How the Useless Me Became the Beloved of the Devilish Duke Knight - Chapter 12
Chapter 12 : Questions and Consultations.
“Lord Germane….”
“I dislike formality. I want you to call me by my name.”
When I casually mentioned his last name, I was quickly corrected. The man’s silver eyes seemed to sparkle with anticipation. Elma tried to say it quietly, trying to make it disappear.
“Lord….Eugreek ?”
“Yes. You’re Elma…Elma. I remember. Elma.”
Even though it’s a plain name, when pronounced carefully by the man, it somehow sounds like a different word. It was repeated over and over with joy, and Elma couldn’t help but look down in embarrassment. In that moment, she remembers the presence of Lathy reflected in her field of vision.
‘….That’s right. I’ll have to show this to Father and Carolyn again tomorrow, but….’
Not only once, but twice, it’s only natural that they would seek a more detailed explanation.
Will they understand if she tells them that she’s got the Lathy through a friend by a coincidental encounter ?
Even Elma herself doesn’t quite grasp the reality of it yet. As she thinks about it, another simple question comes to mind.
“Speaking of friends… Specifically, what should one do?”
In the first place, Elma’s proposal was, “If you bring me a latte (we’ll meet again)”.
However, in the words of the man who filled in the omitted second half, it changed to “be friends.”.
It’s not that she doesn’t know the word ‘friend.’. She understands it as describing a close relationship between strangers.
However, for Elma, who has always devoted herself to her family, such a presence has never existed before. That’s why she can’t think of anything specific about what it means to be friends.
But, the man she asked didn’t seem to have a clear plan either. After widening his eyes, he tilted his head and put his hand over his mouth, deep in thought.
“….Well, it’s not like I don’t have friends or anything.”
Perhaps he couldn’t bear the questioning gaze from Elma, so he interjected those words.
Then, Elma somehow, kind of realizes ‘He’s having a hard time with personal relationships because of his face….’
In fact, she’s even witnessed him getting involved in a lovers’ quarrel.
“….Anyway, now that we’re friends, I’d like to talk about a lot of things.”
“Talk…..?”
“Well… like last time, going to a restaurant or something…”
Somehow, Elma began to form an image of what friends are like. Yet, with that realization, new thoughts arose.
“What do you mean by ‘talk’…. What should we talk about, exactly ?”
The wind blew between them. A moment of silence passed.
“I’ll think about it, so let me do this as homework until the next time we meet.”
“Yes.”
He said this with an extremely serious face, so Elma replied in the same way.
“I mean, the next time we can see each other is…when are you free?”
“It doesn’t really happen often… And, if we’re going to a shop, I’ll need to get permission to go out.”
“I see. You must be someone with a tight schedule…Do you live in this house?”
“Um….”
He probably thinks of Elma as a servant. It’s not wrong. But, when she’s trying to introduce her family, she suddenly finds it hard to speak.
“I should properly introduce myself next time. There was a summons yesterday, and today’s promise was to do it within the day, which is why it’s come to this time. I’ll also send a letter formally…”
Elma was looking down, but she grabbed her apron tightly and looked up at him with determination.
“I…I would like to tell the people at home about you. I also need to tell them about the Lathy, and I also need permission to go out…”
The best way to maintain a relationship with this “friend” would be to remain silent as before.
However, he accepted Elma’s difficult task and sincerely fulfilled his promise. She doesn’t want to treat such people poorly.
Besides, she couldn’t keep quiet when her father and sister questioned her anyway.
If so, let’s talk about it properly first. Putting aside herself, maybe they wouldn’t treat the person who brought the lathy that badly?That’s what Elma thought.
“I see… I hope it goes well, but, um… I get the feeling your master is quite difficult. If you tell him about me, it won’t cause you any trouble, right?”
“I’m not sure. It’s a possibility. But…”
“You can’t just stay silent too, huh? I see, that person is the one who wanted the Lathy.”
The man seemed to have generally guessed correctly when Elma stammered.
“Okay, first let’s wait to see what your master has to say. How can I hear back from you… Do you go shopping at that market every day?”
“Not every day, but… when it rains, it’s almost guaranteed.”
Of course, shopping is the quickest way, but if they’re in the mood, there is also the option of having it delivered to their home.
Her father goes out of his way to make Elma go out, probably more for the purpose of letting her run around. So on days when the weather is bad, Elma always goes shopping.
“In that case, let’s talk at the same store next rainy day…Is that okay ?”
“….Yes.”
“I wish you good luck, but …… if you ever get in trouble, please come to the royal castle. I want to help.”
“Thank you.”
I couldn’t serve it for dinner, but I received a bunch of Laties again. Plus, I made my first-ever friend in life.
Elma was feeling much more positive. She was even thinking of talking to her family about it.
“….You seem busy, so I’ll leave for today. I hope it rains before I can’t stand it anymore.”
When the man smiled, a warm breeze blew in Elma’s heart. She also lowers the corners of her eyes.
“Yes—let’s meet again when it rains.”
“Yeah…Elma. See you again when it rains.”
As Elma was getting ready for her own bed after seeing the man off and carefully tucking away the Lathy, Elma realized that she had failed to return his other ‘lost item.’.
Yet, there was no hint of the previous anxiousness.
‘The next time it rains…’
He’s someone who keeps his promises. So, we’ll meet again, and at that time.
“….Lord Eugreek.”
It feels like some sort of spell. Just calling his name warms her heart. Elma gently touched her chest, lay down on the hard floor, and closed her eyes with a sense of happiness.
“—Father. There’s something I want to talk to you about.”
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Translated by : Cutae30