Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Meeting

London outskirts.

Whether voluntary or involuntary, coming out this far was the first time since I grew hair.

Still in the city center there were at least many familiar brick buildings, but coming out to the outskirts it was all wheat fields.

The houses also gradually changed to more humble and simple appearances.

It was an appearance that clearly revealed that the wealth gap is distinct not only in London city but also between London and the outskirts.

The Earl of Derby's carriage was much more comfortable than expected.

In fact I expected it to be clunk clunk thud! Considering the era the roads were quite well packed, and above all the suspension was okay and the cushion was fluffy which contributed to the ride comfort.

I think my butt hurt even more in Sir Crookes' old-fashioned Benz. I now know why high nobles with a lot of money still prefer carriages. It was still premature, cars.

The Earl of Derby continuously checked his pocket watch with an anxious expression. Why is he doing that?

"Hmm, there's still about thirty minutes left until elevenses time..."

No, do you have to drink tea exactly on time?! You can just drink when you want to drink!

Like when I rode the carriage with Lord Frederick last time, in the Earl of Derby's carriage various tea sets were also prepared so one could simply enjoy tea.

But suddenly thinking about it, to brew tea one has to boil water vigorously, is that possible in this narrow carriage?

Finding out it was a method of putting already boiled tea in a glass bottle, and warming it with an alcohol lamp and drinking. It was really just putting on a lot of superficial style!

"Ahem, it's bitter... Ah, tsk."

"..."

"Will you have a cup too?"

"No. It's fine!"

Earl, what taste on earth are you drinking that with?!

The carriage was comfortable, but not to the point of reading a book like a modern train. Because my body occasionally shook due to stones protruding on the road.

I have to go two or three more hours with the Earl of Derby in this state?

I who let out a sigh slowly examined the inside of the carriage. The Earl of Derby also seemed bored with the long-distance trip and diligently decorated this and that.

Among them there were quite a few exotic decorations that one might see in Africa or India.

But in the meantime, something familiar suddenly caught my eye and I momentarily flinched. Why didn't I see that?

"Do you know the object? It looked curious so I bought it at an antique shop."

"...No, it's the first time I'm seeing it."

"Isn't it pretty? The pinkish colorful thing looks exactly like a talisman (*Talisman, lucky charm) made of thread? According to the merchant it was a treasured item of some noble lady in the East. So I told him not to cheat. Hahahat."

"Well, it does look like that."

In reality it must also be a treasured item. What I found in the Earl's carriage was exactly a 'norigae.'

A traditional norigae that old ancestors attached to the jeogori of hanbok and used for decoration.

A pink tassel attached to a delicate wooden carving shaped like a flower. It looked extraordinary at a glance.

How on earth did this flow into a foreign country thousands of miles away and get decorated in the Earl's carriage...

This also seemed like an object with many stories like me. Thinking that, I felt a bit greedy.

"Earl of Derby."

"Hmm?"

"Sell this. To me."

"Did you like it that much?"

"Yes, just in time I needed a lucky charm. This seems perfect."

Then the Earl who sipped one more mouthful of tea casually threw one word.

"Then just take it. I'll give it as a gift."

"Really is that okay?"

"It was a cheap object under 5 shillings so it's fine. I almost got cheated and bought it for 1 pound. Fortunately I cut the price and cut it again!"

5 shillings is cheap? Ordinary laborers have to work a full day to barely earn that money, and isn't that even being ripped off?

Anyway since he said he'd give it I wasn't one to refuse.

I carefully put the norigae into my coat pocket. It seemed perfect to decorate in the restaurant office.

Even in the meantime the carriage ran without rest.

Before I knew it the sign announcing the boundary of Berkshire passed us and disappeared behind.

The king's manor was approaching.

###

Ashwood Hall. The name of the manor we arrived at.

It was a much cleaner and sizable village than expected.

The roads were well maintained, and the expressions of the people occasionally passing looked peaceful.

The carriage that slowed its speed stopped in the middle of the village, in front of the largest 3-story mansion.

Looking at the riding ground and something like stables visible between the trees opposite the mansion it seemed this was a place like a management office.

When the coachman announced our arrival in a loud voice, after a while a middle-aged man wearing a navy blue waistcoat hurriedly ran out.

"Hello, Sir Durand! I am the steward in charge of Ashwood Hall, Lawrence Brighton!"

"Ahem, hello? I'm Jean-Paul Durand."

Pretending to be a noble feels somehow awkward.

Still looking at the sharp attitude it seemed Lord Frederick did the succession work well. The Earl of Derby said he was tired and disappeared to the guest room, and Joe who touched baton with the Earl followed behind me.

He must have been hard for a long time sitting next to the coachman, but looking at not showing even a little this guy is also amazing.

"Sir Durand, will you take a rest? Or shall I prepare afternoon tea?"

"Ah, it's fine. More than that I want to look around this manor once first."

"Understood. I'll guide you."

I came thinking if they show territoriality or don't listen to words I'll respond appropriately, but such worry was also a groundless fear.

Mr. Brighton guided the manor and explained this and that.

"In fact this mansion has only been built for 50 years. Prince Albert the consort of Her Majesty Queen Victoria designed it directly. Because Prince Albert liked hunting very much."

"Is it only that much?"

It looked somehow antique so I thought it would be older?

"Yes, originally they spent summer at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, but because the distance from Windsor Castle was too far the Queen said to newly make a hunting ground and move here. As you've already heard, the main business of this manor is the management of the hunting ground and stables that have continued from then."

"I see."

After that Mr. Brighton introduced in order the gardeners, coachmen, maids, chefs working at the mansion.

The number usually residing was about 10, and usually living and eating in small houses near the manor and managing the entire mansion was their job.

The use of this mansion was a place where guests invited to hunting parties etc. stay, and they said there are over 20 guest rooms alone.

Windsor Castle is a place where only the royal family stays so guests can't stay, so this was that alternative. Somehow the Earl of Derby seemed strangely familiar...

The rest of the stablemen or rangers reside deeper in the village?

Houses where the manor manager and his family stay, and living convenience facilities like a general store, church, barber, post office gathered was the identity of this Ashwood Hall village.

"By any chance do the royal family members also visit here often?"

"No, they almost don't come this far. However among the direct line of the previous king those who enjoy horseback riding occasionally come and take a rest. Until last year His Majesty Edward VII often visited, but this year he hasn't come even once yet. Of course when the hunting season comes the situation might change. At that time more than ten people come at once too."

Phew, that's fortunate. I asked because if by any chance I encounter His Majesty while I'm here it would be awkward.

Looking at the mood there seemed no plan to visit for the time being.

"If it's okay I want to guide the stables before the sun sets. Because it's the most important facility here. How is it?"

"Good. Please guide."

"Then by any chance is horseback riding possible? The distance is a bit far to go on foot."

"Yes? Horseback riding?"

No, do I have to ride a horse to go there? More than that the stables behind the mansion weren't those stables?

As a matter of course I've never ridden a horse once in my entire previous and current life!

"Please wait a moment. Then I'll prepare a carriage."

After a while, Mr. Brighton brought out a 4-seater landau (*Landau, noble carriage) from somewhere.

"It's a carriage used when receiving guests. After arriving here, there are many people who put down luggage in the guest room and head to the stables."

Mr. Brighton, I, and Joe rode that together and headed to the royal stables. Because they said horseback riding was needed I thought it would take about an hour, but it was only 5 minutes by carriage.

With this level a bicycle would have been enough.

Well, recommending a bicycle to the total person in charge of the manor would have been a bit...

"This is exactly the royal stables. Please call it 'Crown Stables.' The pet horses of the ladies and lords who are direct line of Her Majesty Queen Victoria are also being cared for here."

It was that huge riding ground I saw beyond the carriage window while passing.

The neighing cries of horses echoed from all sides. Ugh, horse dung smell.

And as soon as we arrived, a man in his mid-30s who was trimming something over there quickly ran over.

"Br-Brighton! Suddenly without contact what's the matter?!"

"James! This is Sir Jean-Paul Durand I talked about yesterday! Behave with courtesy. Sir Durand, this is James. He's the head stableman who has worked here for over 15 years and a very talented friend."

The man's appearance was that very familiar to me too. Work clothes commonly seen in London and a gray flat cap.

But somehow the expression looks a bit awkward? Did he commit some wrongdoing?

Head stableman James took off his hat and raised it to his chest and politely greeted me.

"I'm James, Sir Durand. Please take care of me."

"By the way you look busy, did something happen?"

"Yes? Ah, that... Could you lend an ear for a moment?"

"What? Lend an ear? What kind of rude words is that in front of Sir Durand! Report quickly without hiding!"

"Ah, sorry! Th-then I'll speak!"

Because it's a stable it seemed they often let the horses out outside for the horses' health. If confined in a narrow pen they get stress, and muscles weaken too.

So there were occasionally occurring accidents.

Hierarchy fights.

Originally there is a firm hierarchy among horses, but that doesn't mean there are no attempts at throne usurpation. Because that's the animal's instinct.

Usually the stablemen quickly intervene before an accident happens, but this time luck didn't follow.

The fighting horses weren't the problem. The problem was the roughened horse even charged into other horses.

And among those victims, especially a target that should be carefully cared for without a single wound was included.

It's the royal stables so any horse wouldn't be precious, but among them there was a word that there is a royal family.

"Bella is injured! No, what on earth were you guys doing until then! Why didn't you report!"

"So-sorry, Mr. Brighton! But the accident really happened without time to handle! Tom also got hit by a horse hoof and the doctor just looked! I was going to tell after the cleanup..."

"You, today alone is very disappointing! What will Sir Durand think!"

"Sorry!"

What, me? I don't have any particular thoughts? No, the horses fought so what can I do? Even a person got injured while trying to stop. If they did their best and it didn't work that's just the end.

Anyway in the meantime it seems there's also a horse that injured its hoof, what Mr. James was touching was that horse's horseshoe.

"Th-that Tom person is okay?"

"Fortunately it avoided the bone. But it seems some recuperation is needed."

"If it ends with recuperation that's fortunate. Mr. Brighton, please take him off work for even a few days so he can recuperate."

"Sir Durand! But Tom wants to continue working..."

Uh, I know. A situation I know very well. In this era there was no concept of sick leave, so not receiving daily wage as much as one rests is natural.

I let out a sigh.

"Please at least take care of half the daily wage. It's my order."

"Understood, Sir Durand! Really thank you! James, you have to regard it as a real honor to serve a generous person!"

"Thank you, Sir Durand!"

Mr. James prostrated flat.

"By the way, is that horse called Bella that important a horse?"

"It's important! That's because..."

At that moment a murmuring sound was heard from over there.

At the same time a boy hurriedly ran out from inside the stables.

"Ja-James! Big trouble! The princess somehow knew how this happened and suddenly visiting... Ah, even Mr. Brighton!"

"The princess knew? How?!"

Mr. James and Mr. Brighton were greatly surprised and flustered.

And following the boy's back, a young lady who looked very angry walked out of the stables with big steps.

"James! My Bella�"

Then seeing our side, she who pauses on the spot.

Precisely her gaze stuck toward me. Is there something on my face? I even shaved cleanly this morning?

Age 18, at most about 19.

Abundant brown hair, a tall slender height. Deep and blue eyes.

I thought Lady Edith was the prettiest in this era, but I might have to adjust the ranking a bit.

"Uh, hello? I'm Jean-Paul Durand."

I who met gazes awkwardly offered a greeting.

Then her eyes were seen slightly subtly going down toward my mouth area.

Followed by a flustered expression that appeared. A rare emotion change to see at a first meeting.

And suddenly she turned around and fled at lightning speed. No, what is it really?!