Chapter 6

"Good, good, you're such a good girl."

"Fe~"

When Alpaca-chan first came here, she was timid, but now she seems to have gotten used to the environment here.

Now, she is even giving me a ride around the detached palace!

Ah, this fluffiness is just irresistible...

"Hehe, it seems she has really taken to you, Your Highness."

"She's always been a gentle one. Right?"

When I stroked the fluffy neck, the alpaca made a happy "Hoon" sound.

"Just a little more to go, keep it up."

"Fe~"

"Your Highness, something terrible has happened!"

At that moment, a maid came running from the direction of the detached palace, looking flustered.

It's rare to see someone so flustered around here, where a slow life style is practiced.

Something must have happened.

"What's wrong?"

"It's that, Prince has come here... "

"Huh!?"

The Prince, here? ...Why!?

"Hurry and prepare for his welcome—"

"There's no need for that."

At the sound of that voice, both I and the maid froze.

There was no mistaking the figure walking towards us with a leisurely pace.

With his lustrous silver-blonde hair and regal lilac eyes, there was no mistaking it.

It was none other than our Prince!

"...What a peculiar thing you're doing."

The Prince, who had come right up to me, looked at me with a puzzled expression.

And no wonder. I was wearing a light apron dress and riding an alpaca.

I had been so confident that the Prince wouldn't come here that I was still in my usual work attire.

...If only you had informed me in advance, I could have prepared a proper welcome.

"I apologize for my untidy appearance."

"No, it's fine. Is this a horse? A sheep?"

"It's called an alpaca. Its fur is incredibly fluffy... Would you like to pet it, Your Highness?"

"...I'll indulge you, then."

I guess both the Prince and I were confused by the current situation and didn't know what to do.

I was so flustered, pushing the alpaca, and the Prince, following my suggestion, petted the alpaca.

The people around us were frozen (some trying to suppress their laughter), while the alpaca, only petted, made a happy "Fe~" sound.

◇◇◇

"Did you come to ask if there were any problems...? From the looks of it, everything seems fine."

"...As you say, Your Highness."

In the reception room of the detached palace, the Prince and I are facing each other.

Ah, I feel so uncomfortable...

I still haven't recovered from the shock of being seen in my usual attire, riding an alpaca.

Well, at least I wasn't beheaded for lowering the dignity of the royal family...

"I have read the reports about you. It seems you are taking quite innovative approaches."

"Yes...?"

"Growing vegetables and herbs, and even planning to create an orchard. I hear you are also involved in the farming work yourself... You seem very dedicated."

Why does the Prince know about my actions...?

I glanced at the document in the Prince's hand, seeing beautiful handwriting.

Oh, this... this is a report on my actions, isn't it!?

The moment I realized this, I felt a chill run down my spine.

I never thought the Prince would care about me.

So, it was completely unexpected that the maids of the detached palace would create detailed reports, and that the Prince would check them.

Even the orchard plan, which I had only discussed casually with the maids, had reached the Prince...

Could it be that all my actions... have been known all along...!?

"I... I am very sorry..."

I decided to focus on self-preservation and apologized.

But the Prince looked surprised by my actions.

"Why are you apologizing?"

"Even if it's a temporary position, I am in the role of the Prince's consort. I understand that I am expected to behave in a manner befitting this position. However, I... have acted in a way that does not suit the role of a Crown Princess."

If it were known that the Crown Princess happily tills the fields and rides an alpaca, it would be a laughingstock.

But the Prince did not scold or punish me.

"...Lift your head."

I hesitantly raised my head, and the Prince was looking at me with an amused expression.

"Farming is essential for human life... and for maintaining the country. It is not a job to be taken lightly. Even if one is royalty or nobility, I believe that actively engaging in farming and understanding its hardships is not a waste."

He said this with a very serious face.

I was taken aback by his words.

...I had thought of him as a naive prince who would propose to a girl just because she danced once.

But he is not foolish. He is a prince with his own opinions, a prince who will carry the future of this country.

"There are also plans to establish a large-scale farm near the palace in the future. It would be helpful if you could implement it first and identify any issues or challenges."

Could it be... could it be that my slow life style has been recognized?

"Can I continue to live as I have been...?"

"...When there are visitors, please inform me in advance. And dress appropriately for the occasion."

Though indirectly, those were words that affirmed my style.

That's good... If he had said, "Always wear a dress and stay quietly in the detached palace," I would have withered from boredom!

I will continue to live my royal slacker life!

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

I thanked him with a smile, and he only said, "I'll come again," before leaving in a hurry.

Hmm, I couldn't give him a proper welcome.

Next time the Prince comes, maybe I should bake a cake for him?