Chapter 68

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The capital of the Qifeng Empire is warm, and it never snows even in winter. However, in Kikunoi, which is a ten-day carriage ride away, it always snows in winter.

I don’t remember that.

One day, as the days grew shorter and the year's end approached, the first snow of the winter fell in Kikunoi.

When I woke up and opened the curtains, it seemed to have fallen quietly during the night. The garden trees and the entrance porch were all white.

It was unusually cold.

Unable to bear the cool air creeping up from my toes, I tried to rush back to bed, but then I heard the sound of footsteps running from a distance and Utsunomiya-san's scream: "Lord Regulus! You forgot your pants! Stop! Stop!"

The door to the room was then opened forcefully, and Regulus, who looked like he was wearing a shirt dress, appeared.

"Big brother! The outside is white!"

"Good morning, Regulus."

"Oh, good morning!"

"The outside is white because it snowed. Put on your pants, have breakfast, and then let's go see it, okay?"

"Okay! Utsunomiya, put on pants!"

After a polite morning greeting, he went back the way he came, and halfway through, I heard Utsunomiya-san's scolding: "Lord Regulus, please put on your pants before moving. Got it!"

If I can hear this, Rottemeyer-san can probably hear it too. Utsunomiya-san might be called in later.

It has been about a month since the audience.

The new year is approaching, and everyone seems busy, but my surroundings have also become busier.

Elise's embroidery has reached a sellable level, and we have already made a few items together.

The curry powder merchant who I met when I bought spices in the capital has come to Kikunoi.

Thanks to Lala-san and Professor Romanov wearing the neck warmers around town, we received an application for handling from Roland of the Adventurers' Guild.

I have also improved in my magic studies, and I can now successfully switch on and off the enchantment magic, so I am selling the enchanted items at a slightly higher price and the non-enchanted items at a reasonable price.

By the way, from Lala-san, I received leftover silk wool yarn, and from Professor Romanov, I received leftover velvet fabric and black fox fur from the elves' village and the far north, which I used to make a poncho and arm warmers for Viktor-san. I also received leftover nightlight stone beads as a bonus.

Perhaps I could also consider a system where I receive materials from other customers and offer a discount.

While lost in thought, my body moved on its own, and I finished getting ready.

The pants are quite loose.

Yes, I started dieting and my body has become about half as thick.

I'm almost at a standard size.

I've grown taller too, but why did Regulus cry and say, "Lala-sensei, you lied!" when he pinched my abs the other day?

Anyway, the loose pants became a nice wide pant when I tightened the waist. Maybe I'll add embroidery to the hem next time.

While thinking about this, I went to the dining room, where Professor Romanov, Viktor-san, and Lala-san were already there. When I sat down, Regulus, led by Utsunomiya-san, came in late.

Not only at breakfast, but also at lunch and dinner, the dining table has become much livelier.

Although Rottemeyer-san and Utsunomiya-san still eat separately because they are servants, they join us twice a week for etiquette lessons, and other people and Sō-kun also participate, making for a lively meal.

By the way, we continue to follow the "mago-wa-yasashii" diet, but Lala-san advised, "Since they are growing, a little more meat is okay," so we are increasing the meat a bit.

When Regulus first came here, he couldn't eat properly by himself, but now he can skillfully use children's cutlery and chopsticks.

"Yesterday, it snowed quite a bit, didn't it?"

"Since I lived in the capital for a long time, it's been a while since I saw snow accumulate."

"I was on the border with Lumarne until I decided to go see Marie, so it feels like old times."

Lumarne is a northern country that is a vassal state of the empire and has a king. Its culture is more western than the empire.

It is a heavy snowfall area where it snows for two-thirds of the year.

"Hey, big brother, what is snow?"

"Well, it's white and cold... ice crystals?"

"Ice crystals? Cold...?"

"Yes, it's cold. Try touching it later."

With sparkling eyes, the chick nodded. However, Regulus wasn't the only one interested in the snow.

"I came to play because it snowed!"

With a red nose, Sō-kun came to invite us just as Regulus was about to rush outside after breakfast. He was wearing winter boots, a sweater, a poncho, a neck warmer, gloves, a hat, and ear muffs, all enchanted with "Ice Resistance" and "Cold Protection."

Literally fully equipped, Regulus stepped on the snow-covered ground, and each step made a crunching sound as the ice crystals were crushed. Finding this fun, he repeatedly stomped his feet and then tried to grab the snow with his gloves. However, Regulus looked puzzled and froze.

"What's wrong, chick?"

"Chick?" I wondered, but Sō-kun explained, "Because he's still a chick."

I see, I nodded, and then Regulus finally spoke.

"It's not cold!?"

"It's because you're wearing gloves."

"Is that so?"

"Regulus, try taking off your gloves and touching it."

"Okay!"

With a good answer, he took off his gloves and put them in his pocket, then plunged both hands into the snow. He jumped up with a "Pye!" and touched his cheeks.

"It's cold! My hands are cold, big brother!"

"It was cold, wasn't it? That's snow."

"Snow is cold! It's fun!"

"That's great, I'm glad."

The extreme cold seemed to touch Regulus's heart, and he laughed brightly.

"Chick, did you understand the coldness of the snow?"

"Yes, I understood!"

"Then let's have a snowball fight!"

Raising his arms, he shouted "Oh!"—not just the children, but even the three elves joined in.

They threw snowballs at each other and made snowmen when they got tired.

By the time the three adults were covered in snow, Utsunomiya-san appeared with a towel and gently took my arm.

When we moved a little away from everyone, he whispered.

"Sir, I have a request."

"Yes, what is it?"

"Well... about the New Year's party and the birthday gift."

"Hmm, the New Year's party and the birthday gift...?"

"Yes. Since Lord Regulus is in mourning, it's understandable if he can't attend the New Year's party. But birthdays only come once a year, so... I want to celebrate it..."

Wait a moment.

I think I just heard important information.

It's more important than the New Year's party.

I was surprised by Utsunomiya-san's fidgeting.

"Wait, Utsunomiya-san. Is Regulus born in the first month?"

"Huh? No, in the second month..."

"Hmm? So his birthday is in the second month...?"

What's going on?

When I tilted my head, Utsunomiya-san's face changed.

Then, with a look of disbelief, he grabbed my shoulder.

"Sir, you still have some happy memories from before you were ill, right?"

"Yes, like seeing beautiful embroidery or flowers..."

"Birthdays...?"

"Come to think of it... no, I don't remember."

When I laughed, Utsunomiya-san screamed, "Rottemeyer-san!?"

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