TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 46
As soon as the Morning Sun rose, the Histania Siblings prepared to leave the estate.
Hanna, who had to go to the Academy, and Malik, who needed to cut his short vacation to return to the Imperial Knights’ Order. It was regrettable to see them leave, but one couldn’t keep the busiest people in the Empire tied down.
I didn’t even get to talk to Hanna.
I wanted to hear how she dealt with Mikhail and how she had been Since That Day, but she left earlier than I expected, leaving me with lingering regret.
Standing at the entrance, I handed the prepared Paper Bag to Malik.
A Paper Bag containing a Tteokbokki Recipe and a homemade Cake. Malik peeked into the Paper Bag and gave a faint Smile.
“Did you make this yourself?”
As expected of the Master of Culinary Arts.
He recognized it immediately just by looking at the clumsy packaging.
With an awkward Smile, I replied to Malik. Normally, it would have been proper to buy something from a decent Dessert Shop, but since none were open, I made the Cake myself.
I just hoped he’d enjoy it.
“Yes, haha… None of the shops were open at this hour, so I decided to make it myself. I can’t guarantee the taste, though.”
“Opening a shop at this hour would only bring losses.”
Malik smiled contentedly.
During my training days as a Butler, the Young Lady once told me.
That sending a Guest away empty-handed was impolite. Coming from far away only to leave without anything would be disheartening.
-Ricardo, don’t we give gifts when there’s a fight at a party?
-Whose hair did you pull today?
-Silia.
-Who’s that?
-She’s there. The fat, ugly one.
-Even so, pulling hair is…
-She called me a useless leech who only consumes food!
-Well done. What’s that Noble Lady’s address again?
-Huh? Anyway, if there’s a fight, no gifts?
-Yes.
-…That’s disappointing.
It was a lesson learned from the Young Lady’s experience.
Malik and Hanna seemed to appreciate this thoughtfulness, smiling as they expressed their thanks.
“I’ll enjoy it.”
“Thank you for the food!”
Before stepping out of the entrance.
Hanna turned around to look at me.
Her face flushed as she looked at me with a meaningful gaze. Did she have a fever? Concerned, I naturally placed my hand on Hanna’s forehead.
“Huh?”
Her face turned as red as a ripe persimmon.
I realized too late that I had made a mistake.
Having done this habitually with the Young Lady, I had now placed my hand on the forehead of an unmarried maiden.
In my Previous Life, I’d probably have been shackled for this.
Hanna’s eyes widened.
“Wha… what… what are you doing?”
She looked at me as if she couldn’t believe what had just happened.
While fanning her flushed face with her hand, Hanna mumbled, ‘Is… is this the Flirting I’ve only heard about in rumors?’ as she exhaled warm breath.
I hurriedly withdrew my hand from Hanna’s forehead. I didn’t forget to bow my head in Apology either.
“I’m sorry. Your face was so red, I thought you might have a fever.”
“My face is red..? Oh. Ah… Uh…”
Hanna made strange sounds. Touching the spot where my hand had been and glancing at me, she covered her flushed face with her hand and said.
“I don’t have a fever… Or maybe I do. Could you check again…?”
“I’ll bring some fever medicine.”
Hanna vigorously waved her hand, refusing.
“No need. I was just… too startled.”
“I apologize.”
“No, you don’t have to apologize, but maybe one more time… No… no, it’s fine.”
“Please don’t be concerned about me. We have medicine stocked in the estate.”
“Really, I’m fine. Truly…!”
Watching this scene, Malik smiled like an aged Mister.
“Ah, youth….. Gah!”
Hanna drove her elbow into Malik’s Side. It seemed to carry an Aura. Would he be okay?
I heard a bone-cracking sound…
Malik clutched his Side and couldn’t move for a while.
A cool breeze blew through the open entrance. The Morning Sun rose, and the birds chirped.
Adjusting his attire, Malik rubbed his Side and extended his hand to me. A rare moment where a Noble offered a handshake to a Commoner. Even in the Academy, where equality was guaranteed, such a gesture was hardly seen.
“The ‘Poxche Prototype 1′ we discussed yesterday is likely to be completed by December at the earliest. As for the thank-you Letter….”
“I’ll write 10 pages packed with gratitude and send it over.”
Malik’s expression turned serious.
“Don’t bother. I can’t even read what you write.”
My Pride was wounded in many ways.
We exchanged our final goodbyes.
Hanna hugged me tightly, whispering a meaningful “Next time, for sure.” and gave me a Wink, while Malik seemed eager, stomping his feet in anticipation of the Newly Launched Menu from Friends of Forest.
Malik urged Hanna, who was clinging to me like an Attachment Doll.
“Let’s go.”
“Just a little longer.”
“We don’t have time. We need to stop by a store, so we can’t waste any.”
“Older Brother, aren’t you going to the Imperial Knights’ Order?”
“That can wait a bit.”
Malik was more passionate about his Side Job than his main occupation.
Before leaving, Malik turned back to me and spoke. He said he just remembered something he had forgotten to mention.
“Oh, come to think of it, I didn’t say this. It seems the Academy students will be visiting Hamel soon.”
“Academy students? Are they coming for a group meal?”
“No, I heard they’re using an Undiscovered Dungeon as part of their exam. Did you know about this?”
I knew.
Because a new Story was about to begin.
Mikhail’s Awakening Story.
The Story where Yuria gets kidnapped by Heretics and Mikhail goes to rescue her would start here in Hamel. I had known this for some time.
That’s why I had been searching for an alternative for my right hand.
I shook my head.
“I didn’t know.”
Sighing deeply, Malik pulled a cigarette from his pocket and placed it in his mouth. Just as he was about to light it.
-Whoosh.
Hanna’s hand swiftly snatched the cigarette and threw it over the wall.
“I told you not to smoke. It stinks.”
“…If I smoke outside, it won’t smell.”
“I said don’t smoke.”
“…”
Malik looked at me with wistful eyes.
“Do you have a younger sister?”
“No. I’m an orphan.”
Malik nodded.
“That’s a relief.”
Malik gazed longingly at the cigarette now beyond the wall and let out a sigh.
“It was a mast….”
“Anyway, I thought it wasn’t a good encounter, so I mentioned it. I didn’t think it’d be good for you to meet those Kids either.”
Malik spoke bluntly without beating around the bush. That was just Malik’s personality, and it was also the reason he said what he did.
I nodded slightly and expressed my gratitude.
“I suppose I’ll have to stay cooped up in the Estate for a while.”
“That’s up to you.”
Hanna left the Estate with a regretful expression.
***
Inside the carriage heading toward the Capital City.
Hanna asked Malik, who was reading a Blueprint.
He had been smirking like someone looking at an Adult Magazine, making him look like he was unwell.
“What’s that?”
“An Adult Magazine.”
“Are you insane?”
“No.”
Malik chuckled softly.
“It’s not something kids should see.”
“What are you talking about? Let me see it too.”
“No.”
Malik hid the Blueprint in his arms.
If it were discovered that he had spent Three Million Gold Coins on it, he’d be in serious trouble.
Even for the Prestigious Sword Family of Histania, Three Million Gold Coins was a bit of a stretch. While it could be resolved by embezzling private funds and the Household’s finances…
He figured he’d still get an earful.
He had already acted on impulse, but upon realizing the amount was too large, he had no choice but to take the secret to his grave. Malik let out a deep sigh.
The estimate he had recklessly escalated himself.
However, the Porsche No. 1 was worth every bit of it. It ignited the passion in The Man’s heart, and once he promised to do something, it was a Knight’s duty to keep it.
-Are you really a Knight?
Recalling the words of the Competent Butler, Malik let out an Empty Laugh.
Three Million Gold Coins. Not someone’s dog’s name, and yet, he’d gone ahead like a Crazy Bastard and promised to do it. Who would’ve thought it would be him?
He did spend a lot of money, but he didn’t regret it.
The Gift he received was worth that much, and being able to sit together with his sibling was all thanks to that guy.
-Are you apologizing for being mean all this time? Is this a joke…? I felt like I was going to die because of Older Brother and Older Sister. And now you’re apologizing?
-Why? Did Father tell you to bring me back because I awakened Aura?
-Or did you suddenly feel like acting like an Older Brother? The great Older Brother should just go back to Father and learn the sword. I’m going to live my own life.
He hadn’t given up because of That Guy.
-Scared?
He knew That Guy would relentlessly tease him if they met again without changing.
Thanks to him, Malik realized what he was lacking.
He also realized how much he was inadequate. That’s why he clung to it even more.
He collided, apologized, and got rejected, but after persistent effort, his sibling finally accepted his Apology.
-I didn’t want to accept anything, not forgiveness or whatever. I just wanted to leave this accursed Household. But…
His sibling cried.
For the first time, in front of him.
-I can’t believe I’ve been waiting for these words all this time like a Fool… It’s so unfair.
It was also thanks to That Guy pushing him forward that Malik could properly talk to his sibling for the first time and realize what kind of Trash he had been.
Three Million Gold Coins was a cheap price for that.
Malik let out a deep sigh.
‘What will Father do about this?’
The Second Sibling suggested excommunicating Hanna, while Father simply kept his mouth shut and tacitly approved… Truly a family with no answers, even in Malik’s own opinion.
Hanna didn’t even think of seeing Father’s face. Stuck in the middle, Malik sighed more and more.
The carriage continued toward its destination.
Passing through Hamel and heading to the Capital City.
By the time the Imperial Palace came into view through the Window.
Malik casually threw a question to his sibling.
“Hey, do you…”
“Hmm?”
“Like That Guy?”
-Smack!
Hanna left a print on Malik’s back. A bright red handprint remained. Malik had a Hunch that it would bruise by the time he got home.
Even so, Malik spoke.
Because his sibling’s reaction was amusing.
“He’s handsome, skilled in Martial Arts, definitely a good groom candidate.”
“…Shut up.”
“This Older Brother supports you. From what I saw, That Guy doesn’t seem to have a fiancée either.”
Hanna shook her head.
“Not really…”
“Huh?”
Leaning against the Window, Hanna let out a deep sigh.
“I don’t really know.”
“Does he have a fiancée?”
“No. It’s just that there seems to be someone similar.”
Hanna trailed off and stared blankly Outside the Window. Memories of last night kept surfacing in her mind.
-Does the Young Lady like Senior Mikhail?
-Huh…?
The Young Lady’s startled face.
It wasn’t the embarrassment of having her feelings exposed, but a genuine expression of surprise.
-Ah… That’s…
The Young Lady had said it clearly.
-I don’t think I like him anymore.
Hanna couldn’t shake off the Young Lady’s awkward Smile from her mind.
‘Being the Main Wife might be difficult.’
Hanna was quick to pick up on things.