Chapter 385 I Feel Like There Are A Lot Of Misunderstandings
Sophia and her group were invited to Duke Arbal's residence. Not only Chloe and the golem Sara, but also the accompanying servants and the golems pretending to be employees of the Sophia Merchant Guild made for quite a number of people.
However, the servants at Duke Arbal's residence were used to welcoming such a large number of guests, and the waiting staff provided a warm place with snacks and drinks.
'This place has better servants than the ones at the Grandchester royal residence.'
Sophia honestly acknowledged the high quality of the Duke's servants. Many of them seemed to come from lower noble families, but that didn't mean they looked down on the commoners from the Grandchester family. It was clear that Victoria's education was thorough.
And it seemed that this education also applied to her eldest son, Alfred. As Sara the golem was getting off, Alfred approached the carriage and naturally offered his hand to help Sara with her Grazia. Of course, it was the nearby Duke's servants who physically helped Sara down from the carriage, but Alfred naturally reached out to her as she stepped down.
Sara smiled gracefully at Alfred and took his outstretched hand. Seeing her expression made Alfred's cheeks turn slightly red, and it wasn't just because it was cold outside. However, watching Sara, who was confidently escorted without any sign of shyness, made Sophia feel a bit sorry for Alfred.
'I'm sorry. This child is a golem.'
She feels like a relative aunt. It seems that Sophia being a distant relative of Sara fits better than she expected.
In the reception room, there was a beautiful white piano.
"I can't really criticize His Highness the Crown Prince Gerhart for asking this, but could we please listen to Ms. Sara play?"
Victoria said this with a slightly shy expression, looking back and forth between Sophia and Sara as she requested the piano performance.
'Huh? Can golems play the piano? I know Thomashiina can sing, but...'
Sophia called out to Sara.
"Ms. Sara, how are your fingers feeling today?"
"No problem at all. If my clumsy playing is okay, I can play anytime."
'Oh, she accepted that easily. Magi really are talented.'
As Sara played "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star Variations" on the piano, Alfred watched with interest, while Eugenie leaned in and exclaimed, "It's the music from the music box!" However, as the performance continued, their expressions changed to shock as they realized how difficult the piece was.
In fact, Eugenie was not aware that Sara had tried to create a smaller music box Spieluhr, which contained a magic stone that played a recorded song. This tiny box was designed to fit in a child's palm, and Sara thought it could be sold as an affordable option for everyone. However, Alicia and the carpenter rejected the idea, saying it was "too small and a hassle." As a result, the music box became a rare item that Sara only gave to special people.
'I wonder if wanting to make small and lightweight things is a trait of Japanese people?'
Sophia noticed that the golem Sara's performance was a perfect copy of "Sophia's" performance. In reality, the live Sara and Sophia play the piano and violin slightly differently. It's just that due to their body sizes and hand sizes, they change their playing to make it easier, but not many people realize this.
'It seems like Magi can use the golem's body better than I can use my own. It's a bit frustrating.'
Then, when Sara finished playing and stood up, Eugenie jumped onto her while she was curtsying. Sara hurriedly caught Eugenie, avoiding any trouble, but if she weren't a golem, they both might have fallen over.
"Wow, wowww! Sara, you're a genius!!"
Excited, Eugenie started talking rapidly to Sara, who caught her.
"Thank you, Genie. But it's dangerous to jump on someone like that."
Sara gently released her hands from Eugenie and looked into her eyes, lightly scolding her.
"Genie, I told you not to jump on people like that. You could have hurt Ms. Sara if you weren't careful!"
"I'm sorry, Mother."
"If that's the kind of half-hearted apology you have, it's better not to say anything at all! And you should be apologizing to Ms. Sara, not me!"
Victoria caught Eugenie from behind and lifted her up, staring into her eyes as she scolded her.
"Yes, Mother."
Eugenie flinched at her mother's sternness. Once she was set down from Victoria's arms, she bowed her head towards Sara.
"I got so excited by Sara's performance that I accidentally jumped on her. I'm really sorry."
Victoria also bowed deeply to Sara.
"Ms. Sara, I'm sorry for my daughter. She's really a handful."
"I apologize for my sister's rudeness too. But your performance was amazing."
Alfred also stood up and apologized to Sara.
"Please, lift your head. I'm really happy that you liked my poor performance. And Genie, you won't do that again, right?"
"Yeah. I won't do it again."
"Hehe. Genie is a good girl."
"Ms. Sara, not only is your performance perfect, but your manners are too. As expected of a student of Lady Orson."
"I'm flattered by your kind words, but I'm really happy to be praised for my mother's teachings. Thank you very much."
'Hmm. Her core strength and reflex speed are impressive. And her responses are flawless. Magi are scary.'
Chloe, who had been watching the whole scene from the side, quietly stepped forward and spoke to Eugenie.
"Genie, even though Sara looks very graceful, she's quite a tomboy at home. Every morning, she trains in swordsmanship with the boys."
"Sara does swordsmanship too?!"
Alfred leaned forward eagerly as he spoke.
"Don't say that, Chloe! It's embarrassing to say such things in front of everyone!"
"But it's the truth, isn't it?"
Sara blushed slightly, showing a shy demeanor.
'Wow, Magi. I'm starting to feel scared. Do I really react that way?'
"There aren't many women who practice swordsmanship, so it's quite interesting."
"Oh, Alfred doesn't know. The former Mrs. Count Harrington, the sister of Marquis Grandchester, was known as a master swordswoman in her youth. Also, Sir Jeffrey, who won the martial arts tournament in the royal capital five years in a row, is from the Grandchester family."
As Victoria explained about Jeffrey to Alfred, he began to excitedly recount it to Sara.
"Is it the famous Sir Jeffrey who was told by His Majesty the King, 'You must not enter the martial arts tournament anymore'?"
"That's right. He was told to 'give other people a chance,' and he was granted a title."
"I've heard that even now, many martial arts visit Sir Jeffrey to prove they are stronger than him. Is that true?"
'Wow, I didn't realize Sir Jeffrey was that amazing. I knew he won the martial arts tournament and became a knight, but I didn't think it was to that extent.'
"Of course, it's true! Just before the hunting tournament, a wandering swordsman came and fought against Sir Jeffrey, but it was a complete victory for him. I've heard that swordsman went back out on a training journey."
The golem Sara explained to Alfred, but Sophia, the real Sara, didn't know this information herself. But since she's essentially Magi, it makes sense that she's well-informed.
'Hmm, she might be more skilled than the real one.'
"Is that so? The Grandchester family really values martial arts."
Alfred nodded in agreement, but Sophia thought it was necessary to clarify that the Grandchester family isn't exclusively focused on martial prowess.
"The Grandchester territory is located near the Aklar Mountains, which have a tough environment. This leads to many encounters with wild animals and monsters, so many people there practice martial arts. However, Grandchester is also famous for its wheat production. Managing the crops is the job of bureaucrats and the lord. Because lords work closely with bureaucrats, they have little time to practice martial arts."
"Is that so?"
"Moreover, the current Marquis Grandchester originally attended the knight department of the academy. He was also set to join the Royal Guard Knights, but after losing two brothers to illness in quick succession, he had to suddenly inherit the family title. As a result, he became a lord who uses a sword like a knight."
"I see. Given that, isn't it rare for Sara to practice martial arts in the Grandchester family?"
Alfred nodded at Sophia's explanation and continued to ask more questions, to which Chloe responded.
"It's very rare! That's why I said Sara is a bit of a tomboy."
"Huh?"
"She insists that she won't marry a man who is weaker than her."
"Is that so!?"
'Oh, I see. So that's what Chloe was aiming for with her comment. She cleverly made a reason to refuse marriage proposals.'
"I admire Sir Jeffrey. If I were to marry, I'd want someone like him."
"Actually, it's Sir Jeffrey who is teaching Sara swordsmanship. So, Sara is quite skilled as well, isn't she?"
"Wow! I can't imagine the current Ms. Sara being like that. Then Alfred, you must work hard to not be outdone by Ms. Sara."
"Of course, Mother! I definitely want to have a match with Sara."
"My Alfred is serious about swordsmanship. Still, I hope you study just as hard."
"Mother!"
'Oh no, isn't it quite bad that the future Duke is a bit of a musclehead?'
"I've heard that Sir Jeffrey's eldest son, Scott, was also like that until recently. But ever since he started studying with Sara, his grades have skyrocketed. Isn't that right, Sara?"
Chloe hinted at Scott's presence with a glance. This was likely intentional. Perhaps Chloe thinks that Sara and Scott's relationship is developing.
'Well, since we went on a date, it's not surprising she might think that. But honestly, Scott feels more like a little brother to me. He's older, but still...'
Despite that, she felt a bit excited at the end of the date, but she completely forgot about it.
"Scott was originally excellent; he just preferred swordsmanship."
"Even so, it feels like Scott's grades improved suddenly."
"I said that studying is also necessary for knights. It's not just the strength of the knight that decides the battle, but also tactics, strategy, and the supply of food and weapons that support the knights."
"I see. So that's how it is."
"I'm truly amazed. Is there anything Ms. Sara can't do?"
'I can't draw well. I'm also not good at sculpting or clay work...'
Of course, she couldn't say that out loud.
"I have many shortcomings, and I'm quite embarrassed, Lady of Duke Arbal."
"Some people throw baseless accusations at Sara, saying, 'It's inappropriate for a woman to speak wisely,' but in the Grandchester family, we want to fully nurture Sara's talents. Of course, Marquis Grandchester and my father, the Young Marquis, feel the same way."
"That's wonderful."
"Yes, I believe so too. That's why we want to marry Sara to someone who is as skilled or even more skilled than her in both studies and swordsmanship. She's like a cute little sister to me."
Chloe made a strong statement, subtly warning the Lady of Duke Arbal. Victoria noticed this but didn't think much of Sara's abilities. She believed that she had overestimated Alfred's talent due to parental bias.
However, Alfred was indeed one of the most talented boys of his age. At just 6 years old, he showed remarkable maturity and skill. While he preferred swordsmanship over studying, he was still good at academics, and his tutors praised his intelligence. Despite a 2-year age difference, Victoria never believed that Alfred would be less capable than Sara in the future.
Because of this, Victoria organized Sara's birthday party and acted as if Alfred was her fiancé, intending to keep other families, like the Sophia Merchant Guild, at a distance.
However, Sophia made a statement that felt like a cold splash of water.
"To be honest, I would like to leave the Sophia Merchant Guild to Ms. Sara. By the time Ms. Sara becomes an adult, I will probably want to retire."
"But, but, Ms. Sara is about to become a Viscount's daughter, right?"
Victoria reacted in surprise to Sophia's comment.
"There's no law against a viscount's daughter managing a merchant guild. However, since merchants can't avoid discussions about money, it might be seen as unseemly behavior for a noblewoman. As for marriage... to be honest, if I may speak freely, I hope that Ms. Sara can find someone to love and be loved by, just like her late parents, without being bound by noble customs. Ultimately, though, it will be up to Ms. Sara to decide."
"What about Sir Robert?"
"He is very indulgent towards Ms. Sara."
"Uncle dotes on Sara, doesn't he?"
While Victoria nodded at Sophia's statement, she greatly misunderstood Sara.
'Perhaps Ms. Sara is trying hard to remain a noble. If that's the case, I must do everything I can to help Ms. Sara become the future Mrs. Duke! I can't let such a talented girl, connected to the Grandchester family and the Sophia Merchant Guild, be taken by another family!'
For Sara, this was quite a nuisance.
After that, Sophia and Chloe finalized the plans for Sara's birthday party. They asked the Sophia Merchant Guild to provide drinks, including alcohol, and gifts for the guests. To promote the Sophia Merchant Guild in the royal capital, they chose unique items from the guild as gifts. This concluded their discussions for the day.
...Leaving various sparks behind.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)