353 - Tea Party and a Marriage Proposal
The day of the tea party dawned clear and sunny. Being a clear summer day, it was a bit dazzling. However, without the humidity of a Japanese summer, an outdoor tea party was comfortable as long as one could avoid the sunlight. There was also a garden pavilion in the yard, so shade was not a problem.
I stuck close to Leonardo as I went around greeting the invited guests. Today Leonardo was not my guard, but my brother. He stood beside me rather than behind me, making it easy and convenient to stay close to him. If there was one regrettable thing, it was that he was in his usual Silver-White Knight uniform. I felt like I wanted to see Leonardo dressed up for once. I had succeeded in making the tea party's dress code beast costumes, so Leonardo's head had black dog ears attached. My beast ears were often cat ears, but today, to match Leonardo, I wore black dog ears.
I spotted Barbara among the group of Sedovara Church pharmacists and greeted her. All I could do was read Japanese, so I truly felt indebted to the pharmacists. After all, I was anything but an expert when it came to compounding medicines. Even knowing that I had made everything according to the prescription, I would have hesitated to conduct medication experiments with them. That second hesitation one would normally have was skipped by bringing in the pharmacists, people whose livelihood was compounding medicines, as intermediaries. Thanks to that, in the short span of two years, three of the lost secret arts of the saint Yuuta Hiraga had been revived.
"...When you revive something else, call me."
"You are returning to the city of Grenore, right? I might move there too. That way, I can continue researching the secret arts without waiting until I come of age."
I went around gently correcting the expectation among the pharmacists of 'coming of age in two years' to 'the Japanese age of adulthood.' Since there was a big gap between two years and seven years, some began seriously considering a move to Grenore.
"I offer my congratulations on your safe and full recovery. I heard that during the Divine King's summons this time, you endured a terrible ordeal..."
"Being taken by the spirits was a whim of the Divine King, so it is not the Menhishumi Church's fault. Please do not concern yourself with it."
Ever since the spirit attack, every time I met the female Guide from the Menhishumi Church, she apologized to me. If one thought about whose fault it was that I was injured, it was nothing more than the spirits taking out their frustration on me. There was no need for the Menhishumi Church Guide to feel responsible, nor any need to apologize to me. I had told her this many times, but she did not seem able to simply accept that. Perhaps the fact that my hair had become short was stimulating her sense of guilt. The wound had disappeared cleanly without a trace, but my shortened hair had indeed become evidence that the attack had happened.
...I do not really mind it that much though, you know? It is just hair length.
If anything, my head felt a bit lighter, and it was easier to move. If I had been shaved bald, I would have worried and probably been too embarrassed to go outside, but it was still semi-long. I did not mind it as much as the people around me seemed to.
To change the subject since the atmosphere would sour if she kept apologizing, I thanked her for helping me when I printed the bobbin lace guidebook. In response, the Guide asked if I was going to print more.
"The books Christina-sama printed sold out quickly, did they not? Rumors have spread from somewhere, and inquiries are coming to our church."
"That was because I wanted them myself, and I put a lot of care into the binding as something to present to Felicia-sama."
They had been sold to nobles who were close to Felicia, and even Felicia no longer had any stock. As for me, since Felicia had bought them at a good price, even though I had indulged myself with the binding, I had not lost money. On the contrary, my savings had increased. Creating more copies with the same binding would be troublesome, but the original purpose of the guidebook was to spread bobbin lace. I planned to print books with lower binding quality at a price commoners could afford. Perhaps Felicia had paid extra for the books precisely for that reason.
"When I return to Grenore, I plan to print affordable copies with simpler bindings at the Menhishumi Church there."
"Then, when they are finished, please let me buy one personally. I had been thinking of taking it up myself."
"I am glad. Please do try bobbin lace."
After parting with the female Guide, I next went to greet Godwin, who was gazing at the table where one could make their own cake. Even though the cake-making was merely assembling ingredients under a chef's direction, the sight of making one's own cake seemed novel to Godwin. He had a wry smile as if thinking what an amusing idea, but to me, his face looked like he wanted to join in. Was that just my imagination? There were many children at the table, so perhaps it was hard to approach. I thought it would be better to have Leonardo try it later and create an atmosphere where men could easily participate.
"That is Prince Dietfried."
"Huh?"
Had I even received Dietfried's greeting? I looked again at the cake-making table. Indeed, there was a boy wearing a cat headpiece I had grown quite accustomed to seeing, making a cake while receiving advice from Basilia. Perhaps he had unexpectedly cute tastes, as the sponge base he had chosen was pink.
"...How could you tell that Dietfried-sama was under that cat head?"
"It is fairly well-known among some circles. ...And that cat over there is the big cat known as Chris."
"I will pretend I did not hear that."
A little apart from Dietfried, there was an adult making three cakes by himself. His face was hidden by the cat headpiece, but the three cakes were probably souvenirs for his three wives. He had promised not to come today, but perhaps he thought it would be fine as long as his face was not visible. Unfortunately, through Felicia, many of my acquaintances were Staff Peerage nobles. And when it came to Staff Peerage nobles, it seemed one could tell that Christoph was under that cat headpiece just from his bearing and mannerisms.
...Well, I suppose it was fine since the atmosphere seemed to allow men to participate without having to use Leonyaldo-san as a decoy.
When I suggested Godwin also try the cake-making table, he looked a bit troubled. He seemed interested, but probably resistant to doing the same thing as that person.
"I would like to create an atmosphere where men can participate too, so would you be willing to help?"
"...If that is the case, I suppose I have no choice. I will cooperate. That big cat Chris seems to be making people keep their distance, after all."
As I escorted Godwin to the table, he said to me at parting, "If anything happens, do not hesitate to contact me." He said he would definitely lend me his aid because he was indebted to me. I thanked him and asked him to keep an eye on the big cat to make sure he did not cause any mischief.
"Having been staying at the detached palace all this time, being formally invited feels strangely odd."
"I truly am grateful for everything you have done, Felicia-sama."
When I suggested that the royalty were all gathered at the cake-making table now, she lightly pinched my cheek. She seemed interested in making cake, but apparently did not want to be mentioned in the same breath as those two. Between fully nude and cat headpiece, the latter felt like the better option, but Felicia was at least wearing clothes, even if they were a daring outfit befitting a villainess from a work of fiction. Between a beauty in daring attire and a grandfather and grandson in cat headpieces, it was probably an even match.
"That hurtshu..."
"Oh my? I thought I saw you thinking something rude just now?"
...As expected of Felicia-sama. So sharp.
"Such pinchable cheeks," she said, and now poked my cheek with her white fingers, pni pni. When it came to a beauty like Felicia, anything she did felt like a reward, which was terrifying.
"A dog's nose is more reliable than a human's, so never let Kokumaro leave your side, no matter what."
She was probably referring to the time poison was brought into the detached palace. Valerier had only been suspected and kept at a distance, but Stina, even though she had been deceived, had been confined to her family's territory for the crime of poisoning me. The maid who had directly brought the poison into the detached palace had drunk the poison herself and died the same day.
"Alf and the others seem busy selecting your new guards right now."
"Speaking of guards, Felicia-sama, what has become of your favorite knight?"
To be specific, that escort knight of hers today, I said, indicating the bright blond young man in the Silver-White Knight uniform. Felicia looked back at him, tilted her head slightly, and raised the corner of her mouth in a mischievous way.
"It is not going anywhere, I am afraid. If Alf would succeed Father, then I could choose someone to my liking, but if not, I shall have to select someone suitable as a prince consort."
"I see. So if he could say, 'I will become a man worthy of being your prince consort!' right here, then he would become Felicia-sama's husband."
Wondering if I should deepen my acquaintance with him, I looked up at the blond knight. The knight blushed with a troubled expression. The blond knight currently being toyed with was, how should I put it, simply lovely. Despite being a man, he was lovely. It was no wonder Felicia liked him. Incidentally, he also seemed to be the complete opposite type from Leonardo. Looking to the future of the kingdom, Leonardo would be suitable as a prince consort, but as a personal preference, Felicia seemed fond of this blond knight.
"...Alfred-sama is also still single."
Usually, when one said 'prince,' did they not have a fiancee from childhood and get married as soon as they came of age? Thinking that, I remembered. Alfred should also have had a fiancee. A fiancee in the very delicate position of formerly being Alf's fiancee.
"I wonder what that girl intends to do."
Alf's former fiancee apparently was still waiting for Alfred and had not married anyone else. It seemed only her father was panicking about her marriageable age passing by.
After thoroughly teasing the blond knight, I saw Felicia off. Rebecca whispered to me that Sofiya and Mikaela had arrived, so I went to greet them. Aristalf was beside Sofiya, and further beside him was Bertrand. I had extended a slightly mean invitation, saying he could come if he wanted, but it seemed he had actually come.
...If I do not at least say something to him, Alf-san will probably get angry with me later.
I clung tightly to Leonardo's arm, hid my face, and let out a deep sigh. Since I could not avoid confronting Bertrand forever, I needed to steel myself a bit.
"Hello. Welcome, Mikaela-sama, Sofiya-sama. Aristalf-sama, how about some board games over there?"
Aristalf was strong at board games. Knowing that, I invited Aristalf to the table where board games were set up. Aristalf, who had apparently been pestered by Dietfried since Mikaela's tea party, seemed to have gained some new male friends. Among the boys who flocked to him upon seeing Aristalf was Dietfried.
...Come to think of it, how does Diet, while wearing that headpiece, communicate with the other children?
When wearing that headpiece, sound was muffled inside, making voices hard to hear. Or perhaps he simply could not hold a proper conversation with me, but talked normally with his friends. As I watched Dietfried march straight toward Aristalf, he grabbed Aristalf's arm firmly and pulled him toward the table where the Reversi board was set up.
...I see. With that, they can communicate without speaking.
It did not seem any different from when he had dragged me and Basilia around, but perhaps because his partner was a boy, it seemed to be working out surprisingly well.
...And it was awkward.
Sensing Bertrand's gaze fixed on me, I lifted Leonardo's arm and slipped my body between his arm and side. I thought I had to say something, but I did not know what to say. I was confident I could easily throw out a spiteful remark, but I also knew I could not keep doing that forever. And I keenly felt both Leonardo's and Bertrand's gazes on me.
"...Bertrand-sama, please feel free to stay and relax as well."
Given plenty of time to think, I was disappointed in myself for the words that finally came out. I wished I could say something more endearing, but this was no different from Basilia. Basilia had the charm of showing affection despite not being able to be honest, but in my case, there was neither honesty nor charm. I was just contrary.
Giving myself a failing grade, I decided I had fulfilled my obligation and began to withdraw. I slipped out from Leonardo's side and pulled his arm, quickly turning my back on Bertrand to go greet Ethelbert and Shestin. I could not bring myself to look back even once, so I did not know what kind of face Bertrand had made upon hearing my charmless words.
"...I am tired. Ladies must have such a hard time."
After seeing off the last guests, I breathed a sigh of relief. I was this tired just from hosting a tea party for one day, yet ladies held tea parties for their own or their family's birthdays, held tea parties when the garden flowers bloomed beautifully, and held tea parties when they acquired lovely fabric. They might be surprisingly tough creatures.
In the summer garden that had served as the tea party venue, the servants had already begun cleaning up. Wondering if there was anything I could help with, I was about to enter the entrance hall when a boy in a cat headpiece jumped out from the side.
"Wah!? Dietfried-sama. ...What are you doing?"
Only I was startled. Leonardo and Kokumaro were both perfectly calm. It must have been completely visible to Aaron, who was waiting at a slight distance. The only one among my guards who panicked was Giselle.
"...Nn!"
It was a muffled voice, but it had been a while since I had heard Dietfried's voice. As I thought that, a bouquet of blue flowers was thrust in front of me. It resembled the nemophila flowers I had seen in my previous life, but I did not know its name in this world.
"Um... are these for me? Thank you."
Since it seemed he was giving them to me, I accepted the blue bouquet. I had no idea why I was being given flowers, so I searched my memory for what day it was today, but found nothing relevant. As I wondered what it could be, he next thrust forward a cake with yellow and pink stripes.
"You are giving me a cake too? Huh? Is this the one you were making at the tea party... huh?"
My eyes went wide as I looked down at the cake Dietfried was holding out and read the words written on it. Had I misread it? I looked up at Leonardo to confirm, and Leonardo had made the kind of face that could not be shown in public, but in the exact opposite sense from usual. If he glared with that face, someone like Aristalf or Sofiya might die of a heart attack. His face was that ferocious, but since it was not directed at me and Dietfried was wearing a cat headpiece, it had absolutely no effect.
"...I could make you..."
The first part was too muffled to catch, but combined with the cake that read 'Please marry me,' I could understand what Dietfried was trying to say. Since I understood what he was trying to say, I answered clearly.
"...I would hate to have a husband who wears a cat headpiece and can barely hold a conversation."
"...!"
His words were hard to make out, but the sound of him catching his breath was quite audible. I thought perhaps I had been too blunt, but even sugarcoated, the answer would have been the same.
Having been clearly rejected, I thought Dietfried would run off as usual, but today was a bit different. He hugged the cat head and engaged in some kind of internal conflict for a while. It looked like a strange dance to me. Then, as if he had made up his mind, he slowly took off the cat headpiece.
What emerged from within was a terrifyingly beautiful boy. He had fluffy golden hair like downy feathers and sparkling blue eyes. There was still a trace of childishness about him, but in another two or three years, he would undoubtedly grow into a textbook handsome prince.
...This face is usually hidden under that cat headpiece? What a waste...!
He was astonishingly beautiful. But my eyes had grown accustomed to beauty from Felicia's goddess-like appearance. I was shocked, but that was all. I was not so captivated by Dietfried's face that it stole my thoughts.
"I-If you want, I could make you my wife, you know."
"I do not want anyone weaker than Leonyaldo Big Brother-sama."
I was impressed that I had actually heard him this time, even as I coldly refused him again. If I was not mistaken, I felt like I had been refusing all sorts of offers from royalty.
"...I will become stronger than Leonardo!"
"Stronger than Leo?"
Hmm? Finally, I took a moment to think about it. The condition for marriage that I usually put forward was 'someone stronger than Leonardo.' This was also a screening phrase, meaning a man that Leonardo, who doted on his little sister, could feel at ease sending me off with.
...I really cannot imagine Diet ever becoming stronger than Leonyaldo-san, though.
Still, I considered the possibility. Even if Dietfried became stronger than Leonardo, if asked whether I would want to be Dietfried's wife, the answer was 'No.'
"...Even if Leo were weaker than Diet, I would still prefer Leo."
If asked whether I wanted to marry Leonardo, I could only answer 'I do not know,' which was pathetic of me, but if I thought about who I wanted to be with in the future, it was Leonardo. Or rather, I could not imagine leaving Leonardo and building a separate family. In my future, I wanted Leonardo to be with me.
...Huh? Wait.
I noticed that my thoughts had landed in a strange place, and I realized it. I probably, even if someone stronger than Leonardo existed, would still want Leonardo. I loved Leonardo.
"...Has my brother complex finally reached an irredeemable level!?"
Wanting to stay with my brother forever without marrying was certainly no good, I thought, and frantically clung to Leonardo. As I passionately pleaded with Leonardo that his sister had a pathological brother complex, Leonardo made his usual kind of face that could not be shown in public, and from behind me, I heard the sound of tearful footsteps running away from Dietfried. The sound of a splat fall midway was probably because he had put the cat headpiece back on. Wearing that thing, his field of vision was probably terrible.
"Is that so. Tina likes me best, then. In that case, will you really become 'Big Brother's bride'?"
Even when refusing, there was a proper way to refuse. As I gazed at Dietfried's retreating back, wondering if I had been a little too harsh on him, Leonardo picked me up. He, for his part, was grinning like an idiot. My brother, making such a pathetic face. I wished he would show a bit more composure, so I hit him with a non-negotiable condition for making me his bride.
"I will not tolerate my husband or lover visiting brothels, and I have no intention of marrying until I turn twenty."
If he could remain celibate for the remaining seven years until I came of age, then we could marry, I said, giving him a lady-like smile. The infuriating thing was that he raised the white flag to this condition far too quickly. I needed to graduate from my brother complex soon. There was no future for a brother who, when weighing his future bride (little sister) against his current lust (prostitutes), did not choose me. I hoped he would remain crippled by his siscon and never find a bride.
Tina realized she prefers Leonardo. Though it might be less about romantic feelings and more because puberty has not arrived yet.
Will fix typos and errors at a later date. Due to Pocky Day, tomorrow's update will be skipped.