Self-Satisfaction, Isn’t It?
When Father asked, “Are you really okay with this?” I nodded.
I mean, isn’t it weird that the subordinates who gossiped never apologized, yet their superior is the one doing it? And four years later, at that? That’s just self-satisfaction, right?
““… Sorry.””
“Huh?”
“Ahahaha… Joan, you’re exactly right. It’s just Alex and the others indulging themselves.”
“Wait… did I say that out loud?”
“Yeah. Loud and clear.”
Oops. I totally said it out loud.
I tilted my head and gave a sheepish laugh.
“By the way, I heard the queen passed away in her forties, but Miss Joan, what about you?”
“……”
Father and I exchanged a look, and with a nod, I received his silent permission.
“I was 82.”
“… Huh?”
“I mean, I was a late-stage elderly woman, 82 years old.”
““HUUUUUH!?!?””
Yeah, that’s a shocker, huh?
“Alex, Holger—that’s not even the most surprising part. Joan, self-search.”
——————————————————
[Joan Lampail]
Eldest daughter of the Lampail family. Age 10.
Attribute
Null
Condition
Exceptionally healthy child
Note
Due to reincarnation, mental age is being influenced by physical age.
As the body matures, the mind becomes younger.
Mental Age
20s.
Contracts
Pegasus [Snowy]
Pegasus [Blau]
Fenrir [Pearl]
——————————————————
““In her 20s—!?””
“See? Surprised, right? But her knowledge and way of thinking are still like an 82-year-old. That’s why she saw right through your intentions.”
“Stanley! Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Hey, I only just found out myself. Oh, and while we’re at it, I’ve got two more surprises.”
“Two more!? What now?”
His Majesty and the Chancellor both looked on warily while Father grinned at them.
“First: Joan and the Queen knew each other in their past lives.”
“Is that true, Miss Joan? What kind of relationship did you have?”
“Well… in my past life, she was my friend’s daughter.”
“What! What was the Queen like in her past life?”
“Let’s see… She was honest, outgoing, and a very charming girl.”
“I see, I see… So she was adorable in her past life too.”
“Outgoing, huh… That means her personality hasn’t changed much between lives.”
The King looked like he was cherishing some old memory, and the Chancellor seemed strangely convinced.
“And the second thing: Joan, your status.”
“Status Open.”
——————————————————
[Joan Lampail]
Condition
Healthy
Attribute
Null
Skills
Search S
Storage S
Repair
First Aid (a.k.a. “Magic Charm”)
Aqua
Dry
Assist
Teleport
Animal Talk
——————————————————
“Huh? Wait… her skills increased!?”
The Chancellor noticed it immediately.
“Animal Talk? I’ve never heard of that.”
His Majesty tilted his head, puzzled by the unfamiliar skill.
“Of course not. Apparently, it’s Joan’s original skill.”
““What!? What do you mean?””
“I received it as a birthday present.”
““From who!?””
“From Assist.”
““WHA—!?””
Wait… haven’t I had this conversation before? Déjà vu?
After explaining how Animal Talk works—
“Man… she really is outrageous as ever, Miss Joan.”
“Then, does that mean Her Majesty—who also has Assist—might gain new skills in the future?”
The Chancellor asked, but—
“I’m afraid I don’t know.”
“I see…”
“Oh! I forgot to give you this. Here’s a little gift.”
I took out kusamochi from my storage as usual—and the King and Chancellor both froze. Father, on the other hand, was silently shaking with laughter.
“What’s wrong?”
“M-Miss Joan… where did you just pull that out from?”
“Eh? From my storage.”
“But… it looked like it just popped into your hand. Right, Holger?”
“Yes, it did appear that way—like it appeared out of nowhere onto her empty palm.”
“Huh? If you visualize it, it comes out like that… wait, doesn’t everyone with storage do it this way?”
“”Not at all!!”
“… Huh?”
(Because she’s Joan.)
“””“……””””
Pearl, who’d been quietly sitting at my feet until now, turned to the others and spoke. Everyone immediately went quiet and accepted it.
“By the way, is it that quick to store things too?”
“Yes. Like this… see?”
““……””
“… Somehow sorry?”
“Well, it’s fine. Like that Fenrir said—it’s because you’re Joan.”
“That’s true.”
Ah… even the King and Chancellor have resigned themselves.
Well, sometimes, you’ve just got to accept things, right?
＊＊＊
Since Father still had more to discuss, I was escorted by a royal guard to go see the Queen.
“Umm, may I ask something?”
“Yes, what is it?”
“Is Arandolph Longest here today?”
“Hm? Yes, he should be. I believe he’s currently taking a break in the dining hall.”
“The dining hall… may I go there?”
“The dining hall? Yes, that’s fine, but… are you a fan of Arandolph too, Young lady?”
“Huh?”
“Well, Arandolph is such a handsome man, as you can see. He’s very popular—not just among noble ladies, but also with the maids in the castle. And since only nobles can join the royal guard, most girls who try to cozy up to us are just aiming for Arandolph… Ah, pardon me.”
“No, it’s fine. I didn’t realize he was that popular.”
“But he never accepts gifts and completely shuts out women, so he’s well-liked by men too. He’s not called ‘The Ice Prince’ for nothing.”
Ah… Brother Aran is still the same as ever.
What do you think about this chapter?
