Tensei Shoujo no Rirekisho - Volume 3 - Chapter 69

69. Freshman 20 – Breaking Off the Engagement

We held the “Welcome Back to Rainforest” dinner party. The participants were me, Alan, Cain, Irene, her husband Cardine, Claude the pervert, and the two-year-old Chira.

Lione, the “nice body” member of Claude’s harem was standing behind him, serving as his waiter. She scowled at me and seemed to be searching for weaknesses, but I paid it no mind.

“In any case, it’s good to see that Ryou’s safe.”

At Irene’s words, Claude nodded vigorously.

“Ah, that’s the truth. After Ryou was kidnapped I didn’t feel like I could go on living,” said Claude, but didn’t he build a harem while I was gone?

Hey, every time you talk about me, “Nice Body” Lione is glaring at me, you know? Have some awareness!

“I’m sorry I worried you all. I was asked to spend this time with you thanks to the childhood lessons I received with Cain. I was able to enter school safely, and someday I plan to become independent and earn a semi-aristocrat title with my own hands.”

I nonchalantly released a jab at Claude by saying that I had no intention of marriage. ‘Because I am a career woman, I’m still not thinking about marriage, so let’s break off the engagement,’ was the mood I was going for.

“Ha ha! Ryou, it’s fiiine, you don’t have to work so hard. As the future wife of a Merchant, if you need anything, it’ll be good to show off the full power of my company.”

“He he, Claude! Always the joker! I’m very grateful to the people of Rubyfallen, and plan to work hard to repay their assistance on my own.”

“Now, now, aren’t Rubyfallen the storied gang who made my darling feel so terrible? Ryou, aren’t you being forced?”

“Certainly not, it isn’t like that at all! They’ve done so much for me! He he…”

I was rebutting Claude with about 20% more “Count’s daughter” style than usual, but I wasn’t making any progress. Should I just come out and say it?

Then, Cain made his move. He called, “Mother,” and Irene nodded. He’d appealed for Irene’s cooperation prior to the dinner party.

Alright, Irene’s gonna lay down some cover fire! Thank you!

“Brother, it seems Ryou doesn’t feel the same way. I’ve approved since it seemed like a good plan, but even so a loveless marriage is…”

As Irene gave covering fire, she looked meaningfully at her husband Cardine, sitting next to her.

“Yes, Irene. Wise words, my darling. As expected of my pretty fairy.”

Said Cardine, who had been transfixed by Irene’s stare, and the two put their heads together, immersed in their own little world.

What? Is the cover fire done already? Hey, do some more shooting before you get immersed in your own little world! Claude hasn’t been shot at all! He’s still nonchalantly eating, as if Irene hadn’t said anything!

Man, Claude is tougher than I expected. And Irene wasn’t as useful as expected.

“Uncle Claude! Ryou says she doesn’t want to get married, so I’m against it!”

My minion counterattacks with a strong bite. Oh, thanks, henchman! Are you worried about your boss? This is why you should have minions!

“But, Alan, if Ryou graduates from school, she’ll go back to the Rubyfallen territory. Then you won’t be able to see her easily. Are you okay with that?”

As Claude spoke, realization dawned on Alan’s face. Alan is close to being won over.

“Just between Rubyfallen and Rainforest! Sure, there are a lot of mountains and transportation is rough, but they’re neighboring territories! If we want to go meet, we can meet anytime.” I declared loudly, to restore Alan’s sanity.

Meeting my eye, Alan nodded twice. That’s right, henchman, don’t be discouraged. ‘Our friendship will continue even after we graduate!’ is the feeling I was trying to convey.

“I don’t think it’s good to keep asking for marriage when Ryou hates it!”

Yeah, yeah, keep it coming, henchman!

Claude looked sternly at Alan, then gave a sigh and looked at me.

“Ryou, this is also for your sake. You shouldn’t make a poor decision. Think it over carefully.”

Claude is more serious than I thought.

…If you leave everything to the henchman, the boss’s reputation will suffer. I’ll just come out and say it myself.

“Claude… I have no intention of marrying you. This is a conclusion I came to after careful thought. I think you should find a proper partner for yourself.”

For instance, how about that “nice body” woman who’s been glaring at me while serving you. It’s dreadful to see the crazy glint in her eyes. I’m no match for her. I’m only ten, you know!

“I see… It can’t be helped, then. I won’t force the issue.” Claude smiled weakly.

Eh! I got through to him?! No, Claude was surprisingly understanding. Ah, but the weakness of Claude’s smile hurt my chest a little. Somehow, the atmosphere feels like I’m the one doing something wrong.

“Thank you for your understanding… And I’m very sorry.”

I decided for the time being to apologize before we were overwhelmed by Claude’s mood.

“Ryou, if you feel guilty about your one-sided breaking of our engagement, would you be willing to grant a wish of mine?”

Claude said to me with a suddenly very kindly smile. The figure that can turn sadness to a smile is so touching… uh, what? Wait, one-sidedly breaking off an engagement? I did? Did I break his heart…

Wait a minute! Claude is the one who got one-sidedly engaged! What is this atmosphere! Don’t make it seem like this little girl is the bad guy! You know I’m only ten years old?! You pervert! And more, this wounded, broken-hearted face… We weren’t really in love, right?! I shouldn’t feel bad! …I shouldn’t, right?

Although I thought that, Claude’s mastery of speech and expression mysteriously made me feel bad.

“What specifically… do you want me to do?” I timidly responded.

“For one, whenever you want to set up some business in the future, don’t just inform the people of Rubyfallen but me as well. For example, when you invent something like the spinning wheel or the mechanical loom, I want the right of first refusal on sales. I’d like to establish an equal partnership if you become a Merchant. We can go over the details in a future meeting, but… Will you grant my wish?”

He’s phrasing it as a question, but why does the atmosphere feel like I can’t refuse?! No way, these Merchants are scary! I mean, this guy just had his heart broken! He may have looked like that, but he wasn’t in love! This workaholic! ‘He was so pitiful…’ I thought! Give me my tender heart back!

No, thinking calmly, Claude’s proposal doesn’t actually feel like that bad of a plan. If I do anything, I’ll only have to work through one intermediary. I haven’t decided whether I’ll become a Merchant, but to have various connections can’t be a bad thing… It may even be good.

“Okay. I’ll let you know if I do anything.”

“Great! Thank you, Ryou! I’m sure you’ll pull something off in the next few years. It’s not a bad idea to work during your schooling and get your title along with your adulthood ceremony. As for me, if I don’t trade with you, I’ll have to delay all sorts of decisions, even my marriage, so I eagerly await dealing with you in a few years.”

Hey, don’t just make a deadline, casually saying, “within a few years” or “while you’re a student”! Merchants are scary!

Also, around the time he said his marriage would be delayed, didn’t Miss “Nice Body” Lione pull a dreadful face at me? Claude!

“Ahem, Claude, while I’m a student-“

“Oh, right, Alan, you seem to have received quite a few letters; have you read them yet?” Claude suddenly interrupted my complaint to speak to Alan, so I couldn’t finish it.

Let’s try again.

“While I’m studying-“

“That’s right, Alan. It’s fine, you can read through them later. They’re about the girls selected to be your fiancee, which I think is a bit early for you, but it’s a valuable opportunity.” This time Mr. Cardine interrupted. Ah, I’m losing my chance to talk about it…

Don’t give up, one more time.

“Study-“

“What? A fiancee?” This time it was my henchman. Lousy henchman!

It’s no good, I’ll have to give up. The topic has completely changed. Anyway, I was already thinking of working during my education so I could get a title with my own hands when I became an adult… I guess it’s fine.

So, now, what was the new topic? Eh? A fiancee?

…Alan’s fiancee? Isn’t it too early? My henchman’s still ten years old! That boy doesn’t understand a woman’s heart! Although I’m ten and I just broke off my own engagement…

“I’ve looked through a few of them, and they’re all girls with strong bloodlines. You can choose freely between girls from under three up to 35.” Claude winked at Alan.

From three to 35… Amazing. Well, Alan is a magician, so he’s very popular.

“A fiancee, what… how can I, I don’t know anything about that! I won’t look at them!”

Perhaps embarrassed by the talk about his fiancee, Alan turned away. He’s still a child, after all.

“Heh heh, it’s fine not to rush into it. I wasn’t interested before I found ‘Dine either. In fact, I thought men were disgusting… But Alan, you’ll understand as soon as you meet the right one.”

Irene said, looking at Cardine with rosy cheeks.

“My sweet flower says such sweet things. But Irene, I was indeed a disgusting man before I met you. Will you forgive me?”

“Oh, ‘Dine!”

Oh, the couple was immersed in their own little world again. Stop that! There are children here! Stop!

And so the welcome home dinner ended with an eye-locked couple and all the other participants trying not to look as they silently picked at their meals.