Taisetsuna pointed her claws at Robert’s neck and spoke in a hoarse voice. “Now I am sure you are mocking me, dumbass. If we weren’t in this Castle, I would have sliced your neck with my bare hands. Saying I am gorgeous when I know very well I am not even half as pretty or educated like all those giggling Nobel girls back there!”
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Robert Keskula frowned, slapped her hand, and answered in a hoarse voice as well. “Take that away from me! No one ever complimented you or what, for you to doubt yourself so much?”
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Taisetsuna faced forward and slowly shook her head. “No, not really. Nozo always says that I am cute, but I think that’s just him being nice. Some Adventurers at our Guild are often teasing me, but I know they just want to see me get angry.”
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“Well, at least I agree with him on that. You are cute. Even when you are angry, you look cute. Your face reveals all your emotions, and you are nothing like those giggling dumb girls, that’s for sure. They go to a lot of lengths to hide their emotions. One never knows what is going on inside their heads. That is why I want to know you better. I find you fascinating, Taisetsuna Kawa.”
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Taisetsuna turned bright red. Not only because she was not used to being complimented but also because that blond idiot seemed to be serious. She faced forward again and answered while looking at Nozomu, who was happily chatting with the Princess. “You remember my name. That is surprising, considering that you look like a shallow airhead. I am sorry for saying this, but it’s the impression I got when we first met. Even today, you were acting like that, with all that bragging.”
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“I told you, I wasn’t bragging. I was only trying to find a subject to talk about. Since I know so little about you, the only thing I thought of was to talk about me, hoping to find out something that we had in common.”
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“If you wanted to know something about me, you could have asked, you know?”
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“I could, but do you know how intimidating you are? It’s difficult to find the courage to talk to you, let alone ask something personal!”
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Taisetsuna bit her lower lip and agreed. “I was once told I was like that, but I don’t do it on purpose, I just don’t like people very much. I would rather stay in my corner and not be bothered.”
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“Maybe it would be better if I asked Nozomu how he talks to you without risking losing his head.”
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“He won’t be a good teacher on how to deal with me. More than once, while we were growing up, he annoyed me to such a degree that I tried to murder him. But that dumbass is fantastic in a close fight, and he would always knock me out. Well, he has stopped doing that lately. He is now calmer, and he acts more mature. No wonder all those Noble girls and the future Countess Diana looked so interested when we arrived. Even the Princess seems to enjoy his company very much.”
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Robert Keskula made a slight frown that he quickly forced to disappear, and he spoke, trying to sound casual. “You told me he was family, but did I detect a tiny hint of jealousy in your words? You are annoyed by seeing him acting so friendly with the Princess?”
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“No… I mean… I don’t think so. He already conquered Miss Koyaga, the receptionist at our Guild, with his kindness and politeness, and she hates most of our Adventurers. People in Ourelona like him a lot. While we were going to the Magical Circle to come here, people kept on greeting him and waving with big smiles, and he would greet them or wave at them. Seeing him like that with the Princess, it’s not surprising at all. I don’t know how to explain it, but if you speak with him for a while, you will get it. He has a way of making you feel comfortable around him. He judges no one, and he looks as if everything he sees amazed him. I bet that if you told him about all those dances you know, he would not only be amazed, but he would probably ask if you could show him.”
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“Interesting… I like him already! Maybe I will find an opportunity to talk with him today if he ever leaves the Princess’ side. Or, I just need to wait for you and him to enter the Academy, and I get my opportunity there. You still intend to apply, right? Because I already talked with my parents and got their blessing.”
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Taisetsuna nodded with such a smile that Robert felt his heart squeezing because of how cute she looked. “Yes, we are going for sure. Nozo is working hard to save money for us, and I am doing the same. He will probably get most of the money, considering that his foods are such a success, but he already told me he is only going to the Academy if I go, so I guess our childhood plan is still on.”
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“Childhood plan? What kind of plan?”
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Taisetsuna looked at the blond noble, who looked perplexed and explained in hushed tones. “Well, this might not sound that great to you, but for two orphans like Nozo and me, it is our dream. We want to be Adventurers to help people and save enough money for when we retire so we can buy a farm and live the rest of our lives peacefully with our families. We would live next to each other, and our kids would be the greatest friends and grow up together, just like Nozo and me. I know how this may sound boring for a future Viscount, but it has been our dream since we were very little.”
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“I think I understand. Being an Adventurer to help others sounds like an honourable way of life. I have the family title that I am getting in due time, and it is also my responsibility to make sure the people that live in my family’s lands have a good life and are safe. I can’t work as an Adventurer and risk losing my life when so many people depend on me, but I can understand the appeal to people that don’t have my responsibilities.”
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“You know, when you say things like that, you actually sound like a smart guy. I do not know why you prefer to be seen as dumb and shallow if you have such serious thoughts.”
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“Yeah… I suppose that is one of the perks of being a Noble. I always need to look and sound my best, even when I am not. I can’t let other Noble families ever think my family will become weak under my leadership. That would cause me and my people a lot of trouble. The price of products from other Nobles could get higher, leaving me in a tough spot. Among other things, some of my farmers may be persuaded to move to other lands. Even me being here in this court is a way to show to other families that I am worthy of continuing my family name. I would rather be at home than deal with some people.”
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Taisetsuna noticed he glanced back and whispered. “Your friends, you mean? Or the girls?”
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“Both. My friends would leave my side the moment I sounded less Noble, if we can call that. As for the girls, they are only after my title and my looks. None of them ever bothered to know me. Most of the time, they talk for hours and hours about the things they know or can do. Do you have any idea how annoying that is?”
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“Given what you were doing minutes ago, yes, I have a pretty good idea.”
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“Oh! Yeah… I did that, you are right… Sorry about that, but I suppose it is a habit now. See what I was telling you about being able to be myself near you? Because you don’t seem to care about any of those matters, I don’t feel any pressure to keep this facade of mine. The only pressure I feel is finding something to talk about with you.”
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“Did you notice we are already in front of the stable, and we haven’t stopped talking ever since we left the Throne Room? I would say we found a bunch of subjects to talk about, and you even made me not want to kill you. I am rather surprised, actually. I would never think you had so much to worry about.”
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Robert Keskula winked with a smile. “Now you know. I hope you keep all this to yourself because I have a reputation to maintain.”
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“I ask the same. I don’t want the future Countess Diana thinking I am friendly, I prefer to see her frowning from a distance instead of having her talk to me. She has the most annoying, high-pitched voice I have ever heard! She gave me a headache the last time she spoke to me!”
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“And you didn’t hear her telling you about her latest painting lesson, or the tapestry she is making. If you ever have to, put something inside your ear to muffle her voice. I am always carrying pieces of cotton in my pocket, and the moment she approaches me, I pretend to be scratching my ear one at a time, and I stuff cotton in there.”
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“No way! You do that? And she never noticed?”
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Robert muffled his laughter. “Pffft!… If she ever did, she disguised it. I can also tell you I am not the only one doing that. Next time she talks with one of the guys, you will see him going to his pocket and scratching his ears next.”
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Taisetsuna muffled her laughter as well, and in the group of the young Noble girls a few meters away, Diana Olesk was staring at the two that seemed to share some secret joke.
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One of her friends approached and whispered, “What do you think they are laughing about? Do you think it has something to do with you? They were also talking all the way here. She looked angry with him in the corridor, but now they are acting like if they are long-time friends or something.”
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“Yes, I noticed. That damn commoner… When I finish with her, she will be sorry for stepping in my way and messing with my future…”
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“What are you going to do, Diana?”
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“You will see… I am going to shame her so much she will run away crying, to hide inside the hole from where she came!”
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While the girls were scheming, Nozomu called the two Unicorns, and when they stepped out with their heads standing high and their horns shining with Magic, everyone gasped.
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Nozomu pointed with his open hand to the Princess standing next to him, who was amazed at the sight, and introduced her. “Rampage, this is Princess Mere, the ruler of this country. And this pretty red Unicorn is Taisetsuna’s friend, Furnace. She doesn’t like me very much, and I do not know why.”
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Rampage tilted his head at him and let out a weird laugh. Nozomu rolled his eyes and explained. “Yeah, right, and you like to mock me, and you stay with me because you think I am funny, I know.”
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The Princess made a deep bow, surprising all the Nobles at the back. They never once saw her make such a bow, and seeing her doing that to a Magical Being took them by surprise. “I am honoured for meeting you, Rampage and Furnace. I am Princess Mere Alashth. Welcome to my Castle. I hope you were well treated by my stable staff.”
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Rampage and Furnace nodded almost at the same time, and Rampage lowered his head to look closely at the smiling Princess. The Royal Guards reached for their swords, and the Princess signalled for them to be still. She kept on smiling, and Rampage sniffed her face. He then looked at her hand and licked his lips. “Oh, I think I know what you want! I can make a tasty thing for you!”
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