Chapter 11
Warm sunlight streamed toward us through the window.
And the breeze was so cool… It was the kind of weather that lifted your spirits just by walking around.
Theo, walking quietly beside me, didn't seem to feel the same way, though.
“Um, are you still sulking?”
“…What do you mean, sulking?”
Ah! My mistake. You shouldn't ask someone who's sulking if they're sulking.
“You look upset.”
Of course, I couldn't actually see his expression.
Theo was trying to disguise himself with a hat, strange glasses, and a robe wrapped around him, so it was hard to see his face from beside him.
Ah, now he's looking my way.
Yep.
He's sulking.
“How can you be so shameless?”
Ugh, I could feel a lecture coming on again.
This morning, I overslept. I hurried to get ready and was about to head to the study, where Theo was waiting, but he was already waiting for me.
Right in front of the maid dormitory, no less.
“…I said I was sorry. I didn't know you were looking forward to spending the day with me so much, Master!”
Then I looked at him with a slightly teasing smile,
“I wasn't looking forward to it!”
“Really? I was looking forward to it…”
I lowered my head slightly and murmured in a dejected voice. Thankfully, Theo blushed just as I'd intended and turned away.
I felt bad teasing Theo like this when I was the one at fault, but if I got scolded like I had this morning, we'd really spend the whole day on it, so I had no choice.
And honestly, Theo's reactions these days…
“A woman who was looking forward to it would oversleep?”
“So…”
“So?”
Theo repeated my words as he looked at me. Thinking this was my chance, I lifted my head a little to look up at him, since he was taller than me,
“I was so excited, I couldn't sleep.”
“I didn't ask about that!”
Then Theo turned away.
His face, visible in profile, seemed a little red.
Honestly, these reactions are so fun that I can't stop.
…Though it's also revenge for him ambushing me with a hug yesterday.
How dare he hug me without my permission?
I like being hugged by Theo, but sudden hugs aren't good for my heart, so I wish he'd hold back.
No matter how I look at it, there's something wrong with my body now.
“Oh, there it is!”
As Theo and I walked along quietly, a street lined with shops came into view in the distance, starting with a large sign.
Sully told me that Rebellin was famous for its excellent equipment, so lots of warriors came to this land. With so many people passing through, plenty of delicious restaurants had naturally sprung up.
So that place is kind of like a food alley from my previous life!
This is my chance to properly try the food in this world!
“Then…”
Swoosh
Suddenly, Theo took my hand.
At the same time, a tingling sensation ran from my hand through my body.
Startled, I pulled my hand away and looked up at Theo. He was wearing a smile that seemed to mock me.
“Why are you so surprised?”
“N-no, because you suddenly took my hand.”
“When a man and a woman walk around town together on a day off, aren't they lovers? I'm just acting to make our disguise perfect.”
“Oh…”
That definitely wasn't the reason.
Judging by his expression, this man was obviously getting revenge on me for what I'd done earlier.
He'd probably realized I'd done it on purpose.
What a sly little guy.
He'd been quiet all this time, just thinking of this? Did he think I'd get embarrassed and back down?
I reached out with my right hand and grabbed Theo's left hand, the one I'd pushed away,
Swoosh
“What are you doing?”
“Why are you so surprised? We have to pretend to be lovers, just like you said, Master—no, Theo, right?”
I said with a smirk, and at the same time a small cross appeared on Theo's forehead.
“Fine. But your name will be…”
“I'll call you Ray.”
It was also a hint about the ore I planned to give him today.
I preferred it when he knew about the things I'd done for him and was happy about them, rather than my repaying him in secret.
“Shall we go, Ray?”
“…All right, Edel.”
Our joined hands seemed a little sweaty, but I couldn't tell if it was because of Theo or me.
I was embarrassed to walk around holding hands with a man like this, too.
Even if I'm a woman now, I used to be a man, you know?!
But in a way, it was a good thing.
I'd been a little worried Theo might not react at all the whole day, but if we could spend time together bickering like this, it was better than nothing.
Though the main reason was probably that I'd gotten on his nerves by oversleeping this morning.
Once we entered the street, countless shops came into view. There were plenty of people walking around together in pairs, just like us.
It was a day off, and this area was full of places to eat, so there seemed to be lots of people out on dates.
Pleasant smiles bloomed on everyone's faces.
It was proof that people had some leisure in their lives.
“Wow, this place is lively.”
“Yeah.”
He was probably trying not to show it, but I could tell Theo was secretly happy.
Theo really does love Rebellin.
Then I should try to love it, too.
“Shall we start over there?!”
“As you wish.”
His answer was curt, but I could sense a little anticipation in it.
Maybe this was Theo's first time having fun like this, too.
Somehow, I started looking forward to the rest of the day.
* * *
Sunlight coming in through the window fell across the table.
There were all sorts of dishes on the table, but the restaurant's signature dish, Orc Steak, had captured Theo's attention with its inviting aroma and appearance. It was hard to imagine that such tender meat came from a ferocious monster.
Perhaps it was all the more appealing because, despite being in his own territory, this was his first time trying the steak.
But then…
“What's wrong?”
Even though they'd only been partners for the day, Edel's expression had been strange for a while now.
Until just a moment ago, she'd been happily chattering away without pause. But from the moment she heard the name of the dish, her expression had rapidly darkened.
‘Hah, hearing that it was orc meat must have made it hard for her to eat.’
Of course, Theo hadn't deliberately picked a restaurant that served food like this.
Edel had been the one to suggest coming here in the first place.
Though Theo had been the one to order the orc meat.
“Aren't you going to eat?”
“Ah, orc is a little…”
Theo thought this was his chance.
He'd thought he'd gotten one over on her by taking her hand earlier, but she'd given as good as she got, and he'd been getting pushed around ever since.
Honestly, Theo wouldn't have been this flustered if it weren't for the clothes she was wearing.
Of course, Edel was wearing an ordinary dress now.
A plain sky-blue dress with a simple design and not a single special embellishment.
The problem was that it showed a little cleavage.
The maid uniform Edel had worn before had prioritized modesty and never revealed any skin, so he'd never noticed,
but her current outfit emphasized her breasts far too much.
That's when he realized her breasts were quite large.
And whenever they naturally came into his view, embarrassment made his face flush,
making Theo feel like some kind of pervert.
That had left him a little on edge. Theo wasn't about to miss a chance to get back at her.
“Then you should've told me beforehand. Don't you think it's too late now?”
“…I'm sorry.”
“Unfortunately, the dish the chef worked so hard to prepare will have to go to waste.”
“…”
“But I suppose that's understandable. Since it was made with orc meat, you might think it's unsanitary. You're a woman, after all.”
“Ugh…”
Edel had been looking down, but now she raised her head and glared at Theo.
There was a little moisture in her eyes, but Theo had turned away and didn't see it.
“We'll have to order something else. Of course, ask me before you order. As lord of this territory, I can't stand to see another precious meal go to waste.”
“Ugh…”
It was a perfect victory. The sunlight pouring in through the window felt like his father in heaven was praising him for being wonderful.
The lord of Rebellin shouldn't be pushed around by some commoner!
He didn't particularly like his father, but at that moment, he thought his father's words in his heart were absolutely right.
“Here…”
As he basked in the afterglow of victory and was about to call a server to order something else,
“Wait. I'll just eat it.”
“…What?”
Only then could Theo see.
The tears welling in Edel's eyes…
But it was already far too late to turn things around.
“Don't force yourself to eat it. It's okay.”
“It's fine. I'll eat it all.”
Then she used the knife and fork beside her to cut a sizable piece of the steak and brought it straight to her mouth.
But even after putting the meat in her mouth, Edel still didn't look happy, and Theo couldn't understand why.
Of course, knowing it was orc meat might have put her off at first, but he thought she'd fall in love with the tender meat as soon as she tried it.
“Ah…”
And she kept going until she ate the last piece. In the end, Edel finished the entire plate of Orc Steak.
And the expression on her face after the meal was almost…
“…Shall we go?”
“Let's…”
The two of them quietly left the restaurant,
“Shall we go over there?”
The place she pointed to as soon as they left was crowded with people. A big, rough-looking man was sitting at a table, beating challengers at arm wrestling.
[Entry fee: 10 silver. Win and get 1 gold]
“Any challengers for the next round?!”
Seeing that, Edel pulled out a pouch, took out 10 silver, and…
“Wait here for a moment.”
“But…”
Before Theo could finish, Edel walked into the crowd,
“What, the young lady wants to challenge me?”
“Yes.”
The man looked incredulous, but his lecherous gaze still landed on Edel.
“Wow, she's really pretty…”
“Careful, miss! Who knows what that bastard might do!”
“Hahahaha!”
Maybe the sight of a beauty challenging him to arm wrestling was exciting. The crowd grew feverish, but Edel paid it no mind. She calmly handed the man 10 silver and sat down.
“Wow, your skin is so soft!!”
“You crazy bastard!!”
“Wahahahaha!”
Even as the man holding her hand shouted to the crowd with an exaggerated reaction, and even as the onlookers laughed happily…
Edel's expression remained perfectly calm.
Watching all of that, Theo somehow understood.
That expression, that look…
“Ready~ Start!!”
was what she looked like when she was truly angry.
Crash
“Aaaagh!!”
A small crater appeared where the man's arm slammed down, and he screamed as his arm snapped in an instant.
The surroundings fell silent in an instant.
“Phew! You can keep the money.”
Then she stood up looking somehow refreshed and strode over to Theo,
“Shall we go?”
She held out her hand with a smile, but to Theo, it looked as if she were saying, ‘Don't get cocky.’
“Y-yeah.”
As he took the hand she offered, Theo thought,
Today. Just for today…
He should stop teasing her.
Otherwise, the hand he was holding might lift him up in an instant and slam him into the ground.