Volume 1: 02 - Virtuous Old Man, You're Likely to Jump a Grade

「Alec-sama! That bird is singing! 」

This truly is a prosperous city that is both glamorous and chaotic at the same time.

The city of Molech, it is where a six-year-old me and Angie are taking a stroll because it is a city under my father’s rule and my face is recognizable.

My walk with Angie in this place could be said it’s like wandering in「our Imperial garden 」.

Angie’s attention has been drawn to a single shop for a while now – a bird shop with countless birds hanging in front of it.

「That’s a mimic bird 」

「What kind of bird is that? 」

「You are a curious person aren’t you, Angie? There is always a that twinkle in your eyes when you ask me something 」

「Yes! 」

Angie beamed with the pure smile to my observation.

「I like it when Alec-sama explains things to me! 」

「You like my explanations? 」

「Yes! 」

I chuckle a little.

I had thought she was bombarding me with questions out of curiosity about all sorts of things, the fact that it was not the case made laugh.

However, I decided to explain about the bird to Angie, since I’m convinced that anything that leads to knowledge is a good opportunity to learn.

「Since we are here, I’ll demonstrate it to you with a real thing 」

「Alright! 」

I walked into the bird shop with Angie in tow.

We found the shop filled with elegant adults.

Since it is considered an「elegant 」thing to have a bird, especially a mimic bird, and it’s a trend that’s been in frenzy these days.

And we have stepped into the midst of these adults as six-year-olds.

「Welcome to the — Oh! It’s Alexander-sama 」

「Just, Alec. Do you know me? 」

「Of course, I do. And this must be your wife, Angelica-sama, isn’t that right? 」

「I am his fiancée. I’d like to see some of the things that make a proper wife. Can you show me some of your products? 」

「You need not ask. Walk in through here please 」

The shopkeeper guided us towards the back of the shop.

As we made our way through the shop, I was pulled to the side by several people for casual conversations.

Due to my intelligence as a reborn child, I feel like a mascot whenever I go out into the city because I am always held up by a lot of people.

After politely exchanging words with them, one by one, I sat down with Angie at the far end of the table which we were led to.

「Welcome, Alec-sama 」

The moment I sat down another person came to us. He looks like the owner of this reputable shop.

「Thank you for visiting our shop. What can I help you with today? 」

「Angie is seeing the mimic bird for the first time. I promised to explain it to her with a live one. I’d like the most obedient chick you have 」

「Understood 」

The proprietor bowed to me, and then bowed more reverently to Angie, and left immediately to get the bird.

「Um, Alec-sama. Why did that man show more politeness to me than to you, Alec-sama? 」

「It’s because people here, know how much I value you, Angie, and know that it pleases me more when they treat you more politely 」

「Wa…」

「Sometimes it’s different. Suppose I wanted to show you something cool — 」

「Alec-sama is always cool to me! 」

Angie cut me off in my statement and almost bit her tongue.

「Thank you. But you show more reverence than me Angie 」

「It depends on the situation, I guess 」

「Smart of you, Angie 」

I reached out and caressed Angie’s head.

Angie is a normal six year old girl, unlike me who by mistake of not drinking the holy water, was born with my previous life memories.

Her occasional flashes of brilliance are great source for my excitement of the future.

After a while of waiting, the owner came carrying a bird in a cage.

「I apologize for making you wait. We just got her in the mail the other day. She’s a new-born 」

「Thank you. Is it the right one? 」

「That’s right, sir」

「Okay then, Angie, sing something in front of this chick 」

「What? Wa, I should? 」

「Yeah. I also want to hear Angie’s beautiful voice」

「Wa, okay 」

Angie timidity sang a song to herself.

It’s a nursery rhyme that I’ve often heard, but listening to Angie as sings it, it’s heart-warming.

「Oh, I’m done 」

「You sang it beautifully 」

「Um, I’m so embarrassed. But Alec-sama why did I have to sing? 」

「It’s because… 」

I turned my attention to the mimic bird in the cage.

I met the bird’s eyes, in a childlike manner –- I held my hand out to the bird, to make a gesture at it.

It’s a command that mimic birds which are for sale are taught to obey.

As soon as I sent the sign off, the mimic bird began to sing.

She sang with a clear, beautiful voice, which sounded exactly like Angie’s.

「Is that…. Me? 」

「Yeah. It’s your singing. Mimic means to copy. You know a monster mimic? That one is meant to be a monster that has the ability to imitate a treasure chest. This mimic bird is a bird that imitates the songs of those who it hears 」

「That’s wondrous! 」

Angie’s eyes are shimmering – a reaction similar to the one she gave me when she said she likes hearing my explanations

「Yes it is. I still think Angie’s singing is more beautiful. That’s what I think 」

「Thank you for your visit. I envy you, Alec-sama, you have a very beautiful fiancée 」

「Oh no…. 」

Angie’s cheeks don’t show a reaction, a sign that she is unfazed by the man’s words.

「I’ll take the bird. So I can watch you, Angie, sing in unison with it 」

「Okay, I’ll try my best for Alec-sama 」

「Well then– 」

I took a piece of sheet paper from my pocket.

It is a piece of parchment with the coat of arms from my Carlisle family.

On it I put a date, the fact that I am buying a mimic bird, and my signature – Alexander Carlisle.

This is how the nobles shop, and the shopkeeper will then take this to the mansion to receive the payment.

I can just make a verbal promise to pay them since I am the eldest son of Duke Carlisle, but I prefer to make a testimonial like this.

"

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I finish writing it down, I then confirm that it’s correct, and handed it over to the shopkeeper.

「…Ummm 」

「What’s going on? Am I missing something? 」

「No, I’m just impressed with Alec-sama’s handwriting. Pardon me, but it’s hard to believe that this handwriting is that of the six-year-old. It could be said to be the handwriting of the family headmaster. I’m impressed. As to be expected of Alec-sama’s handwriting 」

「Thank you 」

I instantly felt an ogling from right beside me.

Angie was looking at me with a happy and very proud expression.

Even though she is smart, she is still only six years old.

I have already forgotten what she said earlier, that in some cases, she does some of the things to cheer me up.

It is cute.

I accepted the mimic bird and left the store with Angie.

*The Carlisle Mansion, the Master Office*

「Mmmm 」

「What’s the matter with you? 」

「Oh, it’s you, Is Alec back yet? 」

「No, what are you doing? 」

「I am to write a letter of reply to Earl Raymond. Earl Raymond is a distinguished person, and thought I’d have Alec, who is already a far better writer than I am, to write him 」

「So that’s it 」

「Ah, I can’t wait for Alec to take over the headship. I’m sure Alec will manage to further improve the House of Carlisle 」

「You shouldn’t say that, dear. You’ll have to put that up for another 10 years, maybe 20 years. Do you want to disappoint Alec by being a bad father? 」

「Ugh! No, I don’t want that… Mmmmm… I will do my very best 」

「Yes, please do your best 」

「Okay, for now I will think about what reply to write until Alec comes back 」

「Dear… That’s not right」