After we climbed into the carriage, the first thing I noticed was how beautiful and elegant it looked inside. The seats had a comfortable and refined appearance, and a faint hint of perfume lingered in the air.
The atmosphere in here made me feel truly at ease.
If this is what the carriage of someone with two golden stars looks like, I don't even want to imagine how elegant and luxurious the rest of the nobles with more stars in their families must be. The carriages in my own family are still decent compared to these.
Meanwhile, Elvia observed Jack out of the corner of her eye. He was completely distracted by all the ornaments visible inside the carriage.
Clara: …!!
Noticing this, Clara didn't hesitate to protect him. She moved her other hand to cover him, forming a wall to hide him from Elvia's sight.
The movement pulled Jack out of his distraction.
Jack: Huh?
Jack: Did something happen, Clara? —He noticed the motion.
Clara: No, young master. It's just that I'm worried you might fall if you stay too distracted. —She spoke with complete calm.
Jack: Oh, right. Sorry.
Jack: I just got completely mesmerized by everything I was seeing.
Clara: You need to be more attentive, husb… Young master. I don't want you to end up hurting yourself.
[NDLR: Clara was about to call him "husband," but stopped herself at the last second.]
Elvia: … —She remained watching the scene.
Seeing them act that way, an idea came to Elvia's mind.
(Elvia) That maid is truly skilled. I only had to glance at the young master a couple of times, and she quickly blocked my view of him.
(Elvia) But… why do I have this strange feeling when I see them talking together?
(Elvia) There's nothing wrong with a master chatting with his servant, yet I feel like there's something more between those two.
(Elvia) Mmm… Maybe I'm being too paranoid, but I can't rule out the possibility that young master Jack has completely fallen in love with a woman as beautiful as that maid.
Despite this small incident, Elvia continued playing her role calmly.
Elvia:Cof~ —She cleared her throat lightly.
At that, Clara and Jack stopped their conversation and turned their attention to her.
Elvia: I see the young master has been left enchanted by how it looks in here.
Jack: Oops! Looks like you caught me. (Though I never tried to hide it.) Hehe. —He let out a nervous little laugh.
Elvia: It seems so.
Elvia: All of this was prepared in advance so you could travel as comfortably as possible to the mansion.
Elvia: Or at least, for the maid carrying you at the moment.
Jack: Honestly, it's a really nice touch. Thank you for going to the trouble. —He smiled.
(Jack) Unfortunately, I can't sit on the seats. Maybe if I ask Clara, she'll let me touch them… though I doubt she'll want to leave me alone while the carriage is moving.
Elvia: This is only the beginning. When we arrive at the mansion, I assure you that you'll be twice as amazed by the enormous amount of details there.
Jack: If you say so, I'll be looking forward to it. —He sounded excited.
Elvia: It's good to hear that. I assure you, you won't be disappointed.
Before they could continue the conversation, Hilda approached to let Elvia know that everyone was ready to depart.
Elvia: Now that we're all set, I'll tell the coachman to move forward.
Jack: Go ahead.
It was already a little past noon, and I was starting to feel somewhat exhausted—mentally. I could feel Clara's pressure while I talked with Elvia, but it was something I had to deal with if I had already decided to stay here forever by Clara's side.
The idea of wanting to return to my old world was slowly fading into the background.
The best thing was to move forward and adapt as best as I could to this new society.
As the carriage advanced, we watched through the window as people walked with relative tranquility. We could also see the houses and statues that stood on almost every street corner.
This would be the perfect place for a family vacation.
But… setting aside all this peace, what I really had doubts about was…
Jack: Um… excuse me, Miss Elvia.
Elvia: Hmm? Yes? Is there something you need, young master?
Jack: Well… it's about… —He was very nervous.
Clara: …? —She observed him out of the corner of her eye.
I wasn't really sure if I could ask this question, especially with Clara watching me, but I needed to get an idea of what my fiancée's personality was like.
(Jack) Anyway, ready or not, here I go.
Jack: What is my future fiancée like?
Clara: …!!
Upon hearing those words, Clara's hands began to tremble.
(Jack) I knew this was a bad idea. Clara might take it as if I were interested in another woman.
(Jack) God, I just hope I get a moment alone with her to clear up this misunderstanding.
Elvia: As for my lady, she is a very intelligent woman, fully dedicated to her studies. She doesn't go out often because she has too many duties.
Elvia: She is kind to all of us and doesn't like getting into trouble.
Elvia: I'll leave the rest to you as her fiancé. You must make the effort to win her heart and learn all her other preferences.
Jack: Yes… I'll do my best… —He began to break into a cold sweat from nerves.
Clara: … —She was holding back her jealousy.
(Jack) Mmm… I've been reading several books lately, and I remember one of them saying that noble families make their children take etiquette classes and such.
(Jack) That kind of thing never really caught my attention.
(Jack) But if my parents had wanted, they would have already made me learn all that etiquette from the beginning.
(Jack) Maybe they did teach me, but I hadn't arrived in this world yet.
(Jack) I know a bit of etiquette here and there, but that's it.
As I talked a little more with Elvia, I felt we were gaining a bit more confidence, so the conversation was going well.
On the other hand, with Clara it was completely different. She didn't stop putting pressure on me whenever she could.
She even squeezed me with some force every time Elvia looked away.
I had underestimated the intensity of her jealousy. Maybe this would serve as a lesson not to make her angry in the future.
(30 minutes later)
Clara spent the entire journey punishing me. I felt my whole body aching—even walking hurt…
Jack: … —He turned to look at her.
Clara: Hmph! —She turned away, making an adorable pout of annoyance.
Elvia: Young master, we've arrived.
Jack: Really!? —He signaled Clara to let him look out the window.
Clara: Ahh… —She let out a sigh and obeyed.
When Clara moved her hand toward the window, I could see the place much better. The landscape was quite beautiful: the grass had a greener and more vibrant color, the mansion had fine walls and ornaments, and maids and servants were bustling about doing their duties.
I would have liked to see at least one man the same height as the women. Unfortunately, I didn't see any. I think it's time to give up on the idea of ever having a normal size.
Jack: Oh well.
Elvia: Pardon?
Jack: I mean! You were completely right, Miss Elvia. This place is much better than what you told me earlier.
Elvia: And that's without having seen what's inside the mansion.
Jack: Mmm… —He began imagining various things.
Setting aside his imagination, what truly worried Jack was how his fiancée's family would react to him.
Although Elvia had been very kind and wonderful, treating him extremely well, that didn't change the fact that the other members of the Romero family might not be so indulgent with him.
Especially the women. With them, he would have to be extremely careful not to make them angry.
(Jack) I need to end this engagement as quickly as possible. I'm afraid of being punished by Clara—and in the worst case, by my mother.
As they approached, the carriage stopped a few meters from the mansion's gate, where the guards moved to begin the routine inspection.
"Welcome, Miss Elvia," one said in a respectful tone. "I will begin the inspection. I apologize if I interrupt."
Elvia: It's fine. Go ahead.
Elvia: Continue with your work.
"Understood."
The inspection didn't last long—maybe ten or fifteen minutes at most. During that time, I gave Clara's fingers little caresses. Even though she was looking away, I could feel her fingers moving closer to me so I would give them even more affection.
Thanks to that, I felt Clara was in a better mood.
After passing the inspection, the carriage moved a little further into the residence. When we arrived, we could see several maids forming a line on both sides.
We were the first to get off, followed by Elvia. When the maids saw us, they all bowed in respect.
Elvia: Young master, if you wish, I can carry you in my hands so your maid can rest for a while.
Clara: … —She glanced sideways at Jack.
Jack: Well… I'd better ask Clara if she agrees. —He turned toward Clara.
Clara: Mmm… Don't worry, young master. Whatever decision you make, I will accept it gladly.
Clara: That said, if you go with Miss Elvia, I must remind you to be very careful. You mustn't get distracted, or you might end up having an accident.
After hearing Clara's words, Jack thought for a moment. It didn't take him long to decide.
Jack: If you put it that way, I'd rather stay by your side. Since you know me better, you know how distracted I can get. I'd prefer to let you keep taking care of me.
Elvia nodded upon hearing Jack's answer.
Elvia: Very well, young master. If that is what you desire, we'll continue as we are.
Elvia: But before entering the mansion, I must do one thing.
Elvia instructed the rest of the maids to take all the knights to the back courtyard to rest.
Elvia: The courtyard is quite large, so we'll also take care of your horses and belongings.
Hilda and the others went where they had been directed. Only Clara and I stayed beside Elvia.
Jack: You are a very kind woman. You've been treating us very well since we arrived.
Elvia: It's part of my job, young master. Even if I weren't on duty, I would still treat you in the best way possible. —She smiled faintly.
That slight smile was beautiful enough to make Jack blush.
(Jack) Wow, even though Elvia is an older woman, she still maintains exceptional beauty.
Clara: …
(Clara) How strange… For some reason, I suddenly feel like punishing my husband…
Although Clara didn't see Jack blush, Jack felt a huge shiver run down his spine once again.