Chapter 43 – The First Prince (highlight)
Ten days have passed since then.
Just like always, I take commissions which can be completed in one day.
Although there are ranked subjugations and escort commissions too, because those commissions generally take a few days to complete, it’s somewhat difficult for me to get involved in.
But I’d like to try take them on eventually.
Almost every day in the evenings, the Prince comes over to my place to eat a meal.
I reluctantly prepared some for him at first, but for some reason, I resigned myself that he would come every day.
A prince walking around so much every day, would that be okay?
Does he actually have that much free time…?
As expected, because the food expenses have taken a hit, I receive 2 coppers for each serving, but.
What I mean by almost every day is, there was one day when the Prince had to attend a ball so he couldn’t come on that day, and another day when I returned home late.
He complained the following day for some reason.
As a result, in the situations where there’s a chance I’ll be late, either I won’t know beforehand or I didn’t say anything the day before, I’ll place a sign at a noticeable spot in the entryway.
Although I’m not the Prince’s personal chef…
In addition, the Prince also intervened with my clothes.
Things like more feminine clothing, or things like don’t display my legs. Who do you think you are?
Since he was nagging me too much, for the next few days when I returned, I changed into a dress and trousers.
And today too, the Prince was waiting in front of the entryway.
As I let the Prince inside the house just like always, I heard a voice.
「So this is the source of your disappearance everyday huh.」
When I looked in the direction of the voice, a blond haired man was standing there.
Who could that be? The Prince’s acquaintance?
When I looked at the Prince, he looked at the man with a surprised expression.
「Elder brother…, why are you here…?」
Ha? Elder brother? The Prince’s brother, then this person is also a prince?
Speaking of that…
Blond hair with blue eyes, a long nose bridge, this person is also a beauty.
You could say he has similar features to the Prince.
Or rather, is this country’s royalty staggering by default?
This prince is good, that prince is good…
「Fu. Recently, you’ve always been disappearing when it turns into evening. You also seemed to have eaten dinner outside as well… Since father only laughed even when I asked him, that being the case, I thought I should investigate myself so I came and followed you.」
Aah, it would be strange if he always disappeared at dinnertime ne.
「And, is that person the girl from the rumors? Although I heard from the story, she really is small. Is she really 15 years old? Well, I don’t want to criticise other people’s tastes but…」
The apparent First Prince(since I don’t know his name) approached and scrutinisingly gazed at me.
Somehow, it’s an unpleasant feeling ne.
Leaving that aside, the rumor? Is there another strange rumor going around? Please give me a break.
Besides, most people would be small according to you, you know.
From what I understand by examining this close, this person is larger than the Prince. Could he be a over 2 meters?
Please don’t get so close to me. Since my head is getting tired from looking up…
「fumu, her appearance isn’t bad… But Sedrim, I never realized, you know? That you had this kind of preference… Aah, so that’s why you didn’t engage to any of those women.」
About the Prince’s preferences just now… What does that mean?
As I was stumped, I looked up towards the Prince.
The Prince placed his hand on my head with a pon.
「Well then elder brother, are you already satisfied yet?」
That’s right! if your business is finished, please quickly leave.
「Fu, my business is yet to be finished you know? Since this is an opportunity, I thought I should come eat at the place you have dinner every night at.」
Ha? Even though I’m making it?
In the first place, do you think you can just decide on your own to come and eat just because you’re a prince?
「Elder brother, that’s…」
「Fu, I, the next king, just wants to eat. This, aー, tell me your name.」
What’s this? The next king is like this?
Is it alright having this kind of prince?
「……Before asking for someone’s name, it’s only courtesy to give out your own name first, is what I’ve been taught you know?」
From my words, the First Prince had a flabbergasted facial expression.
And then, I felt a slight strength from the hand which was still placed on my head.
「Hahahahaha. This girl says interesting things. Okay then, my name is Edwill Il Sobule. This country’s first prince. Now, tell me your name.」
Uwaa, he seems like the troublesome type.
「It’s Sakura Fujino…」
「Fu, Sakura huh. Okay, Sakura. Prepare my portion of the meal.」
Is it really alright having this kind of prince?
When I looked up to Prince Sedrim with a ‘I have nothing to say’ expression, he had a similar expression.
「Sorry.」
Although it was only a single word, I understand the gist of it.
Well, I didn’t want to understand but…
No, it’s fine if you don’t stroke my head. That’s enough, please remove your hand.
「Well, show me around.」
Haa, breathing out a sigh, I invited Prince Edwill inside the house.
「Sorry, Sakura. For unconvincing you.」
Well, deciding on your own to come and eat, isn’t that the same as you, Prince?
「Maa, I don’t mind. But to add another person’s portion at this time…」
Saying that, I resumed the dish I was making.
Fortunately, I should say, since the number of people has only increased by one today, it’s something within tolerable range.
At best, the portion of the Prince’s second helping will be lost.
「Aah, Prince, if you’re only just going to stand there, please prepare the tableware.」
As I was cooking, I looked at the Prince from behind and issued some orders.
The Prince didn’t utter a complaint and went to arrange the tableware just like I said to.
「Somehow, this is nice. Being like this… Like a married couple.」
BAM
The vegetable I was cutting was split into two.
W h o a n d w h o i s l i k e a m a r r i e d c o u p l e ?
「What happened? Why’s your face red?」
Who’s fault do you think it is!?
Even if it’s me, I’m still a girl. That kind of, the so-called lovey-dovey newly-wed life, I’ve also thought about it but…
My partner being the Prince…? No way no way no way! No way… right…?
Ah, my face has gone red again from imagining…
「Don’t talk about any unnecessary things, please move your hands instead! Hey! Please take out the forks and spoons.」
In order to deceive him, I issued the Prince some orders.
「Hahaha, could you be embarrassed? A flushed Sakura is also cute you know.」
C-Cute… What are you brazenly saying!?
「If you only speak unnecessary things, there won’t be a portion for the Prince okay?」
While facing my back towards the Prince, I spoke the words I thought would be most effective.
「I’d be troubled if I’m unable to eat the cooking Sakura made with great efforts na.」
As expected, this seems to be the most effective way.
「Since I’ll properly arrange the tableware, be sure to make a delicious dish okay?」
Since I’m also making this for myself to eat, I’m not going to intentionally make it bad you know?
I’m not particularly making this dish for the Prince okay!?
Huh?
I didn’t realize Prince Edwill was peeking from the living room and watching this scene in the kitchen.
By the way, after Prince Edwill returned to the castle and told the story to the other royalty, Prince Sedrim would later feel strange gazes on him, but that’ll be a story for another time.
Finished with the dinner preparations, we began our meal with Prince Edwill.
The menu is stewed hamburger steak, mimosa salad, potato potage and natural yeast bread.
At first, Prince Edwill was bewildered by the dishes he had never seen before, but after Prince Sedrim and I started eating, he resolved himself and placed it in his mouth.
Immediately following, his body trembled and stiffened as if he was mesmerised, but after returning from his stiffness, he started eating with incredible vigor.
He had one serving of stewed hamburger steak and two servings of potage, after asking for seconds, he also had five servings of bread.
Prince Sedrim was disheartened he didn’t get a second serving for himself, but I’ll be omitting it since it’s a trivial matter.
After finishing the meal, I took out some butter cookies and cold herb tea for the two princes, then cleaned up.
While I was cleaning up, I hear the two people’s voices from behind me.
「Oi, Sedrim. Are you always eating such delicious things?」
「Let me see, I can’t say always, but.」
Well, he only comes to eat without permission.
「Alright, I’ve decided I’ll also eat dinner here from tomorrow.」
Eh? What are they talking about?
Please wait! Just the Prince alone is enough you know!?
「Wait, elder brother!」
That’s right! Prince, do your best!
Prince Sedrim says ‘please come here’, drags him to the corner of the room, then says something while whispering in a low voice.
The two people occasionally looked my way, then continued on whispering.
After finishing their secret talk and returning, Prince Edwill started talking with a grin.
「Since that’s the case, I’ll refrain myself. Sedrim, do your best.」
He slapped Sedrim’s back with enough strength to make a banban sound.
As Prince Sedrim responded with a frown, he stopped.1
What could they have talked about…?
I’m also bothered by that expression Prince Edwill had but…
「But, you know. It’s unforgiveable that only Sedrim alone gets to eat such delicious things. Even if it’s just that bread, can’t you do something about it?」
Like I’ve said, Prince Sedrim just decided on his own to come here to eat.
Or rather, earlier when I heard the First Prince speak, didn’t he have that annoying formal speech?
Rather, I feel he’s a troublesome character…
Although it’s a different meaning from annoying, it’s still annoying.2!
When I checked with Prince Sedrim,「the pride of a royalty is high」, is what he said.
In other words, if his pride isn’t damaged then he won’t be hard to deal with, is what it seems. As expected, he appears to be a troublesome person.
So that means, the way I should deal with this situation is…
「Haa, I can’t promise anything but… If it’s just once in a while, how about letting Prince Sedrim to bring you along?」
In other words, even if I only give him a gift once, I haven’t particularly lied.3
「Fu, that will be fine. I’m looking forward to it.」
Alright, the matter of having two princes intrude me everyday has disappeared.
「Fu, then, I should be heading back. Sedrim, you, haven’t had that talk yet right? Quickly finish it then come back. Well then.」
Uーn, a free spirit ne. As expected, this prince, is also person of royalty ne.
Prince Edwill grabbed several pieces of bread from the kitchen, then headed back home.
Please don’t just take them without permission…
「And, what is this ‘talk’ about?」
We returned to the living room after seeing off Prince Edwill, we faced each other while drinking iced tea.
「Aah, there’s something I want to request of Sakura, but.」
「I’ll decline.」
I have a terrible premonition it’s a something troublesome.
「Come on, at least decline after hearing the story.」
Somehow, just from hearing that, why do I feel it’ll be a troublesome matter?
When the Prince fixedly gazed at me, I started back at him(with upturned eyes because of the difference in height).
The Prince blushed and averted his eyes.
In this situation, what’s there to be shy about…?
「To tell the truth, I want Sakura to attend the next ball.」
Even though I didn’t say I wanted to hear it, he still started talking on his own accord!?
「As my partner.」
As expected, it’s something troublesome!
「For the next ball, there’s a rule where we need to be accompanied by a partner you see. However, since I’m obligated to participate…」
「How do you usually do it? Isn’t it fine if you just do it like before?」
It should be fine to do something similar this time as well.
「I usually ask my little sister, Aria, but Aria is currently doing an inspection. I don’t have a partner this time.」
Even if you say that, why does it have to be me?
「Isn’t it fine if you just ask out a noble’s daughter since you’re a prince? Such as one of your fiancée candidates. Wouldn’t they accept with pleasure?」
Honestly, I have a feeling of ‘I want to see it’.
Although I know it’s a place where maliciousness are exchanged behind smiles, it might be worth taking a glimpse of the gorgeous exterior. Though I’d decline going twice ne.
「That, wouldn’t work na. I’ve told you the reason why I didn’t get engaged right? If I take one as a partner to the ball, everybody around me would see. When that happens, it’ll become troublesome afterwards.」
Is it my imagination? The Prince has a unpleasant-like expression.
「Then isn’t it the same if you go together with me? Rather, I hate being seen with those kinds of eyes you know?」
「Sakura is a commoner right? I believe the chances of that happening is little since you’re different from nobles, but it won’t make much difference what they think4. Please Sakura, I can only rely on you. You understand right?」
After saying that, the Prince lowered his head.
Like I’ve said, even as a joke, royalty(following omitted). (note: it’s like this in the raw)
As expected, this sure is a troublesome matter. A bad natured one in addition…
Which was why I didn’t want to hear it you know.
「As expected, is it impossible…?」
When I said nothing, the Prince slightly raised his head and peeped at me.
With eyes like an abandoned puppy!
AAAAAAH, there’s an illusion of a pair of ears and a tail drooping down!
This is hard to deal with, this fellow with round and cute eyes of a small animal!
「I understand! Since I understand, please raise your head!」
As I shouted after being defeated, the Prince suddenly raised his head, no, let alone his head, he stood up and approached my direction and hugged me.
「Thank you! I had faith Sakura would accept! With this, it’s going according to plan!!」
Although the Prince shouted out something, I didn’t take heed of it.5
As I was being hugged while still sitting down, I was lifted up.
The Prince’s height is 184cm, mine is 140cm, rounded up.
My legs were completely lifted off the ground you know?
Since I was shaken and swung around in that situation, I held onto the Prince’s neck and franticly clung on in order not to fall.
As one would expect, being a knight, he has a fine body ne…
Nono, this isn’t the situation to be thinking of such things!
For an instant, in the corner of my vision, I had a feeling I saw Prince Edwill peeking into the living room from the garden but… It’s my imagination, right?
「Well then, when’s that ball or whatever?」
After finally being released, I verify the necessary matters.
「It’s the day after tomorrow.」
Ha?
「Since the ball is in the evening of the day after tomorrow, a dress will be prepared tomorrow. Come over to the castle at 4-2 koku.」
「Day after tomorrow you say…. No matter how you put it, isn’t this too sudden? I, won’t be able to do any preparations you know!?」
Right, even temporarily, I’m going as the partner of a prince. I also can’t behave badly.6
「The preparations will be done on our end. What’s necessary should just be the dress’ measurements? You don’t have to worry, it’ll be fine to just stay beside me. It’s not necessary to dance either okay.」
Eh? Is it okay if I don’t do anything?
Something’s strange. This was only the beginning of the discomfort I felt about this matter.
「That’s why I’d like you to come over to the castle tomorrow morning. As expected, since if we don’t hurry, there won’t be enough time for the dress.」
Umm, 4-2 koku should be 9am ne. Maa, if it’s that much…
「Well for now, I understand. Since I’ve taken this responsibility, I’ll do my best.」
「I’ll be relying on you.」
A short time later, the Prince returned home.
A fuzziness was left in my chest…7
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