NOVEL WEB Chapter 299 (Self Edited) – Being Impressed
Chapter 299 (Self Edited) – Being Impressed
“Uhm… that is…?” (Aina)
Aina’s confused voice echoed on the spot.
No, it was obvious that she was actually confused just by looking at her face. She looked as if she was asking for help, but Soma gently looked away.
It had nothing to do with Soma.
“Sorry, Aina. I’m not asking you to forgive me for being happy. But at least I pray for you to have a strong life–…!” (Soma)
“Hey, stop with that weird acting…! It is as if I’m going to have a weird experience, you know!?” (Aina)
“Well, you’re right. It already looked weird.” (Hildegard)
“I’m not pleased when you say something weird. I’m not trying to be rude to her. No matter how you look at her, Aina-san is cute, isn’t it?” (Eleonora)
“The weirdness is not because of that, right…?” (Hildegard)
“Hmm… certainly, I think she’s cute rather than weird.” (Soma)
“C-cute!? Hey, why are you suddenly saying something weird!?” (Aina)
“Yes? No, I don’t think I’m saying anything weird. I just said what I thought as I saw you…” (Soma)
“Haa!? I got it! You don’t have to say anything anymore!” (Aina)
Honestly speaking, it was quite unreasonable to say so, but if he was told to keep silent, he had no choice but to do so. Then, Soma looked at Aina’s whole body.
Her current appearance was different from the usual one. What made it unusual was that she was completely familiar with the sensibilities of this world. However, it might be natural if fifteen years had passed.
In the world where there were basically no mass-produced clothes, it was common to wear similar clothes almost all the time. Even if the seasons were different, the part to put on and take off would only either increase or decrease, and the design of the underlying clothes didn’t change. Even if people changed clothes as they grew up, it felt like they were going to make the original clothes bigger as they became. In many cases, the appearance wasn’t much different when they were children.
On the other hand, it might be because Radeus was a poor and small country, but it was at least like that from Soma’s common sense. The only exception was the Academy. Since uniforms existed at the Academy, they would have to wear special attire during that time.
But that also meant that they wore similar clothes all the time when they were attending the Academy. Therefore, it was in the same sense that there was no difference in clothes.
However, the clothes Aina was wearing at the moment weren’t the Academy’s uniform she had been wearing. Obviously, she wasn’t wearing the Academy’s uniform. In a sense, it was unfamiliar clothing–…
“Hmm…” (Soma)
“Wh-what?” (Aina)
“Hmm……” (Soma)
“I ask you, what is it!? You could at least say it, you know!?” (Aina)
“Well, I’m not saying anything because I was told to keep silent, right? Hmm, if I have to say, you have grown well, and I’m impressed.” (Soma)
“…! Grown well… that’s obvious isn’t it!? Rather, where are you looking, you pervert!?” (Aina)
“I feel like’ I’ve been slandered without reason, isn’t it…?” (Soma)
Soma shrugged at Aina who covered her chest with cheeks dyed red.
But he didn’t really see her that way. It was true that when he looked at her, he could see that he had really grown up. The eye level, which used to be at the same level before, was a lot lower, so he could see the parts where it had grown up well too. Even though she was a bit away from him, she wasn’t that far enough to the point he couldn’t feel how far she had grown up. When he checked her out again, he certainly felt that she was growing up.
That said, the clothes that she was wearing for the situation was a bit weird.
“Still, I often see the clothes you’re wearing here. But I don’t think anyone wears them in the shrine.” (Soma)
“Certainly, no one wears it at this point. Well, even though there’s no one wearing it, I’m the one who prepares it, so there may be many people who wear it.” (Eleonora)
“You’re very considerate about that, huh.” (Hildegard)
“Well, isn’t it surprisingly perfect? It’s hard to believe that you prepared it in anticipation of what I would wear.” (Aina)
“Oh my, that’s not true, you know. It happens, so yes. A coincidence is scary, isn’t it?” (Eleonora)
“It doesn’t have to be white color, right?” (Aina)
“Well, isn’t it alright if it was prepared for this reason? After all, you look pretty good.” (Soma)
“W-what!? Didn’t I tell you to keep quiet and you don’t have to say something unnecessary!?” (Aina)
“To keep quiet or to say something… hmm, Aina is really selfish…” (Soma)
Soma shrugged his shoulders while saying that, and he looked at Aina who still had her cheeks dyed red. He was impressed because he thought that Eleonora had prepared such clothes really well.
It was a white apron dress with frills that combined a black dress. The head was covered with a headband with white ruffles which was unquestionably for a maid.
It was an attire that had no use in the shrine by any means. When he thought about why it might be used for some reason, what else he would think about. It was most probably a joke.
He had an idea of someone who considered this and was likely to do it… However, what was surprising was it was actually executed. Speaking of which, it was a prank, and Soma didn’t think Eleonora would do such a thing. But given that she was actually doing it, he might be quite fond of that too.
“Even so, Soma-san, you were looking at those clothes very thoroughly, isn’t it?” (Eleonora)
“That’s certainly true… It shouldn’t be that unusual for you, right?” (Hildegard)
It doesn’t matter if it’s weird or not, but it’s just a matter of preference, yes? Just by wearing those clothes, Soma-san can take a closer look and she even said that you look good. Then, I’ll have to wear it for a while.” (Eleonora)
“There’s no way I’m just going to keep quiet about that. Aren’t you the lord here, even though only by name? Wouldn’t it be weird for the lord to wear the outfit for a maid?” (Hildegard)
Soma let out a sigh at those two who were talking to each other. If possible, he wanted to leave both of them alone, but he couldn’t do it because they were addressing the matter to Soma.
Yes, the discussion between Aina and Eleonora had already ended. Anyhow, there was no reason for Aina to wear a maid outfit. Eleonora was a bit unusual for asking Aina to change into the maid outfit during the discussion.
By the way, the reason why Aina changed into a maid outfit was, to put it simply, Eleonora had decided to take care of her for a while. Well, it didn’t make sense, wasn’t it?
First of all, the discussion itself was almost over when Aina announced Demento’s position. To begin with, that was the only purpose of Aina, and she had no further discussion with Eleonora.
So, her role as an envoy ended there, but she remained a proof of cooperation. Of course, that wasn’t the only reason for trying to remain here, and Eleonora was well aware of that.
Otherwise, Eleonora wouldn’t mention the word ‘companion’ which would be used again in tomorrow’s discussion. And considering that tomorrow was the day with ‘classes’, the intention was clear.
Well, Iori, the Demento King didn’t know the person Eleonora, but at least, Satya knew Eleonora. In that case, this situation might be something related to that fact.
Anyhow, it was decided smoothly that Aina would stay here, but the treatment was the problem. Rather, should it be said to be a problem? It was actually about Aina.
At first, Elenora tried to treat her as a normal guest similar to Soma, but Aina refused since she wasn’t in a position to be treated in that way. But then, what about her position? She was a princess and an envoy of a country. Even if the country hadn’t been recognized yet, the fact that she was a princess and an envoy didn’t change
Rather, she should be treated properly as a matter of her reputation… However, Aina’s also didn’t mind. After many twists and turns, Eleonora decided to temporarily treat Aina as a maid and an envoy of another country.
“…No, I don’t really understand what that means.” (Soma)
“What?” (Aina)
“I don’t understand why this happens.” (Soma)
“Aah… Well, when I think back, I wonder why this happened, but… I personally think that it’s a satisfying result, isn’t?” (Eleonora)
“Are you talking about the treatment as a maid?” (Soma)
“Originally, she wasn’t a princess. So, it will be easier.” (Eleonora)
“Hmm…” (Soma)
The words weren’t unreasonable, and it seemed that she was honest. Then, Soma must not say anything about it.
“Is that so? I wonder if I will be taken care of as much as you can.” (Soma)
“Yes…? Why is that so?” (Eleonora)
“Well, Aina will serve for a while here, yes? And, I’m a guest. So, isn’t it normal for me to be taken care of by Aina?” (Soma)
“That’s true, but somehow, I’m not surprised.” (Eleonora)
“Well, it would be nice if she takes care of me. Then, please do so, alright?” (Soma)
“You… do I have to wake you up in the early morning!?” (Aina)
“Ooh? If possible, you can try it. Let me tell you beforehand, my morning is early, you know.” (Soma)
“…You’re really waking up early.” (Aina)
Aina muttered with a bitter look, and Soma shrugged her shoulders. Well of course, he didn’t have to say this but that was a joke. It was a joke that Aina was also participating in it.
However…
“Say… when I think about it, you will be together from morning to night, right!? In that case, I will also…!” (Hildegard)
Somehow, flying sparks unnecessarily spread. Soma let out a sigh.
“It’s fine to think of that as sleep-talking.” (Soma)
“Oh my… but yes, that will be a good idea. However, Hildegard-san isn’t allowed to enter this area. One maid should be enough.” (Eleonora)
It was obvious that Eleonora said that with a smile on her face which was a result of taunting her. After all, she might like this kind of exchange. Well, her eyes didn’t seem so, but he was sure that was because of his mind.
“You…! Why did you ask me to wear that earlier!?” (Hildegard)
“Well, if I say that, wouldn’t it make you excited about me? But shouldn’t I be the one who was excited?” (Eleonora)
“I’m not the lord here!” (Hildegard)
“Then, no matter what I do here, it’s up to me, as a lord, yes?” (Eleonora)
“What did you say!?” (Hildegard)
“What!?” (Eleonora)
Soma shrugged as all of these had started again… Aina, of course, had an indescribable expression on her face.
“…I’ve been thinking about it for a long time, but are those two on bad terms? Or is it good terms? To be honest, it looks like either of them though…” (Aina)
“Well, that is the correct answer.” (Soma)
If they were really on bad terms, they wouldn’t fight like that or vice versa. The way of showing friendship was different for each person.
With that in mind, Soma shrugged his shoulders again while Aina and him watched the exchange between the two.