Young Master, Please Put Some Pants On! - Chapter 30
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 30
“Senior, could I ask you something?”
“What is it?”
“Well, I just met a beastman who hates humans for the first time. I mean, I must have met countless ones before, but this was the first time hearing such words right to my face… Honestly, I was a bit shocked. But you, senior…”
“How have I endured it all this time?”
Unable to answer directly, she nodded slightly. Unlike herself, whose problems would be solved once she left the Duchy, mixed-bloods faced similar gazes wherever they went on the Continent.
“Well, it’s easier if you just give up. You accept that you’ll be hated no matter what you do. It’s annoying, but there’s nothing you can do about it. What’s even more miserable is…”
He paused briefly as if recalling the past. It was only a very short moment, but bitterness crossed Vivian’s face.
“When you realize at some point that you’ve become so used to that fact that you don’t make any effort at all.”
Her gaze, which had been on Vivian, slowly moved to the medicine bottle in her hand. Mellis realized her guess had been correct. This drug was probably…
“…So that’s why you don’t use the drug anymore, senior?”
It wasn’t his incomplete work, but rather an unnecessary prescription anymore.
The more Mellis took it, the more she realized this was a too-perfect and convenient drug. A drug that not only changed one’s appearance but also perfectly concealed human scent. And at the same time, she had doubts. Hadn’t Vivian said he could finish it quickly since it was magic he had stopped just before completion?
And then, not only had he completed the drug in just a few days, but he had even transformed the contents into about twenty different varieties. At first, she thought it was simply because Vivian was a genius.
But no matter how smart he was, completing a magic formula and converting it into chemicals couldn’t possibly take such a short time.
“Yeah, that’s right. It’s just that I don’t need it.”
“Why?”
Mellis knew well how many difficulties he faced as a mixed-blood. Becoming a mage by taking the official Magic Tower exam had been his long-held dream. But that wasn’t all.
His classmates who learned of his identity turned their backs on him cruelly overnight, and professors belittled his talent simply because he was a mixed-blood. Often, ill-natured humans would openly mock him to his face. Nothing in the world was fair to him.
“Mellis, do you know what’s the hardest thing in the world? Changing people’s perspectives. But no matter how much I changed my appearance and desperately tried, nothing changed.”
“…”
“It only felt empty instead. That wasn’t my real appearance. I’m not a beastman, so what’s the point of imitating their appearance no matter how well I do it? What I wanted was for people to accept and acknowledge me as I am.”
Mellis couldn’t give any answer to his words. The thought of wanting to be acknowledged for who you truly are, not for your appearance. She too had thought about this countless times during the many nights she spent at the Ducal Residence.
Having erased the bitter smile from his lips, he casually ruffled her hair and said,
“Well, but your situation is different since your survival depends on it. So don’t think unnecessary thoughts and stick with it well. Above all, where else would a scatterbrained kid like you get such a salary? Be good to the Young Master.”
“What? I’m totally capable, you know?”
Mellis pouted and hesitated for a moment before bringing up what she had wanted to ask from the beginning.
“What about Mother? Is she still looking for me?”
“Yeah. She seems to be borrowing money here and there to pay back the dowry. She’s been searching for you with fire in her eyes.”
“Ah…”
“But don’t worry too much. I’ve taken care of it.”
At Vivian’s words that he had “taken care of it,” her face gradually turned pale.
“Senior, you didn’t do something to Mother…”
“Really, what do you take me for!”
With an incredulous expression, he flicked her forehead. Mellis, whose forehead stung from the hit, glared at him with all her might in revenge.
‘I had roughly expected this though.’
Mellis, who roughly knew House Portier’s financial situation, let out a sigh of relief. Sandra was a spiteful person, but that was all she was. The only way Sandra, who had no particular abilities or connections, could chase after her was with money. When the money ran out, the pursuit would also become less frequent.
“It’s already gotten this late. I should start heading back now. Not just because of the guy who was tailing us, but the atmosphere has been ominous lately, so always be careful wherever you go.”
Vivian checked the time and let out a quiet sigh as she pulled her hood up.
“Why? Is something wrong?”
“Don’t even get me started. That murder case that happened in Kendal turned out to be…”
When she looked at him with sparkling, curious eyes, unable to contain her curiosity, Vivian trailed off.
“Never mind. You must be busy with your own affairs. The Ducal House should be safe anyway.”
“You can’t just stop talking in the middle like that!”
Ignoring her irritation, Vivian pressed down on her head with one hand.
“If you go out through the back door, you’ll find a path that connects to the plaza. Go straight back to the Ducal Residence if possible. Take care of yourself. If you need help, just say the word anytime. I’ll help you.”
“For free?”
“…That depends on the situation.”
At his overly serious answer, Mellis grimaced and lightly hit his shoulder. Just then, a thought crossed her mind.
“Oh, senior. Wait a moment!”
At her urgent call, Vivian slowly tilted his head.
“I have a favor, no, a request I’d like to make.
“Please go ahead, customer.”
At the word ‘request,’ Vivian’s attitude became noticeably more friendly. Mellis looked around and whispered quietly in his ear, worried someone might overhear.
“…Would that be possible?”
“It’s not difficult. I’ll check right away and contact you.”
“Yes! It was great seeing you!”
“I’m really leaving now, take care.”
Vivian, who was about to open the door with his farewell, suddenly stopped in place. After pondering for a moment, he turned his head slightly toward Mellis and muttered.
“And just in case, be careful not to get too comfortable.”
“What?”
However, even at her question, Vivian disappeared without looking back once, casually waving his hand. Mellis waved until Vivian’s figure completely disappeared.
“…He’s gone.”
Mellis felt quite regretful about the brief encounter with him. Just having a conversation with Vivian made her feel deeply relieved. Having someone to rely on in an unfamiliar place was much more comforting than she had thought.
‘It’s not just about this place.’
Even before coming here, Vivian was the only person Mellis could rely on in the entire kingdom. To her, Vivian was truly a precious and grateful friend.
She had many things she wanted to ask and was curious about – how the guild was being run these days, what had happened in her hometown – but the time given was limited.
Still, her steps back to the Ducal Residence felt much lighter. It had been quite a nice outing in many ways.
* * *
“Mellis! Where did you go, leaving me behind!”
What greeted Mellis upon her return to the manor was resentful bickering. Apparently shocked to wake up and not see her anywhere, Garulus had puffed up both his cheeks and was wildly swinging his cotton ball-like fists.
“I’m sorry. I had some business to attend to briefly and couldn’t help it.”
“What? You even went out without me? Huh? And it looks like you went shopping too. I’m cutting ties with Mellis now. Don’t even talk to me anymore!”
Garulus, with a thoroughly sulky face and lips pouted out, flailed his arms and legs in the air. But Mellis, who had been taking care of Garulus for a month, couldn’t have failed to anticipate this situation. She quickly held out the largest shopping bag and said.
“But I went to buy a gift for Garulus?”
“Huh? A gift for me?”
As expected, Mellis’s prediction was spot on. At the mention of a gift, Garulus’s nostrils flared as his eyes sparkled brightly, as if he had never been sulking at all.
“It’s super cute ladybug pajamas and a new children’s storybook!”
“Wooooow!”
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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