Chapter 67

Of course, she didn’t jump, but her shoulders trembled. Diares also opened his eyes wide.

“What do you mean?”

“Huh? Didn’t everyone talk about it during the hunting festival? Barat is everyone’s first love.”

“Yes, but what’s your point?”

Diares’s emerald eyes narrowed. Though puzzled by his strangely sharp tone, Lirika continued calmly.

“When I see Fjord, I understand what they mean.”

“Huh?”

Fjord, taken aback, asked in return. Lirika nodded.

“Just by seeing how Fjord treats me, you can tell, right? He’s kind to everyone, can’t you see? Well, I don’t think Duke Barat was kind to everyone…”

Lirika said seriously.

“So, among the Barats, Fjord is probably the most popular, isn’t he?”

Diares looked relieved, yet uneasy, with a somewhat awkward expression. Fjord, with a complicated look, said,

“It’s problematic to think I treat everyone the same way I treat the princess.”

“Oh, really? So you’re only kind to me? That’s fine too.”

Ha ha, Lirika laughed it off. From a distance, though their conversation couldn’t be heard, his attitude clearly showed he was gentle to those around him.

Even so, ‘You are special.’

‘Indeed, the first love of everyone.’

She nodded her head.

Pai, who was standing beside her, put down the bucket he had almost filled and said,

“Oh, but the princess probably takes up a significant part of the first love, right?”

“Huh?”

Surprised, Lirika turned to look, and Pai smiled and said,

“There are children on our side who like the princess.”

Diares muttered, “Oh,” with a somewhat disappointed look.

“There are also some on the Wolf side.”

“Why the face?”

“I just want the princess to know me alone.”

Diares grumbled. Pai looked at Lirika intently.

Her neatly trimmed, soft brown hair, beautiful teal eyes, and well-defined features.

Though she lacked the splendor of Barat or the Empress, she had a strength that didn’t fall behind.

If those two were peonies or peaches, the princess might be a silver bellflower.

With a firm and gentle demeanor.

“Certainly, as time goes on, you’ll receive many confessions.”

Pai’s assurance made Lirika’s face flush. Attil, standing beside her, teased,

“You’re the cutest in the world, Lirika.”

“Attil!”

Though she scolded, Attil just laughed.

“Why not? Aunt calls you that every day.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

Lirika couldn’t help but glance at Fjord. She remembered learning curtsies from him.

Fjord, who met her gaze, smiled.

“Yes, you are the cutest in the world.”

“Even Fjord?”

Lirika grumbled softly.

In fact, after the ‘Song of Pearls’ book, Lirika’s recognition and reputation among people were the highest.

Of course, the book’s front page stated, “Not related to any real events or persons,” but it was enough to be known as the inspiration.

The more popular the book became, the higher Lirika’s popularity rose. Even the noble faction children secretly passed around the Song of Pearls.

Though it would be a shock if their parents found out, how could they resist a book that was so interesting?

After the Song of Pearls, similar books like the ‘Song of Sapphire’ or ‘The Story of Ruby’ came out, but none could surpass the original’s popularity.

Lirika knew that when she went to gatherings, many children would flock to her or look at her with admiration, but she didn’t think it was because of the book.

Probably because they found her magical girl artifact interesting.

That’s what she assumed.

Seeing Lirika grumble, Pai laughed and said,

“Just wait and see.”

“What if not?”

Lirika provocatively asked, and Pai seriously replied,

“Then I’ll take responsibility.”

“Pai?”

Before she could ask how, Attil started to strangle him.

“Choke, wait, Your Highness!”

“If you touch my sister, I’ll—”

“Attil!”

Flustered, Lirika tried to stop them. After the commotion, Pai rubbed his neck and said,

“You should know that with Your Highness’s strength, you could break my fragile neck.”

“If you know that, you should also know I’d let you off.”

“That’s true.”

Pai smiled at Lirika.

“Then thank you for saving my life, Princess.”

Just as he bowed and was about to kiss her cheek, Fjord’s hand intervened.

Pai looked at Fjord with interest, and Fjord smiled, saying,

“It’s impolite to do so without permission.”

‘Ha, look at this?’

Something vaguely formed in Pai’s mind, but Attil grabbed his collar from behind.

“Pai Sandar—”

“Wait, Your Highness. This is just a light formality.”

“Just die.”

“Princess, save me.”

“Attil, stop it.”

“Eh, Princess, it seems fine to let him die, doesn’t it?”

Diares, while throwing large raspberries from his bucket into Lirika’s, said,

“Not among allies. If you want to, do it after we finish!”

Lirika firmly said, and Attil let go of Pai’s neck. Pai, coughing, said,

“You’ve saved my life twice.”

His smile was full of mischief, clearly teasing Attil.

Even after getting beaten up by Attil last time, he could tease him today.

‘Everyone is amazing, really.’

Bran approached and asked,

“Did you all harvest a lot? Brin asked me to check if he should start preparing the pot.”

“Oh, not yet, a little more.”

Lirika shook her head and looked at her bucket.

“Let’s fill it up quickly!”

“It’s fine. Take your time.”

Bran smiled and stepped back. After that, the raspberry alliance members sped up to fill their buckets.

After washing the raspberries lightly, they poured them into a large pot. Then, they added a lot of sugar and mixed it well with a large spoon, starting to boil it.

They took turns stirring the jam and then divided the finished jam into jars.

The finished jam was served with scones and hotcakes.

The children laughed and chatted, enjoying the sweet taste. The sun slowly began to set.

Brin brought out grilled chicken, accompanied by a raspberry sauce. The sweet and savory taste made the meat irresistible.

When Tan complained about wanting ale, Brin secretly brought it out. For Lat, Bran poured a cold diluted distilled water.

It was a satisfying gathering for the adults and an exciting one for the children.

Diares curiously asked,

“So, Princess, what gift did His Highness give you?”

“It’s a secret.”

Lirika shook her head. Since the gift wasn’t given publicly, the story of what Attil gave her occasionally circulated. However, the conversation quickly shifted to other gifts, especially the magical girl artifact.

Diares, though curious about Lirika’s secret, nodded immediately.

“I see. Ah, I have something to brag about to the Princess.”

With a chuckle, Lirika asked, “What is it?” Diares said,

“I plan to become the owner of the Artifact Fang.”

“Pfft, cough—”

Tan, who was drinking ale, spat it out. Lat exclaimed, “That’s really dirty.”

Tan, wiping his face with the napkin Bran handed him, said,

“Can you just become the owner because you want to?”

“You just need to pass the test. Why wouldn’t Fang choose me?”

Seeing his brazen face, Tan muttered, “Wow, you’re—” but Diares pouted.

“Even if I don’t have Fang, I can’t beat Sir Laub, can I?”

“No, who wants Fang for that reason?”

“I do.”

Diares raised his hand. Tan, looking aggrieved, glared at Laub.

“Hey, say something.”

“I have nothing to say about the Wolf family heirloom.”

“Wow, you’re like someone who’s completely married and cut ties with the main family.”

“Marriage? What marriage? Stop talking nonsense.”

Attil interjected. Lirika, unable to follow the conversation, asked,

“What exactly is Fang?”

“The Artifact Fang. It’s an artifact that enhances all the user’s physical abilities.”

Fjord, sitting beside her, explained in a gentle voice.

“Only the Wolf family knows the details, though.”

“It sounds amazing.”

Lirika’s comment made Diares laugh.

“Right?”

Tan was speechless. Lirika asked,

“But then, shouldn’t Tan use it? He’s the head of the family.”

“Fang chooses its owner. I didn’t pass the test.”

Tan shrugged and then grinned.

“And I’m strong without it.”

Diares pouted.

“Well, as the head, you might, but I need Fang.”

“Is it dangerous?”

Diares, blushing slightly, tilted his head.

“It can be dangerous depending on the person, but I’ll be fine.”

“No, you won’t.”

Lirika nodded seriously at Tan’s grumbling.

“I think you should talk to the head of the family first if it’s dangerous.”

“Yes.”

Diares’s answer was so cheerful that everyone thought, ‘He’s not going to discuss it,’ but no one said it out loud.

After finishing the meal, everyone held a jar of jam and said goodbye to Lirika and Attil before leaving.

When Lirika offered to help with the cleanup, Brin and Bran naturally refused.

Attil led Lirika out and sat her on the swing.

He held the rope from behind and looked down at her.

“Why would a princess do the cleanup?”

“I’m a member of the raspberry alliance now.”

“Then respect what they do.”

Attil’s words made Lirika exclaim, “Oh,” and nod.

“I understand.”

“Good.”

He gently pushed the swing. As she enjoyed the gentle back-and-forth, Attil spoke.

“I never thought I’d come back here and have such fun.”

“...”

Lirika glanced at him. Attil smiled.

“This garden was specially made by Father for Mother.”

“Oh...”

“Mother, being a lower noble, faced many attacks. Father made this for her.”

Attil shrugged.

“Whether it’s right for the Empress to be confined here is another matter.”

Attil slowly looked around the garden. Lirika had tried to restore its former appearance, so many parts still retained their past look.

“I heard she suffered a lot because she couldn’t have children for a long time. There were even rumors that she couldn’t accept Takar’s blood because she was a lower noble.”

It was the first time Attil talked about his parents, so Lirika listened intently.

“I heard she was incredibly happy when I was born.”

“Of course.”

Lirika nodded, and Attil looked down at her and smiled.

“So, the key to this garden... I felt it was unnecessary for me.”

With his parents gone and himself facing assassination threats, there was no time to indulge in memories and cry over the past. Such a place was unnecessary.

A hiding place was not needed at all.

So, when he handed the key to Lirika, he thought she might need a place like this.

Though she was young when they passed away, her memories were faint, but she remembered picking raspberries in this garden with them.

So, this place.

She never thought she’d return like this.

Sitting on the swing, Lirika dangled her feet and said,

“I think everyone needs a hiding place.”

“What?”

“Everyone needs rest. If you don’t loosen the rope, it will break.”

“Who said that?”

“The shoeshine uncle.”

Lirika held the rope and leaned back, looking up at him.

“I think it’s necessary to eat delicious food, sleep in a safe place, and talk to the people you like.”

She said seriously.

“You need these to do things you don’t want to do. Without them, doing only what you don’t want will gradually drain your joy and fill you with sorrow.”

Rumble

You might lock yourself up and die.

As she said this, she leaned back more, and suddenly, “Ah!” she let go of the rope with her fingertips.

Attil caught her from behind.

“Dangerous.”

“Attil is here.”

“Yes, I am.”

Lirika straightened her shoulders and said,

“And don’t forget that I’m here for Attil.”

“Right.”

Smiling, he came around to the front and helped her off the swing.

“Let’s go back. It will get dark if we stay any longer.”

Lirika nodded.

The first meeting of the Raspberry Alliance was chaotic but satisfying. It would get better as they got used to it.

‘No, I’ll make it better.’

She needed to ask her mother about various things and learn from her.

Lirika made a deep resolution.