Chapter 74: Morning with the noble lady
1406 Words
When I opened my eyes, I didn’t even bother getting out of the soft bed. I just clapped my hands, summoning the butler who stood near the door. A white-haired old man in a perfectly tailored suit responded to the sound.
He gave a deep bow of his head.
“You called me, Master Hanayuki?”
“Yeah, I’d like my morning coffee, Sebastian.”
“I’m Hermes.”
“I’d like my morning coffee, Hermes.”
Still sleepy, I lay back down on the bed.
I can't get enough of this bed. I’m not into luxury stuff, but this is heavenly. My quality of sleep increased tenfold after experiencing this bed.
I don’t desire wealth, but this life is not that bad at all. Having lots of money means I can sleep all I want. Just do what I want. Eat what I want.
This proves the saying wrong: Money can’t buy happiness. Money can buy happiness. Better food, better clothes, better life.
Everything is better with money.
But this is just a borrowed dream.
Currently, I’m living in Aster’s mansion. I know Aster is wealthy, but I never thought that she was insanely wealthy. She is a high-ranked noble with broad lands in her name. Her people love her and the scenery under her care is very refreshing.
This beautiful guest room is something I can only dream of. I can make this room like my house.
After elegantly making my morning coffee, maids came inside my room, taking off my clothes and dressing me up like a princess. At first, I was embarrassed, but after three days it was fun to play along.
Sebastian went to my room and said:
“Master Hanayuki… Lord Aster is waiting for you in the garden.”
“Thank you, Sebastian.”
“It’s Hermes.”
He had such a stiff expression on his face but I could tell that he was a bit angry.
I wonder why?
Moving on, I go to the garden, joining Aster for her breakfast. Aster is still wearing her pajamas.
Taking off her armor, I could see her snow-white-flawless white skin and slender body I could only wish for. I hate comparing myself to her, but still, I’m envious.
On the table, I could see dishes as beautiful as jewels. They are food but they are glimmering.
I took one of the slices of bread and had a huge bite.
“Delicious… This is so good.”
As I turned my head to Aster, she just smiled.
I fretted and recomposed.
“Ahem.”
Remembering my time with Princess Eula. Eula taught me to have manners at the table and how to act elegantly. A girl must not chow down food like a feral beast. I must do things elegantly and beautifully.
I sat straight and took a pinch of bread so small it could melt into my mouth.
“...”
A girl ate silently.
“I appreciate you shifting your attitude and perfectly acting like a noble girl, but you can become yourself in this house. I like genuine people.”
Aster said.
“Really? Acting like a noble girl might not be for me.”
“Being a noble girl is very exhausting… Everyone has their eyes on me, especially at big events like parties and some other gatherings. Sometimes I wish to be a normal girl. On the other hand, I can’t protect my people if I don’t have strength. I must be special to continue my job of protecting them. I can’t become normal.”
“That means you’re abnormal.”
“Please don’t put it that way… Being one of the powers is very hard and being a lord at the same time. There are times when it is very stressful. Especially picking a husband.”
“Picking a husband… Aster already has a fiance?”
Aster averted her eyes away and got depressed.
“No, I never got into relationships.”
“That’s weird, you’re so beautiful. It is hard to believe that you have been single since birth.”
“Some men just don’t like women with higher status than them and a strong woman is not very desirable. I end up scaring them off because of my unusual power. They call me a monster or something… Some men are monsters like me in the royal capital, but most of them are scumbags. I don’t want to get married to someone that likes them. Because of that, my future is vague… How about Hanayuki? Are you in a relationship?”
If some men don't like you or appreciate your beauty. I guess they are all blind.
“Nope, I have never been into one either… But I’m kinda interested in someone. I don’t know what he looks like or what his voice sounds like. But I felt like he was a very wonderful person.”
About the man that’s going to search for me to tell you how much he loves me. I wonder when he will come.
“That is weird… How could you fall in love with someone you never met?”
That’s a good question.
“I’m really happy that you’re here, Hanayuki… I could finally have this kind of talk… This is called girls talk, girl, right?”
Aster said with glimmering eyes as if she had been waiting for this for a very long time.
I’m envious of her, knowing Aster more and more. I theorized how lonely she was in her giant mansion.
I’ve been asking many questions. We have become very close too. I guess it's right to ask questions about her.
“What is power anyway?”
“You don’t know what powers are? Are you living under the rock?”
I’m traveling and not very interested in politics. I have heard the term many times and just think that they are important people.
“Powers are the people with special tasks and responsibilities to serve the human empire. Powers are mainly used to maintain order in the whole human empire. But after corrupt royalty began ruling the kingdom. Our powers can’t do anything but watch. But still, we’re doing only the things that will do good for humanity. If it poses a threat to humans, we'll coldly eliminate them as part of our task.”
Aster explained and sipped her tea.
“Why can power oppose the royalties?”
“We would like to punish them, but that would be too hard. They are super. The royalty's magic is so powerful the current 8 powers will have a hard time defeating them.”
That would explain Princess Noah and Princess Eula’s magic. Noah could freeze time and accelerate his own. Eula, with just a clap of her hand, could get the destroyed land back in shape. The other princess's name, Yusael, is said to be as strong as a goddess.
She is currently traveling around the world completing her princess trial. I wonder if I will be able to meet her.
Princess Yusael is someone Eula respected the most.
Aster continues explaining…
“... Opposing the royalties, we’re immediately going to be labeled as terrorists. With that, we lose our possessions and our authority to protect our lands. Saving the people we wanted to protect would be hard.”
“The princess' trail is ongoing… The next ruler might be great and wipe away evil in the kingdom. I believe the one likely to get the throne was Princess Yusael.”
“Yusael… Yeah, she is the one with the most accomplishments. She is talented and powerful. Her light magic was like one of the goddesses. Her acquiring the title of Angel.”
Angel means kind and nice.
“Then, it would be great. The kingdom would be safe.”
“I won’t say for sure… She is very cold and emotionless. If a ruler is unable to feel sympathy for his people, what would happen to the kingdom? It’s making me nuts… Why are the princesses all a bunch of nutcases?”
Aster put her hand on her head with a hurting expression.
So she also had her bad side.
Seems like this kingdom is hopeless.
“After breakfast, we have a place to go.”
“Where?” I asked.
“We’re going to go shopping together.”
Aster excitedly announced.
I’m not the one paying.
“Okay, I’ll go!”
- Writer
