VBR chapter 16

Trasnlated by lyran1

16. Older Brother, Ties friendships

I succeed in getting Bruno’s help, being led by him, we went further to the outer Earl zone.

A separation wasn’t written anywhere, but somehow I know when a line is drawn.

Either it’s the speech or manners, or the quality of one’s clothing or one sense of combinations etc.…

I didn’t distinguish it with knowledge but, I understand it unconsciously.

[May you wait around here for a moment? As you expect taking you to the viscount gathering as well might cause some problem, so I’m going to bring Enrico party here]

[ right, I will be saved if you do so thank you]

After receiving my reply, Bruno walked outside.

Bruno is a considerate man.

Un, the weak reaction I have received when I met him, although I kept calling him until a while ago in my mind, I will stop. (T.N: I’m not sure help!  here the original   “うん、出会った時の弱々しそうな反応から、心の中でとはいえさっきまで君付けで呼んでいたけど止めよう。”)

I feel like even without mentioning anything he would notice something. (TN:  Is this right? – 何かこう、口に出さなくても気づかれる気がする。)

Or rather, I have a feeling that treating him roughly might result in something bad.

What would it be? (TN: 何でだろう？)

While I was waiting, and thinking of this feeling of wariness, Bruno brought two boys.

[Thank you for waiting]

[Ah–]

I unconsciously leaked out my voice.

With Bruno in the centre, on his right Nicholas Lavant and on his left Enrico Penz

We haven’t introduced yet, but I already know who are the others.

Both are one years younger than me, Nicholas feel like the former chubby me, while Enrico is tall and thin.

With this combination on his left and right, Bruno seems to smile.

This image is!

I remember it now.

I didn’t realize it because the family name was different.

Bruno Pantagruel.

Later the heir of the margrave Pantagruel household, and one of the capture target of the original otome game.

Attributes: crafty and sharp tongued with spectacles.

It’s dangerous seriously dangerous, if antagonized he would turn into a very dangerous enemy.

If I’m not mistaken, in his event his mother should come from a marquis family and become the adopted heir. (TN: I tried my best to make sense… here the original:  確か、彼のイベントで侯爵家から母の実家の養嗣子になって云々という話があったはずだ。)

Perhaps, that would be a matter for the future I guessed.

Right now, he doesn’t wear any glasses, will his eyesight start to fail from now on?

[What’s the matter?]

[Ah, no, sorry. It’s nothing]

I replied to Bruno who was asking curiously, while the odd duo on his sides had taken one step backward.

[Did you hear that? ….]

[ahh, I really apologize….]

Two people were whispering while looking at each other.

No no, I’m sorry, but I don’t think this kind of apology was included in your standard of daily conversations, but still this kind of reaction! (TN: Tried my best…:  いやいや、今の場合のすまんは謝罪に含まれないレベルの日常会話だと思うんだけど、それでもこの反応かい！)

[ I already told them, so there’s no need to worry. Marcel, the round one is Nicholas and the slender one is Enrico]

It’s a surprisingly frank introduction.

However, there doesn’t seem any malicious intentions in his way of speaking.

And it seems like the other two doesn’t care at all, they appeared quite friendly instead.

[ I apologize for troubling you for coming here. I think you already heard it from Bruno, but I came to apologize to the both of you on the matter of three years ago…]

[Ah no, no it’s doesn’t matter anymore!]

[That’s right, we were still children at that time!]

Both of them hurriedly tried to stop me when I approached closer and lowered my head.

[yes, however I still want to take responsibility on my own mistakes]

[Marcel-sama—]

Ion called softly.

[Marcel-sama’s attitude on trying to atone for your own mistake is good, but you must also consider the other party position or else it might become troublesome]

I suddenly came back to my sense after Ion remonstrance.

Previously with Bruno, there wasn’t any problem for me to lower my head as he come from a Marquis House and I from a Duke House.

(TN: It should be like this: Duke>Marquis/Margrave>Count/Earl>Viscount>Baron etc…)

But the other two came from a Count family and a Viscount family.

No matter how informal the banquet is or how the children interact with each other, the fact that a heir of a duke household lowered his head at two people in public, will be likely bring problem to his parents. (TN: いかに子ども同士のやりとりとはいえ、いかに無礼講の宴の席とはいえ、公爵家の嫡男に頭を下げさせたということが公になるのは２人と、その実家にとって迷惑以外の何ものでもない。)

[Thank you Ion, I was going to make a mistake again]

When I express my thanks, Ion bowed deeply.

[The both of you, since I can’t apologize because of our position, I would be grateful if we became closer in the future instead]

[Well, that is…]

[To become close with Duke Marcel-sama…]

It’s a good compromise but, it seems like the hurdles are high.

When I think about it, I can hardly call myself a friend.

Yesterday with Gaspar I have a decent conversation from the same generation.

Even though her elder brother is in this situation, Micheline is steadily making friends in the gathering.

[I’m feeling lonely, are you not inviting me?]

Leaving the stiffened duo, Bruno called out with a teasing tone.

[No, I intended to be your friend too Bruno…] (TN: いや、ブルーノとはもう友達になれたつもりだったのだが……)

To show that much conditions as if I already include you in my friend’s circle, must be a misunderstanding.

If that’s so then It must be lonely. (だとしたらこっちこそ寂しいのだが。)

Bruno was momentarily surprised after hearing my word, and spontaneously smiled.

[Although I agreed on the matter, treat me well Marcel]

I took the hand he suddenly stretched out, and we shook hands.

Surprisingly this sharp person with glasses has a normal childhood.

[Since both of you and I are friends with Marcel, we should get prepared to a certain extent. From now on we should be together]

[That, that kind of …]

[I will do my best…]

With Bruno’s words, Nicholas is confused, while Enrico seems to have completely given up.

Well, it would be impossible to suddenly be on good term but, to have friends make me happy.

After that, as expected between his fellow companion Bruno’s speech were skilful, we were able to know each other well.

While chatting with each other, Nicholas suddenly whispered something at Bruno.

Bruno seems to be listening to the story, but he suddenly spouts out, and looked at me.

[Hey Marcel, you should have been quite well-rounded didn’t you, but what in the world happened to you?]

(TN: ねえマルセル、君って結構ふくよかだったはずだけど、一体どうしたんだい？)

So that’s the reason.

Nicholas probably wanted to hear my diet method, but hesitated to ask me directly so he let it through to another party.

[About half a year ago, I reduced to half the amount of my meals. Up until now the content was meat, but now I change them with vegetables and beans. After that I exercise. I resumed training the sword]

[Half!!]

Hearing at the contents I said Nicholas raised a hopeless cry.

Well, it can be hard eating only half the amount you normally eat.

[It won’t last if done suddenly, so isn’t it better to reduce the amount little by little?]

[Oh, it may be possible then]

It was a polite expression for me, but he could ordinarily communicate just now.

This time it was Enrico who whispered at Bruno.

I would like to hear it normally but, Enrico is from a viscount family, the threshold seems to be high.

Hearing Enrico’s story Bruno seems to make an interested expression.

After listening to the story, Bruno approach me and tried to whisper at me this time.

If you asked around… you will hear a mountain of unpleasant things about me and my family past…

Just what on earth did you hear?

[… Is it true that you had a battle with Lambert’s red lion Gaspar?]

Even though it happened in the Imperial City, yesterday information is already known?

What a frightening communication ability.

If this is the case then, the rumours about me being reformed will be spreading, but it’s something the times is unable to do anything.

[Hey, how was it?]

Bruno asked excitingly.

Well, how should I answer?

It would be an exaggeration saying that we were practicing together to the point of having a match, and saying nothing will bring ridiculous rumours to spread that would be bad for me and Gaspar.

[We were just practicing the sword at the three square. We didn’t have a fight]

[I see. I still haven’t learned swordsmanship, even if you just practicing weren’t you fighting? Who won?]

[It’s perfectly my defeat. As expected of the red lion… no, as expected of Gaspar]

Just like my reply to Michelin, I thought it was my defeat.

In that place I said we had a draw, while considering the future then Gaspar as my opponent might have the possibility of his reputation turning bad. Even if two people recognize each other, problem would always arise in the surrounding.

Gaspar having a draw with Marcel Alderton, would be though as me being a braggart.

The truth about the match that day, if it’s carved into our memories then that’s fine.

While I was immersed—

[Oh, speaking about rumours] (おお、噂をすれば何とやらだね)

[heh?]

Toward the direction where Bruno was looking at, I saw Gaspar walking toward here.

[ah, there you are Marcel]

With fiery red hair, dressed with vermillion coloured clothes Gaspar appearance make one feels envious.

Following behind him, his servant Sid.

[Oh, Gaspar I’m glad you are fine]

Although I planned to avoided major injuries, it wasn’t always perfect.

I was a little worried but, Gaspar seems to be fine.

[By the way, I’m sorry. I had taken at home the training sword I used with me yesterday]

[Don’t worry about it, if you didn’t tell me I wouldn’t recall it at all. Just take it as a reminiscence for yesterday]

I who seriously forgotten about it respond to him.

[Thank you, that will be the symbol of my pride. Losing to a man like you, and for me to get up]

Gaspar declared with a carefree and cheerful expression.

Bruno’s eyes were open widely, while the odd duo had their mouth widely too, even the surrounding adults reacted surprised. (TN: It says 周囲の大人達はピクリと反応した)

[No, wait Gaspar, it’s has nothing to do with winning or losing! And firstly, I can’t definitely win against you]

I hurriedly approach Gaspar.

The current Gaspar was giving off a calm and relaxing atmosphere.

The sharp atmosphere from yesterday match wasn’t there anymore. (TN: I think that’s what it means …昨日の勝負をする前までの尖った所が削れた)

Enough to cover his own thorn, the other parts also had grown. (TN: I can’t understand… 自身の刺を覆うくらい、他の部分を大きく成長させたのだろう。)

[Even so, there’s no doubt that I have advanced one step after meeting you, to which I have lose at]

As soon as he says so, Gaspar kneeled on one knee and look straight at me.

[Thank you. Half of my future accomplishment is also your success]

I was stunned, so was even more the surrounding.

This was the posture one subordinate would take to the persons they hold dearly or to show their loyalty to a superior person.

Because of the ranking order, a duke family is higher than a marquis family, so there aren’t any problems.

There shouldn’t be any problems, but in reality it’s the opposite, many are conscious that a marquis family are stronger or equal than the other houses.

So as a duke the opponent would be restrained, as for the marquis family many are aware that they can walk side by side with the others.

The ranking is regulated by a rigid ceremony, in case a marquis family to some extent is crumbling they would request to be treated as an equal first, they behave like this, to mend the ranking and to stir the duke family. (TN: not sure…)

My friend, this is a delicate situation, why are taking things so lightly.

The surroundings started to notice the situations that gradually happenings, and begins to talk noisily.

It’s impossible to pretend that nothing happened right now.

In that case!

[Stand up and became my friend]

When I made Gaspar stood up,

[Your words are my greatest honour. In here I vow. To become the man who will stand together with you]

He grasped his hand together and bowed his head deeply.

This is a bow of gratitude between those who are equal with each other.

Because Gaspar had treated this as a special case, he treats it as equally here, this is where I would like you to forgive me from concluding this.

However, the surrounding gallery remains.

Oh well, I will let them be.

[That’s Gaspar, this way, these gentlemen might have some relationship with you. Let me introduce them]

[This is my first time meeting you—no that’s not it…  Oh, you are at that time!]

Unlike me, Gaspar seems to remember firmly the past.

[Bruno of the Vaster House. It was three years ago, isn’t?]

[No, I just came after it’s happened, I haven’t done anything]

[Again, at that time my chest was thumping a lot, you were arguing with Marcel at that time]

[I’m truly sorry….]

[Ahahaha, it’s alright. It’s already a memorable experience from the past. By the way, which of you really won? Both of you said you lost]

It seems like the odd duo are grateful, Bruno adapt himself well and made the conversations livelier.

The boisterous and pollute air from the surrounding has more or less been remove likely thank to our pleasant state.

I was thinking that it would be good if I let it through, but I decided to enjoy the conversations with my friends.