Grandma Stands Her Ground
"Feeling better, Young lady?"
Abe asked as I sipped my tea, sitting on his lap.
His big, rough hand awkwardly patted my head, but the gesture was comforting.
"Yeah, I’m okay now."
"Young lady, no one in the household thinks you’re weird. Sure, they were surprised at first, but after seeing how you’ve been lately, it all makes sense.
Still, everyone’s worried about you. We can protect you while you’re here in the territory, but when you go off to the academy, it’ll be a different story."
"Exactly! You’re already cute as it is, but with insane skills and memories from a past life? Who wouldn’t want to keep you close?"
Ah, right, even Father and the others mentioned the royal palace before.
"But you’re starting self-defense training today, aren’t you? If anything comes up, we’ll pitch in to help."
"Hm? We?"
"Huh? You didn’t know? The head chef used to be part of a monster-slaying unit. The sous-chef and I? Former adventurers. We only got up to Rank A, though. Annie’s training with Sarah as we speak."
Adventurers!?
This is *so* fantasy~~~! They really exist!
Wait, Rank A—that’s impressive, isn’t it?
"Rank A? That’s amazing, isn’t it! But why are you working as chefs here?"
"Ah~ Well, I used to adventure with Arthur. We traveled around, taking on all sorts of quests. When we accepted a request in the Lampail territory, we got to know the private soldiers here. Their dedication to the people and their work ethic really moved me. That’s when I decided I wanted to settle down in this territory.
But man, the private soldiers here? Their skills are on another level. We’d just get in their way. So, I figured, if I can’t fight alongside them, I can at least support them from behind the scenes. That’s how I ended up as a chef."
"Wow, that’s amazing. Knowing your limits, finding what you *can* do, and dedicating yourself to that—that’s incredible. You’re the unsung heroes here, right? I really respect both of you for that."
"!!"
Ben suddenly turned his back to me.
Huh? Did I say something wrong?
What do I do?
As I panicked, Abe patted my head again.
"It’s fine, Young lady. Ben’s just happy."
"Happy? Why?"
When Ben turned back, his eyes were red.
"No one’s ever acknowledged us like you did, Young lady. Most adventurers mocked us. Said we were wasting our Rank A skills."
"Say what!? Wasting them? What you do with your skills is your choice! Who needs anyone’s permission!? If they’ve got a problem, they can go get a Rank S and then talk!! Bet it’s just some losers who can’t even hit Rank A themselves!"
“"......”"
Both men stared at me, eyes wide as saucers.
Oh no. I did it.
I just let loose in my full past-life tone and gave them a piece of my mind!
"Ahem. Well, you see, I must’ve let my thoughts slip…"
“"Ahahaha~~~”"
"Young lady, is that your real self or leftover habits from your past life?"
Abe laughed, wiping tears from his eyes.
"Eh? Whatever do you mean? I have no idea. Ohoho!"
"Young lady, there’s no use pretending. You laid it all out just now."
Hmm. Yeah, no covering this up anymore.
And honestly, letting my true self show here in the kitchen might be… freeing.
"Alright, alright. You got me. It’s my past life coming through."
"Young lady, no need to hide it anymore. At least not here in the kitchen."
"Thanks, Mr. Abe. Having one place to relax really helps. Being a noble lady is such a hassle… I was just a commoner in my past life."
"Yeah~ well~ get used to it."
"Haha, fair enough. Oh, and Master? Don’t let those noobs get to you. Their opinions are nothing but the barking of beaten dogs."
"Young lady… noobs is?"
"Oh, umm, losers?"
"Ahaha! Not much better. But thanks, Young lady. You’ve given me a lot to think about."
"Glad to hear it. Oh, and please don’t mention my tone to Father or Mother. If they find out, I’m in trouble."
"Hmm, what to do~?"
Ben teased, smirking.
Ugh~~~ he’s got me now. How did I let this happen!?
What do you think about this chapter?
