8 – 8 – All men must eventually leave home.
“This can’t go on!” This is serious. It must be because of the order from the future family head. My request is being well listened by the knight escort, Grace. A bit slow, but a maid, Emma, who listens well. Both of them do not move a single step away from my room. But, my room is high on the third floor, so I can’t jump out of the window. Or should I jump?
The third floor isn’t too bad, I suppose…
To take measurements initially, I slightly opened the window.
And then,
Thud!
“Your Highness!!”
“You must not jump out!”
“…”
Completely screwed.
Worried it might carry outside.
I seriously opened it quietly but they somehow knew and burst into the room as soon as I opened it.
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“No, I opened it because it was stuffy and I wanted some fresh air!”
Whoosh
“His Highness! Are you cold?”
“We’ll call the doctor right away!”
Damn.
Today is a bit colder than usual.
But being born and growing up in the northern region, I could bear this level of cold.
However, because I happened to show them me sneezing, considering the two who fuss about my health terribly,
it rather attracted more attention.
“Edward~!!!”
Damn it.
Emma who said she would go bring the doctor, even brought Lilith along.
.
.
.
“Phew.. Damn…”
Around an hour.
It was only after putting up with the trio’s fuss that I finally managed to be alone in the room. Fortunately, they granted my wish to be left in peace. If they hadn’t, rather than pondering over my next move, I would have been stuck in a worst-case scenario having to endure the painful exposure to their constant gazes. They may be my family and close ones, but still. ‘I should give up on the window for now.’ I racked my brain for a solution, but to no avail. ‘On second thought, there’s no need to escape right away, is there?’ Originally, as far as I know, the debutante ball held by the royal family was about a month away. But they are changing the venue to our duke’s residence? Maybe I should have about two months of leeway.
“Emma!”
“Yes, young master! Do you need anything?”
“Do you happen to know when the debutante ball is?”
“Umm.. As far as I know, it’s in one week.”
Upon hearing Emma’s response, I foamed at the mouth and fell backwards.
“Y-young Master!? Quick, call the doctor, Lady Grace!”
“Okay, got it! ”
. . .
‘This is seriously bad!’
I ended up blacking out, losing two whole hours of time. It usually took place next month, didn’t it? Why are they suddenly changing the venue and advancing the date like this?
In the midst of despair, a sound suddenly emanated from my stomach.
Grumble..
It was nearing dinner time, and having not properly eaten lunch, it seemed like this noise was the sound of hunger.
I must have been in a very shabby situation to not have noticed until I heard such a sound.
‘Ah! That was an option!’
But more so than hunger, a spark flickered in my mind.
“Emma, Grace! It’s almost mealtime!”
They say there’s a way out even if the sky falls!
For now, I had a reason to leave this room.
“Master.. You have been ordered to refrain from cooking for a while and wait in the room..”
“Eh?”
“We’ll bring you a meal prepared by the head chef..”
“No. I’d rather starve to death.”
“Master!!”
To eat someone else’s cooked meal in this situation, these kids are really asking for trouble.
“You can just follow me to the kitchen. Emma’s always next to me anyway, right?”
“Uh.. Uh..”
“Eh?”
“Oh, no! Grace, let’s go together!”
“I would like to accompany you as well, Master.”
“Eh? Of course you have to come.”
“Thank you!”
“Uh.. A moment alone with Master..”
I don’t really understand what Grace is grateful for and Emma seemed to mumble something, but anyway, the three of us headed to the kitchen.
.
.
.
Frequently awakened from my sleep by nightmares, I always had sleeping pills on hand in order to fall back asleep.
I’m going to use this in the dish I’m currently making.
“Master? It seems like you’re adding something different today?”
“Yes? I lack appetite, so I figured I’d add a new seasoning.”,
“Can I try your cooking too, Master?”
“No! That’s my job!”
“You can always eat right away!”
Yes, don’t worry about it.
This dish is meant for you.
My plan seemed to be easier than expected.
Hmm…
How much should I put in?
But wouldn’t it be dangerous if I put in too much?
It might be okay for Grace, who’s half-human, half-dragon. But it seems like I really need to control the amount for Emma, the clumsy maid.
“Hmm, Emma, want to try it first?”
“As expected of Master!”
“Sigh…”
Don’t feel bad, Grace.
I’ll give you some too.
“Um…”
“How is it?”
“The food is delicious today as well, Master!”
No, that’s not it…
I guess I only put in a little too much.
Is it because it’s a world where genders are reversed?
Women are fundamentally stronger here.
It seems that these sorts of medicinal effects don’t easily work.
In my case, even a spoonful of this powdered medicine puts me right to sleep.
I put in less for Emma just in case it might be harmful to her.
Even though it was going into the soup, I decided to put about four spoonfuls. However, seeing her sober, it seemed necessary to add more.
“Hmm. I think it needs a little more seasoning.”
“Didn’t you say it was too strong for your taste?”
“Huh? Perspective, it’s just a perspective.”
Indeed, if I eat it, I’ll be headed straight for the underworld.
Making an excuse, to dilute the heat, I added about six more spoonfuls.
“Let’s both try it together this time.”
“Th-thank you!”
“But I’ll go first!”
Watching the two happily accept what I gave them without suspicion, I felt a twinge of guilt.
I’m sorry.
But.
I have to leave this house today.
“Hmm? ..Er. ..”
Thunk
zzZzzZ
The medicine seems to work wonders. Grace must have dozed off.
Then, naturally, the sober Emma too. .. Hmm?
“Eh? Grace? Ah! ..”
Thunk
zzzzZ?
“Sigh… ”
I never thought it would turn out this way.
Even Emma didn’t immediately fall asleep, which had shocked me, thinking she had a resistance to the medication… but thankfully, she collapsed into sleep. It seemed she dozes off slowly when completely worn out.
“Great, it’s a success!” I immediately rushed out of the kitchen. I felt a sense of watchfulness from behind, but… it must be my imagination. No time to look back.
Finally, escape!
…
I did not make the foolish decision of heading to the front door or the idiotic act of revisiting my room to grab my belongings; I sprinted straight to the back door nearest to the kitchen.
Granted, in my haste to escape I hadn’t properly gathered my belongings, but as long as I had a pouch filled with a fair amount of gold coins and a dagger to protect myself, I was fine. Despite scarcely leaving the mansion in this life, I had the advantage of my past life’s experience.
I’m not recklessly stepping outside into the world. They warned that it was dangerous, that I was weak as a man, but I have something to hide. Who I really am.
In my previous life, I had ample training and rich experience, even at the brink of perishing multiple times. Keeping it a secret from my family, I am a person that, even in a man’s body, can manifest great power in this world.
I can take care of myself!
Probably.
If I somehow adapt to being a mercenary or adventurer, I could live through it.
No, not just a simple mercenary or adventurer, but maybe, could I rise to the rank of platinum, or even legendary?
Of course, I do feel guilt and regret about leaving this beloved home without any farewell.
However, the excitement of finally living a proper life is growing within me.
And above all,
My instincts are telling me this.
If I keep staying idle in this mansion,
I may not live past twenty, just like my previous life.
Twenty at last.
Anyway,
Every man should venture out into the world someday.
The moment to break the jinx of not living past twenty in my past life was right in front of me.
Seeing a few guards at the back door, I could just rank push and get out.
I feel sorry for those who will scold me for my tyranny later.
But what can I do?
My life matters the most!
And that’s how I arrived at the back door.
“Master? What brings you..”
Seeing my abrupt approach, the guards were surprised. As I was in a hurry, I quickly ordered them.
” I’ve got some things to take care of, so..”
No, I couldn’t finish the command.
Because…
“Ed~ ♡..”
“Si, sis?”
I heard someone calling me from behind.
Turning around, I saw a very frightening face smiling at me: It was Lilith’s.
“No, why?
“Whew! We almost had a big problem, Lady Lilith!”
“Hehe.. Is the foolish knight still sleeping?”
“Yes!”
“Eh, Emma?”
Emma, who had certainly fallen asleep with Grace, was just fine standing next to Lady Lilith.
From the look of things, it seems she had already notified Lady Lilith.
Could this have been possible in such a short amount of time?
It was impossible to tell if she had really been sleeping.
“It’s dangerous outside, sir!”
“That’s right, Ed! It’s dangerous, let’s hurry back!”
“No, No!”
“Huh? Sir!?”
The situation was unbelievable, but there was no choice!
I pushed past the guards and ran.
“Eh, Ed!?”
“Sir!”
The voices of the flustered pair rang out.
But I did not even turn my head and continued to run with all my might.
Not that I’ve been preparing for this moment, but I’ve been keeping in shape to confront unexpected dangers.
It wasn’t just swordsmanship, I had been working hard to improve my physical stamina as well.
Let me show the results of the effort I’ve put in so far!
‘Show them..’
Thud
Huh?
“Ed~♡”
Suddenly
“Aack!!”
“Let’s go back♡?”
“Yes.”
Feeling an immediate threat to my life, I had no choice but to respond immediately.
It’s an unwritten rule for men not to run away even in the face of danger.
Wait, this isn’t it?