Chapter 60

"Are you looking at the flowers?"

"You're looking at the flowers."

Two stalkers were watching the delicate girl who was admiring the flowers from a corner.

No, only one of them is a stalker. I am the prince's bodyguard.

"Ah, she just sighed."

"It seems so."

"Has the harassment from those girls earlier finally taken its toll?"

"No, I think she's probably just getting hungry."

The prince's gaze, which had been on Iris, shifted to me.

"Get serious."

That was the command I received.

I have no idea what I'm supposed to be serious about.

"Still, the flowers really suit Iris."

"They suit the prince too."

"R-really?"

Why is he blushing?

I was just saying it casually.

Despite being handsome, he doesn't seem to be used to compliments.

Maybe it's because he's usually so aloof that people don't get close to him.

If I keep praising him, maybe I can get a bigger reward.

But getting too close would be troublesome.

A moderate distance is best. No, if possible, I'd rather not get close at all.

"Were you just thinking something rude in your head?"

"No, not at all."

It seems my thoughts show on my face more than I thought. Dangerous!

"Iris seems to be moving."

"Let's go, follow me, Kururi."

Iris's next destination was the usual farm.

Her favorite large vegetables were growing vigorously.

Upon arrival, she watered the fields as usual.

The frown from earlier was gone, and she had a pleasant smile on her face.

"What is she growing?"

"Can't you tell?"

"Don't answer a question with a question. Answer honestly."

"Vegetables."

"Vegetables..."

It's no wonder the prince is confused.

Even though he's supposed to be knowledgeable, he doesn't seem to recognize the vegetable leaves.

"Aren't they too big?"

"Maybe the prince has shrunk."

"Be serious."

"I'm improving the varieties for Iris."

The prince nodded in understanding. He seemed to be interested in those large vegetables too.

As a prince of a country, he should strive to enrich the nation. And contribute to our territory.

"Who is doing the breeding?"

"A man named Toto. He's just coming out of the greenhouse."

A pale man came out of the greenhouse and started chatting with Iris.

Of course, it's Toto. He seems to be giving Iris advice as usual.

He's very serious, which is good.

"Does he have feelings for Iris?"

"Ask him yourself."

I know Toto doesn't have those feelings, but the prince is too dependent on me.

He should ask himself.

"I'm going to disappear for a bit."

"Stop it!"

This is the second time today he's tried to strangle me.

Come on! He always tries to disappear!

"There's nothing. We're just friends!"

"S-so, that's good."

What a tyrant. If he takes one wrong step, he'll become a terrible tyrant!

I desperately stopped the prince. Watching the two of them chat happily, I noticed Toto's expression suddenly change.

There was a noise coming from the doghouse he had built a few days ago.

Ah, it seems Gorou has woken up.

Gorou burst out of the doghouse and ran to Iris with great enthusiasm.

After cuddling with her, he changed his target to Toto and chased the pale Toto around.

It seems to be just harassment.

That dog is definitely enjoying it.

"Bad boy. Alfred, that's enough."

At Iris's words, the bad dog immediately calmed down.

Toto looks like he's about to die.

Poor guy.

"Hey, when did you get that dog?"

"Just a few days ago."

"Is his name Alfred?"

"No, it's Gorou."

"Huh!? But Iris called him Alfred."

"It's Gorou."

"...Gorou, huh."

This was the moment the second Gorou supporter was born.

It was a bit forceful, but...

While I was brainwashing the prince in the shadows, Gorou turned his gaze towards us.

He shouldn't be able to see us clearly in the bushes, but it seems he noticed us.

"Did he smell us?"

Right, he has that ability.

This is bad, the stalker might be exposed.

However, Gorou quickly lost interest and started doing something else.

He completely lost interest in us.

"Phew, it seems we're safe."

"Can we stop now? I'm sweating a lot."

"We still don't know enough. We can't stop yet."

Iris seems to be feeling down.

Hmm, she looks happy though.

After leaving the fields, Iris didn't return to the dormitory.

The sun was already setting.

Despite it being dinner time, she was alone outside the school grounds, watching the sunset turn red and lost in thought.

The prince blushed at the sight.

"Yeah, not bad."

This guy just wanted to see this scene...

Iris sat down on the grass and took out a cheap piece of paper from her pocket.

It was cheaply made, thin, and rough.

Iris stared at it intently.

She wasn't just staring. It seemed something was written on it, and she was reading it over and over again, very carefully.

I see, that's what it is.

"A love letter! Who's it from!?"

"It's not. It's probably from her family."

"Really?"

"Yes, nobles don't use such cheap paper. Especially not for love letters."

Iris carefully folded the cheap paper.

She must be thinking about her family, whom she hasn't seen in over half a year.

It seems the prince's insight was correct.

Iris was feeling down. Not homesick, but worried about her family she hasn't seen in a while.

"The cause is clear."

"Iris wants to see her family. But it's only been three years. Why is she so worried?"

"Hmm, our situations are different. It's hard to imagine."

I kind of understand, but explaining it to the prince is troublesome.

"Then we should let her see them."

"But it's still a while until the winter break. Besides, Iris probably doesn't want to go back. She would prioritize her studies or a good job if she had one."

"There will be a good opportunity after this."

The prince grinned, as if he had an idea. I wonder what it is?

"Ah, the autumn sports festival?"

"Right, the rare chance for parents to visit the school is coming soon."

"So Iris was thinking about her family who couldn't come?"

"Exactly. But that was yesterday's story. I'll arrange it right away."

As expected of the proactive prince, I thought he would do it.

"Iris's family are commoners. Will they want to participate?"

"Seeing their daughter after so long, they'll surely be happy to come."

The prince seems very enthusiastic.

"Please don't make it too flashy. Also, consider their living situation and make sure to check their availability."

"How many gold coins will it take to cover their expenses?"

He's going to use money to make it happen!!

But that might be the best way.

"...About 20 gold coins should be enough. Please keep it discreet."

I went along with the prince's proposal, thinking that money can solve anything.

Helping a girl who wants to see her family shouldn't be a bad thing.

Believing that if we don't overdo it, things will go well, I accepted the devil's offer.

And so, the ritual to summon Iris's family began.