Chapter 23

This time, it's from Primera's perspective.

I am Primera. I just turned eleven. Am I already eleven, or still eleven? Which one is it?

I am the daughter of a concubine of the Kuraum Kingdom, who risked her life to give birth to me, a pitiful daughter, as they say.

But, I always had Yuria by my side. They say she has been with me since I was born.

Having Yuria around was a given, and when I was scared, Yuria would hold my hand, and when I had nightmares, Yuria would pat my head.

If I wanted, she would read picture books to me, and with Yuria's encouragement, I would eat vegetables and meat that I usually disliked.

She always praised me for being cute, and when I was too spoiled, she would tell me it was wrong.

At one point, my stepmother was so cold, and my father would always laugh and forgive me no matter what I did, so I became reckless and ate nothing but sweets. Yuria scolded me with stern words.

I resisted a bit, but when I apologized and reflected, she forgave me.

And when I wished for her to always be by my side, she said she would.

At that moment, I told her something I had always thought. Primera thinks of Yuria like a mother!

To me, Yuria was someone who should always be there, not just a maid.

When I saw a father and daughter at a public duty my father took me to, I thought, "Ah, that's it."

Of course, I couldn't contribute to the public duty, but I learned what I could.

But the image of that father and daughter wouldn't leave my mind, and I thought, "They're just like Primera and Yuria."

Holding hands, laughing together, I realized, "This is how I spend time with Yuria!"

So, Yuria is Yuria-mother to me.

To Primera, Yuria is a very reliable maid and a very, very important mother.

Yuria taught me many things.

She said it would make her happier if I studied and danced to become cute rather than eating only sweets.

When I asked if it was because I would marry someone, she said with a very gentle smile that it was fun to play with my hair.

It was hard to give up sweets, but when I did a little at a time, Yuria made homemade sweets for me!!

It was a fluffy cake, and I was surprised!! It was called a chiffon cake.

Even though it had carrots, which I dislike, it was very delicious!

When I realized Yuria thought about me a lot, I felt very happy, and I would hug her when we were alone.

I think Yuria is a bit troubled, but since she said she loves me, she will probably forgive me... right?

I thought I might be disliked if I was too clingy, but when I asked honestly, she said it made her happy to think of me like a daughter!

I have an older brother, who is cold and a bit sad, and I thought he might dislike me like my stepmother. When I asked Yuria, she said I should talk to him more.

So, I gathered the courage to talk to him. The only time I see my brother is when we study history together, but I started talking to him a little then.

My brother said he was jealous because I was very good at studying, but that's not true at all?

He knows much more detailed stories than I do, and he is very good at swordsmanship and horseback riding!

He is also studying imperial science, which is the education for a future king, and despite it being much harder than my studies, he doesn't show it.

He said he doesn't dislike me, but he didn't know how to talk to me because we rarely met, and now he sometimes pats my head.

I'm glad I consulted Yuria-mother!

Then, Dean Dain! The first time I met him, he didn't talk much, but I thought he must be a kind person.

The butlers and attendants said I couldn't correspond directly, but Yuria told me that Dean Dain said he enjoyed the book I recommended!! He read it! Even though he said he doesn't read much!

He remembers what I say, so he is a kind person.

And the birthday gift he gave me was a cute necklace with an orange rose, which I said I liked! There was a card with it, and I was very happy!!

Because the gifts from other people were for the daughter of the royal family, but Dean Dain, like Yuria, sees Primera as a person!

What kind of thank-you letter should I write?

I want to see him again.

If I ask Yuria, will she make it happen?

Oh, Yuria's debutante dress was so beautiful!!

All the other noblewomen were paying attention, and I wanted to boast about Yuria even though she was the one being admired.

My grandmother said she would arrange for him to come to the party after I left, but...

I wanted my grandmother to attend, but she said it would make everyone uncomfortable if she argued with my father...

Even though things are a bit messy, my grandmother said it would be fine, so Yuria will be fine!

If necessary, I think it's okay to use my name, but I don't think Yuria will approve of that.

From a distance, Yuria's brother looked like Yuria.

They seemed to get along very well, so maybe he will come to see Primera later... or maybe not.

I feel very anxious.

No, it's okay.

Yuria said she loves Primera.

I understand that family is important because I love my brother too!

But Primera loves her brother and Yuria. I'm sure Yuria feels the same.

"---Primera-sama, may I come in?"

"Please come in."

She came! I couldn't help but smile. No, no, there are still other maids around.

That's right, Primera is a proper princess!

But, can I dismiss the maids now?

Just a little... yeah, I haven't even taken off my dress yet.

I want to hear Yuria-mother say, "Happy birthday," ... right?

I, and Primera, still have trouble using a consistent first-person pronoun, which shows I'm still a girl who hasn't fully grown up.