"It's all right now, said the king.

"...... Zaku, you're a terrible reader. There's no emotion in it.

The half-lidded girl said she would rather hear Catrin's voice, even if it was muffled.

"Then you should read it to me.

You're not going to learn anything by doing that.

I know, but ......

In a guest room with the faint sound of rain, two people sit side by side on the sofa and read a picture book. This became our routine on days when we had to stay overnight due to rain. The maid, Katrin, who knows what's going on, is with us and makes us a cup of tea when we take a break.
When I read, I try my best to follow the words and end up reading with a stick. One of the reasons is that I don't usually have a chance to read texts, and this is the only time I can practice. I wish I could study on my own in secret because it's not cool, but I'd rather buy plant seeds or seedlings than buy expensive books.
With the young lady's pointing out, I somehow managed to read the book to the end. Then she brought out the next book.

"Here's the next one.

"Oh, you're still reading?

Just when I thought my mouth was getting a little tired, Ms. Catrin quietly placed a fresh pot of tea on the table. I was impressed by her perfect timing. Maids are amazing. The lady can't ignore Katrin's tea. Thanks to her, I was able to take a short break.
As I sipped my warm tea, I asked her what she thought.

"You have a lot of books with princes in them, don't you, young lady?

"I love how they lift the princess's curse and slay the bad dragons.

I thought that a wizard would be better suited to lift the curse or a knight to slay the demon, but I kept quiet. Girls really like princes.

Why are there so many blondes?

"Why are there so many blondes?" "Is it because they like blondes? By the way, my sister in a previous life said that blondes and blue-eyes are royal for princes and princesses.

It's because it's a symbol of royalty.

Do royalty have blond hair?

Yeah. Gold hair, even shining gold, is said to be a sign of pure-blooded royalty. The closer the eyes are to gold, the deeper the royal blood.

Oh, so you're a duke, too?

Your father's grandmother was a princess back then.

I guess she's proud of her family's lineage, and when it comes to the Duke, she answers with an air of bravado. But that's why the duke is so glittering. I'm convinced.
I understand that blondes are common in picture books written in this country because they are modeled after royalty. I'm sure other countries' picture books are different.

"Hmm, royalty can be fancy looking. I like your light blond hair because it's easy on the eyes.

I'm glad I'll never see you." I blurted out as I looked at the prince, who was depicted with a halo in picture books. I'm glad I'll never meet him. I'm glad I've never met him. The blondes are too bright for my eyes, even more so than the duke.

So, I should read this now, right? Miss?

When I looked next to her and wondered why her voice didn't return, I saw a young lady with her hair squeezed in her hands and her face reddened. She looked really frustrated. Isn't that going to mess up the set?

What's wrong?

When I asked her, she stared at me silently. Did I say something I didn't like? Or is it that my bare-bones reading isn't interesting enough for a picture book, even if it's just for practice?

I'm sorry.　I'll try to make it sound a little more like a dialogue next time.

"...... Zaku, you'll be a stick-reader for life.

What's that curse?

What's that curse?" I was suddenly muttered an unreasonable curse. Perhaps it was because of the curse of the young lady, but in the end, the second reading was also a bar reading from beginning to end.
A few days after this exchange, I was still pulling weeds. In summer, when the sun is shining and the greenery is growing vigorously, no amount of weed pulling is enough. It would be nice if the summer sun would take its toll, but then the trees other than the flowers and weeds would lose their root system first. If we need additional staff, we'll have to send a request to the gardener's guild and ask the Ernsts to reinforce security in the meantime. That's a hassle for both my quiet father and me.

It would be nice to have more apprentices.

I think about it when I have a lot of work to do. To be honest, the Baumgärtner family is not hereditary. All you have to do is to inherit the skills of a gardener and the loyalty to the Ernst family, so blood is irrelevant. It just looks like a hereditary system because many people in the downtown area want to follow their parents' work. My parents have never asked me to take over, and my neighbors' parents only want me to take over if possible.
When I go to the gardener's guild, I often see groups that use the name of the first family as the name of the school, not as a family anymore. In the end, my family is more unusual in that it is hereditary.
The Baumgartners are rumored to be the most difficult gardeners in the vicinity of King's Landing. I thought that the royal castle was the most difficult, but it seems that they have a certain level of security because they need more people in proportion to their size. I don't understand why it's so hard. I don't understand why they are so strict. At any rate, there are no disciples other than me at the moment because of the strictness in the world.

I don't think my grandfather will ever help me.



My grandfather, who is still in his fifties, is still active. My grandfather, who is still in his fifties, is still very active, but he is retired from the Ernst family, having been succeeded by my father, and he has declared that he will not help me. Now, he is traveling with my grandmother to the wide country of Arbentroth to buy some rare plants for me. She always brings back plants that are not native to this area as souvenirs, and I always look forward to her return.
Well, there's no point in worrying about what I don't have now, so I continue working while humming a tune. In my previous life, I had a karaoke machine and a music player, but now I don't have those, so I sing to myself to lift my spirits. I can understand why the peasants in the warring states movies were singing while they worked. It's more fun.

"...... What's that song?

"Miss.

When I stopped singing and turned around, I saw a lady with a parasol tilting her head as if she was looking at something strange.

Is that the kind of wild or lively song that's popular among commoners?

The young lady seemed to be puzzled by the tune, which she had never heard before. She must be listening to classical music or opera.

Anyway, it seems to be something they sing on the battlefield.

"Is it a commoner's war song?

No, I've never seen it, so I don't know much about it, but they say it's better to sing than to fight. I've never seen it, so I don't know.

A revue?

What?　Well, my sister taught me how to sing.

My sister in a previous life made me accompany her to karaoke practice because she liked the song even though she didn't watch the anime. She made me sing all the male parts because she didn't see the point in doing so. I don't understand why she wants me to help her with the duet even for the female part. Well, I like him just as much as any other artist, but...

"Zaku is your only son. ......?

The questioning look in the young lady's eyes made me realize that I had slipped up.

"She's like a sister.

That's right. We're not blood related anymore.

Hmm, you have a girl like that. ......

The girl squeezes the handle of the parasol and purses her lips. What are you sulking about?

I'm sure you'll agree.

I'll just say that I compared her to my sister in a previous life. He's going to be so happy when he sees you. I can easily imagine him charging at the beautiful girl, saying he's jealous and hates her. I'm glad you're not here right now because you'd be in trouble.

It's not that I'm a ......?　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

I'm not sure what you're talking about. I don't know, but I seem to have done something wrong to her.

Sorry?

She tilts her head, but apologizes anyway. I'm sorry?" She muttered, but somehow managed to get the point across.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that ...... really does make spirits happy.

I'm not sure if she can see.

When I told her that music makes spirits happy, she was skeptical, but when she actually saw it, she was convinced. As I have little magic power, I can only sense that the atmosphere seems to be fun.

I thought it was a more sacred way to dedicate music. ......

The lady, who seemed to have imagined something like a kagura or a chant, looked at me with a dumbfounded expression as I sang an up-tempo song.

It's okay, I like it.

The lady let out a sigh as I insisted that I should enjoy myself. I don't want to convince her, but she has to admit it because I've proven it.

"What's up today?

As I went back to pulling weeds, I asked her what she wanted to report today. The girl, who usually speaks up immediately, is silent for some reason.
I waited for a while, but there was no response. Even though she was wearing a parasol, the sun was so strong that I wondered if she had suffered from heat stroke. Worried, I stopped working and turned around.

"Miss?

She hadn't collapsed, but she was looking down with a difficult expression on her face. He was silent as if he was trying to hold something back, so I wondered if it was something difficult to say.
There was nothing I could do, so I stopped working and put my gloves in my pocket. I walked over to the lady and got down on one knee so that I was eye to eye with her.

"What's wrong?

I asked her, and her eyebrows rose in the shape of a crow. I noticed that she was gripping the handle of the parasol with both hands tightly, so I gently peeled off the outer hand and squeezed it again without putting any pressure on it.

Hmm?

I smiled at him, hoping to put his mind at ease, and his lips, which had been tightly closed for a long time, loosened.

"Oh. ......

"Yes.

"Your mother sent me an invitation to .......

Yes.

I just listened to her as she began to chatter on and on. You'll be able to find a lot more information on this site.

In a month, there will be a party to celebrate the birth of the first prince. ......

This time, the party is supposed to be a children's party from late afternoon to early evening, in accordance with the prince's age. That's why the young lady has been asked to attend the party for her son and daughter who are close in age.

"You're lucky to be invited to the prince's birthday party. You'll get to see your favorite prince in person.

But that's not the point. ......



If you dare to say something easy-going, you'll get an immediate negative response.

I've never been out in public before,......?　I've never been to a public event before,......?

I'm fine.

"How can you be sure?

My words angered the young lady. But her eyes are full of anxiety and she looks like she's about to cry.

"Because you're always so beautiful.

"What?

I know because I see it all the time. I know because I see her every day. She's been practicing hard and her behavior is getting more beautiful every day.

Don't worry. The Duke and Ok-sama are proud of you. You're a fine duchess.

"Really, and ......?　You're not going to disappoint your fathers with ......?

Yeah. In fact, I'm rather proud of you.

Are you sure you're all right?

I'm fine. She'll be fine as usual.

Laugh and repeat, "I'll be fine until she believes me.

Are you sure about ......?

It's okay. You're cool.

That's not a compliment.

She puffs out her cheeks a little.

Oh, it's a huge compliment.

"Cool" is the highest compliment a man can give. I wonder why girls don't appreciate it.

"Zaku is ......

There's nothing I can do about it," the lady says with a small smile. When she finally smiles, I break into a smile too. Good.

"Yeah, you're the same girl.

You're the same girl.

The young lady seems to have noticed that I said that, and her face turns red and she wonders inaudibly. She's probably embarrassed that she was unusually weak. That's how nervous she must have been. For me, royalty is too far away to really feel, but for you, it's a real thing, so the pressure you feel is probably different.
It's like being nervous at a piano recital. I don't know, I've never done anything like that in my past life. Oh, I guess a company interview is the closest. Yeah, I was so nervous I couldn't do my usual thing. It's tough being a girl when you think about it.
She should be more excited to meet her favorite prince at a party and in a picture book. It's like going to a dreamland and having a job interview at the same time. I want to have fun, but it's not the time to have fun.
But from my point of view, birthday parties and parties are supposed to be fun. You should have fun too.

"Well, have fun.

When I said that, she squeezed my hand back.

"............ Zaku, come with me.

Oh. You're really weak.
The pale blue eyes are shaking with anxiety. It's unusual for you to ask for something you can't do. You know you can't.

"The Duke is with you, isn't he?

The lady nodded her head.

"He'll be fine. He's our best ally.

"But with ...... Zaku, ......

"Miss?

She was about to say something, but I called her over and stopped her. Look her straight in the eye and tell her.

"I'm not a nobleman, I can't do that.

You can't do that because I'm not a nobleman.

And .......

The lady tilted her head as she continued to speak.

It's not my place to wear tight, aristocratic clothes.

"...... Hmm, you're right.

I chuckled, and she laughed, as if she had imagined it. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who can't keep up with you, so I haven't really thought about the specifics of how I'd go with you.

I'm sorry, .......

The lady apologized after laughing at me for forcing her. I shook my head, not bothered by it.

So, what are you so worried about?

I guess I'm feeling so weak because I'm not sure about something.

............ I'll probably get a chance to dance with the prince at least once because of my family status.

Are you unsure about your dancing?

I've never had a teacher praise me yet,......, so I don't know if I'm up to the task,......, of being His Royal Highness' partner.



I'll be fine," she says, smiling again, "I'm very anxious.

I smile again, "You have a month. We can practice.

But I don't want your fathers to know.

She said she didn't want her parents to know that she wasn't confident in her dancing by practicing more. But from the way she's talking, it sounds like she's willing to practice on her own.
I'm looking for a good place. My study yard gets too much sun, she'll fall over this time of year. Dancing is probably ballroom dancing, so it's better to have a flat floor.

Oh.

There it is.
I thought about it for a while and remembered the right place.

"All right, girl. Let's train in secret.

What do you mean, secretly?

I know a good place.

I smiled and pulled her hand, still holding hers, and headed west.
To the west, there is a detached house connected to the main residence by a corridor. It's probably for when he has a mistress or something, but there's no sign of that in the Ernst house now. It is only occasionally used as a guest room. It is not crowded enough, but I have my business in the corridor.
The corridor is surrounded by a pond, and there is a path leading to a pavilion in the middle of the pond. The pavilion, a stone cone with a dome-shaped roof, is large enough to hold a tea ceremony for a small number of people. There is nothing here at the moment, as the tables are only set up when there is a tea ceremony. It would be a good place to practice dancing.
The pavilion in the pond is surrounded by a bed of miniature roses and water lilies floating on the water. Both of them are past their blooming period, so they will not be used for tea ceremonies for a while.

What do you think?　It's fine here.

"Yes, it is.

As I led her to the center of the pavilion, she looked around slowly to make sure everything was okay.

"Well, good luck!　Miss!

I made a gut-punch with both hands and cheered her on. The name "special training" makes it sound sporty and spirited, doesn't it?

"You're doing it now?

"What? No, I just have a feeling.

The young lady is surprised, thinking that she's been asked to dance out of the blue. I was just trying to show my support.

"If you want to practice right now, I'll be back at ......?

I was about to go back to work, as I didn't want to be seen, when I was pulled back. I turned around and saw the lady grabbing the hem of my dress.

"What?　Miss.

She grabbed the hem of my dress so hard that it was wrinkled, and looked up at me as if she was staring at me. What the hell is going on?

"You're going to support ......, aren't you?

Yes.

I don't know why she keeps reminding me. I don't know what she's going to say, but I know she's rooting for me, so I nod.

Then you'll be my practice partner.

"What?　I don't know how to dance.

I'll teach you at least.

What?

What's the point of having me teach you?　How is that going to help her practice?　I mean, my dad, ......, can't do it. I think I can get out of work if the lady asks.

It's better to have someone close in height to practice with.

"Uh ......, okay.

I know it's out of character, but I can't turn down a request from a girl who's trying to do her best for that reason.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Why?

I'll get an apron. I don't want to ruin your beautiful dress.

There's an apron in the shed that I use for cooking.
When I looked at her, I felt a tugging sensation and saw that she was gripping the hem even tighter than before.

"...... Miss. It's okay, but it's really wrinkled.

I'm not sure what to do.

The girl, who had been lying on her face, suddenly realized and hurriedly let go of her hand. Her cheeks are a little red, but maybe she's been outside too long. I thought it would be cooler in this pavilion by the water. I thought it would be cooler in this pavilion by the water, but I should prepare a water bottle as well as a hand towel when I practice.

Let's go back for now.

I put my hand out. Then I realized. I didn't need to hold your hand until we got back because the path was so clear. Hmm?　I didn't have to hold her hand on the way back because she could just follow me?


I thought I'd done something wrong, but I forgot to pull my hand back.
Before I could pull my hand away, the young lady's smaller hand landed on my palm.

"What's ......?

"Hmm, nothing.

Her pale blue eyes look back at me suspiciously, and I smile back.
As we walked back, hand in hand, I remembered that I'd left my work behind. Oh no. I'll take care of the rest tomorrow, but my father will definitely scold me for what I did today.
It's my fault, I can't help it. I'll just try not to let her know.
I glanced at the girl and was relieved that she didn't know I was scared. Then I looked at her and thought.
If I'm going to get scolded by my father, I might as well ask him for one more favor.