Chapter 20

Starting from this time, it's the three-year-old chapter!

It has been three years since I was born.

Although my pronunciation is still a bit clumsy, I think I can speak quite a few words now.

"Da-ou! Let's go to the library. Take me there."

"Bau!"

As usual, after waking up, I ride Da-ou to head to the library.

Since I turned three, I am now allowed to go outside my room by myself.

I can walk on my own since I am a proper three-year-old, but our house is very large.

It's faster to ride on Da-ou's back.

While riding Da-ou, I pet his head.

"Da-ou, you've grown so much."

"Wafu"

Da-ou wagged his tail proudly.

When we first met, Da-ou was not much bigger than me.

In fact, he was even smaller.

But now, if Da-ou stands on his hind legs, he is taller than Father.

As we were walking towards the library, I met my older sister, Lydia.

Sister is eleven years old. She has been growing taller and becoming more beautiful and adorable recently.

I am very proud of my sister.

"Oh, Luria. Where are you going on Da-ou? You're not planning to go outside, are you?"

"Not outside! To the library!"

The other day, when I tried to go outside on Da-ou, I was scolded severely.

Mother said everyone is worried because we were attacked when I was just born.

So, I don't go outside without permission.

"Do you want to go to the library? ...But Luria can't read, right?"

"......I can read a little."

Sister always hits the sore spot.

In my previous life, I was treated like livestock from the age of five, so I only received proper education until I was five.

I can read picture books, but not difficult books.

"Well, I'll read for you."

"Thank you! Sister!" "Wafu"

We head to the library together.

"So, Luria, what kind of book do you want to read?"

"Goats! A book about goats."

"Goats?"

"Yes! When I grow up, I want to live with goats."

"Is that so... I hope you can live with them."

"Yep!"

When we arrived at the library, Sister looked for a book about goats for me.

"There isn't one... "

"None?"

"But there is an animal encyclopedia. How about this?"

"Read it!"

Sister sat in front of a large bookstand with the encyclopedia on it.

I sat on Sister's lap, and we read together.

"Sister, what does it say here?"

"Let's see, it says 'Order: Carnivora, Family: Felidae, Genus: Panthera.'"

"That's too difficult. Read it!"

"Okay. The main habitat is—"

While Sister reads the book for me, I try my best to learn the words.

The amount of information I can get changes drastically depending on whether I can read or not.

"Wafu"

Da-ou was also reading the encyclopedia with a serious expression.

Even though Sister is busy, she spent an hour with me.

"Thank you! Sister. I learned a lot!"

"I'm glad. If you want to read more books, just let me know. Cute Luria."

While riding on Da-ou and holding hands with Sister, we met someone.

"Oh, Luria. You look cute today."

"Brother!"

Brother Gilbert is thirteen years old. He still has some childishness, but he is starting to look more like Father.

Sister is going to learn etiquette and manners, while Brother is going to practice swordsmanship in the courtyard.

Swordsmanship training seems more interesting than etiquette and manners.

Moreover, even as a royal, or rather because we are royals, we must be able to protect ourselves.

It would be beneficial to know what happens during swordsmanship training.

"Brother, I want to watch!"

"Watch the swordsmanship training?"

"Yes!"

Until now, I haven't been allowed to go outside or to the courtyard.

Father is overly protective.

But I am three years old now.

Even if I can't go outside, I should be allowed to go to the courtyard.

That's what I thought.

"Hmm. Luria is three years old now."

"Yes!"

"That's true... If the teacher allows it, it's fine."

"Thank you!" "Wafu"

"But if the teacher says no, you have to give up."

"Understood!" "Wafu"

Da-ou also seems happy.

After parting ways with Sister, I head to the courtyard with Brother.

We get permission from the swordsmanship teacher, and Da-ou and I enter the courtyard.

As expected, this is the courtyard of Father's mansion.

"It's so wide."

It feels much wider than when I peeked from inside.

Looking up, I can see the blue sky. The spring breeze feels nice.

I take a deep breath.

How long has it been since I last breathed the fresh outdoor air so comfortably?

In my previous life, I was usually locked in a livestock shed and put in a small box when I went outside.

Once I arrived, I was forced to use magic with a slave collar.

I never felt the sunlight or the pleasant outdoor breeze.

"Huu, haa" "Waa, huu"

I breathe deeply with Da-ou.

"Luria, do you like being outside?"

"It feels good! Brother."

"I see, that's good. Luria, I'm going to do some intense swordsmanship training, so don't come close."

"Understood! I won't come close to Brother!"

"Good. Luria is a good girl."

Brother patted my head. Da-ou also got a pat and wagged his tail.

I lie down on the ground with Da-ou as a pillow and watch Brother.

Brother is practicing with a wooden sword very diligently.

"Muu"

Maybe I should also learn swordsmanship.

There are dangerous people among humans.

The more self-defense skills I have, the better.

"I'll ask Father later."

While muttering this, I watch Brother absentmindedly.

The cool ground feels nice.

......

"Whoa, Luria! Are you okay?"

"Huh? What's wrong, Brother?"

I wake up to Brother's worried voice.

It seems I fell asleep because the sunlight felt so good.

"What's this?"

There were many birds around me.

Eagles, hawks, owls, doves, sparrows, and parrots.

Small birds were on my stomach, and large birds were quietly by my side.

"What's wrong? Did you come to play?"

I pet a nearby bird casually.

The birds don't fly away and let me pet them.

"Kuru~"

So cute.

Brother, who rushed over, seems to have realized there was no emergency when he saw me petting the birds.

"Are you okay, Luria?"

He asks, a bit calmer.

"I'm fine. They're all good."

They must have come to keep me warm so I wouldn't get cold while sleeping.

Many animals are kind.

"It looked like a bird funeral in the East, and Brother was very surprised."

"Brother, you worry too much. Huh?"

"Kyu~"

There were not only birds but also other animals. What is this?

It looks like a prairie dog, but it's big.

"It's a prairie dog... Why is it in the courtyard..."

Brother is speechless when he sees the animal.

"Kyu?"

"The courtyard has many animals, and I like it! I'm happy!"

"R-Really? If Luria is happy, I'm happy too."

Brother's face is a bit tense.

◇◇◇◇

The birds that surrounded Luria in the courtyard, like Da-ou, are guardian beasts that protect spirits.

The guardian beasts started gathering at Luria's mansion right after she was born.

However, they couldn't enter the mansion, and Luria never went outside.

So, they had been waiting all this time.

It was unusual for Da-ou to sneak in, bypassing the mansion's security.

"Kuru~"

The guardian beast dove, feeling very happy to be petted by Luria.

To the guardian beasts, Luria is like a dog or a cat to humans.

She is cute, and just being near her makes them happy.

Her scent is soothing, and they are delighted when she shows affection.

That's why, every day, the guardian beasts gathered around the mansion, hoping to see Luria.

Incidentally, the prairie dog dug a hole under the mansion to reach the courtyard.

◇◇◇◇