Chapter 225: Ready to Depart
It’s now three days after we have our conversation about the trip to Sylford territory. It’s been decided that our family is going to the Sylford territory.
We are scheduled to stay in the Sylford territory for 3 to 5 days.
Well, it takes around four days to reach their territory and the whole trip is scheduled for less than two weeks. It’s nothing if you compare it with the taxing two weeks one-way journey to Kagura.
Now that I think that a four-day one-way trip is normal, I think I’m also getting used to this world.
Since early in the morning, our luggage is being loaded into the carriage at the courtyard.
I guess everyone is worried if they will not have enough stuff during the journey or when we arrived since it appears that everyone is carefully check-ing their luggage.
Incidentally, the servants that will accompany us on this trip will be Mina and the coachman, Row-san.
It’s natural to bring Row-san as he will be taking care of the horses and directing the carriage, as for Mina, she was chosen to respect her wish of 「I want to come and see the sea!」.
The other maids will have days off while we’re not in the territory. Sara is spending her time in her house in the village, and it seems that Mel is going to take care of and manage the mansion while we’re not around. As for the chef - Bartolo -, it seems like he will go around the village and work on his cooking skills by going to several houses in the village and having his skills recognized.
Am I the only one who thinks that the servants seem like they’re having a really great time instead of the masters, who are going on a trip?
I watched Mina and the others moving around busily from the entrance while thinking about such things.
「……haa, they’re slow」
Eleonora-neesan - who sits beside me - sigh.
The children’s preparation had always finished earlier than the adults.
Even when Sylvio-niisan has free time, as long as he has a book then he can manage somehow. If I must say something, then he would just be troubled over which book to bring with him.
As for Eleonora-neesan, she only brings her own practice equipment. She only brought a few clothes that Elna-kaasan added more clothes for her.
And if you’re talking about me, there’s nothing to worry about anything since I have Space magic.
Of course, I’m not using it in front of everyone, but I can easily cover up the few insufficient items during the journey with Space magic.
Even if we don’t have enough plates or forks, even if we don’t bring enough socks or outer shoes, I can secretly bring them out using Space magic and use the strategy of ‘It’s actually there’. But you know, I can simply just make forks and plates with Earth magic so I don’t have to use Space magic for those.
「It’s been a while since we’ve gone out for a trip, aren’t we」
As I calmly look at the people preparing, Sylvio-niisan - who sits next to me - says that with a very cheerful smile on his face.
「Sylvio-niisan haven’t been leaving the village recently, right」
From Sylvio-niisan’s perspective, he may be really happy since he can leave the village after a long time. But for me, I think that Sylvio-niisan’s situation looks more enviable.
Lately, I was forced to attend the party, then went sightseeing in Kagura.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtHowever, just when everything is over, we’re going to Sylford’s territory to deepen our friendship, appealing to the surrounding nobles.
For the trip to Kagura, that was my own wish to be able to go there so there’s no helping it, but for someone like me - I think it’s best to just spend my time comfortably in the village -, I think I’ve been going out a lot these days.
Though I have no complaints if it were a trip using Teleport. That was an instant trip without any troubles.
「Rather than that, when was the last time Sylvio-niisan leave Koryatt village?」
「Umm, around half a year ago? It was the time when tousan brought me to attend and make an appearance at the Noble’s Exchange Meeting」
「「Heeー, so there was such time」」
Sylvio-niisan and I let out the same amazed-sounding voice after hearing Sylvio-niisan’s answer.
It’s clear from our tone that Eleonora-neesan and I are not interested at all.
「Why can’t you two show me a bit more interest. There’s no other place farther than the royal capital, and you two also went there to make an appearance at the Noble’s Exchange Meeting――」
「「Okay. I’m reflecting」」
Let’s answer like that for now, since Sylvio-niisan started saying things as though he’s complaining.
Of course, we just ‘reflect’ on it, but in actuality, our behavior doesn’t change.
And I guess he can see through us since Sylvio-niisan sighed as though he had given up.
That’s part of a job for the eldest son as the next lord.
It looks like there’s a dispute over who is going to be the next lord in other noble families, but that has nothing to do with our family. Anyhow, the eldest daughter and the second son have not the slightest interest in being the next lord.
And just like that, we continue chatting - intermittently - for some time. Then, it seems that they finally finish preparing the luggage.
Bartolo - who was moving the luggage - say 「Yosha! Now it’s finished!」 with a clear voice.
Sensing that we were going to depart, Eleonora-neesan stood up as though she had been waiting for it.
「Al, Eleonora, Sylvio. Let’s go, we’re done with the preparation for the trip!」
At the same time as she stood up, Nord-tousan call us.
Then Sylvio-niisan also stands up and I stand up last as if I was lifting a heavy back.
Eleonora-neesan walks toward the carriage as if in a hurry, after that I also trudgingly follow her.
Then, Sylvio-niisan - who is behind me - pushed my back as though he’s sympathizing with me. For some reason, I feel happy after receiving that kind of silent kindness.
Haa, even though I actually still wanted to spend my time relaxedly in Koryatt village.
「Eleonora-sama, Alfried-sama, Sylvio-sama, is there anything you forgot to bring with you? This is the last chance to go back to the mansion to take it, you know?」
The maid, Mina, asks us when we approach the carriage.
Eleonora-neesan - who walks ahead of us - boldly answers 「There’s none!」, and she got into the carriage first.
「I’m fine. I’ve properly checked everything」
「Me too」
I and Sylvio-niisan properly answers and slowly entered the carriage.
Hmーm, sure enough, you have to enjoy the scenery once you’re out on a trip.
After getting into the carriage, I sat down on the window seat where the sunlight shine in. It’s a bit scary since Eleonora-neesan is sitting opposite of me, but let’s not mind her.
After I sit by the side of the window, Sylvio-niisan sits down next to me. Sitting beside Eleonora-neesan or me. It would be unnecessary to even compare which side you can spend your time peacefully.
But even so, the inside is quite spacious I guess it’s due to the fact that the carriage is made for nobles to use. It’s going to be common for people to change seats while on the move, it feels like a slight rebellious thing to do inside a moving carriage.
As I was absent-mindedly staring out at the scenery outside of the window with the sun shining inside, I saw Nord-tousan and Elna-kaasan walk together from the entrance.
「Elna, did you forget anything?」
「Right, it’s all good. I got everything. You to Nord, did you forget to bring anything else」
「I’m also done with my stuff」
Maybe it’s because it’s summer that Elna-kaasan is wearing a cardigan over a cool-looking one-piece. Moreover, she’s even wearing a straw hat as a measure to block the sunlight.
Even though she’s already over thirty years old, she still gives people this clean and young impression that she doesn’t look like it. A youthful mother as always.
As for Nord-tousan, he’s wearing a white shirt and blue long pants. It’s a simple outfit, but you can feel refreshed just by looking at it as it also gives a clean impression.
Those two became like a painting just walking side-by-side.
I wonder if it is because we’re not going to a troublesome party like the one in the royal capital? Elna-kaasan also has this very cheerful expression.
She’s not showing any reluctance to leave just like what happened last time by deliberately forgetting her dress.
She’s probably happy since she can leave on a trip with her husband - Nord-tousan - and us as a family after a long time.
As the two of them come to the side of the carriage, Nord-tousan enters the carriage first, then he turns around and reaches out with his hand toward Elna-kaasan.
Elna-kaasan then put her hand on Nord-tousan’s hand and gracefully entered the carriage by being escorted by Nord-tousan.
Truly a great difference from the sister who nimbly jumped the carriage.
Usually, Elna-kaasan is someone with quite a lazy personality, but as expected, she still possesses the actual grace and manner of a noble. Right, it was such a refined move that it makes me see her in a new light.
And also, Nord-tousan’s casual gesture is really gentlemanly.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmWhen Sylvio-niisan and I raised our voices in admiration 「Ohー」, Nord-tousan looked embarrassed, while Elna-kaasan looked somewhat proud.
The person with low femininity - Eleonora-neesan - doesn’t show any interest in it, it’s truly unfortunate but there’s nothing we can do about it.
And Elna-kaasan also looks a little disappointed, but then she pulled herself together and sat down together with Nord-tousan next to Eleonora-neesan.
「I’m sorry to keep you waiting! Preparations are completed!」
「Row-san, may we leave now?」
And after Mina entered and reported that, Nord-tousan called out to Row-san.
Immediately after that, we can hear the sound of whip *pishin* coming from the coachman’s seat, and the carriage slowly advances.
The maids - Sara and Mel - and the employee - Bartolo - send us off while waving their hands.
「Mina, don’t get carried away because it’s a trip. You have to behave yourself befitting of a Slowlett house's maid, okay?」
「I beg of you, please don’t cause any trouble for Nord-sama and the others」
「You can leave it to me! I will work hard so I won’t embarrass the maids of Slowlett house!」
「I’m worried」
「Yeah」
「Why!」
We unintentionally smile after hearing the maids’ heartwarming interaction.
Even though Mina should be Sara’s senpai, now it looks like she’s the kouhai instead.
Oh well, Mina is kinda unreliable after all. I’m sure she wouldn’t do something funny even when we arrive at Sylford’s territory……maybe.
「Take care and have a safe trip, kid! Enjoy the seafood dishes!」
「You too Bartolo, enjoy your holiday!」
「Ou! I’ll look forward to your souvenirs!」
The carriage advances to the front of the mansion gate as we shouted to each other like that.
Bartolo and the others send us off as they kept pace on the side of the carriage only until this place.
We continue to wave our hands until we can no longer Bartolo and the others.
The carriage left the mansion until it was slowly getting smaller, and with that, Bartolo and the others who send us off also disappear from view.
This is the first time we’re going on a trip with everyone in the family. I wonder what kind of a trip will it be?
But, there’s Eleonora-neesan here so we’re still going to practice, huh? I don’t want to have a trip where we only keep practicing swordsmanship if possible.
I continue to stare at the scenery outside the window as if to escape from reality.
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