ALL NOVEL chapter 2
2 – 2. Meeting with the Gaju Family, and her.
“You’re inside.”
A low male voice came with a knock.
Glancing outside for a moment, I saw pink clouds and sunlight illuminating the vast field.
Clearly, it must be evening now.
“Yes, what can I do for you?”
“If it’s not too much trouble, please open the door and come in.”
With a soft thud, the door opened quietly, and he bowed his head respectfully.
“I am Eugene Gaibuss, the butler. I have received an order to escort Miss Repti to the dinner gathering.”
Butler.
Unlike servants, they were of a higher class.
…Clearly, he might be a relative of someone with even greater power than me, and this thought made me slightly nervous.
Moreover, this man. He was undoubtedly the right-hand man of Count Melbus.
The man who killed Repti, it must have been this man.
With that thought, the man standing in front of me seemed even more intimidating.
“…What can I do for you?”
As I felt his sharp gaze pass over me, my body involuntarily trembled.
“Ah, n-nothing! It’s just… I apologize. I’ve been lost in thought.”
“Your lordship would not appreciate such an attitude. Please, maintain the dignity befitting a member of the Melbus family.”
Like he did, I tried to check his reaction by giving him a sidelong glance when he bowed his head, but… it seemed unlikely that it would work.
However, in that moment of the sidelong glance, a translucent window opened before my eyes.
「Observation Level 0」
– To understand someone’s character, you need to observe them.
– By observing their behavior, way of speaking, appearance, and other visible aspects, you can roughly understand the person.
– As the level of the skill increased, I could grasp it more clearly.
…It’s a skill.
This notification clearly displayed, informing me of the acquisition of a new skill.
Did such abilities exist in the original game?
I, I needed to try it once.
[Eugene Gaibus]
– The beginning of Malbus Ga.
Is, is this it? No matter how you look at it, it’s such a pathetic skill…
“Repeti Gail-nim?”
When I came to my senses, he was suddenly closer to me.
“Is there anywhere you feel uncomfortable?”
“Ah, no! I’m sorry. I need to pull myself together, but, to be honest, it doesn’t seem… easy.”
I tried to hide my trembling hands and awkwardly scratched the back of my head, offering him a feeble apology.
“I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful from now on.”
“…Malbus Ga is a strict place, Repeti Gail-nim. Please, I know I keep repeating it, but… please maintain the appropriate demeanor.”
[Eugene Gaibus]
– It seems a little tiresome.
Indeed, it seems that I can’t see beyond the appearance.
Even the phrase ‘it seems’…
It appears to be an ambiguous skill that doesn’t even give me confidence.
If my level rises, maybe things will get a little better.
“…Then please follow me. The Lord has invited you to dinner.”
It was the long-awaited encounter.
The man who dragged me into this organization, the one who will end me at the end of the story.
I just need to find a way to survive. Just a way.
*
“…”
The dining area was very spacious. But… that was all.
There were no fancy decorations, just expensive-looking candle holders.
Everything else was colorless, dry things that couldn’t be called fancy decorations.
“Welcome. You must be Lepeti… or Gail. I’ve heard a lot about you from your father.”
As I sat down and looked into his calm, red eyes, I froze.
His piercing gaze seemed to see through me. It felt like he could dissect me and tear me apart, leaving nothing behind.
Clearly, this kind of scrutiny must be normal…
“Well, I apologize. I can’t feel at ease without assessing a person’s character.”
He smiled and briefly closed his eyes. When he opened them again, his gaze had become somewhat lighter as he looked at me.
It still sent shivers down my spine, though.
“Your father said you… have a gentle and kind nature, despite being delicate. You’re noble.”
The maidservants had placed dishes one by one, but I didn’t feel like sitting down.
Chills ran through my hands and feet, and a shiver ran down my spine in the spot where the sweat had turned cold.
“Please take a seat. There’s a lot to talk about. As someone who will become your master – at least, I want to have a few conversations.”
The maidservants quietly pulled out the chairs… Oh no, I realized I was almost about to collapse as I sat down.
“I-I’m sorry. I guess…”
“You seem tense.”
“Well, yes.”
He stopped bringing the wine glass to his lips and tried to laugh.
“I apologize. You see, our family tends to be cold towards everything. So your reaction as an outsider… It might seem innocent and fascinating.”
I quickly thought about how to score points with him.
Those words didn’t sound like a compliment. I was certain it wasn’t a compliment.
Of course, he wouldn’t show any emotions. How could someone who colored the family in colorlessness respond with emotions?
“I don’t think it’s a good thing.”
“Oh, really? Why?”
His eyes sparkled again.
…I missed it. I also caught his gaze, but –
[Lamber Melber]
– I feel like he’s seeing through me.
– I feel like my emotions aren’t genuine.
I’m utterly useless. Seriously.
“Um… I know it may sound strange, but the Melbus family clearly values rational judgment, so I think they probably won’t be too concerned about emotional aspects.”
In that moment, I saw one of his eyebrows raise high.
“Well… alright. That’s why I think so…”
He briefly spun the glass around and then flicked his finger.
“Hmm -“
“Oh, I’m sorry, am I just making you more nervous for no reason?”
The maid quietly approached and started pouring a glass of wine.
“It’s nothing. I’m not – trying to eat you or anything. I just hope you won’t be too tense. After all, we’re from families that have been engaged, right?”
He smiled and raised his glass.
“For the well-being of your future. How about a drink?”
“…Thank you.”
“To your future.”
“To you…r future.”
*
In your eyes, what did he seem like?
– Young and excessively innocent, perhaps.
Aren’t you also young?
– …I apologize.
No, that’s true. The one standing in front of me was like a rabbit that could be caught and eaten at any moment…
– He often seemed lost in thought. Even the knights said so. I wonder if that made my lord uncomfortable –
How uncomfortable could that be? I’m just worried that this person might become more than just a tool for us, that’s all.
– How so?
Emotions tend to cloud rationality. My daughter is the brush for my paintings. It’s a blessing to have been born with such talent… It has accelerated my plans.
No matter how much that child grew up under my care, if the color of that blue child fades away –
– I will keep an eye on him.
Even if we keep an eye on him, what can we change?
It’s my choice, but it’s a fact that “personnel” brought him to me and my daughter.
I hope his attraction is not stronger than mine.
– But if it is…
I’ll have to cut him off. Definitely. As always.
*
In the end, even though I drank that night, I couldn’t help but stay up all night with wide eyes.
I couldn’t tell how many times my legs trembled out of fear.
In front of him, looking back, I was seized by terror.
The feeling that he would kill me and the sharp eyes of the aquatic creatures he commanded were anything but pleasant.
Is it possible that even the adrenaline rushing through my body can’t suppress the fear?
Even though my body clearly indicated exhaustion, I hoped my mind would remain clear.
That, more than anything, was unpleasant.
“Are you in there?”
Knock, knock.
I looked towards the door, startled by the sound of the knock.
But soon regained my composure and walked slowly towards the door to greet the guest.
“You’re awake. It’s early in the morning, but it seems there’s something you need to hear.”
“What is it…?”
“The young lady arrived earlier than expected. It seems she finished her work quickly. As her fiancé, she wanted to meet you once, so if you wish…”
Her.
But, this quickly?
I distinctly remember her not arriving until three days later.
There was no development of her arriving on the morning I arrived.
Has the story changed? Or… is it because this is not a game, but a different world –
“Excuse me, but where is my fiancée…”
“…Miss Irene Melvers?”
Why is she here, of all places –
“Miss, surely you didn’t come to meet the Count first…”
“Oh, here…”
She looked at me and showed a relieved expression. Why?
[Irene Melvers]
– The fiancée of Lepeti Gail.
– She looks tired.
– The relief in her expression is noticeable.
She is saying something like a warning.
With the girl I know, she appears to be different.
Wasn’t she someone who didn’t show her emotions?