The Neighborhood High School Girl, Miss Isezaki, Is the Great Saintess Returned from Another World~ And I, Suddenly Awakened as Her Exclusive Mana Supply Uncle, Travel Between Earth and Another World with Time-Space Magic~ - 54. Present

54. Present

“My goodness…! Are these cosmetics from a foreign land!?”

On that morning, inside the moving carriage, Isezaki-san handed cosmetics to Lady Levia.

Lady Levia gazed at the lipsticks and foundations with sparkling eyes, as if she were looking at jewels. Seeing her like that made Isezaki-san smile.

“Yes, they will surely help enhance Lady Levia’s beauty even more.”

“Isezaki, thank you. How much will these be? I’ll have Holly prepare the payment immediately.”

However, of course, Isezaki-san intended it as a gift, so she replied briefly.

“It’s fine. This is a gift from me to Lady Levia.”

“No, you and your husband are traders. It’s strange for someone in the business of selling things to receive something from others. I managed to accept the cushion as payment for the carriage fare, but…”

Lady Levia sighed as she looked at the cushion that was still protecting her behind. But this time, Isezaki-san didn’t back down.

“…Lady Levia. With all due respect, didn’t you refer to me as your friend? Giving gifts from one friend to another is not at all strange.”

During a tea party in town, Lady Levia had indeed forcibly labeled us as friends. At those words, Lady Levia looked at Isezaki-san with surprise, then smiled shyly.

“Isezaki… Yes, if we’re friends, it’s only natural. I’m truly happy, thank you!”

Lady Levia hugged the cosmetic set dearly. Seeing that, Isezaki-san also smiled contentedly. It was good that she accepted it.

“May I take a look inside?”

“Yes, of course.”

When Isezaki-san replied, Lady Levia promptly opened the lid of the cosmetic set. Then, she took out each item one by one and looked at them with delight.

After repeating this several times, she murmured to herself.

“Hehe, it’s been years since I received a present…”

Surely, as a noblewoman, it wouldn’t have been that long since she received a gift. It’s probably just flattery.

――Perhaps my thoughts showed on my face, as Lady Levia, who raised her head, smiled mischievously.

“Oh, did you think that as the daughter of a count, I would receive various gifts?”

“Uh, well, um, yes…”

I answered honestly, and Lady Levia replied with a distant look in her eyes.

“I have never received any gifts. In the first place, I was forbidden from entering society. My sister Delixir was the only one who attended social events. According to my sister, someone as crude as me was unsuitable for society. My sister disliked me, so any reason would have sufficed.”

“But wouldn’t your father object?”

Interactions between nobles are important, and it seems strange not to send one’s daughter to social events.

To my words, Lady Levia blinked as if she had just realized something.

“Oh… Matsunaga is from a foreign land, so you wouldn’t know. …I am the illegitimate child. My father acknowledges me due to appearances, but he doesn’t want to bring me out into the open any further. Well, I didn’t have any interest in socializing, so I didn’t oppose it.”

Lady Levia let out a sigh. Or rather, it seems that the relationship within her family is much colder than I thought. It’s a bit late to ask now, but was it okay to bring this up?

As I was feeling nervous inside, Lady Levia continued speaking with furrowed brows.

“However… Forcing me to take on the position of magistrate in the front-line city of Grandain this time is going too far. The arrangements were perfect, and I couldn’t do anything about it. …In that sense, this is a good opportunity. Let’s have a thorough conversation about what my sister wants me to do. It might stir up some trouble, but when that happens…”

Lady Levia frowned as she bit her nails. Indeed, being appointed as magistrate in a conflict zone seems to go beyond mere harassment…

“L-Lady Levia, perhaps it’s best not to overthink it…”
And please, don’t tell us general citizens, like me and Isezaki-san, about those kind of ominous stories.” Lady Levia, startled, opened her mouth and then laughed with a “Ohohoho” as if to regain composure.

“Ohohohoho! My, we’ve gone off track, haven’t we? Please forget about it. Besides, it’s not like I’ve never received presents before, you know? I used to receive many things from my beloved older sister!”

“Ah, ah… That lady who resembles your wife, right? What kind of things exactly?”

It was a bit of a forceful change of topic, but I felt relieved. I urged her to continue while patting my chest, and Lady Levia answered with a beaming smile.

“Yes! I received all sorts of things from my older sister. Empty shells of demon masks, shiny black stones, and perfectly sized wooden branches. I still keep a large quantity of acorns stored carefully in a small box! When we return to Grandain, I’ll show them to you!”

“Haha, that sounds exciting…”

I couldn’t help but smile awkwardly. The selection of presents was undoubtedly like that of a young elementary school boy. I wonder what Isezaki-san was like in her childhood…

Glancing at Isezaki-san, I saw her smiling skillfully while her face stiffened. Somehow, it seemed best not to delve too deeply into this matter. That’s probably what kindness is all about――

――While glimpsing into the darkness of noble society like that, the journey continued smoothly. And finally, on the sixth day, halfway through the journey.

As night fell and it was time for the evening camp, we gazed at the night sky while having dinner. The moon that night shone ominously red, somehow putting me in a gloomy mood.