Chapter 158
Chapter 158. A Good Person, Once You Know Him
“Was there nothing in particular?”
“Nothing special. Well, it does not seem as though she is trying to start a rebellion or anything of that sort.”
After Princess Ophelia left, I went to Young Master Hamel’s quarters. I needed to hear what kind of conversation they had exchanged. Only then would I know what I could support him with.
“Then I do not understand how she intends to aim for the Throne.”
“From what I heard, it seems she does not necessarily care if it is the Throne.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“The title of monarch itself is not what matters. She is a woman for whom standing above all people is what matters. She could choose an indirect method. She does covet the Throne, but realistically, there are far too many mountains she must cross.”
“That is true.”
“Even if she giggles and acts cute on the outside, that woman is in a rather desperate situation in her own way.”
I propped up my chin and sank into thought.
It seemed she had a plan somewhat similar to mine. My goal was to become the Greatest Man on the Continent. That did not mean I intended to found a kingdom, start a war, and unify the Continent.
I had basically chosen a method of expanding my influence through commerce and trade.
Perhaps the Princess, too, intended to solidify her own power in a different way.
“In any case, it does not seem there is anything in particular for me to do.”
“At tomorrow’s Birthday Party, do everything you can to catch His Majesty the King’s eye. The Princess said she would build a bridge for you, so an opportunity will come in one form or another. If you lose it like a fool, I will not forgive you.”
“Please do not worry.”
“How is Ella?”
“The Princess seems to have given her good medicinal ingredients, because she recovered her strength quickly. I suggested a walk, and I plan to briefly go outside with the Young Lady.”
At those words, Young Master Hamel’s expression grew subtle. He looked pleased at his younger sister’s Full Recovery, yet anxious about what I might do.
“If you do anything strange, I will cut off your head.”
“My neck is made of steel, so no one can cut it easily.”
“You crazy bastard. Get out.”
After showing my respect, I left the Young Master’s room and returned to the Young Lady’s quarters.
Sapiela was in the middle of preparing to go out. Arwen and the other Maids were changing her clothes, putting accessories on her, and helping with her makeup.
“Young Lady. All preparations for departure are complete.”
“Then let us go.”
The Young Lady wore a modest dress. Since her condition was poor, I had asked them to choose clothes that would be easy to move in.
When we went outside, Arthas and the Cavalry Unit were waiting. Today, we were going to the central district of the Royal Capital, so there was no need for many troops.
Arthas gave a Military Salute, and I boarded the Carriage with the Young Lady.
Soon, the Carriage began moving toward our destination.
We quickly arrived, and we got down from the Carriage. Arthas and the Cavalry Unit tied up their horses and stood in front of and behind us, guarding us thoroughly.
I stood to Sapiela’s left and guided her toward the Teahouse.
The reason I had not taken the Carriage directly to the Teahouse was that I wanted to show her the streets of the Royal Capital. I had also suggested taking a walk.
“The Royal Capital truly is vast.”
“There seem to be many places worth seeing. Next time, I think it would be nice to stop by the Grand Cathedral.”
I had heard from Chief Brituang that the Grand Cathedral in the Royal Capital was an extremely enormous and majestic place. He had said it was a good place to understand the Church’s influence.
In truth, although I had done many things until now, I had never once become involved with the Church. I had not felt firsthand what kind of group they were.
Perhaps I would come to know this time. If Young Master Prah were to run wild, there might come a situation where we would have to face the Church’s Holy Knights.
Of course, Young Master Hamel and I would have to resolve the problem before that happened.
“Would we be able to go there before returning to my hometown?”
“If we adjust the schedule, I believe it will be entirely possible. I will put it on the list of places you should visit, Young Lady.”
“Thank you.”
I smiled broadly.
It occurred to me that she seemed to say thank you quite often these days. In the past, she had been someone who made me wonder whether she even knew gratitude.
We continued walking like that, and we were able to arrive at our destination.
When we entered, an employee dressed in fine Formal Attire greeted us.
“Welcome. Excuse me, but from which House have you come?”
“This is Young Lady Sapiela of House Adeline.”
“Ah, please forgive my discourtesy. Lady, it is an honor to serve you. This is your first visit here, is it not? I will escort you upstairs.”
I could sense the power of House Adeline. Once I revealed the House, the other employees also escorted us.
When we went up to the second floor, there was a good room with an open view. We took our seats there.
“What would you like from the menu?”
“Lemongrass tea and one cup of warm milk. Please add a soufflé as well. And water, too.”
“Understood. I will prepare them immediately. If you need anything else, please shake the Bell over here.”
The employee pointed to the Bell, bowed, and left. Since the room was well soundproofed, we enjoyed our leisure without any disturbance.
“Are there places like this in Adelaina, too?”
“There are a few Teahouses, but none as luxurious as this. I have already made a suggestion to the Metis Trading Company. I asked them to create a high-class Teahouse that you could enjoy, Young Lady.”
“Ah.”
The Young Lady smiled faintly.
It was not an empty promise. Saint Lucia, the Royal Capital, was the most developed place, befitting its role as the Kingdom’s heart. I intended to bring the special things I had seen here to the Adeline Territory. With my modern knowledge added, of course.
The Teahouse was also one of those projects.
To be precise, I intended to create a café that sold coffee. I had heard that coffee beans existed in this world as well, so I planned to import them and make proper coffee.
I had once worked part-time at a blending café when I was an undergraduate, so there would be no problem with preparation. If there was a problem, it would be the tools.
“Sir Dilen, you are strict, but sometimes you are kind, too.”
“I am strict?”
“When you teach something, I get that feeling a little. With studying, and also with how to treat people.”
“If I made you uncomfortable, I apologize.”
“That is not what I meant.”
I knew. I knew what she wanted to say. She meant that she had completely fallen for my charm.
It was fun, as though we were on a Date. If I became closer to the Young Lady little by little like this, we would eventually become able to exchange our feelings without burden.
At that moment, a knock sounded from outside.
I told them to come in.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
At that moment, a female employee wearing an Apron brought in the ordered tea and soufflé on a tray.
“I will prepare the drinks and soufflé you ordered.”
The female employee set down the bowl containing the appetizing soufflé and began arranging the drinks around it. Finally, just as she was about to set down the water glass.
Crack!
The water glass cracked, then shattered. Unfortunately, it broke on Young Lady Sapiela’s side, so the water spilled and soaked her dress.
“Ah!”
The flustered female employee tried to clench her hand, only to cut it badly on a shard of glass.
Blood poured out.
Meanwhile, the Young Lady, who had been splashed with water, sprang up from her seat. Her expression was no ordinary one.
“I am sorry! I am truly sorry! Please forgive me!”
The panicked female employee did not even think to stop the bleeding and prostrated herself before Sapiela, begging for forgiveness. The employees who had followed her in also seemed to grasp the situation and bowed repeatedly.
“Lady, are you all right?”
“I will wipe it for you!”
Another female employee rushed over with a towel. I also stood up, but without doing anything in particular, I watched how the Young Lady would respond.
Suddenly, I remembered the scene from before, when I had swept the Young Lady’s foot with a broom while cleaning the yard. A smile appeared on my lips. Back then, I really thought I was going to die.
Usually, if one caused harm to a noble’s body, one would be taken away. If the crime was severe, there were also many cases where immediate punishment was carried out.
In the current situation, it was only spilled water, so no one’s neck would be cut, but even if she were taken away, there would be nothing she could say.
However, I was expecting an unexpected scene.
Recently, the Young Lady had matured while going through various incidents. She was learning how to treat others not as a noble, but as a person.
Shall I see how the Young Lady responds?
“Wait.”
She stopped the female employee who was about to wipe her clothes with the towel. Then Sapiela pointed at the other female employee, who was prostrated on the floor.
“Stop the bleeding first. She is bleeding quite a lot.”
“Ah, understood!”
The floor was soaked with blood. Mixed with the water, it looked like even more. Sapiela frowned, but she did not avoid it.
The employees seemed even more flustered because they had expected a thunderous reprimand, only for Sapiela to unexpectedly worry about the wounded employee.
That is a good choice, Young Lady.
Even where I had lived, abuses of power were already outrageous. How much worse would it be in this place, where the class system was so clearly established? If it had been another Young Lady from another House, she probably would have overturned the table and made a scene.
In any case, I was satisfied.
The Young Lady had matured far more than when I had first met her. During our private lessons, I had once explained the concept of clemency to her, and it seemed she had digested it well in her own way.
However, their skill at stopping the bleeding was not good at all.
It was my turn to step in.
“Give me a Handkerchief. Quickly.”
After receiving a Handkerchief from an employee, I washed the wound with the water on the table and wrapped the Handkerchief around it.
Of course, I did not merely wrap it. I poured in a small amount of Mana to raise her natural healing ability.
When I had used it on injured Soldiers before, it had produced a definite effect, so the cut on her hand would probably heal soon.
As I tied the knot, I gave her instructions.
“Apply medicine tomorrow and replace it with a new Handkerchief. Do not untie this under any circumstances today.”
“Thank you. Thank you so much…….”
While I stopped the female employee’s bleeding, the owner of the Teahouse ran over and apologized politely. He was a very tall, dignified middle-aged man, but his face was full of bewilderment.
“Our employee has committed a grave discourtesy. On behalf of this Teahouse, I apologize. We will take responsibility and compensate you for the dress you are wearing. Please show mercy.”
“The dress can be compensated, but who will compensate me for the pleasant time I was having?”
At Sapiela’s sharp remark, the owner could not raise his head.
Well, she would not be the Young Lady otherwise. Still, I thought she had endured quite well if this was the extent of it.
“I deeply regret having disturbed your precious time, Lady. If it is acceptable to you, would you grant us the opportunity to escort you to another room?”
“I suppose it cannot be helped. I would like to return to the Mansion at once, but I am not alone today…… Very well.”
“Thank you. Now, please come this way.”
We took our seats in a newly guided room. We spent time alone together, eating the soufflé drizzled with sweet honey and various desserts served on the house.
“That was very impressive.”
“What was?”
“The way you forgave the employee who made a mistake. It was enough to make me want to tell Master when we return to the Territory.”
“It was nothing much.”
“Even if you say it was nothing much, the reality is that many nobles cannot do that. The clemency you showed today will probably be talked about by many people. In another sense, you have raised the honor of the House. Taking up a sword, going to the Battlefield, and earning achievements are not the only ways to raise one’s honor. So you may take pride in it.”
As I praised her like that, I poured honey over a piece of the soufflé. Then I picked it up with the fork the Young Lady had been using and offered her a bite.
“I once heard something similar before. At that time, Brother Hamel said something like that to me, too.”
“He is a good person once you know him.”
The Young Lady, who had been gazing at me, laughed softly, then obediently placed the soufflé in her mouth. I was glad she seemed to be in a good mood.