Translator: Blushy
Editor: Sam
There were other pictures of Okaa-sama, including when she was little, and I had fun looking at them with Nii-sama, but in the end, we went back to the picture on the stairs. I went to the stairs to look at her portrait whenever I had free time while I was at Ojii-samaâs mansion, but it was a pity that I didnât have much free time to do so in the first place.
On the day we arrived, we had dinner then went to bed right away, but on the next day, we had to interact with the children from Farland since we were here.
Isnât it time for them to send a little girl here? If itâs too hard to travel or deal with a boyâs tantrums, then why would I, a two-year-old, have to accompany Nico even though Iâve travelled all the way here? I would like to ask this to the person in charge, but there wasnât anyone in charge, and the result was this makeshift treatment. I miss having Chris around.
âSince weâre all here, there are a lot of things about the different fiefs that Iâd like to talk about. Although Neville and Helford share a border, the climate and vegetation are almost identical. But how do you think the productivity changes with and without the barrier? Iâd like to hear your honest opinions.â We were thrown into a large room so that we can interact with each other in a less formal setting, and it was Lloyd who started the conversation. Iâm certain he was, âThe pershon near weshther.â
He seemed mischievous yesterday, but he suddenly started talking about a serious topic today. When I looked at Nii-sama and Gill, they also seemed to exude a surprised aura. Of course, Nii-sama is Otou-samaâs son. His feelings didnât show on his face in the slightest. I know since we get along.
âWhy do you look so proud?â
âNoth you. Ithâsh Lei.â I politely corrected Lawkâs mistake when he spoke to me.
âYou donât know my name either do you!?â
I looked at Lawk a little coldly. We introduced ourselves yesterday, didnât we?
âLaww. Jeff. Jashper. Lwoud.â (Lawk. Jeff. Jasper. Lloyd) I called their names out in the order that I was looking at them and looked smug.
âAnd Lei ish Lei. And thhen Nico.â
I made sure to say Nicoâs name so that he wouldnât be left out.
âHmm. Lawk. Jeff. Jasper. Lloyd. You can call me Nico.â Nico nodded coolly, then called out each of their names in confirmation and introduced himself like I had done. The other two youths had their mouths agape.
âFuha, hahaha! The small Prince and lady are very smart. I think the little ones will do just fine under these circumstances. Jeff. Can I leave it to you?â Lloyd was the first to speak and he laughed in amusement, then he confirmed this with his brother, Jeff.
âIâm fine, Nii-sama,â Jeff said then glanced at Lawk.
âIâm fine too. I can take care of the midgets.ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
I think weâll be the ones who will look after this Lawk. Lawkâs brother, Jasper, looked a little uneasy.
âI donât mind. There are things that the older children want to talk to each other about. Lei and I will accompany these people.â
Why did you include me without permission? Since Nico said it was alright, we had to hang out with the two younger ones. Well, whatever. Iâll just watch over them quietly.
âThen, what should we do? Shall we study since itâs before lunch?â
âWhat are you saying?â Lawk said, and his brother Jasper spun around with a tragic look on his face, but his fist didnât reach here. Nico didnât seem to mind, and the conversation proceeded as normal.
âWeâre finally away from home, so weâre not going to study. Letâs play!â
âThatâs good.â Nico looked happy too. Jeff was quietly watching, or rather, he was keeping his mouth shut. Then, he gently crossed his arms.
âBut you know what? What kind of games can we play that a baby can also play?â
What a nice child to think of a game where everyone can play. But I want to say this, âIâm not a baby.â
âBoard games might be a little difficult.â
âI can pway.â
âI know! How about hide-and-seek?!â
I thought Jeff was just being quiet, but he wasnât listening to us at all. Well, I always play hide-and-seek with Nico and Chris, so thatâs fine.
âThen Lei can join in too. But...â
âBut?â
âLei will fall asleep anywhere if we donât find her soon.â
I wonât sleep in the morning no matter how much I sleep. Rude.
âWell, Iâll find that midget straight away, so itâs fine.â
âI hope youâre right.â
Nico looked at Lawk with pity.
âThen, Iâll be it since I suggested the game. Is 20 seconds enough time?â
So, we played hide-and-seek. Isnât 20 seconds too short? Itâs not. I already assumed that we would be playing hide-and-seek from the moment we entered this room, so Iâve already memorised the placement of the furniture. Nico also did the same, so we ran to our hiding spots without complaining.
I can hide behind the couch, under the table, in the curtains or behind the guards and maids in this room. There are also gaps between the bookshelves.
But I chose to hide under the couch I was sitting on. I got off the couch when Jeff started counting, lied down on the ground and hid behind the carved leg. I barely made it.
âHuh!â
â... Pfft.â
I can hear Natalieâs inaudible shriek and Hans sigh, but itâs okay. Even underneath the sofa was well-cleaned, as expected of an Earlâs mansion. Everyone also seemed to be hiding somewhere, and I couldnât hear the sounds of footsteps anymore.
â19, 20. Once more...â
âOkay.â
I replied in a small voice as if I didnât know where they were.
âThe room isnât that big, so Iâll find them soon.â
Jeff-kun, who was counting by the door, was full of confidence.
âI guess Iâll start with the curtains.â
I knew his eyes would be attracted to that. I heard the rustling of the curtains.
âNot here. Which means...â
Jeffâs feet passed in front of me. A moment later, I felt him flip the tablecloth up.
âLawk, I found you!â
âTsk. This room is too small.â
Thereâs always someone who will blame other people and things. But still, itâs warm in here. Itâs nice and warm.
âNext, here! See.â
âItâs easy to find someone hiding behind a pair of legs, after all?â
Apparently, that person was hiding behind Nii-samaâs and othersâ legs. Trees hide in forests. Babies hide behind adults. Hmm. Sleepy.
I donât remember anything after that, but the next thing I know, I was being dragged from under the couch.
âI told you, didnât I? Sheâll fall asleep if you donât find her soon.â
âI washnâth shweeping.â (I wasnât sleeping)
Nico wiped my mouth with a handkerchief while looking at me with pity as I rubbed my eyes. This is something a lady shouldnât do. I drooled?
âAlright! Letâs play something that requires more moving around!â
Weâre still going? I reluctantly stood up.