Chapter 17: Breakfast Surrounded by Three
[space_man][space_man]The next morning, when Eld woke up and went to the kitchen, Marie was preparing breakfast.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Good morning. You don’t have to wake up so early anymore since you’re not a maid.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Good morning, Eld. Even though it’s been three years, I’ve gotten used to waking up early. You haven’t changed your wake-up time since you were at your parents’ house either, Eld.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”That’s true,”Eld thought as he looked at Marie.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”What’s wrong?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”No, I was just thinking it’s been a while since you called me by my name, Marie.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld smiled nostalgically, and Marie smiled shyly back.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Well, yeah. To be honest, I think it would have been fine to start calling you that yesterday, but……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Haha, is Tohlight serious, or is he just stubborn……
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Speaking of which, where is Tohlight?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”He went out to get some exercise. I think he probably went for a run. He used to do that sometimes at the other place too.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Should we wait for him a bit?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld said, looking at the breakfast laid out on the table.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Yeah. It’s not a dish that will be a problem if it gets cold, so a little while is fine.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie made coffee for the two of them and handed one to Eld.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”It’s okay to drink coffee first, right?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Thanks. Tohlight is energetic, huh? Going for a run in the morning when it’s still chilly.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld looked at Marie. Unlike when she was in her maid uniform, her long hair was down, and she wasn’t wearing her glasses.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”You stopped wearing your glasses.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Because I don’t need them. Those glasses were for Perception Interference, making it difficult to see my eye color. However, they don’t really have much effect on someone with high magic power like you, Eld.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]She said, taking a sip of her coffee.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Oh, I see. You were thinking about a lot of things, huh?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Tohlight returned around the time the two of them were drinking their second cups of coffee.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Good morning. Were you waiting for me? You could have eaten first.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I thought about it, but it’s something that tastes good even when it’s cold.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld took a seat and urged the other two to sit down as well.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Master always liked eating meals with his family.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Come to think of it, I haven’t really seen you eat alone. Sometimes you’d eat while working when you were busy, though.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Tohlight and Marie also sat down as they spoke.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Since I haven’t eaten alone very often since I was a child, I do like eating with others.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The three of them started eating breakfast while chatting. After finishing, they confirmed their plans for the day.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I’m going to the Guild to take on some work, but what are you two going to do?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Of course, I’m going to the Guild too. I just got here, so I need to register.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I’m going to be working at an acquaintance’s place as a form of training.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Well then, shall we all do our best starting today?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Tohlight stopped Eld as he was about to stand up.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Oh, I didn’t mention it yesterday, but I’ll be living at my workplace, so I’ll be moving there today.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Eh? Really?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld and Marie were surprised by the sudden announcement.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Yes. Honestly, I felt a little hesitant to intrude on you two young people, so I gratefully accepted the offer.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Hearing that, the two of them panicked.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”N-no…… It’s not like we……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Hmm, is that so? But you two will be alone from tonight, so please enjoy yourselves, but not too much……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”W-we’re not like that……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie also tried to deny it, but Tohlight continued.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I would like you to produce an heir as soon as possible. That way, I can serve three generations of the family.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Is that for your own enjoyment?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld chuckled at Tohlight’s intentions.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Master is the one to blame for not getting married even though I’ve been urging him to do so for the past three years since he became the lord. If you had at least been married, this might not have happened.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld glanced at Marie at those words. Marie was also looking at Eld.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I think I was naive about that too. Who would have predicted that something like this would happen?
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]But well…… what’s done is done, and we have no choice but to have Tohlight give up on his ambitions.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Hearing that, Tohlight dejectedly dropped his shoulders.