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TL: ALT
Chapter 29 – An Unexpected Reunion
The government office had a strange atmosphere inside, a mixture of bustle and silence.
Wataru waited in the lobby, holding Mariel’s hand.
Her slender, long fingers, which were usually soft and warm to the touch, were now ice cold.
Wataru gripped her hand tightly, as if trying to convey the warmth of his own.
Mariel was touched by his thoughtfulness.
“I’m sorry for causing you any discomfort,” she said.
“It’s not your fault. I hate the way that guy talks.”
“Yes, that’s right. How could he treat your desire to see your parents like that?”
“Aire and Cloche are right. Mariel didn’t do anything wrong. In fact, Mariel became a slave to pay off the debt, so you should hold your head high.”
“Thank you…”
It may be nothing more than a nuisance to the officials, but there’s still a proper way to say things.
Is that official related to the nobility?
It’s not unusual for second or third sons without titles to work as officials.
From the perspective of someone who wanted to be noble but couldn’t, it wouldn’t be strange to harbor ill will toward a noble who voluntarily gave up their land.
Would he have been treated with more respect if Wataru had slipped him some money, told him he was an official merchant for the Moye family, or been more famous or powerful?
Either way, Mariel didn’t need to worry about it.
“We finally understand your parents’ actions. Let’s look forward to it.”
“…Thank you.”
“But actually, I’m worried about something.”
“You’re worried? What could it be?”
“No, it’s just that when I meet Mariel’s parents, we won’t be meeting as the master. I’m afraid they might have negative feelings toward me.”
“Don’t worry. If there’s any misunderstanding, I’ll clear it up. Wataru-sama is truly… a wonderful person, after all.”
“I-I see. Thank you.”
They spoke quietly so as not to disturb those around them.
Wataru wasn’t going to ask her parents for Mariel’s hand in marriage. For him, she was both a slave and a lover, and their relationship was complicated.
If she were just a servant with whom he didn’t have a physical relationship, it would be easier to meet her parents.
When Wataru expressed his anxiety, Mariel vehemently denied it.
As her attention was diverted from the conversation, her tension eased, and her hands gradually regained their warmth.
Actually, her face was bright red.
Wataru was the same. His face was flushed, and he couldn’t look Mariel in the eye.
“But it’s taking a long time… Does it really take this long?”
“This is my first time using it. Maybe the documents can’t be found?”
“I’m tired of waiting. Cloche, let’s play look that way.” T/N: It’s a Japanese children’s game.
“All right. Even if it’s you, Onee-sama, I won’t lose.”
“Look that… wayyyy!”
“Kuh! You can’t fool me!”
After waiting so long, Aire and Cloche started playing “Look That Way” with super-fast feints in whispers.
Just as they were starting to get irritated by the officials’ absence, someone unexpected called to them.
It was Baron Moye.
Two men who appeared to be his knights followed behind him.
Aire and Cloche casually returned to guarding Wataru, suggesting that they were not amateurs.
“Huh, isn’t that Wataru? What a coincidence to meet you here.”
“Baron Moye! I’m deeply grateful for your help.”
“Well, well. There’s no need to be so formal between us. The kaleidoscope is wonderful, by the way. It’s called ‘the ever-changing picture’ in high society right now, and it’s the talk of the town.”
“I see. That’s wonderful.”
Moye seemed to have a favorable impression of Wataru and was in a good mood.
At that time, Moye was invited to dinner parties every night, where he displayed his pride and joy, thereby increasing his influence regardless of factions.
As both a nobleman navigating the waves of factions and a private collector, Moye wanted to secure Wataru’s valuable goods at all costs.
“But you’re a busy man. I thought you were in my territory, but you’ve gone to the capital as well.”
“I’m investigating Mariel’s parents.”
“Ah, that matter.”
“You must be busy, too, Lord Moye. I believe you had just returned from the capital when we last met, didn’t you?”
“I came to show off my collection.”
Moye winked playfully, but he was probably up to something else.
If he were just fooling around, he wouldn’t be able to manage his territory.
The fact that he was still at the office meant he was busy.
As Wataru and Moye chatted, the official who had attended to them earlier returned.
He had a stern expression, but when he saw Moye talking to Wataru so amicably, his eyes widened, and he looked flustered.
“Excuse me, but do you know this merchant, Lord Moye?”
“Yes, he is an official merchant I am on friendly terms with. Please treat him with respect.”
“Ah! Y-yes!”
The official’s expression changed in an instant.
Moye, who had keen observational skills, probably sensed the situation to some extent. Seeing that he had made his point, however, he did not pursue the matter further.
As for Wataru, he didn’t particularly want to be treated differently as long as everything was being taken care of.
In fact, he wanted to cherish the connection he had made with Moye now that they had finally met.
“So, Wataru, is the kaleidoscope no longer available?”
“Y-yes. I’m afraid it is. It’s a rare item, and it took a lot of negotiating to get it, but it’s a truly exceptional piece. Is something wrong?”
“Hmm. Keep this to yourself. I hope it’s just my imagination, but I’m worried that His Majesty’s bad habit is resurfacing.”
“You mean His Majesty the King?”
“Yes, His Majesty’s passion for collecting is even greater than mine. He may want to take it for himself.”
“I see…”
Wataru wondered if the king could take something from one of his subjects, but he couldn’t bring himself to ask.
He knew nothing about the customs of a foreign country, let alone a foreign world.
However, this must be something that concerns Moye.
Of course, there are plenty of kaleidoscopes available in Japan.
Wataru is just making it seem more valuable than it is.
After thinking about it, Wataru decided to look at it positively for the time being.
“In that case, let’s try our best to get it.”
“Oh, I see. It’ll be a hassle, but I’ll leave it to you.”
“However, I can’t make any promises. Please forgive me.”
“Hm, I guess I have no choice. If you notice anything else unusual, please let me know. I’ll pay you for it.”
“I understand.”
Aire’s sword seemed expensive, so he would probably pay a fair price for it.
Money was good, but he would also like something a collector would want: a rare item that couldn’t easily be obtained or some other kind of favor.
Wataru was happy to see him again in such an unexpected place.
“Well, I must take my leave. You, be sure to treat this person with respect.”
“Y-yes!”
After Moye left with a flourish, the official began reporting the results with a tense expression.
He seemed a bit pitiful, but Wataru, still upset about the earlier disrespectful glance, didn’t feel like being kind.
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Sometimes, the dialogues are so confusing. The polite conversations can be trying at times.
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LOL, that offical got his “just desert”, served him right!
Thanks for the treat.
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