Chapter 68: Moving and Enrollment Preparations
The following morning.
Today is the day I'm moving to the Duke's mansion. However, since everything I need is already there, there's hardly anything for me to bring from home. It's just like when I go out, with very little luggage.
Roger said he would come early in the morning, so he should be arriving soon.
I'm sitting in the dining room chair, and my mother and father are pacing around nervously. Marie is sitting next to me. Both of them seem quite anxious, even though they've met Roger before.
I watch my parents with a wry smile.
Then, I hear a knocking sound on the door.
Knock knock.
"Good morning. It's Roger."
I open the door, and there stands Roger in his usual servant attire.
"Thank you for coming. There's something I want to give my parents, so could you stop by for a bit?"
I say this, and Roger enters the dining room with a slightly puzzled expression.
My mother and father stand in front of Roger and bow deeply.
"Leon will be in your care from now on. Please take care of him."
"If he causes any trouble, please scold him. Take care of Leon, please."
"Yes. I will serve you with all my heart."
Roger also bows and says the same. Then, my mother hands him a basket of cookies.
"These are just a little something, please give them to everyone at the Duke's household."
Roger seems a bit bewildered but accepts the basket firmly.
"Understood. I will deliver them responsibly."
"Okay then, Mom, Dad, Marie, I'm off. I'll come back on my days off!"
I say this with a smile, trying to keep the atmosphere from getting too sad. My parents respond with expressions that are both teary and smiling.
"Leon, if things get tough, you can always come back home. Do your best."
"Yeah. Thanks, Mom."
"Leon, you're your father's pride. Do your best."
"Thank you. I'll do my best!"
I approach Marie, who's slightly bowed, and kneel down to look up at her.
Tears have gathered in Marie's eyes, on the verge of spilling over.
"Marie, I'm going now, big brother will always come back, so don't cry."
I say this and gently pat Marie's head.
"Aww, big brother... do your best... definitely come back..."
"Yeah. I'll try to come back on my days off as much as I can. So, at that time, let's cook together or go to the forest."
"Yeah... I'll be waiting."
"Thank you."
Finally, I give Marie a tight hug and stand up. If I kept talking with Marie like that, I might start crying too.
"Okay, I'm off!"
I say this and leave the house. It's a bit lonely, but the distance isn't too far, and I can always come back. There's also hope for the new life that's about to begin.
Let's do our best from now on!
And so, I get on the carriage and arrive at the Duke's mansion in the center of the city. As usual, I'm guided to a guest room. No, starting from today, it's my room.
"Leon-sama, there are no specific plans for today. What would you like to do?"
Hmm, what should I do? Since it's better to buy what I need sooner, I might as well ask for a list of necessary items and go shopping in the afternoon.
"I want to go buy the things I need for the Royal Academy. Do you have a list or something that shows what's needed?"
"If it's for the Royal Academy, I am aware of what's necessary. Would you like to go shopping today?"
"Yeah. I'll eat lunch first and then go in the afternoon."
"Understood."
"By the way, are meals taken in the dining hall? It used to be either the dining hall or my room."
Breakfast and lunch were usually taken in my room, but dinner was in the dining hall. Lunch was mostly in my room, but there were times we ate in the dining hall too.
"Generally, breakfast and lunch are taken in one's own room. Dinner is often taken in the dining hall. However, there are exceptions, and there's no strict rule."
"I see. Can I have lunch in my room today then?"
"No problem. I will prepare it for you right away."
After that, I have lunch, take a short rest, and then head to the city center to buy the things I need. Right now, I'm in the carriage with Roger.
"What do you need?"
"Well, first you'll need pens and ink. Leon-sama already has one, but it's recommended to have an extra set of both. Then, you'll need bundles of paper. The textbooks for class are distributed for free, but having bundles of paper for taking notes would be convenient. Additionally, you'll need a bag to carry these items. Since generally no attendants accompany students to the Royal School, everyone is expected to have a bag."
Indeed, that's necessary. I should buy extra bundles of paper. They might come in handy for more than just classes. I've been wanting a notepad for a while. Considering that, it might be a good idea to get extra ink as well. And I need a bag too. I want to buy something sturdy that I can use for a long time.
"Next is clothing. It's convenient to have clothes that are suitable for swordsmanship classes and easy to move in. Also, for those who don't have attire for parties, it's recommended to buy clothes for dance classes. But since Leon-sama already has formal attire, there's no need for that."
Certainly, using noble attire for swordsmanship class isn't practical. However, ordinary clothes might not be suitable either. I should buy comfortable clothes that are easy to move in.
"So, let's go buy those five items. Could you stop by the bank before going to the shops?"
"Understood. However, Lord Leon, in preparation for your purchases, Master has entrusted me with money. So, there's no need for you to pay. If you have any personal shopping you'd like to do, we can head to the bank. What would you like to do?"
They're offering money again!? I haven't really been spending much. I was saving up so carefully... Well, I suppose I should save since there might be times when I need money.
I feel bad about receiving so much help. But if I decline, it'll probably just turn into a back-and-forth. For now, I'll graciously accept the goodwill.
"That's really kind of you. I'll have to thank Lord Richard later. Well then, we can skip the bank for now. Can we head to the shops?"
"Of course. We'll head to the shop that sells paper."
Following Roger's instructions, the carriage arrived at the shop that sells paper.
According to Roger, this shop only sells blank sheets of paper and doesn't have any books. Books can be bought at secondhand bookstores or people can bring borrowed books and have them copied at a scribe's shop.
New books are usually created by scholars summarizing their research. While there are a few novelists who write stories, novels are generally commissioned by individuals who want a new story.
"We've arrived, Lord Leon."
"Thank you."
Entering the shop, I saw that it was small, with a counter right away. I wonder if they keep the paper bundles in the back. There's a woman in her forties behind the counter, dressed neatly.
"Welcome. How can I assist you today?"
"Hello, I'm looking to buy bundles of paper for use at the Royal School."
"Understood."
Upon saying that, the woman went behind the counter and brought back bundles of paper. Each bundle seemed to contain about twenty sheets.
I'll probably need about three bundles for now. If I run out, I can always buy more.
"A bundle contains twenty sheets. How many would you like?"
"I'll take three, please."
"Understood."
Roger paid the money, and we left the shop.
After that, we visited shops selling pens and ink, a shop selling bags, and the tailor who had previously come to the duke's residence, buying each necessary item.
I learned this from Roger, but nobles usually have merchants come to their estates. However, when they want to shop themselves, some nobles also visit stores.
It seems it's up to personal preference. Also, when they urgently need something, they either visit the shop themselves or send their attendants to buy it.
"Lord Leon, we've finished purchasing the necessary items. Is there anywhere else you would like to go?"
"No, not really. I'd like to return to the estate."
"Understood."
Having completed my necessary purchases, I returned to the estate.