After dealing with Duke Eulathion, I got tangled up with nobles who found me amusing, and mocked by children my age—it was a hassle. Yeah, if I didn't have the memories of a proper thirty-year-old adult, I might have cried. Since Father was keeping a close eye on my movements, there might be some fallout, but that's just reaping what one sows. However, if I spread the damage recklessly, it would lead to bad reputation for Father as the Emperor. So I slipped out of the tea party.
"By the way, Ikt."
"Yes, did you call for me?"
Even though I slipped out secretly and was moving while hiding well behind the garden trees, my bodyguard was following me with a matter-of-fact expression. I guess it goes to show that the skills of someone who became a noble from being a former hunter specializing in magical beasts aren't just for show.
"Do you know who that child is?"
I'm in a garden with hedges that obstruct visibility, and what I can see beyond is a white birch forest. Yeah, it's around where I found my younger brother Terry crying when he got lost once. And why is there a girl in a dress crying there alone?
"If it were Lord Harty, he could probably tell. I am but a noble in name only."
"If you say that, I'm also just a noble in name. But there aren't many with orange hair, right?"
Ikt has coral-like colored hair, which is rare among the empire's nobility who mostly have blue tones. And the crying girl had orange hair that could be called either red or blonde. Well, anyway, she's lost. Because the children living in this palace are all boys, and she clearly looks like a guest at today's tea party. Yet here she is crying alone in a place far from the tea party venue without her parents.
"Is it okay if I talk to her?"
"............I think it would be safer to call someone, but she has noticed us."
Ikt was probably concerned about the previous incident where finding Terry led to problems. But the girl noticed us and started hurriedly wiping her eyes.
"Ah, that's no good. You're wearing such a beautiful dress and looking so lovely—it would be terrible to swell your eyes, wouldn't it?"
As I spoke, I took out the handkerchief Harty had given me. I created water with magic, wet it, cooled it, and handed it to her.
"Cool your eyes with this. Don't worry, I know the way back to the venue, so I'll guide you once you've calmed down."
The girl was looking down shyly, but when she received the handkerchief, she started cooling her eyes.
"How embarrassing... to be seen like this. Thank you very much."
The girl who spoke in mumbles seemed to find silence awkward.
"You can call me Asha. And you are?"
"I am... called Diora by those close to me."
"May I call you Diora too?"
"Yes, please allow me to call you Lord Asha as well."
"I don't need the 'Lord,' but... Diora, did you come all the way here to see the gardens?"
I don't stop the honorifics because she might get angry later when she learns my status. Or perhaps Diora knows and is saying it anyway. Diora became dejected at the topic of gardens, seemingly embarrassed at being seen crying while lost. She's about my age, so maybe she's at that kind of age.
"The roses at the venue are splendid, but I think these rare flowers are more interesting to look at."
"Yes, they are all rare species, and I found flowers I'd only seen in illustrated books..."
Apparently curious, and her voice became more animated when talking about flowers.
"Which ones? The Candy Berries shouldn't be blooming anymore. Ah, have you seen the Peacock's Tail Feather—that plant with eye-like patterns? The Stardust Grass should be at its best viewing around now."
Candy Berries are annuals that bear berry-like fruits and drip nectar. Peacock's Tail Feather is as its name suggests, characterized by large drooping leaves like a palm tree. Stardust Grass looks like a comet fell into the flower, with very long stamens and pistils extending out. All were rare species cultivated in this garden.
"I haven't seen any of those. I found Jewel Beans."
"Ah, those still have small pods, so you'll have to wait until autumn to see the beans inside."
Jewel Beans look like ordinary peas or fava beans. But when they split open, they reveal translucent seeds like jewels.
"My, Lord Asha is very knowledgeable."
"No, I just remembered from reading the books compiled about what's planted in the gardens."
I memorized them thinking I'd show Terry next time I saw him. Even if not, they're in the imperial library with illustrated diagrams, so they're interesting to look at. As we talked like this, the redness around Diora's eyes subsided.
"We'll worry people if we stay away too long. We can see the Peacock's Tail Feather, Stardust Grass, and maybe the Prairie Fire flowers on the way back, so shall we go?"
"Y-yes! Prairie Fire flowers are small individually, but their colors shift like burning fire, and in the wild they bloom in clusters, so much so that they were once mistaken for prairie fires and became the cause of wars..."
"Isn't Diora more knowledgeable than me? If you know anything else, I'd love to hear it."
"I-is that alright? My brother says it's shameful for a lady to show off her knowledge."
"It's shameful for a gentleman too if he's showing off. Right now I'm asking because I want to hear, so it's fine."
When I said I'd listen, Diora smiled happily, her cheeks relaxing. Apparently studious, and once she starts talking she gains momentum.
"Ah, is that Jellyfish Grass over there? I didn't know what a jellyfish was, but apparently it's a transparent creature that floats in the sea. But how do you know it's there if it's transparent? And why does it say 'float' rather than 'swim' in the sea?"
The sight of a little girl talking earnestly like a first-grader is endearing to me. I feel like I'm looking at her with the same eyes as Ikt, who follows silently from behind.
As we were returning like this, I saw a familiar face appearing from the direction of the venue.
"Well, if it isn't Marquis Strateg."
"Y-you know him? Then we should be fine now."
"Lord Asha?"
"I have business to attend to, so I'll leave you here."
"Ah, could it be you postponed your business for my sake?"
"Don't worry about it. It wasn't business important enough to pretend I didn't see a crying girl."
As I was saying this, Duke Eulathion had even joined Marquis Strateg's side. And both of them noticed me—why?
"Princess Neldiora and... Your Highness..."
Marquis Strateg, I know what you want to say, so don't use such a disgusted voice. Meeting face-to-face for the first time in a year and that's your reaction—it's too obvious that you think I'm the culprit behind the Levant incident.
I silently push Diora's back.
"Why are you with that Highness, Princess Neldiora?"
Duke Eulathion is openly suspicious, and I also want to ask why two powerful figures are together, but getting involved would be troublesome. Also, "Princess" means Diora is indeed the princess of the Kingdom of Rukiusaria. I see, so she slipped out from the indoor area with sweets to this garden.
"I was lost and he helped me, but... Your Highness? Lord Asha?"
Since I gave a somewhat off response to Duke Eulathion, speaking normally is awkward. Also, since both Diora and Marquis Strateg know my natural way of speaking, there's a risk of them being hit by the fallout if I slip up. Here, I'll just stay silent and smile.
"C-could it be! The First Prince of the Empire!?"
Ah, so she didn't know and was using honorifics. Well, that's fine.
I lightly wave my hand and turn my back. I should really return to the venue, but going back together here would be awkward.
"I'll have to apologize to His Majesty later."
"Shall we return to your room like this?"
Ikt, who had been following silently, checked in.
"If I return with the guest of honor, people will get suspicious. I went through the trouble of disguising myself to avoid attention, only to get scolded again."
"...Did you not enjoy yourself?"
"Hearing stories from you and the others is much more fun for me."
"I'm running out of stories to tell soon, though."
"Then help me find out about the mistakes Wearrel made during his student days next time."
"Hmm, if that is Your Highness's request."
It seems he has no intention of stopping me from slipping out.
I turn my back on the venue, laughing with Ikt, and return without looking back.
Daily updates
Next: The Lost Princess 5
This looks good. I'll make sure the formatting matches the original with appropriate line breaks. After dealing with Duke Eulathion, I got tangled up with nobles who found me amusing, and mocked by children my age—it was a hassle. Yeah, if I didn't have the memories of a proper thirty-year-old adult, I might have cried. Since Father was watching my movements closely, there might be some fallout, but that's just reaping what one sows. However, if I spread the damage recklessly, it would lead to bad reputation for Father as the Emperor. So I slipped out of the tea party.
"By the way, Ikt."
"Yes, did you call for me?"
Even though I slipped out secretly and was moving while hiding well behind the garden trees, my bodyguard was following me with a matter-of-fact expression. I guess it goes to show that the skills of someone who became a noble from being a former hunter specializing in magical beasts aren't just for show.
"Do you know who that child is?"
I'm in a garden with hedges that obstruct visibility, and what I can see beyond is a white birch forest. Yeah, it's around where I found my younger brother Terry crying when he got lost once. And why is there a girl in a dress crying there alone?
"If it were Lord Harty, he could probably tell. I am but a noble in name only."
"If you say that, I'm also just a noble in name. But there aren't many with orange hair, right?"
Ikt has coral-like colored hair, which is rare among the empire's nobility who mostly have blue tones. And the crying girl had orange hair that could be called either red or blonde. Well, anyway, she's lost. Because the children living in this palace are all boys, and she clearly looks like a guest at today's tea party. Yet here she is crying alone in a place far from the tea party venue without her parents.
"Is it okay if I talk to her?"
"............I think it would be safer to call someone, but she has noticed us."
Ikt was probably concerned about the previous incident where finding Terry led to problems. But the girl noticed us and started hurriedly wiping her eyes.
"Ah, that's no good. You're wearing such a beautiful dress and looking so lovely—it would be terrible to swell your eyes, wouldn't it?"
As I spoke, I took out the handkerchief Harty had given me. I created water with magic, wet it, cooled it, and handed it to her.
"Cool your eyes with this. Don't worry, I know the way back to the venue, so I'll guide you once you've calmed down."
The girl was looking down shyly, but when she received the handkerchief, she started cooling her eyes.
"How embarrassing... to be seen like this. Thank you very much."
The girl who spoke in mumbles seemed to find silence awkward.
"You can call me Asha. And you are?"
"I am... called Diora by those close to me."
"May I call you Diora too?"
"Yes, please allow me to call you Lord Asha as well."
"I don't need the 'Lord,' but... Diora, did you come all the way here to see the gardens?"
I don't stop the honorifics because she might get angry later when she learns my status. Or perhaps Diora knows and is saying it anyway. Diora became dejected at the topic of gardens, seemingly embarrassed at being seen crying while lost. She's about my age, so maybe she's at that kind of age.
"The roses at the venue are splendid, but I think these rare flowers are more interesting to look at."
"Yes, they are all rare species, and I found flowers I'd only seen in illustrated books..."
Apparently curious, and her voice became more animated when talking about flowers.
"Which ones? The Candy Berries shouldn't be blooming anymore. Ah, have you seen the Peacock's Tail Feather—that plant with eye-like patterns? The Stardust Grass should be at its best viewing around now."
Candy Berries are annuals that bear berry-like fruits and drip nectar. Peacock's Tail Feather is as its name suggests, characterized by large drooping leaves like a palm tree. Stardust Grass looks like a comet fell into the flower, with very long stamens and pistils extending out. All were rare species cultivated in this garden.
"I haven't seen any of those. I found Jewel Beans."
"Ah, those still have small pods, so you'll have to wait until autumn to see the beans inside."
Jewel Beans look like ordinary peas or fava beans. But when they split open, they reveal translucent seeds like jewels.
"My, Lord Asha is very knowledgeable."
"No, I just remembered from reading the books compiled about what's planted in the gardens."
I memorized them thinking I'd show Terry next time I saw him. Even if not, they're in the imperial library with illustrated diagrams, so they're interesting to look at. As we talked like this, the redness around Diora's eyes subsided.
"We'll worry people if we stay away too long. We can see the Peacock's Tail Feather, Stardust Grass, and maybe the Prairie Fire flowers on the way back, so shall we go?"
"Y-yes! Prairie Fire flowers are small individually, but their colors shift like burning fire, and in the wild they bloom in clusters, so much so that they were once mistaken for prairie fires and became the cause of wars..."
"Isn't Diora more knowledgeable than me? If you know anything else, I'd love to hear it."
"I-is that alright? My brother says it's shameful for a lady to show off her knowledge."
"It's shameful for a gentleman too if he's showing off. Right now I'm asking because I want to hear, so it's fine."
When I said I'd listen, Diora smiled happily, her cheeks relaxing. Apparently studious, and once she starts talking she gains momentum.
"Ah, is that Jellyfish Grass over there? I didn't know what a jellyfish was, but apparently it's a transparent creature that floats in the sea. But how do you know it's there if it's transparent? And why does it say 'float' rather than 'swim' in the sea?"
The sight of a little girl talking earnestly like a first-grader is endearing to me. I feel like I'm looking at her with the same eyes as Ikt, who follows silently from behind.
As we were returning like this, I saw a familiar face appearing from the direction of the venue.
"Well, if it isn't Marquis Strateg."
"Y-you know him? Then we should be fine now."
"Lord Asha?"
"I have business to attend to, so I'll leave you here."
"Ah, could it be you postponed your business for my sake?"
"Don't worry about it. It wasn't business important enough to pretend I didn't see a crying girl."
As I was saying this, Duke Eulathion had even joined Marquis Strateg's side. And both of them noticed me—why?
"Princess Neldiora and... Your Highness..."
Marquis Strateg, I know what you want to say, so don't use such a disgusted voice. Meeting face-to-face for the first time in a year and that's your reaction—it's too obvious that you think I'm the culprit behind the Levant incident.
I silently push Diora's back.
"Why are you with that Highness, Princess Neldiora?"
Duke Eulathion is openly suspicious, and I also want to ask why two powerful figures are together, but getting involved would be troublesome. Also, "Princess" means Diora is indeed the princess of the Kingdom of Rukiusaria. I see, so she slipped out from the indoor area with sweets to this garden.
"I was lost and he helped me, but... Your Highness? Lord Asha?"
Since I gave a somewhat off response to Duke Eulathion, speaking normally is awkward. Also, since both Diora and Marquis Strateg know my natural way of speaking, there's a risk of them being hit by the fallout if I slip up. Here, I'll just stay silent and smile.
"C-could it be! The First Prince of the Empire!?"
Ah, so she didn't know and was using honorifics. Well, that's fine.
I lightly wave my hand and turn my back. I should really return to the venue, but going back together here would be awkward.
"I'll have to apologize to His Majesty later."
"Shall we return to your room like this?"
Ikt, who had been following silently, checked in.
"If I return with the guest of honor, people will get suspicious. I went through the trouble of disguising myself to avoid attention, only to get scolded again."
"...Did you not enjoy yourself?"
"Hearing stories from you and the others is much more fun for me."
"I'm running out of stories to tell soon, though."
"Then help me find out about the mistakes Wearrel made during his student days next time."
"Hmm, if that is Your Highness's request."
It seems he has no intention of stopping me from slipping out.
I turn my back on the venue, laughing with Ikt, and return without looking back.
Daily updates
Next: The Lost Princess 5