NOVEL WEB Chapter 300 (Self Edited) – Spending Time by Talking
Chapter 300 (Self Edited) – Spending Time by Talking
Now, Aina was taken care of at the shrine as a maid, but it went without saying that this was only as a public appearance.
In the first place, Aina had never experienced it, not to mention being trained as a maid. Even so, there was no way she could suddenly work as a maid in the place where the lord of the Holy City lived.
There were already enough maids in the shrine. Moreover, since they served the shrine of the Holy City, they were naturally maids with first-class skills and experience. There was no room for Aina to enter in various ways.
Although Soma and others knew this wasn’t the case, it was possible that she was a spy or someone who planned to assassinate Eleonora. She couldn’t be used as a maid.
By the way, Aina noticed that fact when she had dinner. She tried the work herself, but was refused because Eleonora couldn’t let a guest do that.
Rather, if she was really trying to be a maid, it would be a problem if she leisurely stayed together with Soma in his room until dinner time, but… it could be said that Aina didn’t notice that matter at all.
“Hmm…” (Aina)
“So, Aina. How long do you want to be sulky?” (Soma)
After she had finished eating dinner, and went back to her room, she was treated as a normal guest, but she was pouting and groaning. It was hard to say that was appropriate for her age, but Soma had no choice other than to smile since he understood her feelings.
“Hmm… It’s always on my own.” (Aina)
“Well, yes, but do you want to serve so much?” (Soma)
“Rather than that, I put on something like this even though I don’t want to serve you. Well, aren’t you having fun since I’m changing into these clothes…” (Aina)
Even if her resentment was seen, Soma could only shrug his shoulders. It was Eleonora, not Soma, who made her change into that dress.
“Anyhow, for some reason, I feel that you’re enjoying it? I mean, what do you really like about the clothes?” (Soma)
“T-that’s not true! What is the basis for that…!?” (Aina)
“There’s no basis… I know that you couldn’t do it even if you wanted to serve, but I think, it’s clear when you’re still wearing that clothes, right?” (Hildegard)
“Uh…!?” (Aina)
It seemed that was right on point, so Aina turned away without refuting Hildegard.
In fact, Soma was aware of it because it was too obvious. Even if she couldn’t help it at the dinner, she wouldn’t change the clothes when she returned to her room.
Given that it was a symbolic dress that she had been asked to wear, she should want to change the clothes as soon as possible. By the time she didn’t, it was clear that she liked the maid clothes.
By the way, the room given to Aina was actually next to Soma’s room. It was likely to be a splendid room since it was next to Soma’s room.
After all, Aina was a princess and an envoy. It wasn’t possible to allow her to stay in an inferior room, and given that there was only Soma as a guest, it was right to do so. Although it was theoretically correct to assign a room based on the position of the guest, Eleonora didn’t have to put her in an inferior room if she didn’t have to keep a distance from the other person.
In addition, even though Hildegard cunningly said she would move there, she was joking anyway. Anyhow, the reason why Aina came to Soma’s room even though it was next door was to spend the time.
As long as Aina was treated as a guest, there was nothing for her to do. In that case, it was quite normal for her to go to her acquaintance to spend time.
Going back to the main subject…
“Uh-uhm, it’s not that I really like these clothes… yes, I promised to wear this as a condition of staying here. That’s why I have no choice but to wear it.” (Aina)
No matter how Soma thought about it, it was just an excuse that she just thought about, but if the person in question was convinced by it, it should be fine. More importantly–…
“Well, I don’t mind because you look good in it. At least, I’m not lying when I say so. If possible, I would like to be served by Aina in these clothes.” (Soma)
“W-well… if you get it…! Wait a sec, I’m not wearing it because I like it, you know!?” (Aina)
“You can’t hide how happy you are when you’re saying that, so that line isn’t convincing at all.” (Hildegard)
Perhaps, Aina couldn’t hear Hildegard muttering softly, but when she sullenly turned away, her mouth was slightly loosened. Of course, he didn’t dare to point that out.
It seemed that she was in a good mood.
“Hmm… Anyhow, if Soma praises you so much just by wearing that clothes, I feel like I should wear it too, right? And then, I will whisper on the bedside when waking you up in the morning. ‘Good morning, Master. It would be nice for us to sleep together!’ That’s perfect…!?” (Hildegard)
That fool was getting excited when she thought of something, but Soma didn’t dare to say anything. It didn’t matter anyway.
Well, he thought that he would read some suitable books in order to spend time, but currently, this was what was happening. By the way, he had finished reading all the books that would make him spend time. In today’s daytime, Soma was looking for something that could replace the books, and he met Aina on the way, so naturally, he still had no new books.
He went out to look for it on his own since he didn’t want to put a burden on Eleonora, but he supposed that he couldn’t help it on that aspect. However, Eleonora had spent a considerable amount of time during Aina’s visit, so at the moment, she should be working again. As expected, he couldn’t get in the way for personal reasons.
If he needed to ask for books, it was possible to ask the maids and employees here, but it was unknown whether they could find books he wanted to read. However, no matter what books they brought, it was good enough in a sense. Even if the books weren’t suitable, he just had to put up with it. He didn’t have to spend so much time anyway.
As it had been already mentioned, there were maids here, but they were wearing native clothes. Everyone was wearing something similar, so it looked like a uniform here. It also meant that there was no chance for maid clothes.
Then, when Soma was wondering whether he should go out and borrow some books or to be guided to the place where the books were…
“Say, Soma.” (Aina)
“Hmm? What is it?” (Soma)
She interrupted his thoughts and he turned to her. In his view, Aina was tilting her head with a serious face, as if she was moody or perhaps, anxious.
“Are you concerned about something?” (Soma)
“Well… speaking of being concerned, yes I am, but what are you both doing here? I’m here because I have something to do, but I haven’t heard about you. You have been here since you disappeared, right?” (Aina)
“Not all the time, but… well, you’re right. So, about that…” (Soma)
“Yes. Well, since it’s you, I’m sure you’re involved in something.” (Aina)
Should he say that Aina had sharp feelings or she had already read the pattern? Well, the result was the same regardless which one it was.
That war was declared because of him in order to save the world.
It wasn’t known whether Aina could be convinced if he said that.
No, since it was Aina, she might easily believe it. While saying that he was involved in such a thing, she looked at him with surprised eyes.
However…
“Hmm, yes… by the way, I would like to ask you one thing before that.” (Soma)
“What is it?” (Aina)
“Didn’t you tell Eleonora that you are her companion? Do you understand what that means?” (Soma)
Iori probably understood the general situation. On top of that, Aina told Eleonora that they would be her companion who had been declared in war.
However, it was unclear whether Aina understood that much. She probably knew it since she was the upper echelon of her country, but other than that, Soma couldn’t say anything.
But as for Aina–…
“No? I don’t understand. I was told that it will get through if I say that.” (Aina)
“Is that so?” (Soma)
He was expecting that when he heard that reply. Iori didn’t dare to inform Aina, but it was likely that she would try to find out about it here.
Goodness… Iori was a friend who tried to be an extra.
“I suppose you know about it, right?” (Aina)
“Yes, but I’m not going to tell you, alright?” (Soma)
“…Why not?” (Aina)
“That’s because it’s troublesome to explain various things, and I have to put double effort.” (Soma)
“Double effort…?” (Aina)
“Well, you’ll probably know tomorrow.” (Soma)
“Tomorrow? That reminds me, you said that there will be something about that tomorrow…” (Aina)
Apparently, Aina could understand it to some extent with those words. The dissatisfaction in her eyes disappeared. At least, he could understand in a glance.
She was smart in many ways and she was a capable lady.
“Yes. Then, I’ll look forward to tomorrow.” (Aina)
“It’s good to do that.” (Soma)
What kind of conclusion would Aina make when she hear the story?
That he was the enemy of the world, but… there were probably not many who could choose to rebel against the world. Even if they knew that they would die, the world was so powerful anyway. Some wouldn’t blame if she chose to bend her knees since he didn’t have the qualification.
But still, if possible–…
“What the… there’s no response from Soma!? Are you being irresponsible… No, are you ignoring it!? Hmm… it should be good enough as it is now, right!?” (Hildegard)
“…Is ‘that’ unbeatable?” (Soma)
Suddenly, a stunned voice leaked… and at the same time, his shoulders were slightly weakened. When he realized that, he was putting effort on his shoulders.
This wasn’t like him at all. Immediately after, he smiled.
“There’s nothing that can be done when it comes to ‘that’… or will it get worse gradually?” (Soma)
“Well, you’re in charge of that matter, yes? So, do something about it.” (Aina)
“It’s beyond the territory that I can manage.” (Soma)
“Hey, if you can’t do it, no one in the world can do it.” (Hildegard)
“That would indeed lift me too much.” (Soma)
While having nonsense talk, they were smiling at each other.
Then, Soma shrugged his shoulders and wondered what would happen tomorrow.