kscans

Chapter 3 - The Royal Brother's Little Person

"Chihiiro, you don't have to help. Why don't you stay at the mansion and have a snack and relax?"

"He who does not work, neither shall he eat, Daddy."

"Daddy... ahhh, Chihiiro, you're so responsible! To think of working when you're so small!"

Drago hugged Chihiro tightly, rubbing his cheek against hers with his bushy, bear-like beard.

Around the time the little person's identity became known in the kitchen, and the cooks were smiling wryly at the heartwarming sight of the parent and child.

On the outskirts of the country, a suspicious group got out of a carriage. They looked around, and after confirming no one was watching, they entered an old private house. In the reception room of the house were several women. Dressed in ladies' maid uniforms, they looked at the men who had entered with suspicious eyes.

"Where is Fatimah-sama? Why isn't she here?"

One of the women narrowed her eyes dangerously.

"...We failed. The knights caught on, and we couldn't start the riot."

The woman who had spoken shot to her feet, her face pale.

"No! I left Fatimah-sama locked in the designated room. How long do you think it's been since then? She'll die!"

"...It can't be helped. She was unlucky."

"Don't mess with me! Do you have any idea how much trouble we went through to raise her?! It took us ten years! A chance like this will never come again!!"

The woman who screamed in a rage was named Cyril. She was a lady's maid serving the Second Consort. The women with her were also maids who had served in the castle. They, along with Cyril, were foreign spies who had infiltrated the country.

The world that had prospered through magic, Arcadia. However, that magic was in decline, and now it remained only in this kingdom. The reason was unknown. Before they knew it, people had lost their magic, the ancient civilization built on magic had fallen into ruin, and people had built a new civilization through trial and error. Amidst all this, only one country, Frontier, had maintained its magical civilization. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the royal family of this country, who possessed golden irises rare even in this world, along with their direct descendants and nobles, had not lost their magic and were maintaining and operating the magical tools that formed the foundation of the country. Learning this, the surrounding countries tried various means to get their hands on Frontier's royalty... but all their attempts ended in failure.

Frontier, which could wield magic, and the surrounding countries, which had lost magic and could not. The difference in military power was obvious. Prosperous and peaceful, Frontier did not like war and would do nothing unless provoked. It was a gentle country dedicated to self-defense. Starting a war would only earn their disfavor. It was meaningless. On the other hand, trade and diplomacy were also useless. As mentioned before, Frontier was prosperous and peaceful. There was no area where other countries could gain an advantage. They showed no interest in political marriages, and Frontier was completely independent, a step above other countries.

This was all because their magical civilization was alive.

Because they had magic, their army was strong. Because they had magic, their land was fertile. Because they had magic, their lives were easy and the people were at peace.

To seize even a small part of that bounty, many spies had infiltrated Frontier.

Every day, as they infiltrated and investigated, they were awed by Frontier's wealth. It was a world of difference from their own homeland. It was presumptuous to even compare. Seared by the flames of jealousy and envy, they endured for ten long years.

Finally, an opportunity arrived.

The Second Consort, whom she served, and the Queen became pregnant. Furthermore, they gave birth one day apart. This chance could not be missed. The Queen's labor began, and most of the court physicians and key personnel went to her side. In turn, the Consort also went into labor, and her delivery was attended by a young doctor and Cyril's fellow maids.

Now, they could steal the newborn child and escape. People's attention was on the Queen. This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance. They would get their hands on the magic-wielding baby and flee.

With this plan in mind, Cyril watched over the birth, but then an unexpected situation arose.

The Consort's child was a twin.

Come to think of it, her previous birth had also been twins. Perhaps she came from a family with a tendency for multiple births. A boy and a girl were born. Cyril unhesitatingly picked up the girl with the blond hair, which indicated high magic power, and killed the doctor to silence him.

As a result, she loudly announced the birth of a prince to the Consort, and hid the princess within the castle, which was celebrating the birth of the Second Prince.

A princess whose very birth was unknown.

They had secretly raised her, sometimes swapping her with the prince to walk around the castle or meet the king. Cyril concocted a drug to slow the princess's brain development and raise her to be simple-minded. Eventually, she was to become a vessel to bear the children of their country's royalty. Once they took her back to their country, they could brainwash and train her to be obedient.

But that too had its limits. The princess was now two years old. If this continued, she would begin to question her own circumstances. They had to take her away before that. A chance like this would never come again.

She contacted her allies outside and planned to create several riots as a diversion for the knights, while they stole the princess from the castle. As a lady's maid, she couldn't make any big moves. Even if she moved secretly, an acquaintance might question her. The same went for the other maids. If someone who worked in the Inner Palace appeared in the outer castle, it would definitely draw attention.

So they dressed in inconspicuous clothing, pretending to be on a secret excursion, and fled the castle. They locked the princess in a room in the back of the laundry area, and the men before them were supposed to secure the princess the next day under the cover of the riots.

Believing this, Cyril had hidden in this house on the outskirts of the country.

"We'll have to start over from scratch. We need to train a new spy..."

It had been almost a month since then. There was no way a simple-minded child, drugged as she was, could escape on her own, and they had chosen an isolated place to confine her. She couldn't hope for help from others either.

By now, Fatimah-sama must be...

Fatimah was the name Cyril had given her. It was the name of a prophet who, long ago, was said to have received a divine message. She had given her that name in the hope that she would become the maiden who would save their country.

Mourning the princess who was surely dead by now, Cyril prayed silently all night.

She did not know that the princess was running around full of life.

The little person continues to go her own way.

"Do you have things like shugar, or honey?"

Looking up at Drago, Chihiro tilted her head.

Chihiro spoke normally. She wielded words fluently. But the words that came from her short tongue sounded to those around her like the hiragana script version, causing their faces to relax into a smile.

Drago and the cooks, who were watching the little person with warm, fuzzy feelings, repeated the words she had asked.

"Honey is hard to come by. And what's shugar? Is it an ingredient?"

At the question, Chihiro was dumbfounded.

They don't have it? They don't have sugar?

The word 'shock' was written all over the little person's face, and the people around her looked at each other in a panic.

"What's shugar? Do you know?"

"I don't know, what should we do?"

"We should have a little honey, right? Go get it!"

The cooks bustled about in a fluster, and then they presented a small pot before Chihiro. When she opened the lid, she saw the familiar amber-colored liquid. Chihiro let out a sigh of relief.

"Honey is very precious. Even the king rarely gets to taste it."

Drago spoke to Chihiro with a serious face, as if to impress upon her.

"Precious?"

"That's right."

Closing the lid of the pot, Drago lifted Chihiro into his arms. He left the kitchen, went up the stairs behind the laundry area, and took Chihiro to a terrace with a good view.

"You see that forest over there?"

At his words, Chihiro strained her eyes.

Sure enough, far beyond the city, she could see a wide expanse of smoky, budding green.

Is that a forest?

"In deep forests like that, there are beehives, and you can get honey from them. But in the forest, there are ferocious beasts and monsters. You can't go in unless you're with the knights."

I see. So that's why it's so rare.

"Don't you do beekeeping?"

"Beekeeping?"

"Raising bees and having them share their honey."

Drago's eyes widened as he stared at Chihiro. Her little hands were patting his cheeks, pechi pechi.

Raising bees to get honey? Is such a thing possible? It was a child's idea. She was probably thinking in a way where all the animals in the forest were her friends. That was cute in its own way, but he had to teach her properly. Bees were dangerous creatures. If you weren't careful, you could get into big trouble.

"Chihiiro, listen carefully."

"Hm?"

"Bees are very scary creatures. They have stingers and they sting, and sometimes they bite. So you must not go near them."

Drago stated this firmly, intending to establish his adult authority, but contrary to his expectations, Chihiro just tilted her head in confusion.

"So?"

Huh? You'll get stung, you know? Isn't it painful and scary?

This time, Drago's mouth hung open in a daze. Unconcerned, Chihiro's lips curved into a grin. If she knew it existed, things were simple. If there was no sugar, then honey it was.

"Chihiiro? Hello? What are you thinking? Tell Daddy."

Sensing something ominous from the smirking child, Drago gently shook Chihiro, whom he was holding. Noticing this, Chihiro stared at Drago for a moment. His furrowed brow, his worried eyes.

Ah, this is no good. If I tell him, he'll oppose it with all his might.

And so Chihiro quietly averted her gaze from Drago.

"Hello! Chihiiro? Please don't be silent!"

Drago's desperate pleas did not reach Chihiro. Her mind was completely filled with plans on how to get honey and bees.

"Chihiiro is up to something. Keep a close eye on her."

With a fixed stare, Drago instructed Naya and Sasha, and then went off to work in the kitchen, repeatedly looking back at the mansion.

The two who were told looked at each other and communicated with their eyes.

Up to something? The young mistress? No way. What can she do, being so small?

They nodded to each other and closed the mansion door.

Chihiro's mornings were filled with studies and lessons with her tutor. In the afternoon, she had free time, and she spent it as she pleased, running around the servants' residential area or helping out in the castle kitchen.

After finishing her studies, which left her teachers wide-eyed, Chihiro called for Naya and asked to plant flowers in the garden.

"Flowers, you say? What kind would you like? A flower bed? Potted plants?"

"I want a flower field. So wild species would be better than ornamental ones. Things like wild roses, raspberries, and wild strawberries. Things that bloom in all seasons and have edible fruits would be good."

Naya thought for a moment and then smiled brightly. The part about edible fruits made it seem like it was more about the sweets than the flowers. Wild strawberries were indeed delicious.

"Very well. Fortunately, the garden is spacious, so we shall create a flower field to your liking, young mistress."

"Yay!"

Her face lit up, and Chihiro pulled Naya along, wanting to go buy seedlings.

"Please wait. We do not sell wild seedlings. We will put in a request to have them collected."

"Collected? A request?"

"Yes. We will request adventurers to collect them. Things like raspberries are only found in the forest. For normal flowers, some are cultivated and sold, but for wild species, you have to go to the forest."

Adventurers?? Here it is, the other-world staple!!

"I want to go with them! I want to see adventurers!"

"Eeeeeh?!"

Chihiro ran circles around the surprised and flustered Naya, throwing a tantrum until he said 'yes'. In the end, it was decided that they would ask for Drago's permission, and Chihiro's mouth twisted into a pout.

There's no way I'll get it.

With practiced steps, Chihiro headed to the kitchen and, clinging to a sliver of hope, told Drago about the flower field.

"No."

I knew it.

Drago's brow was furrowed in anger, his arms crossed. There was no room for discussion. Dejected and disheartened, Chihiro trudged out of the kitchen. Watching her go, Drago's chest ached.

No, but the forest is dangerous. Even if adventurers are guarding her, you never know what might happen. I have to be firm here!

Still, the image of the little person's dejected back was burned into the minds of the kitchen staff.

On her way to the servants' residential area, Chihiro sat down in front of a flower bed. A small back, curled up like a marimo moss ball. Someone spotted her and called out.

"Oh? Who might you be?"

Startled by the sudden voice, Chihiro hurriedly pulled her hood down low over her face and cautiously looked behind her. There stood a man with light brown hair. From his elegant clothes, he appeared to be of high status. He looked to be in his early twenties. His grayish-blue eyes were fixed on Chihiro.

"I am Chihiro, daughter of Baron Giorge."

"Chihiiro?"

"...Yes."

Again. She was getting used to being asked to repeat her name these days.

"I am Romel Regret. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

As he introduced himself, his eyes widened slightly at Chihiro, who greeted him with the curtsy she had just learned.

This child before him was, by all appearances, a toddler. Three? Or maybe even two? Well, well, she was quite something.

And her slightly somber mood concerned him.

"What were you doing here? You seem down."

"It's nothing. I'm fine."

Is that how a toddler responds?

His eyes curved into a slight smile. Romel persisted, and managed to get the story out of Chihiro.

"I see. Well, of course the head chef would object. The forest is truly dangerous, you know?"

"I know. I heard. But..."

The child's face scrunched up. Romel couldn't help but let out a small laugh. This kind of attitude was childish and cute.

"Very well. I shall lend you a hand."

"Heah?"

Romel gave a small nod to the child, who was looking up at him with a dumbfounded expression. His eyes were filled with the curiosity of someone who had found something interesting.

"Tomorrow, be ready to go out. We'll have a fun picnic in the forest starting around noon."

Chihiro was so confused she could only blink her eyes.

"Hello, Chihiiro. It's a lovely day."

"...Hello, Regret-sama."

The next day, just after she had finished lunch, he really did come.

With a line of knights behind him.

Naya, Sasha, and Chihiro were all dumbfounded.

What in the world is going on???

Romel's eyes narrowed with a look of triumph at the stunned child.

"I promised, didn't I? That I would lend a hand. If the knights are escorting us, even the head chef can't complain. Let's go to the forest, Chihiiro."

No, forget complaining, mobilizing the knights for a child's whim is strange, isn't it? Is it not strange? Is this normal???

She glanced up at Naya and the others, and sure enough, the two of them were frozen solid, their eyes wide.

See! It's not normal!

"We're going to the forest, right? Chihiiro?"

Yes, this is one of those situations where I have no right to refuse, isn't it? You're quite a high-ranking person, aren't you?

His eyes were full of innocent curiosity. His tone was that of someone used to ordering those of lower status. An atmosphere that brooked no argument.

It's pointless to resist. Oh well. I wanted to go to the forest anyway.

When Chihiro looked up at Romel and gave a big nod, he broke into a satisfied grin. He then lifted Chihiro onto the horse in front of him and mounted.

"I will be taking the young lady into my care. We shall be back by evening, so inform the baron."

"Wha... huh? Y, young mistress?"

Flustered and muttering incoherently, Naya hurried out of the door. Chihiro smiled at him and waved her small hand.

"We're off, Naya. We'll be back early."

Holding Chihiro with one arm, Romel spurred his horse forward. The knights followed suit, urging their horses on.

Watching the group disappear into the distance in an instant, the blood drained from Naya's face.

Kidnapping...? No, that's not it.

"Master... Sasha, inform the Master! His Highness the King's Younger Brother has taken the young mistress..."

Taken the young mistress? What should he report? From the looks of it, they seemed to be acquainted. They were calling each other by name, and the young mistress had gotten on the horse without any fuss.

Ahhhhh, honestly! That young mistress!!

How should he tell Drago? Naya ran his hands through his neatly styled hair, messing it up completely.

"Are you of high rank, Regret-sama?"

"You can call me Romel. High, I suppose you could say that. I am royalty, after all. But I don't possess the golden irises, you see. I have almost no official duties and just live in the palace. Like a freeloader, I suppose."

Golden irises?

As Chihiro tilted her head, Romel's hand moved towards it.

"It's a lovely day, isn't it? Aren't you hot?"

Sensing Romel's intention, Chihiro hurriedly clutched her head.

"My faw-ther shaid I shouldn't show my face!"

Oops, I messed up!

She could feel Romel shaking behind her.

Is he angry? Was I disrespectful??

After staying still for a while, Chihiro noticed that the surrounding knights were also shaking. They had turned their faces away and were covering their mouths.

What is it?

Timidly, Chihiro looked up at Romel while still holding her head. Romel had an indescribable expression on his face, his mouth twitching into a grin.

Unconsciously, Chihiro leaned her head against Romel. At the small-animal-like gesture, Romel couldn't hold it in any longer and burst out laughing. The knights followed suit, and gentle laughter echoed around them.

What is this cute creature? I could watch her forever and not get tired. 'My faw-ther'. So the mature-sounding child messes up when she's flustered. A good discovery.

Romel's chuckles wouldn't stop. The knights were the same. As they rode at a light canter, the toddler, who showed no fear or intimidation, leaned skillfully against Romel, looking around with curiosity.

"Why did the head chef tell you not to show your face?"

At the question, Chihiro thought for a moment.

He was actually talking about her hair, but if she said that, he would probably get curious. Face, face, face... Daddy, I'm borrowing your overprotectiveness.

"He said I'd get kidnapped if I showed my face."

Instantly, Romel's face became serious. Though Chihiro couldn't see it.

She was indeed a very cute child. He could understand the head chef's worry. If she were in the city, she would be kidnapped in an instant.

Romel, looking convinced, glanced at his surroundings, and the knights gave him a slight nod.

Right?

With the forest now close by, Romel tightened his arm around Chihiro. Unaware of the gentle force, as if to protect her, Chihiro turned her admiring eyes to the lush, green forest.

An other-world forest. I wonder what kind of plants and animals are in there.

Unable to contain her excitement, Chihiro's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she disappeared into the forest with the knights.

Little did she know, this was the beginning of her inhuman life.

The forest simply swallowed her up, silently watching over her.