ALL NOVEL “..? Why are you looking at me like that, Young Master?”
As usual, I came to pick up Kyle, and he was giving me a strange look.
Louise next to him was also looking at me like I was a weirdo.
What could they have talked about in class to be looking at me this way?
“Nothing at all.”
“…?”
Without any further words exchanged, we stepped out of the classroom.
Louise said she had some things to organize and stayed behind.
“Young Master, since the debutante ball is coming up soon, it might be best to avoid any risky activities for a while.”
“Yes.”
It was better to rest than to risk getting hurt during sword training for no reason.
“I don’t think we’ll have much going on for the next few days besides a bit of dance practice. If you feel there are any areas you’re lacking in, please let me know.”
I thought I had learned enough by now, but Kyle might feel like he’s slightly behind.
Since the debutante ball was so important, it was best to prepare as perfectly as possible.
Of course, since we are human, achieving true perfection was impossible.
“Yes.”
*
“….”
“Young Master, what’s wrong?”
“Is this even a lesson…?”
“Of course it is.”
This is undoubtedly a lesson.
Anyone can tell that it’s a lesson.
It’s something all noble ladies do, and something Kyle should be cautious about.
There are three main reasons male nobility fall into ruin.
The mouth, the hands, and the lower regions.
Every man, noble or not, falls due to these three things.
It’s obvious you have to be careful with your words.
The mouth is the most important thing in all human relationships.
And the hands; misusing them can lead to downfall.
And finally, the lower regions.
That’s genuinely dangerous.
There have been countless stories of men ruining their lives by getting one woman pregnant.
Of course, it’s only natural for men to have an effect on women.
It’s practically in their genes.
Just making eye contact can make a man infatuated, and a slight smile can keep him awake all night.
When such men get drunk, they become even weaker around women.
One night of careless behavior can ruin their lives.
I hoped Kyle wouldn’t make such a mistake.
“Just because you’re close to someone at a party, you can’t let your guard down.”
“I know that…”
Even if he knows, it’s still risky.
Having seen adventurers ruin their friendships with a drink, I knew very well.
“Even if you know, you still end up falling for it, Young Master.”
“…So do we have to do this?”
“If you don’t, how will you withstand the advances of the women trying to seduce you?”
“….”
I said while pressing my chest against Kyle’s back.
It might not be as easy as it is for little children, but he should adapt well enough.
“You need to get used to things like this. It may be tough when drinking, but you have to acclimate. Like this.”
I moved in front of Kyle and took one of his hands in mine.
“Oh my, Young Master, your hands are larger than I expected?”
“Yes…?”
“How about comparing them with mine?”
“….”
“There will be girls who will say things like this to subtly initiate physical contact. What will you do then?”
“…Thank you..?”
“….”
You can’t just accept it that easily.
A man needs to establish some boundaries.
“No, you have to refuse politely. Do you understand?”
“Yes…”
It worried me how easily he could be swept away in class. How could he possibly keep his lower regions in check at an actual party?
Seriously contemplated it.
“Young Master, and if you’re holding a cup with one hand and someone suddenly comes up beside you like this.”
I stood next to Kyle.
“I might try to link arms with you. You must refuse. Understand?”
Women often rub their chests against the men.
Well, it is the easiest method since men do enjoy it.
“Or, they might slightly touch your arm while saying, ‘Oh, Young Master… you have quite the muscle! I don’t have much muscle on my body…’”
What they really mean is they don’t have muscle because they don’t exercise, but they pretend it’s an inherent flaw.
They’ll touch your arm muscles most of the time.
But sometimes they’d even poke at chest muscles, though noble ladies likely wouldn’t do that.
“I wish I had that….”
“…..”
“You can’t fall prey to such compliments. Understand?”
“Yes….”
And there’s an important point too.
Even if it’s not the man’s fault, women will often seek help from men.
While subtly leading to future engagements.
It’s genuinely dangerous.
Of course, these would be formal engagements since they are nobles, but it’s still risky.
After spending a delightful time in the territory, thanking him, then having dinner and a few drinks?
“Young Master… I’m scared of the dark tonight…”
They might try to create a cozy moment just for themselves at night.
“And before you know it, you could end up intertwined just because of the mood from a few drinks. No matter how social the setting, never easily make promises with women.”
“….Yes….”
“Your answers lack energy. Answer properly.”
“Yes.”
“Umm….”
I’m still worried.
While it would be good if Kyle met a nice girl, it wouldn’t be good if he just dated any girl.
If she were genuinely a decent girl, a relationship wouldn’t form overnight.
It should gradually build, slowly enhancing mutual feelings and love.
There’s no way a loose girl would quickly fall in love.
“It’s a good thing for Young Master to meet a decent girl. But I oppose you meeting a risky, money-hungry, or shady woman.”
“Yes….”
“And if a woman you were talking to suddenly suggests going outside because it’s too hot, you shouldn’t go outside. There’s definitely another motive there.”
“Yes….”
I continued to explain to Kyle all about the women’s temptations.
I think he wasn’t focusing on class today, but I believe he would be strong in practice.
Surely Kyle wouldn’t suddenly get entangled with a woman he just met.
Surely…
“Young Master, can I trust you?”
“Yes, you can trust me.”
Right, he said it’s fine, so I should trust him.
Anyway, I would follow him, but Kyle would manage fine on his own.
Probably.
*
-Clank, clank….
We were riding in the carriage, leaving Eristirol.
We must have already moved away from the Eristirol Territory and were nearing the borders of another region.
“Ugh….”
This is truly uncomfortable.
I rode many carriages during my adventurer days.
Of course, it doesn’t compare to the carriages I rode then, but discomfort seems inevitable.
“Young Master.”
“Yes?”
“I think we should stay at an inn tonight. Is that alright?”
“Of course. I can endure a somewhat uncomfortable bed.”
“Good to hear.”
We had been rushing toward the capital all day, but it seemed we wouldn’t reach it tonight.
The distance from Eristirol to the capital was quite far.
At this speed, it might at least take a week.
It took us a day just to get out of Eristirol, so that sounds about right.
“Would it be alright if we booked just one room? Though there will be two beds.”
Normally, we would travel with several servants, but it was just Kyle and me in the carriage.
Kyle had refused to let anyone else come along.
Since there would be no one to protect Kyle, I had to stick with him for his safety.
Thus, we would book just one room.
“…Would that be alright?”
“Yes.”
Still, with two beds, it should be fine.
Having two beds means there shouldn’t be any issues.
“Guess there’s no other choice.”
“That’s right.”
Since Kyle understood the situation, he didn’t appear angry.
Of course, he wouldn’t get mad at me, having known me since childhood.
“Let’s take a break in the village for now.”
I said that and instructed the coachman to stop here.
Since we had time before the debutante dance began, taking it slow was no issue.
There was no need to endanger our health.
Taking our time and resting would be perfectly fine.
“Hmm… not a bad inn.”
“Really?”
To Kyle, who had spent his whole life in Eristirol Castle, it probably seemed lacking, but on average, it was a decent inn.
During my adventurer days, I had seen much worse inns.
There were times when I discovered condoms left on bed sheets, or in drawers, or even in the bathroom.
Those experiences made me furious enough to punch the innkeeper.
“…..”
Just thinking back to those days made me mad.
I really never wanted to go back there again.
“Young Master, let’s have dinner after we wash up. Hmm….”
I pondered for a moment.
Kyle usually had help with bathing from the bath attendants.
But today, after we arrive at the capital, there wouldn’t be any attendants for Kyle’s bath.
Looks like it’s up to me.
“After dinner, I’ll help you with your bath.”
“Sigh….”
“If you’re not okay with it, too bad. There aren’t any attendants available.”
No doubt it’s because Kyle insisted on going alone.
“I’ll help you until we return to the castle.”
I might not compare to the bath attendants, but I could still manage to wash him well enough.
Probably?