The Fat Aristocrat Waltz in the Labyrinth - Chapter 55
Chapter 55: The fat aristocrat learns about the bone girl’s situation
Meeting a knight who claimed to be Canule’s brother led to the end of their labyrinth exploration.
After returning to the surface, Mitrof and Canule moved to a new location. They took a seat at the end of a small dining hall in the inn where Grace once stayed. They didn’t know of any other suitable place to talk about things they didn’t want to be asked about by others.
The sun had yet to set, and it was still early evening. The dimly lit dining hall had few customers, with only a male elf drinking alone at the opposite table.
Mitrof ordered red wine and a rabbit meat dish. He gave the smallblade rabbit he brought back from the labyrinth to the innkeeper and asked him to prepare it. This way, he could eat meat to his heart’s content, cheaply.
The unsmiling innkeeper brought a bottle of red wine and two glasses. Mitrof poured the wine into both glasses.
Canule hasn’t eaten or drunk anything since being cursed. However, placing an empty glass in front of her made Mitrof hesitant.
“…Once again, I have caused trouble for you, Mitrof-sama.”
Mitrof nodded in response to Canule’s apology. He didn’t think he had caused any trouble, but denying it wouldn’t make the conversation progress.
“Is that really Canule’s older brother?”
“…Yes, without a doubt.”
“Were you knighted?”
Canule nodded in response to Mitrof’s question and dropped a few words.
In the past, countries fought each other, and among them, the era of noble lords competing for territory continued for a long time.
Many young men became soldiers, and those who performed outstanding deeds were granted the title of knight. However, that is now a thing of the past.
The world was governed, and diplomatic maneuvering prevailed over warfare. The stage of the knight in armor has long since fallen into disuse. The Royal Guard Knights still exist, but they haven’t been to battle in decades.
Nevertheless, knighthood has not yet disappeared, and a title called “Knight Baron” has been established for the quasi-nobility, with selected families inheriting the knightship.
“Women born into a knight baron family learn both ladylike behavior and martial arts—and as they reach the age of maturity, they become a quasi-knight and a guard attendant for noblewomen.”
“I have heard of it—for noblewomen, a female knight is indispensable for dressing up in high society.”
To have a beautiful appearance, impeccable manners, and a female knight with superior combat skills by one’s side. It is the “trend” in high society.
The story of knights has always captivated people’s hearts. To have a courageous knight offer their sword and pledge loyalty is still a noblewoman’s dream today.
The knight pledged their loyalty to the country in exchange for a title. The knights who once lived for the noble ideals of chivalry and their sword have now taken on the responsibility of protecting their own homes. All of it has disappeared into fantasy.
That’s why noblewomen overlaid their illusions and decorated female knights to keep them close. It’s not uncommon to dress them in men’s clothing.
Of course, there is also a practical benefit to serving as a bodyguard in places where men are prohibited. However, it is not every day that noble women are attacked by rogues.
“I too served as a certain person’s attendant—I cannot go into detail, but I was cursed with the relic of the labyrinth in order to protect that person.”
“…I see—and that is why you were exiled.”
Nobles place importance on reputation and detest scandal. It is a concern for both the side that puts knights by their side and the side that sends them out. It is not just a beautiful story of a knight protecting a lady from a curse that can be settled in a noble social gathering—Mitrof thought.
Canule hesitated and carefully chose her words with a hesitant tone.
“I have a slightly complicated circumstance—besides…I can’t serve in this state either. My father told me to go back home. He said it would bring shame to the family if I were to remain like this.”
Mitrof strongly understood the words “shame to the family.”
The existence of the nobility is not about the individual but about the family, protecting the lands, status, and honor that their ancestors have guarded generation after generation and entrusting them to future generations. That is what is important in the family.
If the value of the family is lowered, they may choose to discard the individual. It is also the duty of the head of a noble family.
“If I return home, I probably won’t be able to go out for the rest of my life—as a female knight, there would be no role for me anywhere in this appearance…”
It’s not something to laugh about. Mitrof knows the harsh reality and unforgiving values of the nobility.
In fact, almost every noble family has a reception room or underground prison. These prisons are not only for imprisoning criminals but also for confining the disgrace of families that must be kept hidden from other houses.
Although Canule had proven herself by protecting her master, she became a monster due to a curse. The head of the household could not let her roam free and risk ruining the family’s existence. Mitrof, too, could understand the reasoning behind this decision.
The knight baron has a monster of a daughter—malicious rumors could even threaten the existence of the family.
Carrying not only Canule’s burden but also the name of the longstanding knight baron, she carries a heavy stone on her shoulders.
“…My master let me escape. She said If I go to the city’s labyrinth, I’ll be able to hide and maybe even find a way to turn back—I must take advantage of her words.”
However, Canule lowered her gaze.
She was staring at the wine glass placed in front of her. The small candle in the middle of the table modestly illuminated the wine in the glass.
“I knew this life would not last long—it was shorter than my expectations yet longer than I thought, but I believe I’ll never forget that I was able to adventure with Mitrof-sama.”
“Thank you very much.” Canule lowered her head deeply.
Mitrof felt like it was a farewell for life.
They wouldn’t ever meet again, but there was no reason to be sad. Stay strong.
Send a letter. I’ll send one too.
It’s not too late to run away to another city.
Mitrof had many words to say, but he couldn’t think of anything valuable. Everything was meaningless and hollow.
The shopkeeper came over with a pot and placed it in front of Mitrof without saying a word, then left.
Inside the pot was rabbit meat with gravy sauce, a dish familiar to Mitrof and common enough to be served at noble dining tables.
The roasted rabbit meat was cut into small cubes. The meat juice from roasting the rabbit, sautéed onions, almond milk, and spices were added and simmered until the sauce thickened. In the middle of the pot, a mound of mashed potatoes was piled up.
Mitrof seemed to have used all the rabbit meat he brought in, as the pot was filled to the brim with meat.
Mitrof took out a napkin from his pocket and looked at it before spreading it out for his meal. It was not something you would find at a food stall or restaurant, used to prevent the sauce from staining clothes or to wipe one’s mouth or hands after a meal. Mitrof had started carrying a napkin with him.
He believed he was no longer a noble but an adventurer.
However, he still used a napkin during meals. Adventurers would not bother with such things.
Changing the way of life ingrained in one’s body and senses is difficult.
It’s not easy to tell Canule to run away and live freely. He understands that much.
He knows that she cannot choose that option, even though she understands it.
Even during meals where no one cared about table manners, like spreading out a napkin, Mitrof did so.
“——We had to finish early today—let’s dive into the labyrinth again tomorrow.”
Canule looked up. Due to the hood she never took off, even indoors, it was impossible to read her expression. The whiteness of her jawbone was the only thing that the candle flame in front of her illuminated.
Mitrof couldn’t read Canule’s emotions, but he still wanted to communicate something.
“Your brother agreed that my contract with you ends at the end of the month—until then, no matter what anyone says, you are my companion; I can’t do without you.”
“Yes.”
From that point on, Mitrof didn’t say anything and stuck his napkin into his collar, starting to eat the rabbit meat.
It was completely different from the meals made by the exclusive chef at his family’s home. There were few spices used, and the quality was poor. There was hardly any sugar in it. The mashed potatoes were probably made by mashing them all together in the morning; they were cold and had a dry, mealy texture. The meat had been cooked too much, making it tough, and the lack of preparation made it stringy.
Canule straightened her back and placed her hands on her knees, watching as Mitrof engulfed the meat without even a drop of juice spilling.
There was no clatter of dishes as Mitrof struck them in the absence of conversation. There was also no sound of chewing. His ingrained habits were elegant, in contrast to the run-down inn’s dining hall.
Occasionally, the candle flame flickered in the draft, causing the shadows of the two to tremble.