Chapter 52

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The letter, which began with the elegant opening line "Dear Kikunoi Kuchinashi," after the seasonal greeting, told me about Maria's life since then.

Even after that, she is still being harassed, but she is doing well, and the hair accessory I gave her is a topic of conversation when she goes out in society, among other things.

"‘The ice dessert you gave me had melted a bit, but I refroze it and enjoyed it with Elsa,’ she said."

"Yeah, I saw that. Actually, I was the one who refroze it with magic. The way she giggled while eating it, Maria is just a normal girl of her age."

"Veecha, that's not right. Marie is a particularly cute girl of her age. Please correct it."

"...There you go, Master is an idiot."

Victor sighed as if exasperated, and Lara puffed her cheeks. The atmosphere seemed soft, so they probably weren't on bad terms, but something caught my attention.

When I looked at Lara, she raised her hand and said, "That's later," so I continued reading the letter.

It said that Victor had tried to ask about me, but he only learned that I was doing well.

So, maybe it's unnecessary, but I want to introduce the teacher who took care of me. Her name is—

"Illarioon Rubinsky. She is also known as Illaria Rubinskaia, though very rarely," Lara read.

"Wait, Lara was Maria's teacher?"

"Yes, Marie is one of my adorable students."

Wow, what a connection.

But, what kind of teacher was Lara to Maria?

If it was a private tutor, Mr. Romanov is there, and for music, it's Victor. So, who is the teacher Maria wants to introduce me to?

As I blinked, Lara's finger, which had been poking my cheek, suddenly started rubbing it.

"Ah, it's nostalgic. This softness. Marie used to be this soft too."

"Marie was too?"

"Yes. She was as round as you. She was plump and cute, but it wasn't very healthy, was it?"

"True."

"Yeah, that's why it was my turn."

What's going on?

As I thought that, Regulus, who had been sitting obediently beside me, suddenly stood up and pressed his cheek against the other side of my face, rubbing it.

"I want to do it too! It's so soft!"

"Hey!? If you keep doing that, it will stretch! It will stretch!"

What's with these handsome guys and their love for softness? They like it too much.

As they were messing with me, Rottenmayer hurried to stop them.

"Please stop! Young Master's cheeks will be worn down!"

"That's right, Lara. Don't ruin Kuchinashi's charm points."

"That's rude, to the preacher of beauty. I won't wear down such beautiful softness. Even if she gets thinner, I'll protect this softness."

Well, that's a conversation with a lot of points to comment on.

Let's tackle the most obvious one.

Lara's finger, which had been poking my cheek, finally stopped, and Regulus was still attached to my face.

"By the way, what do you mean by 'preacher of beauty'?"

"Just as it sounds. I help people become beautiful and teach them what 'beautiful' means."

"Um, in other words?"

"I make very plump people moderately plump, or very slender people soft and full. I teach them a body shape, posture, and manners that are beautiful and graceful for them, as well as the dance and gestures needed in society, like a etiquette teacher."

"Oh, I see..."

A diet teacher has come.

My mixed feelings must have shown on my face, as Lara's lips curled up mischievously.

"Is that a 'no way' face?"

"It's not that... Why Maria?"

"Oh, that. It's a simple story. I said Marie used to be as round as you, right?"

"Yes, that's right..."

"At that time, Marie was often bullied and always cried, but she had one special skill. She was exceptionally good at singing, but she thought, 'I am fat and ugly, so I can't sing in front of people.' So, I helped her a bit."

She taught her how to diet, how to stand and move gracefully as a lady, how to choose and wear dresses, and how to speak with grace, thoroughly teaching her how to become beautiful.

And Maria herself said she had acquired a 'beautiful self.'

"But, that girl, instead of being full of confidence, was an unbearable know-it-all when we first met?"

"Oh, that... She wasn't used to being praised, so she probably became numb to excessive compliments. Sometimes, the purpose of praising someone is not just to praise, but to make them feel inferior. Before I could teach her that, her father had her debut in society. As a result, I haven't seen her for about five years."

Even to Victor's slightly sarcastic words, Lara only shrugged.

When she mentioned that Maria wasn't used to being praised, I felt a glance from Mr. Romanov, but it was probably just my imagination.

"I had heard not-so-good rumors—she had become an unbearable girl—so I planned to meet Marie soon. But, she sent me a letter before I could. She wrote, 'Please, teacher, let me repay the kindness to the little friend who saved my life.'"

"Hmm..."

That's quite dramatic.

I gave her something to solve her problem because she was in trouble.

It's not that big a deal when you put it in words.

As if reading my thoughts, Mr. Romanov cleared his throat with a glare.

"Children don't just happen to have a universal remedy. It's also quite dangerous, so please remember that. What you did is something Maria could be grateful to you for her whole life."

"That's right. Marie wouldn't even recognize herself if she couldn't sing. In the worst case, she might have even taken her own life. And that day was the second prince's debut. Regardless of the circumstances, she might have been executed for disgracing the prince. You changed all that. It's not something that can be repaid with just gratitude."

"Hey, little one... If Regulus had been in that situation and someone had saved him, wouldn't you feel the same way?"

"Of course!"

So, if I don't accept Maria's kindness, it might make her worry.

Hmm, and the princess has also suggested I lose weight.

I also made a promise with Rottenmayer to take care of my health, and I have a goal to lose weight.

Recently, just walking hasn't been enough to reduce my weight.

As I pondered, Rottenmayer came up behind me and gently held my hand.

"Young Master, if I may... You promised to take care of your health, didn't you?"

"Yes, of course I haven't forgotten."

"People say that being a little plump helps you live longer. So, if you're not interested, it's fine. But if you are, please consider this offer."

"Um..."

"The reason is, nobles have an obligation to attend a young school when the time comes. This means there will be various events and dances throughout the year."

"Is that so? But isn't young school a long way off?"

"That's true, but..."

Rottenmayer's eyebrows furrowed, creating a very difficult atmosphere.

I tilted my head, wondering what was going on, and Mr. Romanov sighed and slumped his shoulders.

"Rottenmayer, I'll tell him..."

"I can't say it..."

"What? What is it? Why is it so gloomy?"

I gripped Rottenmayer's hand, but he didn't grip back. Mr. Romanov opened his mouth with a heavy, bitter expression.

"Kuchinashi, I haven't told you this before..."

"What? What is it?"

"You are..."

"I am?"

"Terribly uncoordinated."

"......Huh?"

The reception room fell silent, and my ears hurt.

What?

Huh?

Uncoordinated?

"In other words, if you don't practice from now on, you won't be able to dance at all when you're of age, right?"

"Absolutely, it's disastrous!"

Mr. Romanov's voice, confirming Victor's words, had enough power to shock and burn me.

But...

"Dancing doesn't really depend on being uncoordinated. Of course, being good at sports is better, but it's not everything."

The words that lifted my spirits were whispered in my ear by Lara, low and sweet, almost like a breath.

Her hand, stroking my head, felt good, and the way she gripped my hand for comfort was cool, making my heart race.

Before I knew it, I found myself saying, "Please, from tomorrow."

I wondered why I was so excited by Lara, but the next morning, the princess gave me the answer.

"What is this elf? She looks like a male role in a theater."

That's it!

That's it!

Ah, I feel so much better.

In my past life, I was actually more into male roles than female roles.

They were so cool, and I ended up buying a lot of merchandise.

Ah, I feel so much better.

"What, did you expect a romantic story?"

"Well, you said I was a five-year-old, and I don't understand love or anything."

"But, some people have their first love with a tutor or a maid. There are stories like that in human literature."

"The tutor is male, and Rottenmayer feels like a mother. And Utsumi gives off a vibe of using power to force someone, which is not something I can handle."

"...You are really stiff. A stiff person is not liked."

Grr, I'm not stiff!

As I pouted, the princess's gaze shifted to Regulus.

With a mischievous smile, she waved her fan and asked, "Little chick, do you have someone you like?"

No, no, what are you asking a three-year-old?

To my surprise, Regulus started to fidget.

"I like someone!"

"Who? Is it the daughter of your guardian?"

"I like Utsumi, but the one I like the most is... different!"

What!?

Regulus, fidgeting and blushing, was moving his body around, which made me flustered.

He's only three!

As I opened my mouth in shock, the princess leaned in with shining eyes.

When Regulus was asked who it was, he put his hands on his cheeks and said shyly,

"Aniue! The one I like the most is Aniue!"

Ah, I see.

Regulus, who had shouted it, was very embarrassed, covering his face with his hands and letting out a cute "Kyaa!" But the princess, who had heard it, was speechless.

Yeah, it's nice. The princess's face was so funny, my abs were trembling. I shouldn't laugh, but I can't help it.

"Well, that's that. A child's love is too early."

The princess's regretful voice was the final blow, and my abs died.

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