“In Preparation for the Tea Party 2”
“Phew, that was rough…”
Feeling mentally exhausted after my exchange with Clarice, I wiped the sweat from my brow. I hadn’t considered at all that she might react like that, and it left me slightly bewildered.
“Well, I suppose that reaction was not unreasonable.”
I had lived twelve years now in this world, but for half that time I was regaining my memories from my past life and preparing to escape from being the heir of a noble house. As such, I never acted like a child relying on my parents.
My little brother Mark was similarly focused due to the intensive coaching I gave him as the future heir, so like me, he also did not have the usual parent-child communication with Clarice. Laura clung to me halfway through too, and I didn’t recall Clarice doing anything particularly motherly for us either.
While there might be unscrupulous parents in this world who neglect or abuse their children, parents fundamentally adore their children.
It was not strange she would think that she hadn’t done anything for us as a parent. For someone likely harboring such feelings, hearing sudden heartfelt words like “Thank you Mama, I love you so much” from your child presenting pure innocence would of course elicit an intense reaction. While I intended it to be the optimal choice, perhaps that decision was mistaken after all.
Incidentally, upon seeing my son mode, Mark and Laura’s reactions were shining eyes saying “Even brother’s childish side is wonderful,” and delusions like “Oh my, Mother… How envious! One day I shall also do that with Big Brother Roland…”
Amidst that chaos, one had to wonder about the significance of the family patriarch when Randall had fainted from Clarice’s…”discipline.”
In any case, I escaped to Margrave Byreus’s territory as if fleeing from that place, but I worried whether the Margrave would meet me without any appointment. However, that concern was unnecessary.
“You are the adventurer Rolando-sama, yes? My liege has instructed that you be guided here immediately should you visit.”
“Ah, yes.”
Guided by the butler who went to greet me, I was directly taken to the Margrave’s office. I would expect visitors to be shown to a parlor or such, but perhaps Byreus was being considerate, or maybe my priority level was just high – whatever the case, it certainly saved time and I was not complaining.
“Oh, I had heard we were receiving a guest, but this is a rare one indeed. Let’s dispense with pleasantries. What business do you have?”
“…Well, the story goes like this…”
“…What was that supposed to be?”
I tried throwing out my usual vague explanation just because I was a bit curious, but as expected, Byreus did not comprehend it at all. This conclusively proves that the issue lies with that bunch.
I properly explained the situation to Byreus and asked if I could borrow some of his servants as well. Though surprised at first, perhaps judging that the tea party with royalty absolutely could not be marred by discourtesy, Byreus readily agreed to lend me people after a moment’s thought.
“But wouldn’t considerable time be required for people to travel here from my territory to the royal capital? Will it be in time?”
“It’ll only take an instant with my teleportation.”
“…Ah, that’s right, you can use teleportation. I’m in your debt for your assistance in the war against the Second Kingdom. While this hardly makes us even, I hope it will be of use to you.”
In response to Byreus’s words, I expressed my gratitude. At that moment, Lauren happened to be visiting along with two other girls.
“Father, regarding the education of Rofa and Rorie…H-Husband!?”
“Who are you calling husband? I don’t recall ever becoming engaged to you, let alone marrying you?”
It seemed she came to consult Byreus on educational policies for the younger sisters. From what I see, Lauren was conducting herself properly as the successor, but knowing that this was the groundwork to groom Mark as her fiancé left me with complicated feelings.
Rofa and Rorie were nine and six years old respectively. As sisters, they shared Lauren’s well-ordered features. They gave off an air more steadfast than their childlike appearances would suggest, so Lauren’s upbringing was likely thorough.
“Why have you come here!? Oh no, I must prepare your lodgings at once!”
“Why are you proceeding on the assumption I’ll be staying over!? It’s obvious I’ll be moving elsewhere after my business here is done!”
“…Tch, you didn’t fall for it.”
Her irritation tinged with exasperation at my pointing out her intention made me feel she was becoming more willful. Is this what they call the refinements of a noble daughter?
Meanwhile, Rofa and Rorie were bewildered at their sister’s unusual behavior, alternately glancing between Lauren and me – their reaction reminded me of a cat entranced by a cat toy.
“Well, it’s already nearing evening. How about we have dinner?”
“And then you’ll say something like “It’s already late, please feel free to stay the night”,” right? I see right through you.”
“Uuuh, if you understand that much, you might as well let yourself be tricked!”
While feeling exasperated at Lauren’s anger which seemed almost sulky, I greeted Rofa and Rorie briefly.
“This is our first meeting, but I’m Rolando, an adventurer.”
“I-I’m Rofa. Big sister Lauren talks about you a lot.”
“And I’m Rorie. Big sis is always delusionally going on about what she’ll do when she marries you.”
“Rofa, Rorie! They aren’t delusions. I’m merely envisioning in my mind events that will become reality in the future.”
I wanted to retort that there was no way such things could be called anything but delusions, but Byreus cut into the conversation then.
“Say, boy. Who exactly will be participating in this tea party of yours?”
“A tea party…?”
“I cannot give specifics, but I will say that the queen and a princess will be attending. Use that to infer the implications.”
“…So, they’re not just ordinary guests. Are they individuals related to royalty in other countries, perhaps queens or princesses from other nations?”
“…”
I silently responded to Byreus’s inquiry. My silence conveyed affirmation, and upon receiving that message, Byreus grimaced as if troubled by something. Wondering if there was some issue, Byreus then told me directly what it was about.
“If that is the case, then the rank of Margrave may be insufficiently noble for the occasion. It would be best to request assistance from at least a Marquis house or above. Do you have such connections?”
“…I do, but I’d rather not rely on that house if possible. I don’t want to make this into too huge an issue.”
“If a tea party with our country’s queen and princess is not a major issue, then by your standards, just what exactly constitutes something important?”
“……”
His words struck a nerve, and I inadvertently fell silent. Byreus’s opinion was perfectly logical. I determined that I should notify that house about this as well after all.
“Fine. I’ll contact Fahren too then.”
“Fahren? Fahren from the Duke of Rosenberg? Indeed, they have status enough, but I’m surprised you have ties with such a powerful ducal house.”
“Well, circumstances led to various things. Anyway, sorry to trouble you, but please handle the servants in order. I’ll come back for them later.”
After telling Byreus thusly, I tried to teleport to the Rosenberg Ducal estate but was interrupted by Lauren as expected.
“I bid you farewell… dear future husband.”
“I keep telling you, I am not your husband.”
“Perhaps not “now”…”
As we continued this exchange, I left the Byreus estate as if fleeing from their warm gazes seeing me off.
“In Preparation for the Tea Party 2”
“Phew, that was rough…”
Feeling mentally exhausted after my exchange with Clarice, I wiped the sweat from my brow. I hadn’t considered at all that she might react like that, and it left me slightly bewildered.
“Well, I suppose that reaction was not unreasonable.”
I had lived twelve years now in this world, but for half that time I was regaining my memories from my past life and preparing to escape from being the heir of a noble house. As such, I never acted like a child relying on my parents.
My little brother Mark was similarly focused due to the intensive coaching I gave him as the future heir, so like me, he also did not have the usual parent-child communication with Clarice. Laura clung to me halfway through too, and I didn’t recall Clarice doing anything particularly motherly for us either.
While there might be unscrupulous parents in this world who neglect or abuse their children, parents fundamentally adore their children.
It was not strange she would think that she hadn’t done anything for us as a parent. For someone likely harboring such feelings, hearing sudden heartfelt words like “Thank you Mama, I love you so much” from your child presenting pure innocence would of course elicit an intense reaction. While I intended it to be the optimal choice, perhaps that decision was mistaken after all.
Incidentally, upon seeing my son mode, Mark and Laura’s reactions were shining eyes saying “Even brother’s childish side is wonderful,” and delusions like “Oh my, Mother… How envious! One day I shall also do that with Big Brother Roland…”
Amidst that chaos, one had to wonder about the significance of the family patriarch when Randall had fainted from Clarice’s…”discipline.”
In any case, I escaped to Margrave Byreus’s territory as if fleeing from that place, but I worried whether the Margrave would meet me without any appointment. However, that concern was unnecessary.
“You are the adventurer Rolando-sama, yes? My liege has instructed that you be guided here immediately should you visit.”
“Ah, yes.”
Guided by the butler who went to greet me, I was directly taken to the Margrave’s office. I would expect visitors to be shown to a parlor or such, but perhaps Byreus was being considerate, or maybe my priority level was just high – whatever the case, it certainly saved time and I was not complaining.
“Oh, I had heard we were receiving a guest, but this is a rare one indeed. Let’s dispense with pleasantries. What business do you have?”
“…Well, the story goes like this…”
“…What was that supposed to be?”
I tried throwing out my usual vague explanation just because I was a bit curious, but as expected, Byreus did not comprehend it at all. This conclusively proves that the issue lies with that bunch.
I properly explained the situation to Byreus and asked if I could borrow some of his servants as well. Though surprised at first, perhaps judging that the tea party with royalty absolutely could not be marred by discourtesy, Byreus readily agreed to lend me people after a moment’s thought.
“But wouldn’t considerable time be required for people to travel here from my territory to the royal capital? Will it be in time?”
“It’ll only take an instant with my teleportation.”
“…Ah, that’s right, you can use teleportation. I’m in your debt for your assistance in the war against the Second Kingdom. While this hardly makes us even, I hope it will be of use to you.”
In response to Byreus’s words, I expressed my gratitude. At that moment, Lauren happened to be visiting along with two other girls.
“Father, regarding the education of Rofa and Rorie…H-Husband!?”
“Who are you calling husband? I don’t recall ever becoming engaged to you, let alone marrying you?”
It seemed she came to consult Byreus on educational policies for the younger sisters. From what I see, Lauren was conducting herself properly as the successor, but knowing that this was the groundwork to groom Mark as her fiancé left me with complicated feelings.
Rofa and Rorie were nine and six years old respectively. As sisters, they shared Lauren’s well-ordered features. They gave off an air more steadfast than their childlike appearances would suggest, so Lauren’s upbringing was likely thorough.
“Why have you come here!? Oh no, I must prepare your lodgings at once!”
“Why are you proceeding on the assumption I’ll be staying over!? It’s obvious I’ll be moving elsewhere after my business here is done!”
“…Tch, you didn’t fall for it.”
Her irritation tinged with exasperation at my pointing out her intention made me feel she was becoming more willful. Is this what they call the refinements of a noble daughter?
Meanwhile, Rofa and Rorie were bewildered at their sister’s unusual behavior, alternately glancing between Lauren and me – their reaction reminded me of a cat entranced by a cat toy.
“Well, it’s already nearing evening. How about we have dinner?”
“And then you’ll say something like “It’s already late, please feel free to stay the night”,” right? I see right through you.”
“Uuuh, if you understand that much, you might as well let yourself be tricked!”
While feeling exasperated at Lauren’s anger which seemed almost sulky, I greeted Rofa and Rorie briefly.
“This is our first meeting, but I’m Rolando, an adventurer.”
“I-I’m Rofa. Big sister Lauren talks about you a lot.”
“And I’m Rorie. Big sis is always delusionally going on about what she’ll do when she marries you.”
“Rofa, Rorie! They aren’t delusions. I’m merely envisioning in my mind events that will become reality in the future.”
I wanted to retort that there was no way such things could be called anything but delusions, but Byreus cut into the conversation then.
“Say, boy. Who exactly will be participating in this tea party of yours?”
“A tea party…?”
“I cannot give specifics, but I will say that the queen and a princess will be attending. Use that to infer the implications.”
“…So, they’re not just ordinary guests. Are they individuals related to royalty in other countries, perhaps queens or princesses from other nations?”
“…”
I silently responded to Byreus’s inquiry. My silence conveyed affirmation, and upon receiving that message, Byreus grimaced as if troubled by something. Wondering if there was some issue, Byreus then told me directly what it was about.
“If that is the case, then the rank of Margrave may be insufficiently noble for the occasion. It would be best to request assistance from at least a Marquis house or above. Do you have such connections?”
“…I do, but I’d rather not rely on that house if possible. I don’t want to make this into too huge an issue.”
“If a tea party with our country’s queen and princess is not a major issue, then by your standards, just what exactly constitutes something important?”
“……”
His words struck a nerve, and I inadvertently fell silent. Byreus’s opinion was perfectly logical. I determined that I should notify that house about this as well after all.
“Fine. I’ll contact Fahren too then.”
“Fahren? Fahren from the Duke of Rosenberg? Indeed, they have status enough, but I’m surprised you have ties with such a powerful ducal house.”
“Well, circumstances led to various things. Anyway, sorry to trouble you, but please handle the servants in order. I’ll come back for them later.”
After telling Byreus thusly, I tried to teleport to the Rosenberg Ducal estate but was interrupted by Lauren as expected.
“I bid you farewell… dear future husband.”
“I keep telling you, I am not your husband.”
“Perhaps not “now”…”
As we continued this exchange, I left the Byreus estate as if fleeing from their warm gazes seeing me off.
