Young Master, Please Put Some Pants On! - Chapter 35

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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 35

“Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face…?”

“No. I’m just curious. It’s not like this is your first time eating cake, so how do you have such an exaggerated reaction?”

“It’s because this is the first time I’ve had cake this delicious.”

“Well, even so, you were busy sparkling with admiration at the atelier and restaurant too.”

When Kermanomon let out a slight chuckle, Mellis’s face flushed red. It seemed she had unconsciously acted like a country bumpkin again.

But Mellis had only started enjoying this luxurious lifestyle two months ago. Until now, the only dessert in her life had been what was served at the Academy cafeteria. While her classmates avoided it, saying it was too dry and artificial-tasting, Mellis had scraped every bit clean, treasuring even that.

“Anyone watching would think I’m a stingy master who pays meager wages.”

“I just haven’t been to places like this much.”

When Mellis spoke in a deliberately calm tone, feeling embarrassed, he chuckled softly. In truth, this was a place she could easily afford with her salary, but she felt awkward about indulging in luxury with her own money.

“Really? Most sheep beastkin usually enjoy luxury. You seem different though.”

At Kermanomon’s mention of “sheep beastkin,” Mellis stiffened. Garulus, sitting across from her, also looked flustered, rolling his eyes while his mouth was stuffed full of cake.

“I-I’m from a poor commoner background! Don’t tell me you’re mocking me for being a commoner…!”

“What are you talking about? Where else would you find someone as unprejudiced as me?”

From his reaction, it seemed she had fortunately weathered the crisis well. Anyway, Kermanomon had a habit of mentioning “sheep beastkin” just when she was starting to relax, making Mellis tense up.

“This one has never been to such a fancy cake shop before! It’s much more delicious than what I had in the Capital!”

“Really? I should take you both around to various places from now on. How about we go see a play next time?”

“Oh. That sounds wonderful!”

Fortunately, Kermanomon’s attention seemed to have completely shifted to Garulus. Mellis pretended to be calm while cutting her cake and observing the situation. In novels, people hiding their identity like her usually got caught because their speech or appearance gave them away.

‘Phew. Thank goodness I didn’t receive proper upbringing.’

Who would have thought Sandra’s ruined character would be helpful in this way? Just earlier at the restaurant, hadn’t she been teased for clumsily cutting her steak? It was fortunate she was a baroness’s daughter indistinguishable from a commoner.

As Mellis pouted slightly while looking out the window, a building across the street suddenly caught her eye.

“Ah, so the library was over there.”

This was from when Mellis had gone out alone before. Feeling the limitations of Garulus’s children’s books, she had searched diligently for a library but returned home without finding one.

‘No wonder I couldn’t find it, being on such an upscale street!’

The location was even quite secluded. Who on earth built a library in such a place! It was probably highly likely connected to the man sitting across from her, but she didn’t have the courage to confront him about it.

Then Kermanomon, who had heard her muttering, raised his eyebrows and said:

“The library? Why the library?”

“Pardon? I wanted to borrow some books.”

“I mean, why do you need to go borrow books?”

When he asked back as if he didn’t understand, Mellis, belatedly grasping the situation, spoke in a serious tone:

“Grand Duke, commoners also have the equal right to learn as nobles…”

“Do you really see me as some kind of classist? I meant why would you use this place when there’s also a library within the Ducal Residence.”

“Ah, I see. I’m sorry!”

At his gesture of running his hand through his hair as if exasperated, Mellis quickly bowed her head in apology. Since he was a human-hater, she naturally assumed he would be like that. But surprisingly, he seemed tolerant regarding social status.

‘By the way, there was a library in the Ducal Residence.’

This was completely unexpected information. To think there was a library within the manor. Once again, she was amazed by its enormous scale. In that case, it would be beneficial to use the closer location.

“As I’ve said repeatedly, I’m a benevolent person. So if there’s anything else you want to eat, feel free to order more.”

“It’s fine.”

Of course, there were still plenty of desserts she wanted to try. But remembering how Kermanomon had been teasing her just moments ago, Mellis turned away from the menu with a prim tone.

However, Garulus, who had no way of knowing her feelings, fluttered the menu and recited the items.

“Then I shall order the crème brûlée banana pie, cream puff balls with fresh cream, and rich, sweet chocolate mousse cake. Oh, the milk banana shake looks quite delicious too, doesn’t it?”

Just hearing the menu names made Mellis feel like her mouth was watering. And those colorful drawings on the menu that stimulated her visual senses…

“Mellis, are you really not going to order anything?”

Reading her gaze, Kermanomon asked with a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

What exactly did he take her for? However, contrary to her strong will, her lips twitched on their own.

“…Th-then I’ll have the cherry roll cake.”

Kermanomon pressed his lips together as if holding back laughter again and called for the server. And so, once again today, Mellis spent a happy day having given up her pride.

* * *

“Garulus, have a safe trip!”

“Mellis! See you later! Take good care of the house!”

Garulus, who had leaned more than half his body out of the carriage window, waved vigorously toward her. Though Kermanomon pulled Garulus back saying it was dangerous, he didn’t seem to care at all.

Mellis stayed in place until the carriage completely disappeared from view.

‘Free time…!’

Mellis clenched both fists at the completely unexpected peace that had come her way. It was thanks to the marquis couple from a neighboring territory who had suddenly invited the Grand Duke and his young master.

Kermanomon had told her that since she’d been working hard these past few days, she should rest comfortably at the ducal residence today. Of course, she could sense a bit of his ulterior motive to monopolize Garulus’s affection. But since the brothers’ relationship, which had been awkward for a while, had finally been mended, Mellis could understand his feelings.

“The library is in the west annex, right?”

Actually, there was another reason she had been looking forward to having time alone. A few days ago, after learning that there was a library in the ducal residence, she had really wanted to visit it at least once.

‘The ducal residence’s benefits really are excellent.’

In fact, it wasn’t just the library. The servants of the ducal residence were guaranteed convenience in many ways. Not only did they receive higher wages compared to other noble houses, but their quarters and facilities were always maintained in modern condition. They said the previous Grand Duke had excellent character and cherished people, so it was probably thanks to that.

Mellis hummed a tune as she set out to find the library. The west annex was where most of the servants stayed, but since she always had to stay by Garulus’s side, she had no reason to go that far. In the first place, this was almost the first time she had even left the main building.

“Is this the place?”

Flustered by the larger and more complex structure than expected, she was carefully looking around when someone spoke to her warmly.

“Mellis!”

“Oh, Lele!”

It was Lele, the chameleon beastkin who was one of the gardeners. Though they hadn’t originally been particularly close, after sharing cookies the other day, the two had started greeting each other whenever they met. She casually put her arm around Mellis’s shoulder and said,

“I heard rumors lately that the young master has been wearing pants properly…”

“Of course! He even asked me to pick out his clothes first thing this morning!”

“Wow. That’s incredible. You’re really capable, aren’t you? By the way, what brings you here?”

“I wanted to look around the library.”

“Ah, the library? Go down that corridor and turn right, and you’ll see the central staircase. Go up one floor from there.”

The other people she encountered afterward also recognized her and greeted her warmly. Most of them, like Lele, asked about Garulus’s pants and also mentioned that the cookies had been delicious.

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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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