Baka-Tsuki - User contributions [en]

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume16 Chapter5

2013-02-01T01:35:47Z

174.55.187.120:

===Chapter 5: Saito Chevalier De Hiraga Des Ornières===

Des Ornières, the land granted to Saito by Henrietta, was in the west of Tristain, a distance of about one hour's ride. If one was leaving from the magic academy or from Tristain, the time it took to get to Des Ornières hardly changed. The week just before the beginning of the summer holidays, Saito and Louise left quickly to inspect the land. It was assumed that the two would go alone, but, as expected, the number of companions increased.

- God ... this already seems like a noble procession. -Louise said sulkily.

Land was given to Saito! So putting that as an excuse, soon arrived first Guiche, leading the Undine boys (The Knights of the Holy Water Spirit) and Kirche, tired of waiting for Colbert, who had not yet arrived from Aquileia.

Siesta, of course loaded with a mountain of cleaning utensils, also joined. She was the first that, even without seeing the mansion, wanted to thoroughly inspect every corner of it.

- Des Ornières, what kind of place is it? – Malicorne’s face revealed his great curiosity in the question.

- No idea. How am I supposed to know that? – Saito said with a calm expression, responding to him.

- How much is the annual income of this land?

Recalling the words of Henrietta:

-12,000 Ecus –Saito said, at the sound of all breathlessly gasping.

- Knights! I've been thinking of recommending Saito to be the sponsor of our corps! -Reynald proclaimed loudly. Nobody objected. Resonant voices were heard all at once.

- What is a sponsor? Saito asked. Louise answered with an angry voice:

- Obviously, you will pay them the whole.

- Well, since I'm the vice-commander after all... -Saito nodded gently. Then Guiche was heard murmuring in a voice almost inaudible:

-Saito, really, I've been thinking we should all have the same uniform for our corps, but...

An even angrier Louise replied:

- You are the commander, so do something. Are you not a member of the noble Gramont family?

- You do not realize that we used the resources we had last season and...

And what... Now I remember; back there you used 500 ECU for Monmon! Give them back!

Upon hearing this, everyone there wore a face of disappointment. Seeing that, Saito declared with an expression as if to say "I will take care of it"

- Do not put on that face, I get it, it's not like I want all the money for myself. It's not as if I had won it by a large merit.

- If you think this is better, I can set aside a part of that money every year to the corps. Do you agree with this?

- How much, Saito? How much will be fine!? - Reynald asked anxiously.

- How much would be OK...?

Reynald look at the faces of all those present and said with a calm expression – 5000 ECU.

- Understood. I will invest that amount each year.

A "ooooooohhh" resounded from everyone. That absurdly generous offer from Saito provoked Louise. Her face went blue.

- Wait! Hey you! That's almost half!

- Never mind, I’m fine with it, it’s not as if they were a necessity. Moreover, there is nothing in particular you will need them for. Aahhhh, will you need it for something?

- Yes, you will need it, you are the vice commander of the imperial guard, and you just have been made a landlord, money and other benefits are things that would have to come to you, not to mention that you do not come from a noble family, or have a employer, you're just an upstart! That makes you an easy target for many. If you're not careful it will surely be a mess.

Saito just watched Louise who kept muttering complaints. ''Louise has been unusually awful. Bahh, she always has been an angry person, but lately it seems like anything she sees or hears makes her mad.''

''Is it something that Siesta made to me?'' He thought that at first, but apparently it was something different. After inspecting the situation and feeling the tension in the air, he remembered something Scarron told him to do in cases like this, but ended up saying nothing.

''But ... from the granting of Henrietta, her mood was worsening. Why? Everything went just fine! And on top of that, 12,000 ECU!'' Saito could not understand the reason for the unusual moodiness in Louise. But, after thinking calmly...

''Is it that, even now, Louise is wary of my relationship with the Princess?'' It was during the celebration' s dance... When Louise saw, from the curtain behind him… Saito kissing the princess… Saito had remembered. ''However ... At that time the Princess was not herself. She was sad, and needed to be next to someone. Was it coincidence that at that moment I was alone with her...?''

Of course Louise knew that, but it seems that she was not able to accept it.

''If I were in your place...''

''For example, if I saw Louise in a similar scene?''

Maybe I'd be like that... "It would be natural to be burning with jealousy" Saito thought.

''In truth there is nothing between me and the princess, and…''

Just when Saito thought that ... Saito briefly felt as if something pricked him in his chest. There was a moment when he thought "hee? That's impossible. The princess was sad, I just served to give her some comfort..."

But this anxiety that pricked like a thorn, that feeling of unease, remained in Saito's chest.

What's happening to me? What is it that is worrying me? Then Saito shook his head.

-Hey you, what are you doing? -After Louise said that, Saito regained consciousness.

Somehow, he still did not understand the real reason for his concerns.

- I-It's nothing! Seriously!

At the moment Louise tried to question him again, Kirche said something that was obviously said just to annoy her.

-Louise, you complain and want to control how Saito spends his money, are you trying to act as the protector of a noble husband? And tell me you two; do you have planned a wedding after graduation?

At these words, Saito raised many questions in his head. Seeing a smile on the face of his comrades, Saito could not help but discover himself smiling as well. At that time Louise dragged Kirche at the end of the procession, where they were muttering something quietly so that no one could hear them.

- ... This, i-indeed, n-not w-w-why. I-i only c-care about him as a roommate...

- There will be no wedding, but if… you will live together, no? If you do that, would it not provoke bad rumours?

- What other people say or think has nothing to do with it! I do not care about that sort of thing!

- That’s not Louise - Kirche told her with her eyes half open.

- It's for Saito!

- W-what are you saying?

- You see Louise, Saito is now a national hero, a character who received from Her Majesty the Queen a title and a territory. He may be a newcomer, but he is an upstart that is forging a legend. And also in your country, tell me, is it not mysterious for a commoner to become a noble? He is vice-commander of an imperial body, a landowner and also a character prone to get involved in any drama, which always causes uproar. If a person so famous began to live with a girl who is not married, it would become a scandal, and you're the daughter of a duke… When she had said this, Kirche gave an "oohohohoho!" laughing loudly.

Part of what she said was already something that was worrying her. This caused her to suddenly raise her voice, saying:

- What's wrong! Are you trying to say I'm not right for being with Saito?

- Yiaa! It was a joke; you do not need to be angry! -Kirche said with an astonished face. But it could not calm Louise’s irritation after insisting on this point. It was inevitable that her spirits falter.

-Yes, it is ... Like you said. I am insignificant. I do not have a tenth of your chest. I'm not sensual. And also, though I say so myself, I am very irritable. Half of that is his fault but I think I am deeply jealous. My face is cute but my personality is not. So I'm told...

Is what Louise murmured. Seeing Louise, Kirche said with a look of astonishment:

-Certainly, there may be a better girl out there, less like the Louise that you have become. Someone from a noble family, with a good personality and good looks, a girl like that could be a great opportunity for him.

- Do not talk nonsense! Nobody comes so suddenly and on top of that is from a noble family. That does not happen! Do not tell me in your country these things happen!

- Who knows? There may be someone who thinks that a landowner hero is worthy of staying with her daughter ... the world is very big and anything can happen.

Kirche said laughing, while Louise turned blue. After what had been said, in the mind of Louise, it waved a series of thoughts that bothered her...

''True, there are not only nobles in Gallia and Tristain. For example, how many are there in Halkeginia… if a grand duke like Kulldenholff is interested in Saito ... “Please take my daughter!” What will I do if that does happen? And if that man were to say, "do it, and one day you will become a king" What will I do? He is carried away so easily; he may suddenly be seduced by an offer.''

Louise thought she would find Saito in the forefront surrounded by the entire hubbub… She could not deduct the encouragement of others, who seemed to be enjoying everything carefree. Even Saito looked at Louise as if he was totally calm himself.

- What, but that! Is it not enough for you, the daughter of a duke? Want to be with someone worthy of you!? But really, becoming the husband of the daughter of a grand duke is difficult. Every day will be tied with a string and you can’t go where you want. The day you get to have an affair, you will be locked up in a dungeon where you will be punished every day. Besides, when you get bored you usually forget the manners, are you ready to not?

Kirche, looking at such a complex Louise, said:

-That would not change anything about how you would treat him.

- C-change.

- In what way?

- I-if he was unfaithful, I w-would forgive him from the dungeon.

Louise stood her shoulder forcibly saying: -Perhaps I would be less demanding than the daughter of an archduke.

- If there is no choice -Kirche said as she opened her hands.

Meanwhile they arrived to a place that seemed to be the land of Des Ornières but...

- To the best of my sight I can’t see more than a wasteland -Louise said with an air of distrust.

''I understood from the queen that this land is suspected to have an annual income of 12000.'' Rich farmland, grazing land, fishponds, they could not find any of them. On both sides of the road could be observed only empty and desolate land where the only thing that grew was weeds...

- What grass field will be the main product here? - Saito muttered. Passing by, they found a man who appeared to be a farmer pulling a cart.

- Let's ask him! - Then Guiche waved to the man.

- What can I do for you, my lord? Like his old horse, he was seedy-looking.

- I would like to take some of your time to ask ... Are these Des Ornières lands?

-These were my master’s land. -It was said with a clear voice, with no accent and an excellent pronunciation, with no doubt.

-This is pretty spoiled to be a land of 12,000 in revenue a year.

Hearing this, the old man with a smiling face gave a "hahaha".

-That was before the Lord of this land died, it’s already been 10 years since that. In the absence of an heir, this land was expropriated but ... young people were leaving these lands to go to the city, and everybody who stayed was just too old to take care of it. Only a few dozen of us are still here, and we do our best to continue working the land.

All were blue in the face after hearing that. In response, Saito, with eyes full of compassion, asked - And… where is the mansion?

-The mansion? Is that ... if you do not mind, let me guide you there. I have free time to spare.

They walked through a sort of thick forest, as ruined as the rest of the earth. 10 years had passed since the abandonment of the house. It was clear it had not received maintenance.

Previously it could have been a splendid mansion worthy of a noble, but now all that remained after that many years were broken windows, the roof, doors covered with vines, and cracked walls.

-This will be a challenge to clean ... -Siesta muttered in a puzzled voice.

Her Majesty the Queen… why has she given you a land in such bad shape? - Reynald asked. Malicorne nodded.

-No, surely Her Majesty did not know. Maybe she did not remember that it was a land so devoid in all aspects. But if she gave this land to Saito, surely she also ordered anyone looking for a place to settle to come here.

Upon hearing this conversation, -maa, being the princess, that is possible. -Louise said from the bottom of her heart. Surely Henrietta had no bad intentions. Only, as she is supposed to be the queen after all, it’s normal that people expect from her things that are above the clouds.

Certainly if we ask to make arrangements here, it would be solved. And if we say 12,000 annual income, she would see to it that you get it. Although I do not think that she will take charge of the verification.

At the same time, Louise was somehow relieved. Henrietta was the one who gave this land to Saito and it’s really only because she sees him as a vassal. As a princess, giving some land to the man she loves, it is obvious that she would at least verify its condition. That said, it became clear that Louise kept even some suspicion. ''The unjustified special treatment for Saito ... displays of affection, those things…''

''I can’t deny the recent past, but I do not think it hides bad intentions. I think these were sincere acts.''

''Let’s see it in the right side. All my fears are absurd.''

Thinking of this, Louise could feel her heart filled with enthusiasm. Immediately, Louise was filled with a confidence she could barely contain. ''Even if she’s a princess, no matter where she comes from, whether she’s a noble or a plebeian, there is no way I could lose to anyone. That's because I am the third daughter of an influential Duke. I can assume that there is no one greater than me in refinement or elegance. I might not have a big chest, but in this world, there is no one that equals my beauty!

It doesn’t matter if he’s a national hero, I do not have to feel indebted to Saito, yes, definitely I do not have to.''

- Say you do not compare yourself to me and there is no reason to be so confident.

Louise let out a small smile ''-How come just now I was ashamed?''

-Nonsense. ''Didn’t I say to myself, I make him the favour of letting me live with him?'' -You should be grateful to have the honour to live with me; it is ridiculous to think that I feel indebted to you.

- What? In truth you can live here ... - Saito said crestfallen. Louise then attacked his shoulder.

- Right? Isn't it enough for you?

- Heee?

Saito turned his head, and for some reason he saw Louise with a look of triumph on her face. Although a moment ago she was muttering complaints and was discouraged. ''What happened that changed her mood so well?''

- What is the matter with you? Hey, Louise ...

- It's nothing. It's just that the weather was cloudy and overcast.

Saito doubted that was it, but seeing Louise happy compared to how troubled she looked a moment ago, no matter what had happened, it seemed to have improved her mood ... It also somehow managed to cheer him.

-Never mind if this mansion is falling apart. I’m fine with it.

- N-no problem! It’s only a matter of getting used to live here!

I suppose it will look better when it is cleaned.

-But ... it will be difficult! Aahaahaa

-Hey, are you really thinking about living here? -Kirche asked, surprising both of them.

-No problem, after all it is the mansion of the land that the princess gave us. If we were to not live here, we might be punished.

-Hey Saito. Buy a fortress, a fortress, let's quickly get out of this haunted mansion! -insisted the Ondin guys, but Saito did not seem to pay attention to them.

No ... on second thought, if we end up buying a fortress with the money, what would we do with the other expenses? And then we would have to make a budget for the maintenance.

-Hey! We could get a lot of revenue if we do heroic actions here and there!

-Yes, it’s true!

The young nobles have started talking like they were about to start a worldwide spectacle.

- And what would we do if we get injured? And besides, how many opportunities will we have to do heroic actions? Not many, right? And in the end, we only have 600 ECU of the pension we receive from La Vallière, in which Louise and I use for everyday expenses, and there is also the salary of the maid. -Saito said as he directed his gaze to the emaciated mansion.

-Naa, even if it’s not a lot, this land will produce profits. How about it then? Is it okay here, Louise?

-Yep -Louise nodded. To Siesta, the fact of living with Saito was more than enough, so she had been smiling from the start.

Seeing disappear its 5000 annual ECU, the Ondin boys were now the one with a long face.

Louise and Saito asked a favor to a contractor to repair their mansion for 1000 ECU.

The first day they saw their new home, it discouraged them, but over the days the place had become a decent place to live.

At the time when the summer began, it seemed more and more possible to get accustomed to live in that place. They expected that within a month or two the mansion would be worthy of a noble status to stay in, except for the second floor of the mansion which was covered with a type of discontinued stone.

Right in front of the vestibule stood a fan-shaped staircase. Passing a heavy oak door, there was a huge lounge. When entering on the right, you could find a dining room where you could sit up to 20 people. In the background there was the space for the kitchen.

A room that served as a reception room and study was on the left side.

At the top of the staircase that led on both side to the second floor, there was 6 rooms. As expected, one of those 6 rooms was used as a bedroom. Saito and the others bought a great new bed for that room.

In the garden was a barn and cages that served as home for dogs. It seemed that Mr. Des Ornières was very adept at hunting because they had been splendidly built. Going downstairs was a door leading to the basement, which was firmly closed. They sought for it but they could not find the key, so it was decided to leave it as well.

At this moment, the people that lived on Saito’s land were exclusively composed of elders. However, they still could achieve an income of 2000 ECU. Even if had lost its verve, the worn earth could still get some grapes. The wine that was prepared by the elders was delicious, although little was produced. By sharing it with others, little by little it acquired fame.

Saito and Louise passed calm days at the Magic Academy while they spent their weekend in Des Ornières. Viewing it as repairs progressed in the mansion seemed fun. Calmly, casually visiting Des Ornières, filled them with satisfaction.

On one occasion when Saito and the others came to visit, they did some cleaning with Siesta, ordered new furniture and took a walk around.

They could almost not see the desolate field in the lands of Des Ornières. Also, if you watched closely you could find a lot of entertaining things: a small pond in the forest, a garden, small wildflowers blooming, all this into a walk while watching the scenery. It was a great way to pass the time.

At night, the people of Des Ornières decided to go to greet their new master. They brought the wine that makes them so proud, some fruits they had reaped, freshly baked bread and freshly made sweets, and soon it wasn’t necessary to prepare dinner!

While taking their walk, the villagers were talking about them with animated voices. They knew Saito was a knight of the imperial guard of plebeian origin. They were speaking of him like he was a grandson whom they felt very proud of.

-Hello, hello, please come to visit my humble home, my young lord!

With that kind of voice they were called, and humbly, they were greeted with tea, alcohol and sweets. Then, they listened to Saito amusing them by telling them stories, their eyes wide open.

-I'm happy that our new lord is this type of person. Saito felt like he was a winner.

Saito hired an old woman from the neighbourhood. Helen, but they called her “Grandmother Helen”, was an elderly woman who was very active for her age. She was taking care of the mansion when Saito and the others were not there.

She was a very wise grandmother and was also very good at housework.

The mansion was very large so Siesta and Grandma Helen were sufficient for the job.

On a table in the bedroom, Saito placed his laptop, watching it every day.

Right now he could not know in what condition his own family was. This was a little frustrating but ... leaving aside that, he thought that his actual life was now very satisfactory.

''Someday, a void mage ... maybe Tiffa, maybe Louise, I do not know but, if they were to remember the spell of "The Gate of the World"… Then I will come back to my city and I’ll let them know how I've been.''

''But what if ... they can’t remember?''

''Somehow, no matter what happens, I'll take it in the best way possible.'' It was mysterious that Saito could not think that was possible…

But… inside of him, there was a feeling, a conviction. ''I may return someday.''

''But even if that time comes ... I can’t pull the life I lead here.''

That's what Saito thought, looking at his side as Louise slept peacefully.

<noinclude>
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"
|-
| Back to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume16_Chapter4|Chapter 4]]
| Return to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume16_Chapter6|Chapter 6]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume16 Chapter5

2013-01-31T21:09:49Z

174.55.187.120: Man, I forgot to log in. Ah well, you know who I am. - EastN3

===Chapter 5: Saito Chevalier De Hiraga Des Ornières===

Des Ornières, the land granted to Saito by Henrietta, was in the west of Tristain, a distance of about one hour's ride. If one was leaving from the magic academy or from Tristain, the time it took to get to Des Ornières hardly changed. The week just before the beginning of the summer holidays, Saito and Louise left quickly to inspect the land. It was assumed that the two would go alone, but, as expected, the number of companions increased.

- God ... this already seems like a noble procession. -Louise said sulkily.

Land was given to Saito! So putting that as an excuse, soon arrived first Guiche, leading the Undine boys (The Knights of the Holy Water Spirit) and Kirche, tired of waiting for Colbert, who had not yet arrived from Aquileia.

Siesta, of course loaded with a mountain of cleaning utensils, also joined. She was the first that, even without seeing the mansion, wanted to thoroughly inspect every corner of it.

- Des Ornières, what kind of place is it? – Malicorne’s face revealed his great curiosity in the question.

- No idea. How am I supposed to know that? – Saito said with a calm expression, responding to him.

- How much is the annual income of this land?

Recalling the words of Henrietta:

-12,000 Ecus –Saito said, at the sound of all breathlessly gasping.

- Knights! I've been thinking of recommending Saito to be the sponsor of our corps! -Reynald proclaimed loudly. Nobody objected. Resonant voices were heard all at once.

- What is a sponsor? Saito asked. Louise answered with an angry voice:

- Obviously, you will pay them the whole.

- Well, since I'm the vice-commander after all... -Saito nodded gently. Then Guiche was heard murmuring in a voice almost inaudible:

-Saito, really, I've been thinking we should all have the same uniform for our corps, but...

An even angrier Louise replied:

- You are the commander, so do something. Are you not a member of the noble Gramont family?

- You do not realize that we used the resources we had last season and...

And what... Now I remember; back there you used 500 ECU for Monmon! Give them back!

Upon hearing this, everyone there wore a face of disappointment. Seeing that, Saito declared with an expression as if to say "I will take care of it"

- Do not put on that face, I get it, it's not like I want all the money for myself. It's not as if I had won it by a large merit.

- If you think this is better, I can set aside a part of that money every year to the corps. Do you agree with this?

- How much, Saito? How much will be fine!? - Reynald asked anxiously.

- How much would be OK...?

Reynald look at the faces of all those present and said with a calm expression – 5000 ECU.

- Understood. I will invest that amount each year.

A "ooooooohhh" resounded from everyone. That absurdly generous offer from Saito provoked Louise. Her face went blue.

- Wait! Hey you! That's almost half!

- Never mind, I’m fine with it, it’s not as if they were a necessity. Moreover, there is nothing in particular you will need them for. Aahhhh, will you need it for something?

- Yes, you will need it, you are the vice commander of the imperial guard, and you just have been made a landlord, money and other benefits are things that would have to come to you, not to mention that you do not come from a noble family, or have a employer, you're just an upstart! That makes you an easy target for many. If you're not careful it will surely be a mess.

Saito just watched Louise who kept muttering complaints. ''Louise has been unusually awful. Bahh, she always has been an angry person, but lately it seems like anything she sees or hears makes her mad.''

''Is it something that Siesta made to me?'' He thought that at first, but apparently it was something different. After inspecting the situation and feeling the tension in the air, he remembered something Scarron told him to do in cases like this, but ended up saying nothing.

''But ... from the granting of Henrietta, her mood was worsening. Why? Everything went just fine! And on top of that, 12,000 ECU!'' Saito could not understand the reason for the unusual moodiness in Louise. But, after thinking calmly...

''Is it that, even now, Louise is wary of my relationship with the Princess?'' It was during the celebration' s dance... When Louise saw, from the curtain behind him… Saito kissing the princess… Saito had remembered. ''However ... At that time the Princess was not herself. She was sad, and needed to be next to someone. Was it coincidence that at that moment I was alone with her...?''

Of course Louise knew that, but it seems that she was not able to accept it.

''If I were in your place...''

''For example, if I saw Louise in a similar scene?''

Maybe I'd be like that... "It would be natural to be burning with jealousy" Saito thought.

''In truth there is nothing between me and the princess, and…''

Just when Saito thought that ... Saito briefly felt as if something pricked him in his chest. There was a moment when he thought "hee? That's impossible. The princess was sad, I just served to give her some comfort..."

But this anxiety that pricked like a thorn, that feelings of unease, remained in Saito's chest.

What's happening to me? What is it that is worrying me? Then Saito shook his head.

-Hey you, what are you doing? -After Louise said that, Saito regained consciousness.

Somehow, he still did not understand the real reason for his concerns.

- I-It's nothing! Seriously!

At the moment Louise tried to question him again, Kirche said something that was obviously said just to annoy her.

-Louise, you complain and want to control how Saito spends his money, are you trying to act as the protector of a noble husband? And tell me you two; do you have planned a wedding after graduation?

At these words, Saito raised many questions in his head. Seeing a smile on the face of his comrades, Saito could not help but discover himself smiling as well. At that time Louise dragged Kirche at the end of the procession, where they were muttering something quietly so that no one could hear them.

- ... This, i-indeed, n-not w-w-why. I-i only c-care about him as a roommate...

- There will be no wedding, but if… you will live together, no? If you do that, would it not provoke bad rumours?

- What other people say or think has nothing to do with it! I do not care about that sort of thing!

- That’s not Louise - Kirche told her with her eyes half open.

- It's for Saito!

- W-what are you saying?

- You see Louise, Saito is now a national hero, a character who received from Her Majesty the Queen a title and a territory. He may be a newcomer, but he is an upstart that is forging a legend. And also in your country, tell me, is it not mysterious for a commoner to become a noble? He is vice-commander of an imperial body, a landowner and also a character prone to get involved in any drama, which always causes uproar. If a person so famous began to live with a girl who is not married, it would become a scandal, and you're the daughter of a duke… When she had said this, Kirche gave an "oohohohoho!" laughing loudly.

Part of what she said was already something that was worrying her. This caused her to suddenly raise her voice, saying:

- What's wrong! Are you trying to say I'm not right for being with Saito?

- Yiaa! It was a joke; you do not need to be angry! -Kirche said with an astonished face. But it could not calm Louise’s irritation after insisting on this point. It was inevitable that her spirits falter.

-Yes, it is ... Like you said. I am insignificant. I do not have a tenth of your chest. I'm not sensual. And also, though I say so myself, I am very irritable. Half of that is his fault but I think I am deeply jealous. My face is cute but my personality is not. So I'm told...

Is what Louise murmured. Seeing Louise, Kirche said with a look of astonishment:

-Certainly, there may be a better girl out there, less like the Louise that you have become. Someone from a noble family, with a good personality and good looks, a girl like that could be a great opportunity for him.

- Do not talk nonsense! Nobody comes so suddenly and on top of that is from a noble family. That does not happen! Do not tell me in your country these things happen!

- Who knows? There may be someone who thinks that a landowner hero is worthy of staying with her daughter ... the world is very big and anything can happen.

Kirche said laughing, while Louise turned blue. After what had been said, in the mind of Louise, it waved a series of thoughts that bothered her...

''True, there are not only nobles in Gallia and Tristain. For example, how many are there in Halkeginia… if a grand duke like Kulldenholff is interested in Saito ... “Please take my daughter!” What will I do if that does happen? And if that man were to say, "do it, and one day you will become a king" What will I do? He is carried away so easily; he may suddenly be seduced by an offer.''

Louise thought she would find Saito in the forefront surrounded by the entire hubbub… She could not deduct the encouragement of others, who seemed to be enjoying everything carefree. Even Saito looked at Louise as if he was totally calm himself.

- What, but that! Is it not enough for you, the daughter of a duke? Want to be with someone worthy of you!? But really, becoming the husband of the daughter of a grand duke is difficult. Every day will be tied with a string and you can’t go where you want. The day you get to have an affair, you will be locked up in a dungeon where you will be punished every day. Besides, when you get bored you usually forget the manners, are you ready to not?

Kirche, looking at such a complex Louise, said:

-That would not change anything about how you would treat him.

- C-change.

- In what way?

- I-if he was unfaithful, I w-would forgive him from the dungeon.

Louise stood her shoulder forcibly saying: -Perhaps I would be less demanding than the daughter of an archduke.

- If there is no choice -Kirche said as she opened her hands.

Meanwhile they arrived to a place that seemed to be the land of Des Ornières but...

- To the best of my sight I can’t see more than a wasteland -Louise said with an air of distrust.

''I understood from the queen that this land is suspected to have an annual income of 12000.'' Rich farmland, grazing land, fishponds, they could not find any of them. On both sides of the road could be observed only empty and desolate land where the only thing that grew was weeds...

- What grass field will be the main product here? - Saito muttered. Passing by, they found a man who appeared to be a farmer pulling a cart.

- Let's ask him! - Then Guiche waved to the man.

- What can I do for you, my lord? Like his old horse, he was seedy-looking.

- I would like to take some of your time to ask ... Are these Des Ornières lands?

-These were my master’s land. -It was said with a clear voice, with no accent and an excellent pronunciation, with no doubt.

-This is pretty spoiled to be a land of 12,000 in revenue a year.

Hearing this, the old man with a smiling face gave a "hahaha".

-That was before the Lord of this land died, it’s already been 10 years since that. In the absence of an heir, this land was expropriated but ... young people were leaving these lands to go to the city, and everybody who stayed was just too old to take care of it. Only a few dozen of us are still here, and we do our best to continue working the land.

All were blue in the face after hearing that. In response, Saito, with eyes full of compassion, asked - And… where is the mansion?

-The mansion? Is that ... if you do not mind, let me guide you there. I have free time to spare.

They walked through a sort of thick forest, as ruined as the rest of the earth. 10 years had passed since the abandonment of the house. It was clear it had not received maintenance.

Previously it could have been a splendid mansion worthy of a noble, but now all that remained after that many years were broken windows, the roof, doors covered with vines, and cracked walls.

-This will be a challenge to clean ... -Siesta muttered in a puzzled voice.

Her Majesty the Queen… why has she given you a land in such bad shape? - Reynald asked. Malicorne nodded.

-No, surely Her Majesty did not know. Maybe she did not remember that it was a land so devoid in all aspects. But if she gave this land to Saito, surely she also ordered anyone looking for a place to settle to come here.

Upon hearing this conversation, -maa, being the princess, that is possible. -Louise said from the bottom of her heart. Surely Henrietta had no bad intentions. Only, as she is supposed to be the queen after all, it’s normal that people expect from her things that are above the clouds.

Certainly if we ask to make arrangements here, it would be solved. And if we say 12,000 annual income, she would see to it that you get it. Although I do not think that she will take charge of the verification.

At the same time, Louise was somehow relieved. Henrietta was the one who gave this land to Saito and it’s really only because she sees him as a vassal. As a princess, giving some land to the man she loves, it is obvious that she would at least verify its condition. That said, it became clear that Louise kept even some suspicion. ''The unjustified special treatment for Saito ... displays of affection, those things…''

''I can’t deny the recent past, but I do not think it hides bad intentions. I think these were sincere acts.''

''Let’s see it in the right side. All my fears are absurd.''

Thinking of this, Louise could feel her heart filled with enthusiasm. Immediately, Louise was filled with a confidence she could barely contain. ''Even if she’s a princess, no matter where she comes from, whether she’s a noble or a plebeian, there is no way I could lose to anyone. That's because I am the third daughter of an influential Duke. I can assume that there is no one greater than me in refinement or elegance. I might not have a big chest, but in this world, there is no one that equals my beauty!

It doesn’t matter if he’s a national hero, I do not have to feel indebted to Saito, yes, definitely I do not have to.''

- Say you do not compare yourself to me and there is no reason to be so confident.

Louise let out a small smile ''-How come just now I was ashamed?''

-Nonsense. ''Didn’t I say to myself, I make him the favour of letting me live with him?'' -You should be grateful to have the honour to live with me; it is ridiculous to think that I feel indebted to you.

- What? In truth you can live here ... - Saito said crestfallen. Louise then attacked his shoulder.

- Right? Isn't it enough for you?

- Heee?

Saito turned his head, and for some reason he saw Louise with a look of triumph on her face. Although a moment ago she was muttering complaints and was discouraged. ''What happened that changed her mood so well?''

- What is the matter with you? Hey, Louise ...

- It's nothing. It's just that the weather was cloudy and overcast.

Saito doubted that was it, but seeing Louise happy compared to how troubled she looked a moment ago, no matter what had happened, it seemed to have improved her mood ... It also somehow managed to cheer him.

-Never mind if this mansion is falling apart. I’m fine with it.

- N-no problem! It’s only a matter of getting used to live here!

I suppose it will look better when it is cleaned.

-But ... it will be difficult! Aahaahaa

-Hey, are you really thinking about living here? -Kirche asked, surprising both of them.

-No problem, after all it is the mansion of the land that the princess gave us. If we were to not live here, we might be punished.

-Hey Saito. Buy a fortress, a fortress, let's quickly get out of this haunted mansion! -insisted the Ondin guys, but Saito did not seem to pay attention to them.

No ... on second thought, if we end up buying a fortress with the money, what would we do with the other expenses? And then we would have to make a budget for the maintenance.

-Hey! We could get a lot of revenue if we do heroic actions here and there!

-Yes, it’s true!

The young nobles have started talking like they were about to start a worldwide spectacle.

- And what would we do if we get injured? And besides, how many opportunities will we have to do heroic actions? Not many, right? And in the end, we only have 600 ECU of the pension we receive from La Vallière, in which Louise and I use for everyday expenses, and there is also the salary of the maid. -Saito said as he directed his gaze to the emaciated mansion.

-Naa, even if it’s not a lot, this land will produce profits. How about it then? Is it okay here, Louise?

-Yep -Louise nodded. To Siesta, the fact of living with Saito was more than enough, so she had been smiling from the start.

Seeing disappear its 5000 annual ECU, the Ondin boys were now the one with a long face.

Louise and Saito asked a favor to a contractor to repair their mansion for 1000 ECU.

The first day they saw their new home, it discouraged them, but over the days the place had become a decent place to live.

At the time when the summer began, it seemed more and more possible to get accustomed to live in that place. They expected that within a month or two the mansion would be worthy of a noble status to stay in, except for the second floor of the mansion which was covered with a type of discontinued stone.

Right in front of the vestibule stood a fan-shaped staircase. Passing a heavy oak door, there was a huge lounge. When entering on the right, you could find a dining room where you could sit up to 20 people. In the background there was the space for the kitchen.

A room that served as a reception room and study was on the left side.

At the top of the staircase that led on both side to the second floor, there was 6 rooms. As expected, one of those 6 rooms was used as a bedroom. Saito and the others bought a great new bed for that room.

In the garden was a barn and cages that served as home for dogs. It seemed that Mr. Des Ornières was very adept at hunting because they had been splendidly built. Going downstairs was a door leading to the basement, which was firmly closed. They sought for it but they could not find the key, so it was decided to leave it as well.

At this moment, the people that lived on Saito’s land were exclusively composed of elders. However, they still could achieve an income of 2000 ECU. Even if had lost its verve, the worn earth could still get some grapes. The wine that was prepared by the elders was delicious, although little was produced. By sharing it with others, little by little it acquired fame.

Saito and Louise passed calm days at the Magic Academy while they spent their weekend in Des Ornières. Viewing it as repairs progressed in the mansion seemed fun. Calmly, casually visiting Des Ornières, filled them with satisfaction.

On one occasion when Saito and the others came to visit, they did some cleaning with Siesta, ordered new furniture and took a walk around.

They could almost not see the desolate field in the lands of Des Ornières. Also, if you watched closely you could find a lot of entertaining things: a small pond in the forest, a garden, small wildflowers blooming, all this into a walk while watching the scenery. It was a great way to pass the time.

At night, the people of Des Ornières decided to go to greet their new master. They brought the wine that makes them so proud, some fruits they had reaped, freshly baked bread and freshly made sweets, and soon it wasn’t necessary to prepare dinner!

While taking their walk, the villagers were talking about them with animated voices. They knew Saito was a knight of the imperial guard of plebeian origin. They were speaking of him like he was a grandson whom they felt very proud of.

-Hello, hello, please come to visit my humble home, my young lord!

With that kind of voice they were called, and humbly, they were greeted with tea, alcohol and sweets. Then, they listened to Saito amusing them by telling them stories, their eyes wide open.

-I'm happy that our new lord is this type of person. Saito felt like he was a winner.

Saito hired an old woman from the neighbourhood. Helen, but they called her “Grandmother Helen”, was an elderly woman who was very active for her age. She was taking care of the mansion when Saito and the others were not there.

She was a very wise grandmother and was also very good at housework.

The mansion was very large so Siesta and Grandma Helen were sufficient for the job.

On a table in the bedroom, Saito placed his laptop, watching it every day.

Right now he could not know in what condition his own family was. This was a little frustrating but ... leaving aside that, he thought that his actual life was now very satisfactory.

''Someday, a void mage ... maybe Tiffa, maybe Louise, I do not know but, if they were to remember the spell of "The Gate of the World"… Then I will come back to my city and I’ll let them know how I've been.''

''But what if ... they can’t remember?''

''Somehow, no matter what happens, I'll take it in the best way possible.'' It was mysterious that Saito could not think that was possible…

But… inside of him, there was a feeling, a conviction. ''I may return someday.''

''But even if that time comes ... I can’t pull the life I lead here.''

That's what Saito thought, looking at his side Louise sleeping peacefully.

<noinclude>
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"
|-
| Back to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume16_Chapter4|Chapter 4]]
| Return to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume16_Chapter6|Chapter 6]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume16 Chapter8 - MTL

2013-01-30T03:54:36Z

174.55.187.120: /* Chapter 8: The Basement of the Residence */

{{Template:PREVIEW}}

=== Chapter 8: The Basement of the Residence ===

Louise was about to make Saito into a ‘gorgeous aristocrat’, and her interest in his education burned more intensely. Initially, Saito was under the impression that he would be under strict etiquette disciplining involving suffering and was shaking from head to toe, but things were not so simple.

On the whole, during meal time there was only one etiquette that must be followed: wipe the mouth before drinking wine.

In addition, so long as using silverware, no one should be making a sound, so he can’t chatter about things with Louise.

What gave Saito a headache was the social etiquette. Take for example banquet etiquette, it seemed like there’s a certain way to invite someone to dance, and one had to be very careful when taking leave . . . this meaningless conduct demonstrated the nature of nobles. However, in the end, Saito came from a Japanese born on Earth, and at the time period he was born in was when it wasn’t common for people to act as such. They did not have such manners.

So he often suffered which is why he wanted to get out, ''Give me a good reason to leave'', raising his hands as a gesture was not enough for this lesson, Saito could not bear it anymore. If it is like this, perhaps by meal time the ‘no good’ lesson could be a little bit better. Louise’s education was already integrated into his life . . . training started from the moment he got up in the morning from bed and continued until night time when he went back to bed until it got to the point where he stopped putting the lessons into practice . . .

''However, even so, starting this time; Saito had better try harder,'' Louise thought . . . To please Eleonore, she tried hard to change his behaviour to be more refined. But in this world what seemed to be an impossible issue existed. Being born without something, even no matter what is done, it can not be imposed on. Among the things that are achievable and things that aren’t exists a clear boundary, and Saito is the type of person who is unable to overcome that one boundary in any way.

“Hey, when it comes to this, can you understand anything? You act like a cow simply eating grass and not tasting any of it!

Special training would start five days later . . . when he was told this, Saito finally exploded.

“There’s no way to do this! What you say is like asking a domesticated chicken to fly! You are forcing me to do something I can’t, even if you say it’s simple, it’s impossible to understand, I don’t have any basic foundation to refer from. Even if you plan to continue, just make the bothersome lessons simpler!”

“Don’t tell me that what I teach you isn’t simple already! Watch, just like so, bow!”

While saying this, Louise easily and fluently bowed in front of Saito. Even dancing could not match the gracefulness, the precise movements combined with accuracy resulted in the perfect curtsy. If one only fancied to take a look, one apparently can experience the essence of the aristocratic history of Halkeginia.

By demand, Saito followed and also did one curtsy. However, although he himself thought there was basically no difference between his and Louise’s, the teacher did not think the same way.

“No! Everything was not good! This will be absolutely impossible to get approval from Eleonore onee-san!”

“I said . . .”
Saito paused at once, afterwards the emotions that he had restrained and accumulated towards Louise for the past several days all came out.

“Who was the one that wanted to live with me? Eleonore onee-san? She is not you! Is this what you think about all the time? Could it be that you hope I will be like this? Hope that I will pose and ask, ‘How do you do, ma’am?’ saying children’s lines?”

“Not like that, not like that.”

“If that’s the case, let me stay the way I am, alright? This stuff can come in handy. I can observe manners, and keep up a demeanor of a gentleman. However, to change the behaviour I was already born with is quite strange.”

Louise, with a dissatisfied look, bit her lips.

She did not expect to allow her lover to act in this way . . . this man will become her husband in the future, she will be looked down upon by her family.

As a result, she fiercely resolved in her heart to carry out her special training, but Saito did not pay attention to it.

“I won’t permit you to be only looked down upon by my family.”

However when Louise said it like that, Saito instead became more angry. He made a ‘why must I be with her’ kind of sound.

“If it’s only my behaviour that will be looked down upon, I have nothing to say. If you’re a so-called noble, your stubbornness would be enough. I don’t need to be with you because I don’t come from a noble background!”

“You don’t understand at all!”

“Who doesn’t understand!”

“So you don’t expect to live together with me?”

“I never said that! But if I have to do everything ''you'' want in order to live together, then that’s very unusual.”

“If you plan to live with me, then it is good to be a noble! If you don’t want it like this, then the partner I danced with at the ball sure fooled me!”

When she said that, Saito felt like a hammer heavily pounded and attacked his heart.
“What . . . so you care more than I do about what other people see of you?”

Seeing the two people like this, Siesta had a helpless look on her face. It seemed like the rest of the servants like Helen have already chosen to flee as the best strategy.

In conclusion, Louise didn’t say anything again, she simply stood up and ran away trying to contain her tears. Even though Saito chased after her, Louise was a step ahead and bursted into her bedroom and locked the door.

Showing a tired expression on his face, Saito returned to the dining hall and then sat down into a chair. Siesta stood showing a nervous expression on her face.

A disharmonious atmosphere circulated around the place.

“Siesta . . . what do you think?”

“To be honest, I think what Saito-san said is reasonable.”

“And?”

“But I also understand what Valliere-sama feels.”

Even with this much said, to do what Louise actually said, to turn ‘noble’ manners into habits anyhow would be awfully difficult. Maybe if he had one year and concentrated on the training, it would be a possibility. However, Saito still had work, it would be impossible to complete it all with the time he had.

“For this matter you might entirely not care about my words but . . . nobles have various sorts of troubles.”

“Really, eh? If I had known earlier that this issue would become so bothersome . . .”

“‘Become,’ you said?”

“Not becoming some noble precisely because it’s hard to act like a noble, this dog here sure complains a lot.”

“Well!” Siesta’s eyes opened round.

“What is it?”

“Don’t use that careless tone of voice to speak about this situation that you don’t know of its importance. From a commoner to a familiar . . . and after that you now are a noble. Don’t tell me that you didn’t rise straight up to a clear sky, got promoted so fast?”

“Rising up to a clear sky? I, that’s just the way it is . . . as long as I get along with everyone it’s all good. I don’t want to wear fancy clothes while attending parties and issue lousy and long greetings flattering each other.”

Saito became agitated as he spoke. Louise was half crying when she ran into her room . . . in this way the heavy atmosphere became even heavier, and Siesta did not withdraw, but persevered, went to the kitchen and brought back a bottle of grape wine.

“Here----drink some now. This is most important.”

Siesta held a glass and poured wine in it, then Saito drained the cup in one shot.

“In a single day life became peaceful, yet this kind of peace brought about a bunch of inconveniences . . .”
Saito came to trance and talked to himself.

Siesta heard him and nodded her head:
“So it’s like that. Although war is no good, but everyone knows clearly who the enemy is. Peace sometimes becomes troublesome. After all, who is a foe, who is a friend, there’s no way to be happy when you realize that.”

Saito admired Siesta and looked at her eyes:
“You said something truly mature.”

“It is from Mother, who studied all that she could,”
Siesta said in a way that appeared to be bashful.

“What’s more . . . in a relaxing time like this, the eyes and ears naturally become keen. Up until now the little subtleties were not really noticed in this place . . . For example, during mealtime the sounds that are made, the way the door opens and closes . . .

“These tiny details can make it hard to show restraint. I was in a dormitory in a maid school at the time when something like that happened. I just entered the dormitory and being too nervous, I didn’t care about almost everything . . . but after I was settled, the girl who shared my dormitory made noise by grinding her teeth, and the method used to wash stuff, they all caused me to feel very unhappy.”

“So that’s how it was before.”

“Anyway, if it’s for Saito-san, I can actually be patient.”

Siesta smiled sweetly and leaned against Saito’s body. Seeing his bewildered appearance, Siesta got off and released the next wave of attack.

“Ah!”

“Wha--what! What is it?!”

Siesta looked confused and put her hands on her chest.
“Bug, bug . . .”

“Bug?”

“A . . . bug got into my shirt. Please help me take it out.”

“Wh--why me?!”

“Because . . . I’m terrified of insects . . .”
As she was speaking, Siesta shyly undid the first button of her blouse. Even so, Saito did not move. Thus, the second button was also undone.

“ . . . ”

“Eh!”
Making this sound invited Saito to gaze up, and also took out the third button, yet indeed Saito still did not move.

“I don’t dare to grasp.”

Siesta yawned ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ and in a high pitched sigh, said:
“Could it be that I am not charming? . . . Normally in these circumstances, not even if you knew there was no bug, would you put your hand in?”

“It’s not like that . . .”
Saito bitterly muttered.

“I know. It’s because you already have Valliere-sama. Huh, Saito-san is really good. However, please thank me, because the last battle was not serious.”

“ . . . Battle? Serious?”

Siesta glared with ice-cold eyes. Then, she lightly whispered into the side of Saito’s ear.

Although it’s not like Saito to vainly attempt to exaggerate, but if it’s from what Siesta said with her fresh and pure lips, she possessed matchless power. Even if he immediately covered his nose, one could still see what flowed out from within.

“What are you ultimately thinking about . . .”

“This is what the same girl in the school dormitory taught me! Although I’m starting to think this is unlikely. But!”
[[File:ZnT16-183.jpg|thumbnail|right]]
Her whole face blushing, Siesta stood up. Silence drifted between the two of them. Next, Siesta appeared to have set her determination and in a tone that inhaled air, then she lifted her skirt to cover her mouth and spoke in a low voice, “But do you want to try a little?”

He really wanted to peek. However, Saito nevertheless forcibly suppressed his desire. He clutched his thigh and thought back to an angry Louise.

Siesta not long after gave up, then took the wine, ''splash, splash'', and poured some into her own cup.

After some time, both people were openly drinking wine. Siesta laid her stomach on the table and began to fall asleep. Saito went to a room to get blankets to cover her.

He was thinking about how it was time to cool down and looked at the room, but the door was still locked like before.

Waiting for his head to gradually calm down, Saito started to ponder: ''Just now it seems like I was a bit impatient.'' Then he also thought, ''Since she already decided to live with me, compared to the household I came from, she attaches more importance to her own ideas,'' and so on. Saito previously wished Louise had answered Eleonore like this:
“Even if he is already successful, Saito is still Saito! I’ve decided to live with this man! There’s no need to put on the appearance of a noble, isn’t that so?”

Of course, Louise never said anything like that, but rather, “Let me change him into a gorgeous aristocrat!” Furthermore, if Saito’s manners aren’t up to Eleonore’s standards when she is informed, Louise will be sent back to her home.

In short, Saito reached a conclusion.

''Which means I cannot be accepted at all'' . . . From this conclusion his confidence bit by bit withered away and Saito soon thought: Their demand should not have to be by the end of the month. Thought there were some recent changes, but Louise, after all that happened, was still by the side of this man. The development of noble conduct was estimated to have already penetrated deeply into his bones.

Just as he intended to pour more wine, Saito discovered the wine bottle was empty already.
“I really wanted to drink some . . .”

Saito carrying a candle headed toward the kitchen. He looked beside the cabinet, but could not locate any wine. The kitchen was managed by Helen-obasan and Siesta, so he was completely clueless as to where anything was. Anyway, because he couldn’t find anything, he instead wished more to drink some more.

While Saito overturned boxes and containers scouring the kitchen, he found something out of his expectations.

“What is this?”
He looked through the depths of the cabinets and found an old key.

“Key? Where does this key go?”

At that moment, a location suddenly flashed through Saito’s mind. The very bottom of the stairs that lead to the basement entrance . . . indeed if there was no key inserted no one could go in, right? So far, there was no plan to make use of the basement, so when it was time for renovation that area was ignored. Also wanted to make the cost a little cheaper.

The very old, very round key had faded scratches everywhere.

Saito arrived in front of the door at the bottom of the stairs, slowly took the key, inserted it in the keyhole and turned it. The lock core made a ''ka-chink'' sound.

“It opened . . .”

With the door opened, Saito saw another staircase leading farther underground. At the end . . . what does the basement actually have? The end of the staircase was encircled by deep darkness. Without thinking he gripped the katana he brought back from the weapon storehouse in Albion. In response to dangerous situations when Saito was unable to carry Derflinger, he often brought this katana and pistol. Although Derflinger complained a little excessively, but because they’re inside a house Saito can’t wave around a huge sword, so there was no other method besides this.

The inscriptions on his left hand glowed, and immediately Saito’s heart felt secure. Soon after he took his hands off the weapon. Because he was Gandalfr, his time was limited. Of course, he also had timid feelings inside.

This is just a basement.

Although his logic thought in that way, but he was unsure about why he felt frightened. This fear must not be allowed, and Saito, having an interest for wine, was facing the flight of steps and took the first step. ''Ghosts are fine, and vampires are fine, they’ll give me courage. You will all drop dead when I’m done dealing with you . . .''

The stairs weren’t as long as he imagined. In the blink of an eye he reached the basement. From what he saw from the candlelight, the room didn’t have anything. Probably beforehand this place was used as a storage room, there were many ruined barrels, planks, what could possibly be props used to fix the courtyard, and such things that were covered in dust.

On the other hand, Saito was thinking about whether there could be some wine, and began searching everywhere.

While he was thinking ''This place won’t be any good if it’s not cleaned'' . . . Saito felt a subtle protrusion in the gap of a wall.

“What’s this?”

Unaware why, the protrusion seemed like it could be pressed to go to the interior. Before his eyes the wall produced a series of muffled ''groaning'' and ''creaking'' sounds and shifted open. It appeared to be magic. Saito watched the places where it combined one after another and nodded his head.

“This is . . . that. The place used to hide secret treasure.”

Indeed, this is worthy to be a house for nobles. A customized mechanism built to deposit treasure, it’s no mistake.

''So it turns out this way. God is really powerful, not only did I receive territory, He also pointed out this buried treasure. What could this treasure really be . . .'' Saito thought excitedly, and used the candlelight to look inside.

There was a stone reinforcement, one person alone was able to crouch and make his way into a passage.

“The end has a concealed room I think.”

Although he felt uncomfortable and the darkness was pitch-black . . . Saito could not overcome his curiosity and longing, and hunching his back, he took the first step. Forward 10 meters, 20 meters . . . suddenly a door showed up in front of him.

Saito swallowed his saliva . . . and pushed the door open.

“ So this is . . .”
This is . . . Saito felt that the room would have tens of piles left and right.
“. . . a bedroom?”

An unexpected underground bedroom, what a really weird design. Placed in the center of the room was a bed with an overhang.

Around the room had what looked like wardrobes and other things arranged. Saito found the furniture to be quite beautiful. The bed overhang was decorated with lace, some parts had gems embedded.

“These things are valuable no doubt, but I think it is overall a little strange.”

Exactly who before would live underground? The room looked like it was still in use, like it was never abandoned. However, the basement of the house was in a whacky mess, the extraordinary difference was obvious.

“Or was magic applied . . .?”

Is it because a permanency spell was used to protect the room? That appeared to be the correct answer. Even though the room was not neglected, but Saito could not sense . . . the feeling that anyone lived here.

Displayed on the wall of the bedroom was a huge full-body mirror. Indeed, it was a mirror more or less as tall as Saito. Saito crept slowly towards it. Then . . . for a reason unknown, the mirror started to sparkle with dazzling radiance. The gate that looked like the one he encountered before, and the surroundings were brimming with light.

Basically, this mirror seemed to be an enchanted gateway. ‘What should I do? Go in to see? No . . . isn’t this how I ended up in this world some time ago?’

“Maybe the reverse is true . . .”

Maybe it’s possible to freely come and go through this magic gate, but it can’t be said for sure. Saito, unable to take his eyes off, stared intently at the mirror.

Henrietta was thinking about issues in her bedroom. Just a moment ago, Mazarin and Marian visited to inquire pertaining to her answer in choosing a marriage partner. However, up to now she was pondering over national affairs, not even having a thought about her future. Yet, both these matters were intertwined, which felt like being bound to herself by chain shackles that can’t be broken.

''If I consider things at the standpoint of what’s best for the country, then I should do what Mother and the Cardinal suggested. In fact, a year ago didn’t he himself say he intended for the queen to marry at Romalia.''

However, she was different now from herself one year ago. She already learned that if she made a decision, she must follow through with that decision completely. Even if it’s a mistake . . .

''Well, why do I not wish to get married? I don’t have a designated lover. Could it not be that there’s no problem whatsoever?''

''Am I already fond of a man?''
Thinking about that, Henrietta stopped pondering. That . . . is not love at all. That was her conclusion after asking herself.

But.

Only one, if she could permit herself to try willfully.

''I wish for him.''

She wished to show herself by means of her own willpower to decide on that young guy.

“ . . .What a stubborn lady.”

Henrietta bit her lip and gave up, and then stood because imagining things like that was really too shameful.
Originally she wanted to call in a female officer, but suddenly changed her mind. Embracing her desire and foolish idea to be alone, she took off her indoor clothes near the wardrobe. When she opened the drawer, intending to take out her pajamas . . .
There came a ''thump, thump'' beating sound from something heavy.
She immediately turned her head, what startled her was that a portion of the wall was actually moving!

“Eh?”

With an astonished look she watched, a portion of the wall, like a rotating door, reversed. When she noticed that inside there seemed to be a person, Henrietta let out a sad cry.

Now coming through the shining gate before Saito’s eyes . . . was a stone wall. Behind the magic gate that was a full-body mirror shining with light, and at the end of it was a ten meter square, the whole thing a stone wall.

“What is this place?”

Not thinking much of it, he extended his hand, ''Upon examining this wall in front of me, can it move too?''

After putting more force into pushing the wall, it swiveled around.
The next thing that caught Saito’s eye was . . . by candlelight, a woman’s figure.

“Eh?”

At this split second, the woman let out a sad cry.

“Aaaaaaaaaaah!”

After the voice stopped, just now he realized that who he saw was a familiar face.

“Princess?”

Henrietta finally took notice of his voice.

“Sai---Saito?”

Saito was excited among the confusion. First, he found the basement of the mansion in the Des Ornières territory, then found a secret passage . . . and just now found another strange room, and finally passed through to the other side of the mirror because of his insatiable curiosity . . .

“Why is Princess here?”

Saito was completely confused. Henrietta stood there with her mouth open, not knowing what to do.

While both people were in a state of confusion, the inside of their ears echoed with Agnes’ bellowing,
“Your Majesty! What happened?”

The unlocking sound that Agnes made, ''ka-chink ka-chink,'' made Henrietta resume her consciousness. She seized Saito’s hand and shoved him onto her bed. If Saito was seen here in the middle of the night, things would become a little troublesome, even for Agnes.

Right when Henrietta covered Saito with a blanket, the door opened and Agnes dashed inside with her sword unsheathed.

“Your Majesty!”

Henrietta pushed Saito on the bed and got on top to obstruct him from view, then acted like nothing had happened.

“Well, I heard Your Majesty moan . . . so I hurried over here,”
Agnes explained after seeing Henrietta’s puzzled expression and calm demeanor.

“Sorry for alarming you . . . I just saw a mouse a moment ago, I couldn’t help but call out.”
Henrietta used this excuse as a cover up.

“So that’s what it was . . .”

Agnes, having a somewhat blank expression, retreated from the room. Henrietta sighed with relief, and Saito pulled the covers from the bed.

“What exactly happened? At such a late time . . .”

Saito didn’t know anything, and he turned over with a haughty look . . . but from the small light, he realized Henrietta was only wearing underwear, and without delay opened his eyes.

With such thin silk underwear, the fervent figure of Henrietta could be clearly seen.

“Ah . . .”

Blushing across her whole face, Henrietta wrapped herself in the same indoor robes she had just took off.

<noinclude>
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"
|-
| Back to [[Zero no Tsukaima:Volume16 Chapter7 ~Preview~|Chapter 7]]
| Return to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume16_Chapter9|Chapter 9]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>