Chapter 27

Next is the concert. Today, the famous court composer, Strauss, is giving a concert for the citizens, and both Serea and I were looking forward to it.

"Dance music... How boring."

You really are annoying. Dancing is a pastime for the nobility.

"Well, it's not something you commoners get to hear very often, so you should be grateful and listen."

What kind of attitude is this, after I brought you here?

"...Hey, Silfa, can this guy dance?"

"Hmm... He hasn't danced before."

"He's not good at it."

"Shut up."

The court musician, Strauss, is known for his waltzes and often conducts at court parties. Today, he is giving a public performance for the general citizens, which is a rare opportunity, as only the nobility usually get to hear such professional orchestras.

Citizens usually only get to hear music from music boxes, street performers, or opera theaters. By letting many citizens hear these pieces, they can learn to appreciate music.

Well, it was a wonderful performance. Live orchestra music is really something! I was in the gallery with the citizens, but Jack was grumbling, "Why am I in such a seat..."

Of course, you can't just get a VIP seat without a reservation. He's so unreasonable. I prefer the gallery seats near the front to those high and distant ones.

After the concert, we walked through the streets as they began to grow dim.

"Wow, that was great!"

"Yes! It was wonderful!"

Holding Serea's hand, our steps naturally turned into a skip.

"Da-ta-ran, ra, ran-ran-ra. Da-ta-ran, ra, ran-ran-ra."

"Kyaa! Hahaha!"

Putting my right hand on Serea's back and raising our linked left hands, we spun around!

We skipped and danced through the streets, twirling and swirling.

"...You two really are close. What is this...?"

Jack is exasperated. Don't ruin the good mood.

"The concert was lovely. I felt like dancing too."

Silfa said with a smile.

Humm, I hummed a tune and danced a waltz with Serea, spinning her around and holding her close.

"...You're good at that."

"Anyone can do this. Everyone dances at the harvest festival. Dancing is a simple pleasure for the common people, not just for the nobility."

"Shut up."

"Silfa, meeting you here is a kind of fate. I may not be a suitable partner, but please, one dance?"

I formally invited Silfa to dance.

"Hey, hey..."

Ignoring Jack's anxiety, I took Silfa's hand and danced, humming a tune.

"Oh, oh, oh..."

Even Bell and Schwarzs and Schrigan were exasperated. Well, it's what kids do, so be lenient.

Silfa, though hesitant, followed my lead and danced beautifully on the sidewalk. It's a waltz, so one, two, three, one, two, three!

"What are you doing? She's my fiancée!"

I spun Silfa around, spread my arms, and bowed.

"Thank you for the dance."

"You jerk..."

"At a dance party, you dance with everyone who invites you. Why are you so angry?"

"Silfa is not someone you should dance with!"

"Then you should have kept a better hold on her. Don't let other men take her."

Jack glared at me. Do as you please.

"Sir Shin, that was a bit much."

"Sorry..."

Serea scolded me.

"What, you can't defy her?"

"Ladies first."

"You're smooth. But you're a good guy."

"Thank you."

"Hey, let's be friends."

What's with this guy? He's so annoying.

"No way. I don't become friends by being ordered. Friends aren't made that way, right?"

"...I see. You're right."

"Well, it's fine. If Serea and Silfa want to join us. How about it, Silfa?"

"Yes, I'd be happy to!"

Silfa gave a good answer. She and Serea had become good friends.

"When can we meet again?"

"Probably until the end of the lords' conference. The Viscount Wyls will be staying for about a week," Bell said.

"Just for a week, huh?"

"After the conference, they'll both return to their territories. Silfa is the daughter of Baron Blazes, a neighbor of the Viscount Wyls."

"Oh, there's a party before they leave! I almost forgot!"

I have to attend too. Wow, we'll meet there! It'll be exposed!

"So it's just for this time, huh?"

I guess so.

"...Well, it's fine. We can meet again, and we'll see what happens after that."

"Right. It's good for the prince to have such friends."

It's none of your business. I know I don't have friends...

Two days later, I went out with Serea as invited.

Currently, the lords from various regions are gathered in the capital, and a product fair featuring specialties from each territory is being held. The town is filled with displays and sales of local specialties, crafts, minerals, new machines, and potted vegetables. Merchants are gathered, and negotiations are taking place everywhere, making it a large-scale industrial festival. Of course, we had planned to inspect it, so it's perfect. Let's go see it as a double date like last time.

"Hey, we meet again."

"Didn't you invite us?"

"You live in the capital, so you know it well. Show us around."

"You admit you're from the countryside..."

As usual, we bicker, but Serea and Silfa are happily reuniting, touching hands. They look so happy.

The crowd is intense, but Shrigan, Bell, and Schwarzs are right beside us. I told them not to interfere too much today.

"You're really interesting, you know. You've got guts."

"Thank you. So, what do you want to do today?"

"Of course, we'll see everything in order."

"I agree with that."

"Agreed!"

"Sure, I'll join you."

Silfa and Serea happily agreed.

"...You're on a date with her again today. You have a lot of free time. What do you do for work?"

"I'm running errands for the hospital and orphanage with Serea."

I'm actually a prince, but my main duty now is that.

"Hospitals and orphanages... At this year's lords' conference, by the king's order, it was decided to establish hospitals and orphanages in all territories, including mine."

It was a big deal. We gathered data with the relevant people and created a manual for hospital operations. It took three months to get the minister of health to approve it after four rejections.

"That's a good thing."

"My father was worried about the cost."

"Fewer sick people, fewer deaths, longer lifespans, and a growing population. Orphans receive education and become excellent workers. There will be no homeless children or adults in the city. In the long run, it's beneficial, right?"

"Don't sound like a minister."

"You understand that much from working at hospitals and orphanages."

"Oh, right. By the way, were you an orphan?"

"No, not that far..."

"My brother said you were a royal guard, but you don't look like it."

"None of your business."

"...You've been through a lot, haven't you?"

Serea and Silfa are giggling in front of colorful dyed fabrics. Girls are really interested in fashion.

"Can I call you Jack?"

"Sure, I'll allow it."

"Okay. What's the specialty of your territory?"

"Dairy products. Most of the cheese and butter in the country come from my territory."

"Wow."

"But seeing this, the capital has everything..."

"Of course, all the specialties from around the country are gathered here. It's special today."

"If we dawdle, we won't see everything today. Let's hurry!"

The product fair, featuring specialties from each territory, was really interesting. There were so many products, and we discussed how combining this and that could make better business, or how investing in this could be profitable, or how this machine should be introduced and popularized. Jack and I talked about it, and it was all very interesting.

"Why do you know so much?" he wondered. Maybe I overdid it a bit.

Next: "27. An Awkward Reunion"