Formerly, The Fallen Daughter of the Duke

6. Meet

“I guess I surprised you. Yes, luggage”

Along with a refreshing smile, he turns to Claire to give him the trunk case.

Apparently, he wasn’t like a thief.

“I’m Vik. I just called because the lady was on a walk.”

“I was a little surprised, but it was very helpful because I was in trouble. Thank you.”

Claire relieves herself and returns a grin.

“I helped because I felt like an ant translator, but I can stay up for the night soon. The real squire is coming? Wouldn’t it be dangerous for one of the women to walk?

(… ugh)

I was poked at a picture star.

When Claire was having trouble answering, he continued.

“Are you hungry?

―――――

The city of Aeas is busy with cafes and restaurants even after 10pm.

Every store is crowded with lots of customers.

Beer hall with delicious sausages, specializing in cheese dishes. The bakery where you can buy bread tomorrow morning is still open.

Claire was walking along the main street of the city of Aeas with him.

(It’s been so long since I’ve been this busy…!

Even when I return to Martino’s mansion here, Claire’s heart jumps when she hasn’t been out of the city in a while, with all of Charlotte’s night club offerings or voicemails.

“Sounds like fun.”

He speaks to Claire with tender eyes.

“… it’s been a long time, the city”

“Here we are, here. We have company upstairs in the restaurant.”

(… here!?

I invited Claire to dinner. He brought her to the finest place in the city of Aeas.

It was a hotel Claire was thinking of staying at for now because of the church’s well-watched and likely dispersed size and crowd.

(I was anxious to get to strangers, but I’d be reassured the other way around here)

Entering the restaurant upstairs, he naturally escorts Claire to the deepest private room.

How smart the trick was, Claire learned nostalgia and relief.

“I was walking, and I got one more, okay?

When you open a private room door, he says.

“Good evening. May I interrupt?”

Claire goes on to say hello, too.

“Of course…… you brought an amazing beauty, Vik”

Inside, there are three young people sitting with their eyes rounded.

Feeling just a little older than Claire, they look like knights from the outfit.

A knight greets Claire with the biggest and most youthful look.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Keith.”

“Nice to meet you. Sorry to interrupt all of a sudden. Claire Ma…… my name is Lux”

Claire, who inadvertently nearly utters her real name, rushes to modify the track.

“You’re Mr. Claire. My name is Lewis.”

A knight with a neutral appearance, with beautiful semi-long lacquered black hair, asks Claire to shake hands.

“Regards”

“I’m Donnie. You’re welcome.”

A knight with a nostalgic smile like his youngest child opens his hands and asks for a hug.

(… uh…)

“What are you doing?”

When Claire was confused, Vike slapped Donnie’s back of the head with a flat hand.

“It hurts. Weird thing is, Vik is serious.”

(Good, doesn’t look like a bad bunch of people)

Claire was also horrified that his name, Veek, was not a pseudonym.

“You can ask for whatever you want”

Vike gives Claire the menu.

(Burgers with fried chicken, baked potato cheese & meat sauce, rice noodles……! There are plenty of menus I haven’t eaten since I stopped in the city…!

The tension was inadvertently raised.

I look at Claire with her sparkling eyes as she looks at the menu, and the four of them are smiling couscous laughing.

After ordering a paella of seafood, baked potatoes and two glasses of wine for the grace salad in the woods, which Claire barely decided upon, Veek said.

“That sounds kind of like a real translation ant, Claire.”

I don’t know.

“I think that’s who saw it. You’re wearing such fine clothes, and you’re walking alone without a squire on you at this late hour, and you’re trying to get rid of that jerk-off carriager.

……

Claire can’t argue.

“I just thought, I guess this isn’t the first time you’ve been in this inn that’s the finest in the city.

Even if it looks like you’re asking, it’s a gentle voice.

I’m sure you’re not questioning Claire’s origins, you’re really worried and telling me.

“Right. Sure, I’ve been here a few times.”

Claire, who was unable to gauge the distance, tried to deflect herself with an ambiguous response as to whether she could talk about the situation. And go on.

“But I’m not bringing you. I’m going on a journey by myself.”

“Alone!? Can you guess?”

Vik asks quickly.

“Somehow, you’re worried sick and caretaker about Veek…. heh. Father… Yes…”

Couscous laughed softly, and the moment he uttered the word, a large tear spilled from Claire’s eyes.

“Claire?”

Lewis, who watched Claire’s expression carefully, noticed it and shouted Claire’s shoulder like she was in trouble.

“… sorry”

Vike, who perceived that there were complicated family circumstances in Claire’s background, became silent.

“Ah, Vik is no more! Claire, you don’t have to worry about this weather! Are you hungry? What’s the alternative to alcohol? Sangria here is so popular with girls.

Talk to Claire as Keith awakes.

“True, how cynical to make a pretty girl cry. Don’t reflect, Vik.”

Donnie is also trying to change the air in pursuit of Veek.

“Wait a minute… Vik’s not bad… I’m sorry.”

Sorry for everyone’s kindness, Claire managed to squeeze out her voice, but I never felt any sign that the tears would stop.

(I don’t know why myself)

Maybe it’s because it’s been a long time since I’ve had a nostalgic city dish and been spoken out gently.

Claire’s tears never stopped when I remembered so much worry that my father used to make me feel at home.

(not ladylike)

Back to back with the feeling of impatience, I felt that the tears that were overflowing were softening and softening Claire’s heart, which was shrinking and solidifying into a cocoon.