There's snow on the ground. So we had to shovel the snow off the cobblestones and other walking areas. The snowfall was only about a dozen centimeters, so even I was able to help.
I ate lunch when I finished shoveling the snow from the main gate to the main entrance of the mansion, and started working on the sidewalks around the mansion in the afternoon. After a few hours, I took a short break.

"Dad, can I play for a minute?

Dad nodded that it was okay to take a break, and I happily headed for the pile of snow I had collected while shoveling.
What shall we make? I ruffled my winter leather gloves and checked the amount of snow to see what I could make. You can make a small snowman, but a large snowman is better. Look around and see if there is anything you can use. I see a Manryo tree with red berries, so I take some of its red berries and leaves.
While I was hardening the snow, a young lady came with her maid, Katrin.

"Oh, Miss. "Hello, Miss Katrin.

What are you doing?

Katrin-san said hello, and the lady looked at me curiously, wondering why I was carrying snow. She looked at me curiously, wondering why I was holding snow.

"Hey.

I put a snow rabbit in front of her. It's an oval block of snow with leaf ears and red berries for eyes.

"Rabbit, rabbit, ......?

"Correct.

She rolls her eyes and stares at the snow rabbit, and I affirm her.

"It's lovely.

I'm sure you'll agree.

Katrin praised me, but I only made the simplest one, so I smiled.

"...... is cute.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. The young lady looks up at me as if she's glaring at me, but I can't let her touch it.

"This is made from snow shovels, so don't touch it.

It looks pretty, but I'm worried about germs and frostbite on her hands. When I asked her why, she seemed to like the snow rabbit and looked at me appealingly. But such a look won't help.

"Master Ludia, I'll bring the plates later, why don't you put them on the terrace or something?

While we were fighting with our gazes, Katrin-san came to the rescue. The lady's eyes lit up at Katrin's suggestion, and I was a little troubled.

"It'll melt, is that okay?

She nodded vertically. It's been the same since my previous life, but every time I see a snowman I've made melt, I feel disappointed. I'm worried that this will happen to you too.

Do you want to touch it?

She nodded firmly again, and I smiled.

'Okay. Don't leave her with Catrin later.

"Then I'll have your father cast a spell to make it last longer.

The delighted young lady's comment caught my attention. The duke is a rare dual-attribute magician, able to use both wind and water, so he can use combined attribute ice magic. I wonder if it's okay to use such a valuable magic like a freezer. Well, I'm sure the duke would be happy to do it for his daughter.

I can't believe I've never heard of you before.

She seems to be coming earlier than usual. I'm not sure if this is a good idea, but it's a good idea. She is holding a teacup on a tray with a mitten-like cover on it.
For some reason, the lady put her hands on her hips and declared.

"You'll have to accompany me to my tea.

What?

She used to come after the tea was over, but what's going on? While I was wondering, the young lady walked over to my father. My father bent down on his knees and tried to meet her gaze. Perhaps because it was snowing, she looked like an innocent rabbit approaching a bear. I wonder if you have any books about animals. I want to read it.

Do you mind if I borrow Zaku?

I'm just taking a break, so no problem. If you don't mind, I'm just taking a break.

When the young lady said no, her father smiled and agreed. Surprised by her father's smile, she smiled back happily. I guess she's gotten used to my father and isn't scared of him anymore. I'm kind of glad that my father is not misunderstood and is treating the child well.

"Well, I'm off, Dad.

I left the rabbit in the shade of a cool tree and called out to my father, who put his fist on my head.

When you're done, do your work.

Yes, sir.

I replied firmly and headed for the greenhouse with the girls. The greenhouse was large enough that there were several tables set up so that we could take our time looking at the flowers. After preparing tea at one of them, Katrin left, saying she had other work to do. I think she was being considerate.
I was so relieved when I drank the warm tea that she made. I wondered if the mitten-like pot cover was to keep the tea warm.

"But why tea?

I asked the young lady sitting across from me. She took a sip of her tea and placed the teacup on the plate with a neat gesture.

"In the greenhouse, we can relax together like this.



"Oh, I see.

So far it's been on the lawn or something, so the lady of the house couldn't sit there. Near the boardwalk, there are benches at regular intervals, but I rarely work there. My father is in charge of most of the area where people might come when they visit. It's partly a matter of my ability, and partly because some nobles don't like to see the children of commoners, even if they are their servants. I know that the gentle dukes are rare, so I don't go near the main entrance unless I'm shoveling snow, which requires a lot of manpower.
It's true that the greenhouse is secluded, so there's a place to sit and you don't have to worry about being seen. The only people who are invited to this greenhouse are those who are friends with the Ernsts, so they must be nice people.

I'd rather have tea with you than alone.

"Then why don't you have a drink with Katrin?

If I can drink with a servant, that means I can drink with Katrin.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a place where you can have a drink with me, which means you can have a drink with Katrin. ...... It takes courage to ask Katrin out. ......

The girl choked on her words. I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you. She's probably worried that if she asks you out, you'll be ordering her around (forcing her).

"Do you want me to ask her out?

No, I'll ask her myself.

I see.

She immediately replies, "No," and I think she's doing her best. She is probably shy or afraid to show her true self. That's why she put on the armor of a duchess when we first met. To play with the truth means to be vulnerable. Everyone would be scared.

"You're getting stronger, girl.

I think that's great. I couldn't do that in my previous life. You don't have any regrets from your past life, but you're trying.

"...... Is that a compliment?

"Yeah. It's so cool.

When I complimented her with a big smile, she became reluctant. I told her exactly what I meant, but she didn't seem happy. It seems that strong and good-looking are not popular with girls. In my opinion, it's one of the greatest compliments.
The girl grudgingly said thank you.
After that, during the winter, we would take a tea break in the greenhouse, and then I would work and she would talk for a while. During the tea breaks, Katrin would sometimes join us.
Then, during the tea breaks when I was facing her properly, we mostly talked about the prince. According to the lady, it was disrespectful. The stories she told me about the prince were so wise that I doubted if he was really one year younger than me, but it didn't seem real. It was all the more so because I had never met him before. The young lady's smile was cute, but the more I listened to her talk, the less interested I became in her.
Sometimes I would make vague gestures and she would get angry. But I'd rather listen to the lady herself, as if I were listening to a character in a comic book or video game.

"So, Roy-sama is .......

Hmm?　Something's bugging me.
I think I've seen a blonde character with a similar name in a previous life game. I don't know what it was, but I can't remember.
While listening to the story of the young lady, I'm digging up memories of my previous life. I'm sure you'll be able to find something that will help you out.

I'm not sure what to make of that.

It's okay that it's two-dimensional!　I don't mind it because it's two-dimensional! Even Taichi reads shonen manga about me and my heroes.

It's not that I don't like it, but... It's not that I don't like it, but I don't know why I can't have my favorite Roy-sama.

I don't know.

Oh... I just remembered. It's a mini-game of a tactics RPG that I learned the name of the only character I could capture because my sister kept calling it out. I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

She had a long full name, ....... What was it? Roy...... Roy......?

"His Highness Roy Leonard von Rosenhain.

"His Highness Roy Leonard von Rosenhain," the lady told me. That's it. The way she said it was like when my sister corrected me. But how does she know that?
I look at her. Pale blue eyes, pale gold hair, cat-like eyes with a slight lift. Her mood is very different, but I think I've heard her biting name in a previous life. I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you.

I don't dislike her though she is a rival. I'm sure you've heard of it before. I'm sure you'll agree.

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's worth it.

"d*mn, it's not the name, it's the breasts. That's why three-dimensional guys are like ......!

No, your favorite Roy-sama is a man too. If he was in real life, he wouldn't be much different.

You can't have two-dimensional people in your life. I'm not sure what to say.



I'm not going to help you anymore if you're going to say that.

It's not that I don't like it, it's just that my memory faded out to a sibling fight. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on here.
By the way, each character in that game had a different magic attribute. There were too many similarities for it to be a coincidence, so I tried to remember as much as I could about the game.

Oh, it's an otome game.

I finally realized that I'm in a game world. But for me, it's the real world I'm living in now, and I wonder if there's anything I should be careful about just because it's based on a game.
I drank the tea that Katrin made me and calmed down. I'm not upset, but my brain is a little tired from recalling uninteresting memories.
At any rate, I'm pretty sure I'm not in my sister's otome game, ...... Kimi Hoshi, right? I'm not in the game. If the main character goes to Roy-sama's route, she may lose her heart. There were about seven characters in the game, including hidden ones, so the odds of a happy ending and a bad ending were roughly fourteen to one. The Ernst family is secure no matter what happens, and there's nothing I can do as an apprentice gardener. What's more, if someone else intervenes, I'll be kicked by a horse.
Knowing such an uncertain future, I can't do anything about it. I've been thinking about it for a while, and all I can think about is how useless it is to have memories of previous lives.

I wonder if the ...... girl will fall in love with Roy-sama.

Looking at her now, talking happily, I have a feeling that she will. If that's the case, she'll be happy because it'll be a love marriage even if it's a political marriage as in the game. However, there is a possibility that the protagonist will end up with Roy-sama and the daughter will lose her heart.
Anyway, I don't want the girl to cry, so should I cheer for her if she falls in love with Roy-sama?　How can I support her? I'm pretty sure the school she's going to is the same as the military service system in some countries, where those with more than the prescribed amount of magic power are required to attend. I'd like to go to the school, ....... I'm also interested in what it's like to study magic. I'm interested in what it's like to study magic, since I've been taught to read and write by a young lady. I don't know how much magic I'll need, so I might not have enough, but I'll try to raise my level before the test.
I suddenly realize that my options are increasing. The old me might not have even taken the test even if my magic power was just barely up to the required level because I can't read or write. It doesn't matter if one or two commoners miss the test, and those who know their magical power is low often don't take the test in the first place. But now I can try a little harder.
When I asked the lady for another cup of tea, she scolded me to make it myself. I made myself another cup of tea and drank it. Yes, it's good.
So is this tea. Thanks to you, I've been able to experience so much as a commoner. Besides, gardening is more fun when you have someone to show it to.

I'm glad I met you.

I felt like saying this when I realized that my life had changed a little. A smile naturally appeared on my face.
I think it's because I said it out of the blue, but the lady paused, and then her face turned red in an instant, almost like a blur.

You're not listening to me, are you?

I was caught. And I was pissed. But I don't know. Is it more of an embarrassment?
I quietly listened to her sermon until the tea break was over.
After the tea break, I went to work on the greenhouse, and the lady talked for a while until the next lesson. Today it was mostly about my sister. I have a rough idea of her sister's progress, even though I rarely see her. Recently, she has started to say some words, and I heard how the Duke cried with joy when she called him "Papa" for the first time.
It was time for the young lady to return, so I left the table.

Shall I take her home?

No, thank you.

When I asked her if she wanted a ride, she said no. It was a little far from her residence. I asked her if she wanted a ride home, and she said no. She had become familiar with the garden through my company, so she should be fine on the way home. Katrin will pick up the tea set later. At least I'll take her to the entrance of the greenhouse.
As we parted, for some reason, the young lady turned around and pulled something out of the hem of her dress. She turned her head and held it out in front of her without making eye contact. The metal chain clinked.

"Zaku, here.

"Hmm?

The pendant was held in the young lady's small hand, and she held it out to me, so I took it. I guess she wants me to look at it.
I looked at it and saw that it was a smoked silver locket pendant. It was simple and unadorned, and the austere feel of the metal was to my liking, but not to the lady's. When I opened the locket, I found a small four-leaf locket. I know she picked some of them, but I didn't know she had found such a small one.

It's so small and pretty like a little girl.

I muttered, looking at the contents of the locket. A smile naturally appeared on my face.
When I looked up at her, I saw that her cheeks had turned red and she was shaking like she was about to get angry.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one.

Oh, I'm pissed. I guess he was offended that I called him small.

I'll just think about it, then.

"Zaku's face shows it, so it's the same!

What?

What am I supposed to do? She mumbles something about a heart attack anyway, but I wonder if she has high blood pressure for someone so young. Or is it because I often make her angry?



"Would you rather I didn't ...... be with my daughter?

"No, I don't want to ....... I don't want to .......

I suggested that I was happy to be with her, but that I would give up if it was too much of a burden on her to keep pissing me off, to which she reflexively said no.

"I see.

So, that's it!　......, that's enough.

I'm sure you'll be glad to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this.

"So this is yours?

"It's ............ Zaku's.

She said as if she was trying to squeeze something out.

"What?

"I gave your fathers a bookmark with pressed flowers, but Zaku doesn't have a book. So here's a replacement.

I know. The other day, for the first time in a long time, I was ambushed by the Duke and he was so proud of me. I always wondered why the Duke even thanked me when the lady did it voluntarily.
Anyway, I was surprised because I didn't expect to get my share. What did she think of my speechlessness, she explained further.

"It's not expensive!　It's cheap!

Oh, so she went out of her way to order something from a common store so that I wouldn't have to worry about it. The lady's concern made me happy and my expression relaxed.

Thank you. Take good care of it.

It's been a long time since I received the gift, but she probably timed it to coincide with the Holy Night to make it easier for me to receive. So I'll take it as it comes. By the way, the reason why the birthday of the national religion's god and Christmas are the same is because this world is an otome game. I thought it was too much of a coincidence, so I feel a little better.

I'm sorry. I didn't prepare anything but ......".

I've never given a blessing to anyone on the feast day because it was just a feast for me as a commoner. What should I do?

"I got it.

"Oh, ......?

I've never given anyone a blessing before.

"Snow rabbit. I'll take good care of it.

I'll take good care of it." I'm stunned that she's okay with that. And then I felt a sense of déjà vu in this exchange. I remembered that she said something similar to me when she was bothering me about my birthday present.
It was kind of funny and I laughed. I'd be lying if I didn't cherish this girl.

"Okay, extra.

The girl tilts her head curiously.

"If anyone makes you cry, tell me. I'll hit you.

Why did you suddenly do such a terrible thing ......?

"Why did you suddenly say such a disturbing thing? There's no context at all, and the young lady has no business being violent.

Just remember that.

"Okay, okay. ......

I said with a smile, and she nodded without understanding. I think she's trying to figure out how serious I am. But I'm serious.
I don't care if it's a girl's game or a prince. I care more about the girl. If anyone makes my daughter cry, I'll hit them anyway.
I swore on the locket I got that I'd do what I said even if the girl forgot about the extra. It's not the right vow to make on God's birthday. But it's an important vow for my reality.
I've never prayed to God at a holy night before, but this year I'll start asking Him for help.

I wish for a future where my daughter can smile.