Chapter 63
“There is no water train for civilian use currently. By the way, this train is a direct train to the White Rose station, the largest station in the capital. We follow the same route as the other water trains coming out from the port, but the track laid for this train is a private one, and of course that also means it has its own dedicated platform at the station.”
So, that’s why the ship had a direct connection to the train.
Well, to be honest, this does feels like I’m receiving a VIP treatment.
“Still, getting into a royalty-only vehicle...... I feel a bit bad for this.”
When Ain said so, Olivia giggled, covering her mouth with her hand as she smiled.
“M-......Mother? Did I say something weird? ”
“No at all, Ain, I just thought it was a bit funny...... sorry.”
“Okay......”
Did I say something funny? To his wonders, Chris was the one who explained.
“Ain-sama, this is something you didn’t know before, so I think it will be somewhat difficult for you to accept it right away......”
She seemed a bit apologetic, but she still continued her explanation.
“You too are a legitimate part of the Ishtalika Royal Family, Ain-sama. You are the legitimate child of Olivia-sama, the second princess, so of course you have the right to use it.”
C-Certainly, I’m also part of the royal family!
Moreover, I’m the only son of someone in quite a high position, the Second Princess!
It’s a given that I should be able to ride in here! And let me say it again, this juice is delicious.
“To be honest, I completely forgot. It’s obvious that mother’s child would also belong to the royal family.”
“I’m glad you understand.”
“Let’s not think of sad things, Ain, okay? After all, you are truly my one and only son...... okay? ”
In the morning, he got into a carriage (last car) and headed towards the capital of Heim, he had lost his position to the second son, and although he was overwhelmed by stuff like not being able to attend the parties, he was now being treated as a VIP member of the Royal Family.
Certainly, this flow of events was outside his expectations.
He, for sure, believed this second life was all part of God’s plan, after all, it was written “Earl’s house” in the gacha.
Therefore, this chain of events was probably just the hand of fate at play.
“By the way...... Olivia-sama.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“There’s one problem...... Well, not really a problem, but there will be some hassle for you both after we arrive at the castle.”
“I expected some of that to be the case, since I suddenly separated and returned .”
“No, it’s not about that.”
Chris-san was painfully trying to say something, I wonder what it is?
“......The messenger bird Olivia-sama sent, certainly arrived, but the message was delivered to the Royal Family’s steward’s office.”
“Messenger Bird” isn’t a real bird, but some sort of disposable contact device that can be used if the receiver and sender have one set.
It works by dividing a magic stone into two using a special processing technique, and maintaining the connection.
The amount of money one set costs increases depending on the distance that it can be used, and its price is considerably high for one that can be used across continents, like this time.
The money is also a limiting factor, since they aren’t much convenient because it’s only a one-way communication tool and can only be used once...... or so I heard.
“I suppose you’re right, after all it was you and the other knights the ones who came pick us up, Chris.”
Thanks to that, they had come to pick us up at the Roundhart port so quickly, otherwise, taking into consideration the time used delivering a letter, it would’ve taken at least a week for that alone.
“It was certainly delivered, but before we heard from the steward’s office......no, even after we came, His Majesty...... and the rest of the royal family weren’t informed of Olivia-sama’s return.”
“Oh my.”
Mother reacted like not placing much importance on that issue.
But that will become quite problematic, I think.
“In this time’s case, since the royal family wasn’t contacted, the authority to use the Royal Train and Princess Olivia was treated as being authorized by you, Olivia-sama, since you are royalty.”
“Oh, I see.”
“Why didn’t the King was informed of this......?”
“I can almost imagine what would’ve had happened. Knowing father, he would’ve used the White King.”
“Mother, what is the White King? ”
I got to hear a name I didn’t know.
“It’s a special ship under father...... under King Silvird. It’s much bigger than Princess Olivia, and since it has a lot of things it can attack with, it’s a ship that shouldn’t leave port too much.”
“Just like Olivia-sama says, and it’s impossible for us to hold down His Majesty......In a lot of ways.”
I’m a bit scared to ask what that “a lof of ways” means.
“I know what you’re thinking, Chris. You can never be too thankful for those working in the Steward’s office, I won’t forget to go and convey my thanks.”
“I thank you for your kindness.”
Mother was the one who gave the order not to tell the King and others, that’s what she planned to say.
And as for the authority to use the royal train and Princess Olivia, it seems mother has more than enough of it to call for their dispatch.
The people in the Steward’s office should be in no problem in that aspect, after all, if the second princess Olivia orders them not to speak about it, then it’s their obligation to comply.
“But you’re right......Oh my, that means I’m a daughter who suddenly came without contacting them earlier.” (TLN: This is some sort of expression, but since I didnt know what it meant, I translated as it was.)
“......I don’t understand what that expression means. But I hope it doesn’t turn to be huge deal.”
“Fufu, it’s fine, right? It looks fun.”
Above all else, I’m happy mother is having fun.
“What are father’s plans for tomorrow? ”
“Before leaving to pick you up, Olivia-sama, I confirmed there was nothing special scheduled.”
“Good, then it’s fine if I just enter the castle as usual, and after taking a bath I head to my room. There’s no problem with that, right? ”
“N-......Not at all, but please, before that, go speak with His Majesty.”
“But Ain is tired. I’ll go greet father after Ain has had a good rest. That’s fine, right? ”
Hearing mother’s plans, I have no issue with them at all.
Up to this point......This is the first time I’ve seen mother speak selfishly about what she wants to do.
(This side of mother is also good.)
However, I kind of feel a bit bad for His Majesty, so let’s help him a bit.
“Mother, if you suddenly return without saying a word, His Majesty and your family will be worried. Chris-san, at what time will this train arrive at the station?”
“Y-Yes, it is scheduled to arrive around : in the morning.”
“Thank you. While on the subject, how long does it take to reach the castle from the White Rose Station? ”
“It’s about minutes away using a private carriage.”
That means we’ll arrive at the castle at around : , give or take, and mother said she wanted to take a bath after entering the castle, then......
“Let’s have a light meal prepared around : . Then have a little nap break at around o’clock, and go see His Majesty after o’clock in the afternoon, how does that sound mother? ”
“Okay......But are you alright with that, Ain? If you want, we can take a few days off, you know? ”
That’s too much waiting time.
“Since I will be in his care...... I would like to greet His Majesty a bit earlier, mother. I don’t want him to feel insulted and think “Olivia’s education was lacking”.”
“......Isn’t he such a cute and lovely boy, my Ain? Alright, let’s do that.”
Nice, I got hugged.
“Speaking of which, could I ask you to prepare a room, Chris-san? I feel like I’d appear as rude since I’m suddenly intruding.”
“There’s no way you’d appear as rude, Ain-sama...... If it’s a room-”
“For the time being, how about sharing a room with me, there’s no problem, right Ain? ”
It seems I got the best result possible.
Hey Chris, don’t look at us with such a troubled expression.
. - An Extremely Special Moving.
. - An Extremely Special Moving.
An Extremely Special Moving.
“Station Master.”
“What is it?”
The person being called out was the station manager of the largest station in all Ishtalika, the White Rose Station.
For those who worked in the railway sector, it was their dream to become the station master at the White Rose station.
“A signal has come for the platform on the th floor.”
“I didn’t receive a request. Could this be a mistake?”
Speaking of the fifth-floor platform, only one train stopped there.
This was the reason why the station’s staff purposely came to contact the station manager.
“Unlikely, it appears they have officially left the harbor.”
“......I’ll contact the Royal Palace for an estimated time of arrival.”
“It seems it will be ten minutes.”
“Let’s continue the preparations then.”
Basically, even before leaving the port, a contact will come with something similar to a dedicated radio.
In this case, the station manager felt suspicious because it was so sudden and without any previous contact.
“Excuse me. This is the White Rose Station Master...... as you might know, I’m calling you to ask for information about the use of the royal train.”
The inquiry to the Royal Palace’s steward office was also made using some sort of special radio.
“We are not able to provide any information on this matter; however, the White Rose station should be mindful and work as if dealing with the “Royal Family” as usual. This isn’t an unauthorized use; it is operating under official authorization.”
“Wh-...... h-hey, wait a moment, can’t you tell us mo-”
Even though it was called the Steward Office, several maids were the ones who dealt with the external correspondence.
And then, the communication was cut off one sidedly with the reply to the station manager being way too simple and with almost no content.
“Well, there’s no helping it......if they’re asking me to deal with them just like when dealing with the “royal family”, that’s all I have to do.”
As measures for the royal family, the station was to be keep safe so that people couldn’t run wild, and cleaning and maintaining the road for the private carriage.
If they were asked anything, they had to answer it, and since the royal family usually had knights and servants acting together with them, the main role of the station’s staff was close to just doing miscellaneous tasks.
Speaking of something special they did, it was just the storage of the royal train and interacting with its driver, at most.
And even though he was the station manager of one of the largest stations, he felt sad this was pretty much his role as a worker.
*
They arrived at the station...... at the White Rose station, a very big one.
“(How many platforms are there?)”
The royal train on which Ain rode stopped at a place about one floor higher from the other trains.
Below him, about ten platforms spread.
However, this wasn’t all, the platform where the royal train had stopped was located on the fifth floor.
Therefore, if there were platforms per floor, a simple calculation showed there were in total.
Ehh, why are there so many people? Isn’t it already almost noon!? Of course, Ain was thinking about the capital of his previous world...... it had a reputation of “the station where construction never ended”, and its great number of users was not much different from this other world station.
“......A lot of people are watching us from below.”
“Usually, a report will be made. But there was no previous information this time when the royal train moved. It was inevitable that it would attract the people’s interest.”
“Ain, it’s alright. I don’t care if I’m watched by a lot of people, my eyes will only see you.”
“(That in a way is a little troublesome, ojou-sama. Still, I love that side of mother.)”
“Now then, Olivia-sama, Ain-sama. I will lead the two of you, while the rest of the knights will secure the surroundings...... Like I said earlier, this has attracted a lot of interest from the people.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
Olivia answered as if this was obviously a matter of course, and she showed no signs of being upset or stressed about it at all.
(Looks like mother is quite accustomed to this.)
Looking at his mother, Ain thought she really was used to being seen by a lot of people.