Chapter 11
《Hatoba Inn》 pavilion which has ‘to escape from the hustle and bustle of the trade city’ as its sell phrase, is located in a confusing place just a little bit away from the center of Spiril.
I’ve come to this town many times, honestly this is the only place I don’t have confidence to come on my own. If Edmond wasn’t here showing us the way, me and Els wouldn’t have been able to come here.
The visible sea from the window is dyed in orange, as if it was trying to swallow the iffy color from the sun.
The dusk is ascending. It will soon probably change to darkness of the night.
Father and even the Rozerem duke haven’t come back yet.
[Kuu….]
Els made a gentle breathing sound while sleeping on the bed.
Els fell asleep while sitting there waiting for the two people to return.
The bed here is really fluffy, and it makes you feel like being above the clouds. With all the running, Els being like this is only right.
[Tsu….](TL: just another breathing sound folks.)
Els is lying there with a really innocent face.
He is such a defenseless figure now.
…..It makes me play a prank on him.
I pinched my handkerchief and used it to tickle Els nose.
[Uu…]
Els wrinkled his eyebrows a little.
This is somehow quite funny.
I repeated the same thing again and again.
[U-n]
Els tried to escape by rolling over.
Did he wake up?
[…Tsu]
It seems like its okay.
Then lets try pinching his cheek. Oh, soft. It’s fresh enough to make a young girl like me jealous.
Even now Els still didn’t show any sign of waking up.
What should I do next?
That’s it.
His hair is described as ‘comfortable to the touch just like the tail and paws of wild animals or so in the original story.
Why don’t I check it?
I gently stroke Els hair as if I am petting my cats and dogs at home.
Oh,
Oh, Oh!
Its smooth and silky.
If Els had hair all over his body, he’d probably turn into a fluffy puppy. (TL: fluffy puppy its ‘ *モフモフ ’.)
I got it.
That’s it, the next doll will be a yeti. Then Nessie and Skyfish, lets make the *UMA corps. Ah its really interesting.
But first we have to survive through tonight.
Kajero’s letter also said it. To be careful of the ‘Wandering Earl ‘.
Els too said it. That something bad was targeting me.
…..that monster-like earl is here. In this trade town, Spiril.
The original story was that he was attracted to the heroines talent that he came to the royal capital to find her. This time I am his target.
It is not completely unexpected. I have been prepared for this since long time.
* *
Because of this personality of mine that I am probably better than any man.
[I’m scared, help] crying while clinging to Els or Kajero. If I’d done that then my life would probably be totally different then.
Well, whatever.
My second brother liked to say—
–people can only be themselves.
I think its true.
Even after reincarnating, I am still myself.
Even though I can just be a princess who longs for someone to protect her, in the end I didn’t choose that.
[Alti…nemy..]
Els mumbled while being half asleep.
They’d be sad if I was gone.
Kajero and the other dolls too. Also Father.
That’s why, U-n.
Lets try my best.
* *
Thinking with the original story in mind, the earl would probably wait for when I’d be alone to approach me. In other words, I can control where the meeting place should be to some extent.
When the party ends, lets run from the “Hatoba Inn”.
Then I’ll fight with the earl where there is a trap set for him.
Eight years earlier than the original story, there is no heroine, Elstat, even a guard dog, only me alone would capture the earl.
Somehow this is getting fun.
* *
…thinking back my plan was full of holes like the Emmental cheese, far from perfect, but there are three main points.
First.
In the original, there wasn’t a scene showing that, but it was described in the story setting that “he would appear in royal or nobles parties and that always became the topic of talks all around.” So I have no choice but to also take that possibility into consideration.
Second.
That’s the reason why he’d become this reckless. Because such passionate love is horrible.
If I’d known about the story in advance, then I’ll be able to take measures but that is just hopeful thinking.
And third, this might just be my idle complaint but- –
I think this world god of fate seems to hate the thing called conflict.
[When I was lost earlier, I actually met with a famous person by chance.]
In the middle of the party, the Rozerem duke started to say such a thing.
[That is because of the guidance from the gods that my voice was finally able to reach out.]
Thus with a voice as if talking to someone, he was invited to the venue.
[To have been invited to such a beautiful princess celebration party, living over a thousand years has indeed has its meaning.]
A youth with black eyes and hair as if condensed with darkness, his behavior was also thoroughly elegant and graceful that you would not have any complaint when looking at him.
Sigh of exclamation was heard from here and there.
[Nice to meet you, Doll Princess. My name is Christophe du Vergennes or The Wandering Earl as you should have heard.]
It was a completely unexpected development.
In front so many eyes, to come in contact with him so majestically.
Aah, mou-
Rozerem duke just what kind of person did you bring here!
The talent owner in the collection of the wandering earl have all been ice-pickled don’t you know….no he really doesn’t know? It was written in the story setting. Earl Du Vergennes was a famous person since eons ago, but all the more reason his bad deeds was beautifully hidden–.
Anyway, tte.
Now that the Earl has come. The plan needs to be changed.
What to do now, me?