Chapter 82 - Chapter 81: Is Mealtime Fun for Everyone?
Water Month, Week 4, Day of Water.
Cleiria, who had returned to Sarbengeal, came back to the Royal Capital.
She had gone back to Sarbengeal to plead for Virone's life, but it seems she returned to the Royal Capital around yesterday evening.
When Mika tried to go exploring within the Royal Capital after school as usual, he was stopped by a messenger from Cleiria.
And, without any argument, he was forced into a carriage and taken to the Leventein family's villa.
The sight of cramming a child into a carriage looks almost like kidnapping to an onlooker.
Everyone, isn't that a bit too forceful?
I can't really talk about others, either.
（However, unlike a shared carriage, a noble's carriage is fast.）
Mika and the others took eight days to come from Sarbengeal to the Royal Capital one way, but Cleiria made the round trip in only thirteen days.
I don't know how many days she stayed in Sarbengeal over there, but isn't it about four or five days one way?
"I'm back, Mika. I'm sorry for the suddenness."
Upon arriving at the villa, they were led to the reception room, and Cleiria came shortly after.
Behind her stood two unfamiliar guard knights waiting.
Until now, Virone had been stuck to Cleiria's side, but the other guard knight changed daily.
So, regarding guard knights other than Virone, to be honest, I haven't even properly memorized their faces.
While I was running away, I was avoiding looking at Cleiria anyway.
"Thanks to Mika, I was saved. If it weren't for Mika's letter, I probably couldn't have persuaded my father. ...He hardly listened to my words."
Saying that, Cleiria hung her head.
"But, that means it worked out somehow, right?"
"Yes!"
Cleiria answered happily with a smile.
It seems Cleiria had talked with Virone many times on the way to Sarbengeal.
Virone could not change his opinion that Mika was dangerous, but it seems he was no longer in a state possessed by obsession.
（Well, Virone is watching the scene right now.）
There was nothing I could say against the opinion that "You mustn't become friends with such a child!"
And upon arriving in Sarbengeal, it was just a matter of persuading the Marquis Leventein, but----.
"If you have an explanation, I will listen now."
"...None."
The moment the Marquis heard what Virone had done, he drew his sword and pointed it at the kneeling Virone.
With just this exchange, it seems he intended to cut off his head right there.
This wasn't even a plea for mercy.
He intended to execute with an immediate verdict.
Panicking, Cleiria threw herself in front to shield Virone and begged for his life, but the Marquis paid no attention at all.
But----.
"The one who suffered the most damage in this incident is Mika! I have received a letter of plea for mercy from Mika himself!"
"............Hoh...?"
The Marquis, who had paid no attention until then, showed interest in Mika's letter.
Cleiria handed over Mika's letter, and after reading it, the Marquis furrowed his brow deeply, thought for a while, and then decided to "hold it for now."
It seems he took time to consider the verdict.
During the time it was held, Virone was put in the mansion's dungeon, and Cleiria spent three days without feeling alive.
"I didn't know when my father would change his mind and execute Virone... There was a possibility he might execute him without telling me anything."
But, when summoned by the Marquis to deliver the verdict, it seems Knight Commander Magnus was also there.
And the verdict given to Virone was "six months of labor."
After that, he was to be placed under the custody of the Knight Commander with the words, "Knock some sense into that rotten nature."
It seems there is an elite unit under Knight Commander Magnus's direct command that undergoes very strict training every day.
They were thrown into that unit; if they recover, good; if they are crushed, then so be it.
（...It means "train until they become usable." Could this be because of me?）
If you fight to the death, I might let you live, but if you can't, then die. That seems to be the thinking.
This can be said to be almost exactly the result of my advice.
（However, I thought the Marquis old man wouldn't listen to my words much, but he swallowed it whole almost completely.）
Mika did not show the contents of the plea for mercy letter to Cleiria.
If he asked in a half-hearted manner, it would likely end with "read once and that's it," so he wrote a punishment asking which is more comfortable: living or dying.
Specifically,
"---If left as is, there is no meaning in keeping him alive. Execute him. However, since he is a knight who can easily throw away his life for Lady Cleiria, if he learns how to use his life, there is a possibility he can be of use to Lady Cleiria in the future."
"---If Your Excellency thinks he has no prospects, please execute him to cut off future worries. But, since there seems to be a bond between Lady Cleiria and Virone stronger than master and servant, if he can be reborn, there is no other knight as strong as him."
"---Train him so severely that he will take his own life saying "I can't take it anymore." If the bond between the two is strong enough to overcome even that, surely Virone will save Lady Cleiria from crisis in the future. I will save Lady Cleiria."
And so on, I tried writing.
Since he had been entrusted with protecting Cleiria since her childhood, it is certain that the Marquis does not think Virone has "no prospects."
No fool would assign a knight he thinks is useless to protect his daughter.
The possibility of cutting ties due to this incident was high, but by training him so severely that he would think death is preferable, the content was simply saying, "Give it a chance!"
Finally, I mentioned the fact that I saved Cleiria from crisis by overlooking Mika's own "escape from the academy."
Depending on how it is received, it could be seen as "Maybe I'll be useful like that time?" or "Pay back the debt from that time."
Well, I don't mind how he takes it, but I am just saying, "Make yourself useful and send me back, otherwise dispose of me."
"But, Mika, how did you persuade my father? I have never been able to change my father's mind even once."
Cleiria asked many times about the trick to persuading the Marquis, but I vaguely smiled and faked it.
（Although it's called a plea for mercy, it's actually "Can I have him disposed of if he's useless?" I can't tell Cleiria that.）
I issued a "false order" in the Marquis's name, which was essentially an unauthorized command.
Just saying "Please, just spare his life" would not be listened to.
"...It is sad that Virone, who was always by my side, will be leaving, but thanks to Mika, his life was spared. Thank you very much."
Saying that, Cleiria bowed her head politely.
"It's exaggerated. Besides, if we are friends, there is no need to bow so formally."
"Is that so?"
Cleiria lifted her face and blinked her eyes as if surprised.
"Just say 'thank you' or 'thanks'. That is what friends are."
It is normal to help each other and lend strength to each other.
Expressing gratitude in words is important, but it is not something that requires such formality.
"Is... is that okay?"
"It's fine, it's fine. That is normal."
Cleiria had a suspicious expression.
The knights waiting behind her had faces like "What kind of nonsense is this kid teaching Lady Cleiria?" but I didn't care.
"So, is it okay if I go to the academy starting tomorrow?"
"Yes. I will go to the academy normally tomorrow, so please take care of me."
With a smile showing slight fatigue, Cleiria answered.
In this way, Virone's plea for mercy was somehow granted, and the series of commotions came to a conclusion.
...By the way, the Knight Captain who was the head of security and guard knight of the villa, who had allowed Cleiria to escape so easily, was severely reprimanded.
Cleiria, who used the escape route for this, was sentenced to having her allowance cut off for one month.
Captain-san, that is a complete collateral damage!
■■■■■■
Water Month, Week 4, Day of Wind.
The lunch break the day after Cleiria returned to the Royal Capital.
Mika looked to the left.
Rimliche, with a smiling face, was looking at Mika.
Mika looked to the right.
Cleiria, with a smiling face, was looking at Mika.
Looking straight ahead, Cecilia, with a strained smile plastered on her face, was looking at Mika.
But, under the table, Cecilia was extending her leg and kicking Mika's leg vigorously.
（I get it, I get it! It's my fault! I understand your feelings, but stop kicking!）
Mika had promised Cleiria that he would introduce her to a friend from the academy in the Leventein domain.
But, the next day Cleiria headed for Sarbengeal, and Mika had completely forgotten that promise.
（I felt like I was forgetting something, so this was it...）
This morning, when I met Cleiria at the academy and she said, "Mika, introduce them," I had completely forgotten.
I couldn't say "I forgot," so I answered with a smile, "Okay, I'll introduce you. Is lunch okay?" and that is where we are now.
（I understand why you'd despair being told to become friends with the Marquis's daughter right away. You wouldn't feel alive either.）
If you offend them carelessly, what kind of disaster might fall upon you.
For commoners, nobles are only harmful, not beneficial.
Mika used to think so too, but the best thing is not to get involved.
Even though everyone in the Leventein Group knew that "Mika seems to know the Marquis's daughter," they never thought it would have anything to do with them; it was just a relationship between Mika and Cleiria.
But, when Mika said, "From today, everyone is friends," and Cleiria was also in the mood for it.
This is truly what it means to be pale with fear.
Cecilia was half-angry, Rimliche was smiling whether she understood or not, and everyone else was turning blue.
Well, this was a situation somewhat expected.
However, what was not expected was that Cleiria did not go to the noble cafeteria but came to the general cafeteria that Mika and the others usually use.
"Let's eat together."
When Cleiria invited them to the noble cafeteria, I felt everyone silently sending a prayer to Mika, "Please, please refuse."
Mika also had no intention of getting involved with nobles other than Cleiria, so he refused, saying, "If we go to the noble cafeteria over there, it will cause trouble for others."
Then, she said, "Yes. Then I will go over there," and came to the general cafeteria with her guard knights.
Cleiria's guard knights, of course, stand behind Cleiria even at times like this, so they are bound to stand out.
I can see the children at other tables glancing at us, wondering "What is going on?"
Even our own class cannot be said to be used to it yet, so if someone like this suddenly appeared in the general cafeteria, it is natural for everyone to lose their composure.
"This meal here was delicious too. Everyone usually eats like this, making a fuss, isn't it? It was quite fresh. And, you eat such a large amount."
What surprised me was that Cleiria was eating the general cafeteria food here normally.
I was sure she would say,
"I cannot eat such pig feed!?"
Or something like that.
It might be a terrible prejudice, but no one would think that a Marquis's daughter would eat such general cafeteria food without resistance.
"I didn't think Cleiria would eat this food."
"Oh, why is that?"
When I asked Cleiria straight out, she made a puzzled face.
"Because, you usually eat better food, don't you?"
"Yes... We don't usually eat food like this, but we have had the opportunity to eat it quite a bit."
"Opportunity to eat? Why?"
Such food is not served during normal meals.
It has nutrition and quantity, and the taste is not bad, but it is simply a dish focused on making a large amount.
Basically, it is either boiled by throwing everything into a large pot, or stir-fried by mixing it vigorously with a huge pot and a huge spatula.
If this appeared on the Marquis family's dining table, it would be a surprise.
"I often went with my father to the Domain Army facilities. The food we ate there was mostly like this."
It seems the Marquis old man took her to inspect military facilities and she ate there.
It might be a Marquis-like gifted education that feels very much like a warrior.
He probably thinks it is a problem if the Marquis family members know nothing about the military.
"But, usually eating while talking and making a fuss is rare, isn't it?"
"Well, is that so?"
Today, Cleiria seemed a bit excited, so she was talking to everyone a lot.
Everyone answered awkwardly whenever she spoke to them.
At other tables around, the scene of eating while talking and making a fuss is common, so she probably thought that was normal.
"I don't know if it's called 'Leventein style', but when we usually eat, everyone eats in silence. We talk after finishing eating."
"Well, it was like that, wasn't it!"
Something made Cleiria's eyes sparkle.
Could it be that "Leventein style" touched a nerve?
"If you had told me beforehand, I would have followed it."
"Yes. Sorry, sorry."
However, even if you told me, I can't do it in front of Cleiria.
That kind of stuffing-down eating style.
If you do that in front of nobles, then surely
"Hehehe, it looks just like a pig eating feed."
Or something like that would be said.
...Still prejudice?
Everyone in the Leventein Group eats quickly.
The boys stuff their mouths down vigorously, and the girls, while not to that extent, eat with considerable speed.
（But, is this okay?）
Everyone eats politely in front of Cleiria, and if she wasn't there, they would say "No need to be polite~" and eat normally.
Do they intend to keep doing that forever?
If so, can they really be called friends?
"Hmm..."
"What's wrong, Mika-kun?"
When Mika started thinking about something, Rimliche spoke up.
"...No, it's not good after all."
When Mika looked around at everyone in the Leventein Group, everyone was looking at Mika.
When looking at Cleiria, Cleiria was also looking at Mika.
"Cleiria, let's eat lunch together tomorrow too."
"Oh! I am happy to be invited by Mika. Let's go together."
"Wait, Mika...!"
When Mika invited Cleiria, Cecilia, sitting opposite, raised a voice to scold him in a hushed tone.
Under the table, she started kicking Mika's leg vigorously again.
Mika kept a pleasant smile plastered on his face, reached his hand under the table, and grabbed her leg, pulling it.
Clang!
Suddenly, Cecilia lost her balance and fell over.
Cecilia plastered a strained smile on her face to cover it up and sat back down.
I'll remember this later!
That was written on her strained smile.
"Tomorrow, everyone, eat normally."
But, when Mika said that, everyone looked surprised.
It seems they immediately understood Mika's intention.
"Mika-kun, that means..."
"Wait, Mika. That's bad..."
Voices rose saying, "What are you saying?" all at once.
I understand what everyone wants to say, but continuing as friends while being so careful is impossible.
If they leave after seeing the real me, then so be it.
"If everyone is okay with that, then do it. I will do it normally."
And so, he declared.
Only Cleiria,
"What are you talking about?"
said, looking bewildered.
And, the next day in the cafeteria.
Cleiria watched that scene with a blank stare.
Yesterday, everyone had been careful and kept their food portions small.
But today, seeing Mika ask the Cafeteria Lady for a refill as usual and get a large portion, everyone seemed to have made up their minds.
One and a half times the amount of yesterday.
Murt even got a tray piled with double the amount of yesterday.
Cleiria looked at the mountain of food piled up with an expression of surprise.
"Alright, let's eat."
After quickly finishing the prayer, Mika called out to everyone, and they all started eating at once.
There is no time for chatting.
If there is time for that, they stuff food into their mouths with a spoon for that time.
The Leventein Group, stuffing down food as if taking revenge on their parents' enemies, left Cleiria holding her spoon, just staring blankly.
After everyone finished eating, Cleiria had not moved a single bite.
And, she ended up in a state like a punishment game, eating alone while being watched by everyone in silence.
Well, no one was staring at her with a stare...
Everyone waited silently because Cleiria was eating, but maybe it would be better to chat while waiting from now on.
Eating in an awkward atmosphere where no one says a word is nothing but a punishment game, really.
Provided there is a "from now on".