Chapter 33

Lilica proudly looked at the shelves in the cabin.

She had lined up the magical items she had created, and what was once just a single ointment now numbered about three or four.

There were glowing stones, warming grain bags, and crystal-like objects that purified water.

She had already made several of the crystals and thrown them into jars and wells.

Of course, the herb wreaths that kept bugs away also hung on the walls.

"We did well to pave the garden with stones. It was hard work, though."

Dyare, who had been looking outside, smiled and said. Lilica nodded.

The dirt path had been replaced with flat stones, making it much easier to walk and keeping their shoes clean.

Lilica stood beside Dyare. A small platform allowed her to look out the window.

She could see Laub hanging a swing from a tree right in front of the cabin.

He had made it himself. Lilica had praised it, and Dyare had pouted.

On one side, there was also an umbrella and a table.

Lilica sighed softly as she looked at them.

"Is something wrong?"

Dyare asked. Lately, even as Lilica seemed happy, she would sometimes show this kind of expression.

"Well..."

"Tell me about it."

At Dyare's words, Lilica finally confided her worries.

"I asked someone to be my conversation partner."

"Ah."

"But I haven't heard from them..."

"Maybe they don't want to?"

"No!"

Lilica said strongly. Dyare blinked her green eyes.

"They were the one who suggested it first."

"Hmm, maybe their family is against it."

"Is that so? But if that's the case, they should have told me. I even sent a letter, but still no reply."

"Maybe they're just rude."

"Excuse me?"

Surprised, Lilica turned to see Dyare speaking bluntly.

"But for someone to treat you, a princess, like this after you offered to be their conversation partner... that's just rude."

"Dyare, be careful with your words."

At Bryn's words, Dyare slapped her mouth and said,

"Rude. Rude."

"But Fjord..."

Dyare stiffened for a moment before asking,

"Fjord? That Fjord? Fjord of Barat?"

"Um-hum..."

"You're asking that person to be your conversation partner?"

"Uh-huh."

Dyare had a lot to say, but seeing the princess's face, it wasn't hard to hold back.

Instead, she said,

"Barat... it's understandable they might oppose it."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

Dyare nodded, feeling a bit mischievous that it might not work out.

"But still..."

Lilica sighed again. Dyare suddenly felt restless. While she didn't want Barat to be the conversation partner, she didn't want Lilica to be upset either.

Feeling like a dog sensing its owner's bad mood, she saw Laub finish hanging the swing and pull the rope to check it.

"The swing is all set!"

"Really?"

Lilica tiptoed. She saw Laub gathering his tools and said to Dyare with a brighter voice,

"Let's go outside."

"Okay."

The topic changed. Dyare nodded, feeling relieved. The two opened the cabin door and hurried to the swing.

"All done?"

At Lilica's question, Laub nodded and smiled faintly.

"You can ride it now."

Lilica willingly gave the first ride to Dyare.

"Me?"

"Uh-huh, Dyare, you go first."

"No, Princess, you go first. Please."

Lilica hesitated in front of the swing and said softly,

"Actually, I've never ridden a swing before, so I don't know how."

"!!"

Dyare's eyes widened, and she quickly sat on the swing.

"This is how you ride it, okay."

She pushed off the ground with her feet, swung back, and then thrust forward. As the swing went higher, Bryn held Lilica and stepped back. When the swing reached its peak, Dyare leaped off with a "Haaat!"

It was a perfect mid-air flip.

"!!"

Lilica was startled, and Bryn's face turned cold. Dyare, landing perfectly, smiled and said,

"This is how you ride it."

"No."

"No."

Bryn and Laub spoke in unison. Lilica looked at them.

"Really not?"

"It's true."

Dyare, feeling wronged, said, and Bryn smiled kindly at Lilica,

"You don't need to jump off at the end."

"That's right. Often, wolves... or rather, frequently... Ha..."

Laub sighed. Dyare was puzzled.

"Isn't that how you do it?"

Competing to see who could jump the farthest or do the most spins from the highest point, wasn't that the point?

"Just swing up and down gently and stop when you're done. Don't do anything dangerous. Okay."

Bryn said this and offered the swing. Lilica sat down and gripped the ropes firmly.

The tree was quite large, and the ropes were quite long.

"Keep your feet up, I'll push you."

"Okay."

Bryn gave her a gentle push. The swing began to sway back and forth.

As the pendulum's speed increased, Lilica's heart raced and she felt exhilarated.

Lilica burst into laughter.

The wind blowing through her hair was wonderful, and the view from the height was beautiful.

Hearing her laughter, Dyare narrowed her eyes.

This time spent in the garden, or rather, every moment spent with the princess as her conversation partner, was always enjoyable.

'Princess, you really are good at your job.'

How quickly and diligently she moved that small body, instantly moving piles of cut grass from one side to the other, like a squirrel carrying acorns.

Ulang was also impressed.

Watching her work earnestly and smiling, Dyare found joy in her work too.

It was different from being with others. It felt like a calm river was flowing deep within her.

'So that's it.'

Dyare realized and sighed deeply.

'When I'm with the princess, I don't need to hold anything back.'