Chapter 72 - Backstage from Another View 2

TLnote: Ludius Jib Anderson is Iris’s cousin on her mother’s side. So he is Gazelle’s grandson and future head of the Anderson family, Gazelle’s family.

“You seem to favor my cousin quite a bit, don’t you?”(Ludy)

While laughing and giving me a big grin, he asked . . . You sure find this amusing don’t you, Ludy?

“You have really big ears.”(Alfred)

“What? We are relatives. I do not need to investigate anything concerning her. I just have to send a letter, unlike you. Even though you only wanted a short-term contact, you visited her many times and greatly deepened the relationship between the two of you.”(Ludy)

He still keeps laughing and giving me that grin . . . Yep, he is enjoying this.

“I was really surprised. I heard you go to the orphanage with her many times and play with the children there. I do not believe I have ever seen you play with children other than Letisha. You have also spent more time with her in the office and even went out together to see the city while wearing masks. When I heard this from the people over there, I thought ‘is that the same person who is with me?'” (Ludy)

I try to trip him using my feet while we are walking and seeing him stumble brings a smile to my face. I understand what I did there was childish.

“. . . I do agree with you. I did only intend to see her only once.”(Alfred)

It began with just an interest in the rapidly growing fief of Armelia. I was very worried that the daughter was going to take command of the fief. I had seen her in school once, but my impression of her during that time was terrible. She had very bluntly insulted the Baron’s daughter Yuri Noire. Even though I understood why she had done it, there were other ways of handling the situation. Thus, even though I find my little brother quite foolish, I understood his decision to annul the marriage at the time. When I heard she had taken charge of the most important fief in the kingdom I was quite worried. Rather more importantly, what was her father thinking?

Even though I saw reports of the fief expanding and improving greatly, I thought it was because of someone brilliant taking charge and leading things instead of her. Thus, I infiltrated the residence to find the person and wanted to pull them to my side . . . To my surprise that person was her. I had received such a shock at that time, I felt my jaw almost dislocate.

“I have to say that it was funny. I never felt a burden or anything else when I accomplished something other people said to be amazing. I have also never been impressed by anything either. I could never find anything amusing . . . but when I am with her, I never feel bored. Her ideas are things I have never considered. The proposals she makes are things that shatter my existing thoughts . . . Every time I am with her, she brings about a new discovery. The days I am with her are days I never feel tired or bored. Truly never a dull day with her.”(Alfred)

When I started to notice her, I felt I wanted to spoil her. Even though I think weakness is not something that should be shown to others . . . She believes that having weakness itself is wrong. She became hurt by this, and just thinking that she felt hurt made me feel pain and want to help her again. These traits of hers are what make her lovely in my eyes.

“People, goods, politics . . . All of these things are work I have done at a desk. All the numbers that I see from the reports are just numbers to me, they mean nothing else. The human resources are just pieces on a board. You just should think of how to skillfully use them. However, after going to that land . . . I started to think differently.”(Alfred)

“. . . Yes, I also think that you have become softer than before.”(Ludy)

“You sure say it straight.”(Alfred)

“. . . That is also why I am concerned.”(Ludy)

His tone suddenly changes and his facial expression also becomes very serious.

“I believe the fact that you have become soft is a good thing for you. But I also believe that if you continue to become any softer, you will lose sight of your plans . . . I am just worrying about you regretting any decisions you may make in the future.”(Ludy)

“. . . What you say now and what you said before are contradicting themselves. I did not think you would say this right after you had thanked me for helping your cousin Iris out, Ludius Jib Anderson. “(Alfred)

“That is another matter entirely, I also believe that a person of her caliber would not be crushed by something like this. I am just informing you of my thinking as your aide, Alfred Dean Tasmeria.”(Ludy)