Shall We Bring Henri's Wife?
After hearing Jeannette’s question, I pondered a moment before opening my mouth in a somewhat awkward tone. I had never been a building owner before, so I lacked any real certainty.
“Jeannette, what about you?”
“Me? I always follow Leo’s will. Please don’t feel sorry or burdened. Unlike in our past life, this time I’m the one with the money.”
Jeannette’s eyes curved into crescent moons. Seeing the Saint brag about money felt both awkward and oddly cute.
“I’m sorry, and thank you.”
“I keep telling you not to do that. Then……”
Ah. Jeannette cut herself off mid-sentence and twisted the corners of her mouth. Her brilliantly bright smile was dazzling enough to almost hurt the eyes.
“Then, what?”
“No, it’s nothing else. It’s just that in the past, you used to say things like this to me from my position quite often, and it came to mind.”
“Huh? Did I?”
“Yes. Every time I heard those sincere words, I was so happy… It’s still so vivid even now.”
Had Jeannette also reincarnated multiple times like me? Or was this her first time? The natural question rose in my mind, but I didn’t voice it. Later, if the mood was right, maybe. But it wasn’t something to bring up right now. I was simply sorry, yet grateful. It seemed enough just to accept that gratitude straightforwardly.
“Looks like we’re becoming more alike again.”
“To me, that’s the greatest blessing.”
However. After pausing briefly, Jeannette brought up the original topic.
“What would you like to do with the empty floors? If it really makes you uncomfortable, it’s fine to just leave them vacant.”
“That would be a waste of money. I don’t think I could do that.”
“Then take your time thinking about it. I don’t want to rush you, and I like just the two of us living here too.”
A soft curve formed on Jeannette’s lips. Her originally calm personality now showed the leisure of someone with money.
“Ah, still, it seems better to avoid putting something like a restaurant on the first floor. The smells would rise up, and there’d be bugs. I’ve seen cases before where it caused all sorts of problems.”
“You’re right. If it’s not managed properly, it could cause issues for the whole floor. Then maybe ordinary offices, or workshops…?”
“A warehouse would be fine too.”
When I looked around, there were cases of people using spaces just to stockpile drinks. Using it for that purpose didn’t seem bad either.
Jeannette said,
“There are more options than I thought.”
“Right. But since we’re not going to run a business ourselves… let’s just leave it for now and think it over.”
In the end, we reached a very simple conclusion: wait and see, then decide. For all the pondering, the answer was rather shabby.
After finishing the house organization as well, and contacting the real estate agent to list the properties, a few days passed, and Henri, who had been in France, came to visit.
“It’s been a long time since I last saw you.”
As soon as Henri entered the house, he bowed his head first. Jeannette greeted him with a smiling face as well.
“Has anything happened?”
“Nothing of note. There was only some noisy debate going back and forth regarding the Saint’s whereabouts.”
“It was a decision made suddenly, so it couldn’t be helped.”
A light sigh escaped Jeannette’s lips. She had no regrets, but the noisy surroundings seemed to feel stifling.
“It’s been a long time.”
Meanwhile, Henri’s gaze turned toward me. Unlike when we first met, he was wearing casual clothes instead of a suit. Even in a suit the fit had been sharp, but wearing those clothes, he looked so radiant it was almost excessive.
Strange.
I don’t think I ever told him I could speak French. Did Jeannette perhaps mention it? As I tilted my head with the question, Jeannette turned her head slightly. Our eyes met, and it felt like we were conversing.
“I told him. That you can speak French.”
“Ah, right. That makes sense.”
I nodded and met Henri’s eyes. Since Jeannette had given him a heads-up, I used French as well.
“Yes. I’m sorry for causing you such inconvenience because of me.”
“Not at all. I am well aware that this is a life the Saint has decided upon entirely of her own will. Please do not mind it.”
Henri blinked mid-sentence. He was still wearing sunglasses, so his pupils weren’t visible. I could only guess from the movement of his eyebrows.
“However, your pronunciation is extremely smooth. If I closed my eyes and listened, I could easily mistake you for a French person.”
The daily life spent with Jeannette. The fierce times spent in the French court with Marie. I had used French for a very long time, so it was only natural.
“You’re too kind.”
“Not at all. I truly think so. Where on earth did you learn French?”
“I happened to study it on my own once.”
I learned it in thirteenth-century France. If I said that, he’d definitely treat me like a madman, so I glossed over it. This should be enough, right? I gave a subtle look, and Jeannette quietly nodded as well. As if to say that was fine.
“Impressive. You have an excellent linguistic sense, and it seems you put in a great deal of effort as well.”
“You’re flattering me.”
Henri blinked as if surprised. Fortunately, he showed no sign of deep suspicion and moved on.
“Not at all. And I apologize for causing you unnecessary expense and trouble because of me.”
“Jeannette went through far more trouble than I did…”
When I redirected the credit, Jeannette shook her head slightly. Jeannette = Joan of Arc = Elodie. They were all the same person, but Henri did not know that Jeannette was Joan of Arc. Thanks to that, even using her nickname openly wouldn’t raise suspicion. The reincarnation of Joan of Arc? Even in a world full of mysterious powers, it was a truth difficult to believe.
“Ah, please don’t keep standing there. Come on in. You must be quite tired from the journey.”
“Thank you.”
Belatedly, I brought Henri inside the house and served him coffee. Since he’d received hospitality from good families, I thought his tastes might be picky, but surprisingly, like Jeannette, he was an omnivore. He even drank instant coffee well. Apparently he also ate convenience store food and snack bar fare without issue.
“How is it?”
When I carefully asked, Henri nodded impassively.
“The savory aroma is nice. I prefer the savory side over sour scents.”
“That’s a relief. I was worried about what I’d do if you didn’t like it.”
“I am not of a picky disposition. Instant coffee from the supermarket. I also drink cola just fine.”
Clack. Henri set down his cup and lightly caught his breath. As if trying to calm his heated breathing after slowly cooling and drinking the hot coffee.
“Henri likes hamburgers the most.”
Jeannette also smiled as she set down her empty cup. Just like Henri’s, her cup was completely empty as well.
“That’s unexpected?”
It was truly so unexpected that a bit of force entered my eyes. With his refined impression, and as the bodyguard of the precious Saint. In terms of hospitality, he seemed like he’d lived receiving nearly the highest grade.
“They’re quick, convenient to eat, and the taste is guaranteed to a certain extent. The Saint also used to eat them often. Because her schedule was frequently busy.”
At that, Henri also said a word while looking at Jeannette. I knew their tastes weren’t picky and they ate almost anything well. But hearing that she enjoyed hamburgers was a first. Because of that, my gaze naturally turned to Jeannette sitting beside me.
“Is that so?”
“It is. When I ate hamburgers, I almost always went for chicken burgers.”
Jeannette had enjoyed chicken burgers. As good information had come my way, I firmly memoed it in my head. Henri spoke while looking at me.
“I have roughly heard the news from the Saint. That you are the owner of the building, and that you are looking for tenants?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
There needed to be tenants to receive monthly rent. And only by receiving monthly rent could one properly play the building owner who is said to be higher than a god. A building owner with only a building is only half a one, after all.
“What sort of type do you think would be good?”
“I think quiet and clean would be good. Of course, a little boisterous is fine too.”
“Could you speak a bit more specifically?”
For some reason he seemed extremely curious as well. Since it wasn’t any great secret, I answered comfortably.
“For the first floor, something like a warehouse type. For the remaining lower floors, I want to prioritize offices, practice rooms, or recording studios and the like. After that, things like clinics also look good.”
“I see.”
Henri nodded obediently. It seemed like the thought You have a plan for everything, don’t you? was showing on his expression.
“When it comes time to make a contract, please tell me. I believe I can ease some of the bother for you.”
“Then I’d be nothing but grateful.”
Someone like Henri wasn’t the type to put on airs. In other words, he must have experience or knowledge, which is why he offered to help. Otherwise he wouldn’t have brought up words he didn’t need to say.
“Thank you, Henri.”
Jeannette also, without much else, simply said thank you. Since she knew Henri’s abilities better than I did, she seemed trusting.
“Not at all. Since you are lodging me without compensation, it seems only right that I do at least this much.”
If there had been no money, he would have received taxes, but. Because the money Jeannette possessed and earned was so great, he seemed to have no such thoughts.
Right now… there’s this much.
This is faked… no, it’s not manipulated, right? It feels too much like a lie.
Oh Leo. What would I gain by lying about money? Even looking like this I’m a young lady from a rich family, and I’ve also received a lot of money as compensation for subjugating specters.
Suddenly, the memory of my eyes flipping over when I saw Jeannette’s bank balance came to mind. It was the first time I’d seen so many zeros in euros, not even in won.
“You must be tired, so go rest in your room now.”
“The escort…?”
“It’s fine even without Henri. You know I’m not that weak. And since it’s right next door, if there’s any commotion you’d know right away.”
When Jeannette strongly insisted, Henri also reluctantly left his seat. He wanted to guard her. But because she herself strongly opposed it, he had no choice but to accept, by the look of it.
“Honestly, Henri. Even though he’s married, if he lives like that his wife is going to hate him……”
Once Henri left the room, Jeannette let out a deep sigh. Along with some truly shocking words.
“That man is married?”
He only looked about twenty-five at most… already? I was so surprised that my voice even rose.
“Ah. I’m sorry. I thought there was no particular need to talk about Henri, so I hadn’t mentioned it, right?”
Looking awkward, Jeannette blushed and smiled sheepishly. Honestly… it was a bit absurd.
“That’s why I’m even more surprised. How did that happen?”
“Henri married early. Because of the specters, the population decreased. There are many destroyed cities. Because of that, the laws changed this way and that as well, and he was influenced by that.”
“This country is the same.”
The actual marriage age is late, but the legal age for marriage has been lowered. I recalled once again that it was a rather distorted structure in many ways.
“Right? So he got married and was living, then he got caught up in an army of specters and his wife nearly died. Henri is an Awakened, but his wife wasn’t.”
“And you saved her?”
“Yes. A relatively common story, isn’t it?”
I nodded in agreement. It was a common story, but the heart of Henri who followed her because of it was not common.
Now I understand a bit.
The excessive loyalty toward the Saint. If there was such a reason at the root of it, it was fully understandable.
“But staying too far from his wife feels a bit… strange.”
“That’s what I’m saying. Even when I try to persuade him he won’t listen. It’s at the level where he only goes to see her when I force him to take vacation.”
“Kids?”
“Seems like there aren’t any yet. His wife over there also subtly shows that she wants them… but he’s too stubborn.”
Jeannette sighed and shook her head. A childless couple. Common in today’s world, but it didn’t seem like they were DINKs or anything. I crossed my arms and sank into thought. From what I heard, it wasn’t that there was no affection. Rather, it was because he was so fond that he chose the path of escorting Jeannette. Even so, seeing them apart felt rather uncomfortable.
That would be better.
After finishing my thoughts, I turned my eyes toward Jeannette. Affection can grow more poignant with distance, but there’s also a high chance it will break. There’s even a saying that when bodies grow distant, hearts grow distant too. Because of that, I summarized the conclusion I reached after long thought into a single line.
“Then, how about calling Henri’s wife over this way as well?”