Eirin spoke.
"But Young Master, don't you dislike... no, can't do writing?"
I caught the subtle shift in Eirin's words. Well, a wastrel like Julian wouldn't have any talent for composition.
She probably couldn't state the facts right in front of him, so she changed her phrasing.
"It's fine. Writing one letter isn't difficult."
"Still..."
"If you're that worried, you can check it once I'm done. Isn't that right?"
"That's true, but I've handled ghostwriting for you until now, so checking the letter is certainly something I can manage."
Thinking about it, that was an unexpectedly astute comment. Eirin always belittled herself, and Julian had treated her that way too.
Unlike in modern times, illiteracy was common in this era.
'That was the setting.'
Being able to read like this—and cultured enough to ghostwrite letters to a princess—meant Eirin was no ordinary person.
'Of course. Eirin carries herself with far too much dignity for a mere maid. Change her clothes, and she'd easily pass for a noble lady.'
I said to Eirin,
"Then, while I write the letter, why don't you have some tea?"
"Tea? How could I partake in something so precious right here with you, Young Master?"
"It's just a cup of tea. The leaves and cup are right here—could you bring some hot water?"
"I can heat the water right here."
I had no idea what magic tool it was, but remarkably, the teapot on the table began to boil.
Eirin and I shared the tea. As she had said, it was exceedingly refined and exotic in flavor.
Like a masterful blend of coffee and black tea that harmonized perfectly. It certainly seemed a precious item.
A short while later, with the stationery and quill pen Eirin had brought, I began writing the letter.
Of course, I couldn't suddenly produce a formal letter any more than the previous Julian could, so I activated the trait.
⚙ TRAIT ACTIVATED ⚙Ordinary Noble Scion (B) Enables thinking and speech befitting an ordinary noble scion.
Mana Cost: 10 MP per hour
My mind settled into calm clarity. I took up the pen without hesitation, and the right words flowed immediately.
In this state, even I—a reincarnated ordinary person—could probably converse like a noble.
I composed the letter in a style steeped in noble etiquette, much like the one I had received from Princess Lillia.
To summarize briefly, it went like this.
[To my beloved Lillia Ramir Asterik, Your Highness. I, Julian von Reinhardt, regarding my conduct over the past year at the Pantheon Academy...]
I had no way of knowing every misdeed Julian had committed last year at the Pantheon Academy.
However, considering the game's plot, the reactions of the mansion staff, and the princess's letter...
Starting with profuse apologies upfront was clearly the best strategy for my survival.
[Furthermore, I remain as serious about our engagement as ever...]
I had no intention of discarding the immense backing of the Holy Empire's imperial family—or of Lillia, the prospective saintess.
The imperial family, in turn, would hesitate to cross the Reinhardt Border Count Family, the empire's greatest spear and shield, without good cause.
As long as I maintained this humble posture, they wouldn't be the ones to declare a breakup first.
[I vow once more to dedicate myself diligently to my studies and training at Pantheon with a reformed attitude. Thus, I conclude this letter. —Julian von Reinhardt—]
Well, that should suffice. Looking back, it had ballooned to about thirty sheets. A summary could fit on one page, but noble etiquette was remarkably inefficient.
"Here, Eirin. Would you read it over?"
At first, Eirin had watched impassively as I wrote.
But with each growing page, her eyes widened more and more. Now, she made no effort to hide her astonishment.
"Then... I'll review it."
Eirin took the letter calmly into her hands.
The sentences were quite intricate and laden with noble formalities, by my reckoning, yet Eirin read through them fluidly without a single hitch.
And it didn't take her long to finish all thirty sheets.
"...Young Master. Did you truly write this yourself?"
"Of course. You were watching right beside me."
"That's true, but... I simply can't believe it."
"What's so strange? Did I make a mistake somewhere?"
Hmm. Maybe the Ordinary Noble Scion trait fell a bit short. Still, I'd thought my calligraphy was rather fine.
"No. This is more than adequate for a letter to the imperial family. No—it's perfect."
"Really? That's a relief."
"Yes. Leaving aside the flawless adherence to noble epistolary etiquette, it includes every word you absolutely must convey to Princess Lillia right now. In truth, that aspect demands not mere literary flair, but acute political acumen... which is precisely why I've handled the ghostwriting."
Political acumen? All I'd included was an apology for my wrongs.
In any case, it met Eirin's standards handily.
No—more astonishing was a mere maid discerning the political nuances in correspondence between the Border Count's heir and a princess.
'Maids of the Border Count Family are indeed a cut above.'
And her service last night as well.
In that instant, as Eirin leaned in to review the letter, I caught her fragrance again. Whoa. I needed to stay composed. There was still much to do today.
"Then we should send this off posthaste. A swift reply would be ideal."
"Letters sent via mana portal express post arrive quickly. However, I heard Princess Lillia sent you a magic portrait. In that case, noble custom dictates sending a recent one of your own alongside the letter..."
Magic portrait? Oh, right—the photo Princess Lillia had sent yesterday. The one I'd planned to use for... self-pleasure.
"Then I need to have one made too—no, how does that work?"
"There are specialist mages who craft magic portraits through magic. High nobles like the Border Count Family typically employ exclusive portrait mages, but we don't have one at present."
Portrait mage. Basically a photographer. I asked Eirin,
"Why not? Too burdensome even for the Border Count Family's wealth?"
"It's not that..."
Apparently, wastrel Julian had harbored a deep complex about his beer-bellied, uncle-like physique.
'Photos are possible, but no airbrushing, I guess.'
No matter how they shot it, the results flattered him not, so he blamed the mages and tormented them mercilessly.
"No matter the pay, they all fled rather than serve the Border Count Family—no, you, Young Master."
Once again, that utter scoundrel was to blame. Still, I needed a portrait taken.
'Come to think of it, the clothes in the wardrobe were dismal too. All far too avant-garde.'
According to the game, Julian had fancied himself an artist during his time at Pantheon.
His outerwear was quite eccentric—even I, unfamiliar with this era's fashions, could tell it wasn't fit for nobility.
"There must be freelance portrait mages at least, right, Eirin?"
"Yes. Plenty in Reinhime. These days, it's even common among commoners."
Reinhime—I knew it from the game. The largest city in Border Count Wilhelm's territory of Essenmont. Right next door to the family mansion, practically.
"Then we'll head to Reinhime first. Buy some clothes there and get a portrait done. Set up the schedule."
The day I possessed this body was Friday. The Holy Ramir Empire's week aligned closely with modern calendars.
Even commoners and slaves rested on Sundays, and those with leisure took Saturdays off too. Tomorrow, Sunday, would be prime business for Reinhime's merchants.
"Reinhime, you say?"
"Yes. Any issue?"
"Isn't Reinhime the place you hate? You called it a stinking rural backwater compared to the capital."
Essenmont was indeed on the Holy Empire's frontier. If it had been prime land, the title would be duke, not border count.
That said, for the heir to openly proclaim his own territory's capital a filthy dump...
Even by modern sensibilities, that wasn't normal.
"Doesn't matter. We're going tomorrow. Prepare accordingly."
"Understood. It's not far by carriage, so I'll inform the head butler."
For some reason, Eirin's expression as she replied was tinged with an odd pallor. A look of struggling to accept the situation.
Moreover, after expending so much stamina last night, she must be fatigued.
Thinking on it, it was miraculous my massive member had fit inside Eirin's petite, slender frame.
"Good. Understood. That covers today's business, then. Eirin, go tend to your duties."
"Yes. I'll see you tonight for service."
"No. Rest tonight. You'll be busy accompanying me tomorrow anyway."
Truth be told, I desperately wanted to spend the night with her. But seeing her complexion, I couldn't bring myself to press.
Besides, Eirin would stay by my side even after break ended and I returned to Pantheon.
'She even comes exclusively to my private mansion in the capital. Plenty more nights like last one ahead.'
So I needed to keep her in top condition.
"I'm fine, but..."
"No need to push yourself."
"Understood. Then, in lieu of night service, I'll provide proper carriage service tomorrow."
Carriage service? What could that entail? Hard to imagine, but the word "service" alone now reflexively stirred my loins.
"Then, if you'll excuse me."
Eirin left my room. I took the remaining stationery and began listing my priorities for the rest of the break.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Sunday.
Today, Eirin had to accompany the Border Count Family's young lord, Julian, to Reinhime on his orders.
From morning, she busily prepared the carriage he would ride in.
The head butler, maids, coachman, and other mansion servants scurried around the carriage at her direction.
Most were older than Eirin, yet they followed her instructions obediently.
No—some gazed at her with eyes blending respect and pity.
As she tidied the carriage, snippets of the maids' hushed conversation reached Eirin's ears.
"Poor Eirin. Another capricious trip to Reinhime this time?"
"He openly trashed it as a dirty, stinking, cramped rural hole right in front of the count. Eirin always has it the hardest."
"Poor Eirin. If she weren't glued to Young Master Julian... Honestly, half—no, most of the mansion staff would have fled by now."
"Eirin's practically the Border Count Family's saintess. She's the only one who can communicate with the young master even the count can't handle."
Their talk was gossip about Julian. The Border Count's heir—and a titled count in his own right—made it borderline insolence.
But everyone knew his temperament, and under the count's tacit allowance, such backtalk was overlooked. Otherwise, the servants truly would all desert.
Yet for some reason, Eirin found their words uncomfortable. They spoke as if she were endlessly self-sacrificing to deal with Julian personally... but it wasn't entirely so.
'And the sides Young Master showed Friday and Saturday... what on earth were those?'
She'd always prided herself on her unflinching composure, but the last two days defied all her common sense.
Above all, her unanticipated loss of virginity had sown deep turmoil in her heart.
"Eirin? Eirin!"
At that moment, a voice called her—the coachman in charge of the carriage.
"The interior preparations are complete for now. As instructed, we focused on soundproofing—is that alright? Last time, Young Master berated us harshly for pointless soundproofing on the carriage."
That too was a form of outdoor exhibitionism. For a time, Julian had relished Eirin attending him inside while the coachmen heard every sound.
But judging by yesterday's reaction, soundproofing was the way to go this time.
'He was startled when caught masturbating to it. Perhaps he craves secretive play for a while now.'
Eirin told the coachman,
"I'll take full responsibility. Proceed with perfect soundproofing."
"Understood, Eirin! As you command!"
And in the time remaining before Julian arrived, Eirin pondered once more the young master's sudden transformation.
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