Chapter 3-20 : The Visit To House Balvin (part 1)
「Thank you, Sir, for lending us your ship and coming to pick me up.」(Kako)
After parting with the mermaids, I went to the bridge to thank the captain once again.
「You should thank your maid instead. If it wasn’t for her, my higher-ups wouldn’t have dispatched me.」(Captain)
「I see. Thank you, Thea.」(Kako)
「It’s my duty to protect you, Kako ojou-sama.」(Thea)
She smiled and lowered her head, looking so happy.
I wasn’t planning to come to this region with her, but Father secretly sent her to me. At first, I thought her presence would trouble me in some ways, but now I’m really glad she’s here.
「Frankly speaking, I think I should be the one thanking you, girl. If I didn’t come and see the mermaids, I wouldn’t have known the real reason behind our conflict.」(Captain)
As he said that, the captain folded his arms and gazed at the horizon.
「Our city is the biggest port city in this country. Many ships from other countries pass through the waters around the mermaid island to get to the port. If the mermaids keep attacking ships, I’m afraid it will ruin our relationship with the neighboring countries eventually. They will see the government of this region as incompetent for not being able to maintain a good relationship with the mermaids and will likely demand compensation, claiming that their ships were caught up in our conflict with the mermaids.」(Captain)
「In other words, not only are the mermaids holding every ship at sea hostage-nya, but they can also be a threat to our government-nya. 」(Nyat)
「Exactly.」(Captain)
It looks like this matter is bigger than I think.
I’ve been living with the mermaids for a while, and I learned that they were not as culturally advanced as us humans, but the fact that they were threatening our government in such a political way made me think they might be much smarter than we thought.
They might actually have built a big city underwater without us knowing.
It would end terribly badly for humans if this conflict kept going. We have to solve this pollution problem and restore our relationship with the mermaids as soon as possible.
Seeing me thinking while folding my arms, Nyat talked to me.
「I don’t know what you’re thinking, but you don’t have to worry-nya. This is the matter the government and the people of this region to solve-nya.」(Nyat)
「Hmm…」(Kako)
He’s right. This is a matter for the House of Balvin as this region’s government.
There’s no need for an adopted daughter of another noble family like me to worry about it.
「As Nyat-sama said, this is the southern government’s problem, but, Kako ojou-sama, I’m afraid you need to pay Duke Balvin a visit when we get to the city.」(Thea)
「Eh?」(Kako)
I have to pay the duke a visit? I thought I didn’t have to do anything.
I wonder if it’s because I’ve spent some time with the mermaids.
「While threateniー I mean, negotiating with the guards to get the permission to borrow this ship, I had no choice but to mention Marquis Kushaq’s name. Therefore, we need to pay our respects to the ducal family after this. Specifically, you need to accept their invitation to dinner.」(Thea)
Thea explained while bowing her head to me with an apologetic face.
She seems to feel bad for causing me such trouble, but if she didn’t mention Father’s name, they might have not lent her this ship. I can understand.
I thought for a second and glanced at the captain.
「Sir, the higher-ups you mentioned before, could they be…」(Kako)
「That’s right. I’m working for House Balvin. You better pay them a visit.」(Captain)
I see. So this ship belongs to House Balvin. In other words, they saved me.
Dinner with nobles, huh? Honestly, I don’t want to go, but I can’t refuse their invitation, can I?
I’ve met their second son, Raykard Elt Balvin, before, and he didn’t seem to be a bad person. I hope the rest of the family members are as nice as him.
「Understood. I will accept their invitation, but… I’m not sure if my dress is appropriate enough for the occasion.」(Kako)
I came here simply as a merchant, not as a noble lady, so I didn’t bring my formal dress.
「Worry not, Kako ojou-sama. I anticipated something like this might happen, so I brought your best dress with me.」(Thea)
「Ohh!」(Kako)
That’s a super maid for you!
「As soon as we get back to the inn, I will make you ready for the dinner. You can count on me.」(Thea)
For some reason, she looked somewhat excited as if saying, “I’m looking forward to dressing you up!”
「Umm, thank you, Thea, but please be gentle, okay…?」(Kako)
◆◆◆
The next day, in our inn room, Thea spent almost an hour to dress me up.
「Ahh~ Kako ojou-sama, you’re so cute!」(Thea)
「U, un… Thanks… Hahh…」(Kako)
I couldn’t help but let out a long sigh of relief that this ‘torture’ was finally over.
Today, we’re going to the Balvin Family’s mansion to have dinner with them.
It will be my first time fulfilling an invitation from another noble as the daughter of Marquis Kushaq. I’m quite nervous, but after looking at myself in the mirror, I think I’m ready to meet them.
I’m not bragging, but as Thea said, I look cute in this dress.
ーKnock knock!
「The pick up is here-nya.」(Nyat)
Just as we finished dressing, Nyat knocked on the door.
The other day, Duke Balvin’s messenger came and told me that they would send someone to pick us up. Seems like they have arrived.
「We’re coming!」(Kako)
Nyat, Thea, and I left our room and went downstairs.
In the lobby, there was a middle-aged man in a suit, who seemed to be our pickup, already waiting for us.
As soon as he noticed me, he put his hand on his chest and bowed.
「Lady Kushaq, I presume.」(escort)
「Yes.」(Kako)
「I’ve come to escort you to the mansion, but before we leave, I have a letter from Lord Balvin.」(escort)
The man took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to me.
It had a seal that seemed to be House Balvin’s crest. I opened it and read it.
Today I was going to thank them for rescuing me, but in the letter, they were apologizing to me, saying that my misfortune happened because of their negligence in maintaining a good relationship with the mermaids.
I see. Apparently, the purpose of this dinner is to apologize to me.
Honestly, I don’t need an apology. I just wish they didn’t summon me…
I put the letter into my magic bag after I finished reading.
「Alright. I’m ready.」(Kako)
「This way, my lady.」(escort)
The man took us out of the inn.
There was a big, fancy horse-drawn carriage with golden decorations parked in front of the building. Seems like we’re going to ride it.
「Kako ojou-sama.」(Thea)
「Thank you.」(Kako)
Thea extended her hand and helped me get into the carriage.
The interior was as fancy as the outer look. The seat was a soft cushion made of high-quality leather that felt good on the skin, and the windows were made of clear glass, so I could see the clear view from here.
This might be the biggest and most luxurious carriage I had ever seen in this city. Even with the giant cat sitting with us, we didn’t feel cramped at all.
「Are we ready to go, my lady?」(escort)
「Yes. Take us to Lord Balvin.」(Kako)
「Very well.」(escort)
After the three of us got into the carriage, the man climbed onto the driver’s seat and had the horses start moving.
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