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TL: ALT
Chapter 46 – Mariel’s Anxiety
Wataru and his companions were given a key at the front desk and rented a room on the second floor.
In this world without elevators, the second floor is often considered better than the third floor, so it may seem like a small thing, but it’s important. It’s more convenient for fetching water and using the bathroom than on the higher floors.
The few exceptions are rooms with a good view in tourist areas, such as summer resorts.
“Wow, it’s spacious! We’ll be able to relax here.”
“I’ve always thought so, but even we slaves can sleep in a normal bed and be happy.”
There were three clean, spacious beds.
There were wooden windows, and when the shutters were opened, you could see people passing by on the floor below.
There was also a sink with running water.
Additionally, “magic lamps,” which were created by alchemists, hung on the walls and added to the room’s elegance.
In this world, alchemists hold immense power.
Mariel was surprised when she first came to Wataru’s house because some modern appliances had already been recreated using magic and alchemy.
However, only a very small number of people could own them, so they were still far from becoming commonplace.
Still, the room’s equipment probably indicates that it was intended for nobles.
Wataru had planned to leave the room as soon as he had settled in, but he changed his mind.
Mariel entered the room after him and sat down on the bed with a pained expression, resting her body.
“Are you okay, Mariel?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“That’s a lie. You’re really nervous. Your face is pale, and your heart is pounding.”
“You’re not fine at all. You don’t have to be strong. It would be easier for me if you told me if you’re worried or anxious.”
“I’m sorry. Stop teasing me, Aire. You don’t have to say anything.”
“No, no. If you collapse, Master and I will both be sad.”
After meeting a man who appeared to be the hotel manager, Mariel acted strangely.
Her complexion turned pale, and her hands were cold.
It was clear that she was experiencing a psychological shock.
After laying her on the bed, Wataru loosened Mariel’s collar.
He felt bad, but now wasn’t the time to worry about that.
Mariel’s beautiful face was marred by her exhausted appearance.
He took out a towel and wiped the cold sweat from her forehead.
“Managing slaves is the master’s job. Self-reporting is an important duty for slaves. So, if you’re in pain, don’t hide it. Tell me right away. When Mariel is in pain, I suffer too.”
“I’m truly sorry.”
“No, it’s okay. I shouldn’t have scolded you when you were feeling unwell. Take your time.”
Mariel’s breathing seemed to ease, and she exhaled softly.
Wataru waited silently for her to recover.
Gradually, Mariel’s complexion returned to normal.
Yeah, she’s really beautiful and cute when she has color.
He wanted her to smile more.
The phrase “unfortunate beauty” didn’t suit her at all.
“You were pretending to be fine, weren’t you?”
“I didn’t mean to. That’s why I’m surprised myself.”
“You can be more honest with me. If you didn’t want to, you didn’t have to come to the academy today.”
“No, please let me participate!”
“Hmm, Mariel is such a tough girl.”
Wataru said that out of consideration, but Mariel resisted more strongly than he expected.
Her voice was strong, unlike that of someone lying there weakly.
Wataru was surprised and stared at Mariel’s face.
Aire seemed to understand and smiled as she watched them.
Based on Mariel’s behavior thus far, introducing herself as a slave to someone she had just met was not a problem at all.
Furthermore, the person she introduced herself to accepted it without prejudice.
At least on the surface, no one was openly discriminating against them.
As in ancient Rome, being a slave did not correlate with one’s abilities or birth.
Even nobles could become slaves, and being a slave did not necessarily mean being assigned particularly harsh duties.
There were countless examples of slaves who were valued for their abilities more than those of commoners or who became mistresses and lived a life of luxury.
That said, there were undoubtedly disadvantages to being a slave.
“But if you go to the academy, you’ll have a much higher chance of meeting people you know, right?”
“U… uh…”
“From the look on your face, I think it will be difficult for you, but I want to respect your opinion.”
The last time Mariel had been conscious of her status was in front of Baron Moye.
In other words, when dealing with someone who had once been a noble, the relationship between noble and slave undergoes a significant change, unlike with strangers.
Surely, it must be far more unpleasant to be seen as a noble fallen into slavery.
Even if Mariel hadn’t done anything wrong to become a slave.
“Well, everyone knows that your family fell into ruin, right?”
“Yes, I’m sure they do.”
“Then there’s no hiding it. I know what we’ll do!”
“What is it?”
“Let’s dress Mariel up nicely!”
“Master…?”
“Ah, that’s a good idea.”
“Right? Since we’re in the capital, we should dress you up in nice clothes and jewelry. When you meet people, just act like, ‘I’m a slave, so what?’”
Aire understood immediately, so Wataru was able to suggest his idea without hesitation.
Wataru may not be of noble birth, but he recognizes the importance of appearances.
In interactions between people, gender and social status are equally important.
Even if one has fallen to slavery, one can subtly show one’s current position by having a good appearance.
One should wear high-quality, well-made clothes and behave with dignity.
Having Aire, a skilled warrior, as an escort is also helpful.
Maintaining a close distance with her master, Wataru.
These things alone make it clear to those who understand how much Mariel is cherished and how wealthy Wataru is.
If the person in question doesn’t understand such things, there’s no need to bother with them.
“Hmph, interesting,”
Wataru said. Mariel smiled weakly but genuinely in response.
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Thanks for the treat. 😊
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Maybe instead of going around about it in a Japanese constipated way, he should just stop referring to her and introducing her as a slave? 😅
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