After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World - 152
Episode 152: My Type?
“At ease, ladies. Salute to the Marquis!”
Ten Imperial women lined up in a row saluted towards me. Truly soldiers through and through, their posture was impeccable, from their straightened backs to their fingertips, exuding a disciplined and dignified salute. It’s rare in this world for women to formally show respect to men, but given their current status as slaves and my role as their master’s spouse, this seems appropriate.
“I appreciate your efforts. I hope you all return safely to Baden… You’re dismissed.”
They bowed to my words and departed. I wish I could be a bit friendlier, but social status makes it difficult.
Most of the women are in their twenties, with the captain-like figure slightly over thirty. Among them, one stands out as notably young… probably around my age.
She ties her chocolate-colored hair into braids, with blunt bangs, dressed simply in a way that’s refreshing for this era. Her round purple eyes move restlessly, and a constant stream of anime-like chirping escapes from her slightly large mouth. She’s quite captivating; I can’t seem to take my eyes off her.
“She’s fourteen. It’s rare to see soldiers younger than us, isn’t it? Quite refreshing.”
“Yeah…”
Gretel’s casual tone makes me sweat nervously. She’s figured out my interest in that girl with just a glance. Women are really good at reading gazes, huh?
“Unfortunately, she didn’t submit the oath paper. She’s not interested in bearing children with the ‘divine seed’ yet, being a child herself. When asked why she volunteered, she said she wanted to see the capital city. She’s an interesting one.”
I’m not sure why it’s “unfortunate,” but she certainly is intriguing. Her brightness doesn’t reflect the dire circumstances of a war slave; where does it come from? I feel like I want to talk to her at least once…
“Looks like Lutz has taken a liking… She seems to fit your taste, Lutz.”
“Huh? Wait, why did you decide on your own that I like her? And you’re not exploding with jealousy, just watching kindly. I’m not thinking about doing anything with her… probably not now.”
—
“Um, her name is Michaela. She’s the third daughter of the Helsholm Knight Family, so she’s on the edge of the noble class.”
Without me asking, Gretel apparently charged in and pried into the lively girl with chocolate hair. If I feign disinterest, she might get mad, so I should listen quietly and thank her.
“She’s the only earth attribute among the magic users who came with us this time, an A-class mage, a rare talent in the Empire. But it seems her treatment at home was quite terrible… She can’t even read or write.”
“For a knight’s family… that’s unbelievable.”
“Unfortunately, it’s true.”
In an Empire where there are no S-class mages, Michaela should have been treated as a top-class mage, yet her family didn’t see it that way. Instead, they prioritized quickly turning her abilities into money, lending her out to traders and adventurers daily from the age of five or six, charging high fees. She wasn’t given the basic education suitable for a noble, and even commoners learn to read and write by half the age she is.
“If they had raised her properly, she could have held an important position… Why did the Helsholm family…”
“She doesn’t even know who her father is. Her mother passed away when she was four… Her older sister inherited, but it seems she didn’t want to keep her.”
“I see. They say there are many wind or water attribute high-class mages in the Empire… but maybe her high-class earth attribute comes from her mother being a kingdom person.”
“Even so…”
“Yeah, it’s too much. So I decided to be friends with her and protect her.”
Frowning with indignation, Gretel looked inappropriate at such a time… but she was dignified and beautiful.
—
True to her declaration, from the next day onwards, Gretel began to pay excessive attention to Michaela. She gave her paper and pen, making her write each alphabet letter during break times, instructing her on various things. Michaela herself didn’t seem particularly interested in writing, but she was eager to read, borrowing a book from Gretel. She bombarded her with questions about how to read this and what that meant, smiling happily when she understood. But wait, wasn’t that book a slightly risqué romance novel? Giving that to a minor…
“Don’t worry, Michaela seems to have some interest in male-female matters after all. There’s hope.”
“What kind of hope…”
“Oh Lutz, you’re interested in Michaela, aren’t you? Want her as your mistress or something?”
“Hey now…”
While calming down the rampaging Gretel, I couldn’t shake off the image of Michaela, who radiated an invincible cheerfulness that didn’t seem like she grew up in adversity. Am I really fickle after all?