"I guess that's what you call a costume for a horse.

　That's what I said as soon as Celestia walked into my dressing room unannounced.
　But the expression on Celestia's face didn't say that, and she seemed to be trying to hold back a smile.
　When I look at my reflection in the full-length mirror, I don't think I look that bad. It's true that I looked better in the past, when I was Ars Dittrand, but that's not for Seretia to know.

You don't think I look that good?　I think it's a good look.

Walth, you're too heavy.

I don't mind. I'll just put my armor on over it and you won't see it.

　For my journey, I was going to dress like a knight, like Seretia.
　As long as I wear armor, I'm supposed to wear a sword, but I'll probably use it only in limited situations. And I'd like to avoid such situations as much as possible. I'm not supposed to use it, and the only thing I can use it for is the royal sword art of the kingdom of Carlitz.

"You're really good at changing your attitude, aren't you? You're so good at switching your attitude that I'm beginning to think you have a double personality," Seretia said in disgust.

　I only take this attitude when we're alone like this.
　If someone from the palace is nearby, I will change my attitude, even if it's at Celestia's command.

If we go out into the world, it will stay like this forever, so don't worry about it.

That's not a problem, I'm royalty, it's your job to protect me.

I'll take care of it. As long as I'm here, no one can touch you.

　Celestia said nothing and walked out of the dressing room.
　I put my finger on my forehead and tried to think of something I might have said that was wrong, but nothing came to mind. The reality of my mental age, forty-seven years old, weighed heavily on my mind that my sensitivity might already be too different from that of a girl of that age. It would not be surprising if I had a daughter of that age.

I let out a deep sigh, "Huh, ...... I guess I can't help my mental age.



　That afternoon, before she left, Seretia went to the corner of the backyard to water the flowers she was growing in the Baramus garden.
　Baramus is a beautiful flower with many layers of red petals.
　It is one of the most difficult flowers to grow, and is often grown by the wealthy aristocracy.
　I used to grow it myself, so I know firsthand how difficult it is. However, Celetia seems to be growing the flowers well.

　As I stood beside her watering the flower, I said with admiration, "Baramus is a difficult flower to grow, but you've managed to grow it so well.

I'm impressed that you've managed to grow them so well. You're not supposed to see it as a slave.

"I went to a lot of trouble to study for the ...... Seretia service.

You don't seem like the type to study for that reason," she said, looking at me quizzically.

　I thought that if I said, "You know what?" she might run away again like last time, so I said, "You misunderstand me, but I'm willing to do that much to make you a man.
　And I'm telling you the truth.
　Because it's true that I want to give both parents and children a good beating.

............

　Celestia continues to water in silence.
　I'd like to think that the fact that I didn't run away means that I made the right choice.
　After finishing watering, Celestia reaches for the Baramus flower, but reflexively removes her hand. But when I reflexively grabbed her hand, she gave me a surprised look.

Walth, what's wrong with you? Let go of my hand.

I'm sorry, I can't do that. I'm sorry, but I can't do that. I've got some Balamuthus in my flower.

Balamus spider?

　Seretia doesn't seem to know what a ballamus spider is, she tilts her head and looks at me suspiciously.
　Unlike the harmless Balamus, Balamus sp. is a paralytic neurotoxin.
　The flowers are similar, but when grown from seed, the differences are clear and unmistakable.

This is a poisonous flower, look closely. "This is a poisonous flower, look at the difference in the shape of the spines and petals.

"...... You're right, they are different.

　Seretia compares the two flowers and says, "How did you know that?
　It's clearly different from the way the other Balamus grows, and there's no doubt that it was planted later, on purpose. I wondered if I should tell him what it meant, but I decided to keep my mouth shut.

I said to him, "It's only natural for royalty to know this much. You've learned a thing or two," I said in an instructor-like tone.

　Seretia's brow furrowed, and although she was a bit flustered, she took it as a good sign, "I'm not ready to be taught by you, a slave. But then he realized the crux of the matter himself: "But it's funny, ...... who here has such a bad upbringing?

　In all likelihood, it was someone who didn't want Celestia to make a mark, but I decided that telling her now would only confuse her and wouldn't do her any good in her future travels. I decided.

I decided, "Well, ...... someone must have planted it on purpose. Someone must have planted it on purpose to test me. I said, trying to make my reason sound reasonable.

　In response to my guess, Celestia said, "You didn't trust anyone but me. Well, you did notice this flower, so I guess you passed. I'm glad you're such a good slave," she said, holding her mouth to keep from erupting.

You're lucky you're a good slave. If it had been a dumb slave, we'd be in an uproar right now.

"Well, I should thank you for that. Thanks for the .......

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