Chapter 133

Sightseeing in the Royal Capital - Gene’s PoV
There were so many places I wanted to take Joan, visiting the capital for the first time.

First, my favorite skewer spot was a must. Then some cute little shops I knew she’d like, and a bookstore since she mentioned wanting books on mythical creatures. And finally, the café Gray told me about—the one he used to visit with Nancy.

The skewer shop owner mistook Joan for my girlfriend, but hey, free food! Lucky. When I asked why Joan kept handing out dried sweet potatoes, she said it was "promotion."

She’s six and already thinking like that… Yeah, she’s not normal.

At the café, my classmate and troublemaker buddy Eric showed up with his cousin—Belle, was it?

Belle was painfully shy—couldn’t even make eye contact. But Joan? No hesitation. She dove right into conversation. Turns out Belle’s into training—something other noble girls apparently mock her for. Most kids wouldn’t admit that, but Joan just shrugged. "Let them talk."

Then, within minutes, Joan asked Belle to be her friend.

Is it really that easy? I started worrying until Eric leaned in.

"Gene… your sister’s something else. Belle used to be sickly as a kid, so her family pushed training to toughen her up. Eventually, she got hooked. But the other noble girls mocked her for it, made her even more withdrawn. Around family, though? She’s loud, laughs hard, even throws punches—like earlier. Honestly, when I saw Joan, I braced for the worst. Another girl looking down on Belle? But… it was the opposite. Joan didn’t care about the training thing at all."

"Well, Joan trains too. Under our grandmother."

"Wait—your grandmother? The ex-Royal Guard?"

"Yep. And Joan’s… got her own stuff going on. If she ever joins the academy, she’ll stick out for sure. But the way she thinks? She’s the most unshakable person I know."

"Heh. I get it. Still… thanks to her, Belle finally made a friend. Only worry now is if she’ll stick around after seeing Belle’s real personality."

"Same. I wonder if Joan’s friends will stay after realizing how weird she is."

“"………… Pfft. Hahaha~~”"

We laughed, arms around each other’s shoulders.

I’m sure it’ll be fine. And secretly, I’ll root for Joan and Belle to become inseparable—just like us.

—-------
Belle’s PoV

Today, I attended a tea party at a noble’s estate in the capital. My cousin Eric was supposed to go with Mother and me, but some of the girls who’d mocked me before were there. Auntie noticed immediately and told Eric to take me somewhere else to kill time. I owe her so much… Though, maybe she sensed I was about to slap one of those girls if they started up again. Next time.

Eric took me to a stylish café—where we coincidentally ran into his friend Gene and his little sister, Joan.

At first, I panicked. Another noble girl? More ridicule? But Joan wasn’t like the others. She didn’t laugh at my stuttering or my training hobby. Instead, she said, "Let them talk." Then she asked to be my friend. When I muttered, "Someone like me?" she scolded me—"Don’t put yourself down. I like you as you are."

For the first time, I had a friend who called me just "Belle"—no titles. Joan said I was her first noble friend too.

We’re the same age, so we’ll probably end up at the academy together. I used to dread the idea, but now… I’m looking forward to it.

As we left, Joan asked.

"Belle, can I write you letters? I’m still practicing, so they won’t be pretty…"

I’d been about to ask the same thing.

"O-of course! Mine won’t be neat either, but I’ll try hard!"

"Yay~ See you later, Belle~ Bye, Young master Eric.”

She kept turning back to wave—until she tripped and got scolded by Gene.

On our way back to Mother, I couldn’t stop smiling.

"Ehehe~ Eric, thanks for today."

"Yeah. Glad you made a friend."

"Mhm! Joan trains too—maybe we can practice together someday!"

"Then you’d better step it up. Joan’s taught by Gene’s grandmother. The ex-Royal Guard."

"What?! No way! I’m starting my routine tomorrow."

"Ugh, next week’s fine!"

"Pleaaase? Or should I tell Auntie about that thing?"

"What thing?! Since when do you blackmail cousins?!"

"Don’t mind, don’t mind~ Take a break, take a break~"

"Of course I would mind it—!!"

Ah~ I can’t wait to tell Mother and Auntie about Joan. And tomorrow, I’m buying the cutest stationery for our letters.

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