Translator: Blushy
Editor: Sam
Iâm bored.
Iâm in the greenhouse because Iâm bored. It was autumn and getting colder outside, but the sun was shining brightly in the Albans greenhouse, and it was warm even if the windows were opened and the breeze came in.
The greenhouse was also used for practical purposes and fruits and vegetables that normally couldnât be cultivated in autumn were grown here, but it was boring to see them all the time.
Even if I wander around the greenhouse and sit on the couch when I get tired, boredom is boredom. Itâs been two weeks since our attack on the Academy, I mean, our visit to the Academy, but I was still under house arrest. Itâs a waste of time to lock up a toddler who doesnât understand the reasoning behind things for two weeks. I wonder how Nico is doing.
âHmph, Iâww read a boow.â (Hmph, Iâll read a book)
I lifted myself off the couch and Hans chuckled.
âYou look like an old lady, Lei-sama.â
âRude.â
But I have a feeling that Iâll really lose my motivation if I continue living this lazy lifestyle.
âLei-sama, isnât Master coming back for lunch today? Heâll be back in an hour or so.â
âOh yeah!â
I slid off the couch when I heard Natalieâs words. Otou-sama said that he had work to do at home, so heâll be leaving the castle early. But, depending on the nature of his work, I might be locked out of his office, so I might be bored in the afternoon too.
âIt would be nice if Chris-sama can come over, but sheâs under house arrest too. Well, I donât think anything good will come out of you guys getting together, so I guess not being able to meet is the right decision. Though it still wonât improve the situation even if you donât meet.â
I donât know what Hans was mumbling about, but Iâm not going to pay any attention to him.
After that, I passed time by walking up and down the stairs to kill time while waiting for Otou-sama. So, I was the first person to think it was strange when I heard the sound of the carriage.
âThe carriage shoundsh differenth thhan normaw.â (The carriage sounds different than normal)
âThen, it must be a guest. Since thatâs the case, please go back to your room, Lei-sama,â Jude, the butler who was waiting in the hall with me for Otou-sama, reminded me. Everything should have been successfully wrapped up, but the people in the mansion were still overprotective since they were scared that I might be kidnapped again.
âThe guard ath thhe gathe weth thhem thhrough, sho ithâsh awrighth.â (The guard at the gate let them through, so itâs alright)
I know that the guard at the gate will check guests before they enter the mansion, so no suspicious people will make it to the mansion in the first place. Jude knew this and came up with a plan to compromise.
âThen, you can take a sneak peek from the top of the stairs if you want. Hans.ân/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
âI know. Iâll have her retreat to her room immediately if anything happens.â
Even though I was the lady of the house, I had to take a sneak peek at my guest.
To my surprise, a young man who I knew, and Otou-samaâs carriage driver were the ones who walked through the front door. Otou-sama often rode his Rug Dragon, but it was getting colder now, so he rode in the carriage sometimes. The young man looked nervous, and he clenched the hat that he had taken off. I whispered to Hans who was also peeking from the top of the stairs while enclosing me in his arms.
âLei wnowsh thhath person.â (Lei knows that person)
âYou mean that weak-looking guy? I remember him too. Heâsâ¦â
Hansâs words were harsh, but it was true that he looked somewhat shabby and pathetic.
âHeâsh thhe thechnician for thhe barrier room.â (Heâs the technician for the barrier room)
Hans was silent for a moment, then I felt tension run across his body.
âHeâs the technician who removed the magic stones from the barrier box?â
âAi.â
âThe one who was with Lei-sama and Prince Nico but was of no use?â
I nodded quietly. Hans put up his guard, but I patted him to calm him down. I believe this technician had to remove the magic stone at that time. And what could a simple technician have done to help out?
The barrier box in the castle and the one people carry around with them was made the same way. The only thing that was different about them was how big they were and how fancy they looked. I believe thatâs why magic stones are so easy to replace. If the technician had not listened to the Third Prince at that time and resisted, then he would have been killed and the barrier box would have been destroyed.
âHeâsh jushth a normaw pershon. Ithâsh awrighth.â (Heâs just a normal person. Itâs alright)
Hans seemed to hesitate a bit but decided to watch the situation unfold.
âOh, itâs you Hubert. Did they let you out? And why are you here?â Jude seemed to know him and spoke to him in surprise, but the technician named Hubert quietly held out a folded piece of paper from inside of his shabby jacket.
âIâve decided to look after him for a while. Dean. Oh Master, is this all you wroteâ¦?â Jude whispered in exasperation.
But the driver next to the technician explained, âMaster is busy, and will be a little late, so he asked Leila-sama to have her meal first.â
Otou-sama wonât be here for lunch. I was very upset when I heard that.
âAs for this man, he said, âWeâll take him in, so toss him in the house first. Iâll come pick him up laterâ.â
âI see. Then, go to the kitchen and have something warm to eat before he comes to get you.â
Jude wasnât perturbed by Otou-samaâs sudden action and quickly made arrangements for the guest to have a meal. Then, he faced the young technician.
âHubert, I heard you were being held in the castle. Have they already decided on your charges?â
âYes. Iâm grateful that they didnât charge me with anything since the circumstances were dire, but I was dismissed from my position as the castleâs barrier technician. I was at a loss of what to do, and Dean-sama told me to come to the Albans mansion.â
âHmm.â
I also understand the situation. This meant that this technician is now our property, I mean, our man. If thatâs the case, then I guess Iâm in charge here.
âSince thhathâsh how thhingsh are, wethâsh have food firshth!â (Since thatâs how things are, letâs have food first)
It must have been surprising to suddenly hear a loud voice from the top of the stairs. The young technician panicked when he saw me walk down the stairs.
âAaah, Ojou-sama. Iâm really sorry about what happened back then! It was my fault. Iâm reallyâ¦â
He remembered me and bowed his head to the point where it was almost touching the floor.
âYou had no choish. Lei didnâth mind.â I held out my hand and declared this clearly so that everyone in the house would understand. I was actually curious about what had happened to the young man who had been forced to remove the magic stone at that time. I hoped that he wouldnât be charged with anything. They had only fired him, but if it were up to me, I wouldnât have made him quit and made him work on making the barrier boxes more complicated.
Otou-sama hadnât picked him up out of kindness. He probably thought this man would be useful, but I want him to be properly taken care of first.
âFood firshth, Jude. Lei wiww eath withh him.â (Food first, Jude. Lei will eat with him)
âBut Hubert needs to get cleaned up first.â
âFood ish more importhanth thhan appearance.â (Food is more important than appearance)
Hubert looked hungry. He was shaking so much that he might fall over if you pushed him.
âUnderstood. Then, Iâll leave Hubert to you, Lei-sama. Natalie.â
âYes. This way, everyone.â
Natalie had been waiting nearby. She made eye contact with Hubert and began to guide him to the dining room. I also began walking to the dining room as Hans patted the timid Hubert.
âLei-sama, your eyes are sparkling.â
âTheyâre noth.â
Itâs just that I have a feeling that my boring days are finally coming to an end.