Chapter 69

The prince has been visiting my room quite often lately, but this time he was holding something good in his hand.

"Here, it's for you."

What he held in his hand was a letter from Raser.

Unlike my bold older brother, Raser, the second prince, is adorable. Raser, who admires me, and Raser, whom I dote on. Ah, how cute.

Remembering his familiar face, I opened the letter with a pounding heart.

It wasn't a letter with any urgent matters.

It was just a greeting and an update since we hadn't seen each other in a while.

Letters are supposed to be like that, so it was I who was being too formal.

Still, there were three things that caught my attention.

The line, "I miss you because we haven't seen each other in a while."

Too cute.

Too lovable.

Is there such a pure-hearted boy these days?

The deep affection he has for me is something only Raser has.

I'll send the thought, "I miss you too."

Pipipipip! ... Did it get through?

Then, the line, "The sword made by my brother is a topic of conversation in the royal castle."

Is this about that?

The one I made for Senior Jeremy.

I knew it had received some praise because Senior Jeremy had spoken so highly of it.

I've received additional requests from eleven people, and Senior Jeremy has already sent them to the customers. It seems the swords are well-loved by their users.

To the point of becoming famous.

Hmm, this makes me feel proud.

Moreover, it seems I can really make it in this field. It gives me confidence.

It seems my name is becoming a bit known, and at this rate, in a few years... hehehe.

Stopping my premature calculations, I turned my eyes to the last line that caught my attention.

The line, "Brother, if you have time, would you come to the capital during the winter break? You can stay at my place during your stay."

At first glance, it seems like a casual invitation to come and play at his place.

But, does Prince Raser realize that "my place" refers to the royal castle!?

No one goes to the royal castle just to stay there!

I've been to the capital a few times.

It's indeed a nice place.

It has a different charm from the beautiful nature of the Helan territory.

The capital, with its many old and large buildings, has a beauty created by humans.

However, I've never been inside the royal castle.

My father has been there a few times, and I've heard his impressions.

"Um, the castle is huge, there are a lot of knights, and my stomach hurt all the time," he said.

It's a kind of kindergarten-level impression.

The royal castle, in short, is a grand place suitable for the royal family, and a place filled with strong soldiers to protect its safety.

Hmm, I don't feel very relaxed.

At worst, I might end up with a stomachache like my father and say the same thing.

Still, it's an invitation from my cute younger brother.

Should I turn it down outright?

Raser has come to the Helan territory to play many times.

It's not good for me to never go to the capital.

I want to see Raser too.

Hmm, so I've decided to go!

However, there's still time until the winter break.

After the winter break, we'll be in our second year.

There's also a test at the end of the year that affects class placement.

This period will be quite busy.

Once those are over, I'll prepare to go to the capital.

I hear it snows a lot in the capital, so playing in the snow will be fun.

There are also many large stores, so shopping will be enjoyable.

There are many beautiful women, so it will be good for the eyes.

Before I knew it, I was fantasizing about fully enjoying the capital.

What, am I unexpectedly enthusiastic?

Similarly, I'm curious about that person's movements during the summer break.

I caught her between classes.

"Airis, do you have any plans for the winter break?"

"It's undecided, but I've been invited to a place..."

"Could it be... from the prince?"

"Yeah, to come to the capital. I plan to decline, but he's quite persistent."

Airis smiled wryly. She must be trying hard to decline without hurting the prince's feelings. I can see her struggle.

"By the way, would you like to go to the capital? I'm thinking of going."

"Really!? But, I think I'll pass. The summer in Helan was fun, but I might stand out too much in the capital as a country girl."

"But, Raser wants to see you. And I'm a country boy too."

"But, there's a huge difference between a commoner like me and a noble like Kururi. Even among country people, Kururi is at the forefront of the countryside."

At the forefront of the countryside!?

What, that's a mysterious and cool title.

"There's no hierarchy in the countryside. Besides, this might be a good opportunity to get rid of our country bumpkin image. Airis is formally invited by the prince, so it won't be a bother. Let's go!"

"Being invited so enthusiastically makes me waver. It would be easier if I were invited as a worker like in Helan."

"Ah, that's true."

That's right. Airis might actually be more comfortable that way.

To work during a vacation, I would object, but...

"Then, let's talk to the prince. If he's too stubborn, we can also talk to Raser."

"Okay, I'll consider it positively."

"I'll catch the prince. Wait for the result."

So, I went to persuade the prince.

"Prince! Give me a job!"

"What, out of the blue?"

I caught the prince, who was eating lunch with a slightly bad mood.

Next to him was Reil, who was coolly ignoring the prince's bad mood.

"Prince, I heard you invited Airis to the capital for the winter break."

"Hmph, did you come to laugh at me being turned down?"

"No, I came to give advice."

"Advice? I don't trust you. What do you think, Reil?"

"I think it's worth hearing. After all, Kururi won Airis over during the summer break."

"Damn..."

Reil, stimulating the prince's bitter memories accurately.

Prince Ark, I remember, was also turned down in the summer.

"Prince, Airis feels a great burden being invited as a guest."

"... Continue."

"So, why not invite Airis as a worker at the royal castle? She's perfect for menial tasks. She's great at that kind of thing."

"No way. Airis should be given a job befitting her. I can't just push menial tasks on her."

"What kind of job, then?"

"Let's see, maybe a political position."

Idiot!!

Give that to me!!

"Hmm, no way. That would be worse. What do you think, Reil?"

"Should I say it now? I mostly agree."

"Idiot!? Are you saying I should have Airis do the cleaning at the royal castle!?"

"That's right. If that's what she wants, why not?"

"... No way!"

"Besides, if Airis is placed near the king's room, there might be an unexpected chemical reaction.

'Who's that beautiful young girl?'

'Oh, she's a temporary cleaner during the winter.'

'I see. She's young and works hard. Her face is also very beautiful. I have an idea! Why don't we marry her to my son?'

'Oh, that's a great idea! Let's arrange it right away.'

Something like that might happen in a conversation between the king and a mysterious old man."

"The king doesn't talk like that. And it's not a mysterious old man. There is an old man. Things don't progress that easily."

While saying that, the prince is enjoying the fantasy. It shows on his face.

He's usually smart, but when he falls in love, he believes such ridiculous logic.

Love is blind, indeed.

"You have a point."

No way! Despite saying that, such a miracle won't happen!

"Is that so? If that's the case, I'll make the arrangements. That's it, it's decided. I'll hire Airis temporarily! Kururi, you tell her!"

Not just a point.

It was fully accepted.

The prince left the dining hall with a smile, as he always does when he's in a good mood.

"Kururi, are you going to the capital for the winter break too?"

"Yeah, I've been invited by Prince Raser."

"Good, then you won't be bored during the winter break."

Saying something meaningful, Reil chased after Prince Ark.

When Reil says something meaningful, it's usually meaningless.

It seems I can take Airis to the capital.

I might also invite Toto.

He probably won't come, though.

I found Toto riding around the field on his dog, Gorou.

Gorou is a large dog, and Toto is small, so it looks quite impressive.

By the way, when did they become so close?

"Toto, you seem to be having a lot of fun."

"Yeah, this guy must have sensed that Airis will be gone for a while and suddenly started to stick to me."

So smart! Too smart, Gorou!

"Well, when he sticks to me like this, he's actually quite cute."

So skilled! Too skilled at winning favor, Gorou!

"The winter break is coming soon. I'm going to the capital. Are you coming, Toto?"

"No, I'm good. Besides, this guy is like this. When Airis comes back, he'll probably chase her around again, but I thought I'd take care of him while he's cute."

He gets it! Toto, you get it!

"R-right. If Toto is here, Airis can go to the capital with peace of mind."

"Yeah, have a good time. And don't bring back the same kind of souvenir as last time."

Last time!?

Oh, that. The hot spring water.

I thought it was a good souvenir, but it gave everyone stomachaches.

But I don't want to stop trying!

"Look forward to the souvenir."

"Are you listening!? I don't want the same kind of souvenir as last time, are you listening!?"

"Look forward to it."

"You're not listening! You're definitely not listening!"

The travel plans are set.

I've also secured a travel companion in Airis.

Now, all that's left is the cleanup at the academy.

I caught up on the studies I had fallen behind on and prepared for the test.

The preparation was perfect, and the test results were nearly perfect.

I'm looking forward to the results.

End-of-term test, rankings

1. Ark Kudan

2. Eliza Doville

3. Airis Parara

The usual top three.

The ironclad wall couldn't be broken.

But, I think I did pretty well.

Gathering my courage, I moved my gaze forward.

...

7. Kururi Helan

8. Reil Rain

Yes! I beat him!

That cool, handsome Reil.

I'll make him taste defeat for a while.

Finally, I won!

It feels so good.

This way, I can stay in Class A next year.

And I can start the winter break in a good mood.

In the back, Eliza was being carried by her classmates after defeating her rival.

The noble and gentle Eliza floating in the air was quite a heartwarming sight.