-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Gifts and Goodbyes
-----------------------------------------------------------------
What, really?
It's pretty, but you can tell it's cheap just by looking at it.
Uncertain, I took off the bracelet strung with light blue beads.
Winter held out her hand as if it were a matter of course, and I carefully put the bracelet on her.
It was just like my bracelet, only with different colored beads, but once it was on Winter, it looked like a real piece of jewelry.
"Hehe, it's like we went and got matching ones together, Mother!"
I don't have a doll, but how about some charm, Mother!
"I didn't accept it just so you could giggle like a fool."
"Yes, ma'am..."
It's not working, my lady knight!
I'll never try to be cute again.
I barely managed to pull up the drooping corners of my mouth.
I had wondered why there was a teacup across from Winter, and just then, Menelik abruptly appeared.
"Where's mine?"
"Uh, there isn't one..."
I instinctively hid the hand with my own bracelet behind my back.
Menelik's expression turned murderous.
It's the same face he made when I called him 'mister'!
"I'm going out again tomorrow! I'll get your gift then, Your Grace!"
"I'll take you at your word."
Menelik gave me a 'just you wait' kind of look.
I subtly wiped away a tear.
Your Grace, it's nice that you're treating me so comfortably, but I'm broke...
* * *
That evening, the four of us ate together.
I don't know what Menelik did, but the people from the Temple never came back to cause trouble again.
Throughout the meal, Winter couldn't take her eyes off Kivrin's face.
Perhaps she had swallowed so many words that she couldn't easily let a single one out.
Still, whenever Kivrin's eyes met Winter's, he would offer a faint smile.
During dessert, Winter finally tore her gaze from Kivrin and looked at me.
"Cheria, come here."
Winter pointed to the seat next to her.
My heart pounded.
What's this? I feel like I've just gotten a promotion.
I scurried over.
Winter rested her chin on her hand.
"The way you jump around at the smallest thing reminds me of a wild animal."
I lifted my head high.
"Are you perhaps referring to something cute, like a wild rabbit...?"
"Now that you mention it, it's been a while since I've gone hunting."
"..."
H-Hey, spare me, I'm only ten...
Seeing me tremble, Winter's lips curved into a smile.
"Why so scared? I meant you're tolerable enough to watch."
It doesn't sound like it at all!
Maybe I shouldn't have given her the bracelet after all.
I glanced at Winter's wrist.
She was still wearing the bracelet.
Winter's eyes curved into crescents.
"So eat a lot while you're next to me."
I... I think I'm going to get indigestion...
* * *
The next day, I got permission to go out again.
I had no intention of going to the main street.
There wasn't much I could buy with my money anyway..., and whatever I bought would probably look the same to Menelik.
I bowed my head to the knight accompanying me today as a sign of gratitude.
Perhaps conscious of what happened yesterday, he was wearing a plain black cloak.
"Little lady."
As I was casually browsing the market, someone called out to me.
Hm?
It was the old woman who sold me the bracelets yesterday.
"Not buying today?"
"..."
"I brought change."
...This world is so harsh on children. Is this really okay?
Her sales tactics, which spared no one regardless of age, were truly something to behold.
After looking for a moment, I picked out some knot-tying materials.
I know a thing or two about tying decorative knots.
Before I possessed her, Cheria didn't have lessons all day like her sister, nor did she have opportunities to meet other young ladies.
In other words, making knots, something that could be done with cheap materials, was the perfect way to pass her tedious hours.
"I'll take all of this."
Despite the old woman's sales pitch, the price was very cheap, so I had quite a bit of money left.
It felt like a waste to go back right away, so I walked slowly.
The smell of bread wafted from nearby.
"Sir Knight, let's try that dessert shop over there this time."
The shop had a mint-colored sign and was decorated like a candy house from a fairy tale.
The interior was also clearly well-designed.
It wasn't a shop frequented by nobles, so it didn't seem like they would turn us away at the door.
Besides, they looked too busy to be picky about their customers.
"It's so crowded."
While waiting in line, I debated between an apple pie and an animal-shaped pastry.
Mhm, this teddy bear is cuter because it looks like Kivrin.
With entirely personal feelings, I chose the pastry.
It was another gift for Kivrin.
We're... h-husband and w-wife... or something like that, so he deserves special treatment.
The ducal family's desserts were excellent, but they tasted overly health-conscious.
Not very sweet. Not much cream either.
On the way back after buying the pastry, I worked hard on making knots.
When I arrived back at the duchy, Kivrin was putting away the book he had been reading.
It seemed he had been listening for my arrival.
"Young Lord! Do you have a moment?"
Kivrin nodded his head several times, off-beat.
That, too, was cute.
I quickly placed the pastry on the tea table.
The adorable teddy bear's face, almost too cute to eat, had a glossy sheen.
"Isn't this pastry cute? I bought it because it looks like you!"
"W-what does 'cute' mean?"
Huh?
It was the kind of question someone who had never thought anything was cute before would ask.
"Um, like it makes you want to take a bite...?"
At my answer, Kivrin tilted his head and poked the pastry with his fork.
The teddy bear's head split open, and a lump of pale pink cream and bright red strawberry jam oozed out.
...Huh?
I wasn't going for gore!
It was a combination that couldn't possibly taste bad, but the visuals were a disaster.
The strawberry jam was so red it looked like blood, and the cream lump looked like brains and other things mixed together.
"W-wait a minute!"
Kivrin's pupils quaked.
"I-it's fine. It's... c-c-u-t-e..."
He's stuttering even more than usual!
I used my fork to scoop the dripping strawberry jam back up.
The problem was, the more I did, the more grotesque the once-adorable teddy bear's face became.
Could it be that the shop was crowded because it sold desserts with a unique concept...?
I put the fork in my mouth.
Thankfully, it tasted good...
While crying internally, I took out the second gift to salvage the situation.
"This is a different gift."
It was a decorative knot I'd made in the carriage.
The ducal carriage didn't shake at all, so the environment was much better than the count's attic.
Kivrin examined the knot with his round eyes.
"This is all I can give you for now, but I'll buy you something more expensive when I'm older!"
"I-it's fine. I'll cherish it until I die... n-no, even after I die."
Isn't that a little extreme?!
"You can wear it once or twice and then throw it away. I won't be mad."
"But... Father said the exact same thing, and he was deeply upset for a long time..."
I suddenly remembered Menelik's face crumpling when I called him 'mister'.
So Menelik gets sulky easily, and it lasts a long time. I should remember that.
"I'm not like the Duke. I mean it."
"Ah, yes..."
...He doesn't believe me at all, does he?
Feeling like this outing had also been fruitless, I chewed on my fork dejectedly.
* * *
Despite some minor, unintentional incidents, the preparations to leave the capital proceeded steadily.
"Congratulations, Lady Cheria. It seems you've recovered a cat's whisker worth of health."
Yelena said in a cheerful voice.
I asked with a skeptical expression.
"Is this really something to be congratulated for...?"
"Of course. You had absolutely no stamina before, and now you have a little. It's a very positive sign."
Perhaps because it was the day before our departure, my eyes were wide open even after Yelena left.
I can't sleep...
Tired of tossing and turning, I went outside.
I had intended to just get some fresh air, but I spotted someone on the terrace overlooking the garden.
My face lit up when I saw the abundant, flowing platinum blonde hair.
It's Mother!
Sensing my presence, Winter's eyelashes moved slowly.
Surrounded by the white walls, with the sound of leaves rustling in the wind and the moonlight, she was like a winter king who could cover the whole world in frost.
I immediately ran over.
"Mother, are you not sleeping?"
"I should be asking you that."
Her voice was gentle, belying the chill in her eyes.
"I can't sleep."
"Neither can I."
Winter was fidgeting with something that looked like a thin, round plate.
My chest stung slightly.
That thing... it's imbued with real holy power.
Winter was silent.
I tried my best to ignore the pain and observed her.
I had been thinking about it for a while. If they need the Saintess, why aren't they using me, her younger sister?
It couldn't be because of pride.
They've already bowed to the Temple.
Then why?
"...Kivrin will be confined again. When I asked what he wanted, he said he just wanted to stay as he is."
"..."
"The duchy's territory is just another snake pit."
Winter said self-deprecatingly.
I asked abruptly.
"Are you sure it's alright to leave without meeting the Saintess? Perhaps I could..."
"Count Mayol was spouting curses, saying you attacked the Saintess."
"H-haha..."
It was self-defense.
