Chapter 96

◆4-08 Mysterious House

After Gilbert left, I was in the room assigned to me, but I was so bored I didn't know what to do.

It's impossible to spend three days in a room with nothing to do. While looking out the window at the scenery outside, I couldn't help but think about Patrick.

He must be worried. But if I went back now and said I couldn't go to the moon, he would probably get quite angry and force a wedding on the spot.

Patrick might become so lonely that he would think, "If this had happened, I should have listened to Yumiera and not had a wedding. And I should stop complaining about the strange things she buys. And I should record sleep-inducing whispers and give them to her as a gift."

For him to reflect like that, some time needs to pass.

Originally, my goal wasn't to go to the moon. We had a disagreement about the wedding, so we decided to cool off. That's why I declared I was going back to my hometown, and ended up breaking through the atmosphere and landing in the capital of the neighboring country.

Yes, not only Patrick, but I also need to cool off.

Let's think calmly. When I immerse myself in quiet places like this, I can accept other perspectives.

...I ended up listing contrived reasons to cancel the wedding. I said I couldn't eat curry udon in a wedding dress, but I could just not eat it. There's no curry udon in this world anyway.

Other reasons... I didn't want to be in front of a crowd, and I didn't want to meet the king because it would make me nervous. All of these stemmed from my feelings. You could say it was my selfishness, but what do you think?

A wedding is supposed to be for the bride and groom. If the bride doesn't want it, it should be canceled immediately. If the groom, Patrick, wants it, then we should have a half-wedding.

A half-wedding. The bride and groom are half, so just Patrick. The family is half, so only the Ashbatten relatives. The guests are half, so only the king and queen. The priest is half, so either a god or a father... a god is fine, let's have Remun.

The king and queen, invited to the Ashbatten family's home party, and the dark god Remun. The mysterious lineup will be celebrated by the men of the Dorkness territory.

Yeah, it might be good. I won't know since I won't participate.

...I was so bored that I came up with a compromise that Patrick would never agree to.

Thinking endlessly about how to avoid the wedding just makes me feel down.

Well, let's explore the house. Gilbert said I could use anything in the house. I can legally search the house.

I'm a bit excited. It's the same fun as opening all the drawers in a hotel room. Not knowing how to set the alarm clock or use the safe and fumbling around is also fun.

Let's start. I jumped off the bed I was lying on and quietly left the room. I don't need to be quiet, but it's just a feeling.

I walked down the hallway and went to the next room first. Considering the possibility of a locked door, I gently turned the doorknob to avoid breaking it and entering by force.

The door opened smoothly.

What caught my eye was a devastated room. Except for the destruction, the furniture was almost the same as in the room I was in.

Does a normal house have multiple guest rooms like a business hotel? And what about this destruction? Does a troublemaker stay here regularly?

Not only the furniture but also the roof is broken, and the blue sky is visible...

"Oh, this is where I fell."

I knew I was shown the next room, but I thought it was on the other side. The first time in a new house, my sense of direction gets messed up.

I, the troublemaker, quietly closed the door. At the same time as a small sound, a larger sound came from far away.

It was the sound of the front door opening. Like an empty dresser, when one place is closed, another opens, or—

"He's back."

Either the owner of the house has returned or the latter. It's definitely the latter.

It's been about an hour since Gilbert left. I spent so much time thinking that I barely explored the house.

I hurriedly returned to the room I was in and sat in a chair, pretending I hadn't explored the house at all. Looking out the window with a melancholic expression would be perfect.

The footsteps came straight to me. Soon after he finished climbing the stairs, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

"...You're still here? I was hoping you'd be gone."

"I plan to stay for three whole days. I'll be a bother."

Gilbert sighed, troubled. But unlike before, it seemed to include a feeling of "there's nothing I can do about it." It's similar to what Patrick often does, so I recognized it.

"...What about food? You haven't eaten since last night, right?"

"Sorry, I'll eat."

"There's some non-perishable food stored. Help yourself."

I can't sense anyone else in the house. Gilbert doesn't seem like the type to cook for himself, so maybe he's been living off the stored food?

In this world, non-perishable and easy-to-eat food is generally tasteless. I'm starting to worry about his diet. Well, I'll return the favor of being given a place to stay.

"Would you like me to make something? It's the same whether it's for one or two people."

"Don't do unnecessary things. I don't want to eat something made by someone else, and I don't want a fire to start."

I could make it delicious now... what a waste.

The last time I cooked, it caused a commotion because it was thought to have produced toxic gas, but I've grown. I haven't had the chance to show off my skills since being banned from the kitchen, but I can make it delicious now. I have no evidence.

And a fire... I don't make eccentric dishes. I've heard that heroines who burn everything to a crisp went extinct long ago.

Maybe he thought he was being too harsh, he averted his gaze and said,

"Besides, there's only camping equipment here."

Camping equipment? Why is there only that?

I don't want to push it, so I'll give up on cooking. I was also trying to pass the time... maybe I should go sightseeing?

"Understood. I have one more question. Is it okay for me to leave the house?"

"Huh? Weren't you supposed to stay for three days?"

"I'll just look around and come back soon. Uh... it's my first time in the capital."

"...Aren't you running away from home?"

"They haven't searched this far. I don't even know if they're looking for me."

Hmm, I don't want to be desperately searched for, but I also don't want to be completely ignored. No one would think I might be in danger. If I'm causing trouble, I can understand why they might be looking for me.

Gilbert, who is currently causing a lot of trouble, thought for a while before speaking.

"It's fine. Many people come and go from this house. You won't stand out as an outsider..."

He looked at my head. Ah, black hair does stand out.

Compared to the Balsain Kingdom, the land of the Demon King legend, the Remrest Kingdom is said to have less prejudice against black hair. Still, it's rare. It's inevitable that I'll stand out.

"Will I stand out?"

"Of course. Especially in the capital of Remrest. If you're unlucky, you might be reported to the guards."

Huh? Even in Balsain, I wasn't reported.

What kind of legend of the Demon King is passed down in the neighboring country?

"Will I be reported?"

"People in the capital are sensitive to rumors. It's inevitable that you'll be mistaken for Yumiera Dorkness."

Ah, I see. Demon King, I'm sorry, your evil deeds have nothing to do with this.

Me. If I'm mistaken for me, I'll be reported. That makes sense. I'm the ultimate weapon of the neighboring country, with the same gender, age, and hair color.

"If I'm mistaken for that count, there's nothing I can do."

Look. This natural, "I'm not Yumiera" performance. I really am an actor.

Maybe my fragile, sad performance touched him, Gilbert's voice softened.

"I don't think you're that Yumiera. Don't be so angry. You haven't tried to turn Remrest into a wasteland, have you?"

No, I'm not angry. Huh? I was trying to create an atmosphere of "this is my sad fate"...

Also, the real Yumiera hasn't tried to turn Remrest into a wasteland.

"A hat should be fine. I should have a suitable one."

Gilbert said to follow him and headed downstairs.

If he thinks I'm angry, it's all right.

I wonder if the hat will fit. Men's hats might not hide my hair.

I followed him, a bit anxious. We arrived at a room near the entrance on the first floor.

Gilbert stopped as if thinking. Then he said,

"This is a private room. Inside—"

"I understand. I'll go over there."

Before he finished, I moved to a distant part of the hallway.

If I show curiosity, I might not get the hat.

Gilbert took a key from his pocket and entered the secret room.

He said I could use anything in the house, but maybe the important places are locked. But keys can break easily, right?

...Dangerous. Dangerous. A side of Yumiera peeked out. I'm not Yumiera now. I won't do something as barbaric as breaking a key.

Gilbert came out soon and immediately locked the door again.

I walked down the hallway, thinking it was fine. What he held in his hand was a wide-brimmed white hat.

...It looked like a woman's hat.

"Ah, private means... No, it's fine. Clothing is a personal choice."

Everyone has different tastes. Even if Gilbert turned into Gilbert-chan... well, whether I can look directly or not, it's not something others should comment on.

I imagined him running on the beach in a skirt, showing his bare legs, and wearing a beautiful white hat. I was glared at with a look that said "kill."

"What are you misunderstanding? This is a woman's private room. Since it's been empty for a while, you can use this."

Ah, I see. I have no idea about the family structure of this house... but my priority now is to go out.

I took the hat from Gilbert and put it on deep. Tucking my hair into my clothes would be perfect.

"Thank you! I'm sorry for thinking you had a cross-dressing habit!"

I was sent off by Gilbert's face, which looked like he had bitten a bug, and I ran out of the house.