I Was Reincarnated as a Duke as a Matter of Course, So I Bought a Slave on a Whim and Now There’s No Turning Back - 42

Chapter 42: Cold Ice and Melting Snow

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In a certain room of the Duke Gladio residence. Outside the window, snow was falling quietly. Gazing at the white scenery, Elysia stared at the letter on her desk.

The crest of the House of Alcion. And the words written beneath it. A proposal of engagement. It was a request for marriage upon graduation from the academy. The other party was the heir of a well-known noble house even within aristocratic society. There were no issues with status, and politically it was beneficial.

There is no reason to refuse.

Normally.

“…Young lady.”

A quiet voice came from behind. When she turned around, there was a woman standing there. A maid with calm gray hair tied back. She was Juli, Elysia’s personal attendant.

“I’ve brought your tea.”

“Thank you, Juli.”

The steaming tea was placed on the desk. Juli stepped back and spoke softly.

“Have you told your school friends?”

Elysia gave a small nod.

“Yes, I told Allen and Rine.”

She had softened her words, but both of them had understood. As the daughter of a noble, an engagement meant dedicating oneself for the family. It was nothing unusual.

“…What about Luka-sama?”

At Juli’s question, Elysia’s fingers paused slightly.

“I haven’t told him yet.”

A quiet silence followed. Outside the window, the snow continued to pile up.  Juli knew about the incident from their primary school days. From that day, no, even before that, Elysia had always been watching one boy.

Elysia brought the tea to her lips. It should have been warm, yet deep in her chest, it felt slightly cold.

“Hey, Juli.”

“Yes.”

“Luka-kun is…”

Looking out the window, Elysia murmured.

“He’s a dangerous person.”

Juli did not look surprised. She simply listened quietly.

“He…”

What came to Elysia’s mind was what happened during their primary school days. That boy, standing there at the same place, the same height as her. And then, the boy who saved people without hesitation and threw his life away for them.

“He saves people too easily.”

Without hesitation. Without thinking about his own danger.

“If someone is in trouble, he always reaches out his hand.”

That was kindness. But at the same time…

“…That’s what scares me.”

Juli lowered her gaze quietly. Elysia gave a small smile.

“It’s strange, isn’t it…? Feeling like this.”

“No.”

Juli answered immediately.

“You love him very much, don’t you, young lady?”

Elysia looked slightly surprised. Juli continued.

“You have always been watching Luka-sama.”

Yes, she had always been watching him. From the moment they first met, she had watched the way he looked different from others. And she had come to understand what kind of person he was… How fragile he was.

“If I asked him for help…”

Elysia said quietly.

“I’m sure he will come to save me.”

No matter how dangerous it was. No matter how reckless it was. This might be arrogance. Even so, she couldn’t help but expect it. Luka Noctire would definitely come.

That was why…

Elysia closed the letter.

“I don’t want to say it.”

I don’t have anyone but him in my eyes, and yet if I tell him this, he’ll probably just congratulate me like everyone else, won’t he?

“…Young lady?”

“I don’t want to.”

Her voice was very small.

“I don’t want to see him get hurt again, and I don’t want this feeling to be misunderstood by Luka-kun.”

A quiet silence fell over the room. The snow continued to fall. Juli slowly lowered her head.

“This engagement can be withdrawn if it is your wish, young lady.”

“Yes…”

“I believe you should choose for yourself, without thinking of the family.”

She smiled slightly.

“Th-Then perhaps you could take this opportunity to propose an engagement to Luka-sama?”

Elysia let out a soft, wry laugh.

“Hehe, that would be the best, if I could.”

But I’m not worthy yet.  Recently, I’ve been watching him more than anything else. That’s why I’ve started to understand Luka-kun’s weakness.

Her lips softened slightly.

“…Hehe.”

Even when she was young and when she could hide her whole body behind him, she knew she could’ve easily killed Luka-kun. His magic was faint, and when she saw his training in the magic swordsmanship course, he looked like a child who had just learned how to hold a sword. She realized what kind of existence everyone, and she, had been relying on all this time. He was so fragile, and yet his warmth made you want to rely on him.

His weak side that no one else knows… I have to protect him. The him that only I know.

Outside the window, the white snow quietly covered the world.

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“Bwaachoo!”

Oh crap, that was a full-force sneeze with zero dignity. Felt great though.

“Luka-sama, are you cold?”

“Not really. I don’t even feel that chilly.”

Someone must be talking about me. Man, being popular is hard.

“Fia says she’s bringing a warm towel.”

“Oh, thanks.”

Still, the outside today was incredible. A pure white snow scene everywhere. I heard the kingdom didn’t get much snow, but this was practically a snowstorm.

Can I go outside and make a snowman? I also want to build a snow hut. No way anyone here has ever made one before.

Just then, footsteps approached down the hallway. Light, quick steps. A gentle knock came at the door.

“Master, may I come in?”

“Yeah.”

The door opened. Standing there was a small girl with soft pink hair. Fia, holding towels in both hands.

“I brought something warm.”

“Thanks, Fia.”

I took the towel she offered. It was faintly steaming.

“Oh, nice and warm.”

When I pressed it to my face, a gentle warmth spread.

“Ahh… I’m alive again.”

Fia smiled a little.

“You sneezed really loudly earlier.”

“You heard that?”

“It echoed through the mansion.”

That’s definitely an exaggeration.

Yuka was trembling slightly beside me.

Don’t laugh. Actually, no, laugh. Seeing the two of them smile over something so trivial feels like it adds years to my life.

“Man, but still…”

I looked out the window. Pure white. Completely white. The garden, the trees, everything was buried in snow.

“What an amazing day today.”

Fia looked outside too.

“Yes… It’s my first time seeing this much snow.”

Same here. Does it just not stop once it starts? There’s so much you could build with this.

That thought crossed my mind.

“Alright, let’s go outside.”

“Huh?”

“I want to make a snowman and a snow hut.”

“A snowman?”

Fia tilted her head.

“It’s a snowman.”

“A snowman!”

Her expression brightened instantly.

“Don’t you want to make one?”

A snowman. A form of life.

“I want to!”

I knew it. When she was a slave, there was no way she got to play like that. 

Let’s make sure she enjoys it now.

“Alright, let’s do it.”

When I said that, Fia’s eyes widened slightly.

“Is that okay?”

“Yeah. The academy’s off today anyway.”

Yuka cleared her throat softly.

“Please make sure you don’t catch a cold.”

“Got it.”

Fia gently grabbed my sleeve. Just like before, a little hesitantly.

“…Master.”

“Hmm?”

“What is a snow hut?”

Oh. She didn’t know that either. I grinned.

“Simply put, it’s a secret base.”

“A secret base?”

“A house made of snow.”

Fia’s eyes sparkled.

“I want to make one.”

“Figured.”

I wanted to too.

“Alright, it’s decided.”

I stood up.

“We’ll have a snowball fight too.”

“A snow…?”

“You throw them.”

“Eh?”

Fia looked a little surprised.

Seriously? This world barely has any snow games?

Yuka sighed softly.

“The garden will be a mess.”

“It’s fine. I’m a kid.”

“That is not a valid reason…”

Outside, the snow continued to fall quietly. It was fine. For now, I just wanted to enjoy this silver-white world.

“Alright, go get ready.”

“Yes!”

Fia ran off happily. Watching her back, I looked out the window again. The snow covered the land, making it cold, yet somehow, Fia and Yuka’s hearts felt like they were slowly melting.

Heh, as expected of my former chuuni poet self. That was a pretty good line. Alright, once I graduate, maybe I’ll travel, farm, and become a bard (completely chaotic).

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