His facial expressions were so perfect, and his speech was so slurred that he looked like an idiot even without a stutter.
...Let’s not step forward and just observe the situation.
I tried to come forward because I was afraid that Perdes would lose his temper and reveal his true self.
Judging by Perdes' behavior, I didn't think it was necessary, so I withdrew my half-outstretched hand towards him.
One of the officials, who was silent for a moment because he was embarrassed by Perdes' actions, carefully asked Perdes back.
"Bug... You mean?”
"Yes."
Perdes smiled brighter than ever and shook his head.
“There’s a really, really big bug.”
"OMG."
“There’s a really big bug?”
At the word 'there was', officials could be heard hurriedly looking around.
“Where are the really big bugs?”
“No matter how much I look, I can’t see it...”
“It’s here.”
Perdes pointed his index finger at the officials.
“A very big bug.”
“Yes, yes?”
"Ah. I should say bugs.”
For a moment, I could feel the panic of the bug-turned-officials beyond the wall.
“Phew.”
It was so exciting that I regretted not having seen it, so I covered my mouth with my hand and let out a small laugh.
“Why are we called bugs?”
The official who was hit by the book he threw asked a little angrily.
Then Perdes tilted his head.
“You’re a smart manager, but you don’t know what I know?”
"What...”
“You just insulted Adele.”
“...!”
“Adele is your boss and owner, but you ridiculed and cursed her.”
One of the basic qualities of a nobleman was not to reveal his feelings or intentions.
So, even when nobles pointed out other people's mistakes, they tended to talk back rather than say it out loud.
“What should we call such a person if not a bug? Trash?"
However, Perdes openly pointed out their mistakes and criticized them.
“...”
“...”
Since it was an unfamiliar way of speaking and they had caught talking behind my back, the officials could not say anything and remained silent.
Perdes looked at the officials blankly and held out his hand.
“Give me back my book.”
“Hey, it’s here.”
“Well then, let’s go.”
The officials handed Perdes the book, turned back the way they came, and disappeared.
Perdes watched them disappear so quickly, then turned to me.
It was the scariest look I've ever seen.
It was also a look in his eyes that seemed to have a lot to say.
"Come on."
Perdes took my arm and went into a nearby room.
The sound of the door closing rang loudly.
Perdes stretched out his arms and looked down, trapping me between him and the door.
Just a few days ago, our eye level was the same, but when did it become this high?
Even though it was a growth period, it was a little scary because he was growing bigger every day.
“Why didn’t you say anything to those kids?”
The eyes that contained my image became distorted.
“You say everything you want to me, but why do you show your weakness to those guys?”
“I’ve never done that.”
“There is none! I saw with my own eyes that the Lady couldn’t say anything and just turned away!”
How do I explain this to him so he understands?
I was at a loss. While I was thinking about a solution, Perdes frowned and took a step back.
"Sorry."
Get angry and then suddenly apologize?
When I stared at him due to the stark temperature difference, Perdes covered his face with one hand.
“I didn’t mean to get angry... I was so frustrated that I got angry without realizing it. Sorry."
"It's okay."
It's not because they hate me or criticize me, but because they genuinely care about me, and I was able to accept it as much as I wanted.
Perdes frowned and kicked the ground as if he didn't believe me.
"I am... I think it’s okay for you to become Duke Leopold.”
“Thank you for thinking that way.”
“These are not empty words. I really think so.”
"I know."
“Not only I but also the residents here think that way.”
Why is the story about the territory people suddenly coming out?
His expression was too serious to make me think that he had brought in an unspecified number of people to show that his feelings were sincere.
Is it real?
“How do you know what the residents thinking?”
“When I went out to explore the duchy with my guide, I heard the people of the territory talking.”
After Perdes toured the duchy with me, he went on a separate tour with the guide about three times.
“I can’t say it’s all about the residents of the territory since it’s only about a few people, but all the stories I heard were praise you. Everyone wanted you to become a lord and lead the territory.”
Perdes looked straight into my eyes and continued speaking.
“So don’t listen to those guys and do whatever you want, Young Lady.”
“...”
“You deserve it.”
Qualification. Those words stuck in my heart.
“Because it’s Adele Leopold. You are the one and only daughter of Duke Leopold, so it is right for you to become Duke Leopold.”
That was my intention from the beginning, but when I heard that story, my heart sank for some reason.
Moreover, I couldn't be more reassured that the people of the territory believed in me and supported me.
Of course, as Perdes said, it may be the opinion of some rather than the opinion of all the residents, but where is that?
What was important was that there were people, even just a few, who believed in me and supported me.
Perdes' story was touching in many ways, but there was something I needed to point out before I could fully enjoy that emotion.
“I am grateful, but what you did earlier was a little reckless.”
When I pointed out his mistake, Perdes was shocked and avoided my gaze.
“Perdes’ true identity could have been revealed.”
“...Sorry."
“I deserve an apology for this. If your identity were discovered, not only Perdes would have been in trouble, but I would have been in trouble as well.”
After hitting them with a whip, it was time to give them carrots.
“Still, it was exhilarating.”
With sweet carrots as much as I felt good.
“Thank you, Perdes.”
When I expressed my sincere gratitude, Perdes looked at me in slight surprise.
“I feel a lot better thanks to Perdes coming forward.”
I told him with the brightest smile I could muster.
"Thank you very much."
***
Perdes' routine was simple and repetitive.
He woke up around 5, simply washed his face, and headed to Adele's secret training site.
There, they did basic physical strength training, such as going around the training range, until Adele arrived.
Then, when Adele came, he learned the basics of swordsmanship, such as how to hold a sword and posture.
After morning training, he returned to his room, washed clean, and had breakfast.
After that, he reviewed what he learned last time until Aldor came.
If he had time, he would study in advance, but since there was so much to learn in a day, he didn't have enough time just to review.
Classes usually lasted about 2 hours in the morning and 4 hours in the afternoon but were flexible depending on Aldor's schedule.
The location was also decided by Aldor.
Mostly in the bedroom, but sometimes in the library.
In some cases, it was held in the building where the knights or officials in charge worked.
After class, he stayed in his room and reviewed what he had learned.
The library is convenient in many ways because you can find the materials you want right away.
He didn't want others to know that he was studying at a high level that didn't befit the name of an idiot, so he didn't go to the library unless it was absolutely necessary.
... Perdes also met Adele at the library before.
“...”
Perdes suddenly remembered that incident and wrinkled his nose.
What happened at that time was one of the most shameful events in his life.
Perdes stood up from his book and looked at himself in the full-length mirror.
Thanks to eating well and exercising hard, he grew taller and soon surpassed Adele.
But it was still not enough. Even if he couldn't do it, he wanted to be at least an inch taller.
How can he grow taller quickly?
Should he increase the amount of exercise he does?
Should he drink more milk than he does now?
“...Wouldn’t it be better to use your body?”
Although he is tall, he recently began learning swordsmanship in earnest, but his skills did not improve much, which was a cause for concern.
To relieve his stiff body from sitting and reading books for hours, Perdes headed to Adele's secret training site.
While trying to take out his wooden sword hidden in the bushes, he picked up Adele's wooden sword right next to it.
The handle of the wooden sword was so worn that it could not even be compared to his.
This meant that Adele trained hard in swordsmanship.
'Her skills were also very outstanding.'
The more Perdes learned swordsmanship, the more he realized that Adele's skills were superior.
But why didn't Adele become a knight?
Why is she hiding such great skills?
If she had become a knight, or at least showed off her skills in front of people, she wouldn't have been looked down on so much.
Perdes suddenly remembered the bad things the officials had said about Adele before and frowned.
The reason he went there was to meet Aldor.
He went there because they told him they would be teaching there today, but he said never thought he would see a scene like that.
"Ha."
Even thinking about it again, perdes was annoyed and sat down on the sofa with a deep sigh.
He shouldn't have sent those guys away back then.
'Should I go and get revenge now?'
Adele told him not to do it.
All I have to do is as long as I don't get caught that I did it.
He knew many ways to take revenge without his opponent discovering his true identity.
When Perdes was in the imperial palace, this was a method he often used on Chernoser and other half-brothers.
Of course, if something strange happened to them alone, Adele, who was quick-witted, might notice, but it didn't matter.
All he has to do is stop pretending.
Perdes thought it would be okay since this method would leave no evidence, so he smiled and left the room.
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment