Last Minute Translations

Chapter 5

When the big bear said that, it was a sight that truly stirred guilt.

But Anna held back. Besides, wasn’t he the one who said that he had no emotions?

"Yes, I won’t eat."

"Understood."

Without hesitation, Bertram focused on his meal alone.

Thanks to that, Anna could watch him openly.

When she first saw Bertram in front of the restaurant, he looked like a starved, hulking vagrant.

But now, sitting across the campfire, using old camping gear with ease and looking far less exhausted than before, he somehow didn’t seem like just a vagrant. Was he someone used to traveling?

But there was something else that bothered her more.

“Isn’t that hot? Don’t tell me you can’t feel heat either?”

He had taken a spoonful from the boiling pot without cooling it down and eaten it just like that.

Bertram glanced at Anna, and only then did he scooped some into his small bowl and blew on it with a soft “whoo.” Anna sighed.

“Nevermind. Just eat however you like. Honestly, I thought someone like you would eat raw meat, so it’s a bit surprising you cook it at all.”

“I do occasionally eat raw meat.”

“Ah… I see.”

“But the townspeople I met earlier recommended cooking it. Even if we’re not eating together, one must accept the kindness of others so as not to cause inconveniences when meeting them again.”

“…I thought you only knew how to say things that get on people’s nerves.”

“I do make an effort. Just because I can’t feel emotions doesn’t mean I should hurt others’ feelings.”

“Then why didn’t you do the same for me? You could’ve at least said it tasted good, even if you didn’t mean it.”

“Hm.”

“Don’t just blurt out ‘Sorry’ all the time either.”

“I’ll improve.”

Seriously, what a difficult man.

How did Father father end up involved with someone like this? Somehow, Bertram didn’t even seem like someone who would lightly owe others favors either…

As Anna was thinking this, she suddenly realized something was off.

“Bertram, you’re full, aren’t you?”

“…No.”

“Liar. I can see your pace slowing down.”

Anna snatched the ladle from Bertram.

He was clearly stuffed but kept forcing himself to eat the onion porridge.

“Stop being considerate over weird things like this! Sure, it’s nice not to waste food, but still!”

Anna’s opinion of Bertram rose slightly. She, then, spoke in a softer tone.

“It was my fault for entrusting the onion to you so enthusiastically, so I’ll help finish the rest.”

“Thank you.”

It was unforgivable to waste food. Anna gulped down the onion porridge, which had become a chaotic stew of mixed ingredients.

The texture was terrible from being overcooked, but the taste surprisingly wasn’t bad.

Most notably, there was a spicy, tingling flavor that stood out. Even her weak sense of smell picked up the unique scent.

“It’s surprisingly good. Thank you for the meal!”

“Thank you for the compliment. I will wash and return the pot.”

“That’s thoughtful, but do you have a place to sleep tonight? Where did you sleep last night?”

“I am accustomed to camping.”

“You don’t seem to have a tent.”

“…I am accustomed to sleeping outdoors. And according to the villagers I met earlier, there’s an abandoned building up ahead that could be used.”

An abandoned building?

Anna frowned.

There was only one abandoned building nearby, and it definitely wasn’t the kind of place one would suggest out of kindness. It was rumored to be ‘cursed’.

But she had no alternative to suggest if she were to tell him not to go based on that rumor.

Just as Anna was about to warn him about the curse, she looked up and locked eyes with Bertram, who also seemed to be deep in thought.

“Are you heading home now, Miss Anna?”

“…Yes, my mom’s waiting.”

As she answered, Anna grew cautious.

There were people who, once they received a favor, would keep demanding for more. What if he asked her to guide him to the building or find him another place to stay?

But what he said next was completely unexpected.

“Forgive me, I was so caught up in my own worries that I neglected to consider yours. May I escort you home, milady?”

Anna looked behind her.

But there was no “milady” here.

“I meant you, Miss Anna.”

Betrum seemed to have read right through her thoughts. Anna shivered and turned her head.

“A lady is… you know, the kind of woman who carries a parasol and wears a dress.”

“Typically, yes. It usually refers to noblewomen. But, I thought it could also be used as a respectful way to address a lady.”

“J-just call me Miss Anna! Don’t say weird stuff like that!”

“Were you scared? I see. I still have much to learn about emotions.”

Bertram, having come to some realization on his own, stood right next to Anna. He didn’t seem willing to give up on escorting her.

Seriously, what an unusual man.

Her face, flushed by being called “Lady”, didn’t return back to normal. The words made her feel all tingly. Honestly, it wasn’t a bad feeling but if he ever called her "milady" in front of the townspeople, she'd be teased for fifty years straight.

Anna cleared her throat and said firmly, “Bertram, around here, ‘Lady’ or ‘Gentleman’ means ‘important folks from other towns.’ So please don’t call me that. And you don’t need to protect me either. I’ve been walking around this town alone for over twenty years.”

“Then I will have the honor of being the first to escort you.”

“Eek! No, that’s fine!” Anna let out an involuntary shriek and spun around.

Her face burned.

Honor? Milady? Did he learn about the world from books? How can he say those things with a straight face?

Guys around here don’t even know how to flirt with a “let me walk you home.”

On the other hand, Bertram, perhaps surprised by the reaction, followed right behind her, looking puzzled.

“I thought it was just a polite and common expression. Does it make you uncomfortable?”

“Yes! Yes! Really! No more of that! Where on earth did you learn to say such embarrassing things?!”

“I will refrain. But I still want to escort you.”

“I told you, it’s fine! This town is safe!”

Anna quickened her pace. But even if she scurried in the dark, Bertram could easily catch up in two strides.

His voice came from right behind her. “There are a lot of predators, like wolves, around the village.”

“Wolves hardly come near the town, okay? If they do, they go toward the communal pasture for livestock!”

“Then that means there must be countermeasures near the communal pastures. Like a neighborhood watch?”

That was right. There was lodging near the pastures for the workers who took turns for night duty. If wolves did show up, they could immediately call the volunteer patrol.

Bertrum interpreted Anna’s silence as an affirmation.

“Wolves are intelligent. The moment they realize the pastures are an unsuitable hunting ground, they will go to the village instead. That could happen tonight.”

“…You’re quite smart. And no, don’t say ‘Yes, I am’ now. Just don’t.”

“…”

“Bertram, when you talk to people, you try to compensate for your lack of emotion with awareness and logic, right? Like how I use my other senses when I cook, since I don’t have a good sense of smell. But when I talk to you, it feels like I am being treated like some puzzle.”

“Puzzle?”

“Yes. You reach conclusions on your own and force everyone else’s words to fit that. You did it earlier too. ‘I owe a debt. You and your mother should help me repay it.’ And now it’s: ‘You seem in danger. Accept my help.’”

Out of breath after her rant, Anna finally felt things click.

For someone who doesn't seem to understand emotions, he treats conversation purely as a tool. That’s why whenever she said something that is outside his "objective," it felt like talking to a wall.

But would pointing that out make him change?

After explaining this much, if he ignored her now, she’d kick him in the shin and never speak to him again.

She spun around to hear his excuse.

Just then, Bertram said, “Miss Anna, are you all right?”

Anna soon understood what was wrong.

Tears suddenly streamed down her face. But her mouth was stretched into a wide smile. Uncontrollable sounds escaped from her throat.

“Ha… ha… AHAHAHAHA!”

“Miss Anna!”

“W-what the—hahaha, huh?!”

She couldn’t stop crying or laughing. Her cheeks hurt from smiling so much.

Then she realized what was happening.

Didn’t eating the ugly brown mushrooms that grow near the village cause exactly these symptoms - laughing and crying for hours before passing out?

What the hell did this guy throw in the pot?!

The important thing now was to secure a safe place before she passed out.

Anna, trembling, looked up at Bertram. Would this man really help? She would be lucky if he didn’t abandon her out of fear of being discovered by the villagers for his mistake.

“Ahaha… h-home…”

“Miss Anna. I am truly sorry.”

“D-don’t apologize—ahaha!”

This isn’t the time to apologize! Surely you are not going to leave me here, are you?!

Of course, he wasn’t.

Bertram bowed his head deeply. “Pardon me for a moment.”

He took off his cloak, wrapped it around Anna, and then slung her over his shoulder. The ground suddenly felt far away. She had never been this high up before.

“W-w-what—”

“Are you scared and want me to put you down? I’m afraid I can’t. I will take you to your house right away. But before that, it will be quite a bumpy road.”

Bertram spoke solemnly, “You may throw up. I am good at laundry, too.”

It was, somehow, a terribly comforting thing to say.