I Don’t Want To Be The Protagonist of a Romance Novel – Chapter 40

—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
—————————————————————–

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

Afterward, a common and typical date course followed.

Naturally, there were fewer things to see and enjoy compared to the developed modern era of Rudrick’s previous life, but still, places where people lived were generally similar.

Moreover, if it was the capital, which had the largest population and was the most developed economically and culturally in the empire, it was even more so.

Although the two of them were already far from ordinary lives, their date course was no different from any other ordinary noble scions.

They watched a performance by a famous orchestra in a fancy theater and strolled the streets, observing people and shops, just like a typical date course.

And now, as the day was slowly getting darker, they had entered a nearby cafe.

It had already been over four hours since they started their date-like outing.

“Still, with this, we can say we’ve spent a fulfilling day,” Eileen remarked.

“That’s right. But it’s kind of surprising.”

“What is?”

Eileen, who had been casually picking up a cup of coffee, asked.

Time was the best medicine.

Thanks to that, her heart, which had been pounding just by seeing Rudrick’s face or being aware of the fact that they were on a date, had now calmed down to some extent.

“I thought other people would recognize you when walking around with me. You’re the Nord Grand Duchess, after all,” Rudrick said.

“What?”

Eileen chuckled.

“This may sound a bit strange, but there are actually far more people who don’t know my face than those who do.”

“Why? If you’re a Grand Duchess.”

“The nobles who are in high enough positions to know my face wouldn’t be leisurely wandering around places like this as we are.”

“Ah.”

Rudrick nodded his head as if he understood.

Although they were now casually conversing, Eileen was indeed the rightful ruler of the Nord Duchy and a Grand Duchess of the Esgelant Empire.

It was a position that, under normal circumstances, would make it difficult for Rudrick to even see her face, let alone have a casual conversation with her.

Eileen, who had put down her half-empty coffee cup, spoke.

“Shall we get going now?”

“To have dinner?”

“Yes.”

It was getting dark outside.

It wasn’t unusual for the day to be fading since they had left the Imperial Palace and wandered around for a long time since noon, but it also meant that this enjoyable date was slowly coming to an end.

Now, after feeding Rudrick dinner and sending him back, Eileen’s mission of escorting Rudrick and leaving him with pleasant memories would be successfully completed.

“Is there anything you’d like for dinner? It’s been a while since I’ve been to the capital. I do know a few good restaurants though.”

“…Oh, well. Can’t we just go anywhere?”

Rudrick, who had been pondering for a moment as if at a loss for words due to the sudden question, carefully asked.

Of course, it wasn’t in the sense of “anything” that women often said in Rudrick’s previous life, but literally meant eating anything.

There was no way he knew any restaurants in the capital, and he didn’t know any diverse types of food either.

Even the meals he had in the Weiss County or the research lab were all the same menu.

“……”

However, Eileen abruptly stopped moving like a malfunctioning machine.

It would have been sufficient to interpret Rudrick’s words in their literal meaning, but she was at a loss for words, failing to grasp the questioner’s intention.

Anything.

It was the most difficult request in the world.

It was like a subjective question where one had to understand the other person’s hidden preferences or intentions and give the correct answer.

Even if Rudrick hadn’t brought it up with that intention, it was enough to overload Eileen’s mind.

After pondering for a long time, Eileen carefully spoke.

“…There is a place I used to visit often when I was attending the academy.”

“Then let’s go there. It’s a popular place, right?”

“The food is delicious, but…”

Eileen hesitated.

It wasn’t a fancy restaurant that would be suitable for a date course with a lover.

It was a place frequently visited by adventurers active near the capital, known for its large portions and delicious food.

Rather, it was a place that combined an inn and a restaurant, a rare sight in the capital.

Even though it had been several years since she graduated from the academy, the food was probably still as delicious as before.

If the food hadn’t been delicious in the first place, Eileen wouldn’t have frequently visited that place during her academy days.

However, she had some reservations about taking Rudrick there.

“…You might be disappointed when you see it.”

“Why? Does the taste vary from time to time?”

“No, it’s not that. But…”

Eileen, who had been making a displeased expression, got up from her seat as if there was no other choice.

The die had been cast the moment she brought it up.

Now, all she could do was hope that Rudrick would like it.

The place they headed to after leaving the cafe was not the glamorous streets of the capital but a small and shabby inn located in a secluded alley.

It was in such an obscure location that one might not even know it also served as a restaurant if not for the signboard.

Eileen glanced sideways at Rudrick’s reaction.

With an anxious expression, wondering if he might be disappointed.

But Rudrick didn’t seem disappointed at all.

‘This is the popular place recommended by locals,’ he thought.

Rather, seeing the location of the restaurant, he had even more expectations.

If it had been in business for several years in such an inaccessible location, the taste of the food was already guaranteed.

With sparkling eyes full of anticipation, Eileen let out a small sigh of relief, and as they opened the door and entered the restaurant, a middle-aged woman who was serving food brightened up upon seeing Eileen.

“Who do we have here? Isn’t it Nilly? It’s the first time since you graduated from the academy. So, how have you been?”

“As you can see.”

The restaurant owner and Eileen already knew each other.

The woman, who laughed heartily, patted Eileen’s shoulder and subtly remarked.

“So, is that your boyfriend next to you?”

“…Not exactly.”

“What do you mean not exactly? It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, but who would have thought you’d bring your boyfriend? That timid girl.”

“…You talk too much, then and now.”

“Haha, I’m just happy to see you after a long time. Instead, I’ll give you lots of extra service today, so come often. I almost forgot your face.”

The owner, who had said everything she wanted to say in a rush, quickly disappeared into the kitchen, and Rudrick, who had sat down, asked with a bewildered face.

“Who is Nilly?”

“…It’s an alias.”

“Judging by the way she talked, it seems she has no idea about your identity as Eileen.”

Rudrick made a puzzled expression.

In this pre-modern society with a class system, it wasn’t the kind of behavior a mere commoner would show towards the Nord Grand Duchess.

Even if they had a close relationship.

But with a little thought, it quickly made sense.

It was evident that Eileen, who seemed to have come alone, had introduced herself as a commoner and used the alias Nilly instead of her real name, which explained the owner’s reaction.

‘Ah, that alias is an anagram in the first place.’

The alias was derived by reversing the letters of Eileen’s name.

Moreover, judging by how the owner had disappeared into the kitchen without even taking their order, it seemed Eileen had frequently visited this place.

“Even after a long time, she still talks a lot. Way too much.”

“That can be the case. She doesn’t seem to have a clue about your true identity. So why did you use an alias in the first place?”

“…Phew.”

Eileen shook her head, grumbling.

Aside from the owner being talkative, fussy, and the place being noisy with many customers, there were no significant drawbacks.

Especially the large portions and delicious food were its characteristics.

That was the reason Eileen had frequently visited this place when she was attending the academy.

Not long after, the food arrived.

“Why is it so hard to see your face? Is adventurer life tough? Come often and boost my sales before you go.”

“…I’ll try my best, but I don’t remember ordering alcohol.”

“It’s on the house.”

Leaving those words behind, the owner disappeared into the kitchen again, and Eileen made a lukewarm expression.

The types of food were ordinary.

A meal consisting of stew, bread, and other common dishes that one would find in a typical household, familiar to Rudrick.

However, a relatively strong wine was placed as a bonus to accompany the meal.

“…I don’t particularly enjoy alcohol.”

“I’m not too fond of it either.”

Eileen pondered for a moment and then moved the wine bottle to the side.

She already knew that Rudrick didn’t enjoy drinking.

But.

Rudrick brought back the wine bottle that Eileen had pushed aside.

“…Huh?”

“Still, it’s a waste not to drink it when it’s given as a service.”

“Well, Rudrick. Whatever makes you comfortable.”

Eileen nodded her head.

And their thoughts diverged.

Eileen’s biggest mistake was not stopping Rudrick from drinking the strong liquor, thinking it was too strong for him to drink at this occasion, and Rudrick had one misconception.

Although he didn’t know for sure since he had never drunk to the point of getting drunk.

The fact that alcohol tolerance and capacity were influenced by his “current body,” not the “memories of his previous life.”

This fact that Rudrick “mistakenly” believed that his alcohol tolerance was simply getting drowsy and falling asleep even if he got drunk.

In a way, it was the fundamental cause of the impending tragedy.

Glug glug.

Rudrick, who had poured the wine into glasses before the meal, smelled its aroma.

The tart scent characteristic of alcohol was the base, and a subtle grape fragrance permeated through it.

Rudrick, who had filled Eileen’s glass as well, raised his own glass and said.

“Cheers.”

“…Then, cheers.”

Clink.

With a cheerful sound, the glasses clinked together.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇