Lunch time translations DCNo (7-4)

The mansion was large as befitting a Duchy, covering a fair amount of acreage - though the populace of the mansion was rather limited in numbers.

Speer had already gained a grasp of the inhabitants, sensing within the manor was the Duke of Crimson and his servants; Pururun and the guards on duty were stationed in the garden.

“Does it have anything to do with the orc invasion?”

“….How very perceptive of you , Miss Speer. It is indeed as you stated. Many of the servants have taken their leave from the mansion and left the city, all due to the kindness of his grace, the duke.”

“Hmmmm,” Speer absentmindedly replied as she reflected on her impression of the duke. She had not had a very good impression of those of the nobility. Indeed, she had had a rather biased opinion of them. She could very easily imagine a member of nobility laughing haughtily, saying “Silence! Obey me immediately, peasant!”

But they weren’t all like that. Impressed as she was by the duke’s actions, she could admit that she had been wrong. She felt a need to revise her thoughts - at least in the case of Ecquria and Duke Crimson.

Perhaps the ‘perceptiveness’ the Housekeeper attributed to Speer could be credited to this flexible thinking of hers.

“It is amazing, though, how you were able to deduce we are short-handed here at the mansion.”

“Hmm? Oh, well, you don’t even need to use any magic; you can tell just from the aura people give off…..oh. Did I just say something weird?”

The housekeeper remained silent as she quietly smiled and gently patted Speer’s head. But Speer keenly noticed the housekeeper furtively dart her gaze away from her for a second or two before donning the smile on her face.

“It shall be lunch time soon. By any chance, are you hungry?”

“Uhmm, yes. But would it be all right if I washed my face first?”

“As you will. Please, come this way then.”

The housekeeper gracefully avoided Speer’s question and began to lead the way, with her prim and proper march. Speer gave chase, walking behind her quiet guide.

“Would there be anything you are not able to eat, Miss Speer?”

“Well, I don’t think I like eating grass very much. If I try really hard though, I can eat bugs.”

“….! I shall order the chef to make sure to do his very best.”

Speer tilted her head questioningly at this reaction. She noticed that a faint whimper had managed to escape from deep within the housekeeper’s throat but she withheld her curiosity and did not pry any further.




……While Speer was deep in slumber …….

Ecquria awoke in the early hours of the morning and quickly dressed herself before setting out for the day.

She first visited the church. The guards who had lost their lives protecting Ecquria from the orcs laid there, awaiting their final resting place. After completing the funeral arrangements, she then headed out to visit the family of the deceased. There were some who had already left the city but to the remaining families, she pledged her support so they would not need to worry about their future livelihood.

Having finished her visitations, she finally headed for the western gate of the city. The orc forces had been predicted to attack from the west so a temporary counter force had been stationed there. After all the commanders from the various squads gathered, she began her report.

Ecquria had gone to scout the orc’s intentions, regardless of the danger it may impose on her – or rather that was the story everyone had been told.

The fact that they had been abandoned by the king was still being kept a secret from the guards. She could hardly tell them the truth – that she had gone to surrender to the king’s demands and sacrifice herself so he would send supporting troops.

If they were to tell the truth, the morale of the guards would fall. They might be able to rally themselves through anger, but that alone would not sustain them. So, Duke Crimson had devised a plan last night whereupon they would let the soldiers retain their hopes of reinforcements and maintain morale.

“Oh! To even think that Lady Ecquria would go to such lengths for us..!”

“We will not let your efforts go to waste! Especially since you risked life and limb for it…”

A twinge of guilt pricked at Ecquria as she watched the spirits of the soldiers rise. But that she had obtained valuable information was also an undeniable truth. Once the threat had passed, she would tell them the truth. And if that time never came, well then, her life would also have been lost so……

Ecquria hid her clenched fist behind her as she firmed her resolution.

“It’s probably the advance scouts for the orcs, since they’re roaming around the forest area around here. Seeing as there were some orc mages amongst them, they’ve probably some intelligence. It couldn’t have been just a hunting party.”

“Right. A group of ten is too big to be just a hunting party.”

“Are they trying to feel us out too? The attack might come quicker than we thought.”

“More than that, I’m bothered by the fact that they seem to be well equipped. They’re already deadly enough with just plain staves, now on top of that…..”

Ecquria left the soldiers to continue their discussion and took her leave. Though she wished she could join them in their discussions, she had other duties she had yet to attend to.

“Oh, it’s already pass noon.”

She realized she had missed lunch as she heard the sounds of the bell ringing through the city. She returned to the manor, intending to have a light snack before continuing onward.

Besides, she was worried about Speer. Though she would be safe at the manor, Ecquria could not help but worry since her sudden faint of last night. She wished she could stay by her side.

“She may seem mature, but she’s still just a child, after all. She must have been exhausted….”

Chaos reigned outside of the city walls. For a child to endure such extreme conditions – it should have been obvious how stressful it must have been for her.

Though she had not been able to be of much help in combat, she should have been more considerate to Speer. Having firmed her commitment to this train of thought, Ecquria quickened her steps.

She curtly greeted the guards as she passed them at the gate on her way back to the mansion. The more she thought of it, the more it began to possess her. What if she continued to sleep – forever? Or, what if she did wake up – and found herself alone… she might be trembling, frightened at being alone! It wouldn’t be strange at all if a child started wailing upon waking alone in an unfamiliar place.

“I must be sure to be the one to protect her this time….hmmm?”

As she headed towards the guest room that Speer was supposed to be in, she stopped. There, she heard the sound of conversation coming from the direction of the dining hall. It sounded like a child’s voice - like Speer’s voice. It seemed she was surprised at something as her voice rang out.

“You’re awake! Speer….!” said Ecquria as she sprinted to open the door to the dining hall.

She came to an abrupt halt, speechless at the sight that greeted her.

Greeting her was the sight of the dining table, laden with various dishes. Starting with the salad of fresh greens, a bowl of hot cream stew, even a slab of Krumm beef steak – normally not something that was easily obtainable in the kingdom. A delicious odor wafted from them.

Looking further down the table were the desserts – apple pie, a whole cake, a platter of cut fruits even, all lined up. It was a luxurious meal – even at a birthday party for royalty, you would not have seen such extravagance.

And there was Speer, popping one dish after another into her mouth.

“Oh, whieowoheo. Wheowoofuwe.”

“………Don’t talk while you’re eating.”

Ecquria shook her head in consternation as she somehow managed to squeeze out an admonishment at Speer.

It was fine thing, that Speer was doing so well. It was something she could be cheerful about. And she had promised to treat her to a feast so, she’d look the other way at the overly extravagant meal as well. But, really. How did she manage to get them to treat her like this?

The only one who seemed capable of answering Ecquria’s questions would be the housekeeper who stood next to Speer, in attendance at her side. But this was questionable as even the housekeeper kept her hands pressing at her eyes, wiping her tears away. Since there was a faint smile gracing her lips, it was hard to think that the tears were meant to be grievous at any rate.

Ecquria continued her observations for a while eventually …..

……..coming to the conclusion that continuing her contemplation of the situation would be a waste of time.

“…fine. I’m rather starved myself. I shall join you.”

“Yas---gulp. Yes, please do. Everything tastes better when you all eat together, doesn’t it?” said Speer with a radiant smile beaming, a speck of sauce on her cheek.

It's rather difficult to translate when your break only allows for a sentence or two at a time. I miss my long breaks. Hopefully some will come soon.....