Nurturing the Hero to Avoid Death
chapter-20-2

As I climb down the stairs, the bustling pub from yesterday is nowhere to be found. There’s not a customer in sight.

I can hear various types of noises in the background, though. Sounds of conversation, footsteps, moving carriages, and so on. But I can’t pinpoint where exactly they’re coming from.

Only one person stands amidst the quiet pub, moving from table to table. A plump lady. She’s humming to herself, wiping the tables clean with a piece of cloth.

I remember her. Alfred addressed her as “Ma’am” yesterday.

She notices me once I step into the bar area. She stops wiping the table and looks up, directing her eyes towards me. I return her gaze.

And the next moment, she gives a wide smile, her eyes narrowing in the process, resembling those of the rabbit embroidered on her apron.

“Oh my, you’re already awake! Good morning!”

“G-good morning…”

The pub owner’s wife nimbly weaves her way between the tables towards me. She stares for a while, scrutinizing me, before breaking into a grin. “Thank goodness you look better now. Your complexion has greatly improved. When you had arrived yesterday, your face was so pale that I thought you were about to collapse…”

Is that so? I didn’t really notice.

“U-uh, thank you very much for yesterday’s matter. And I’m sorry to have troubled you during your busiest business hours. I’m truly sorry…”

For a moment, the stare of the pub owner’s wife transforms into one of puzzlement. Then she bursts into laughter, her plump belly shaking.

“There’s no need to be so polite! I honestly didn’t do much, so it’s not troublesome at all. You’re worrying too much.”

She truly looks like she doesn’t mind.

Did I phrase my apology weirdly? I don’t think so. Well, I don’t really mind if she’s enjoying herself because of this.

As I look at her jovial face, the tension in my body melts away. Finally, my smile is genuine.

“I’m really grateful for your help yesterday, Ma’am. You helped me a lot.”

The belly of the pub owner’s wife shakes once more from laughter, and she slaps me on the back. “It’s fine, it’s fine! Ah, that’s right. What’s your name?”

“Me? Ah, I’m Lian. Lian Owen.”

As soon as I tell her my name, her eyes widen.

“Ehhh? You are the son of Lord Owen?! How surprising.”

Completely forgot about my identity there. I probably shouldn’t have told her my real name.

As I grow more and more flustered, the woman is still just standing there with a smile.

“I see, hehe. You really are the gentleman that my son said you were.”

“Eh!?”

She has a son?! And it’s actually someone who knows me? Does that mean her son attends the same local school as me?

“W-what…”

On the one hand, I’m curious about what he’s said about me, but on the other I don’t want to know. In the end, my curiosity wins. Oh, and it could’ve been disastrous if her son had been here yesterday. I don’t want this matter to be leaked.

Her expression suddenly turns mischievous as she places her hand on her chin, and flashes a sweet smile.

“My stupid son told me that Lian-sama is a very, very gentle person. And a very, very beautiful man. And he does this so often, even as his face is red as a tomato.”

“T-that’s not true!”

“If you say so, hahaha! Oh, are you hungry? No, wait. Please excuse my manners. I come from a rough background, so I’m not really good with honorifics. Uhh, Lian-sama? Shall I make something for you?”

I immediately shake my head while waving my hands. “I-it’s alright. Please don’t use honorifics with me. I’m fine with casual speech. After all, I’m just a child. I haven’t done anything that would make me worthy of such respect.”

Her eyes widen again. Ah, what should I do? Everything I say seems to surprise her.

“Is it really okay?”

“Y-yes. It’s fine. Please speak casually to me…”

The owner’s wife starts cracking up for yet another time.

I don’t understand. I don’t think I’ve said anything funny, right?

I really don’t get it.

Just how do the villagers usually perceive the Lord’s son, Lian? Can someone please enlighten me?

“Hehe, alright. Then I’ll do as you say. Thank you.”

“Y-yes. And uhh… Can you please keep this matter a secret? Even to your son. I hope that’s alright with you…”

If some weird gossip starts spreading around, it will eventually reach the ears of Lian’s father. When that happens, this matter will definitely be beyond troublesome to deal with.

The moment he finds out I refused an invitation to join the Royal Palace Knights, he’ll definitely be furious. Maybe even dish out a punishment.

If he places me under house arrest and cuts off my allowance, I’ll be out of luck. There are still so many things waiting for me to do, each of which requires money.

The lady nods to my request. “Ah. I got it. I won’t tell anyone about what happened to you, even to that stupid son of mine. Is that okay? Well, you probably have your own complicated issues to deal with judging by your standing,” she says, folding her arms with another nod.

Thank goodness the pub owner’s wife understands where I’m coming from so quickly.

“I-I’m really sorry… And thank you for being so considerate. One more thing. Uhm, may I know where your son is at the moment, Ma’am?”

“My stupid son? He’s currently staying at my sister’s place. Said he would help her babysit. He’s usually not here during the weekends. Then again, I have the sinking suspicion he’s just using this as an excuse to be away from the pub. He knows I’ll work him like a horse otherwise.” A sigh escapes her lips. “Seriously, what a stupid son.”

“I-is that so?”

Although I feel bad for her, I’d be lying to say I wasn’t glad her son’s not here right now.

If I encounter someone I know from the school, it’ll be a pain in the butt to explain what happened. It can’t be helped.

“If he knows that Lian-sama comes to our store, that stupid son would definitely regret it. Ah, of course I won’t let him know. Don’t worry.”

“Thank you very much. Uhm… Where is Alfred?”

Ever since I woke up, I haven’t seen his shadow. Where did he go?

“Al? Al went to pick up your luggage very early in the morning.”

“Eh… Ehhh!?”

Seriously!?

“Yes, yes. He also told me to tell you that after you wake up, just wait here.”

“I-is that so?”

He could have just woken me up to tell me this, though.

So he went alone… I wonder if he will be okay? He wouldn’t cause a commotion, right? Alfred easily gets into fights. Though he has been very obedient recently.

Also, could he even enter that hotel? It’s an overly luxurious hotel that only allows celebrities to reserve a room. There’s no way the staff will give him entrance without a proper suit.

Maybe it’d be better for me to go?

Ah, what should I do? If I go, I’ll see that captain again.

So scary.

But what if Alfred ends up detained, or runs into some other form of trouble? What if he gets hurt?

That’s also scary. I don’t want that.

However, the consequences of the second choice are even more terrifying. That’s why, there’s no choice but to set out─

I’m jolted out of my sea of thoughts by the lady’s sudden laugh. She slaps my back.

“You sure worry a lot, huh? Everything will be okay. You don’t have to frown so much or worry your pretty little head over it!”

“B-but─”

“Al will be fine. Come on. I’ll prepare your breakfast now, so eat that while you wait for him.. He’ll be back before long! You wouldn’t even notice it!”

“Wouldn’t even notice?”

“Yes, yes. Look, it’s really fine. Sit here, okay? You should be hungry, right? I’ll cook breakfast up in a flash!”

Then she rushes to the kitchen in a hurry, leaving behind her tea towel.

I stand there, shocked by her actions. Then I sigh, organizing my thoughts once more.

Alfred already left for the hotel.

And he told me to wait for his return…

But I hate waiting. I really do. I’ll end up thinking about things I shouldn’t, falling into a pit of worry.

Thank you for the ko-fi, LeLorena-san!

Mii is currently planning something big muehehehehehe *evil laugh*