CH 302

I Had A Conversation With Liza

“I’m a nobleman…with land. And so I can’t only think of one person, but…this child must be saved. Even if it wasn’t Leo’s wish, that is the right thing to do.”

“…Indeed. Just how she was treated and lived up until now… It pains me just to think about it…”

It was just sympathy.

Even if you saved one person, there were plenty of others who were also suffering… That being said, one had to start with the person that was in front of them.

Mr. Ekenhart owned these lands and was the duke.

And so some might not look well on him if he showed preferential treatment.

But that wasn’t enough reason to do nothing.

He was too kind for that.

And even if it was hypocritical, I could not abandon her either. And so I supported Mr. Ekenhart’s decision.

“Well, we can think about all that later…”

“Delaying the decision?”

“You might say so. We have to deal with the pressing matter first. Or we will not be able to move on.”

“…That’s true.”

“?”

“Wuff.”

Mr. Ekenhart let out a deep sigh.

I nodded in agreement.

I couldn’t say anything to him.

While I knew that I could live in this world now, I hadn’t thought much about what the future held… Aside from living leisurely with Leo.

As for Ms. Claire and Ms. Lyra… No, nevermind that.

We had to think about the present.

Liza was looking at us with a puzzled expression.

As she was younger than Tilura, she did not quite understand what we were talking about.

She had probably never even studied… But then again, did people even study in this world if they weren’t nobles?

I wondered about this as I picked up Liza and got back onto Leo’s back. Mr. Ekenhart also returned to his horse.

…Aside from the strange cloth around his head, he looked good when astride his horse.

“Thank…you.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

While riding on Leo, Liza suddenly thanked me.

I wonder why?

“The…uh…for the delicious water…”

“Oh, that. It was nothing. Besides, you should thank Leo. It was Leo who made the water.”

“Yes…that’s…right.”

I didn’t think that it was necessary to thank me for some water, but I suppose it meant more for her.

When we returned, I would thank Leo for it as well.

Allso, I would ask Ms. Helena to serve some of that grape juice.

It was sure to be even more of a surprise than some clean water.

Thinking about Liza’s smile made me feel a little better. And so I decided to talk to her more.

“Uh…Liza? You know that you don’t have to try and talk so politely?”

“Huh? …But grandfather said that I should do that with old people…”

“Well, there is no need to with me. You can just talk the way you like. After all, wouldn’t it be tiring?”

“Yes…I under…stand…”

“…Or?”

“Uh… Yes. Uh…okay!”

“That’s good.”

“Wuff-wuff!”

It had occurred to me that she was forcing herself to talk in a polite manner.

Maybe that was why she hesitated and sometimes stuttered?

I wanted her to relax, and so I told her to talk in whatever way was easiest.

While she wasn’t used to doing it, she would get used to it soon.

And so I smiled and patted her on the head.

Leo also barked happily… It was clear that she was also worried about her.

Maybe it was like how she was with Sherry. She saw herself as an older sister.

In that case… I would try and act like an older brother.

…I was not going to be the grandfather, in any case.

“Mr. Ekenhart, are you forgetting something?”

“Hmm? What?”

Some time had now passed.

And we arrived at the mansion just before the sun had set completely.

On the way back, there had been some trouble…or something surprising, but…

Right now, after dismounting Leo, I was standing in front of the entrance.

Liza was amazed. Clearly she had not expected to be taken to such a large mansion.

And so she was looking around with curiosity.

But just before Mr. Ekenhart went through the door, I called out to him.

I suppose he had forgotten?

“Uh… I know that you wanted to cover your beard for Liza…but are you really going to go in looking like that?”

“And what would be the  problem with that?”

“I wouldn’t say that it’s a problem, but…”

Mr. Ekenhart had also snuck out of the mansion in order to go to Ractos.

He had not told anyone about this… Well, he had left a note, but he didn’t say anything to Sebastian or Ms. Claire.

Now that I thought about it, it was impressive that the guards recognized him like this…

I suppose they knew him well enough to tell by his build and overall air.

“You left without saying anything, didn’t you? Perhaps going in from the front door…”

“…Ah, that is true. I forgot about that…”

“Well, I’m sure Sebastian already knows what is going on…”

“You think so, Mr. Takumi?”

“That’s just how Sebastian is… It would be strange if he didn’t notice. And he’s probably told Ms. Claire…”

“Tsk!”

If it was only Sebastian, then that wasn’t too bad… But there could be real trouble if Ms. Claire knew.

Mr. Ekenhart frowned when he heard this.

But now that we were already here…there was nothing to be done. Hell, it was possible that they could hear this conversation from the other side of the door…

There would be no point in sneaking through a back door if they already knew…