Chapter 33

Actually, I wanted to post this within the year...

Happy New Year.

I hope you will continue to enjoy "I Want to Live a Slow Life After Reincarnation" this year as well.

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After meeting everyone, including Count Melna and Viscountess Yurina—no, Lorina—we had dinner.

Balthro's cooking and the famous spaghetti were very much to everyone's liking, and despite having eaten a lot at Sera's restaurant, they were still eating heartily.

After dinner, everyone was chatting leisurely in the guest room.

I was walking down the hallway, about to return to my room, when...

"Why are you following me, Lady Linaria?"

"Calling me 'Lady' is too formal. Just Linaria is fine."

"Um, Linaria. Why are you following me?"

"I just wanted to talk to you, Alfred."

Linaria tilted her head and asked with her eyes, "Is that okay?"

"It's fine, but my room is small and there's not much to do there."

"That's okay!"

I couldn't tell what she found so amusing, but she was smiling at me.

Not sure what was going on, I decided to head to my room anyway.

After a few steps...

"...(Hm)"

I felt something approaching my head.

"...What?"

"Hm? Is something wrong?"

I turned around, but Linaria was just standing there normally.

That's strange. I definitely felt something near my head.

"No, it was just my imagination. Sorry."

Thanks to Sister Elinora, I've become overly sensitive to presences.

Sister Elinora often stands right behind me without me noticing.

"...(Hm)"

Again, I felt a presence near the back of my head.

It was really unsettling.

If it were Sister Elinora, how many times would I have lost consciousness by now?

When I changed my walking rhythm, the presence moved away.

What on earth was it?

The only people here were Linaria and me.

So the cause must be Linaria.

I was on guard, but I decided to lower my guard to draw her out.

While trying not to sense the intermittent presence, I walked to my room.

So, I turned around to speak normally.

"..."

"..."

Linaria's small hand was resting on my head.

"...Pet pet."

"No way!"

"Oops, did you not like it?"

"Well, not exactly. It's just confusing to be suddenly petted on the head."

"You know a lot of difficult words, Alfred."

"No, that's not the point right now."

Is she really that innocent?

"Um, I just found you so cute and wanted to pet you..."

She had been reaching for the back of my head several times.

I must seem like a small, cautious animal to her.

"Do you like children?"

"Yes! I'm the youngest daughter and only have sisters. I've always wanted a little brother!"

She clenched her fists and explained with enthusiasm.

I see, I understand that. I really do.

In Japan, I had three older sisters and was the youngest brother.

I was always at their mercy and used as a toy.

Even now, if I had a little brother, I could use him as a shield against my sisters and Sister Elinora.

"I understand. I want a little brother too!"

"Really!? Then why don't you become my child?"

Her enthusiasm seemed a bit off.

"That's a bit of a leap. First, you should have children with Lord Yuri... I mean, Viscount Yuri."

"U-Uh, children with Justel? That's embarrassing."

"No, no, you're married, right?"

I realized we had been in the hallway for a long time, so I invited Linaria into my room.

"I'll warm up now."

"But there doesn't seem to be a fireplace in this room, does there?"

I answered Linaria's question by creating two small fireballs with fire magic.

"Wow, magic! Lady Elina said you could use magic, Alfred, and you're really good at it."

"Well, I practice a lot at home."

Recently, I've been practicing a certain non-magic to escape from Sister Elinora.

Magic is something that makes this world more enjoyable and can also protect oneself.

"I can only use a little wind magic. Do you have any tips?"

"Hmm. Just use it casually. Knock down branches that get in your way, or refresh the air in your room. Using it for small tasks can be good practice."

"...Do you not practice intermediate attack spells like Wind Slash?"

"No, attack magic is too dangerous. There aren't many threats in Coirat Village, and you can use everyday applications for defense too."

"I see. Alfred, you have a unique way of thinking."

Alfred, that name has really stuck...

"It's a bit difficult, but you'll get used to it if you use it every day."

Be flexible in your thinking. Magic can enrich your life.

And it can protect you from all kinds of threats, mainly from sisters.

As the conversation settled, Linaria began to look around the room.

It's a bit embarrassing to be observed so closely.

"Oh, it's Reversi."

Linaria noticed the Reversi game on the table.

Well, I've been playing a lot lately, and I don't really want to play today.

"It's becoming popular in the capital too, isn't it?"

It seems the traitor Triella is handling things properly. Good, good. But I'm suddenly feeling angry.

"Yes, that's good."

I sounded a bit cold because I was angry. No, no, Linaria isn't to blame.

"Yes. Thanks to that, my father is very happy. Oh, my father is Duke La Urazji."

"Duke!?"

Such a big daddy!?

"Um, didn't I mention that?"

"First time I'm hearing it!"

A duke is a very high rank, second only to the royal family, right? They hold vast territories.

"Alfred, you really didn't listen to my father's stories, did you?"

Sister Elinora appeared with a disappointed voice.

I always tell her to knock!

"No, I did knock. I wouldn't not knock with a guest present."

You must have hidden your presence. I didn't notice you at all.

"Maybe Lady Linaria has some connection to the royal family?"

"N-No, I have no connection to the royal family."

Linaria hurriedly denied my question.

Good. I don't want to be involved with the royal family.

"Then why did you marry Viscount Yuri?"

"That's what I wanted to ask too!"

I joined in with my question.

"Well, um... I... I fell in love at first sight."

Linaria blushed and looked away.

It's cute when she doesn't blush.

"Did you fall in love with Viscount Yuri? When?"

Sister Elinora pounced on the opportunity.

Love stories are popular everywhere, especially when they're about others.

"Um... seven years ago."

Criminal! Viscount Yuri is a criminal!

Seven years ago. How old is Linaria!?

"Excuse me, how old are you, Linaria?"

This is important! Even in this world, where early marriage is encouraged, this seems dangerous.

Sister Elinora seems to be saying, "That's rude," with her eyes.

"I turned sixteen this year."

So, a seven-year love affair starting at age nine.

I knew there were betrothals among nobles, but a seven-year-old falling in love and it actually working out...

Even as a former Japanese person who is somewhat tolerant of lolicon and has read "The Tale of Genji," I can't accept this.

"So, how did you end up together?"

Sister Elinora, that's a good question.

"Well, at first, my father didn't approve, but after years of persistence, he finally accepted it, and I also developed a mutual love with Justel."

She smiled shyly.

"Years?"

"Seven years."

Linaria answered with a full smile.

"You're so pure."

There's not a hint of ulterior motives.

I pay my deepest respects to this noble lady.

"Love across social classes. How romantic..."

Sister Elinora's eyes seemed to be filled with emotion.

"Sister Elinora, you lack the skills to fall in love."

"Ha!? I have those skills!"

"Do you even know what 'feminine skills' are?"

"O-Of course I have them!"

Feminine skills are the power of a woman who lives a radiant life, the power to highlight her beauty and good sense to show her presence.

In other words!

The power to be adored by men.

For Sister Elinora, this is a fantasy power. She can't possibly have it!

I think Sister Elinora's idea of feminine skills is strength and combat ability.

"Ouch!? Why did you hit me!"

"My instincts told me to hit you."

"...Is there such a silly prophecy?"

"Hehe, you two get along so well."

In the room, I was holding my head, and Sister Elinora was crossing her arms and looking away.

Linaria's laughter echoed in the room.

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I want to update "I Want to Live a Slow Life After Reincarnation" more frequently.