Chapter 66

"What is it? What happened?"

As she hugged him, pressing herself against his chest, his arms naturally wrapped around her.

"What did Barat say?"

"He told me a lot of stories. I was so drained, but I felt better because Attil was waiting for me here."

"Still, why didn't you tell me from the beginning?"

"I'm curious. Why do you cover your eyes with lace? Isn't Attil curious too?"

"Huh."

Attil chuckled.

"You're really fearless."

"Because Laub and Brin were there too."

"Even so. You never know what they might do. What exactly did he say?"

Lirika told Attil everything without holding back. Attil said just one word.

"Damn brat."

He scratched his head.

"Your father, I'll look into him too. I don't think Uncle would know anything Barat doesn't, but..."

"Yes, but I'd like to keep it a secret from others."

Attil smiled.

"Alright. Don't worry."

Believe me, Attil roughly patted Lirika's head. He was quite pleased that his little sister trusted him so much.

"By the way, did you know there's a big festival in the fall?"

"Yes."

"Let's go together."

Lirika couldn't answer immediately and looked at Attil. Attil smirked.

"Why? Is it so good that you can't even speak? If we sneak out in disguise, no one will recognize us."

"Hmm..."

After hesitating, Lirika asked, "Is the festival long?"

"Yes."

"Then I'd like to go."

"What?"

Attil narrowed his eyes. He had a very good intuition.

"Who else?"

"Huh?"

"Who else did you plan to go with—"

Attil stopped abruptly.

"Barat?"

Though it was just one question, everything was clear from Lirika's expression. Attil was flabbergasted and grabbed her shoulders tightly.

"Are you crazy? You're really going to do this? With Fjord Barat at the festival? Alone? Get a grip!"

How dare that guy try to charm my little sister?

Lirika tried to calm the agitated Attil.

"Of course, I planned to take Laub with me."

"Of course! How did you plan to get permission, huh?"

"What? No, I just thought I'd go then..."

"Wow, really."

Attil leaned in close to Lirika, his face inches from hers.

"Go with me."

"Yes, I'll go with you."

Since the festival is long, why not spend one day with Attil and another with Fjord?

Seeing Lirika's thoughts so clearly, Attil said sharply.

"No, I mean, I want to go with you when you go with Fjord Barat. Don't even think about it."

"Ah, um. If I introduce Fjord as an ally?"

"Fjord? You call him that?"

"Attil."

Even as he gritted his teeth, Attil sighed.

"Fine. I'll treat him with respect as an ally."

"Thank you. I'll ask Fjord too."

"His opinion doesn't matter."

"It does."

Lirika shook her head.

"Alright. For now."

Lirika let out a sigh of relief. Attil sighed. Lirika smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Thank you."

"It's fine."

"No, really, thank you."

He knew she was grateful for his compromise. It was a big deal.

Lirika kissed Attil's cheek, and Attil bit his lip and frowned.

"Where did you learn to do this?"

Lirika giggled and leaned her cheek against his shoulder.

"The weather will be clear next week, so we'll pick a lot of wild strawberries."

"Sure, sure, sure."

Though he seemed to be just going along with it, Attil had already ordered the glass jars for the jam.

Attil glanced at the rain-soaked window.

"I hope the weather is good."

* * *

The weather was a perfect late summer day. The sun had a richer, honey-like glow than in midsummer. The crimson clouds, layered like vanilla ice cream, were rimmed with gold.

The garden was filled with the sweet fragrance of ripe wild strawberries.

Everyone marveled at the secret garden and praised Ulang. Ulang accepted the compliments humbly.

"When we first started cleaning, everyone helped."

"Right, except for Lat and Tan."

Pointing this out, Lirika handed out custom buckets. Attil checked the gathered group and whispered to Lirika.

"If someone who didn't know us saw this, they might think we were planning a rebellion."

After all, the two most powerful figures in the empire, the Knight Commander and the Chancellor, were standing side by side with buckets.

And there was Barat's next heir, the Princess, and the Crown Prince. Ulang, a promising apprentice knight of the Ulfgar family, and others, making for a truly luxurious gathering.

Lirika handed out custom aprons. Dia, wearing an apron, smiled.

"They're so cute."

"Wearing the same clothes, we look like a gardeners' club."

Lat corrected, "Wild strawberries."

Tan, who was already picking and eating the ripe berries, asked,

"By the way, Princess, why do you need courage to pick wild strawberries?"

"Well, Ulang said there are a lot of snakes in the bushes."

Everyone involuntarily looked down at the bushes. Lirika smiled.

"To get any fruit, you need courage."

"I'm brave, so..."

"Then you're a Wild Strawberry Alliance member."

Lirika's words made Dia show her legs.

"And Fjord is immune to most snake venom."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Princess—"

Lat quickly looked down and saw that she was wearing sturdy boots, which reassured him.

Of course, Sol wouldn't dress her carelessly.

Lirika raised her fist.

"Let's all pick a lot of wild strawberries and have lunch. Then we'll make jam and syrup."

Everyone picked up their buckets and disappeared into the bushes, excited at the thought.

"Come on, Fjord."

Lirika quickly grabbed Fjord's wrist and pulled him along. Fjord smiled, even as he was dragged.

Dia immediately asked, frowning.

"Why are you taking care of Fjord?"

"But, there are two Ulfs, two Sunders, and two Takars, and Barat is alone."

He needs to be taken care of.

Noticing this as she looked at the people she had invited, Lirika's words made Dia speechless, but she quickly attached herself to Lirika's side.

"I'll pick with you too."

"Sure."

After all, there are plenty of wild strawberries.

At first, Fjord didn't say anything. The conversation continued between Dia, Lirika, and Attil.

From a distance, Lat cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted.

"Princess, Tan is eating more than he's picking."

"Hey!"

"It's fine as long as the bucket is full."

Lirika laughed and waved. She could see Tan shaking Lat by the collar.

She remembered how their nerves had been on edge recently. It must have been because of Feri.

It's good that they're getting along again.

Lirika felt relieved. Dia asked Lirika,

"By the way, Princess, have you read 'The Song of the Pearl'?"

"Yes, Brin got it for me. It's interesting, but..."

It was very interesting, but she felt embarrassed reading it.

"This time, they're putting on a huge play. Do you want to go see it together?"

"Really?"

"Yes, really. It was so hard to get tickets, but I managed to get two."

"I want to go, I want to go."

"Sure!"

Dia beamed. It was worth the effort to get the tickets. Pai said,

"I heard it's really hard to get tickets."

"I stood in line all night."

Lirika was surprised and looked at Dia's triumphant face. Pai laughed.

"Typical of Ulfgar to push through with your body."

"I don't like that."

Dia said sharply, and Pai blinked and apologized.

"I didn't mean to offend you."

"It's okay."

Dia nodded. Tan said,

"Dia, you need to control your temper. You were hitting kids the other day."

"Lord Tan!"

Dia's cheeks turned red. Lirika tilted her head.

"You hit someone?"

"Yes, but they started it."

"Did you hit them out of anger?"

"Um... Yes..."

"Do you hit first when you're angry?"

"..."

Dia was silent, and Lirika laughed, putting a wild strawberry in her mouth.

"I'm not criticizing, just asking."

"I'm sorry."

"Why? You have nothing to be sorry for to me."

"You should be sorry, he's your friend."

Attil said casually. Lirika stood on tiptoe and put a wild strawberry in his mouth.

"You didn't ask Attil."

Dia said.

"I didn't realize... I was cursing the Princess."

"Oh, then you hit him well."

Attil nodded, "What, that's what it was?" and Fjord laughed, "If that's the case."

Lirika was flustered.

"No, neither of you did that, right?"

"Is he stronger than Dia?"

"No, I'm stronger."

"Exactly. I've heard that Dia is strong. You did well in the hunting festival too. I think strong people shouldn't bully the weak."

Dia hesitated. She had never thought about it that way.

But the Princess wasn't wrong.

She was strong.

"Yes, I understand."

Dia decided to be more careful when dealing with weaker people.

From a nearby bush, Tan said softly,

"Youth."

"Exactly. It's a beautiful sight."

"But, Princess, you don't seem like a kid of that age."

"Is that so? Sunder was already—"

"No, if you say that, Wolf was already breaking wooden boards with his bare hands at that age."

Lat laughed.

"I understand what you mean. You have the ability to talk without making others uncomfortable."

Tan nodded. It was enjoyable to watch the kids picking wild strawberries.

Both Tan and Lat knew it was possible because the Princess was there.

"It would be nice if Sunder, Dia, and Laub were here too. They're all Wolves."

Lat said, and Tan shrugged.

"And Barat."

"He stands out."

"He does."

"Well, the Wild Strawberry Alliance is by recommendation only."

Lat popped a wild strawberry into his mouth. The sweet and tangy flavor filled his mouth.

It was a rare break from the daily grind of paperwork.

'Maybe I should grow wild strawberries.'

The thought was silly, but it made Lat chuckle. He glanced at Tan, who was enthusiastically eating wild strawberries.

'He looks more like a bear than a Wolf.'

There are wild strawberries in the north too, so why is he acting so hungry?

Lat shook his head.

There were frequent breaks. Each time, ice cream, cold wild strawberry juice, and light snacks were served.

Under the shade, the children compared their buckets and ate and drank.

For Tan and Lat, fresh cream, wild strawberries, and chilled champagne were provided.

Lat sighed, looking at the bubbles rising in the champagne.

"I want to quit being Chancellor and join the Wild Strawberry Alliance."

"I agree."

After the break, they worked even faster, having become more familiar with the task.

"Fjord."

Lirika whispered, picking wild strawberries next to him.

"Remember the festival we talked about?"

"Yes."

Fjord, answering, asked anxiously,

"Did something come up? Can't we go together?"

"No, nothing like that. But Attil found out and said he wants to come too."

"Ah."

Though disappointed, it was acceptable. Fjord nodded readily, and Lirika, feeling guilty, added,

"Since the festival is long, let's spend one day with Attil and another day just with us."

"!!"

Surprised by this unexpected good fortune, Fjord swallowed hard. Dia suddenly interjected,

"What are you talking about?"

Lirika answered calmly,

"About Barat being everyone's first love."

"!!"

Fjord was so shocked he nearly jumped.