Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 194: Sleepover Party
After swordsmanship practice, Brother Alex caught me just as I was claiming our usual table in the common lounge for a friendly chat.
More precisely, he appeared to have been waiting for the training session to end. His timing was far too perfect.
"Julius, it seems you've finished your practice. I need to discuss something with you. Would you come with me?"
"Of course, but…"
I glanced at Axel. Faced with a genuine high-ranking noble, he looked nervous and stiff.
Apparently, he didn't think of me as a noble at all.
Good. I didn't want a formal relationship. How could anyone relax like that?
Brother Alex noticed my glance and smiled brightly. "Axel should come with us."
"Then let's talk in the common lounge," I said. "That's where we always meet."
Perhaps Brother Alex planned to observe Axel's character while he was there. It was entirely possible.
"Um, I… I mean, I'm…"
"There's no need to be shy, Axel. Ijidol will probably be there too."
My smile silenced him. His face grew paler and paler.
Don't worry. Neither Brother Alex nor I intended to eat you.
When we reached the common lounge, Ijidol had arrived first and saved a seat for me. Perfect. I couldn't suppress a grin, and just then our eyes met.
Ijidol looked away.
Oh, now he had turned his entire head away.
I wasn't letting him escape.
"Ijidol, have you been waiting long?"
I approached with a smile and a perfectly casual stride. Ijidol looked up, plainly anxious, and kept glancing towards Axel.
Brother Alex and I sat down as though nothing were amiss. Axel joined us, and tea and sweets appeared almost immediately.
"Julius has told me about both of you," Brother Alex said. "Axel, Ijidol, thank you for looking after him."
"N-no, I'm the one Julius looks after," Ijidol said.
"Ijidol is right. I must apologise for all the trouble I've caused Lord Julius…"
It had been a long time since Axel addressed me formally. The distance between us suddenly felt enormous. Technically, this was the proper distance between us, but I would never grow accustomed to hearing someone I knew address me that way.
"Please treat Julius as you always do," Brother Alex said. "Look. He's plainly uncomfortable."
"…"
Had it shown on my face? I might not have matched Brother Alex, but I was proud of my poker face.
Seeing my expression, both boys appeared to accept his request. I lowered my head and sighed. Axel agreed, and Ijidol nodded beside him. Brother Alex smiled and nodded several times in return.
Apparently, they had made a good impression.
"Julius, you've received permission to stay overnight at the royal castle."
"Really?"
Brother Alex nodded. I'd wanted him to say it was a joke. Now my stay was confirmed. The only remaining question was where I would sleep.
"I'll be staying in the Royal Magic Pharmacists' rest room, of course."
"Absolutely not. I inspected it. It wasn't remotely suitable for anyone to sleep in."
Damn. He'd already checked.
I'd hoped everything would be fine as long as he didn't see it. Why hadn't the pharmacists cleaned? I'd have to order them to do so later. They should keep their possessions in their own rooms instead of cramming everything into the space nearest the compounding room!
"Then where will I stay?"
"In Princess Daniela's room—"
"Rejected. Brother, you're joking, aren't you?"
"Oh, come now. It was only a joke. Ha ha ha…"
If I hadn't rejected it immediately, would he really have arranged it? What was he thinking? Princess Daniela might be my future sister-in-law, but there were limits.
Was she still shaken because she'd told me about Princess Chloe's prospective engagement?
"Why would you make a joke like that? What if it creates another strange rumour?"
"Princess Daniela is worried about you. She thinks you'll cause trouble if you're left alone."
"You're the one who thinks that."
I gave him a reproachful stare. Brother Alex answered with a refreshingly handsome smile.
It had no effect.
This was why Brother Alex frightened me. He truly was the heir to a margrave's house.
"That leaves us with a problem," he said. "Even if we give you a guest room, I'm not certain you should stay there alone. I wonder whether anyone would be willing to stay with you. If all three of you shared the room, there would be no difficulty at all."
Brother Alex raised his eyebrows and looked at Axel and Ijidol.
I see. Was this his true objective? He wanted the two of them to keep watch over me.
Unable to ignore such an obvious invitation, they both muttered that they would come if we didn't mind.
I would apologise later.
Having secured what he wanted, Brother Alex announced that he would reserve the guest room and departed. The moment that storm of a brother vanished, Axel and Ijidol collapsed over the table like defeated slimes.
"Axel, Ijidol, I'm sorry."
"You don't have to apologise."
"I know, but I'd at least like to explain what you've been dragged into."
Feeling guilty, I made them promise absolute secrecy and told them what was happening.
They knew I visited the Royal Magic Pharmacists' Corps, but neither had realised I was teaching its members how to make potions.
"I see. I'd like to visit and see what the place is like," Axel said.
"I'm curious too," Ijidol added.
Both looked expectantly at me. Now that I'd involved them, I couldn't refuse.
I had no choice but to take them to the compounding room.
What would they think when they saw it?
I didn't want to consider that too deeply.