474 - Lovey-Dovey Talk is a Proper Noise Crime
My kotatsu-snail life lasted three days before I got bored. Or rather, I had shut myself away in the kotatsu because I was feeling moody and lonely, but after three days, my rational self finally returned. I started thinking, in my right mind, just how appropriate it is for a sixteen-year-old to sulk and hide in a kotatsu.
...Sixteen is still a child in my previous life, but in this life, I've already passed the age of adulthood.
I must not keep sulking like a child. There is no benefit to doing such a thing, and in fact, this is likely the reason why those around me treat me like a child. Because I keep acting like a child, they treat me as one.
...Being treated like a child is easy, but it's not like I want to be a child forever.
If I want to be treated according to my age, I must first behave according to my age. When I realize that I am sixteen, my actions over the past few days cannot be seen as the behavior of a "sixteen-year-old lady" by any stretch of the imagination. Far from being a lady, my childishness is a failing grade even as a town girl.
...I will definitely go with him next year.
As I solidified a new resolution for next year, my spirits rose. To go along with Leonardo's travels next year, I first have to become able to go outside, so as a first step, I poked my head out of the kotatsu I had been hiding in. I cannot stay shut in the kotatsu forever, and besides, it is too dim inside for embroidery. Since I have an abundance of time, I have been making embroidery paintings, and I had been embroidering diligently even while hiding in the kotatsu.
...I wonder if Leonardo-san has arrived at the town of Mandez by now?
Because it is winter, snow is falling here and there, but it has not piled up very thickly yet. When I was first kidnapped by the spirits, a fast horse took a week to get from Grenore to Mandez, but since the snow is thin, they might reach the town of Mandez faster than that even with a normal horse.
--And, I think, it was a mistake to think about the Mandez estate.
It was about time for Sallisa to bring tea and sweets, saying "It's snack time." Thinking I would surprise her by showing her that I had voluntarily left the kotatsu for once, I tidied up my sewing tools and took one step out of the room into the hallway, but it was not the familiar hallway of the lord's manor.
"Huh?"
I think the question escaped my lips just like that because I was completely off guard. The place I stepped into from the room was not the hallway of the lord's manor, but the hallway of the Mandez estate.
...I thought it had been quiet lately.
I was completely off guard. Around the time the symptoms started in spring, I was tossed around in various ways, but recently, the biggest prank was just the dollhouse figures in Enomena's pot moving from where they were placed. Because of that, I neglected the simplest countermeasure against pranks, which is to avoid thinking about the royal capital or the Wyack Valley when near Enomena's pot. Far from taking precautions, I had let my loneliness get the better of me and had been hiding in the kotatsu clutching Enomena's pot, whimpering "Leo, Leo." This is practically asking for a prank.
...No matter how I look at it, this is my room in Mandez.
Since the hallway looked familiar, I turned around to look at the room I should have come out of. What was there was not my room in Grenore, but the room in the Mandez estate I had used for a while when I was nine. As proof, neither the giant bear plush toy nor the large black dog plush toy was enthroned on the canopy bed.
...But why now? I've been hiding in the kotatsu for three days...?
Thinking it was strange, I tilted my head and stepped into the hallway. It has been about three days since I started hiding in the kotatsu with Enomena's pot. I would understand if it happened on the first day, but it is quite unsatisfying that it happened for the first time on the third day.
"It has been a long time, Christina-sama."
"Oh, Iridal-san. When did you arrive here? I apologize for not welcoming you...? I received word from Leonardo-sama that Christina-sama would after all be spending her time in Grenore, but could it be...?"
"I believe that "could it be" is correct."
In the living room of the Mandez estate, I found Iridal watching the fireplace and called out to him. Iridal was surprised by my sudden visit, but he seemed to grasp the situation immediately. As expected of a capable house steward. It is easy and convenient that there is no need for an explanation.
...Well, I did come here suddenly once in the spring.
This is actually the second time I have come to the Mandez estate due to a fairy's prank. I had come to Mandez even before I started giving snacks to try and tame the prank fairy. Even without that, since I have always appeared suddenly from the start, it would probably be more surprising for Iridal if I came through the front door. Truly, I have only ever come to the Mandez estate by being kidnapped by spirits.
"Kalisa-sama should not have been a child who played such pranks..."
Iridal, who tilted his head thinking that Alisa was the one who was actually a prankster, naturally called Enomena's pot "Kalisa." As an explanation for when I appeared at the Mandez estate last time, I talked about Enomena's pot and where Kalisa's remains were buried, and since then, after I told the punchline that I had unknowingly been calling Enomena's pot "Kalisa," Iridal also calls Enomena's pot "Kalisa." Leonardo told me not to give Enomena a name, but since it has permeated this far, it would be too late to correct it now.
...Well, it will work out somehow.
Right now, it is precisely not "working out," but I pretend not to notice that fact and push it aside. Things will happen as they will. Rather, there is no way to deal with mysterious beings like spirits and fairies, so it can only happen as it happens.
"By the way, has Big Brother Leonardo arrived here?"
If Leonardo has arrived, I can understand why the prank fairy acted today of all days. For the past three days, I had been hiding in the kotatsu saying "Leo, Leo," but the prank fairy did not move until today. Most likely, it is because Leonardo arrived in the town of Mandez that the fairy transported me to the town of Mandez.
"As for Leonardo-sama, news arrived a moment ago that he has reached the fort. I believe he will come to the manor in the evening, but..."
I stopped Iridal, who was about to report my visit to the fort. Even if unintentionally, I have succeeded in outsmarting Leonardo. Here, I want to see Leonardo's face when he is surprised to be welcomed by me, who shouldn't be here.
...My mischievous spirit is in top form today.
To surprise Leonardo, where would be the most effective place to appear? Thinking I would first go scout the entrance hall, I opened the door, and a large chest blocked the way before my eyes.
"...Huh?"
"Oh?"
The identity of the large breasts was Sallisa. For some reason, Sallisa was standing in the hallway beyond the door, holding up an empty plate.
...No, that's not right. She looks exactly like her, but it's Alisa. Sallisa is in Grenore.
Even so, they look so much alike, I thought as I stared at "Alisa." Alisa's clothes were the same as the ones Sallisa was wearing this morning. I had added the embroidery of a frying pan and a spatula as a point of detail on the apron as a gift for the Spring Flower Festival. I had thought of a black Shiba (Koku-maro) embroidery for Kalisa and a frying pan and spatula for Sallisa, and then I realized. What the "Alisa" before me is wearing is Sallisa's apron. The frying pan and spatula I embroidered on Sallisa's apron are clearly depicted.
"...It shouldn't be possible, but are you Sallisa?"
"I find it mysterious myself, but yes."
"I see, so you are Sallisa after all. For a moment, I thought, since you couldn't possibly be in Mandez, maybe I'm mistaking you for Alisa? I thought... waah!? Why are you here, Sallisa!?"
"As for that, I can only... wonder why...?"
"Has it finally reached the point where people other than me are victims!?"
Since Sallisa is in the Mandez estate where she shouldn't be, that must be it. The prank fairy's pranks have finally begun to affect people other than me.
According to Sallisa, although it is a common occurrence, there was apparently a commotion in Grenore over my disappearance. However, because it has happened too many times, Enomena's pot was suspected as the culprit the moment I was gone. And as a first attempt this time, Sallisa apparently tried to negotiate with the prank fairy. She said she would give it pancakes if it returned me immediately or sent her to me.
"And the result of that is an empty plate?"
"Yes. When I realized it, the plate was empty."
Looking at the plate where even the honey that had been overflowing from the pancakes had vanished without a single drop remaining, I wanted to hold my head in my hands, though I am not Alfred. Truly, it would be one thing if only I were kidnapped by spirits, but it seems those around me are starting to get dragged in too.
"...If the prank fairy's prank level continues to rise like this, should I live alone in a place far from human settlements so as not to involve others?"
"In that case, I shall accompany you, so you will not be living alone."
Also, since Leonardo will definitely follow, I was corrected that it would be at least three people living together, only to be corrected further immediately. No matter where I live, at least one guard knight will be attached, so it will be four people. Since Rannvald might stick to Leonardo, it will be five people. Since Leonardo is looking after Mirshe until Lusio comes to pick her up, it might be six people. At this rate, living quietly in a place far from human settlements is impossible. With this many people, it will inevitably become lively.
"Sallisa, you are very calm for your first mysterious experience."
"I am also quite panicked."
"You don't really look it...?"
Since she says she is panicked, she must be panicked.
Since the timing of returning is different every time and cannot be judged, I decided to spend my time focusing on surprising Leonardo. Sallisa said she would cook, so I offered to help, but I was rejected. Although I should be a sudden guest, the mistress is indeed the mistress. She stopped my feet heading toward the kitchen, saying she wants me to leave the housework and other domestic matters to the servants and spend my time relaxing, so I decided to think carefully about how to surprise Leonardo.
Since it seems I have time, Iridal brought me bobbin lace. The bobbin lace that Kalisa took home and secretly spread in the Mandez estate has become a good pastime for Iridal and the others.
...Is their mental capacity different? I can only make ribbons with slightly complex patterns.
The bobbin lace made by Iridal and the others is clearly at a different level from what I make. I know Kalisa learned the tips for creating original designs from Aurelia, but they had progressed beyond geometric patterns to the point where they could weave in small landscapes. I tried to spread bobbin lace because I wanted to use the ribbons I received from Aurelia for daily use, but Iridal's bobbin lace has already reached the realm of art. It is an artistry that should be framed and hung on a wall rather than used as ribbons or hem decorations for clothes.
...I wonder if I could make a guidebook for intermediate and advanced users using this?
Please have this as well, Alisa brought me the designs she made when weaving bobbin lace with various patterns, so I looked through those too. With these designs, I feel I could challenge myself with slightly more complex things.
While gazing at the designs, I arranged a draft in my head to make a slightly difficult guidebook for intermediate users. Just as I started thinking I wanted a blackboard to organize my thoughts, Iridal came to tell me that Leonardo's figure could be seen beyond the main gate.
...Hehehe, Leonardo-san. Today's me is different from usual.
I had the maid outfit that Kalisa wore when she was a child brought out and put it on. Once I tied up my hair and straightened my back, an impromptu fake maid was complete. Today, I plan to approach Leonardo pretending to be a maid like this and enjoy Leonardo's surprise at the appearance of me, who shouldn't be in the Mandez estate. It might have been unnecessary camouflage for Leonardo, who from the start called the three sisters collectively "Alisa," but I had Sallisa do Alisa's hairstyle to join in the prank.
When the preparations were complete and I was about to go down to the first floor, Alisa told me that Leonardo had already moved to his room. Since she let me carry the coffee she was transporting, the motive for visiting the room was also perfect. I knocked and entered the room following Sallisa. Even though only winter visits, despite having returned to his own home, Leonardo was facing his desk. I cannot tell the contents of the documents due to the distance, but seeing Iridal assisting him by his side, they are likely documents regarding the manor rather than work for the fort. Iridal turned around at our entry, but Leonardo kept his gaze dropped on the documents.
"...Upon Leonardo-sama's return, we have hired one maid starting from this afternoon."
"I see."
"Her name is... Chris. She turns sixteen this year."
"She's young."
"She is dexterous and good at mending, and while she is quick-witted, she is also mischievous."
"Mischievous...?"
A quiet battle continued between Leonardo, who did not lift his face from the documents, and Iridal, who was trying to make him notice me. Iridal has been giving quite close hints for a while now, but Leonardo shows no sign of noticing. Since he is giving responses, he must understand the content of the conversation, but he had no reaction to the direct hints like "Chris" or "sixteen years old," nor to inappropriate words for introducing a hired maid such as "mischievous." He just silently faced the documents before him.
...I wonder when he will notice?
"Here you go," I said, slightly changing my voice, and placed the coffee next to the documents. Then, Leonardo gave a short thanks and brought the cup to his lips, but his gaze was not directed here.
...Thinking that Leonardo-san in work mode is kind of cool makes me a pretty serious brother-complex case, doesn't it?
I think this is a scene where I should be angry or sulk at Leonardo for not noticing me right in front of him, but I don't feel that way at all. I am excited to see when he will notice, but that's all. If there are any other emotions, it's probably just that Leonardo in work mode is cool. Since he always shows me a doting face that he cannot show outside, Leonardo with a professional face is precious.
Since it's a waste, I'll take a good look at the precious cool Leonardo and slightly changed my standing position. From this position, even if Leonardo suddenly looks up, my figure will not enter his field of vision.
Iridal, seeing me enter Leonardo's blind spot, grasped that I had changed the nature of my play. As expected of the capable house steward (Iridal). His face was expressionless, but only his voice became slightly lowered, taking on a tone of reproach.
"Leonardo-sama, since it has been a while since you were at the manor, why not first shake off the dust of your journey?"
"I think so too... but I want to finish my work as quickly as possible and return to Grenore, where Tina is waiting."
"As always, Chris-tina-sama, you cherish Tina-sama very much."
The way Iridal's "Christina" was split in a strange place was likely intentional. He might be trying to make Leonardo conscious of the maid (me) introduced as "Chris" earlier. And Leonardo is the type who does not notice such subtle consideration from Iridal. Just when I thought he finally lifted his face from the documents, he began to talk earnestly about his sister toward Iridal. Rather than talking about his sister, it was a kind of lovey-dovey boasting.
"How could there be a big brother who doesn't cherish his sister?"
The sister-praise by Leonardo that began with those words was unbearable for the sister herself listening from behind. I knew he was a sister-fool, a fool, but I didn't think he loved his sister (me) this much.
"My sister (Tina) is cute. For a while, she was nothing but skin and bones, but she is finally returning to the Tina of before. She is always small and cute, but recently she has actually started worrying about her height. She started saying things like 'The reason my height is low is because Big Brother Leonardo keeps petting my head!' and stopped letting me pet her head. No, even so, when she returns to the manor, she first says 'Welcome home' and, like this... gives me a squeeze of a hug from around the side--"
...Too long! Leonardo-san's sister-talk is too long!
Leonardo, who didn't even lift his eyes from the documents during the talk about the new maid, now couldn't keep his gaze on the documents once he started talking about his sister. Because Iridal gave responses at exquisite timing, Leonardo's topics likely never ran out. It seemed there were things he remembered one after another, and he continued to dig up and talk about detailed memories that even I, the person herself, had forgotten, such as how I was cute then, or how my sulking face at that time was the best. Iridal, who was forced to go along with this, must be greatly inconvenienced. And for me, who was forced to hear it directly, there were too many things that were just too ticklish.
...I get it. I thought I was pranking Leonardo-san, but this is Iridal-san's prank. The targets of the prank are me and Leonardo-san!
I am defeated by the sister-talk drawn out in great detail, and after this, Leonardo will be defeated when he is told that I heard all of this.
Perhaps Leonardo will receive no damage even if his sister-talk is heard by the sister herself. If that's the case, this is a prank return for me alone. For Leonardo, having his sister-love heard by the sister herself is probably far too late to be a problem.
"Recently, Tina has finally started wearing accessories, but she gets embarrassed over a single earring. She wears a hairstyle that hides the earrings, which is cute. When I point out that she's wearing earrings, she turns bright red and hides both ears--"
"Ah! Aaaaaah! I can't hear it! I can't hear anything!"
I mean, please stop it, I shouted, unable to bear Leonardo's sister-talk any longer. Rather, it would be more correct to say a strange scream came out of my mouth. That is how embarrassing and unbearable Leonardo's sister-talk was.