← Previous Chapter | Chapter Index | Next Chapter →

The Reincarnated Thirty-Something Woman’s Otherworldly Reform Life

[The Country of Forests and Lakes]

Translated by: ME

Treat me to a Ko-Fi to give me more motivation!!!

*****

Outside the window, a mixed forest stretches out as far as the eye can see. Dotted here and there are lakes of deep azure and emerald green.

Occasionally, fields peek through the gaps in the trees, revealing a vast expanse of golden wheat waiting to be harvested.

It is a very tranquil and scenic place.

The Azenda Margrave territory was once a small nation known as the Principality of Azenda.

To the west lies the sea; to the north, across a massive forest, lies the Monteorona Theocracy. Although surrounded by sturdy ramparts, it is sandwiched by land between three great powers: the Ascald Kingdom to the east and the Marinase Empire to the south, while the gaps are filled by smaller nations.

This territory, which is slightly elongated vertically, is a small country that can be traversed from end to end in about a day by carriage. To give an image, it is about the size of a typical prefecture—neither too big nor too small.

Inside the carriage, Claude, with his arms crossed, has been endlessly broadcasting a lecture.

「Just what was that language? That certainly didn't sound like words a young lady should utter!」

「It wath a life-or-death crithith. I couldn't be bothewed with wordth or being a young lady in an emergency.」

「You should be bothered at least a little. And there was no life-or-death crisis, was there? Father, myself, and Gai were all there.」

True. Thinking about it calmly, there were fierce warriors present even without Magnolia stepping in.

...As my body has become that of a toddler, my thinking ability—or perhaps my mentality—seems to be dragged down by my physical age. There are frequent occasions where I feel as if I have returned to being a child.

But if you ask if I am purely a toddler, I don't think that's quite right either.

Is it reliving life, or is it reincarnation? Is it a psychological function suited to my age to some extent?

——For example, they say humans are naturally controlled so they don't exert one hundred percent of their potential power. If they used their full strength, parts of their body like muscles and tendons would break, unable to withstand their own force.

Perhaps a similar psychological self-defense measure is being taken...?

While thinking about such things in a corner of her mind, Magnolia puffs out her soft, chubby cheeks.

「Inthtead of complaining, I wanted you to thave me.」

Lily nods silently as well.

Quite right.

「However... Being that defenseless, I'm too terrified to even let you walk in the garden.」

Servas, also with his arms crossed, groaned, leaking a strange concern born of excessive worry for his granddaughter.

「...I mean, thaying I can't even walk in the garden with peace of mind, jutht what kind of demon realm ith Azenda?!」

「That is hardly the case.」

Claude replies, looking exasperated.

Servas is overprotective of Magnolia. After all, she is a small, fluffy, perfectly round living creature.

Having been surrounded by a suspicious smiling eldest son, a second son whose default expression is a scowl, a rough grandson, and the muscle-brained members of the knight order... he finds his tiny, tiny granddaughter, who looks like an angel or a fairy, so cute he can't help himself.

And unlike her appearance, her spirited nature is also good.

Well, the structure of her face itself resembles that person—or rather, the aforementioned mother of Servas himself... but he chooses not to think about that.

Because her atmosphere and her very existence are cute, it is fine.

The carriage traveled for a while longer, passing through a small central town. As the greenery increased again, the Lord's mansion came into view in the distance.

It is reasonably large, but for a Lord's mansion, it is on the cozy side.

Small light-brown brick walls and a brown tiled roof. Small pink and white flowers bloom on the ivy-covered walls.

(It looks like a mansion from a picture book...)

It doesn't look like a house where a muscle-bound giant and a grumpy giant live.

This is Magnolia's new home-away-from-home.

As they rounded a gentle curve, looking out the window toward the mansion, it appeared that the servants and the knights guarding the mansion were all lined up in front, waiting for their arrival.

When the carriage slowly stopped in front of the entrance a short while later, the servants bowed in unison.

「We have been awaiting your return.」

Magnolia was carried in her grandfather's left arm as they exited the carriage. When she was slowly set down, she looked around at the servants.

An elderly man, appearing to be the house steward, looked up with a smile.

(...I wonder what that black stuff leaking out slightly from him is...)

The steward directed a smile with a momentary terrifying intensity toward the Lord who had left so suddenly, but he immediately turned back to face Magnolia.

During the journey here, they had discussed various things regarding the future.

Magnolia, who is basically just a freeloader (or so she believes), intends to obey her grandfather and uncle as long as it isn't anything too strange.

And those two have absolutely no intention of forcing any inconveniences onto Magnolia. On the contrary, they are fully prepared to send anyone who tries flying (physically).

First, they confirmed what to do about her background, which has become a bit precarious since she hasn't had a formal debut.

Everyone is likely aware that she hasn't been debuted, given that their master Servas didn't know of his grandchild's existence. Furthermore, having lived a life of confinement, is it really okay to say she negotiated (?) and left home... even to veteran servants?

I think it's better not to expose the unsightly reality if possible, even without lying.

Even if we fudge it by calling me a relative's child, it will be obvious from my appearance that I am a connection of my Great-Grandmother.

——If it's a child being hidden, generally one would assume it's an illegitimate child rather than a legitimate one.

Either Father Gerald's secret child, or Grandfather's secret child (!!).

...Apparently, there are even rumors that my Uncle, who is adopted, is Grandfather's secret child.

If he were going to do something that convoluted, given Grandfather's personality, he would likely just openly declare it his own child.

With all that said, if we handle this poorly, a twisted and bizarre theory might emerge that I am my Uncle's secret child (Even though he's only nineteen! A four-year-old child?!)... When I argued this point forcefully:

「I don't mind if we just say it as it is, that you are Gerald's child, you know?」

Grandfather blinked in surprise and dismissed it as if it were nothing at all, saying it would be fine, just fine.

——Well, I guess this is a case of "wipe your own ass" (for Gerald).

Since the boss gave the green light, I will follow along.

Magnolia straightens her posture and performs a lady's curtsy.

「Nithetomeetyou. I am the eldethd daughther of the Gilmore Marquith Houth, Magnolia. Fate hath brought me here to be in your care thtarting today. Pleath treat me well.」

She adds a smiling "beautiful toddler" smile for good measure.

...My nagging uncle behind me is undoubtedly grading me with his arms crossed.

The white-haired steward, whom I feel I have seen somewhere before, smiles gently and bows.

「I am Sebastian, serving as the house steward. Lady Magnolia, welcome to the Azenda Margrave territory.」

...Sebastian.

He, who named himself so, stood with his back perfectly straight, unbefitting his age. Dressed crisply in his livery with his white hair slicked back, he smiled without a single opening.

He is radiating the vibes of a "Capable Butler (Steward)."

Magnolia added one new Sebastian to her list of known Butlers (including Stewards).

「...Thank you vewy much.」

At Magnolia's voice, the servants all bowed deeply once again.

*****

Thank you for reading. If you want to help my hobby please download and install LDP9 with my link down below. Just Click the small yellow LDPlayer Banner.