(EP-18.1) How A Sheep Lives #3
018 – How A Sheep Lives In A Lion's Den #3
"The illustrious Angmar Queen Aira, daughter of my cousin Isolde. Welcome! I didn't expect you to arrive without a reliable contact or escort.
"There's no need for such things when coming to your residence, Lord Reinhardt."
"I see. Then, forgive my attire as I wasn't informed of your visit. Please, come in."
The Family Head Reinhardt held a magnificent dinner for Aira, who came unannounced.
The servants in the mansion moved to and fro, carrying and moving dishes. Soon enough, the long table was filled with scrumptious foods.
I was hungry so this was great!
“Master, for today’s main menu, we will have charcoal-grilled grain-fed Orb Pig meat.”
"Okay, you can go.”
Reinhardt waved at the butler explaining the menu. Only then did they leave with a somewhat relieved expression.
"Anyways-"
Reinhardt said a few more words to Aira, who was sitting opposite him.
“-I would have prepared a grander banquet if you had just sent me a notice beforehand.”
This might sound good on the surface, but after translating it to the language of nobles, the meaning actually became, ‘Why are you suddenly bothering me when you haven't been invited?'
Aira skillfully took the wine from the attendant and spoke in a languid voice.
“Thank you for the hospitality, distant Uncle. As rumored, this is a wonderful residence. Though, I think it would have been prettier if there were a little more flowers in the garden.”
“No problem, we'll plant more in honor of Her Majesty. By the way, what's the purpose of your sudden arrival?”
Reinhardt did not even bother to hide his agitation…
Gosh. Who else in this world could speak like this to Queen Aira, other than this man?
As I watched, my mouth kept turning dry. Thus, I had to chug down glasses after glasses of water. The same went for the servants who were standing next to us.
Meanwhile, Aira sliced through the meat on her plate and slightly opened her mouth.
“I believe you must have heard the story from Theo regarding my succession.”
“Oh, so that’s it.”
“That child is Richard, Lord Reinhardt’s little treasure?”
Seureuk-
Aira turned to look at the child sitting next to Reinhardt.
Richard, who was listening to the conversation with great interest, got up and bowed his head.
“Esteemed Queen, my name is Richard Von Lioness.”
“You are clever. Quite unlike Elga.”
Elga, who was eating at Reinhardt's right hand side, slammed the table with her fist.
“What do you mean? What, I'm not smart eh? Did you visit just to gossip about the host!?”
Elga was furious for some reason.
Looking closely, steam seemed to be coming off her head…
But her father, Reinhardt, simply said, "Be quiet." Aira also just chose to ignore Elga's words.
“Little Richard, how old are you?”
“Esteemed Queen, I am five years old this year.”
"I see."
“Also, may I ask a question?”
Sareureureu— In an instant, time seemed to freeze for everyone sitting at the table.
They were probably worried that Richard, a child, might ask the Queen an inappropriate question.
The maids who were watching even hid their faces behind their hands.
━God, please protect the little Lord…
━What kind of question will he ask the Queen?
However, unlike them, I was casually drinking grape juice at a leisurely pace. I already knew that Aira was tolerant of children.
"Of course."
With Aira’s permission, Richard, who'd got everyone's attention, asked.
“By any chance, does Your Majesty sing like other Princesses?”
"… Sing?"
Aira asked back as if it was a strange question. However, Reinhardt, who was drinking wine, gave an answer instead.
“Richard. The Queen doesn't sing. Only Princesses sing. Now sit down and start eating.”
That appeared to be the case.
Hearing that answer, Richard sat down, somewhat disappointed.
“She's very beautiful, I thought it would be cool if she also sings…”
“Richard, when I was a Princess, I did sing with my sisters. Whenever we did so, the birds and deers would come and listen.”
Aira looked into the empty space, seemingly immersed in her memories. However, an Aira that actually sang? I couldn’t even imagine…
“But Queens cannot sing. Thus, no Queen sings.”
“Is there really no one?”
The boy's pure question rumbled through my head.
A singing Queen.
I could think of one.
She was a Magician who just spewed ice from her hands. She was also similar to Aira who lost her parents in an accident and became Queen at a young age.
If this was Disney, would Aira turn out to be like her?
Anyway…
Dalgak, dalgak-
The sudden dinner continued without any other incidents.
“I'm not smart…?”
Elga grumbled along the way, but it wasn't enough to cause trouble since it was a regular occurrence. However, a problem soon arose.
After the meal, once tea and cakes were placed on the clean empty table, Aira said.
“You should go to work at the court tomorrow. There will be a lot of issues to deal with in order to have Richard as my successor.”
She just revealed all the plans that were purposely kept secret, shocking Elga and everyone else who was listening.
"What? Aira, why are you taking my younger brother as your successor?”
Elga began to growl. Meanwhile, Richard, who was quietly listening, asked.
“I will be the Queen’s successor…? Does that mean I can become a Queen like Aira-nim someday!?”
… What?
I felt the need to correct the little boy's assumption.
“Richard, you cannot become a Queen. Queens are for women.”
“Sir Gospel, why can't a man be a Queen? I also want to become a wonderful Queen like Aira-nim!”
"That's-."
This was a very philosophical question.
Why couldn’t a man be a Queen?
It was a problem that couldn't be solved even in the 21st century, when there were more active discussions about gender roles than necessary.
Thus, I was hesitant and couldn't give an answer.
Richard then let out a small sigh as if he was broad-minded enough to understand my dilemma…
[T/N: I'll be taking care of school stuff next week so I'll only be updating once every 2 days. After that, I'll be back into daily updates]
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