476 - Prank Verification
They say that once the heat has passed the throat, one forgets the burn.
I had genuinely reflected on my actions after Alf's earnest lecture, but I am the type who wants to try a new idea the moment it comes to me.
Despite usually being a shut-in who hates going out, I exhibit a strange amount of initiative for the sake of a prank, so human personality is a mysterious thing.
"If Lugmirama Fortress is no good, how about the town of Ragarette?"
I made this direct appeal to Enomena's pot while bringing pancakes, but the pancakes remained seated on the plate even after a night had passed.
Instead, or rather, I wonder where the news leaked from, but by lunchtime that day, Alf came to the mansion and I received another grateful lecture.
As expected, since it was the second time, it came with a punishment.
Alf forbade me from doing any translation work for about two weeks.
...Instead of taking away my hobby time, he took away my work time. That is so Alf. He understands me completely.
Since I basically do not go out to work and Tabitha and the others handle the housework, I am what you would call a NEET.
I have sold bobbin lace instruction manuals and received payment for translation work, but since both were extensions of my hobbies, it is difficult to feel that they were labor.
For someone like me, forbidding translation work, which is the only activity I count as "work," is a truly logical punishment.
I refuse overtime, but not being allowed to work at all is quite painful.
The reason I can enjoy my hobby time is because there are intervals of work, a labor from which I cannot escape.
To put it simply, if every day were Sunday, I would forget the gratitude for a day called "Sunday," right?
Holidays exist because of labor.
Since I have no other labor like housework, Alf probably knew that taking away my "work" would be the real punishment.
...Despite being an adult in terms of age, I do not go out to work, I do not do housework, and I just immerse myself in hobbies. I am nothing other than a NEET.
It is something I have felt occasionally since being taken in by Leonardo, but just being supported is painful.
I thought I was born a commoner in this life, but it seems I was actually a noble's daughter. However, the soul of a petty bourgeois Japanese person from my previous life is rooted in me.
As a former Japanese person who works diligently, I do not want grueling labor to the point of collapse, but labor to the extent of feeling light fatigue is an indispensable element for leading a healthy social life.
The punishment from Alf, telling me to do nothing, was truly an ordeal.
Around the time the two-week work ban was lifted, Leonardo returned to the town of Grenore.
Even though I say he returned, the town of Grenore is on the way from Lugmirama Fortress to Mey Fortress, so he just stopped by once to see how I was doing.
The fact that I had shown my face at the Mandez Residence once during Leonardo's journey probably influenced this detour.
Despite the short stay, I welcomed Leonardo's return at the entrance hall with joy.
I was so happy that I accidentally let it slip.
That I tried to go to Lugmirama Fortress using pancakes and a prank fairy, but I could not.
"...Tina, do not think about utilizing spirits."
"But wouldn't it be convenient if I could master them?"
I thought his hand would reach out to pinch my cheek as usual, but for today, that did not happen.
While I was thinking that was strange, Leonardo bent his waist and peered into my eyes.
...Yes, I get it. This is the serious lecture mode for children.
Is this the pinnacle of being treated like a child?
Due to being treated like a child more than ever before, something inside me broke.
I had occasionally thought that I must correct my childlike behavior, but now I feel I truly need to reform my actions.
The age of sixteen should not be an age where one is lectured while a guardian peers into their face.
"If Tina were to vanish somewhere alone, everyone else would worry, right?"
"...Salisa was able to come too, you know?"
When I argued stubbornly that I do not necessarily move alone, he countered with the correct point that Salisa was only able to follow my movement once.
Moreover, to be precise, Salisa "chased after me later," and did not move with me from the start.
The fact that I moved alone first does not change.
"As long as the conditions and the other party's thoughts are unknown, do not think about utilizing spirits."
I averted my eyes from Leonardo at the following words, which suggested I had not forgotten the terror of spirits.
I once incurred the anger of a spirit due to a slip of the tongue and was injured.
Since it was brought about by my own actions, I think I "had a terrible experience" regarding that injury, but that is all.
However, from Leonardo's perspective, it must be different.
I suddenly vanished from before his eyes, was sliced up in a place he did not know, and when I returned, although treatment with leaves had been applied, I was a disaster wrapped in bandages and unable to even speak.
His desire for me not to involve myself with spirits is probably stronger than anyone's.
...But it is a power too precious to give up on.
If I could manipulate it freely, it would be more than just shortening travel time.
Leonardo, who repeats movements to visit other fortresses in winter, would be more comfortable, and if I could go to the destination, we could spend the winter together.
It is a power unnecessary if I only spend time inside the mansion, but it is also a useful power for spending time with Leonardo.
Seeing me show a semblance of agreement, Leonardo breathed a sigh of relief.
After that, we moved to the living room, and he showed me souvenirs he bought in the town of Ragarette and my sketches that he said he recovered from Lugmirama Fortress.
Since the souvenirs were sweets as usual, I entrusted them to Salisa to have as snacks.
Regarding the sketches, when I pressed him on why there were so many, it seems Rannvald worked hard during the search for me.
...I totally thought Leonardo-san had exhibited his sister-complex and distributed them in Lugmirama Fortress as a hobby.
I was about to feel relieved inwardly that even Leonardo was not that much of a sister-complex, then I realized.
In the first place, if he were not pathologically obsessed with his sister, he would not have recovered sketches that had served their purpose.
...No, that is wrong. Even I would recover Leonardo-san's sketches if I scattered them to search for Leonardo-san. Normal, normal.
Is it normal? I started to lose a bit of confidence in my own "normal," but I pretended not to notice and pushed the question down with a lid.
A composite sketch is nothing other than personal information.
Recovering it should not be anything abnormal.
The next morning, I saw off Leonardo, who had rested in bed for one night, at the entrance hall again.
It seems he really just stopped by for a bit to see how I was doing, so he was not able to rest very leisurely.
"Once you check the state of Mey Fortress, this year's movements will be over, right?"
I count the number of days for the itinerary, thinking it should be faster than stopping by Mandez Fortress, going to Lugmirama Fortress, and returning.
He should stay at Mey Fortress for a few days as well, but the stay will not be longer than at Lugmirama Fortress, where he spent the time around the Divine King Festival.
"This year's movements end at Mey Fortress... but I plan to stop by Waiyakku Valley on the way. I feel there is no longer a need for confirmation, but since Tina should have gone there once."
As a preliminary confirmation, he probably wants to hear from Paula.
A messenger came from the royal capital, and Leonardo met me directly at Mandez, so I do not think that Waiyakku Valley was just a dream I had, but confirmation is important.
"...How long will it take to reach Waiyakku Valley?"
"It is a snowy road. It takes more than double the usual time... but I think we will arrive within eight days."
If Leonardo were to ride alone in a season without snow, he says he could arrive in three days.
Since it is the snowy season now, it is said that it is difficult to even gallop a horse.
"I understand, within eight days."
Hearing the approximate arrival schedule, I take a deep breath.
As it is, I tried shouting toward the ceiling, specifically toward my room on the third floor, "Take me to Aurelia-san's house in seven days!"
"Tina?"
"I'm sorry!"
This time, Leonardo's hand, which reached out to my cheeks, pulled both of my cheeks.
I feel like he is enjoying the squishy sensation of my cheeks, but since Leonardo has strength, it is subtly painful.
When I managed to escape from Leonardo's hand and put some distance between us, Leonardo was knitting his brows with a troubled look.
"I told you that you must not rely on spirits."
"I just tried saying it. I did not even prepare pancakes this time."
Salisa was able to negotiate with the prank fairy using pancakes, but I have not succeeded once.
If so, this time I prepared nothing and just tried saying it.
In the first place, I am always caught off guard when I move.
I have never moved while preparing a consideration like pancakes.
Seeing off Leonardo, who departed while worrying, I spend my days as usual while continuing my embroidery and translation work.
I was able to replenish Leonardo's share, and I have gradually become accustomed to Leonardo's winter absence, so I no longer feel that depressed.
I spend fulfilling days making Leonardo's shirts for the Spring Flower Festival, progressing with the embroidery paintings, and making more shirts.
Salisa worried that I was doing nothing but working, but that is a difference of opinion.
For me, embroidery is a hobby, not work.
"...Huh?"
Thinking it is almost snack time, I put the needle and thread away in the sewing box.
I wonder what today's snack is? When I step out into the hallway to peek into the kitchen for reconnaissance, I am standing in a place that looks familiar but is not the hallway of the lord's mansion.
"Um... is this Aurelia-san's house?"
Looking around, I find myself in a living room with rows of empty shelves.
Previously, they were shelves filled with dried herbs and nuts, and stones that seemed to be minerals, which were apparently used for mixing medicines, but now they are empty shelves.
Paula should be living in Waiyakku Valley as the manager, but the place she lives is the annex.
Currently, Paula is like the master of Waiyakku Valley, but out of respect for Aurelia, she does not seem to have any intention of moving from the annex to here.
"I tried saying it just in case, but I actually came."
Thinking that there was nothing to lose, I tried saying "Take me to Aurelia's house," and it seems I was truly transported to Aurelia's house.
Looking at the familiar shelves and the scratches on the table, there is no mistake that this is Aurelia's house.
I wonder if Paula is there if I go outside. As I approach the entrance door, the door is knocked on with perfect timing.
"Yes, I'll open it now."
Without any doubt, I open the door saying "Sorry to keep you waiting," and upon seeing Leonardo's face standing there, I gently close the door.
I had forgotten in my excitement at being able to come to Aurelia's house, but it is bad for Leonardo to know that I am in Waiyakku Valley.
Just before leaving, I was earnestly lectured not to think about utilizing spirits.
"Tina!? Why are you here...!"
"It is your imagination. You have the wrong person. It is an optical illusion."
"No, there is no way an illusion would answer so clearly."
"If it were Leo's cute little sister, she would be spending her snack time peacefully in Grenore right now!"
"Just open the door."
"...Yes."
From the suppressed voice, Leonardo's surprise and anger are conveyed.
Rather than continuing useless resistance and prolonging the lecture, I timidly open the door, and what was there was not a face of anger, but a Leonardo who looked like he was about to cry from worry.
"Um... I'm sorry. It seems the prank fairy listened to my previous request."
As a meager excuse, I insist that I did not make a new wish to the prank fairy today.
Since I have gradually become accustomed to Leonardo's absence, I have stopped appealing my loneliness to Enomena's pot.
"It seems the prank fairy has a sense of time. I said seven days later, and it is exactly that. Or perhaps it knew where Big Brother Leonardo was and transported me at just the right time?"
Continuing in a monotone that it is mysterious and the fairy is amazing, Leonardo's hand reaches for my cheek.
There is no strength in the hand lightly pinching my cheek.
Apparently, he has become quite exasperated.
"A sister who does not reflect and lets her brother's advice go in one ear and out the other needs a punishment."
I will not buy souvenirs upon my return this time.
The candies with flowers sold in the castle town of Mey Fortress are my favorite because of their cute appearance.
Leonardo apparently thought that not buying those would be a punishment.
Leonardo is as soft on me as ever.
"How long do you intend to think of me as a child who is lured by sweets? The flower candies are lovely, but just not having souvenirs will not be a punishment."
When I continue that Alf's punishment was more painful, Leonardo shows a gesture of thinking for a bit.
Since I reported Alf's punishment, he is probably thinking about the difference in direction between his and Alf's punishments.
"By the way, Tina, what do you think would be the greatest punishment?"
"Since it is a punishment... it should be something painful, right? When I think about Big Brother Leonardo not coming back, I feel like I would die of loneliness, so I think that would be a punishment for me."
"That would be a punishment for me as well."
Since he continued that not being able to return to the house where his sister is waiting would be what kind of torture, I answer that I would be lonely too.
When I add that I will wait as a good girl, so please come back soon, Leonardo smiled strongly as if to reassure me.
...Alright, the conversation drifted.
I attempt to guide the conversation to move away from the topic of punishment.
Now is the time to showcase the speaking skills I learned from Hermine.
"The place you are heading to now is Mey Fortress, right? Speaking of Mey Fortress, I think they sold cute flower candies..."
"I will buy plenty and bring them back."
I am begging for the very thing he said "I will not buy" just a moment ago, but Leonardo is cheerfully promising "I will buy them."
Although he is my brother, I worry if it is alright for him to be so easily deceived, but I want him to stay this way toward me.
"That's right. For Mirshe's share too..."
"You are being talked into it by Christina-sama, Leonardo-sama."
I turn around at the sudden sound of a woman's voice from behind.
In the center of the living room, as expected, was the figure of Salisa holding an empty plate.
"Huh? Salisa...?"
"Aaron rushed into the kitchen in a panic saying that Christina-sama's figure had vanished, so I negotiated with the fairy in exchange for Christina-sama's snacks for today."
Saying that it seems she is the only other one who could come, Salisa looks around.
Like I tried on the day of the Divine King Festival, Salisa seems to have approached the fairy for negotiation by having Mirshe and Aaron hold plates with snacks.
"I feel like I am starting to see some kind of pattern..."
Salisa says that Kalisa was good at organizing and summarizing information.
Since Kalisa is not here now, they have no choice but to think for themselves.
"When to move is up to the fairy, but it seems the fairy does have a proper sense of time."
Or perhaps it is that the fairy grasps Leonardo's movements, as it brought me exactly on the day I wanted to welcome Leonardo at Aurelia's house.
Leonardo answered "within eight days," and I said "in seven days" toward the ceiling.
And although I myself had almost forgotten that I said "in seven days," I was transported to Aurelia's house in time for Leonardo's arrival.
This movement depends on the fairy's mood, but it is no mistake to think that the fairy itself judges our convenience well.
"What we know for now is that we only appear in places we have been to, is that it?"
"Is that so? But for Salisa to come to Aurelia-san's house... ah, that happened."
When Kalisa first came to the town of Grenore, it was for a decided period of one year.
As a nursemaid, Kalisa came to the town of Grenore in winter, spent the following winter with me in Waiyakku Valley, and returned to Mandez following Leonardo's movement.
After that, Salisa, who was to go to Grenore in exchange for Kalisa, should have come to welcome me to Waiyakku Valley together with Leonardo.
Salisa had indeed come to Aurelia's house once.
"The reason Aurelia-san's house was okay and Lugmirama Fortress was no good... is because I had never been to Lugmirama Fortress...? Considering that we always appear inside a house, I feel the location of a house becomes important."
"If you think the house is important, it also explains the reason we could not go to the town of Ragarette. Because Christina-sama does not have a house in the town of Ragarette. But if that is the case, it contradicts the story of having gone to the Empire's castle."
"No, there is no contradiction. In Augun Castle, there is a room that Carlotta-sama prepared for Tina. If that room is as it was, the fairy might count it as Tina's house in its values. ...However, looking at them side by side like this, for now, it seems we appear in places that are safe for Tina."
"It seems so."
Salisa concludes that it is still a mystery whether she can come because it is where I am, or because it is a place she has been to.
Salisa is the only human other than me who has been transported by the prank fairy, but the place she was transported to is always where I am.
It has not been determined whether she is transported to where I am, or if she is transported to a place Salisa has been to.
"I would like to receive permission from Leonardo-sama to challenge the verification of this mystery..."
"I cannot order a woman to do something that might be dangerous. You are a precious charge."
Because he let Kalisa, whom he was looking after, die, he does not want to let Salisa, Kalisa's sister, do anything dangerous.
Even if the thing with Kalisa had not happened, it is a proposal he is reluctant to order a woman who is not a knight to do, Leonardo says with a grim face.
Even I would not want Salisa to do verification work if there were danger.
"But since Christina-sama is snatched by spirits even if she does nothing, if verification can be done, it is best to do it."
Salisa continues that for now, the fairy only responds to her own requests.
Even if they want to verify the range of the prank fairy's pranks, only Salisa can verify it other than me.
To Salisa, who says that if it is a problem that cannot be left alone, it is better to take action early, I can tell Leonardo's feelings are wavering.
After he slowly closed his eyes and let out a deep, deep sigh as if exhaling all the air in his lungs, when he next opened his eyes, the hesitation had completely vanished from Leonardo's face.
"I permit Salisa to verify the prank fairy. Putting your own safety first, and only if possible, I want you to explore the fairy's intentions."
Beside Salisa, who takes her leave saying "Please leave it to me," I pout my lips, feeling somehow displeased.
When I say I want to verify, he gets angry or says no, I sulk, but he answered with a straight face that there is no way he would put me in danger.
To Leonardo, I am a precious sister, but for reasons other than that, I am someone he cannot put in danger.
If he did such a thing, he would be scolded from above.
"Saying it is okay to put Salisa in danger is a reckless argument."
"I do not intend to say such a thing, but Salisa is an adult. She will not make a mistake in moderation."
"I am also an adult in terms of age."
"In terms of age, yes."
I only have a height that barely looks thirteen, but in terms of age alone, sixteen is a respectable adult in this world.
It is an age where one can even marry, but perhaps because of my appearance, there is no sign of the child treatment improving.
Since I also behave like a child by taking advantage of that, Leonardo's judgment is natural, if anything.
This child treatment from those around me is my own fault, brought about by my own actions.