50 48. acorn






"Oh, this old guy's cool.

Which one?

This guy who loses his right hand and replaces it with an axe or something.

Oh. The old gob guy. He's all fancy and balls and stuff.

I'm not sure I'm ready for that.

Bad.

I apologize to Leo, who's only on his first book, when he tells me not to spoil it. I managed to look him in the eye and apologize because I was wearing a brown wig that reduced the glare.
I started going to Nico's house, the Count's house in Rudolstadt, once in a while. Leo went with me.
Nico's mother, Master Elvira, would often ask Nico when we were coming. Nico gave up on the attack.
Nico had planned to invite only me, but Elvira asked if I had any other friends, so after the second time, we started to coincide with Leo's visit. When I asked Leo if it was okay for him to visit the downtown, he replied in a cryptic manner that it was important for him to know the life of his subjects. I thought he was just trying to have fun, but he didn't seem to usually have fun, so I kept my mouth shut.
Leo has a wig and can't play around in a nobleman's mansion, so we played in Nico's room. We tried chess at first, but it wasn't fun, because Leo just overwhelmed me. So I just learned the rules of chess somehow.
Then I settled down to read books. Now I'm reading Nico's pirate books. The picture books I read with my daughter had adventure stories and other things I liked, but nothing in the wild genre.
There are illustrations in a few places, so it's almost like reading a shonen manga in reverse, which is fun. The art style is like something you'd see in an art museum, but I think it's more powerful and better. If a young lady reads this, she's going to scream.

What?

Nico feels your eyes on him, and asks the source of your eyes.

No, I thought that was the reason for the tone of voice I used when talking to Isak.

"Oh, I see.

Leo's words made sense to me. If anything, Nico was worse than me. I wondered where he learned it from.

"Bad?

When Nico frowns as if to say, "You have a problem with that?

No? I thought it would be nice if you could be that casual with me.

...... is already casual enough.

Oh, well. Too bad.

I'm sorry." Nico replied dumbly, unable to take it any further, and Leo accepted his reply with a smile that didn't look sorry.

"Well, is there such a thing as disrespect?

I asked, suddenly curious.
In the off-the-record, Nico and I are both talking to the prince, Leo, but if we were to accidentally do so in an official setting, would we just be scolded? I'm a commoner, but Nico seems to meet him at parties, so I wonder if he'll be okay. Well, I don't think Nico would be that rude.

You're asking me if it's a crime to be disrespectful? There is no such thing.

No? No?

Respect for others is not something you can force. Making such a law will only alienate the people.

Well, there's going to be a lot of people getting carried away.

Hmm, so that's how it is.

It is true that there are no rumors about people who have been punished for disrespect. If they were punished, it would be talked about in the downtown area because they are usually common people. If it's not there, there's no way to talk about it. From my knowledge of comic books in my previous life, I thought they were there.
Leo closed the book he was reading and looked up.

When I was just starting to learn swordsmanship, I once broke my mother's music box by swinging a wooden sword indoors.

I almost tilted my head for a moment when he suddenly started talking about his past mistakes, but Nico and I both closed our books and listened, thinking that it was relevant to the topic at hand.
But I was surprised that Leo would make such a childish mistake. There's something about Leo that makes me think that he's been doing everything with ease since birth. I wonder what to call this kind of thing. A winner? Salabrette? At any rate, he's an honor student.
Anyway, it seems that Leo, who had just learned swordsmanship, was so eager to become strong that he tried to practice indoors, and his hand slipped and sent the wooden sword flying. Unfortunately, it hit Leo's mother's music box and he dropped it.

My mother laughed and forgave me, but my father told me to bring the broken music box to him.

Thinking he would be scolded, Leo was frightened, but he honestly took the music box and went to his father. I don't know how old he was, but if it was Johan, he would have run away at least once from such a sure-fire sermon course. I've often seen Johan's aunt grabbing Johan by the neck.
It is said that Leo's father did not scold him right away, but put him on his lap.

He asked him how long he thought it took to make this music box.

When his father asked, Leo replied that it took him a month to think about it. He had a feeling that it would take a craftsman about that long to complete the music box, including assembling the sounding parts and making the box to put it in. The reason for the longer answer was that the workmanship of the box was so detailed and beautiful that it would take a long time.

But my father said it would take more.

Leo's father told him that if you include the time it took to compose the music for the music box, the time it took to iron the parts, the time it took to mine the coal, the time it took to cut the wood for the box, and the time it took for the wood to grow, you have a tremendous amount of time that is now in Leo's hands.
When Leo heard this, he realized that the music box in his hands was very valuable, and he felt a wave of regret.



"And it would have only taken a moment to destroy it.

Leo nodded in agreement with his father's admonition. Leo thought he was about to be scolded, but instead of a reprimand, it was a gentle palm strike.

"My father taught me then that power is the same. "My father taught me then that power is the same, that people obey royalty not unconditionally, but because of the trust they have earned through the achievements of their ancestors. And that my subjects respect me as a prince because of that trust and their expectations for my future.

Leo's father had taught him that wielding power without reason was just as easy to break as a music box. Leo's father told him that it would take some time to fix the music box again.

I can't fix the broken music box. I became afraid that I had done more than just apologize, and in the end all I could do was cry and apologize.

Instead of scolding him, Leo's father just told him the truth and made him feel sorry for himself. Leo's father is kind of awesome. Leo's father is kind of awesome, but I think he's too smart to understand such a story.

"When I was starting to calm down a little, my father asked me.

There are many things in this world that are easy to destroy, but take time to build and are difficult to fix. He asked me what I wanted to do with them.

I said, "I want to take care of it.

Then Roy would be a good king, his father said, patting him on the head and praising him.
Leo's cheeks flushed with joy as he recalled that moment.

By the way, the music box was an artifact of my mother's country, so I had to ask a craftsman from my mother's country to repair it, and it took about two months to fix it. I remember apologizing to my mother again when I came back.

"So, what are you trying to say?

What are you trying to say? I'm sure you'll agree with me.

In other words, making a law that punishes disrespect is an act of destroying the authority established by the kings of the past. So you can rest assured that this will not happen in my father's or my generation.

Leo smiles and gives his seal of approval. But I feel some pressure on his smile, and I think for a moment.

"Well, ......, does that mean I shouldn't worry about it?

I don't like being respected by Isak and Nikolaus now, it gives me the creeps.

Lately, when my father takes me to greet you, I get chills because you're so bland.

Well, I guess that's mutual.

If you are the son of the First Prince and the Prime Minister, it would be strange if you didn't at least greet each other. I've only spoken to Leo in public once, but it was terribly creepy. I can understand Nico's feelings a little. Apparently, Leo was feeling the same way on the inside.

"But Leo's dad is awesome.

It's not easy to make someone reflect without scolding them. My father's fists would come down before his mouth. No, well, it's basically my fault for doing something that would get me a fist bump, but... My father is a quiet man, so the comparison is extreme, but he would usually try to scold me. It's not like I'm going to explain first.
At my comment, Leo's honey-colored eyes rolled up in a pout, then softened.

"Yeah, I respect that.

As usual, Leo's choice of words is not childlike. Still, his expression was as honest as his age.

"When did you just say that on ......?

"Hmm. I think it was about six years ago, so when I was four.

Ugh.

You've been giving model answers like that since you were four?

Nico was incredulous. I thought I was too smart for my own good, so I had a similar reaction.

When I was about that age, I used to pick up acorns.

What do you do with the acorns?

"Just pick them up. ...... Oh, I used to ask the old carpenter to make the big ones into a top.

I'm not sure if it's a good thing or not, but it's a good thing. It doesn't matter if it's chestnuts, round stones, or cicada shells. Just collect whatever you see at the time and think it's nice. When Leo tilts his head and doesn't think that this action itself is playful, I say that's all.
Unlike the Japan of the past, there are no tools such as cones in the households, so you have to ask an old carpenter to make you a top. Besides, acorns are very difficult for children to make holes in because they roll easily. Even if you have the tools, it is better to leave it to a dexterous adult.

What is Koma?

It's a toy that turns by itself when you twist it a little. It's a toy that spins by itself when you twist it a little.

I'd like to try it sometime.

Leo's eyes shone brightly with interest. I didn't think he'd be interested in something like this, so I looked directly at him. I meditated tightly, as if I had been blinded.

"Why are you doing this now?

"Why not?

You're such a kid.

When I saw the excitement in Leo's eyes and decided that I had no choice but to go along with him, Nico muttered in disgust.
Leo smiled happily at Nico's words.

I'm just a kid.

The boy in front of us was indeed a year younger than me.


The young lady summoned me to the west pavilion.
Even though we had an appointment to show her the rainbow, I wondered if it was okay for her to meet us in such a cold place at this time of year. The pond makes it easier for me to use my magic, but I'm worried about her catching a cold.


And the flowers here are asleep. It's not a good place to visit on your birthday.
By the way, Nico pointed out to me that I hadn't bothered him this year. Last year, I couldn't think of a gift, and I was very worried about it, so Nico must have remembered that. I wondered several times if I should ask Nico about it. When I told him that this year's gift had already been reserved, he looked at me strangely (Kao).
As I was thinking about this, I saw a pale gold color in the corridor from the main building.
Her deep green coat was long, with white fur on the collar and hem, and looked warm. The layers of pale peach lace peeking out from the hem of the coat fluttered like flower petals.
In the middle of the corridor, at the corner leading to the pavilion, I saw the lady coming and used my magic. I adjust the arch of the water particles in the middle of the corridor leading to the pavilion. That way, the western sun will reflect off the rainbow arch and she will be able to reach the pavilion.
The rainbow is successfully formed, and the young lady's face becomes dazzling with joy.

"Happy birthday, young lady.

Thank you.

When she arrived at the pavilion, I wished her a happy birthday and she smiled and thanked me. She smiled and thanked me. I was happy to see her smiling and happy, and I was almost satisfied with that. Every year, I feel that it's not worth it for her to come all the way to the place where I can see her, because I'm the one who gave her the gift.
She took a small message card from her coat pocket and lifted it to her eye level.

"You didn't forget this, did you?

"Yes.

It's the pledge I gave her last year. I wrote it myself, so I remember it well.
This is my present to you this year, a ticket to do whatever you want. I don't know what the present will be, because she decides what it will be. I'm prepared for a certain amount of unreasonable requests, because she's always the one who gets the gift.
I nodded as if I were challenging her.

Then I'll ask you a favor.

Oh.

The young lady also looked at me as if she was challenging me, so I put all my strength into my fist and waited for her to make her request.
A few seconds passed as we faced each other head-on, as if we were glaring at each other.
A few tens of seconds pass, and then I ask.

"Ma'am?

"I'm telling you, ......!

"Yes.

She asks me to wait a moment, so I nod and wait. I nodded and waited. In the meantime, she started to take deep breaths for some reason.
Her expression becomes more and more tense, and I start to get a little nervous, wondering what she's going to ask me to do.
After a few deep breaths, she made a small fist and looked at me with a determined look in her eyes.

".............

"Here?

"Keep touching me!

"Huh?

I tilted my head, unsure of what she said, or rather, what she meant.
The lady, perhaps because I asked her back, turns red and starts to get impatient.

I'm not sure what you mean by "touch". I'm not sure if this is a good idea, but I think it's a good idea.

As I explained, the young lady's words became less and less vigorous. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. The duke would do it as a matter of course, and the lady would be fine with it, but unlike the duke, I'm not a family member.

It's not a gift.

"Because you haven't even touched a hair on your head since Zaku!

It's not enough to ask for a birthday present, I said, and the lady glared at me accusingly.

It's a good thing that you're not the only one who has a problem with this.

You're not the only one. ......

Do I look like such a rude person to you? No, no, it's just the way we first met. But it's been four years, and I think I've grown up a bit. Maybe.
But I wonder if it's okay. My master, Heinz the butler, taught me that the opposite s*x should never touch a lady. Especially if the girl is engaged to be married.

Wouldn't ...... Leo complain?

Do you really think Master Roy is that narrow-minded?

I've heard that the young lady doesn't have romantic feelings for Leo, but I don't know if the fiancé Leo does. I don't know if it's Leo the fiancé or not, but when the lady told me, I imagined him smiling and looking at her like a normal person. I wonder if that's just because he has a big heart.
I wonder why Miss and Leo are so close that they can understand each other, but they don't develop into a relationship.

It's not fair that he pats Flora on the head but not me.

Oh, I see.

I've been watching her since she was a little girl, so when her sister Flora asks for it, I usually pat her head. I realized that Flora was also a young lady. I thought Flora was Flora.
You'll be able to find a lot more information on this subject in the following article.

I told you I would listen to ...... anything.

I'm not sure what to do. It was an accusatory and weak voice. I think I misled her into thinking that I didn't like it because I didn't nod at all.

But this isn't a birthday present, you know.

Perhaps she thought my words meant no, but she reflexively looked up. I put my hand on the girl's head.



"It just makes me happy.

I stroked it lightly and felt the soft touch of her hair. It was the first time in a long time that I felt the softness of her hair, and it made me realize how much I liked it. My cheeks naturally relax.
For a moment, she rolled her eyes as if she didn't understand what was happening. But as I kept stroking her head, her color slowly improved, and finally she turned bright red again.

"Wow, wow, .............

What?

What?" "Oh, nothing, nothing.

The lady's mouth moved, and she tried to say something. But when I tilted my head, she turned her head and said nothing more. She's enjoying my hand, and I don't know when to stop. I wonder when I should stop this.
The lady's mouth seemed to be smiling as she looked down, so I decided to stroke her for a while longer. I put my congratulations in my palm.