Chapter 62

"Haha, it's Al!"

Rana, with an innocent smile, hugged me. This made Eric flinch and step back.

As a result, the threat to my chastity passed, but I felt a new kind of danger approaching.

By the way, Rana, you're a noble after all, aren't you?

I had suspected as much from the well-tailored clothes she wore when we first met and the older sister who came to pick her up in a carriage. Now, she was wearing a light blue, frilly dress. The frills and her twin tails swayed, making her look very cute.

"You're a noble too, Al?"

When she said this with such delight, I couldn't bring myself to be rude to her.

However, Rana's older sister didn't seem to feel the same way.

"Hey! You can't hug people you just met!"

She scolded Rana sharply.

Hearing this, Rana let go of my arm and replied with an innocent expression.

"But we've met before, haven't we?"

"Huh?"

Unable to understand Rana's incomplete statement, her older sister looked at me, as if asking me to explain.

I straightened my jacket, which had been dislodged by Eric, and explained that a few days ago, I had been with Rana on the main street of the southern part of the capital when she was lost.

When I mentioned that Rana had been lost, she puffed out her cheeks and said, "That's not true!"

You're right. It was this older sister who was lost, I corrected, and Rana nodded in satisfaction.

Her older sister seemed to understand this as well and was smiling wryly.

"So, you were the one who protected my sister. Thank you. I'm sorry, I didn't realize it before, and when I asked her about that day, she only said that she played with a big brother..."

Rana's older sister bowed deeply, looking apologetic.

Then, she raised her head and scratched her cheek, looking embarrassed.

"No, it's fine. I enjoyed it too."

"Is that so? My sister caused you trouble. By the way, could I have a moment of your time?"

She said this with a smile, but her eyes weren't smiling at all.

I had a bad feeling about this.

But I thought she probably wanted to check if Rana had been in any danger that day, so I couldn't refuse.

"Sure, it's fine."

I managed to answer with a wry smile.

"Then, let's go to that terrace."

Rana's older sister's chestnut hair, which looked almost golden, swayed as she walked.

I followed her.

Sigh, we're going to the terrace again. I hope it doesn't turn into a long conversation like last time.

"Ah! Big sister, are you going to play with Al alone? That's not fair!"

"It's not like that. We're just going to talk for a little while. I'll be back soon, so play with that grumpy-looking big brother over there."

For some reason, the part about "grumpy-looking big brother" was said coldly. Was it just my imagination? I hadn't done anything to make her dislike me. I'll just assume it was my imagination.

"Hey, is he talking about me!?"

Eric, looking confused, looked at Rana.

Rana smiled at Eric and said, "Hehe, play with the grumpy-looking big brother!"

I wanted to see how Eric would handle Rana more than I wanted to talk on the terrace.

"Come on, hurry up."

"Okay, okay."

From the terrace, you could see the garden owned by the Duke of Ringrande. If it were daytime, you would see a beautiful, lush landscape, but it was night now.

The sky was clear, and the moonlight, along with the lights placed around, created a different kind of scenery.

On another terrace a short distance away, a noble couple was standing close together, quietly gazing at the moon.

There were no words exchanged, and even I could tell the atmosphere was perfect.

In this beautiful scene, even words of praise seemed out of place.

They silently gazed at the sky.

Looking at them, I thought, "I wish there was a lunar eclipse or something."

If I were an adult, I would be drinking wine while enjoying this view, but unfortunately, I'm only seven years old. Drinking alcohol is prohibited at my age in this world.

Before I was born into this world, I was an adult who enjoyed drinking, so when there's good food, I can't help but want to drink alcohol.

Ah, that meat would go well with red wine...

"Are you listening?"

I was pulled back to reality by an irritated voice.

"That day, the man who was with Rana was only you, right?"

Rana, in this context, of course, refers to Rana. She narrowed her eyes and pierced me with her gaze.

"Yes, and one of my maids was with us."

Why do I have to go through this kind of interrogation? I should be the one receiving thanks.

"That means it's your fault that Rana started using strange words after that day!"

"…Huh?"

× × ×

"What's your name, big brother?"

Rana asked Eric with an innocent smile.

"…Eric."

Eric answered in a rather indifferent manner, but Rana didn't mind.

"What's your favorite food?"

Rana, who had been getting along well with Al (at least, that's how she felt), was curious about Eric, thinking he must be an interesting person too. Eric, of course, didn't realize this.

"…Meat."

"What's your least favorite food?"

This was a slightly embarrassing question for Eric, so there was a pause.

"…Vegetables."

"…Same here!"

"…Yeah, same here."

× × ×

"It's your fault that Rana started calling the maids 'bad maids' and saying things like 'troublesome' and 'I want cookies'!"

She suddenly barked at me.

The couple on the other terrace, who had been gazing at the moon, reacted with a start and quickly left, looking disappointed.

…Indeed, I remember the "bad maid" part.

Rana must have learned it when we teased Mina.

The maids in Rana's house must have been surprised to be called "bad maids."

However, I don't remember saying "troublesome" to her face.

Maybe she picked it up from my muttering or from our conversations while walking or waiting in line at a food stall.

As for the cookies, I firmly deny that it's my fault.

Mina was the one who talked about cookies while we were waiting in line. It's not my fault, it's Mina's.

"Recently, she's been asking me to do silly things like perform a cookie-eating act."

I'm sorry. That's definitely my fault.

"…She's at the age where she wants to be pampered."

"Don't joke with me!"

I thought I could try to lighten the mood, but she glared at me.

Why are women so scary? I don't want to be glared at like that.

As I smiled wryly, she sighed deeply.

"…Well, it's fine. It seems she had a lot of fun that day. I'll keep an eye on her language."

"Sorry about that."

"I don't know if we'll meet again, but please be careful with your words around her."

She pointed at me and then returned to the party.

Since my stay in the capital is short, I probably won't see her again.

Just as I thought that, she came back with a clatter.

What is it? Does she have more complaints?

"By the way, I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Sheryl Misfield. I'm a member of the ducal family that has supported this country since its founding."

…Why am I getting involved with ducal families today?

And the name Misfield sounds familiar.

Wasn't she the author of a magic book?

"My name is Alphriette Slaugret. I'm the second son of the Baron of Slaugret."

There's nothing more to say.

After hearing my ordinary introduction, Sheryl said, "I see," and returned to the party.

So, Rana's full name is Rana Misfield, then...

Well, Rana is Rana, so it's fine as it is.

When I returned to the party, Eric was slumped over.

In contrast, Rana looked energetic, so she must have been quite a handful.

I was thirsty, so I got some water from a waiter.

I asked for alcohol, but it was in vain. The servants of a ducal family are indeed reliable.

Looking at the glass of water, I wondered if it could turn into red wine. Rana ran up and hugged my arm.

Yeah, Rana is still Rana.

I'll try to interact with her without worrying about her being from a ducal family.

"Al! How long are you staying in the capital?"

"You shouldn't hug people you just met!"

I don't like the way you say "hug." It's just a little arm around me. I don't think it's that big of a deal.

But, as a member of a ducal family, she probably expects a certain level of decorum.

"I've met you before, Al."

"Even so, it's not okay."

"Then who is okay?"

"Well, family or... a lover, I guess."

"A lover?"

This seemed to be beyond Rana's four-year-old understanding, as she tilted her head in pure curiosity.

Indeed, a deep question.

Sheryl was at a loss for words and looked around, but I was drinking water to avoid getting involved. I had just been warned not to teach her anything unnecessary.

Eric was also getting water from a waiter.

He has a good sense of danger.

Realizing we wouldn't help, Sheryl struggled to answer in a way that wouldn't cause trouble.

"A lover is someone you have feelings for, like..."

"Hmm, I don't understand."

Indeed, that's a bit complicated for a four-year-old.

"Um... basically, someone you kiss."

Wow, Sheryl really simplified it.

Well, this way, Rana might understand a little.

"Then, it's okay! I kissed someone!"

"Huh? Who? Really!?"

Sheryl's face changed as she shouted.

Wow, I heard that young people these days are more advanced, but even in another world?

I watched the interesting development as a third party, sipping water.

"Al, of course!"

I spurted out the water I was drinking.

"I can talk to animals and monsters, too."

This story is also heartwarming. Please check it out if you like.

http://ncode.syosetu.com/n8660db/