Chapter 22

Thank you for reading.

Regarding the parts that have been published in book form, I have intentionally left the typos, omissions, and additions as they are, hoping they might serve as reference material later on.

Please understand.

There are people who use the typo reporting function to proofread.

I decline any reports other than typos and omissions.

If it becomes too excessive, I will block it.

Please bear with me.

Being suddenly hugged and made to cry by a toddler with a rainbow butterfly perched on their head is not a common experience.

After Utsunomiya-san had deftly escaped, Mr. Romanov, who came to check on the room, told me with a slight smile.

The rainbow butterfly was a messenger of Princess Momoka, giving Regulus instructions like "Find an adult" or "Run towards the mansion." Mr. Romanov praised Regulus, calling him "a chick with quite a bit of potential."

Regardless, according to the princess, I seem to be suffering from the aftereffects of the recent epidemic, making me prone to fainting.

While prefacing that she is not a medical deity and cannot make a definitive statement, she mentioned that those who have traveled between this world and the other due to accidents or illness sometimes experience a weakening of the connection between the soul and the body, and that my symptoms might be related to this.

"She said, 'I will investigate in detail, so take a seven-day break. Rest and recover.'"

"Seven days!? Can't I go singing for that long!?"

"It's not that you can't, but since you'll be away, coming won't help with your training. Instead, she said you should listen to lullabies from Regulus and practice magic to keep your mana nerves sharp."

Usually, I use mana nerves to stabilize my pitch and protect my vocal cords, so it makes sense to practice magic.

But why specifically listen to lullabies from Regulus?

"I've never sung a lullaby to Regulus."

"Princess Momoka also said, 'Make the chick practice stick fighting.'"

"Stick fighting...?"

What does that mean?

Mr. Romanov stroked the frown on my forehead with his finger. When I twisted my body in response to the tickling, he pinched my cheeks. It felt like a facial.

"Stick fighting is probably swordsmanship. According to the princess, Regulus has a talent for it. He didn't even flinch at the princess's exposed divine aura."

"What is divine aura?"

"In simple terms, it's the pressure of a deity. The princess has an aura that makes people kneel involuntarily. All deities have such an aura. However, she usually suppresses it to avoid crushing people's souls."

"Exposed...?"

"To guide Regulus and protect the fallen butterfly, the princess split her soul into two. When a deity creates a split spirit, their control over the divine aura becomes more complex and intense. So, for a moment, Regulus was exposed to the princess's raw divine aura. However, instead of being intimidated, he followed her instructions perfectly and did as she wished. She said, 'He has a strong heart and the spirit of a hero.'"

"Oh no... Is Regulus a genius!? Oh no... My child is amazing!"

"Your child...?"

Mr. Romanov's gaze was slightly warm, but I had already resigned myself.

I will raise Regulus to be a fine lord, just like his late mother!

Mr. Romanov smiled wryly and continued.

"By saying to listen to lullabies, she probably means to play and sleep well. They say a sleeping child grows. Regulus is used to listening to your songs, so maybe he can't sleep with a poorly sung lullaby?"

"No way..."

That's a bit much.

This time, I smiled wryly. However, Mr. Romanov shook his head seriously.

"Butterfly, you meet the princess almost every day, so you're desensitized. Normally, deities don't appear before humans."

"That's because I can sing songs from another world..."

"Even so, she could teach other singers, but she doesn't. Instead, she personally guides you. That means you have talent."

"No, that's not true..."

"Indeed, deities sometimes directly teach or impart something to humans, but even then, the person being taught is a genius that comes once in a hundred or two hundred years. You must be a singer that comes once in a hundred or two hundred years."

He said this with a very serious face, but it's really not true.

The princess comes every day just to hear the rare songs from my past life.

If I had known this, I should have told the truth back then.

Even though the memories are from my past life, I feel guilty for treating them as if they were my own.

My expression must have shown this, as Mr. Romanov shrugged.

"You're quite suspicious. At your age, it's good to get a bit cocky when praised."

"Well, I've never heard anyone else sing. So, even if I'm told I'm good, I don't really know..."

Since I can't tell the truth, I have to pile on lies. But it's also true that without a comparison, I can't tell if I'm good or bad.

However, this excuse seemed to deeply resonate with Mr. Romanov.

"I see... I heard from Mr. Rottmayr that you've never left this mansion. It's understandable that you don't know your own abilities."

"...Mr. Romanov, you're assuming I can't sing well."

"When I heard you sing in front of the princess, I thought it was beautiful."

"Ah..."

"Anyway, without a point of comparison, you can't measure your abilities. I understand. Let's go to the capital."

"Huh?"

Why?

I must have looked very puzzled, as my cheeks were pinched again. I hope my cheek muscles don't wear out.

"There are musicians in the capital. Even if not, traveling performers often give performances there."

"Is that so...?"

"Kikunoi is peaceful, but it's also a backwater. Traveling performers rarely come here, so it's faster to go than to wait."

I see, Kikunoi is such a backwater for artists.

So, "Violet Garden" in Kikunoi is a dream within a dream.

But, the capital has theaters and musicians. I want to take Regulus there too.

However, Kikunoi to the capital is about ten days by carriage, round trip is twenty days.

How much will it cost?

"Mr. Romanov..."

"Yes?"

"How much will the travel expenses be?"

When I asked hesitantly, Mr. Romanov's eyes widened for a moment, then he smiled.

"Well, it's not cheap."

"If Regulus, Utsunomiya-san, and Mr. Rottmayr come, we'll need guards. And food for them..."

The list goes on and on. The cost will only increase, not decrease.

Seeing my frown deepen, Mr. Romanov patted my head.

"Some theaters don't allow small children, so let's just go with me and you this time. And don't worry about our travel expenses."

"Really!? That's okay!?"

"Yes, but you should bring some pocket money for souvenirs."

Mr. Romanov said this with a mischievous look, like a child who has just thought of a prank.

Thank you for reading.

I would be grateful for any comments, evaluations, or reviews.