried significant weight, and while he put on a brave front, his face appeared bitter, probably burdened by the distress of realizing the truth.
“I may not be as close to her as Viviane-dono, but I am someone who has been permitted to call her by a nickname. I had pride in a relationship that wouldn’t be easily lost.”
Considering Alshade’s current distrust of people, she must have relied on Orto’s counsel. Their trust in each other must have been strong.
He probably noticed her change because of their bond.
“However, after being betrayed by Viviane-dono, who she trusted second only to her father, she lost faith in all the relationships she have had so far. The fact that someone she trusted compared her against something else and discarded her is quite heavy.”
“… “
Orto’s prediction was spot on. If it were anyone other than him, I might suspect he overheard Arshard’s conversations from somewhere.
“Now, the only people Alshade-sama can truly rely on are her father and her knight, Lord Rios. Lord Rios… that’s it! I beg you, in my place, please support Alshade-sama!”
Orto stood up from his chair, bowing deeply to me. His fists were clenched tightly, shaking with anger at his own incompetence.
For such a sudden act, I remained strangely calm.
“… You don’t have to ask. Don’t you understand my position? Besides, Alshade might wake up.”
“That’s right… It was an impudent request. Please forget about it.”
Orto chuckled and shook his head.
As he tried to leave the room, I called out to him.
“Wait a moment, Alshade hasn’t completely lost trust in you. So, regain her trust quickly and support her together. It will be reassuring.”
“…Ah, you’re right. That’s absolutely true. To think that I’d learn from a young man like Lord Rios… I still have much to learn. Anyway, I’ll entrust this conversation to you and please keep it confidential from Alshade-sama.”
“If she doesn’t ask, there’s no need to mention it.”
“Hahaha, that’s fine. You should prioritize Alshade-sama, after all.”
With a smile and those words, Orto left the room.
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