Chapter 39
Translator: Missme
Editor: Aru
“Lord’s shoes…?”
My gaze was drawn to Caleb’s feet before I realized it.
The second issue was that the shoes would be too large or would not look nice with the outfits I was wearing at the time.
‘What will you wear if you give me your shoes?’
“In the warehouse next to the office, there are some extra shoes. It’s never been worn, and it’s probably too big for you, but it’s more comfortable than the shoes you’ve been wearing since they have hardly any heels.”
Oh, he wasn’t supposed to give me the shoes he’s wearing now, but another pair. “Also, I could get new shoes at any moment, so don’t worry about returning them and wear them comfortably.”
It would be impolite to refuse this.
“May I then ask you a favor?”
“Of course.”
Caleb then walked outside to get the shoes.
After a time, he returned with his hand holding a shoe that appeared to be new to anyone.
Caleb knelt on one knee like he had done previously when massaging my legs, instead of handing me the shoes.
Just by glancing at it, the words of disapproval came out quickly as he looked to be attempting to support me in wearing the shoes.
“I can put them on by myself.”
“Because the technique of tying the laces is unusual, wearing it alone will be difficult.”
How tough could it possibly be? It’s simply a pair of shoes.
“If you insist on doing it alone, I will respect your wishes.”
“For the time being, I’ll try to do it on my own.”
Caleb took my word for it and handed me the shoes. And soon after, I had to withdraw what I had already thought. I couldn’t even get the knot untied.
Furthermore, as Caleb mentioned, the shoelaces were considerably different from the typical shoes I had seen.
‘It is not some kind of spider’s web……why was it so tightly tied up?’
The shoe even had a knot in the middle and a partial buckle tied to it.
I gave up after staring at the shoes for a long time and turned to face Caleb.
It’s better to return it than grumble to myself and wander around, trying to figure it out.
“Lord Egon, I believe I was mistaken. I have no shame, but could you please help me?”
“It’s my pleasure.”
Caleb accepted the shoes I handed out while kneeling.
That made me feel even worse.
It indicates he knew I wouldn’t be able to pull it off.
Ugh, if I had known this was going to happen, I would have taken his favor from the start.
“I apologize for bothering you……”
“I told you I was the one who asked for it. You don’t have to worry about it.”
Caleb untied the shoelaces as he talked. It was amusing to see him untie the shoelaces, which never seemed to untie when I loosened them.
I’m not sure why it didn’t work so well in my hands.
“Put your feet in.”
When Caleb told me to place my foot in the shoe, there was more room than when I was wearing my shoes.
But I’m sure it was a lot better since my feet weren’t tight.
Meanwhile, Caleb swiftly knotted the shoelaces and slipped the second shoe on.
“Do you want to try walking? Because my shoes are large, I laced them tightly. I’ll loosen them if they’re too tight.”
“Oh, wait a minute.”
I rose from my seat and took a cautious step forward.
The shoes were a little loose than I expected, but walking wasn’t too bad, maybe due to the tightening shoelaces.
“Is everything all right?”
“Oh, yes. I think it’s perfect.”
“Fortunately. When you get home and take off your shoes, use scissors to cut off the top of the laces. You’ll be able to take it off easily.”
‘You want me to cut the shoelaces? You don’t want it back at all.’
“Thank you very much, Lord.”
“No, and I have a gift for you.”
Caleb pulled a flat cylindrical object from his trousers pocket and extended it to me.
“What is this?”
“It’s a good ointment for muscle pain. I carried it with me when I returned from the warehouse. You’ll feel a lot better if you apply it to a sore place and sleep on it.”
“I appreciate it.”
I smoothed the ointment Caleb gave me.
I was thinking at the same moment.
‘See? You’re a good person.’
* * * * *****
The ointment Caleb gave me worked well.
The muscle pain that has tormented me since the day before yesterday has practically gone away.
Of course, Caleb’s massage had to have played a role as well.
Anyway, because I felt lighter, I smiled as I entered the office and greeted Lord Vessel, who was alone.
“Good morning, Lord.”
“Is there anything good going on?”
“Yes?”
Something good? Nothing special though.
“Because you’re smiling and look really happy.”
“Oh, it’s because the muscle pain is significantly reduced.” When our tensed muscles feel lighter, that’s a good thing, right?”
It happened as I was giddily conversing with Lord Vessel.
Didn’t I have something to say to Lord Vessel? What was that? I was tilting my head.
I immediately remembered what I was going to say to him.
“On top of that, I heard you said to Lord Egon yesterday that I was suffering from muscle pain.”
“Am I? Why would I do that… Oh, indeed, I informed him. But it was only a brief thought, and I didn’t mean to say it.”
“Are you sure?”
“I do, indeed. But why are you asking?”
“Lord, thanks to you, Lord Egon offered me a massage. That’s why.”
I reminisced about what had happened the day before.
Based on the results, my body has recovered, indicating that it worked effectively, but I still despised Lord Vessel, even though I had been in trouble during the massages.
“You’re saying the Commander massaged you, Lady?” That’s why your muscle pain went away after a day.”
Lord Vessel nodded, and I felt extremely embarrassed.
‘Uh, I didn’t expect this reaction, did I?’
“I know you had his massage, but isn’t it cold and refreshing?”
“Have you ever received the massages too, Lord? Lord Egon stated that he used to do that for new members…”
“That’s right. It was six years ago when I was a new member, I was just 19 years old, and I was assigned to the First Knights of the Imperial Family.”
“Wait. When you were a new member…then, isn’t it when Lord Egon is still a newcomer too?”
I noticed that there isn’t much of a difference in age between the two.
Caleb is 26, as the Crown Prince stated, and Lord Vessel had lately stated with his own lips that he is 25 years old.
“Didn’t a one-year member count as a newcomer as well?”
“Well, that’s one thing, but Commander was already a Vice-Commander when I first joined the knights.”
“You stated you joined the knights when you were 19, therefore Lord Egon was already a Vice-Commander when he was 20? Is that even possible?”
“Normally, it’s impossible, but we were talking about our Commander here, so…”
Oh, right. It’s Caleb, not anyone else.
The Male Lead, Caleb Egon.
“Unlike other knights, who generally receive the knighthood between the ages of 19 and 22, our Commander was knighted at the age of fourteen. Our Commander is truly outstanding.”
“That’s correct, but…Lord Vessel is also just 25, yet you’re already Vice-Commander. That’s incredible, Lord.”
“However, it’s no match for him. In the first place, I became the Vice-Commander was completely unexpected. You see, there was a battle with the high-ranking magical beasts before I became a Vice-Commander.”
“High-ranking magical beasts?”
“Yes, Lykel is one of the most strong and tough creatures to deal with. In fact, one or two may be easily dealt with, but there is an absurd amount of them in battle.”
Lord Vessel chimed in.
“Both seniors who were better than me were badly hurt and retired at the time. If it weren’t for that, one of those seniors may have been Vice-Commander instead.”
“Even if anything like that happened, I don’t believe it was unexpected. Lord, your talent is exceptional, which is why you’ve been appointed as the Vice-Commander.”
He gently smiled instead of responding to what I said.
My words did not appear to be comforting as he looked like he was forcing a smile on his face.
‘Uhm, it’d be better to change the subject at this point.’
“So Lord Egon has been taking care of the members in this way since he was Vice-Commander?”
“Yes, Commander stated that it was his responsibility.”
“Wow, that’s incredible.”
“Yes, that is incredible. That’s when I realized I needed to respect and learn from him.”
“So, Lord Vessels, do you also massage the members?
Lord Vessel averted his gaze from mine for a split second.
“Are you not doing it?”
“That, frankly, I’m… a little… busy, so…”
“Didn’t you mention that already? Lord Egon is busier than anyone.
“That’s…because he’s the Commander.”
‘Look at this. You’re talking back, huh?’
But that was an oddly convincing argument, so I accepted it.
Actually, I’m sure most people couldn’t do it as well as Caleb. “Anyway, I’m pleased your muscular discomfort has gone away.”
“Yes.”
I was aware that Lord Vessel was shifting the subject, but I let it go on purpose. Just like he did earlier.
* * * * *
When I returned to my room that evening, I heard a knocking sound from the window.
Tuuk tuk- As I approached the source of the persistent tapping on the glass, I noticed a little pink bird.
Tuuk tuk- I hastily opened the window after noticing a bird pecking at it with its cheeks puffed up.
It was the letter bird I had sent to Vivian a few days before.
The bird came in with a rapid stroll when I opened the window. And he fixed his tiny, round eyes on mine.
‘I should press his cheeks to check the letter, aren’t I?’
I stick my fingers to the bird’s soft cheeks.
A normal bird would flee in surprise, but the letter bird did not flee; instead, he simply stared at me silently. When I pushed my index finger on the cheek of such a letterbird, I felt a warm and gentle touch at the tip of my index finger.
Somehow it feels soft…
While admiring, the letterbird spit out the letter, and his plump cheeks were completely shrunk.
I took up the letter that the letterbird had delivered, feeling weird on a sheet of paper that wasn’t even moist.
I smelled the scent of roses when I pulled the letter paper from the envelope.
It’s a pretty familiar scent…?
Where did I smell it before?
With that thinking, I opened the letter paper and discovered neat handwriting.
[Good day, Lady Oreu. I’m glad you asked to meet with me first.
That made me so happy to hear from my brother.
Actually, I was hoping to see Lady Oreu again.]
I had the impression that Vivian was speaking directly to me when I read the letter.
Perhaps it’s because the letter she sent was much more casual and friendly than I expected.
[You asked me to choose the precise time and location that I am comfortable with, but I would like to see you on Saturday at 2 pm at the Lynwich Cafe on Queenbell Street.
Is it all right?
It’s the biggest cafe on the street, so you’ll have no trouble finding it.]
Saturday 2 pm, Lynwich Cafe…
I think I saw the place while passing by, but I didn’t remember it in detail. There’s nothing I can do. I don’t have an option but to ride the rented carriage.
After deciding on a plan, I wrote a response to Vivian.
I shut the window after seeing a letterbird fly away after devouring the letter.
* * * * *****
‘Did I come too early?’
I checked the clock that hung beneath the sign of the cafe where I was scheduled to meet Vivian.
It’s 1:30 pm right now…
I have a half-hour until the appointment.
Shall I go in and wait in advance? Or should I go around the street instead?
In any case, I can check the clock from anywhere in this world.
I remembered the clock towers and the chained clocks under some shop signs.
People rarely carry watches in this world.
There was a portable watch like a pocket watch, but due to technical flaws, the pocket watch’s hand movement was loud, and it was quite expensive, so people didn’t even have it unless it was intended to show off their wealth.
Wristwatches did not exist under these circumstances.
‘I mean, it’s very odd.’
Some living things, such as stage equipment and drainage systems, are as technologically advanced as modern times as a result of the combination of magic stone and technology, while others, such as watches, are not.
The scheduled meeting time with Vivian was drawing closer as I strolled around the shops.
I came back to the front of the cafe earlier, and soon after, I could see the expensive carriage approaching slowly from a place not far away.
‘I have a feeling Vivian is riding in there.’
I’ve never seen Marquis Vessel’s carriage, but it seemed to be right. Since the time we met was soon.
The horse leading the carriage came to a halt gently, and two uniformed men exited consecutively.
‘Oh, it’s not Vivian.’
As soon as I thought so, Vivian got out of the carriage.
Vivian looked around as she stepped onto the ground with the assistance of the man who had gotten off first.
When she discovered me, she immediately smiled.
Chapter 39
Translator: Missme
Editor: Aru
“Lord’s shoes…?”
My gaze was drawn to Caleb’s feet before I realized it.
The second issue was that the shoes would be too large or would not look nice with the outfits I was wearing at the time.
‘What will you wear if you give me your shoes?’
“In the warehouse next to the office, there are some extra shoes. It’s never been worn, and it’s probably too big for you, but it’s more comfortable than the shoes you’ve been wearing since they have hardly any heels.”
Oh, he wasn’t supposed to give me the shoes he’s wearing now, but another pair. “Also, I could get new shoes at any moment, so don’t worry about returning them and wear them comfortably.”
It would be impolite to refuse this.
“May I then ask you a favor?”
“Of course.”
Caleb then walked outside to get the shoes.
After a time, he returned with his hand holding a shoe that appeared to be new to anyone.
Caleb knelt on one knee like he had done previously when massaging my legs, instead of handing me the shoes.
Just by glancing at it, the words of disapproval came out quickly as he looked to be attempting to support me in wearing the shoes.
“I can put them on by myself.”
“Because the technique of tying the laces is unusual, wearing it alone will be difficult.”
How tough could it possibly be? It’s simply a pair of shoes.
“If you insist on doing it alone, I will respect your wishes.”
“For the time being, I’ll try to do it on my own.”
Caleb took my word for it and handed me the shoes. And soon after, I had to withdraw what I had already thought. I couldn’t even get the knot untied.
Furthermore, as Caleb mentioned, the shoelaces were considerably different from the typical shoes I had seen.
‘It is not some kind of spider’s web……why was it so tightly tied up?’
The shoe even had a knot in the middle and a partial buckle tied to it.
I gave up after staring at the shoes for a long time and turned to face Caleb.
It’s better to return it than grumble to myself and wander around, trying to figure it out.
“Lord Egon, I believe I was mistaken. I have no shame, but could you please help me?”
“It’s my pleasure.”
Caleb accepted the shoes I handed out while kneeling.
That made me feel even worse.
It indicates he knew I wouldn’t be able to pull it off.
Ugh, if I had known this was going to happen, I would have taken his favor from the start.
“I apologize for bothering you……”
“I told you I was the one who asked for it. You don’t have to worry about it.”
Caleb untied the shoelaces as he talked. It was amusing to see him untie the shoelaces, which never seemed to untie when I loosened them.
I’m not sure why it didn’t work so well in my hands.
“Put your feet in.”
When Caleb told me to place my foot in the shoe, there was more room than when I was wearing my shoes.
But I’m sure it was a lot better since my feet weren’t tight.
Meanwhile, Caleb swiftly knotted the shoelaces and slipped the second shoe on.
“Do you want to try walking? Because my shoes are large, I laced them tightly. I’ll loosen them if they’re too tight.”
“Oh, wait a minute.”
I rose from my seat and took a cautious step forward.
The shoes were a little loose than I expected, but walking wasn’t too bad, maybe due to the tightening shoelaces.
“Is everything all right?”
“Oh, yes. I think it’s perfect.”
“Fortunately. When you get home and take off your shoes, use scissors to cut off the top of the laces. You’ll be able to take it off easily.”
‘You want me to cut the shoelaces? You don’t want it back at all.’
“Thank you very much, Lord.”
“No, and I have a gift for you.”
Caleb pulled a flat cylindrical object from his trousers pocket and extended it to me.
“What is this?”
“It’s a good ointment for muscle pain. I carried it with me when I returned from the warehouse. You’ll feel a lot better if you apply it to a sore place and sleep on it.”
“I appreciate it.”
I smoothed the ointment Caleb gave me.
I was thinking at the same moment.
‘See? You’re a good person.’
* * * * *****
The ointment Caleb gave me worked well.
The muscle pain that has tormented me since the day before yesterday has practically gone away.
Of course, Caleb’s massage had to have played a role as well.
Anyway, because I felt lighter, I smiled as I entered the office and greeted Lord Vessel, who was alone.
“Good morning, Lord.”
“Is there anything good going on?”
“Yes?”
Something good? Nothing special though.
“Because you’re smiling and look really happy.”
“Oh, it’s because the muscle pain is significantly reduced.” When our tensed muscles feel lighter, that’s a good thing, right?”
It happened as I was giddily conversing with Lord Vessel.
Didn’t I have something to say to Lord Vessel? What was that? I was tilting my head.
I immediately remembered what I was going to say to him.
“On top of that, I heard you said to Lord Egon yesterday that I was suffering from muscle pain.”
“Am I? Why would I do that… Oh, indeed, I informed him. But it was only a brief thought, and I didn’t mean to say it.”
“Are you sure?”
“I do, indeed. But why are you asking?”
“Lord, thanks to you, Lord Egon offered me a massage. That’s why.”
I reminisced about what had happened the day before.
Based on the results, my body has recovered, indicating that it worked effectively, but I still despised Lord Vessel, even though I had been in trouble during the massages.
“You’re saying the Commander massaged you, Lady?” That’s why your muscle pain went away after a day.”
Lord Vessel nodded, and I felt extremely embarrassed.
‘Uh, I didn’t expect this reaction, did I?’
“I know you had his massage, but isn’t it cold and refreshing?”
“Have you ever received the massages too, Lord? Lord Egon stated that he used to do that for new members…”
“That’s right. It was six years ago when I was a new member, I was just 19 years old, and I was assigned to the First Knights of the Imperial Family.”
“Wait. When you were a new member…then, isn’t it when Lord Egon is still a newcomer too?”
I noticed that there isn’t much of a difference in age between the two.
Caleb is 26, as the Crown Prince stated, and Lord Vessel had lately stated with his own lips that he is 25 years old.
“Didn’t a one-year member count as a newcomer as well?”
“Well, that’s one thing, but Commander was already a Vice-Commander when I first joined the knights.”
“You stated you joined the knights when you were 19, therefore Lord Egon was already a Vice-Commander when he was 20? Is that even possible?”
“Normally, it’s impossible, but we were talking about our Commander here, so…”
Oh, right. It’s Caleb, not anyone else.
The Male Lead, Caleb Egon.
“Unlike other knights, who generally receive the knighthood between the ages of 19 and 22, our Commander was knighted at the age of fourteen. Our Commander is truly outstanding.”
“That’s correct, but…Lord Vessel is also just 25, yet you’re already Vice-Commander. That’s incredible, Lord.”
“However, it’s no match for him. In the first place, I became the Vice-Commander was completely unexpected. You see, there was a battle with the high-ranking magical beasts before I became a Vice-Commander.”
“High-ranking magical beasts?”
“Yes, Lykel is one of the most strong and tough creatures to deal with. In fact, one or two may be easily dealt with, but there is an absurd amount of them in battle.”
Lord Vessel chimed in.
“Both seniors who were better than me were badly hurt and retired at the time. If it weren’t for that, one of those seniors may have been Vice-Commander instead.”
“Even if anything like that happened, I don’t believe it was unexpected. Lord, your talent is exceptional, which is why you’ve been appointed as the Vice-Commander.”
He gently smiled instead of responding to what I said.
My words did not appear to be comforting as he looked like he was forcing a smile on his face.
‘Uhm, it’d be better to change the subject at this point.’
“So Lord Egon has been taking care of the members in this way since he was Vice-Commander?”
“Yes, Commander stated that it was his responsibility.”
“Wow, that’s incredible.”
“Yes, that is incredible. That’s when I realized I needed to respect and learn from him.”
“So, Lord Vessels, do you also massage the members?
Lord Vessel averted his gaze from mine for a split second.
“Are you not doing it?”
“That, frankly, I’m… a little… busy, so…”
“Didn’t you mention that already? Lord Egon is busier than anyone.
“That’s…because he’s the Commander.”
‘Look at this. You’re talking back, huh?’
But that was an oddly convincing argument, so I accepted it.
Actually, I’m sure most people couldn’t do it as well as Caleb. “Anyway, I’m pleased your muscular discomfort has gone away.”
“Yes.”
I was aware that Lord Vessel was shifting the subject, but I let it go on purpose. Just like he did earlier.
* * * * *
When I returned to my room that evening, I heard a knocking sound from the window.
Tuuk tuk- As I approached the source of the persistent tapping on the glass, I noticed a little pink bird.
Tuuk tuk- I hastily opened the window after noticing a bird pecking at it with its cheeks puffed up.
It was the letter bird I had sent to Vivian a few days before.
The bird came in with a rapid stroll when I opened the window. And he fixed his tiny, round eyes on mine.
‘I should press his cheeks to check the letter, aren’t I?’
I stick my fingers to the bird’s soft cheeks.
A normal bird would flee in surprise, but the letter bird did not flee; instead, he simply stared at me silently. When I pushed my index finger on the cheek of such a letterbird, I felt a warm and gentle touch at the tip of my index finger.
Somehow it feels soft…
While admiring, the letterbird spit out the letter, and his plump cheeks were completely shrunk.
I took up the letter that the letterbird had delivered, feeling weird on a sheet of paper that wasn’t even moist.
I smelled the scent of roses when I pulled the letter paper from the envelope.
It’s a pretty familiar scent…?
Where did I smell it before?
With that thinking, I opened the letter paper and discovered neat handwriting.
[Good day, Lady Oreu. I’m glad you asked to meet with me first.
That made me so happy to hear from my brother.
Actually, I was hoping to see Lady Oreu again.]
I had the impression that Vivian was speaking directly to me when I read the letter.
Perhaps it’s because the letter she sent was much more casual and friendly than I expected.
[You asked me to choose the precise time and location that I am comfortable with, but I would like to see you on Saturday at 2 pm at the Lynwich Cafe on Queenbell Street.
Is it all right?
It’s the biggest cafe on the street, so you’ll have no trouble finding it.]
Saturday 2 pm, Lynwich Cafe…
I think I saw the place while passing by, but I didn’t remember it in detail. There’s nothing I can do. I don’t have an option but to ride the rented carriage.
After deciding on a plan, I wrote a response to Vivian.
I shut the window after seeing a letterbird fly away after devouring the letter.
* * * * *****
‘Did I come too early?’
I checked the clock that hung beneath the sign of the cafe where I was scheduled to meet Vivian.
It’s 1:30 pm right now…
I have a half-hour until the appointment.
Shall I go in and wait in advance? Or should I go around the street instead?
In any case, I can check the clock from anywhere in this world.
I remembered the clock towers and the chained clocks under some shop signs.
People rarely carry watches in this world.
There was a portable watch like a pocket watch, but due to technical flaws, the pocket watch’s hand movement was loud, and it was quite expensive, so people didn’t even have it unless it was intended to show off their wealth.
Wristwatches did not exist under these circumstances.
‘I mean, it’s very odd.’
Some living things, such as stage equipment and drainage systems, are as technologically advanced as modern times as a result of the combination of magic stone and technology, while others, such as watches, are not.
The scheduled meeting time with Vivian was drawing closer as I strolled around the shops.
I came back to the front of the cafe earlier, and soon after, I could see the expensive carriage approaching slowly from a place not far away.
‘I have a feeling Vivian is riding in there.’
I’ve never seen Marquis Vessel’s carriage, but it seemed to be right. Since the time we met was soon.
The horse leading the carriage came to a halt gently, and two uniformed men exited consecutively.
‘Oh, it’s not Vivian.’
As soon as I thought so, Vivian got out of the carriage.
Vivian looked around as she stepped onto the ground with the assistance of the man who had gotten off first.
When she discovered me, she immediately smiled.
