Chapter 7

...I feel kind of apologetic. I had underestimated this different world.

"Miss Katharine, the Beans Moth is lingering on the carriage."

The middle-aged... veteran maid spoke to Katharine's mother with a gentle and warm smile.

"Odette, please stop calling me 'Miss.' George, the Beans Moth wants to be friends with you, George," Katharine's mother said, then brought me closer to the carriage window... There, a giant moth, estimated to be about one meter in size, was clinging to the carriage.

(No way, no way, no way. I can see all the details...)

Although I was born and raised in the countryside and don't scream at the sight of insects, this one is just too big to accept physiologically.

From the name "Beans Moth," I guess the larvae must attach to bean crops... I have to force myself to think about such things to keep my mind from shutting down.

"Hehe, I apologize. Seeing the Beans Moth reminds me of Miss Katharine's childhood."

From the conversation, it seems Odette has been serving Katharine's mother since she was young. Probably, the mother cried a lot when she saw the Beans Moth as a child.

"Please stop that story. But, it's such a season again... I'm really happy."

Katharine's mother said this and let me sit on her lap. A pleasant warmth gradually spread through me.

"I feel the same. Still, George is such a well-behaved and smart child."

Odette's eyes, as she looked at Katharine's mother, were gentle and warm. Probably, because of her, Katharine's mother was able to persevere in the Acogui family, who were away from home.

"Yes, George is my pride. Even though I haven't been able to see him for a long time, he always smiles at me."

As she said this, Katharine's mother stroked my head with her slender white fingers. It's embarrassing to have my head stroked, but it makes my heart feel so warm.

Thanks to the pastoral scenery seen from the carriage window and the warm interaction, living in this different world didn't seem so bad.

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The cobblestones were dyed red by the sunset, casting long shadows that evoked a sense of nostalgia.

How long has it been since I saw a sunset? As a child, I would dash home as soon as it got dark, but as an adult, I could only feel the passage of time through the clock in the office... I've seen the sunrise dozens of times after all-nighters.

"Here, this is where we'll stay for the night."

The carriage stopped in front of a high-class inn. The gates and pillars were intricately decorated, and the entrance was made of marble. Even though I was being carried by my mother, I couldn't help but feel intimidated.

"Hey!! Young man, wipe your feet properly before entering the entrance!! Think about the people who have to clean up after you!!"

Unbelievably, the young knight entered the inn without wiping the mud off his boots.

"There's no one to welcome Lady Acogui and Master George!! What's going on!!"

The young knight shouted loudly... I felt more embarrassed than he did.

"I-I'm sorry. We've been a bit busy."

"To neglect the Acogui family, who are the lords, for something that must be done... Tell me what it is!!"

No, you're not the representative of the Acogui family, you're just a servant.

The inn staff apologized profusely, intimidated by the knight's momentum... As a working adult, I couldn't just ignore it.

"Hey, that guy is so noisy."

I reported to my mother, feeling satisfied.

"Master George, I'm sorry. However, this is for the honor of the Acogui family..."

No, no, you're just borrowing the tiger's might.

"I don't like people who get angry at those who are apologizing."

Saying this, I buried my face in my mother's chest. I thought it was a brilliant performance.

"J-George... This is for the honor of the Acogui family..."

"Enough. This inn is a prestigious place where even the royal family stays. How can you disgrace the Acogui family here!! Especially by shouting and scaring young George. This is unacceptable. I will report this to Lord Lauren... Leave immediately."

Odette calmly lectured the young knight. Honestly, Odette is scarier... I must never anger her.

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As expected of an inn where the royal family stays. The tableware is exquisitely luxurious. The plate in front of me contains some kind of paste. Since I'm still on baby food, I often don't know what I'm eating until I taste it.

(Delicious!! It tastes like concentrated peanut butter, but without the lingering aftertaste.)

I got so absorbed in eating that I heard a soft, amused laugh.

"Well, you two are really a mother and son. It seems Master George also likes the Beans Moth."

...What? Beans Moth? What are you talking about, Odette?

"The larvae of the Beans Moth at this time of year are not only flavorful but also highly nutritious. I'm relieved that George likes them."

Mother, I'm feeling very uneasy right now.

"Let's eat, too... Miss Katharine, since this is your favorite Beans Moth, please cheer up."

"O-Odette... Please forget about that story."

It seems the larvae of the Beans Moth are Katharine's mother's favorite, and eating them can improve her mood even when she's sulking.

The dish that was brought in was a large fried larva, almost a meter in size... I really underestimated this different world.

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Usually, I sleep alone in a baby bed, but since we're traveling, I'm sleeping in the same bed as Katharine's mother. She seems happy to take care of me and greets me with a full smile.

"George, I'll sing you a lullaby."

I closed my eyes in time with her gentle voice. I'm not really sleepy, but I think it's polite to fall asleep when someone sings a lullaby.

Katharine's mother seemed tired from the journey and fell asleep halfway through the lullaby.

(She must feel relieved to be away from the Acogui family... I'll protect this person no matter what.)

'After completing his task, he's sleeping with a young wife... What a life.'

A rough voice echoed in my head, different from Katharine's mother's gentle voice.

'Sleeping with a young wife... but we're mother and son... You're back, so were those guys there?'

The trip was supposed to be enjoyable, but it seems the worst scenario is waiting for us.

'Yes, as you said, there were suspicious people like bandits in the forest near the border.'

According to Miko, they were dressed in dirty clothes but had refined manners, which felt strange.

'What were they doing?'

'Refined manners, camping in the forest... Bingo.'

'No way... What did Lauren Cocatsu say?'

If I did that, it would waste memory and I'd get complaints.

'She said, "I'll protect my daughter and grandson, so please stay with George, Divine Messenger."'

'Was Lauren surprised?'

'She was surprised when I said I was the Divine Messenger, but not about the men. Who are they?'

Not being surprised about suspicious people near the border... They must be being used as pawns.

'Acogui family... Probably assassins sent by Adeline or her close circle. Their target is me and Katharine's mother.'

'Wait... Aren't you Adeline's grandson?'

'If I and Katharine's mother are gone, the child in Lumia's womb can inherit the Acogui family... So, Adeline's vassals must have acted.'

The men disguised as bandits are probably lower-ranking knights with some issues. If I became the head of the family, the ones who were mean to Katharine's mother would lose their status.

'Seriously... If this is exposed, it will be bad, right?'

'If the bodies are left in the Cocatsu territory, the Cocatsu family will be held responsible. This way, they can claim compensation and have a stronger stance against the Cocatsu family. That's why only that knight was assigned as a guard.'

Moreover, they targeted the period when Alan was away for training. If Alan were here, he would have insisted on having more guards.

'Sigh, nobles think of such ruthless things... What will you do? Run away?'

'No, I'll continue. Can you, Miko, investigate the men disguised as bandits and their families?'

To avoid danger, I need to unite the vassals... I need to eliminate the troublesome ones early.