Master and Slaves

"That is a matter of thoroughness. A To-Dule has a stronger bond than an A-Dule. Failure was not an option."

"I see...... Then why Tiria?"

"Indeed. First, Tiria’s magical aptitude was far superior to others. Or rather, no one else possessed even the minimum required magic power. Because two major magics—transfer magic and summoning magic—had to be used, a large amount of dense magic power was necessary. Apart from Tiria, the only ones with the magic power to use them would be myself, the king, or the prince. Of course, we could not send the king or the prince. Therefore Tiria went."

"I see, bloodline... is it?"

"!! ...Did Tiria tell you?"

"Yes."

"I see. ......Indeed. It is the blood of the royal family. However, sending a slave from the royal family is forbidden. Have you heard that as well?"

"Yes."

"In order to protect the country, a slave had to be sent from the royal family. ......How ironic."

Indeed.

But didn’t Mateus just say that he also possessed the magic power to use those two magics?

"Yes. But then why didn’t Mateus-san go?"

"Indeed. Originally I should have been the one to go. However, my absence would have caused some inconvenience."

"Inconvenience?"

"That is a state secret. Even Hiroyuki-dono cannot be told."

Mateus laughed heartily.

I was curious, but if it was a state secret it was better not to ask.

"......However, there was another reason for Tiria to go besides her magical aptitude. Indeed. Then, next I shall speak about Dules."

"Before that, would you like to have lunch?"

Helene, who had somehow come to the side of the table, cut into the conversation at a perfect moment.

"Is it already that time? Hiroyuki-dono, would you care to eat here as well?"

"Yes. Ah, Cathy..."

"I will inform her."

Helene answered immediately.

"Ah, hahaha... um, please do."

"Yes. Then I shall prepare it."

Helene answered, bowed to both Mateus and me, and entered the room on the left.

......Is that room the same kind of room as Cathy’s?

"Then, would you please wake Tiria soon?"

"Ah, yes. Tiria, it’s time to wake up."

I gently shook Tiria, who was sleeping on my lap.

"...Nn... nnn...... ah... Master... good morning..."

Tiria woke, rubbed her eyes with her hands, and greeted me.

"Good morning. We’re about to have lunch."

"Yes...... hn? Lunch...? Not breakfast......"

Her head seemed to be clearing gradually.

Tiria’s focus began to settle.

"Ah, Master!"

Tiria sprang up on the spot and immediately prostrated herself.

"Ah, it’s lunch. We’re eating in Mateus-san’s room today."

"Ah, yes. Understood."

Tiria, who had been looking up at me, lowered her head again in that same posture.

"Master, Hiroyuki-sama. The meal is ready, please come this way."

That was fast!

Hadn’t she just said she would prepare it a moment ago?

Even just carrying our meal here would take time.

"Then, let us go, Hiroyuki-dono."

"Ah, yes. Tiria, we’re going."

"Yes, Master."

I called to Tiria and followed after Mateus.

Tiria followed behind me.

We entered the room Helene had come from.

Ah, so this was the dining room.

In the center of the room was a six-person table.

In the middle of it was a bowl of fruit, and meals were prepared at the two end seats commonly called the birthday seats.

"Please, this way."

Helene pulled out the chair at the far seat.

"Thank you."

I sat there.

And Tiria...... sat on the floor beside my seat.

Her face was red.

......Oh no.

Tiria had never eaten outside that room, had she?

And she had never shown that form to anyone other than me and Cathy.

"Um......"

"Tiria. From now on, you will probably eat outside more often. I think it is better for you to experience it here, in front of people who know you well—myself and Master."

When I tried to speak about Tiria’s meal, Helene, who had returned after offering Mateus a chair and probably brought Tiria’s plate, spoke to her.

"You must not be embarrassed. You are Hiroyuki-sama’s To-Dule, so you should have more pride."

I wanted to retort "What is slave pride?", but Tiria nodded seriously, so I stayed silent.

"Now, let us eat lunch."

At Mateus’s signal we began the meal.

Of course, I gave Tiria permission.

Helene also sat at the seat to Mateus’s right and began eating.

Was there no one serving?

"Today we obtained river fish, so I sprinkled them with salt and grilled them. And please put this seasoning on the salad."

Helene explained the lunch.

"Did Helene make this?"

"Yes, but... was it unexpected?"

"Ah, no, unexpected or rather... hahahaha."

It was definitely unexpected.

But I couldn’t say that while Helene was looking at me with a piercing gaze.

"Hahaha. The wisdom of age, Nene."

"Master~?"

"Ah, no, ahem, cough, yes, nothing. Nothing at all, so forget it."

Age... wisdom?

What... does that mean?

"Ah, yes. This river fish is delicious. The seasoning is perfect, Nene."

"Thank you very much, Master."

Helene thanked Mateus with a sidelong glance.

Hahaha, somehow I feel like I shouldn’t ask further.

"But earlier you said something about buying river fish—when did you buy it?"

"This morning, before I went to fetch Hiroyuki-sama. Fishmongers open early."

"Helene is an early riser too."

"Yes, well."

As I thought, Helene seems to have some secrets.

Well, I won’t force them out.

......

After lunch ended, we returned to the sofa in the original room.

"Now then, the explanation about Dules."