READ NOVEL ONLINE Episode 1: Start of Confinement
Chapter One: Kingdom of Alteria
Episode 1: Start of Confinement
“What a useless fellow who can’t even swing a sword properly!”
“Huh…? Uh…?”
Being berated while sitting on my rear end, I see a tall, red-haired handsome guy with stubble. He looks to be in his mid-twenties, dressed in what seems like expensive clothing, but the stubble really doesn’t suit him at all. Someone should tell him.
Next to the Stubble is a smirking kid, also with a good-looking face. Well, it’s ruined by the nastiness oozing from his twisted mouth. What a waste. This kid wears simple armor over his fancy clothes and holds a wooden sword in his right hand. Playing pretend?
Maybe due to the confusion, only trivial thoughts come to mind and then vanish.
By the way, I’m also wearing similar armor to the kid’s, but my clothes are obviously cheap. And my limbs are thin and short like a child’s… Huh? Seriously, what’s going on here? I don’t get it.
“Hey, what’s with the trembling?”
“Indeed, a useless one is useless.”
Amidst my confusion, I hear a voice mocking me. Turning towards it, I see knights and what seems to be servants lined up in front of a large mansion. Negative emotions like disgust and scorn emanate from their faces. What a bunch of jerks. Wish they’d just drop dead.
“Hey, useless, are you even listening?”
The Stubble’s voice cuts through. While I’m in a daze, it seems he was delivering some passionate speech. Like I’m really listening. I’m not in the mood for that. Scary, so I won’t say it out loud, but it’s annoying, so I’ll say it in my head. And that stubble really doesn’t suit him.
“My lord, it’s pointless to invest in such incompetence. Instead, please teach me the sword as promised.”
“Hmm, indeed as Cain says.”
Nice one, kid. For now, I just want to calm down and assess the situation. I’ll forgive a bit of rudeness.
“Listen, useless, I have no expectations of you anymore. I’d kick you out right now, but it would be unseemly before you reach adulthood. Until you’re twelve, we’ll take care of you, but after that, you’re on your own. Go wherever you like. If you don’t like that, then prove your worth with a sword!”
“Sigh…”
The Stubble instructs something to a servant and leaves towards the mansion with the kid. What a frustrating guy. And despite being the refreshing type of handsome (with stubble), his overly arrogant way of speaking is really off-putting. He should stop since it doesn’t suit him. And that goes for the Stubble too.
As I’m pondering…
“The Marquis is so kind.”
“Indeed. With such incompetence, it’s hard to believe he’s truly the Marquis’ offspring.”
“Even if he has a good face, he’s just a commoner. To touch such a woman—”
“Hey!”
“Woah, dangerous, dangerous.”
Those words from the knights strangely pierce my heart. A strange feeling of sadness and frustration. I really don’t understand anything anymore.
“Mine-sama, this way.”
“Ah, yes.”
While that’s happening, the knights and servants leave, leaving only me and the middle-aged maid. …This lady, she somehow seems familiar.
“…Ah.”
I try to stand up and stagger. Is it because my limbs are long and the center of gravity has changed? I can’t move as I want.
“Mine-sama.”
“Ah, sorry.”
Didn’t she notice I was staggering, or does she just not care about me? Probably the latter. I follow the middle-aged maid for a few minutes. There’s a shabby earth-walled house. It’s a far cry from the mansion the Stubble and the kid went to. Even if it’s behind the mansion, isn’t this just too shabby?
“Mine-sama, until you reach adulthood, you will live here.”
“Huh…”
Uh, my house, huh? Looks like it’s gonna be drafty.
As soon as I enter the detached house as prompted by the middle-aged maid, I hear the sound of a lock from behind.
“Eh!? Wait!”
“Until Mine-sama reaches adulthood, the master has instructed not to let you out.”
“Huh!? Why!?”
“Meals will be delivered by the assigned person every morning. Excuse me.”
“Wait a minute!”
The middle-aged maid leaves without turning back.
“What the hell is this…”