Encountering the Daughter of Count Mobuno in the Capital II

Translated by: ME

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*****

「...Yes. That is correct...」

Gai and I exchanged a side-long glance as we observed the young lady before us. Her upturned blue eyes wavered with an expression somewhere between anger and distress.

(Doesn't she have any attending maids or guards? Did she shake them off?)

I tilted my head, blinking my round eyes in confusion, while Gai simply shrugged his shoulders.

Paying no mind to the two of us, the Daughter of Count Mobuno looked away with a prickly expression and began to speak.

「...I heard that there will be a debut at the Margrave's estate around autumn.」

「Yes.」

(There certainly will be. Not that I want to do it, though.)

I shot a flat look at Gai’s face. Naturally, it was because he was smirking.

「I heard that the one being debuted is a girl.」

「Yes.」

(That’s right. She's the toddler currently gnawing on a skewer right in front of you.)

Gai looked down at the skewer still in his hand. He seemed to be debating whether to finish it before it got cold.

(Seriously, just stop it.)

「...Who is Claude-sama’s partner? Do you two know?!」

「...Pardon?」

I was momentarily stunned, but Gai—who seemed to have realized something—began to tremble with stifled laughter.

「It's a debut! That means a child was born, doesn't it?!」

「............」

(Oh boy, so that’s how she’s taking it.)

I was at a loss as to how to comfort the Daughter of Count Mobuno, who now looked like she was on the verge of tears. I wanted to leave it to Gai, but... at the moment, that man was useless.

...I wondered if it was appropriate for two young ladies to be standing and talking in the middle of the street, but apparently, the commotion between her and Claude was nothing rare. The townspeople didn't seem to pay much mind to the noblewoman standing defiantly in the thoroughfare, which was telling in its own way.

「...Gai, go buy some drinks.」

「Su~re.」

While giving a playful reply, he glanced around to confirm there was no danger. He casually exchanged looks with the guard knights blending into the city.

Yes, in truth, guard knights were watching over us from everywhere. Whenever I went out, they were always secretly mixed into the surroundings. It was just like that variety show where a toddler goes on their first errand. Truly, I was being perfectly watched over from "Good Morning" until "Good Night."

In terms of status alone, I was a person of very high birth. I was the daughter of the main Gilmore house and the granddaughter of the Margrave of Azenda—the head of the Gilmore branch family. Furthermore, I was a descendant of the Royal House of Haltia, even if that kingdom had already perished.

Because of my personality, I lived lightheartedly with only one maid, one footman, and one guard, but... normally, I wasn't the kind of young lady who would casually gnaw on a skewer while standing in the street.

That being said, I didn't care. I kept munching on the remaining meat as I walked. Munch, munch.

The Daughter of Count Mobuno watched the toddler with a complicated expression.
(I generally understand what you want to say, but it'll get cold and I want to throw the stick away...) I made excuses in my head.

「Shall we sit on that bench? Your feet will start to hurt if you keep standing, right?」

「...I can't sit in a place like this!」

「Then, shall we keep talking while standing?」

「............」

The Daughter of Count Mobuno hesitated for a moment, then sat on the bench with a sigh. I caught the eye of a guard knight who had moved closer and signaled him.

(Go. Call. Her. Maid.!)

The knight nodded and ran off. Still, I wondered if she had slipped away or ditched them; it seemed the Daughter of Count Mobuno was quite the handful herself.

As I sat down beside her, the young lady frowned and scolded me.

「You're sitting next to me?! Normally, you should remain standing. At the very least, ask for permission!」

Since I hadn't revealed my status because it was too much trouble, I considered it "no count," but normally, she was the one who should be standing or asking for permission.

「Ehh! But then we can't talk comfortably.」

「...Well, I suppose you are small... It can't be helped. Just this once, it’s a special exception.」

「Thank you. So, about the debut, right?」

The fact that she allowed it after all showed that she wasn't such a bad person. She was just a bit overbearing, a bit self-centered, and a bit prickly.

「Yes! What kind of lady was he seeing for it to come to this...」

Hmm. I crossed my arms. In reality, I had no idea if Claude had a girlfriend. If he did, I could just tell her the truth and be done with it.

In this world, it wouldn't be strange for someone his age to have a lover or two... or even be married. But despite his great beauty, he didn't seem to have even a hint of a woman's presence around him.

(Talk about a waste of a good man!)

And Claude was incredibly busy.

He had his work with the knights, his work with the military (occasionally), acting as the lord's deputy, and looking after and following up on me. He trained his body, enjoyed the arts, read, and researched... just like that rare metal alloy, he was often making strange things. Between the gaps, he dealt with me, supported me, took care of me, and supported me again. As the youngest son, Claude had a surprising "big brother" disposition... or rather, he was like a mother hen.

(Is he a superhuman? Yes, he is!)

If I ever dared to ask about a lover, he’d likely radiate a cold aura and tell me he was far too busy for such things. However, it is also a truth that the busier people are, the better they are at managing their time.

Well, he was a young man. He probably wasn't a saint. ...It was a territory I shouldn't poke carelessly.

「The one being debuted is the daughter of my older brother's brother-in-law. You know there are two Gilmore houses, don't you?」

「...Yes. The Marquis Gilmore house of Ascald, right?」

The young lady nodded with a dubious face, and I nodded back.

(I'm calling him 'Older Brother' instead of 'Claude-sama' this time... but maybe my indirect way of speaking isn't getting through? She’s completely ignoring it.)

「To my brother, she is his niece. That’s the child who is debuting.」

「...Why at the Margrave's estate?」

(That's a fair point. Anyone would think that.)

「...Well, because there are circumstances (mostly because of my father). By the way, it's a six-year-old celebration. Not a baby.」

「Six years old...」

As expected, the lady gasped. That was the reaction I expected...

(I really don't want to do this... I'll be sitting on a bed of needles.)

The Daughter of Count Mobuno was still holding her breath. Her mind was likely racing.

—'Circumstances,' 'six years old,' 'a debut in a remote borderland rather than the family home.'
If I threw out those keywords, she would conveniently misunderstand on her own.

「I see... so that’s how it is...」

「Yes. So, she isn't my brother’s child.」

I stated clearly the answer to her biggest concern. Just as the lady began to look serious while reflecting on the rumored debut toddler, Gai returned with the drinks. After thanking him and taking them, I handed one to her.

「Here, please. You must be thirsty, right?」

「I can't... drink something sold at a stall.」

She shook her head slightly. (I thought she'd say that,) I noted.

Since both my grandfather and uncle were the way they were, I ended up like this too. ...I would certainly be scolded for eating while standing, but eating and drinking at stalls or carts was "no problem."

My uncle, who seemed fastidious at first glance, surprisingly liked commoner food. Whenever he came to the capital, he often ate stall snacks with me. Furthermore, since I had memories of Earth, I had no resistance to stalls, carts, or festivals.

My grandfather was the kind of gentleman who would roast a dragon whole. No problem.

「My brother drinks them too, you know. They’re surprisingly good. I won't force you, though.」

「............」

「Also, if you truly like my brother... I recommend you try to see him for who he is, rather than how you want to see him.」

「Eh...?」

I couldn't understand the psychology of stalking someone to the point of being a nuisance. Personally, I would put the other person's convenience first, and the cowardly desire not to be hated would also kick in. I might have a sense of shame, or perhaps a small amount of pride.

The fact that she could act so recklessly must mean she really did like Claude. However, being self-centered was no good. ...It was bad for Claude, who suffered the nuisance, but I felt it was worst for the lady herself in many ways.

Gai was smirking.

(You owe me one, brother.)

「My Lady... suppose a certain man proposed engagement to you. But you turned him down. That man loves you very much, so he appears wherever you go and keeps saying 'the Daughter of Count Mobuno is my fiancée.' Even if you ask him to stop because you can't accept his feelings, he won't stop and continues to follow you... What would you think?」

「That's... disgusting!」She frowned and spat out the words.

「But he really, really loves you, you know?」

「Even so, it's unacceptable! It only makes me hate him more!」

「I see.」

I nodded.

「It’s the same, whether for a man or a woman.」

「!!」

The young lady finally realized I was talking about her. Her face contorted and she looked down. She gripped the cup in her hand tightly.

「But... I love him. I can't give up!」

「You don't need to give up.」

「Eh...?」

Hearing those unexpected words in response to her own strained voice, the Daughter of Count Mobuno looked up in surprise.

「In the first place, feelings aren't something you can suppress even if you try. You can keep loving him. However, if you love him, you have to consider his feelings and position as well.」

I took a handkerchief from my pocket and handed it to her, as tears were welling up, reflecting her turbulent emotions.

「Aren't there plenty of people in the world who stay in love silently? I think that’s perfectly fine.」

「...Is it not a nuisance?」

「I don't think it's a nuisance if you're just thinking of him. Chasing him around, following him, or telling lies is a nuisance no matter how you look at it... Generally, no one likes someone who is high-handed or selfish.」

(Except for people with very specific tastes,) I added in my head.
...I'm definitely not thinking of Gerald right now! ...I made excuses in my mind even though no one had asked.

「Why don't you try supporting the person you love instead? While polishing yourself at the same time. Perhaps one day your feelings will align, or perhaps they won't. This is something that depends on the other person, so it can't be helped. Just as you can't suppress your own feelings, he has the freedom to feel how he wants. ...But wouldn't it be better to be considerate so that he can spend his time happily, rather than making him feel bad? Isn't that the kind of action you can take precisely because he’s important to you?」

The Daughter of Count Mobuno looked at me with a slightly angry face.

「You should treasure your own feelings of holding someone dear.」

Whether it was love, friendship, or familial affection, I added.

---

「...My Lady.」

It seemed her maid had arrived to fetch her. Sensing the atmosphere, she called out with concern.

The Daughter of Count Mobuno hesitated for a brief moment, looked down, and then downed the juice in one go. She shoved the cup back at me. After wiping her tears, she shoved the borrowed handkerchief back as well.

「...Don't talk to me like you know everything!」

「My Lady! ...My apologies.」

The young lady's face, which should have been projecting strength, looked terribly fragile. Once she silently climbed into the carriage, the maid bowed repeatedly, and the carriage set off with the downcast lady inside.

---

「...There she goes.」

「Indeed. I hate it; as you get older, you get meddlesome and preachy.」

「............ My Lady, you're only five, though?」

「Oh, right.」

I sighed at Gai's perfectly reasonable retort. I felt incredibly embarrassed after making two "admonishing" speeches in a single day.

(Actually, I'm the one pushing my will through the most!)

I knew it. It was a massive boomerang. I rolled my eyes internally.

「...Well, you're doing your best, My Lady.」

「...Anyway, I’m feeling cranky, so let’s go admire Victor-san's weird red hair before we go home.」

「...Didn't you just say something about being considerate and so on?」

「...It’s fine. Victor-san is a special case.」

「...Please, give the man a break. If you do it too much, his hair might actually fall out.」

And so, the exhausted young lady and the cheerful, eccentric guard started walking toward the Guild building with smirks on their faces.

*****

Note: Magnolia-sama, The Love Guru (Lol)

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