I woke up in a different room than yesterday.
It was the same place I was shown last night as my room. There was a bed, a small desk, and a chest of drawers. The room is so small that there is almost no space left.
I don't mind because the original room is similar to this one. It is a four-and-a-half-tatami-mat room with a shared toilet and no bath. It takes more than 10 minutes from the station by bus. It is a shabby apartment with the only advantage of being inexpensive.
--it was my memory of myself in the original world.
I thought I had surrendered my consciousness, but why is it back? I ask in my mind to hand over my consciousness again, but there is no answer.
Maybe he is sleeping. He must have been very tired last night. Mainly the mind.
But that young lady is a typical selfish noblewoman. The people around her do as they please, but they don't say anything,
I'm worried about the kind of woman she'll become. She's quite pretty on the outside.
But I was beautiful, too. Maybe it was because I didn't have my original face, but when I saw myself in the mirror with makeup on and dressed as a woman, I had no qualms about it, and I was just plain smitten.
Even though I was still a child, I was strangely sexy and ... what would I do if I lusted after myself?
I'm sure I had no intention of being a pedophile myself.
My other self was very depressed. That was your natural reaction. You are the one I rely on. I need you to do something to stop me from going down the wrong path.
As I was wasting my time with this stupid idea, I heard a knock on the door.
Without even replying, the door opened.
I thought it was the young lady again, but it was the maid of honor who appeared.
Were you awake?"
Yes. What do I do?"
No need to do anything. You just stay in this room and be quiet."
"... what does that mean?"
The way the lady-in-waiting said it bothered me, so I asked her, undeterred by her cold stare.
Your fate has not yet been decided. No matter what Master Vincent and Master Aerial say, it is the Master who will make the final decision.
Can I avoid becoming a pet?"
Aside from anything else, this is a good thing for me.
Perhaps. We can't have someone like you in our family.
Not out of favor, but out of dislike. The cause of the dislike I am directed toward.
Are you Odd Eye ...?"
Yes.
Is it so abhorrent?"
Yes," he said. Especially in the nobility."
"...Why?"
I've confirmed the reason for this," he said. It was to explain it to Mr. Aeriel, but I will tell it to you as well."
Please."
You know that eye color represents a person's attributes, right?"
"... No."
Even if you ask the question in your mind, the person who answers is asleep. Even if they're awake, I doubt they know it's about nobility.
"At ..., from there. Noble blood runs in noble families. By noble blood I mean blood with strong magical powers."
Is this why the other me thought it was only for nobles? The quality of the blood that flows is different. I, as a modern person, don't understand it. Blood is supposed to be blood, and you can't transfuse blood then, can you ...?
The representatives are the royal family and the three princes. The attribute of the Grand Fram royal family is fire, as its name suggests. The eyes of those who have a strong direct bloodline are red. Naturally, the eyes of His Majesty the King are the most beautiful red of all."
Red because of fire. It is very easy to understand. I don't even need to ask about other colors anymore, but there is one thing I didn't understand in the explanation.
What Does the Name Say?"
You ... don't know these things?"
I grew up in the ghetto."
The other me.
The maid of honor was so surprised that she came up with this excuse on the spur of the moment, but it seems to have worked.
I guess so. You have never learned anything, have you? Grand Flamme means [great flame] in the old language. It is an appropriate name for a fire royal.
I thought they might have put it that way because they are fire royalty, but I didn't say it out loud. I didn't want him to get cranky and stop teaching.
The Marquise of Axmere is [Sacred Water], the Marquise of Fatiras is [Fertile Soil], and our family is [Healing Wind]. And our family is [healing wind]. The royal family and the three princes have all four attributes. That's why they are special."
There are four magical attributes: fire, water, earth, and wind. Are there no light and dark, or are they just not known? I'd ask the maidens, but they don't seem to know.
So those four attributes are the colors of each of your eyes?"
Yes, it is." Now, where you understand this is the odd eye. Why is the odd eye anathema?"
"If eye color represents an attribute, can't I have two attributes ... because I have two different colored eyes?"
Yes. Attributes cancel each other out. Having two colors means that neither attribute loves you."
Another funny expression. What does it mean to be unloved? I knew that the lady of the house would look at me with contempt again, but I decided to ask the question.
What does it mean to be unloved?"
"I don't know this either. ... Magic produces its effects by interfering with the reason of the world. The reason of the world is, in other words, the four attributes. If the four attributes love you, the effect will be strong, and if they don't love you, the effect will be weak or, if you are not good at it, it will not show any effect.
... do the four attributes have a will?"
The world has a will. It stands to reason that the four attributes that make up that world have will."
Could it be that the four attributes are spirits? However, it seems that the lady-in-waiting is unaware of the existence of spirits. Maybe she knows and is hiding it. I wonder if that is the case with this noble ... lady-in-waiting.
So you have blue eyes, your attribute is water, and you can use water magic?
Nope?"
I failed to listen. From the way the lady-in-waiting's complexion changed, it seems that this person cannot use magic.
I'm sorry. I seem to have misunderstood. You are not a nobleman, are you?"
I am a nobleman!"
Further failure. This might have totally pissed him off. I was a bit relaxed. It was a mistake to think that he could tell me whatever questions I had.
You can read the article "... Ignorance leads to rudeness. I know this is not necessary for you, who will be leaving here soon, but just in case, let me tell you. My family is a barony."
Seeing me depressed, or perhaps for some other reason, the maid of honor seemed to be willing to continue with further explanations. I felt a little relieved.
There is a pecking order of nobility, with baronetcy being the lowest. Technically, there is a title of associate baron, ..."
From there, the lady-in-waiting went on and on explaining to me about the aristocratic system in this country.
There is a pecking order of nobility. Aside from the dukes, who are directly connected to the royal family, the highest rank of nobility is that of a marquis. I am not sure about this. When a royal becomes a vassal, he becomes a duke. However, it was explained to me that a duke is the highest in rank, but outside the framework of the nobility system, but I did not understand what this meant.
Anyway, a marquis is the highest, followed by counts, viscounts, and barons.
There are three families of marquises, each with a fiefdom on the east, west, and south borders. This means that they are the key to the country's defense. The counts below them are inside the territories of the three princely families. The counts have a fief near the center of the country. The difference in the size of the domains of the marquises and the counts is said to be tremendous.
The three princes are exceptional in many ways.
The lower viscounts serve the higher-ranking marquises and counts, who are said to be in charge of cities and castles within their fiefdoms.
A marquis is a metropolitan governor or prefectural governor, a count is a prefectural governor, and a viscount is a ward or town mayor. That's how I understood it. I think it's a little different, but that's OK, because it's not necessary to know that strictly.
The barons of the family of the lady-in-waiting are not considered nobles in the true sense of the word, since they are honorary and have no fiefdom or city. The baron is an honorary title given to those who have distinguished themselves and are allowed to succeed to the title, and if they are only a single generation, they become an associate baron.
The barons are all commoners by birth and cannot use magic. However, the barons have a complex about this, so they have been intermarrying with families above the rank of viscount in an effort to bring magic blood into the family, and it is said that there are no barons who can use magic. Unfortunately, the maid of honor was not able to do so.
The lady-in-waiting even explained this to me, though she seemed to be dissatisfied. Perhaps she is a kind person at heart.
The conclusion of this story is that the density of blood affects magic.
The lady-in-waiting assured me that it was absolutely impossible, especially since I was a commoner and had the worst combination of odd eyes (fire and water).
My dreams of magic were fleeting.
A little depressed, I hear the same words I heard yesterday.
The person who was shouting yesterday is right in front of me, so it must be someone else saying the same words today. The lady-in-waiting seems to have heard it too, and is holding her head.
Here comes the selfish lady.
Leon! Come quickly!"
Yes?"
Don't dilly dally! We're in trouble!"
The selfish young lady seems quite impatient. There is no doubt that something is going on.
"Dear Airiel, what in the world?"
The fathers say they can't leave Leon there!"
Oh, that's ...."
It's not a big deal for me. I've already heard from the maid of honor that I'm going to be kicked out.
They say, "How can you say that a sinister entity should be dealt with? That's unacceptable!"
"... Yes!
I'm sure they'll reconsider when they see Leon." Rion is such a beautiful pet!"
"......"
Come quickly!"
Yes.
With mixed feelings in my heart, I ran after the selfish young lady. I hate pets, but I hate being killed even more.
It seemed that it was a long way to the room I wanted to go, and I didn't get there anytime soon.
The room I was in was for servants, so it must be far away from where the Marquise's family members were. With this thought in mind, I continued running down the corridor.
The young lady running in front of me is indeed in pain - why is this young lady so desperate? She must be running out of breath for me, whom she calls her pet.
You're an aristocrat--.
The last feeling is not my own. It seems my other self has woken up. I don't remember anything in particular happening with the nobility. Still, I hate the aristocrats.
I know this feeling. I have felt the hatred that the have-nots have for the haves many times. How many times have I resented the unfairness of the world?
And we're almost there!"
The young lady doesn't want to stop, despite the pained look on her face, her dark emotions overcome by the sound of her voice.
I wonder if I am that important a pet - I think to myself, and then laugh at the irony of it all.
"I've arrived at ... ah, ah, ah."
The lady is propping her hand on the door to catch her disordered breath. I don't understand why she doesn't want to enter the room immediately.
Oh, my God, I'm almost there. Oh, is my hair messy?"
"... a little."
Fix it.
Yes. ...."
She seems to be concerned about her appearance. Is it a concern for her as a noblewoman?
The young lady is still out of breath, but she is still straightening her posture. I guess she wants me to correct myself.
A little hesitantly, she held her disheveled hair in place with her hand. A little sweat beaded on her forehead. I let go of my hair and wiped the sweat with the hem of my dress.
This seemed to be a bad idea. The young lady's gaze became even tighter.
"Oh, you don't even have a handkerchief?"
Yes."
Okay, here you go.
He offers me a handkerchief from his pocket. I take it and gently wipe the sweat from my face. The young lady quietly closes her eyes and does as she is told.
Closing her eyes tightly like this seems to make her look more childish.
How's it going?
Yes. She's lovely."
Yes, yes.
Yes."
"... Okay then, good. Let's go."
Taking one last deep breath, the young lady headed for the door. She raises her hand to knock.
I'm not kidding! I picked that up, it's mine!"
A voice from inside the room. The familiar voice belongs to a boy. But what is mine? ... Why are these siblings like this?
"Dear Vincent, this is not the time for selfishness. This is not the time to be selfish.
'Where's the selfishness in this! They are trying to throw away my things without my permission! You have every right to be angry!"
But there's a problem with that found object."
There is no problem!"
He is an orphan from the favelas. How can you feel indebted to such a person? Of course he would want to take advantage of his good fortune and enjoy a delicious meal.
So isn't it extreme to try to kill him? I am a child on the outside, or even on the inside, I am only eighteen. I don't know why he is so wary of me.
I don't owe you anything!"
No, but you said you had help."
I didn't say that! He didn't save me! I saved him!"
"... it is."
So I don't feel indebted. It's the other side that owes me."
It is a mess, but perhaps the boy is trying to cover for himself by saying this? My other self denies it, but it seems so to me.
He also has an odd eye."
It's not like it's contagious.
That's not what I meant!"
What do you mean then?"
I am saying, "Do not let anyone you don't know who you are get close to you."
It's Rion in the favelas."
Not so ..."
Now, she muttered quietly, and the young lady knocked and opened the door without hearing a reply. How is this a courtesy?
Dear Aerial, ..."
The man who was probably talking to the boy sounds troubled. I don't know the reason for his reaction, perhaps he feels that he has more powerful enemies.
This is Leon. You know where to find him, don't you?"
The young lady was cryptic from the very first word.
That's not what I'm talking about, Mr. Aeriel."
It is wrong to pass judgment without seeing the person in person.
Indeed it is."
A man's gaze turns to you. Not only the man, but everyone in the room is looking at me.
Is the man sitting comfortably on the sofa the marquis?
Is the beautiful person next to him his wife? She looks like a young lady, so I am probably not mistaken.
The boy sits in front of those two, and the others stand behind the marquis.
What's your name, boy?"
We named him Leon."
I'm asking for your real name."
"Ryo."
Hmm? What?"
I'm Ryo.
"......"
Please call me Leon."
"... got it."
I don't know why Ryo is not understood. It seems like Japanese is understood, but it may actually be a different language.
Where are your parents?"
I don't have him. He died when I was a small child."
... then how do you make a living?"
"Rummage through the leftovers. There's no work for you at your age."
You've never worked?"
There are chores. It's not a regular job."
Then where did you learn that wording?"
The man threw a question at me with a look of wonderment on his face. He seemed to think he had evidence of my suspicions. I thought that using honorifics would make me more likable, but I guess I failed.
From my deceased parents."
For the time being, I lied with an indifferent face.
What did your parents do?"
I don't know. My parents didn't tell me anything about working in the favelas."
This is true. And I am not alone. There is nothing but backwardness, such as the work of the residents of the favelas. Normal parents don't tell their children anything, yes.
... when did your parents die?"
It was about two years ago, I think. I don't remember the exact date.
"You don't remember the day your parents died?"
I don't even know what day it is.
Growing up in a favela is more convenient than one might think for misrepresenting one's background.
... what was the cause of death?"
Well?" I woke up in the morning and found him dead. That's not unusual in the favelas."
... what do you want to do now?"
I was becoming more and more wary of myself, who was not at all perturbed by the interrogation-like exchange, but I was also in limbo. So that's about it. I also have some idea of how he wants me to answer this question.
I don't think about it. Yesterday I didn't have time to think."
Why don't you think about that now at ...?"
Here? Is that necessary?"
What?"
What I do is my own business. I don't mean to be rude, but it is none of your business."
"..., so you're saying that our family will have no further involvement in the future?"
I don't understand the intent of your question. What kind of answer are you looking for? If you don't want us to get involved, I think you should just say so."
It's ...."
I don't think this man has the authority to say that. So he is trying to find fault and let people around him judge what he wants.
Worst case scenario, I hope I don't get killed, but I kind of don't like this guy. Anyway, I don't want to be in this man's way.
Looks like my son has been taken care of."
The voice came unexpectedly from a man sitting on the sofa. The voice was from a man sitting on the sofa, who was, after all, the Marquis himself.
Would it be impolite to say, "We both know what you're talking about?"
What is mutual?"
I saved your son from a man who tried to kidnap him. It was your son who saved me afterwards when I collapsed on the way to escape."
I see. No lending and borrowing."
Yes."
Then you are free to go. I'll have them take you home."
Father!"
Just when I thought the conversation was settled, the two siblings spoke up at the same time.
I had completely forgotten about the two people who disagreed with me. They seemed calm, but perhaps they were still upset.
This one is mine."
Yes, they are. They're our pets."
Lives are going to be spared somehow, so please stop doing that.
But," he said, "isn't it too big to be a pet? Aren't they too big to be pets?"
Marquis, you too--.
She's good. She does what she says, and most importantly, she's beautiful."
... Well, yes. But it's too early for Vincent. He needs to grow up a little."
Why?"
That's because ... that's the way it is."
What is the Marquis saying? I feel something is wrong.
Yes, they are. And they are not children either. Your mother would not approve of it. Well, it might be possible to raise them in this house until they reach the age of maturity.
Here the mother joins the conversation. However, there was still something wrong with what she was saying.
Hm. Is there such a thing? No, but no matter how beautiful she may be, she must come from a good family if she is to be Vincent's concubine.
You can have her as a concubine."
'I see, a concubine. In that case..."
Don't be convinced. I mean, what's the difference between a concubine and a concubine? What is the difference between a concubine and a concubine? It's a problem before that.
You know."
What's up?"
I'm a man.
"...What?"
She didn't even know her own gender. The lady was fussing, but wasn't it actually not that important?
Or that she didn't care about the gender of the orphan she had picked up?
Then what would you have ... Vincent do?"
What? Lots of things."
"I guess that means you're a ... follower?"
Well, sort of."
Yes, but I already have a squire. But I already have a squire."
Oh, if Master Vincent wants me to do that, I'll leave the squire.
The man who had been questioning me earlier started talking happily. Was this man a follower? He seemed so proud of himself. And what is he suddenly so happy about?
So what are you going to do?
I would not want to lose my job, so I would prefer to be Master Elwyn's squire."
Elwin? Full-time squire for Elwyn: ..."
An unfamiliar name came out of the marquis's mouth. I guess they are two brothers, since he mentioned that he would have a squire.
'Well, that's all well and good. But we have to discipline this boy as a squire. Who will be in charge of that?"
I'll take care of that. I'll take care of that.
'That's true too. Now let's go to ...."
The Marquis is staring me in the face. I know what happened ....
Leon."
Absolutely the Marquis must not care about me.
Yes. Leon, from today you are Vincent's squire. Work hard for Vincent.
"Yes. ... eh?"
How could you do this to me?
Wasn't this discussion about getting me out of this house?
If I'm a squire, that means I'll be in this house forever, right?
Why?
As I watched the backs of the Marquise and his wife as they left the room, saying that this was the end of the conversation, I kept asking myself the same question in my mind.