Princess’s Visit (3)
“Am I intruding, Young master Reinhardt?” A young woman’s voice called out. When I turned around, I saw Princess Rinaluna along with her guards and maids.
I had let my guard down. Since she hadn’t summoned me yesterday in the Great Forest or this morning, I thought she wouldn’t be coming to see me. Right now, I was reading a book in my favorite greenhouse.
I hurriedly stood up.
“Princess Rinaluna, I apologize for not noticing you. There is a seating area further in where we can have tea. Allow me to guide you.”
I led her to a table with three single-person chairs. It seemed that Brother Chris wasn’t around.
“It’s such a beautiful garden, so I was taking a walk. Then I noticed the greenhouse and wondered what was inside. When I entered, I found you here and ended up startling you. My apologies.”
“No, it’s perfectly fine.”
Georges had been preparing tea, but one of the princess’s maids went over and took over the task.
“I thought it would be hot inside the greenhouse, but it’s actually quite comfortable. Is this your favorite place?” She asked, smiling as she engaged in casual conversation—but I couldn’t let my guard down.
“This greenhouse is maintained at around 25 degrees, making it a pleasant place to spend time.”
“You have a Fenrir as your companion, don’t you? It’s curled up by your side, sleeping so peacefully. Not just this one, but Young master Chrisford and Young master Gerald’s companions were also very well-behaved and obedient.”
“They—Atre, Ripka, and Bianca—are family to us.” I answered.
After that, she asked various questions, like why I helped Atre and how many times I had been to the Great Forest. The conversation lasted about ten minutes.
“I enjoyed hearing so much. I shouldn’t overstay my welcome, so I’ll take my leave now.” she said, leaving just as quickly as she had come.
It was just small talk, but she had skillfully guided the conversation to make me speak.
She’s only fourteen, and yet royalty is terrifying.
When I attend the academy, there won’t be any royals my age, so it should be fine… but I don’t want to get involved anymore.
Please don’t interfere with my slow life.
The next day, the princess, still unwilling to give up on acquiring a contracted beast, entered the Great Forest again. However, she did not encounter any high-ranking magic beasts, and the visit ended uneventfully. After five days of staying here, she returned to the royal capital the next day.
After Princess Rinaluna departed, our family gathered in the living room.
“Chris, you must be tired. We left most of the escorting of the princess to you, but you handled it well.”
“Thank you, Father. She was truly interested in each of our company’s products and asked a lot of questions, which was quite exhausting, but it was a good experience. I have a feeling that my friends, who will be arriving in three days, will follow the same course.” Chris said with a wry smile.
“Ah, yes. The Chancellor’s son will be among them. Gerald, Hardt, don’t let your guard down like this time. We still want to keep Hardt’s existence under wraps as much as possible.”
““Yes.””
“You must be really tired. Going to the Great Forest for even a single day is exhausting, isn’t it? But Chris, I’m sure your friends will also want to see Atre and the others.”
“Mother, it’s not just *probably*—they will *definitely* say they want to go. I bet Rainhall is already preparing for it.”
“Marquis Mabel’s family and the Chancellor’s son… We should assume Gerald and Hardt will also accompany them. By the way, Hardt, I heard you made a request to one of the maids skilled in sewing. Do you have something to report?”
Mother’s voice was scary.
“Hardt, I told you to keep a low profile. What did you do?” Father sounded just as intimidating.
“It’s nothing major. Brother Chris, I was going to give this to you later—it’s for Bianca.”
“This bag… it’s a shoulder strap type? Bianca’s? What is it used for?”
I called Atre over, and he climbed onto my lap. Then, I placed him inside the bag, letting only his head peek out. I slung the bag diagonally across my shoulder and stood up.
Yes, I had asked for a baby carrier of sorts to be made.
The interior of the carrier was stuffed with cotton to serve as a cushion, ensuring comfort even while moving.
Of course, I had checked with Atre to make sure it felt cozy.
“When we go to the Great Forest, Atre stays in my arms until we reach the fortress, but holding him for two hours straight is tough. That’s why I had this carrier made.”
I proudly presented it with a “Ta-da!”
“I see… So Bianca will ride inside this while you travel. It could also be useful when going to the academy or the royal capital. Thank you, Hardt.”
He immediately placed Bianca inside the carrier and checked if she was comfortable.
“Hardt, what about Ripka?”
“Ripka will sit on Brother Gerald’s shoulder once he’s bigger, right? I don’t think he needs one.”
“No, once Ripka gets a little bigger, he won’t fit in my pocket anymore. I’ll need one too, right, Ripka?”
“Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!” Ripka spread his wings and flapped them energetically.
He seemed angry—like he was protesting being left out.
Ripka loved sleeping in Brother Gerald’s pocket, so I hadn’t thought about it.
“Brother Gerald, Ripka, I’m sorry! I’ll have one made for you right away, so please wait a bit.”
As I was getting excited with my brothers,
“Hardt!!”
Father and Mother called my name in unison.
And so, the scolding began.
What do you think about this chapter?
