Pendleton Revolution - Chapter 3.3

Now revealed to be 25 years old, she acted very much the older sister as she cared for Alice. Andrea decided to call Zariah her older sister5, and after ending in such mutual understanding, shared a greeting with a slight bump of their fists.

“I, I’m Alice……. Alice Carmaden. I’m 16 years old, and my father was Earl Carmarden.”

Finally having calmed down and stopped crying after a refreshing glass of water, Alice spoke carefully. The other roommates must have already heard Alice’s explanation as they were nodding, but Andrea Julinas could not help but be surprised at her introduction.

Aristocrats used a separate dormitory than commoners. According to the rules, everyone was equally assigned to different dormitories, but, in reality, the commoners were assigned afterwards. It couldn’t be helped, as the fee paid to enter the dormitory was different by level. There was no way they would make even the aristocrats use a dormitory of four cramped rooms and a single public living space.

But for what reason was such nobility in such a place? Andrea Julinas found it rather difficult to understand the situation.

She hurriedly withdrew her hand which had been patting Alice’s rounded shoulders. As she recalled what she had forced Alice to touch, sweat dripped nervously down her back.

“My L-lady. W-why have you come to t-this dormitory?”

“Though he holds the title of an Earl, our House has crumbled since my grandfather’s time, and now only our title remains. In other words, we’re bankrupt aristocrats. I heard that long ago the House used to be famed for academics, but it is hard for me to discern if that is really true. I am an only child, but our family is so poor that it’s nearly impossible for me to inherit the House.”

Alice, who had been patting the corners of her eyes free of tears, smiled shyly as if it was nothing of big concern.

“I plan on learning administrative work and becoming a public official. Since my father still holds a title, I can still receive extra points on the test to become a public official.”

“I- Is that so…….”

“Please speak comfortably. My speech is formal only because I am used to it and it’s comfortable for me to use……. Ah, I was assigned to Room 7-3. I saw luggage in the room, so could it be that Andrea will be living in the same room as me?”

Andrea hurriedly turned to her room and checked her room number before nodding. No matter whether she was a “ruined” aristocrat or not, she still remained burdensome company for Andrea Julinas, the child of a pirate and bandit who lived her entire life at an orphanage.

Despite her looks, Andrea Julinas had a rather sensitive psyche. She often got scolded by Maria for needlessly worrying. In reality, it did not seem like Alice minded whether Andrea was from an orphanage or not, but Andrea could not help but feel a little nervous.

With her light brown hair and blue eyes, she smiled shyly.

“Is that so? I hope we get along well, Andrea.”

“C-call me Andie. Here, I’m sorry for hugging you with my sweaty arms. Since we’ve introduced ourselves, I should hurry and go wash up.”

“It’s alright. It’s a well-known fact that the training at the Military Department is harsh. Take your time. Oh, right. I’ll sew your button back on, so please leave your clothes with me before you go.”

“Thank you…….”

After shaking hands with the very expression of being at a loss and handing over the shirt and button that Alice had promised to sew up, Andie Julinas headed into the showers and calmly thought to herself. What to do? Even the tone of voice she used for Daddy-Long-Legs had been decided by Maria, so just how was she supposed to interact with the noble lady who used the same room as her? She felt as though she should not act ruffian-like as usual. Though it had not been her wish, it seemed that she had yet another story to tell her patron.

Dear Daddy Long Legs, for some reason I’m roommates with an aristocrat in the commoners’ dormitories, and it seems like your Andie is no longer able to sleep naked……. And this hard-to-interact-with roommate Alice’s existence, surely, became the biggest concern of Andie, who had undergone numerous misunderstandings and uncomfortable situations within the 33 hours she had arrived at the Academy.

Footnote:

5. The term/address “older sister” is a nomer of both respect and familiarity.