Akuyaku Reijou ni Koi wo Shite – Chapter 4 :
“The first time of the Valet”
Full-time valet of the Vincent, the eldest son of the Winhirr Marquis household.
That was the job given to me.
As for the reason why things turned out this way, no matter how I think about it I couldn’t come up with a proper answer.
It can’t be helped, so I had to ask the guy whom I hated listening to the most.
「Erm..」
「What? Is there something that you didn’t understand?」
As opposed to his temperament a while ago, the man attended me in a gentle manner. Which means that just being able to let go of his job as Vincent’s valet have made him that delighted.
「Just how did things turned out this way? The purpose of the talk was to expel me out of this household, is it not?」
「Oh, that talk? Just focus on the things regarding your job! I want to finish handing it to you quickly.」
「Erm well, I can’t help but think about it.」
「I guess there’s no other choice. At first it was indeed like that. There is no way we can trust anyone coming from the slums after all. After being in debt to such people, they will only think of you of nothing but a source of income.」
「Well, even though I myself came from the slums as well, there really is nothing there but those sort of people. 」
「Although the demands of those persons doesn’t really amount to much, but since this is a household of a marquis, we must not appear naive. So If they will just insistently repeat coming back, we have to get rid of them. If it will lead to that anyway, doing so from the beginning would be the best course of action. That’s how it is.」
Though this guy just smoothly talked about it, that’s a murder.
Although I thought of asking “Wouldn’t that cause a problem?” but thinking that it’s part of the things that I should not be asking, I stopped myself from voicing it out.
「From there, how did it turned out to me being his Valet?」
「The truth is, disposing you have already ceased to be an option ever since you’ve stepped into Ariel-sama’s room. The lord and his wife are lenient to Ariel-sama compared to Vincent-sama afterall.」
In other words, they are doting parents.
I’m not really trying to make fun of them rather, for someone like me who lost his parents, it’s something to be jealous about.
「If that’s the case, what about that exchange earlier?」
「I was opposed to it. Just being Vincent-sama’s valet have already proven to be difficult. I can’t deal with something like an orphan from the slums at the same time. 」
How dare you say that face-to-face with the one involved. As I thought, there’s something wrong with this man as a human being. My impression is definitely not wrong.
「Pardon me for being impolite, but do you have such authority as a Valet?」
「A full time valet would be the butler of the next generation, if not will become one of the close aids of the family head. As a person having that much of a connection with Vincent-sama, your right to speak will be recognized.」
「Eh? So such a position to me..」
「Not you. As expected, it’s impossible from someone with doubtful origin to be a close aide of the marquis.」
This guy, there’s a limit to being insensitive.
Just how did he pass being the valet of the heir of the marquis?
「But…. come to think of it what was your name?」
「Walle*. It’s Walle Girk.」
「Girk-san..」
「”Girk-san”? Call me Walle-san.」
So calling him by given name is the right way. I should take these simple things in my mind carefully.
「Is calling you by “Walle-san” really alright? You, who would be the future close associate.」
「As for that…., don’t mind it. I hate those kinds of formalities.」
「Is that so?」
He is clearly lying though. However, I can’t really press him for that.
There’s something fishy.
If not, then this guy would never be in such a good mood, but I should be able to find out about it after working for this house.
「Then let’s resume. At this rate, we won’t be done with the process of handing over after all.」
To summarize the job of a Valet, it would be a person in charge of miscellaneous affairs. Anyhow, it would be to fulfill all the desires of his master. That is what I was told but, something is suspicious.
I just can’t imagine Walle being able to fulfill all the desires of that seemingly self-centered boy.
Though it’s called handing over, this is actually different to what I imagined. What he taught me was nothing but the schedule of Vincent for the month.
Other than that, it’s his likes and dislikes on food, that I can still let slide.
His likes and dislikes on studies–or so I say but there nothing on like at all.
His specialty on magic– I don’t even need to hear about that.
The person he likes and dislikes…
Why is Walle not here? Surely, he would’ve been hated by him.
Anyhow, there’s nothing about the job I’m about to do in it.
Though I have heard that worries about him, Walle has none, he is just persistent.
Just as Walle wanted, the handing over was finished just like that and afterwards, that Walle bastard immediately fleed.
The ones left behind, me and the boy so to speak, chose the clothes I’m going to wear.
Come to think about it, I’ve only been wearing robes seemingly for sleeping all this time but because the boy minds it, they have prepared a set of clothing for a valet, but none of them seemed to fit to my stature.
It seems I have a particularly smaller built or rather, I don’t even know my age.
Maybe the reason why no clothes seemed to fit was because I have yet to reach the proper age to become a valet. To make up for it, the current selection of clothes were those that the boy have grown out of.
「How about this one?」
「… I think it’s too flashy for a valet.」
「Even this one? Well you’re probably right. In regards to valets, their attire must have a composed ambiance.」
He seemed to have gotten the rough idea but this boy who fusses over on how my clothes should be was quite stubborn.
Choosing the clothes I had to wear first and foremost seemed to have rooted on the thought that the clothes of his valet must appear proper.
However, the taste of the boy in choosing clothes is really lame.
Though it might be proper in regards to this worlds, for me it’s just a bunch of clothes that I would never be able to endure wearing. No matter what clothes I try, I was not able to find a clothes that I could agree with.
The moment I finally thought of giving up, on the corner of the closet larger than my room, I have stumbled upon a suit. The suit was different than the usual, monochromatic black and have a composed feeling.
「Is this one alright?」
「nnn?」
The boy shifted his attention on the clothes I presented. His facial expression became cloudy. It seems he was not fond of it.
「These are the clothes of that knight.」
「Clothes of knight?」
「This is the clothes that knights wear.」
「No, I get that part however, does it pose a problem?」
「You’re going to be a valet, not a knight.」
「…Ah that is correct.」
This stubbornness might prove to be more difficult than I imagined. However, I can’t just pull back when it comes to this thing because I’d rather die than wear a frilly shirt and short pants.
「However, I am Vincent-sama’s valet so wouldn’t there be times where I must protect him as his full-time valet?」
「….That is correct.」
「Someone who protects his master is similar to that of a knight. Although occupation might differ, they are the same in regards of their duties.」
「…Mhm.」
「That’s why as a person given the job of a full-time valet, wearing the clothing of knights shouldn’t pose a problem.」
「….That should be fine. Very well, let us have this as your uniform.」
「Yes.」
Persuasion successful! I immediately turn my back on the closet and changed my clothes.
Though I’ve heard it was clothing that knights wore, it felt just like an altered gakuran with just a higher collar and bit of longer coat. Though I have said that it was monochromatic black, there were some silver embroidery on some parts of it.
After finishing putting it on and checking it in the mirror, it seems to fit me more than I thought.
That seems to lead to the question as to why only this clothing was like this? Is that the difference between the clothes of knights and aristocrats?
While I was lost in that thought, the boy who just got out of the closet was showing an astonished face.
「…Does it look strange?」
「No, it’s the opposite. It suits you well.」
「I’m grateful for that. It’s because the fitting of this clothes match me well.」
「….I imitated the black knight.」
「Yes?」
「Do you not know about it? It’s the protagonist of the book I have read since childhood. Black hair and eyes, the clothes he wore were also of the same color, he was a hero who came from a different world long ago. That clothing were made to imitate the clothes worn by the black knight drawn in that book.」
「I see.」
I wonder if that person is a Japanese. If that’s the case, I’m not the only one in this world who came from another world. But even so, If it’s really a black haired and eyed Japanese then the way he was sent to this world was different from mine.
It seems everything goes in this world.
「Do you know how to use a sword?」
「Not at all..」
「Is that so? Then take lessons with me.」
「Eh?」
「Do you not know my schedule?」
「No, I do. You have a fencing practice three times a week. Is it about that?」
I came to know that this world has six days a week when I was being taught of his schedule. The days were in elements* but there is no Friday, and Thursday was the day of the wind.
The days were composed of Sun, Moon and the four elements. Truly easy to understand.
「You’ll participate on those fencing practices.」
「Won’t I be in the way?」
I would really be delighted to be taught of the sword. However, me being able to join or not was not within my discretion.
「It’s for the sake of being able to protect me properly so naturally you should also polish your skills on the sword.」
This was the reasoning I said earlier. Well, that’s fine
「I understand. I shall do as you say.」
With this I will be able to take fencing lessons as well, but this swordsmanship matter has yet to be settled.
◇◇◇
Learning about his schedule, my impression of the boy has changed.
It was quite a busy schedule after all.
Everyday, he will be taught by the live-in tutor throughout the morning and in the whole noon again, his tutelage but this time of magic starts. In the first half of the afternoon, he will be taught of fencing as well and on the latter half, he will be taught of etiquette.
His whole day was filled with studying arrangements.
When I first saw his schedule, I thought that his schedule should really be that busy because he was the heir of the household. However, upon witnessing his scheduled studies myself, I was filled with feelings of sympathy for him.
「The reason why I did not understand was because your way of teaching is poor.」
「Though I apologize for that, if the one I am teaching is not even interested in learning then there is nothing I can do.」
「Are you saying that the fault lies in me?」
「I was merely saying that we should both work harder on our ends.」
The boy who got poor grades only shifted the blame on his tutor. The tutor was also saying something against him in that matter.
It seems the tutor, Harvey Moore-sensei is a little different from the other servants.
I learned the reason for it immediately.
It seems although he is a live-in tutor, he could perform any jobs they wanted him for so they were reluctant of firing him out. That is the reason why he can move more carefree than the servants who came from established family of subjects.
Is his carefree way of speaking rude?
Just looking at the lesson, you’ll understand.
It was because just teaching the boy alone was too difficult.
It seems the boy was quite an idiot.
「I AM working hard.」
「Is that really the case?」
「What??」
「If you are listening to me properly, you should be able to understand what I am teaching right away. Not being able to do so only means that you are not listening diligently.」
「….That’s not true at all!」
「No. That how it is.」
「Why do you say so?」
「Because even him who was only listening on the furthest back was able to understand it.」
「What!?」
「Eh?」
It’s the worst development here.
I want them to stop shifting the talk towards me.
Well, indeed I understood it however, not because I’m properly listening but because I was already taught of it long ago.
「Is that true?」
「That is…」
「Not answering is the answer itself. This is just due to his consideration to Vincent-sama.」
The tutor was driving me more into corner. Just what the heck is this tutor planning?
「…Rion. Well then have a look at this problem.」
「Ah no, that is…」
「If you do not solve it, you’ll be punished by being exempt from dinner.」
The boy has now taken this ordeal seriously. In regards to this ordeal, it’s a choice between being prejudiced or not having dinner.
「I understand.」
I wasn’t able to win over my appetite.
I assessed the problem sitting on the chair presented to me. The problem written was about the multiplication and division of fractions. As expected, I can answer this much.
I held the pen placed on it which was harder to use than to solve the problem itself. I’m not used to pen that needs to be dipped in ink every single time but I was able to answer the problem somehow although using that pen produced messy characters.
「….Have you taken arithmetic lessons?」
「Just a little bit from my parents.」
「But I heard you were an orphan?」
「I was taught before they died.」
「………..The dwellers of slums, teaching their children?」
「I do not have any idea in regards of those parts. However, I was only able to remember the things that I might be able to use to get out of slums.」
「Well that is justified. However, to think you could do mental arithmetic.」
It seems that I have really done it now. Multiplication and division of fractions are just simple problems however I have overdone it by solving with mental arithmetic.
I shouldn’t have done it considering the level of education of this world–no, this age.
And the reaction of the boy was…..
「As expected of my full time valet. Alright, you must study with me from now on. Teacher, that is fine right?」
「Ee, of course.」
Not even tinged with jealousy, he was even happy about it.
Is he a fool or a wise, I don’t understand just what he is anymore.
What I’m sure of now, is that it is too early to judge him as an nothing but a selfish spoiled brat.
◇◇◇
After the lunch is over, it’s the time for afternoon study.
It’s the fencing study. The one teaching us was the captain of the knight squad of Marquis in the capital, Erick Marvin-shishou*. Because my position was also one of his students, the boy told me to call him shishou instead of knight captain which is part of the boy’s stubbornness.
Although this is fencing, as expected it should not be the same with what happened to arithmetic.
Of course, I have also done neither fencing nor kendo and as to what a completely beginner like me should start doing, that is already decided.
It’s nothing but practice swings.
Marvin-shishou who was at the boy’s side glance was wholeheartedly swinging his sword.
It’s already way past the thing called practice swinging.
His footwork, the movement of his ankles and knees, the center gravity of his hip and lower back, the smooth swinging of his arms and being able to swing in one breathe without defiance.
I was told to do the same thing but, I can’t understand it let alone do as I was told. His instruction was that the correct way was swinging not just by your hands but your whole body as well.
Thinking that, I was practicing swinging while being conscious of my body movements.
I kept on earnestly doing that the entire time. Or so I say, but the current me still can’t keep it up.
When I ran out of breath, I won’t be able to lift my arms any longer. I was able to realize the capacity of my stamina with this fencing lesson. I should create time for myself to train my stamina.
Like this, I was able to formulate my own schedule little by little.
◇◇◇
After the fencing lesson the next would be afternoon nap.
Of course that was the schedule for the boy and someone like me would not be granted an afternoon nap.
Having said that, someone like me who merely became a full time valet has nothing to do on his free time and as if she had anticipated such, the one who arrived next was his little sister.
「Rion, you are free am I correct?」
「Yes.」
「Well then, accompany me.」
「To which place?」
「My study begins from this onwards. You should study with me as well.」
「….understood.」
Though I do not know what her studies was, learning is still a good thing nonetheless. No matter how much I wanted to study on my former world, I was not able to do so. The other me on the other hand, have never been able to study.
Just by being born poor, a person will already be robbed of his potentials.
I immediately remembered that phrase.
「Mayers-sensei, I have brought Rion along with me.」
「Ohh, that’s him.」
As though she had refused before hand, Mayers-sensei was clearly not very happy with my arrival. Having the vibe of strictness, she seemed to be very fitting for her job as a noble daughter’s tutor. Although it’s an image that I just selfishly imposed, she have really fitted what I imagined her to be.
「Well then teacher, pleased to be in your care.」
「Of course, Ariel-sama. I’m pleased to be in your care as well.」
「…What’s with that look?」
As I stood there petrified due to being surprised to her sudden change to proper decorum, the ojou-sama gave me looks of displeasure.
Now this is the usual ojou-sama.
「Ariel-sama, isn’t that behavior unbecoming?」
「….Oh my, I have shown you my embarrassing side. I will be very careful from now on.」
Again, it changed to that unexpected behavior.
「Erm, may I know what is the subject of this lesson?」
「Could you not tell by looking? It is the lesson of etiquette.」
「Etiquette? I’m participating as well?」
「You are not only the valet of that elder brother of mine but also my…… my……」
It seems she had the discretion that it would be hard to call me a pet in front of her manners tutor.
「Anyhow, as you are now a person of this household you should learn manners enough to avoid being an embarrassment in the public.」
「…However, I am nothing but a servant so..」
「Even if you are a servant, you are surely to become someone who will always follow onii-sama’s endeavors and at times, me as well. Or do you intend to become an embarrassment for us when that time comes?」
「No, I don’t intend to do so.」
「Then you must learn proper etiquette precisely.」
「Understood…」
It seems it’s hard to go against this girl even for someone like me whom have a considerably older mental age. Was it due to the dignity that the nobilities are born with?
However I did not feel such a thing to the boy.
「Well then, today was the first dance lesson, am I correct?」
「Yes?」
「That’s exactly why I called you. I would need a partner to be with for my dance lesson, you know?」
「I have no knowledge prior to dancing.」
Though I remember dancing in my primary school, it is very different from the dance here.
「That is fine, it is my first time as well after all. Well then teacher, let us begin.」
In the end, I had to accompany her dancing lesson for an hour. Luckily, it was just the beginning of her dance lesson that’s why the steps were pretty simple.
*Steps, to think I would be able to casually use this word.
It’s also not limited to just dance but I had to accompany and learn her manner lessons together with her.
Well that is fine though.
However, is this really part of my job as a valet?
◇◇◇
After the dance lesson of the girl were over I came back to the room of the boy.
Next on his schedule would be his magic lessons.
This is the only part that I wont be able to learn.
I merely stood in the corner of the room in order to not interrupt the boy who was focusing on grasping his mana just as the tutor of magic told.
Although this is a magic study, it seems he won’t really use magic in today’s lesson.
According to the tutor, the most important part was to be able to grasp and control your mana properly. In order to invoke a magic, you must be able to circulate the mana properly and allocate only the proper amount of it.
After mastering this mana manipulation, it seems the precision and effectiveness of your magic are surely to grow as well.
Presently, that boy is practicing the mana manipulation.
He was softly muttering the aria of magic at times.
It seems the process of chanting were divided in three steps, the invocation of magic being the first phase and second would be the manifestation of mana dwelling inside one’s body.
It seems this part mostly doesn’t change no matter what element you have. Because it’s highly dependent on the imagination of the individual, the arrangement is also accordingly.
In other words, the purpose of uttering the aria was for the individual to procure a mental image easier. With this you should be able to use special abilities even with non existent arias.
“Bestow on me, the power of healing!”
This is the second time I’ve heard that phrase.
Naturally, this will change the effectiveness of magic. For some reason this affects the circulation of mana inside one’s body.
But I feel like something is wrong.
Circulation does not fit how I imagined it.
“Wind of Cure, Healing!”
Lastly, the elements to be used must be established and after imbuing it with wind attribute, turning it to a healing magic. Sensei will then induce the mana residing in his body and the will of the world will act accordingly– is what I was told but which part did the world take action?
It has no part on the explanation of aria neither on the application part. They seemed to have mixed up the spirit and elemental magic. That’s what I thought in regards to my knowledge of fantasy genres in my former world.
Well, it’s only a crude knowledge.
Maybe I should have read more light novels before.
The will of the world and the four attributes, if those were spirits then do they manifest when one invokes magic? I looked relentlessly on the surroundings but there’s no trace of them.
Maybe it really is impossible to use magic after all.
If that’s the case I can only raise my fighting prowess through the sword. I cannot remain like this forever and thinking so I began to focus on my future.
I do not care anymore no matter what people say. I must obtain the power I need to live in this world properly.
I’ll put all my strength on training, the same level as those fantasy protagonist.
I swore from the bottom of my heart.
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