TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 106
The life in the Capital City was reaching its end.
So many events.
Tangled relationships.
Conversations with people I thought I would hate.
Although the journey began with many worries, it seems it became a meaningful time where I could gain a lot.
Early morning at the Desmond Estate.
Standing in front of the mirror, I was rummaging through the wardrobe like a high school student choosing clothes for a school trip.
“Ha… No matter what I wear, it feels awkward.”
Holding a black coat that reached down to my waist against my body, I shook my head.
No matter how I looked at it, it didn’t suit me….
It felt too bulky on my body, too lightly dressed compared to the weather… and wearing fur clothes felt like I was some wealthy Parvenu…
I just couldn’t decide on an outfit to wear out.
Perhaps because I always wore Butler’s Attire, my knowledge of fashion was close to zero, and I couldn’t find any clothes that satisfied me.
‘I want to dress stylishly.’
Today is a date with the Young Lady, after all.
I wanted to look as dashing as possible. Enough for passersby to ask for my number. Because that’s the Butler’s duty to boost the Young Lady’s reputation and my own little amusement to tease her. Plus, I wanted to hear her praise as well.
Maybe that’s why I seemed to be putting more effort than usual into choosing my outfit.
On the bed, a pile of discarded clothes had formed. Despite the small differences like checkered patterns or black knit, I couldn’t find anything I liked and let out a deep sigh.
“Is a coat too much…?”
‘I want to look good…’
Since the date with the Young Lady was not in a rural place like Hamel but at the Capital City’s theater, there were many factors to consider when choosing an outfit.
Many nobles would be present, and there could even be Academy Mates, who were once part of my accursed karma. I had to dress as if I was living my best life.
Besides, I was a little excited too.
A theater…
It feels like it’s been ages since I last went.
As you know, I’m not familiar with the culture of theater plays. To be precise, I’ve never had ties with refined cultural activities. Neither in my previous life nor in this one have I had much connection with the hobbies of nobles, like musicals or concerts.
Instead of learning about culture, I spent my time studying how to tease the Young Lady effectively, and rather than focusing on moving people emotionally, I focused on hitting people. Naturally, I didn’t have much knowledge about the culture of theater plays.
Although I had been to a few plays following the Young Lady, I never chose one of my own volition, so when it came time to pick a play to watch with her, I agonized over it.
-Young Lady, what would you like to watch?
-Anything.
-Please answer before I flick your forehead. Saying “anything” brings misfortune to the Butler.
-Hmm… I don’t know. Let’s just watch something you like, Ricardo. Not what I like this time, but what you like.
-Hold still for a flick.
I flicked the Young Lady’s forehead. Even so, she gave the same answer, leaving me to face the greatest dilemma of my life.
Romance.
Action.
Comedy.
Among the many plays in the Empire, I pondered over what might please the Young Lady.
Unable to come up with a clear answer, I sought advice from Yuria.
-Hmm… Who are you watching it with?
-With the Young Lady.
-Not with me?
-Pardon?
-Never mind… Then how about this?
Yuria recommended the most popular play among students. It wasn’t famous, but she said it was her favorite among the ones she had seen.
Love and melodrama.
Action and comedy.
And a play with heart-throbbing elements.
-This should be the safest choice.
Thinking it was better to follow the advice of someone with experience, like the Heroine, rather than relying on my unrefined hunch, I decided to go with Yuria’s suggestion.
With a small smile, I kept rummaging through the wardrobe.
“After all, should I just wear the Butler’s Attire?”
Glancing at the Butler’s Attire in the corner of the wardrobe, I shook my head. The Young Lady had told me to dress stylishly today.
I picked up the neatly pressed black suit from the corner of the wardrobe.
“Let’s go with this.”
*
On the way down to the first floor of the estate, dressed sharply, I caught a glimpse of the Young Lady’s back figure in a black dress standing in the wide hall.
The Young Lady, who had received the Servants’ help after a long time.
Seeing the elegance flowing from her back figure, I swallowed hard.
Instead of a dress full of lint, the black dress adorned with small black pearls gave the illusion of a moon hanging in the early morning.
Having only seen her unadorned appearance for so long, I had forgotten—so this is what it means to be a noble.
Calming my pounding heart, I descended the stairs. One step. Two steps. Even with the slow sound of my footsteps, the Young Lady didn’t turn around.
“Have you been waiting long?”
Lightly touching the Young Lady’s back, I spoke with a mischievous smile.
“You look stunning today.”
The Young Lady’s ears, still not turning around, were slightly flushed.
Wondering if it was because she was embarrassed, I peeked at her side profile.
“Eek…!”
I saw the Young Lady’s ruined face, pale and contorted.
“Huff… Huff…”
She was gasping for breath, clutching her stomach. The Young Lady was locked in a battle with her tightly cinched corset.
In a flustered tone, the Young Lady shouted at me.
“Ricardo! I’m dying…”
“Puhaha!”
Today was the day of my date with the Young Lady.
The Young Lady had dressed up magnificently.
Standing behind her, I lightly pushed the Handle of Fairy Unit 1.
“Shall I loosen it?”
“No…! I’m fine because I’m slender.”
Though her determination to look beautiful was admirable, I preferred the Young Lady’s usual self.
“If you wear a corset, you won’t be able to eat much.”
“Then I’ll take it off.”
I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.
*
In front of the Grand Theater.
Having come to the theater alone with her after a long time, I hesitated at the entrance with a blank expression.
“Aren’t you going in?”
“No, I am. But why are there so many people here?”
“It’s always crowded.”
The Young Lady displayed the elegance of a noble with a composed smile. On her enchanting smile, I could read a subtle mockery saying, ‘Country bumpkin.’
“We go in through that main door.”
“Ah… The main door.”
Perhaps because of the crowd, every action felt cautious. I worried about looking unsophisticated and causing trouble for the Young Lady.
Although I had reserved VIP seats, I couldn’t figure out where to go and ended up pushing the wheelchair to the back entrance instead of the front.
“This isn’t the way.”
“Is it because the theater is newly built? The layout is confusing.”
“That’s right.”
The Young Lady nodded slightly.
“I’m excited because it’s new.”
On the Young Lady’s face was a feeling of anticipation. Peeking my head next to her, I smiled a small smile.
“Let’s have fun today.”
“Okay.”
“We’ll order snacks, but no beer… Let’s go with soft drinks instead.”
“Why!?”
“Drunk driving is not allowed.”
At the mention of drunk driving, the Young Lady nodded her head.
“Drunk driving is bad.”
As expected, the Young Lady was quick to learn.
Though somewhat clumsy, I managed to retrieve the reserved tickets from the Guide at the Ticket Booth.
“You’re here for the two VIP seats, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll guide you to your seats… Ah…”
The Guide awkwardly smiled while looking at the Young Lady.
“Ah… Um…”
Perhaps because of the stairs that the wheelchair couldn’t ascend, the Guide’s awkward smile revealed their difficulty in handling the situation.
I left a reassuring smile for the Guide and knelt down in front of the Young Lady.
“Young Lady.”
“Yes?”
The Young Lady, clutching the ticket tightly with an excited expression, looked at me with a puzzled face. Her expression clearly questioned why we weren’t going inside yet. I slightly turned my body and presented my back to her.
“It seems the wheelchair can’t go up the stairs.”
The Young Lady spoke in a confident voice.
“Fairy Unit 1 can climb stairs too.”
“Wouldn’t it be nice to ride on my back for the first time in a while?”
“Hmm…”
The Young Lady, after falling into deep thought, shyly placed her hands around my neck.
“Let’s go.”
With a small hand gesture, she tapped my back lightly, urging me to move. I smiled faintly and gave a slight nod to the Guide.
“If you could keep this chair in a safe place, I’d appreciate it.”
“Yes, of course. We apologize for the inadequate service.”
“Not at all.”
As I slowly climbed the stairs, I could faintly feel the Young Lady’s heartbeat against my back.
The dark stairs leading to the VIP room.
In a small voice, the Young Lady murmured to me.
“Ricardo.”
“Yes?”
“It’ll be fun, right?”
“Isn’t that obvious? After all, who chose the play?”
“Right? You know…”
In a small voice, the Young Lady said.
“Thank you.”
The VIP room we arrived at was dazzling.
The brilliantly bright lights illuminated the darkness, and soft music filled the space.
The plush cushioned chairs were covered in smooth velvet, giving the feeling that we were the only ones in the theater.
Below the audience seats, the actors bowed, and amidst the crowd, couples could be seen.
The Young Lady waved at me with a bright smile.
“Wow….”
Hearing the Young Lady’s small exclamation, I muttered softly to myself.
“It was worth coming here.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
The play’s title was [A Girl’s Sad Love Story.]
It was a tale filled with heartbreaking love.