The language barrier

Dearest mother and father in another world!

I am happy to say that finally things have gone back to normal!!!

Mostly anyway...

Not long after the chaos on the roof , the storm that had been raging above us endlessly for a week finally had stopped. I never thought I would be so relieved to see the sunshine again... according to Sana, storms whilst big weren't all that common in this world, so we were most likely not going to see one again for a while which was a relief. Though part of me still dreaded what kind of ridiculousness waited in store for me in this world if storms weren't a big deal.

Also I had finally been given some real maid duties to do once more, as opposed to all the ridiculous stuff Dante had been making me do before. Albeit, that didn't mean I was completely free...

"Say pig girl, go an refill my tea pot, I'm thirsty!" Dante announced as he flicked through a book upon his vanity within his room- the room finally no longer having the ridiculous covers all over it. I dutifully picked up the tea pot and the tray from beside him, giving a small sigh.
"For the last time I am not pig girl..." I pointed out to him as Dante waved off my comment.
"I don't care, go do what I asked before I burn you..." he noted firmly as I gave a displeased expression to him. It was obvious that Prince Dante still did not like me and the same could be said back for me too... though surprisingly I had found myself able to be quite honest to him without any sort of repercussions... maybe he was worried I'd run atop the roof again? There came a rather muffled snort from beside us both as I looked to the young knight who had found this whole situation quite hilarious from the start, Sir Hugo. This appeared to be high quality entertainment to the knight...
"Would you also like a drink Sir Hugo?" I asked him as Hugo gave me a cheerful smile back.
"Yes, thank you Miss Silverston!" He replied as Dante spoke without looking from his book.
"Don't chuck the tea upon anybody if you know what is good for you..." he noted as I gave a strained smile. He didn't have to tell me that twice... Though I guess I owed it him to be careful... he did break his arm to stop me from falling.

"Hmm, if you ask me, it actually seems like Lord Eldesfair likes you!" Sana mentioned as I met up with her outside later that day on break whilst she was drying off mattresses from outside.
"I still feel the need to apologise for not being able to help with this Sana, sorry..." I mentioned, feeling guilty whenever I stared at the damp mattresses before I then shook my head, realising I got side tracked. "And are you sure? Because making me work with the prince who multiple times has tried to kill me seems almost like a death sentence..." I pointed out as Sana seemed to laugh faintly at this response.
"I don't know, but I feel like he wouldn't give you this sort of job unless he trusted you to some extent, I mean even Lady Irian was against it..." Sana explained as I recalled how deflated Lady Irian looked after her attempts to suade the lord were in vain. She really had far too much to deal with didn't she? Sana then tilted her head thoughtfully as she continued to waft her fan before the mattresses. "You know, since everything that happened on the roof, his highness hasn't caused any major issues since for other maids... I even heard from Felicia that if you are there he eats his meals..." Sana then pointed out cheerfully. Well that was mostly because I had been lecturing him if he wasn't eating them... Sana then gave me a warm smile. "I think that the lord noticed that you may be a positive influence Annie..." she noted...

A positive influence huh?

Maybe in making him actually eat his meal, but from my perspective he was still as obnoxious as ever...

However, there was a reason why I was still dutifully persisting with all of this...

Late at night I had sat up in my bed a book within my hand as I used the moons light coming through the window to write down some notes in the only language I knew how to write in Japanese. Thankfully thought my memories of the past world were still rather hazy, Japanese still came as second nature to me to write and read... though it wasn't like it would do me much good in this world... I sighed as I looked through my notes.

I had decided that given I could not shake the prince off my back, that I would try to at least put him on the path to a good ending... if I could then maybe I wouldn't have to desperately try find my way out of this country... and maybe I could save everybody else in the manor too... I hadn't forgot how everyone sacrificed their mattresses for my sake. The best ending for all of us would be for Dante's wounds to be healed by the main protagonist and for them to fall in love and have a happily ever after. Unfortunately there was no way for Dante to meet the main protagonist until another three years time when they entered highschool. At first this had me stumped, however... maybe there was a way to make it so certain traumatic events that lead to Dante's corruption never happen. Given his attitude now, we may have missed some... but surely they didn't all happen before I had woken up. Some crucial ones had to have happened between now and the time the game starts... my brow furrowed a little as I impatiently chewed my pen...

That was the problem though, my memories if my past life were still hazy... though I could clearly remember main plot points to tyrant king, I could not remember the smaller details about the characters that made up their plot points. I mean I could only just about remember Hugo and bits of his story line... geez these memory issues were quite literally going to be the death of me... In any case I had to do my best to remember quick, otherwise Dante may really hit a bad end if we aren't lucky. If I convince him enough, maybe he will at least let his maid's lives before he dooms the entire country??

The other thing for me to worry about was Tyrant King's love rivals. Dante wasn't the only love interest in this game, much rather there were five other candidates in the game for him to compete against- I had already met one which was Hugo and I at least had knowledge of the other, the first prince Horatio... but as for the other three I had no clue... No matter how much I thought I couldn't recall who they were, maybe because their routes were less important than the previously mentioned three? The reason why this all mattered was because no matter what, if Dante was not the chosen route by the protagonist then it was certain he would try to plunge the world into a fiery rampage- we absolutely had to avoid that!! Which meant I had to absolutely make sure that the protagonist and Dante got together! I gave a small sigh to myself, scratching the side of my head... since when was it that I had been reborn to be a match maker? I mean I know I played loads of otome games when I was younger but still...

"Say, Annie, are you still awake?" Sana mittered over to me sleepily as I flinched a little upon being caught out... before then laughing stiffly in response.
"Haha, yeah sorry, I was just about to head to sleep now..." I replied, deciding that this would be the end of my working out for the night. After trying to collect all my thoughts on the matter, I still didn't really find me in any position nearer or further away from a good or bad ending... but at least I had some starting places. What I needed to focus on right now was learning more about Dante and his past- or much rather current future- and I needed to prepare myself to face his rivals... I settled into bed, a determined look on my face. Even if right now it seemed impossible, I was going to work hard at it!

So far, apart from making tea and telling his royal twerpiness to appreciate the food he was given, I hadn't actually done anything more to be of use to the guy who had a broken arm overall... which I suppose was the peace I had been asking for, however, it wasn't putting me in a position to learn more about the prince at all... that was until the next day where I had quite abruptly been sat down before a large stack of papers on a desk and handed over a pen like it was nothing...

I gave a dry expression and looked at the prince who was busy reading a book from beside me. Prince Dante looked up from his book, noticing my look if confusion towards him, before he then lowered the book to give me a frown...
"What is it? Do your work!" He demanded as I simply gave a arid response.
"Ehhh..?" I replied, much to his annoyance.
"Don't 'ehhh' me, you are meant to be helping me right? So make yourself useful!" He snapped at me, his explanation as always doing nothing for me.
"You know your highness, I get that, but I have no idea what it is exactly you want me to do with this..." I pointed out as Dante then sighed.
"Does it look like I can write right now?" He asked me sternly as I squinted at him.
"No, of course not..." I replied, finally seeing where this was going.
"Then start signing off this papers, they're all royal documents, feel honoured that you get to see them..." he snapped at me as I looked back over to the papers. You know, I bet these would be an amazing read, and that this would be quite the privilege to someone who, you know, could actually read them. Though Japanese proved to be quite easy for me, whatever scribble this language this world spoke was meant to be was an entirely different story. This written language wasn't like either Japanese or English which I had fortunately gotten a decent grade in... I looked at the page, picking up the pen... before looking back to Dante who simply stared a new hole through my head... and with his glares I gave a very stiff and lost smile. Okaaay??? I mean I could try...

If I looked at this one character closely, it sort of looked like the kanji for tree... if I really squinted my eyes at it... and maybe this one group of character meant toilet paper if I really looked at it closely... Tree's and paper- of course, then this made perfect sense, this was in fact a government action to produce more toilet paper from local tree's right?? I picked up my pen and gracefully held it over the paper... and stared at it again for another good few moments...

Dante had noticed I was quite literally doing nothing again as he looked over his book to throw daggers at me with his eyes again.
"What are you doing?" He asked as for a moment I contemplated actually replying... before I then looked back at him with a nervous smile.
"Say... how do you write toilet paper?" I decided to ask him to be sure of my resolve as the prince's look of annoyance quite quickly transformed into that of confused annoyance.
"Huh?" He questioned as I felt my certainty in my conclusion for this piece waver even more.
"I- I mean... is this a paper about toilet paper...?" I asked as Dante's face really seemed to speak his thoughts right for him. He snatched the paper from my hands quite suddenly, his eyes skirting across the paper for a few moments, before he then glowered at me even more than he currently had been.
"Are you making fun of me you dumb maid...?" He asked me icily as I jumped to his sudden anger.
"What?! No-No! I just... I- I don't know what to write... or much rather how to..." my voice gradually got quieter the more I spoke on as Dante gave me a confused yet suspicious expression.
"Ehh...?" He simply made a pushy noise, as I lowered my head.
"I mean... I cannot write your highness..." I finally found myself able to admit to him...

There actually cane a somewhat delayed response from the prince as he seemed to realise this himself... though his sharp comeback wasn't too slow to come-
"Then why didn't you say that to begin with?!" He questioned me icily- Urgh- You was the one who wouldn't listen to me when I tried to give you the hint you jerk! It's not my fault I have to spell it out for you!

Dante simply picked up the pen with unbandaged hand, giving a deep sigh as he looked to the paper.
"Look, if you can't write, then at least read me the list of those items on the paper next in the list..." he told me gruffly...

His request was met with silence...

The prince looked over to me, a flat but obviously very annoyed expression on his face as he didn't even ask to try hear what my reason was for not doing as he asked. I found myself very shamefully admitting again...
"I can't read either..." I told him as there came another long winded silence between the both of us... before he then snapped at me.
"Then what are you good for then exactly?!" He declared as I felt those words take a huge jab at my ego. Again this is all because you assumed I could read to begin with!! The prince continued to glower at me until it seemed he had recalled something.
"Wait a minute, didn't you say that you used read books all the time?!" He then pointed out as I instinctively replied to this.
"I did!!!" I began in a very sure fire manner... before the realisation that my past of reading novels all the time in my past life didn't quite apply... my follow up was quite quiet. "I mean... I did... but not in this language..." I mentioned solemnly as Dante didn't really seem to take this as an answer.
"What's that meant to mean? What language??" He asked me sharply as I flinched to this- crap he did ask... but I couldn't just say it was a language from a completely different world could I... I felt my face pucker up a little to this...
"I can't really say..." I was rather unwillingly vague with him as the prince in response simply raised up the ring he spoke into up to his mouth.

"Just leave the room pig girl!!" He pointed at the door in anger as the bell on my wrist started ringing. He was still going to use the explosive bracelet against me?!!
"What do you mean leave?! This is my job!!" I exclaimed as Dante looked back to his paper in annoyance.
"If there is one thing I hate more than anything it's liars... especially if they think they are going to get anything special put of it..." Dante muttered as I for the first time, I honestly didn't have much of a comeback to his brattiness...
'There are many people who try to lie and sympathise with him, usually because they want something in return for his trust'
Ah... it was in that moment that I recalled what Hugo had said whilst I was in the jail cell... so that was how it was...

The jingling on my bell got more incessant as Dante then sighed to himself...
"You can't read, you can't write, you can't take an order, get lost already you dumb illiterate pig girl!!!" He shouted as with the realisation that I may really blow up in a moment either via the bracelet or via Dante's anger, I found myself actually complying.
"Ahhh, okay already!!" I yelled back, leaving the harsh tongued prince to deal with things on his own.

Damn... that jerk... I now found myself catching my breath from outside the prince's room... and with the ease of my sudden exhaustion came a small spark of rage. URGH THAT ANNOYING BRAT!! I'd have him know that back in Japan, even if I was mostly home schooled, I actually had really amazing literacy skills, my grades were alway the best!!! I'd show him... I mean I would... if they spoke a single lick of Japanese here... I gave a deep sigh to myself, calming myself down as I thought about what just happened to myself. Somehow I got a bit of de ja vu from all this... didn't we argue about this before?! What was with this prince and getting angry of reading anyway?!

In any case...
'If there's one thing I hate more than anything, it's liars...'
How on earth exactly was I meant to get closer or learn more about him like this?? There was no way I could prove to him I spoke any language that made sense in this world... and now he seemed to hate me more than ever!! I exhaled deeply, rubbing the side of my temples as my brain racked, trying to figure something else... If there was a way to learn the language in this world at this point, I'd do it in a heartbeat- not just to not seem like complete dirt to the prince I served, but also so I could learn more about this world in general. Mixed with my lacking memories and my time stuck in this manor, the scale of this buildings walls was all I really knew right now... if I could read more about the world, maybe it would help bring some memories back...

"My that is a troubled look for a young lady to be having..." came a sudden voice out of nowhere, making me jump out of my skin. Just who- Why did people have such a habit on coming out if nowhere in this manor?! Behind me was the Lord of the manor himself, Lord Eldesfair as I fid my best to regain my composure.
"A hahaha- Lord Eldesfair, how are you today??" I asked with a rather stiff laugh as the lord gave me a quite merry smile.
"I am doing well... though can we say the same for you?" He returned the question back to me- my instant minds reply being no... but I couldn't really reply with that... instead I just forced a smile.
"Oh no, I am fine!" I told him-
"I have quite the elusive eye you know Miss Silverston, I can tell by the shade of grey under your eyes that you are lying..." he replied as I jumped at this- he could tell that just by the shade of my eyes... wait I had eye bags already??! I found myself instinctively putting my hand up to my eyes as the lord tilted his head from behind me.
"So I'm correct huh?" He asked with a pleasant smile- AH- I had been had! I looked back to him with a dry smile- he was proving to be quite the cunning fellow for such an older ikemen, it sort of reminded me of somebody... It was then he appeared to give a bit more of a sympathetic look in my direction. "Is his highness causing you any issues?" He asked as I found myself a little caught off guard by this question... to say he was causing issues... I mean yes- but they were sort of stemmed from my own misdoings if anything...
"Not... really actually..." I replied quietly as Lord Eldesfair seemed to take a moment to evaluate my response- as though to verify if I was correct... before he then nodded to himself.
"He can be quite the handful... but he isn't a bad kid at heart. If you have some patience with him, I'm sure you will start to get along at some point..." he mentioned as I winced a little... so far getting along seemed to be a bit of a far stretch... but- I'd like to believe that what he said about Dante being a good kid was true... it seemed this man knew Dante a fairly amount- he could even be a goof source of information too... The lord continued to walk past me as I took in what he said. "If you have any questions at all Miss Silverston, don't be afraid to ask..." he went on as it was upon realising the dukes usefulness that I then realised that I could ask him.
"A-Actually, I do have some questions Lord Eldesfair!!" I called after him from the hallway...

"Hmm? You want to know how you can learn to read and write...?" Lord Eldesfair relayed my explanation later on to me. We sat within what appeared to be a very fancy looking office I had never entered in before until now. I found myself sat at a large wooden desk, opposite to Lord Eldesfair who had a variety of shelves with files and trinkets cluttered on them, towering from behind him. I oddly found myself greeted with a young drink before me whilst being given a warm welcome in the office. Part of me wondered if it was okay for me to be having this sort of luxury as Lord Eldesfair went to pour his own drink.
"Erm... Lord Eldesfair... I can make the drinks..." I interjected in our conversation, going to get up as the man shook his head.
"No need, I have my own way of making my drinks, so I always make my own..." he told me as I gave an uncertain expression to this- was that so..? "But back to the topic at hand-" he began as I flinched upon realising.
"Oh- Uhm yes... Well I was hoping that there was some sort of a way for maid's to learn how to read and write??" I then repeated to him as Lord Eldesfair tilted his head with a blank smile.
"I mean, is there any reason why- I mean you are a maid..."He responded with a question as I found myself almost sort of taken aback from this reply- it really did seem like that literacy was seen as a luxury here... it was sort of a culture shock given just how much importance basic literacy had in my old world... but I did my best not to be too intimidated by this question- I already had sort of answer that didn't sound too casual like learning about the world out the manor- or too strange like wanting to get on the prince's good side- a reason handed to me by the prince himself.
"A-Actually- it's because it'll help with my work with his highness. Earlier he wanted me to help with signing documents, but because I couldn't read or write, I wasn't much help at all..." I replied to the lord as he nodded in response to this.
"Ah yes... well that does seem to be a problem..." he answered thoughtfully as it was after a few moment of thinking he looked up to me. "Hmm, but I had heard that you could read Miss Silverston..." -Ah this again, how did he know that?? Was there someone spreading rumours around that I could read for some reason... once again, I found my reply to this question to this answer bring rather vague...
"Well... I mean I sort of can... but also no..." I gave him the shortened truth to the situation as the Lord seemed quite intrigued by this reply.
"Hmm?" He began as I found myself looking away from him with a cold sweat. It seemed like this man could peer through cement if he really wanted to... but there was going to be no way I could explain that I read Japanese to this man...

Thankfully he didn't seem to dwell too much on the technicalities to my reply, moving swiftly on to the sad truth as my life for my current position.
"Well unfortunately, no, maids cannot receive education from tutors- if there are educated maids, they usually are lower noble maids or maids from common families where their parents were educated" he told me as I held in my sigh to this news. Boy, the class system in this world really did not skip a beat huh?
"Ah... I see..." I replied in a disheartened way... so it seemed as though I was back to the drawing board on this one...

Lord Eldesfair looked up as he drank his tea at me...
"Are you actually interested in reading and writing outside helping his highness Miss Silverston?" Lord Eldesfair then decided to question me as I hesitated a little at first before responding...
"I... I think it's an important thing to learn- even if it's just the basics for maids, from there we can teach ourselves..." I replied quietly as it was to this that the Lord gave a small nod as he drank his tea.
"Well I don't disagree with you..." He replied something that sorta surprised me.
"You don't?" I questioned as he put his tea down.
"Well, I don't think in terms of expenses, we can give all maids an education similar to that nobles get, but certainly I think basic education is a good thing... especially in terms of bettering the country... though surprisingly you have been the first maid I have met with an actual interest in the matter..." Lord Eldesfair mentioned as I was honestly just sort of taken back by the fact that my idea was being taken into consideration given my position.
"I- I see... well I used to enjoy hearing stories slot when younger... so that's where I got it from!" I replied scratching my head, feeling a little shy at the matter. I wasn't expecting my idea to be taken so well.
"Hmm... well I feel like I was correct, you are an interesting one Miss Silverston..." Lord Eldesfair mentioned as I laughed faintly to this. That sounded like something I heard before... Again- there was a familiarity about him I couldn't quite pin point...

"Well how about this, if his highness wants you to help with files, maybe you could ask him to teach you some basics" Lord Eldesfair then pointed out, as any shyness I had to his words previously was quick to flee at the mere suggestion.
"Huh?" I simply gave an uncertain noise as the lord went on.
"It'd be helping you both out so I'm sure he won't entirely be against it..." Lord Eldesfair noted.
"Uhm... No, I sincerely think he will be against it..." I quickly shot the idea down- already imagining all the insults and threats I would receive for even bringing up the idea...
"Haha, you think so?" The lord mentioned as it was just after he laughed at this that there came a knocking at the door...

"Hmm? Come in!" Lord Eldesfair greeted the person behind the door- who was revealed to be Hugo after the door opening. It seemed Hugo wasn't expecting me of all people to be in the room however as upon seeing me he genuinely seemed rather surprised.
"Ah- Oh, there is a royal guard downstairs waiting to see you Lord Eldesfair..." Hugo quickly got over is surprise, getting to the topic at hand...

There was a small silence for a moment after Hugo announced this- as it was the lord appeared to be staring Hugo down for a moment... before then he snapped his fingers.
"Ah, then how about this Miss Silverston, why not have Hugo teach you the basics for now?" He then pointed out, much to both mine and Hugo's surprise.
"Eh?!" Was the joined noise of confusion and startlement to come from mine and Hugo's mouth as the lord then started to stand up.
"Don't worry, he has been well educated just as his highness has, so he shouldn't have any trouble with it!" Lord Eldesfair proceeded to explain as I shook my head at this remark.
"Th- that isn't what I am worried about..." I told him in a panic at how quickly he was jumping to this idea. The lord seemed to be leaving the room just as fast as he had announced the suggestion- but just before he left the room- he stopped before the rather dumbstruck Hugo.
"Miss Silverston is interested in learning the basics for reading and writing! Be sure to go through it all with her!" Lord Eldesfair told the young knight as Hugo at first soundlessly stared at the lord... before he appeared to understand the situation, lowering his head.
"Yes sir..." he nodded- another surprising response to come out. Wait he was going to just go along with all of this?? Despite my own loss with the event, the lord seemed rather satisfied with the reply as he looked back to me.
"I'll be taking my leave now Miss Silverston, thank you for bringing up your concerns with me, I'll leave you in Hugo's hands..." Lord Eldesfair told me with a cheerful grin- I mean this did give me a solution to my problem- but I didn't think it would be so sudden... or be using another person's time so suddenly either... nonetheless I still gave him a half hearted smile back.
"Ah, yes... thank you!" I nodded, watching the Lord exit the room, leaving only me and Hugo in there.

I didn't quite know what to say to the young knight for a short while, given how fast everything had just suddenly happened. That lord was a rather eccentric type when he was allowed to get away with it, wasn't he? Though...
'I don't disagree with you...'
He didn't seem like a bad person... and he did seem to take on even the ideas that a maid had. He was probably very good at what he did being a royal advisor. Part of me wished that I could recall if he was from the game or not...

My attention was drawn back to Hugo, who in this short time appeared to be oddly quiet and in thought. I did feel sort of bad for him, from what I saw with his duties with the prince, he probably already had alot to deal with...
"S-Say- Sir Hugo, you don't have to worry-" I began, though the knight simply stopped me before I could continue.
"Well, if you follow me now Miss Silverston, I can teach you some if the basics..." he told me with his usual sparkly smile... well.. it seemed like he didn't mind too much...

I now found myself waiting in the doorway of Hugo's room as he appeared to be ruffling around beneath his bed... though his room was alot smaller than the prince's- it was still decidingly alot more luxurious than than the rest of the manor house rooms- it was a fact I didn't think I was going to get used to- it really seemed that the rich lived in another world to us maids.
"So his highness is the reason you want to learn to read and write?" Hugo summed up what I had explained from our way up to the room.
"Ah- I wouldn't say it's completely for him... but partially..." I responded, not particularly wanting to admit that I was doing anything really for that prince as Hugo simply nodded at this response.
"I see , well at the least, what you told me at least explains what was going on earlier with his highness..." Hugo mentioned, this response garnering my curiosity.
"Hmm?"
"Ah, well you see, he was reading through files earlier in a foul mood... and he seemed to be muttering something about cooking pigs..." he went on- I regretted my curiosity...
"Ahahaha... is that so..." I gave a shallow laugh in response- that child's mood really wasn't something to trifle with.
"Yup, I saw his bad mood and instantly thought to myself- ah, Miss Silverston must have done something again- ah here that thing is..." he proceeded to note before finding whatever he had been looking under the bed for this entire time as I jumped at his casual remark beforehand.
"Eh?? I can't be be the obvious reason he is grumpy!!" I exclaimed as Sir Hugo turned to me with a cheerful grin.
"It's my literacy book from my first grade!" He announced to me... My face in contrast seemed to be giving a rather pouted expression- hey, really I can't be the only reason that prince get's grumpy, come on...

Hugo then got to his feet, handing the book over to me.
"You can use this as a guideline for now Moss Silverston, of course I'll help you understand what is in there so don't be afraid to ask me questions!" He then told me with a pleased smile, before then patting my head. Ehh, what was this? Even though this kid was younger I seemed to be being treated a little like a child... nonetheless I couldn't deny, this all was a big help. I may really be able to read soon.
"Yeah... thank you Sir Hugo! For the book and your time!! I'm sorry you got caught up in all of this so... I'll be sure to look after it and learn quickly!!" I told him with a small smile, the young knight retracting his hand off my head... before he then snorted to himself, going to sit down at a table and chair to the back of the room.
"Well it doesn't bother me too much, I mean this is all nursery level stuff. I think even a baby could teach you!" He replied as I twitched to this- eh so now I was less intelligent than a baby?? "Though I'd be lying if being a teacher all of a sudden didn't catch me off guard... you definitely do keep things entertaining round here!"
"Haha, well I'm glad I'm useful for that much..." I replied, realising that even if I wanted to, I hadn't really changed my position as entertainment since I had gotten here. Haha, should I be happy or sad about that.
"If you sit down here, I'll teach you a little!" Hugo then mentioned as I snapped myself out of it.
"Ah, yes, of course!!"

It was a small while during that day, but by the end of Hugo's explanations, I did seem to start to understand what certain letters looked like- I was even able to put what some letter looked like to the sounds coming out my mouth.
"So then, this is how you would write my name right?" I then asked Hugo with a sparkle in my ryes, raising up my paper to him.
"Yup, I have to say, I'm pretty surprised- you can handle a pen pretty well Miss Silverston..." Hugo told me, looking rather impressed as I gave a rather big smile in response to this.
"Why, of course I can, afterall I-" I began rather pridefully- before I noticed I was about to mention how I could write in Japanese. "I uh—- I used to draw all the time back in my orphanage so I learned there..." I quickly laughed off the slip up I almost made as Hugo chuckled a little to this.
"Hmm is that so?" He mentioned before he then tilted his head at me... "maybe you can draw something for me at some point then?" He asked- woah I didn't expect to be hit with that curve ball... I looked away from him nervously.
"I... I wouldn't say that.."
"Hmm? That's a shame..." he remarked before then picking up his pen. "Then how about I draw you then?" I jumper at the mere mention of it.
"Wh-What?? Drawing me? I don't think you need to..." I told him, a little flustered at the suggestion as Hugo nodded, looking back up at me, before then drawing one extra line.
"Uhuh, okay done!" He simply finished up, much to my shock- he had finished it so quickly???
"Already??! How on earth did you-?"
Before I could finish, Hugo turned over his page to reveal a small cartoon piggy with pigtails on the other side.

I had my head on the table as Hugo laughed... ah... I didn't know what else I was expecting...
"I'm sorry Miss Silverston, but the opportunity was too easy to take!" Hugo chortled to myself as I tried and failed to hid my disheartenment. I thought that this knight bad a cute side to him, but it was easy to forget he could be just as devious as the prince he served.
"I'm not a piggy..." I muttered as Hugo tilted his head looking at the paper.
"Hmm? Well I can sort if see the semblance..." he gave no hesitation in replying as I then glared up at him... before grabbing my own piece of paper, starting to draw on it. Hmph, I'd show him...

"Still though, I have to say, I'm glad that you are still serving his highness..." The knight then brought up as he stopped himself from laughing.
"Ehh... let me guess, because it is entertaining..." I replies gloomily as Hugo then clapped his hands.
"Bing bing bing bing bing, you are correct!" He replied with a sparkly smile- I mean, I was the one who suggested it, but it still was depressing to hear. Nonethless Hugo then rested his chin against his hand as I scribbled on my paper... "well that's part of the reason anyway... I initially thought you were a little simple and one track minded Miss Silverston..."
Boy, he was certainly one for the insults today, wasn't he? It felt a little like revenge for me putting this all on him. "...but I think I don't think you were as simple as I thought...maybe you are still a little one track minded I mean... running atop a roof in a storm is certainly one track minded..." he followed up, as I couldn't find myself able to argue with that- he wasn't wrong... "But I don't think that's a particularly bad thing in your case Miss Silverston... much rather, I think somebody who can be as abrasive and determined in a good way being around his highness isn't really a bad thing... much rather I think you match his speed rather well... Even if you tend to cause trouble, I am glad he can have that around him now..." Hugo summed up as I didn't particularly know how to take that... was that a compliment or an insult? Nonetheless, it didn't feel bad to be accepted in some way.
"Well, I hope that I can continue to defy your expectations ..." I noted as Hugo at first seemed a little astonished by this remark. Before he laughed faintly.
"Well, it's that personality that makes you so interesting" Hugo responded, my eye's lighting up faintly at this. Huh, I has heard that quite alot recently... it was dawning on me what the answer to my thoughts were earlier.

"Uhm, Sir Hugo, are you by any chance related to Sir Eldesfair in any way?" I then asked as it seemed that in this moment, Hugo appeared to be rather caught off guard by this sudden question from my part...

He remained silent for a second, before then a much more downplayed smile appeared on his face.
"I'm surprised that you noticed... but yes, we're related... he is my father..." he responded to me as I gave a fairly surprised expression in response to this. Woah, I had noticed similarities but it never once dawned on me that they were related in that way... though looking at their appearances and personalities, things started to add up.
"W-Wow- I knew there were resemblances there, butI didn't suspect that much!" I then gave a astounded response to this knowledge with a minute laugh. To think that Hugo's father was the royal advisor... though now I thought on it more, it made what Sana said about him being from high nobility make sense... though it was upon coming to terms with all of this that I began to realise something.
"Hmm...? Then if you are both related, then how come your surnames are different..." I began, however my words were quickly put on hold as I noticed the expression on Hugo's face. He was still smiling, however, this smile wasn't his usual forced one... but it wasn't a happy one either. Much rather there quite clearly was a hint of saddened discomfort with it as he looked away from me.
"Ahaha... I think that maybe we'll end the lesson here for today..." he simply replied, not giving me an answer...

It was something I only just remembered now, but I could have sworn that Hugo in the game had claimed he hadn't gotten a father... though very clearly he seemed to have one here in this world... There were a small array of questions that were building up on my tongue, wanting to break their way out... but I had a feeling, looking at this boys expression, that maybe this wasn't the time to be asking such questions... instead I decided that I would in fact play along with the suggestion that Hugo had given...

"Yes... well I have been avoiding my maid duties for a little while now, so I'll probably go and find something to do for now until his highness needs me..." I mentioned, starting to grab all my stuff.
"Yes, I'll have to see how he is doing now myself, he'll probably be a little curious on to where I went..." Hugo mentioned, getting up himself as he then found himself stopped by a piece of paper being handed over to him by me. He looked at the paper now in front of him... before back at me in a faintly stunned way.
"I- I drew you something as pay back for earlier... So... I hope this cheers you up..." I mentioned, my sudden announcement seeming to dumbfound Hugo a little. He took the paper from me, raising an eyebrow.
"Ah- I'm not upset or anything Miss Silverston-" he began as I took this opportunity to leave before he opened it.
"Well see it as a charm for good luck or something! Thank you again for teaching me today! I'll be sure to come to you if I have any questions in the future and will keep practicing!!" I informed the pretty surprised Hugo, who could only watch as I left the room.
"Ah, I see, well thank you..." He responded, looking down to the paper as I marched out the room.

Geez Annie, 'to cheer you up' what was you thinking... I only said something like that because he seemed a little down at the question... and he could see it as a thank you for helping me... not that I thought that a scribble was much if a thank you... I gave a deep sigh to myself, looking at the book now in my hands. Before I smiled a little to myself... in any case, I now was starting to learn how to read and write... soon I may even be reading books normally like I used to with some hard work! The thought of being able to sink my head into a book actually was enough to make me feel energised as I then clenched my fists, giving myself a small cheer on.
"Come on Annie, we can do this!!" I announced to myself, walking back to where Sana was.

****

The door to a large but rather compact study room opened, the walls being surrounded by many shelves with books. The prince now sat at a desk covered with papers and books, now lowered the piece of paper down, looking up to see Hugo now entering the room. Dante raised an eyebrow at him.
"Hmm? You were gone a while... where were you anyway?" Dante asked him suspiciously as Hugo smiled to the prince.
"Ah sorry, I sort of got caught up with some chores from my dad along the way your highness..." Hugo mentioned as Dante appeared to be rather intrigued by this response... nonetheless he then went and looked back at his file.
"Hmm... is that so..." he responded as Hugo then gave a bright and sparkly smile to the prince.
"Say your highness, I thought you would be interested to know Miss Silverston is terrible at drawing..." he noted as the prince flinched from where he sat... when he sighed grumpily to himself.
"Who would be interested- why did you bring up the pig girl? I'm trying to concentrate..." Dante replied icily as Hugo gave snort at this response.
"Ah, I see...?" He answered as Dante looked back to Hugo sharply...
"What has you so happy all of a sudden huh?" Dante then continued as he saw Hugo giving what appeared to be a rather genuine smile for once as Hugo then chuckled to himself, holding the scribbled doodle on the page along with the scruffily written note of his name written beside it. He did at first ponder showing the prince... however he instead decided he was going to keep this one instance a secret from the prince instead.
"Ah, it's nothing... let's just say I feel extra lucky today..." Hugo replied rather vaguely as Dante could only remain confused.
"What's with that... geez..." the prince uttered as Hugo placed the note into his pocket.