Chapter 39 - The Rest of the Marquess's Daughter Ariarein (Part 1)
A collection of short stories to commemorate the release, this time it's a story about the past flirtations between the protagonist and her retainer.
The bonus short stories are the same, but this master and retainer end up acting separately so easily in the main story that they don't have much contact. So, the author is serving this up with as much desire as possible for them to at least flirt together in the short stories.
That day, Ariarein had been acting a bit strange since morning.
There wasn't a visibly large change. She spoke normally with the servants, gave instructions to the scribe as usual, and there wasn't anything in her conversations with Arveil that he could point to and say "this is it."
Her responses were half a beat slower than usual, she missed pointing out typos she would normally definitely notice, and her gaze as she followed the characters on documents went back and forth over the same spot many times; those small details were each slightly different from usual.
"My lady."
In the study, after the morning's work was finished and the scribes had left for lunch, Arveil spoke to Ariarein.
"—What is it?"
After a half-beat pause, Ariarein answered.
"How about taking a rest this afternoon?"
While still sitting in her chair, her almond-shaped eyes, looking up at Arveil standing beside her, blinked two or three times.
"Am I... that strange?"
"It's not that anything specific is wrong.
Are you not tired?"
There was another slight pause as if she were thinking.
"—That might be so."
Along with a sigh, words of agreement spilled out.
"It's not that anything happened. It's not, but—"
Ariarein herself didn't quite understand the cause.
That was exactly why she should rest, Arveil was saying.
Realizing that, Ariarein let out a breath and nodded.
"You're right, I'll do that."
"There are no appointments for visitors this afternoon.
I will tell Butler Stevens to decline any unannounced guests with an appropriate reason."
"I'll leave it to you," Ariarein nodded once more.
Arveil then went to see the butler.
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"Ah, it would indeed be better for her to take a rest."
The mansion's old butler, Stuart Stevens, responded that way after hearing Arveil's story.
"However, what should we do?"
Speaking of Ariarein's favorite place in the mansion, it was the study, but if she stayed cooped up in the study which also served as an office, she wouldn't be able to get away from work.
She didn't seem to be in the mood to be taken out to the city either.
To the hesitating Arveil, the old butler offered a helping hand.
"How about having her spend time reading a book she likes?
Aren't there several she has acquired but hasn't read yet?"
"No, that's why I said in the study—"
"Change the location. For example, outside while looking at the garden."
The season was autumn. The sunlight was not as strong as in summer, the breeze was refreshing, and it was not as cold as in winter.
The flowers decorating the garden couldn't be called as brilliant as in spring, and it was still too early for the leaves of the trees to change color, but the old butler's suggestion seemed like a good one.
"Let's ask Felix for a good spot."
"That would be best."
At Arveil's words, the old butler nodded with a smile.
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"That is the situation."
Catching the gardener Felix, who was working the soil himself in a corner of the garden, Arveil briefly explained the circumstances.
"Is there any good place—?"
"Let's see," Felix responded while standing up.
"Since it will be the afternoon, it should be the south or west garden rather than the east. At this time of year, it's better to have sunlight.
On the west side, there is a spot where clematis and cosmos are planted. The clematis is almost over, but it's still a time when it can be enjoyed. The cosmos is at its best right now. Shall I prepare a table, chairs—and a parasol in a spot where those can be viewed?"
Arveil nodded at the gardener's suggestion.
"Please. By all means."
"I will have the preparations for the west garden ready by the time lunch is finished.
Please give my lady my regards."
Felix said as he quickly began to pack up his tools.
"I understand, thank you."
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When Arveil returned to the study, lunch was ready.
The dish, consisting of bread with various ingredients like ham and cheese sandwiched inside, was called Hustler's Bread. Its origin was said to be a certain noble who was obsessed with gambling and devised it so he could eat without getting his hands dirty on the spot. Now, it is widely popular not only among nobles but also among the common people as a light meal that can be easily picked up.
On the large desk, plates with neatly cut Hustler's Bread were placed, and a maid and Ariarein were waiting.
"Did I keep you waiting? I am sorry, my lady."
To Arveil, who apologized upon learning she had been waiting for him, Ariarein shook her head, saying "No."
"I don't dislike eating alone, but it's a bit tasteless. Arveil, you'll join me, won't you?"
Since he had kept her waiting, there was no way he could refuse. Arveil tried to sit in a seat a bit further away out of modesty, but Ariarein stopped him, saying "Not there."
"What's the point of being so far away?"
The seat indicated was the one next to Ariarein's, across the corner of the desk.
Arveil let out a breath, responded "Yes," and took the seat.
The maid nodded at Ariarein's order for tea, poured the black tea, bowed, and stepped back to the wall.
"It's fine to rest in the afternoon, but..."
Ariarein said while picking at her meal.
"I wonder how I should spend the time."
"In that case, my lady."
Swallowing the piece of bread remaining in his mouth, Arveil responded.
"I have a suggestion. Perhaps after the meal."