Chapter 32

The leg of the chair he loved broke.

After leaving the Seria cafeteria with Lord Merne and Viscount Yurina, I returned to the Slowlett family mansion, where an unfamiliar carriage was parked on the grounds.

The horse and driver seemed to have moved elsewhere, as there was no sign of them.

It was impossible for the two nobles to be without an escort, so they must have already been shown in.

From the wood to the decorations, it was different from a regular carriage.

It was not the carriage Trierella used to transport goods, but one designed for comfortable travel.

The large eagle crest on the side indicated it was a noble's carriage.

"This is my carriage."

"The eagle crest?"

"Yes, it's a traditional crest passed down in my family. It was bestowed upon our ancestors by the royal family along with the title."

"I see. It's really cool. The large carriage in the back is Lord Merne's, right? The crest is a sword?"

The particularly large carriage visible behind Viscount Yurina. The crest on the side, like that of Viscount Yurina's carriage, was likely due to the title of marquis.

"Well, my crest and Yurina's might pale in comparison to the Slowlett family's crest."

"It's a dragon, after all."

Lord Merne and Viscount Yurina both shuddered.

Incidentally, there is also a carriage on the estate. While it's not as ornate, it has a large, imposing dragon crest.

The dragon has almost become a synonym for Father Nord.

In the capital, the story of Father Nord, the Dragon Slayer, is very popular and is often performed in plays.

I must definitely go see it.

The innocent voice of a child calling out "Dragon Slayer!!" must be very popular.

Thinking of Father Nord blushing and answering the pure gaze of the child makes me want to laugh.

"Dragon Slayer... hehe."

I'm sorry, Father Nord. It's really funny. If you were given such a middle-school-like nickname, you'd be embarrassed, wouldn't you?

"This guy is laughing at his father's nickname. Hehehe."

"Y-You're being rude. I'm not laughing... Hehe."

Viscount Yurina, who scolded Lord Merne, couldn't hold back her laughter, so her reprimand lacked conviction.

"I would faint just from being called such a nickname."

"Hehe... It's pitiful to laugh at it."

"D-Dragon Slayer."

"Stop it. I'll die laughing."

"Hehe... Hahaha!"

My muttering made Viscount Yurina unable to hold back, and she burst out laughing.

This person, who acts like a gentleman, has quite a mouth.

'Who said I'm the Dragon Slayer? Fainting? Pitiful?'

"..."

We were so engrossed in our laughter that we didn't notice Father Nord had come out of the front door.

Looking up, I saw the smiling face of the Dragon Slayer, with a slight vein visible on his forehead, but even that made me laugh.

When you find something funny, you can laugh at any time, it's strange.

"One noble serving the Kingdom of Misfil, Darius Merne, has arrived."

"Another noble serving the Kingdom of Misfil, Justel Yurina. I am honored to be invited today."

Despite their appearance as villagers, the aura of nobility around Lord Merne and Viscount Yurina was unmistakable.

What quick responses.

These people are truly capable!

"Welcome to the Slowlett family. The second son of the Slowlett family, Alphrite, will serve you with all my heart."

I quickly moved to the entrance to welcome Lord Merne and Viscount Yurina.

"Oh, I'm sorry. The second son of the Slowlett family is well-mannered."

"Thank you."

The two stepped into the entrance with soft smiles.

And I followed like flowing water, entering the entrance.

"Let's wait a moment."

Creak.

"Even if you try to cover it up, it won't be ignored. I need to have a serious talk with Lord Merne and Viscount Yurina. Alphrite, come to the courtyard with a wooden sword later."

Lord Merne and Viscount Yurina looked at me with pity.

In any case, I must first entertain them, so no training today.

Father Nord, I, Lord Merne, and Viscount Yurina walked through the first floor of the mansion in that order.

I hoped that Father Nord would forget the earlier incident.

"Lady Linaria has already shown the guests to the parlor."

It seemed we were heading to the parlor. As a six-year-old, I thought it would be meaningless for me to go, so I slipped away when Father Nord turned the corner.

"Hey, where are you going, Al? The parlor is this way?"

"Gu!?"

Father Nord's devilish hand grabbed the collar of my shirt.

Damn! I thought it was the perfect timing. Does Father Nord have eyes in the back of his head?

"...Just to the bathroom..."

"Quite a lively stomach, isn't it? What a perfect time to run away."

I see. So if I act like a child, I can get away. I see.

"Because you said it out loud. You're the only one who hasn't greeted Lady Linaria. Come along."

"Yes."

Naturally, Lord Merne and Viscount Yurina didn't defend me.

They were enjoying the show.

I thought they might say something like, "Let him go to the bathroom, it's fine." Then, I could have said I was on an errand for Elina or Mother Elna, and there would have been plenty of ways to escape.

In any case, I can't tarnish Father Nord's face any further, so I must properly greet Lady Linaria.

Father Nord's face might already be tarnished.

Elina is polite on the surface, so greeting her shouldn't be a problem.

She even makes me call her "Elina-sama."

During yesterday's training, when I pleaded, "Elina-sama, please be gentle!" she hit me with the wooden sword twice as hard as usual.

Apparently, the way I say "Elina-sama" sounds like flattery and is unpleasant.

It seems to be fine when apologizing. Is it the sincerity in the words?

When apologizing, there's no ulterior motive. It's just a pure wish to live, so it works.

Speaking of which, Silvio shouldn't be a problem. With such a handsome face, he can go anywhere. I've heard that even the village women have fallen for his innocent smile.

I hope he doesn't get stabbed in the back by a woman in the future.

I'm starting to sound bitter. I shouldn't be pessimistic just because I don't have the same face.

Alphrite is only six. It's too early to tell if he's handsome or not! Positive, positive.

"It's me."

As I was lost in thought, we arrived at the parlor, and Father Nord knocked on the door.

Sara opened the door gracefully from the inside and let us in.

"Yustel!"

As soon as we entered the room, a woman sitting on the sofa stood up and called out.

First, I was surprised by her small size. She was probably about 140 cm tall.

Her fair skin was wrapped in a delicately made pink frilly dress.

Her straight chestnut hair, which reached her waist, swayed as she ran to Viscount Yurina.

She was a bit too young to be called a woman. She was almost a little girl.

"Linaria!"

Viscount Yurina gently caught Lady Linaria, who had run into her.

If a man made even a slight mistake in his strength, her arm bones might break. Lady Linaria had such a slender build.

Viscount Yurina's face was flushed and disappointed. The dignified and intelligent presence she usually exuded was nowhere to be seen.

Ah, no doubt about it.

This person is a lolicon.

From now on, I'll call her Lady Lolina in my mind.

"Cough."

Lord Yurina, who had entered his own world, was brought back by Father Nord's cough.

Good. It seems Viscount Yurina still has some rationality left.

"Linaria, we haven't finished the greetings yet."

"Oh, right. I'm sorry. I'm Linaria, the wife of Justel Yurina. Lord Merne, Lord Alphrite, it's nice to meet you."

She bowed cutely, as is characteristic of a young girl.

Perhaps embarrassed by the hug she had just been seen, her ears were red.

"You're as lovely as they say. I'm Darius Merne. Nice to meet you."

Lady Linaria blushed even more and shrank at the compliment.

If he keeps praising her, she might faint.

"I'm the second son of the Slowlett family, Alphrite. Welcome to our home today."

Seeing me, who was smaller than her, Lady Linaria seemed to relax a bit.

Her expression softened when she saw me.

"Thank you for the polite greeting. I look forward to working with you, Lord Alphrite."

Lady Linaria smiled.

Ah, there it is. Lady Lolina has fallen.

I had a definite feeling at that moment.