392-Play with the rabbit




 
 After playing small fish scooping with Ra and his handkerchief.

 We were heading out to the plains beyond the creek.

 Along the way, I called out to him for something that was bothering me.

'Hey, maid,'

 When I called out to them, the maids following Alecia and Ra-chan's maids responded.

 And then the maid beside Rah-chan asks me.

''Well, you're probably calling me, right?''

'Yeah, yeah. Come to think of it, I didn't get your names, so can I ask you both?

 If you don't call me by my name, it's inconvenient when you want to call one of us.

'I'm Lady Lana's maid, my name is Loretta.

My name is Lim.

 When Ra-chan's maid says her name, the maid who follows Alecia also says her name in a whisper.

"Loretta-san and Lim-san, right? I'll call you by your name from now on.

So what is it you would like to ask me?

Is that scary maid gone today?

 That one, that one. A beautiful but slightly unapproachable-looking maid who made radical statements like bringing Bram home in a rice-sama hug and slapping him if she saw his pants.

 She didn't seem to be called by name, so her name didn't come up.

 Let's see.........

''Ah, Rivera-san isn't here because she's escorting at the magic academy where Miss Shelka is.

 You're going to that magic festival that Aleixia mentioned a bit.

 Or rather, I was going to say a characteristic because I couldn't find a name, but I was surprised that the answer came back easily.

 As I thought, that's what you think, even if it's not me and Eric.

"Heh, I can just go by being a scary maid.

You got through.

'Ah! Hey, please don't tell Rivera about this, please don't tell her!

 Me and Eric pointed out, and Loretta came to herself with a huff, her face turning blue.

'Err, what do we do now?'

What shall we do?

 I crossed my arms and balked at it, and Ra-chan was amused and balked at it too.

 It's very cute to see her mimicking me and crossing her arms.

'Ugh, please...'

 Somehow, Loretta is appealing to me with a serious look in her eyes.

 How scary is Rivera-san to be begged so seriously, how scared is she?

 I could feel Loretta's level of seriousness and it made me feel guilty. It's not a good idea to bully a maid from another house.

''Well, I won't be involved early on, so it's okay.

'I won't tell you either. Maybe.

'Dear Rana, I'm very uneasy about that last word...'

 For now, we know that Rivera-san is in trouble. In the future, let's not approach her carelessly, together with Sherka.

''Come to think of it, you were talking about it in the mansion, but what kind of a magic festival is it?''

What, you've never been to see it?

 I asked Alecia about it, but Eric sneaks out and makes fun of me.

'Because it's a festival held at the magic academy in the royal capital, right? That's a long way to go.

 I don't know what kind of festival it is, but as expected, I don't think I'm going to go to the royal capital to see it.

 It's now a place where you can easily go through the transition, but I didn't even know it existed until today.

''Hmm, the reclusive nature of the Surolet family is still the same as ever.

 It's not just me, everyone else doesn't go out of the territory much either.

 In the meantime, although Nord Dad and Silvio brother do the minimum amount of events and interactions that are necessary, they still don't actively go out.

 Well, in the case of the royal capital, it's not simply because it's too far away, but also because Nord Father and Erna Mother's popularity is so great that it's exhausting.

The magic festival is an annual festival held by the magic academy. The students compete in various magical competitions and present the results of their research over a period of several days to demonstrate the results of their daily work.

 Heh, to put it simply, it would be like a mix of gymnastics and cultural festivals in a previous life.

''You're going to be competing a lot because you're the head of the class, big sister!

Wow, you're really good at that, aren't you?

 I wondered for a moment if I didn't have to go see my sister in action, but she came to visit me, knowing that it was there. There would be no need for such words.

 I'm not sure I'm going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do that. I'm sure you're not the only one who has the skills to chase after them while releasing magic in the royal capital.

It's not just a matter of time before you get to the top of the list.

'What? What do you mean?

 As I'm thinking in a bong way, Eric says something that doesn't make sense to me.

  How could he have come up with the words he just said in the context of what he just said?

''What kind of thing is that? Eventually you will be enrolled in the magic academy, right?

No, I don't.

What?

Nuh-uh?

 When I told them once and for all, Eric and Ra-chan screamed in surprise.

 Not only that, even Alecia seemed to roll her eyes.

''You, you're that good at magic and you're not going to enroll in the magic academy?''

 Hearing Eric's words as if to squeeze them out, I let out a sigh.

I'm not sure why being able to do magic means you have to enroll in a magic academy. Just because you can use magic doesn't mean you're obligated to attend the academy, nor do you need to.

 You don't necessarily have to go down that path just because you're good at magic or you're good with a sword.

 If the ultimate goal is something you are good at or like, I think it's fine to go to a place that provides a shortcut, but I'm not aiming to become a great wizard or researcher, so I'm not aiming to become a great wizard or researcher.

 I just want to relax in Colliat Village, so there's no need for me to attend the academy.

''Well, that's true, but...''

'Well, isn't Al going to the Magical Academy?'

'Hmmm, sorry. I don't think I'm going to go there at the moment.

 Ra-chan looks up at me and looks disappointed as he looks up at me, but this is the only thing I can't give up.



 ◆



 We walked for a while, chatting to each other.

 We reached the plains.

'Wow, it's so green and beautiful!'

There can't be many plains as pretty as this one, can there?

 Ra-chan and Eric let out an exclamation of admiration while looking at the plains.

 It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for. I'm sure the vastness of the plain is not something that the two of them are very familiar with.

 In terms of size, the plains near the mansion are better, but rabbits and other creatures live on these plains.

 Since it is surrounded by forest, sometimes wild deer and other creatures blend in.

 A breeze blew toward us from a distance, and the leaves on the grassland rippled like a tidal wave.

It's a nice breeze.

Yeah!

 Aleysia and Ra-chan's eyes are squinting pleasantly in the wind.

 Alecia's red hair and Ra-chan's golden thread-like twin-tails flutter and seem to trail in the air, so beautiful.

''As I recall, this village doesn't have an ocean, does it?''

Yes, we have rivers, but there's no sea in my territory.

There's something unsettling about a wind that doesn't smell like tide, but it's not bad.

 Eric feels the wind as he crosses his arms and listens carefully.

 It's like listening to the sound of leaves in a meadow.

 The sound of the waves is nice, but the sound of the leaves on the grass and trees is also nice.

 We stand side by side for a while, feeling the breeze, and then Ra-chan pulls on the hem of my arm.

'Hey, Al. Where's your rabbit?

'Oh, by the way, I've heard there are rabbits. I wonder where they are?

 Well, from the point of view of a four-year-old lah, it would be more fun to interact with a rabbit than to stare at a meadow in a daze.

'They're probably there. Follow me.

 Alecia seems somewhat excited, so we cut off the grassland viewing and everyone starts walking together.

 As we walk deeper into the grass, stepping through the grass as high as our shins, we find a small hole in the ground.

 There's a rabbit there that I sometimes adore when I stop by here.

 As I slowly approach the hole, I bend down and clap my hands.

 Then a brown furry rabbit pops out of the hole.

'Whoa! You're a rabbit!

 However, the rabbit is startled back into the hole, probably because Ra-chan has let out a cry of excitement.

''Oh.....

He's a friendly guy, but he doesn't like to yell, so you have to be quiet.

 I look at Ra-chan, who nods quietly at me with a chuckle, and then claps my hands again.

 I look into the hole and I'm sure he's there, but he seems to be wary because he doesn't know anyone.

'Oi, come on. I'm not afraid.

 I held out a carrot from my pocket as I called out to it and flicked it at it, and the rabbit responded with a twitch and came over.

 The rabbit reacts easily when I flick my food to it, just like Meena.

 As I waited outside the hole and held it, the rabbit came out of the hole unintentionally.

 Sniffing and sniffing, the rabbit eats the carrot.

 I continue to pet the rabbit to reassure it as I continue to feed it the carrots.

'Can I pet it?'

 He nodded at Ra's quiet voice asking, and slowly held out his small hand.

 He then stroked the rabbit's soft back fur, and a look of admiration appeared on his face.

 Rabbit fur is so soft, isn't it?

''Do you mind if I do too?''

Me too.

'Wait a minute. I'm going to the big place.

 As I said, there's no limit to how much I can love it in front of the hole.

 I lifted the rabbit up and moved toward the soft grass.

 I sat there and gently set the rabbit down for him.

 The rabbit doesn't seem to be running away, perhaps because it understands that it will be fed.

 While I give it a carrot, Ra-chan, Alecia and Eric reach out and pet it.

''Oh, oh.''

Oh, my goodness, that's nice fur.

 Eric and Alecia pet the rabbit and let out an exclamation of admiration.

 But it's strange. When Aleysia says that, it seems like she's evaluating the fur as a commodity.

''What's wrong?''

 Feeling my gaze, Alecia asks me while petting the rabbit.

 As expected, I can't say the rude things I did earlier.

''No, even Alecia-sama, I was thinking that this is how you interact with animals.

'It's not that I don't usually touch them, it's more that I don't touch them because I'm in the royal capital a lot. It's a good thing that you're not going to have to worry about it. So I'm happy to have this valuable experience right now.

 Heh, I had an image that a noble daughter wouldn't be good at touching animals, but from Alecia's point of view, it doesn't seem so. In fact, you've been very active just now.

 I've always had the image of living a graceful life with other young ladies, but Alecia may have an unexpectedly difficult life.



Oh, my God, you hurt your hand. I'm sorry.

No, no.

 Eric seemed to be enjoying his happiness in a different way.

 .........I know how you feel, but there's no end to what you're conscious of just because your hand hit the ground.