Chapter 73 - Friends and Measles
In her past life, she had gained knowledge thanks to hearing about her father's athlete’s foot. In this life, it was good that this knowledge could help those struggling with such issues.
However, during her first visit to the royal castle, while she was handling matters nervously as the head of her trading company, a single remark from Volf made her lose her composure. She couldn't maintain her words or behavior.
She had been so flustered that Captain Grato stepped in, saying, "Volfred, I understand you want to lighten the mood, but don't go overboard with your jokes."
Afterward, the meeting concluded with confirmations regarding contracts and casual conversations about the Merchant Guild.
Still, the psychological damage Dahlia suffered was immense.
It was so bad that she felt she never wanted to visit the royal castle again.
When she finished her parting greetings and prepared to leave, it wasn’t Volf who escorted her back, but rather a knight with copper-colored hair, appointed by Captain Grato.
She exited the building and boarded the carriage with the knight. Yet, her tension hadn’t eased.
The knight before her was taller than Volf, with a much sturdier build. It almost felt as though the carriage had shrunk.
"I am Randolph Goodwin. Chairwoman Rossetti, may I have a word?"
"Yes, what is it?"
Dahlia straightened her posture in response to the knight, who had kindly introduced himself a second time.
"When escorted by a knight in the royal castle, it’s better to walk not directly behind but at a diagonal angle and a bit closer. Also, during meetings, you don’t need to bow your head to the questioner. If these nuances are unclear, you might benefit from seeking guidance from a company who is familiar with navigating such settings."
"Thank you for your guidance. I’ll take care to follow it. My apologies for the oversight."
Dahlia bowed deeply.
It seemed that manners couldn't be learned overnight after all. She had never even considered the proper distance to keep when walking behind a knight.
"No need to apologize; these aren’t serious issues, just minor points. Normally, when dealing solely with the Monster Subjugation Force, they wouldn’t matter. However, in certain areas of the royal castle, they can be significant. With Volfred Scalfarotto’s name associated with the Rossetti Company, you will inevitably draw attention—good and bad alike. For both Volf’s sake and your own self-protection, I suggest familiarizing yourself with such protocols."
"Thank you very much, Goodwin-sama."
Dahlia was more pleased by the man’s words than the advice itself.
Volf had said, "I only have a few friends I can talk to in the Subjugation Force," but this knight seemed to be a friend who genuinely cared for him.
"You must be a friend of Volf’s as well… Goodwin is a common name in the castle. Please call me Randolph.”
"Thank you for your consideration, Randolph-sama."
"And may I call you Lady Dahlia? Of course, if it’s inappropriate, I will refrain."
"I don’t mind if you call me by my name."
Randolph pressed a finger to his chin, taking a breath before speaking again.
"...I hope this doesn’t offend, but I’ve rarely seen Volf like that. His behavior today was surprising."
"Is he not usually like that?"
"In the royal castle, he’s a composed knight. In the unit, he’s a model soldier. When speaking with friends, he’s dependable. When fighting monsters, he’s like a demon king."
"A demon king..."
The last part felt like it was of a different kind.
In the first place, the term "demon king" referred more to monsters than humans, didn’t it? She thought so but decided to set it aside for now.
"Perhaps what we saw back there was Volf’s true self."
"His true self... or perhaps just one side of him."
For Dahlia, who spent much of her time with Volf as he was, it seemed natural. However, she understood that anyone would act more seriously in a professional setting.
Humans, after all, were multifaceted beings.
When working as a magical toolmaker, acting as the head of a company, or simply relaxing, each version of herself was different. It was only natural that the people she interacted with would also have multiple sides to them.
"Does Volf often behave as that 'rude Volf,' Lady Dahlia?"
"No, I’m sure Volf didn’t mean any harm earlier! I think the words just slipped out unintentionally... oh!"
Caught off guard by the serious question, Dahlia instinctively tried to defend Volf—and accidentally referred to him without any honorifics.
"I-I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean—"
"There’s no need to apologize. Perhaps it’s not my place to say, but I am grateful that you’ve become a good friend to Volf."
"No, uhm... I think Volfred-sama is lucky to have a friend like you, Randolph-sama."
In her panic from what was said, her polite speech broke as she tried to express what she was thinking.
For a brief moment, Randolph froze, then softened his reddish-brown eyes and let out a chuckle.
"Thank you. I hope I can live up to that."
As the two of them exchanged slightly troubled smiles, the carriage arrived at the stop.
Randolph escorted Dahlia as she alighted and gave him a courteous bow before she returned through the passageway from which she had come.
・・・・・・・
"Volfred, there are things one can and cannot say aloud in this world."
"...I regret my actions."
The moment Dahlia and Randolph had left the room, Grato turned to Volf with a piercing glare.
"What you said earlier, regardless of your familiarity, was inappropriate to direct at a young lady."
"Captain Grato, if I may, didn’t we also contribute to the issue...? What started as merely checking a foot fungal infection countermeasure list spiraled into an overenthusiastic discussion about the infection itself.”
"...I’ll admit as much."
"But isn’t it good we brought it up? Otherwise, we’d all still be spreading it amongst ourselves."
The young knight's words darkened everyone's expressions. The mere thought was horrifying.
"...Everyone, this is a gag order from the captain. The foot fungal infection measures are one thing, but the matter regarding Chairwoman Rosetti from earlier should never be spoken of again, for as long as you live."
"Yes, sir!"
Everyone replied in unison.
"However, Volfred, you should seriously reflect on your behavior."
"That was definitely out of line. If I were a woman, I'd be crying."
"Honestly, Volfred, I think you crossed the line..."
"You keep teasing like that, and you'll get dumped."
"Huh? No... Chairwoman Rossetti and I are friends; it's not that kind of relationship..."
"Is that so? Then I suppose she might start avoiding you now."
"What?"
The young man reacted immediately, and a subtle gaze was cast upon him.
"Volf, upsetting a woman is dangerous business. Aren’t you planning to continue working with the 'Rossetti Company'?"
"Of course... that’s the plan."
"Volfred, if this affects our future dealings, it’ll be a problem. Go choose a present at your discretion and apologize."
"Understood. Um... do you have any suggestions?"
At Volf’s question, an older knight raised his eyebrows slightly.
"Hey, you’re the one who should be more familiar with this. If you're unsure, just go ahead and have a bouquet made with flowers that Chairwoman Rossetti likes."
"...I don’t know what flowers she likes."
"Tough luck. Then, just buy some of her favorite sweets."
"...I don’t know that either."
"You should’ve asked at least that much during your conversations. You’ve been getting along for a while now, right?"
"That’s true, I should’ve asked."
Dorino didn’t hide his exasperation.
On the other hand, although Volf had met Dahlia less than a month ago and could clearly count today as the ninth meeting, he couldn’t bring himself to say it out loud.
"Volfred, for now, just get a bouquet from a popular florist for young women, preferably with a lot of red. Then, buy some cream puffs and sugar decorations for tea at a patisserie in the noble district. With this combination, you should be fine."
"Thank you, Senpai."
"...As expected of Alfio-senpai, you’re quite experienced with women."
"I have four daughters, so I know exactly how scary it is when you get a gift completely wrong..."
The man with dark brown eyes stared off into the distance, and the others fell silent.
It seemed that everyone had at least a few experiences of getting things wrong.
"Volfred, the shop will be closing soon. You can leave early today."
"Thank you..."
Although Volf said his thanks to Grato, his mind was already elsewhere. His gaze subtly shifted, and his thoughts were completely focused on the door.
"Then, we’re dismissed."
"Good work today."
With the words signaling the end, Volf silently left the room.
As he watched the young man leave, the middle-aged knight let out a wry smile.
"That was so unlike him, I was surprised."
"That Volf we know... And he doesn’t realize it?"
"Who knows. But it's definitely the first time I've seen him make that kind of expression."
"But Chairwoman Rossetti, even standing next to Wolf, seemed completely at ease."
"Don’t mention that..."
There were many ways to describe Volfred.
A Scarlet Armor knight of the Monster Subjugation Force, a calm and reliable comrade in arms.
The knight known by the nickname "Black Reaper," who fearlessly faced even the fiercest monsters.
A man who attracted the attention of women with his beautiful looks but coldly brushed off confessions and love letters.
The rumors about his glamorous affair with a widowed duchess, and his occasional visits to brothels.
This was the man they thought they knew.
Yet, just now, Volf had been flustered like a young boy.
Perhaps the reason no one dared tease him was the contrast with his usual demeanor, or perhaps it reminded them of their own youth.
It was a case of the “measles,” which Grato had long since gotten over and had nearly forgotten.
"First love is like measles. The older you get, the more intense it becomes, and the more it lingers afterward—"
That was a line from an opera, but perhaps for Volf, it was those measles he’d finally caught at his age..
"You lot, don’t speak of this to anyone either. It would be in poor taste."
Grato narrowed his red eyes, signaling the end of the conversation.
Praying, just a little, for the luck of the young man who left the room first.
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