The Young Lady With the Most Powerful Specs Was Just Too Cute, so I Started Teasing Her—But Then She Tried to Trap Me With a Chain, so I Kept Running Away With All My Might - Chapter 14

A few days later.

As the day of the Ducal house’s inspection drew near, the atmosphere in the mansion slowly began to change.

Picking the escort knights.
Checking the travel routes.
Organizing documents for the destinations.
Inspecting the carriages.
Loading up food and water.

The Ducal house is always a busy place, but their movements are even faster at times like this.

As a personal knight apprentice, I was running all over the place, being put in charge of small chores like carrying luggage, checking equipment, and other little tasks.

But even in the middle of all that, the most shocking thing wasn’t the actual preparation for the inspection.

It was the moment Oldie said she wanted to come along with the Duke on the trip.

***

“Ludie? On the inspection?”

When the Duke heard the news, his mouth just hung open at first.

Then, the very next second…

“Is it true!?”

He slammed both hands onto his desk and stood up.

I couldn’t help but let my shoulders jump. Scary, scary, scary!

“Did Ludie really say that!?”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

The head butler nodded quietly.

“I see… I see…!”

The Duke covered his face right there.

His shoulders were shaking. Is this guy crying? Tears were absolutely pouring down his face.

“Your Excellency,” the Captain said in a low voice.

“It hasn’t been officially decided that she’s coming along yet—”

“It’s decided!”

“That was fast!”

“Of course it’s decided! Ludie asked to go of her own free will! There is no reason to say no! Increase the number of escort soldiers. Spend whatever it takes!”

This guy is a total pushover for his daughter.

He was giving out orders while crying his eyes out.

Then, the Duke looked straight at me.

“Nil Metasura.”

“Y-yes!”

“You did well!”

“Eh, me?”

“What better news could there be than Ludie trying to go outside on her own!”

Well, yeah, I guess so.

Getting thanked so directly like that makes me feel a bit shy.

But more than anything…

The Duke really loses his cool when it comes to his daughter, doesn’t he?

He’s such a dignified Duke, but right now he’s just a dad who loves his little girl way too much.

It was a little awkward to watch.

“Don’t push Ludie too hard.”

“Yes, sir!”

“If there’s any danger, have her step back immediately. If there’s a place with a nice view, tell her about it.”

“Is that job for me?”

“Naturally.”

“I see.”

What is this? This is supposed to be an escort mission for an inspection, but it’s starting to feel more like I’m the “make my daughter happy” guy. I saw the Captain rubbing his temples.

***

And so, the day of the inspection finally arrived.

Carriages were lined up in front of the mansion, and the escort knights were standing in formation.

There were way more soldiers than originally planned. They even added adventurers who specialize in monsters and mercenary guards.

The morning air was a bit chilly. But am I the only one who feels like the place is buzzing with excitement? The weather is calm. If you were to call it perfect weather for an inspection, I guess it would be.

I straightened my uniform, checked the sword at my waist, and stood in front of the carriage.

For today, a special outfit and sword were prepared for me as the lady’s personal apprentice.

The colors were different from the other knights; it was a black military uniform to match Oldie’s hair color, and even my belt was black.

I can’t help but think it looks a little cool.

Today, I’m coming along as Oldie’s personal knight apprentice.

Plus, Horn was going to be in the same carriage as her caretaker.

It feels like things are finally getting real.

“Nil.”

A voice came from behind me.

“Yes!”

I turned around, and Oldie was standing there.

Her black hair was swaying in the breeze, and her outfit for the outing was a pale cream-colored dress.

She usually wears more chic, quiet clothes, but today she looked really cute.

“Oldie! You look even cuter than usual today!”

“Wha—!? Honestly, you have such a big mouth.”

“Do I? I was just telling the truth.”

“That is exactly what a big mouth is!”

“But I mean it. You’re beautiful when I see you in your room, but seeing you all ready to go outside like this? You’re in a league of your own!”

When I shared my honest thoughts, Oldie just went quiet.

Behind her, Horn was giggling.

“Oldie, today is for the inspection.”

Horn spoke quietly.

“I know that!”

“It’s not for playing tag. But if we see a forest or a meadow while we’re moving, play a game with me.”

“You really are a carefree person.”

Oldie’s expression didn’t change much.

But I could tell she was fed up with me.

“Hey, I’m not gonna get in the way of the inspection.”

“Is that true?”

“It’s true.”

“Fine. I’ll believe you.”

Good. She doesn’t seem to suspect anything about Katary’s letter.

And it doesn’t feel like she’s forcing herself to go out. She walked here on her own two feet and is talking to me just like she always does.

That makes me pretty happy. It was worth getting her to come out.

“Ludie!”

The Duke walked over to us.

The moment he saw his daughter, his face completely melted.

Man, here he goes again with the doting father act.

“You’re really coming with me.”

“Yes, Father.”

“I see… I see…!”

The Duke dabbed at the corners of his eyes.

Seriously, where did your dignity go? All the knights are watching, you know.

But since nobody said anything, I guess this is just a normal Tuesday for them.

Even seeing her father like that, Oldie didn’t really change her expression. But I felt like her gaze softened just a tiny bit.

“Father, please excuse me for being in the way today.”

“In the way? Never! Now, let’s begin our journey through the territory.”

“Yes. I look forward to it.”

“Then, we move out!”

The Duke cleared his throat.

“Everyone, take your positions!”

With that one shout, the atmosphere tightened up.

I couldn’t believe this was the same guy who was about to cry over his daughter a second ago.

The Duke really is the Duke after all. He’s got presence.

The Captain got on his horse and checked the carriage positions and the escort lines.

I hopped onto the horse that was prepared for me at the last minute so I could ride next to Oldie’s carriage.

“I’m counting on you, Shiro.”

“Bururu.”

My cute partner with the white coat answered back.

“Nil.”

“Yes.”

“I’m counting on you.”

“Of course! You can leave running away with you to me.”

“You’re always thinking about running away.”

“Well, it’s what I’m best at.”

The door to the carriage holding Oldie closed.

I heard the sound of hooves and the creaking of wheels from outside.

Slowly, the carriage began to move.

And just like that, the Ducal house’s inspection began.