Chapter 45

Chapter 44

Our Exhibition is Operating Normally - 3

After being expelled by Louise and then taken in by Margareta, I found myself living a peculiar exhibition life where I would leave the booth every morning as soon as I arrived. Each time I left the booth, Villar would look at me with a gaze that seemed to say, "What the hell is this kid up to?" It was a bit painful, but I couldn't really say anything.

I never thought I would end up in such a wandering state. Given that I was the one who first fled, even though I was supposed to have called people for labor, it was a situation where I really had no words. Even if the three countries' forces, including Villar, came for protection, this image of blatantly slacking off and running away was too obvious.

Still, as a civil servant, I couldn't ignore Louise's words as a civilian. I hope you understand.

"This year's exhibition is unusually quiet. Last year, something would happen every now and then."

While silently apologizing to Villar, Margareta, who was walking beside me, spoke up.

"Is that so? I've never seen last year's exhibition, so I wouldn't know."

"At that time, there was a subtle power struggle over booth locations, and there was competition for attracting customers."

That makes sense. If I hadn't run the booth at all, I might not have noticed, but with the visible results from running the booth, the prideful nobles naturally started competing. Once they started, the blue-blooded ones who would go to great lengths to win were quite numerous.

"Hehe, this seems to be thanks to the Kal style. I'm really grateful."

I smiled slightly at the giggling Margareta. As she said, my influence wasn't insignificant.

The participation of the inspector and the gathering of various nobles to see me. Even if they were full of youthful vigor and competitive spirit, this lineup would make them a bit cautious. If I inadvertently helped Margareta, I'm glad.

"If I was of help, I'm glad. Ah, do you want more?"

"Yes, thank you."

Margareta, slightly blushing, took a few corn kernels from my hand. Seeing her blushing face, I almost laughed, remembering what had just happened.

Originally, I wanted to give her something simple to eat because she hadn't had breakfast, but she refused, saying it looked undignified. She didn't like the idea of walking around with food in her hands?

It would have been difficult to sit down and eat, too. If there had been time, she wouldn't have skipped breakfast in the first place.

"Then I'll carry it around, and you can eat it when it's convenient."

"Huh?"

So I bought some corn nearby, peeled off about a dozen kernels, and offered them to Margareta. She looked confused, and her trembling pupils were quite striking.

"This way, it's not like I'm carrying it around. Take as much as you want to eat."

"T, that... Thank you."

Margareta hesitated for a moment, then bowed her head and took the corn from my hand as if biting it. After that, I decided not to think about our expressions. It was my mistake for holding my hand too close and causing a misunderstanding. Margareta's good nature for not embarrassing me and going out of her way was commendable.

Anyway, that's how I decided to think about it. Margareta, with the corn in her mouth, really looked like she was about to cry.

Look, even now, her face turns red whenever she sees corn.

"If it's inconvenient to take it by hand, you can do it like before."

Margareta, who was mumbling, bowed her head deeply, which was quite impressive. I couldn't help but smile at the sight.

This is why I'm grateful and apologetic to Margareta. She treats me honestly even though I've been pushing her away. Even after rejecting a marriage proposal and not seeing her for a year, her attitude hasn't changed.

'Living is tough.'

Even I feel bitter, so how must the Iron-Blooded Duke feel? I owe too much to the Barrenti Dukedom.

After walking around with Margareta, I return to the confectionery club booth in the afternoon. No matter what, wandering around all day is tiring, so I received permission from Louise to return to the booth in the afternoon.

In summary, I play outside in the morning and rest inside in the afternoon. Saying it like this makes me feel like a messed-up adult.

"Brother, please sit down comfortably."

"Brother. Just watching from behind is also helpful."

Even the members seemed to notice my presence in the corner, and they passed by with a word. From their perspective, it seemed like a considerate suggestion to rest.

'New recruit, huh.'

No matter how positively I think about it, it feels like a new recruit left alone. The feeling of being told to rest by the officers as they pass by is quite miserable. The consideration and attention only made me feel worse.

When I looked at Louise, she turned to me, sensing my gaze, but with a smile, she quietly shook her head, meaning I should stay put and not think about other tasks.

I'm really grateful for the attention, but it's hard to just sit there and do nothing when I know others are working.

"When else will you rest if not now? Take a good rest."

As if reading my thoughts, a voice came from beside me. Turning my gaze, I saw Lyutis, who was running his hand through his red hair and smiling.

'He's always surprising.'

It's not that Lyutis's red hair is surprising. I just thought of the various hair colors of the confectionery club members.

Louise has pink hair, Erih has black, Ainter has gold. Lyutis, Lather, and Tannian have red, blue, and white hair, respectively. With six people, how often do you see such a diverse mix? Maybe the author used this to differentiate them since it's a fantasy setting.

"Huh? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Nothing, it's nothing."

I sealed the thought that Lyutis and Lather standing together make me think of a traffic light deep in my heart.

"Well, if it's nothing."

Lyutis, chuckling, sat down next to me and offered me one of the coffee cups he was holding in both hands.

"The aroma is quite good. Would you like a cup?"

"I'm fine, but..."

I looked at him with a questioning gaze, wondering if it was okay for him to be here, and Lyutis laughed and said:

"Ha ha. Everyone is now familiar with their tasks, so they take turns resting. It's my turn to rest now."

Indeed, it's good for those who can rest when there's a break. I nodded and took the coffee Lyutis offered, but I wasn't sure if the aroma was as good as he said.

"This is something Erih made. He was worried about you and worked hard to make it."

"Is that so?"

Thinking about it again, it might be good. Hearing that it was made by Erih, I kept drinking it. I'm not sure about the aroma, but it's definitely infused with family affection.

"Are you hurt anywhere?"

Then, Lyutis, chuckling at my appearance, spoke softly. The sudden and contextless question made my gaze turn to him.

"What do you mean?"

"Did you really think no one would know?"

"Ha."

I sighed softly at his words.

Yes, there were many signs. The sudden addition of the head of the first department, and a few days ago, the head of the first department and I disappeared together and didn't show up until the booth closed. If I didn't find it strange with those signs, I wouldn't be a noble.

Thinking about it, I feel a bit irritated. These guys, who are usually disastrous in matters of love, why are they thinking normally now? If Lyutis knows, Ainter, Lather, and Tannian probably know too. Given that they were worried about me, Erih probably knows as well.

"Of course, I don't know what happened. Just that something happened, that's all."

"You don't need to worry. Nothing happened."

"Is that so?"

Then a moment of silence fell, and Lyutis broke it first.

"Thank you, Inspector."

My hand, which was about to take another sip of coffee, stopped. Nobles shouldn't easily say "thank you" or "sorry." As the ruling family of a nation, they shouldn't easily express their emotions. This is a tradition that has been passed down from ancient times.

...Of course, seeing their behavior in the club, it doesn't seem like a big deal, but in a one-on-one conversation, it's not something to be said lightly.

"Is there something to be thankful for to me?"

"Why not? You work harder than anyone else for us, Inspector."

Those kids.

For a moment, I suppressed the words that rose to the tip of my tongue and looked at Lyutis silently. Regardless of my feelings, for a noble to express emotions so honestly is a big deal.

Again, I'm excluding their behavior in the club.

"I always appreciate it. Not just me, but the other members can attend the academy without any trouble."

"Is that so?"

"I know that you, like this time, are working hard to make it possible."

"Is that so."

My response to Lyutis's sudden words was awkward. Our relationship isn't hostile, but it's not close either, so hearing such words is embarrassing.

And it seemed the same for Lyutis, as he scratched his head a few times and sighed.

"Speaking indirectly doesn't suit me."

"Indeed, it doesn't."

"What I want to say is that there are many people who are grateful to you, more than those who dislike you."

"Huh."

Clearly, it's Lyutis speaking, but why does my face feel hot just listening?

"No matter what problems or worries you have, there are many people who are grateful to you and willing to help you."

"..."

"─That's what Louise asked me to convey."

The serious atmosphere was broken by Lyutis's laughter, and I couldn't help but chuckle. This kid, I thought something was up, but he was just delivering a message from Louise.

When I turned my gaze to where Louise was, she flinched and gave an awkward smile. Since there was no reason to be angry, I waved my hand to show it was okay.

"This is really something, Louise was so earnest in her request. I'm worried she might start competing with you."

"Why, before competing, she might try to send me elsewhere?"

"Would you be sent away if you were sent?"

What's so funny, I couldn't help but laugh seeing his chuckling face. They say laughter is contagious, and seeing this kid, it really seems that way.

"If we do compete, it won't be easy, but I'll try."

"Surprising."

"Already, five of us are competing. What's the problem with six? Besides, Louise isn't an object, so I have no reason to stop it."

I thought, as a noble, he would use his power to get Louise without hesitation, but he's surprisingly normal. This is really unexpected.

"Why? Did you think I would say something like, 'If I can't get Louise, I'll destroy everything'?"

If he had that intention, he would have used his power to get Louise, Lyutis added, and I nodded quietly. Indeed, compared to their status, the competition for Louise is really on a small scale. It's so ridiculous that it makes you want to laugh and cry.

"Fight cleanly and accept defeat cleanly. That's what a knight of Armain is."

"Cleanly, but there's a lot of rivalry."

"Ha ha ha! That's also part of the competition."

Having finished his share of coffee, Lyutis stood up.

"So, if I lose, I'll have to accept it. But I hope it doesn't come to that."

The same goes for the other four.

With that, Lyutis, who was heading back to the members to continue working, suddenly turned around.

"Ah, I mean it when I say thank you. If I didn't have that feeling, I wouldn't have done this favor for Louise."

'Ha.'

Seeing Lyutis's retreating back, various thoughts came to mind. If he had put half the effort into Louise-related matters, things would have progressed much faster. This is definitely a noble, but why does he act like this at the most important times?

After slightly adjusting my evaluation of Lyutis, a wave of embarrassment hit me.

'Was it that bad?'

For Louise to mobilize Lyutis, how bad must I have been? I know I was different from usual, but was it that bad? But what can I do? I can't change something I couldn't resolve in two years in a moment.

Even now, it's not easy to change. If it were possible, I would have already done it. Still, to be worried this much by a kid my age, it's quite embarrassing.

Author's Note

Today is Mother's Day. I met my grandparents yesterday and had a good time with my family. I hope readers have a fulfilling Mother's Day!

Thank you for reading this chapter!

Thank you for the support, Kanggerupar!