Chapter 4. Small changes (8)
The play came to an end with the cheers of the audience, and Emilia, who had successfully finished her first play, left the theater building, recalled.
I never thought that a grown-up girl could look like a child like this.
It was Ludwig who found her cute as she shared her impressions of watching the play with her eyes still reddish.
“The immersion was great. The acting skills of the actors are amazing.”
“I was very surprised when I first saw the play. Emilia seems to have a similar sentiment.”
“Yeah! It was amazing. As if it were happening right in front of your eyes… I want to see you again next time.”
Emilia couldn’t stop admiring herself while chattering with a bright smile like a flower all over her face.
Ludwig was enjoying a very fresh feeling, as she always maintained her unique calm atmosphere even when she expressed her emotions.
“Pu-huh.”
“oh… ! Are you laughing at me now!?”
Eventually, when an unbearable laugh leaked out from him like a gasping sound, Emilia pointed at him saying that she had seen it all.
If it had been the same before, I would have thought it was disrespectful and would not have done it. It was also a scene that proved that the two of them had become closer.
“It can’t be. However, it was only because it was rare to see Emilia excited.”
“Oh, it can’t be helped. It’s the first time I’ve seen anything like this… Did Ludwig also despise me for being too uncultured?”
She fidgeted with both hands clasped together, carefully examining his expression.
She tried to pretend to be as nonchalant as possible, but because the impression given by the play was greater for her than she thought, she ended up talking excitedly.
The most representative of the cultural life of the nobility was the play.
As the eldest daughter of the prestigious Bayemurn family, it was embarrassing that she didn’t even have these basic skills, but it was like a child who was excited and made a fuss… … .
“Please. It’s a corporation that everyone has for the first time. Rather, I am glad that Emilia enjoyed it.”
“really… Right?”
“of course.”
Emilia could at least tell the truth or lies from the lump that floated over his head.
Nevertheless, it must have been a small complaint as a woman that I dared to confirm again.
Isn’t it like that sometimes? Even if you know it’s true, there’s a moment when you want to be confirmed by the other person.
“hehehe. I’m glad that’s the case. Now, where shall we go this time? Ludwig.”
“How about that street you stopped by a while ago?”
“That… You mean the place that sells street food?”
Ludwig nodded calmly at her question.
The town has several famous streets besides the central square.
One of them is a street lined with stalls selling street food that commoners can easily eat.
From a general point of view, it would not be an appropriate place for aristocratic children and women to get their meals.
Nevertheless, it was because Ludwig knew her tendencies to some extent that she recommended the place rather than a luxurious restaurant.
‘Even if I pretend otherwise, Emilia will prefer this side.’
Being a caring woman and quite conscious of maintaining her dignity as a Maid of the House of Bayemurn, even if she liked it, she would not be able to say with her mouth that she should go to that stall.
If so, all you have to do is make an offer first.
She wouldn’t consider it rude to reject my offer, so you could create a little refuge in her consciousness.
“Fine… I guess? Eating on the street may not be dignified, but… … .”
“Because you don’t have to worry about decency to have fun. Of course, if you don’t like Emilia, go to another restaurant… … .”
“Oh no! good! The food I ate before was also very delicious… … !”
When he blurted out the end of his words to sneak a peek, she hurriedly shook her head and added a four foot gesture.
Ludwig, who had managed to endure another burst of laughter, changed the direction of his steps, saying that it was decided then.
* * * * * * *
I knew it because I had eaten it before, but street food was full of aromas and tastes that stimulated my appetite.
Considering that it is sold at a low price so that the common people can eat it, the ingredients that went in will never be of a high quality.
Nevertheless, there was a strange charm different from the food she had eaten so far.
Maybe even if Ludwig didn’t recommend it, I might have something to eat by myself often. With that thought in mind, Emilia stuffed the last bite into her mouth.
“Emilia, is there anything else you want to eat?”
“Yeah. I’m hungry enough… I think I ate too much.”
It’s not that it’s not, it’s the fourth food I’ve already bought.
Did you eat too much? The problem was that I couldn’t stand the temptation of food that stimulated my five senses while walking on the street and bought it thinking it was right.
‘I should have been trembling at least… … !’
I ate to eat as discreetly as possible, but eating street food without using proper tableware is street food. At best, the limit is how much you eat without getting buried in your mouth.
Since he had even picked up and ate four of them, the quantity of which was quite generous, the formula Emilia = glutton might have already been formed in his head.
“Emilia?”
“Yes Yes?”
“What are you so worried about? It’s going to get very dark on your face.”
“That, that… … .”
Emilia, who was embarrassed to speak with her own mouth, avoided her eyes while mumbling the words she was about to say.
For some reason, it was expected, so he stopped laughing.
You must be feeling ashamed of eating too much. Really, you don’t have to worry about that.
Rather, from the standpoint of the person serving, it is more pleasant to eat without worrying about anything.
In this case, it seemed better to say something. How she will take it is up to you.
“Emilia.”
“Yeah?”
“It’s the food I recommend, so it makes me happy if you enjoy it. So don’t worry too much about it.”
She didn’t specifically say what she cared about, but if she was smart enough, she would have noticed.
She blinked her eyes with her pupils dilated, then smiled lightly and nodded her head.
“… I know. Thank you, Ludwig.”
“no. I’m sorry I made you worry more.”
“Huh, no way. I’m not so stupid that I can’t genuinely accept your consideration.”
As we chatted and headed out of the village, the Ipretz family’s carriage arrived near the entrance to the village.
Ludwig sometimes came out to the village when he was bored, and thanks to that, the location of the carriage to meet him was also decided.
It was quite a distance to the carriage, but it was obvious who the woman who came out to meet him standing up in front of it was obvious.
‘Terrible… Anyway, I’m going to have a hard time buying it.’
The same light blue hair as my sister. However, if the difference was that it was tied long without unraveling, it was the difference.
Paula, who may have noticed the two, bowed her head slightly and greeted them politely.
At that, Ludwig and Emilia’s gazes crossed each other in the air and smiled at the same time.
“Even if I tell you to rest, you won’t listen.”
“Isn’t my loyalty to you that strong?”
I wondered if that was the case, but somehow it was Ludwig who thought that he might have other emotions mixed in.
“I do not know. It might be the feeling of seeing a child left at the water’s edge.”
There was something like a bond that was a little deeper and more sticky than the loyalty tied to a master-servant relationship.
Like Matilda, the tutor, Paula was older than Ludwig, so it might be that she was looking at her little brother. he thought
“Ludwig also said that his relationship with Paula was quite deep, right? Fufu, it makes sense.”
Looking at the relationship between herself and Grita, she thought that there were some similarities at first glance, so she was able to fully sympathize.
On the surface, it’s just a master-servant relationship, but when we talk openly about each other, it feels like an older sister and a younger sister.
As soon as they reached the front of the carriage, Paula greeted the two with a deep bow again.
Normally, he would have added a word saying that it was okay to rest at home, but he didn’t say anything because it was like ignoring her concern.
“Thank you, Paula. You and Ludwig are having a hard time because of me.”
In contrast to Ludwig, who bluntly said that he had worked hard and got on the carriage, Emilia held her hand and thanked her.
If it wasn’t for the confidence of leaving this place in a few days, there would be no reason for the two of them to walk all the way to the village.
I don’t know if it can be conveyed through words alone, but I believed that it would be better if I didn’t say it, and I tried to convey my heart with sincerity.
“It was nothing. This is my duty, so you don’t have to worry about it.”
“Nevertheless. Even though it only bothers me, I really wanted to tell you this at least once.”
It was Paula’s credit that she, who was shy from the beginning, was able to stay in the Ipretz family and live without discomfort.
Of course, other members of the Ipretz family, including Ludwig, tried their best, but because Paula paid a lot of attention through Grita for Emilia’s convenience.
She was convinced that there would be no time to deliver it if it were not now, and put more strength into her hands that were holding Paula’s.
“Thank you. Lady Gong.”
“Won’t you call me lady like Grita?
“If that is a request… I will, Miss Emilia.”
On the other hand, Ludwig watched with delight as he rode into the carriage to see this amicable spectacle.
Even though it’s not a thank you handing to yourself, for some reason, I felt more proud of this moment.
“Emilia, since you are my favorite lady-in-waiting, please don’t think of taking her away.”
Knowing that Paula, who was holding his hand, was glancing at him with a puzzled face, Ludwig made a small joke to lighten the mood.
“Did you hear? It’s a pity then, but I have to end the acquisition at this point.”
Emilia also let go of the hand she was holding with a low smile, probably recognizing that fact.
Only then did Paula, who was freed, return to her usual form, guide her, and get into the carriage after her.
“Paula, if Emilia flirts with you, it will be difficult.”
Ludwig gazes out the window with his chin resting on his chin, then shifts his gaze to her and speaks to her playfully.
For an instant, Paula’s eyes widened, but soon she put on a soft smile and calmly opened her mouth.
“It can’t be. To me, there is only the young master.”
“That’s fortunate.”
After that conversation, with the clattering sound of the carriage starting, they moved their busy steps toward the Ipretz family’s mansion.
The three had several conversations before arriving at the mansion.
As if it were a catalyst to remember today.
Because all three of them were desperate to keep what happened today.