Chapter 71

Jeffrey and I gradually began to receive invitations from the nobility.

If we suddenly expanded our social circle, it would raise unnecessary suspicions, like, "Was it all a lie that I was often sick and bedridden before?"

So, we took it step by step.

Thanks to this, I start with the excuse, "My health has improved since I returned," whenever I accept an invitation. I don't care whether they believe it or not; there's no point in worrying about it.

The information that "Viscount Asher is the Crown Prince's favorite and the Deputy Minister of Military Affairs, and Viscountess Asher is the Crown Princess's favorite" seems to be very appealing to the nobility.

We attend tea parties or evening gatherings once a week, yet we still can't keep up with all the invitations.

It's the same for Nonna.

"Nonna, are you really going to all the tea parties you've been invited to?"

"Yes, I am. Lord Clark says, 'I think it's better to have more acquaintances among the nobility.'"

"If you're okay with it, that's fine, but are you not causing any trouble?"

"I'm not causing any trouble. Everyone is bowing and scraping to me."

"Bowing and scraping!"

"Don't worry, it's fine. I'm not getting carried away and acting superior. I'm behaving quietly, politely, and kindly."

Well, I think that's true. This girl can act like a proper young lady when she wants to.

Until we returned to this country, I couldn't let Nonna have many friends, so if she wants to broaden her social circle with Lord Clark, I have no complaints.

"Viscountess Asher, recently, a group has formed around Nonna. Did you know?"

"What do you mean by a group, Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth put down her teacup, which she had been sipping elegantly. Elizabeth has grown taller and more mature recently. She is a year older than Nonna, so she is thirteen, almost fourteen.

"At the last tea party, a young nobleman from a certain earl's family proudly showed off his darts skills, which are currently in vogue."

"Oh..."

I could see where this was going. Nonna looked away from me, looking uncomfortable.

"Sure enough, the young nobleman was good, as he boasted. While everyone was clapping and cheering, Nonna alone didn't clap and looked unimpressed. The young nobleman must have been annoyed and said, 'Do you want to try?'"

"Elizabeth, that's enough of that story."

"Oh, Nonna. Isn't the best part coming up?"

"I want to hear the rest, Elizabeth."

From there, it was as expected.

Nonna, being immature, or rather, still a child, apparently won the darts game by a landslide.

Many other young noblemen and noblewomen challenged Nonna, but the outcome was predictable.

She has been playing target practice with stones since she was little and started throwing knives around the age of ten. Compared to someone who just started playing such games recently, her experience level is different, so winning is natural.

"It was just a bit of luck, hehe."

"Yes, just a bit of luck."

Despite always telling her not to show her hand so easily.

"I didn't expect such a fuss over something so trivial. Then, a darts club formed around me. It's too late to back out now. Hehe."

"Is it okay? Playing darts?"

"Is it okay?"

"Sure, darts are fine."

I subtly added, "You're not showing them knife throwing, are you?" Nonna nodded slightly, so I think she understood.

"Teacher, Nonna may speak like this in front of you, but she practices proper ladylike manners outside. She's doing very well."

"Lord Clark, thank you. I feel reassured when she's with you."

"I was drilled in manners by my mother, but Nonna picks things up so quickly, I'm always impressed."

Lord Clark continues to escort Nonna, which is very helpful. When she's with Lord Clark, Nonna looks her age and seems to be having a good time. Lately, I think, "They will probably get engaged."

We haven't formally engaged yet, but Lady Eva said, "If it's Nonna, our family will welcome her anytime. My husband is also pleased."

Lady Delphine and I meet every ten days.

It's a Randall language lesson, but since she can already converse to some extent, we are now practicing conversations with commonly used phrases and proverbs in Randall.

"It's so much fun. I've never had such an enjoyable language lesson. I want to try the elegant bargaining technique in a shop."

"No, Lady Delphine, if you do that, I'll be scolded. Please enjoy it only here."

"Oh, the Crown Prince is a broad-minded person. He won't scold you."

However, Crown Prince Conrad, in a creepy way, doesn't make any contact with me at all.

Even though he knows I was his shadow, he doesn't say a word about my past.

I think he has a good idea that I was the one behind the scandal at the evening party when I first arrived in this country.

Jeffrey says, "Maybe he doesn't say anything because he doesn't want to upset you?"

But it's questionable to be a viscount who makes the Crown Prince worry.

I'm putting Edward on hold.

As long as he doesn't say anything, I don't want to stir up trouble.

Since he values Jeffrey, as long as I don't harm Jeffrey, I won't be excluded. I'm optimistic about this. It's pointless to fear something that may or may not happen.

◇ ◇ ◇

At the North Tower of the royal castle, in the Department of Institutional Maintenance and Management, Dr. Ul and Edward Asher, who is in charge of the Third Knights, are talking.

"Dr. Ul, is it true you're returning to Shen?"

"Yes, Director Edward. My parents are getting old, so I want to go back and make them feel at ease. My wife and son are willing to live in Shen."

"I see, I'll miss you. Have you arranged a successor?"

"Of course. I asked my cousin a while ago, and he said he would work here for ten years. He's an excellent man, so I don't think you'll be disappointed."

"That's a relief."

Dr. Ul then looked a bit troubled.

"However, a young man named Ilkar will come with him. I'm not sure where to house him. Director, do you know of any good rental rooms?"

"Who is Ilkar?"

"He's the son of a large family that manufactures and sells medicines. He was close to Nonna, I think."

"Nonna and Ilkar?"

"Yes. He wanted to travel the world, but his parents opposed it. He was told he could come to Ashbury. The Asher family must have made a good impression on him."

"Oh, the son of the family that took care of my brothers."

"Yes, that's right."

"Then, we'll take Ilkar into our home."

"Is that okay? That's a great relief. Thank you."

"Since Nonna came back, our home has been like a fire that's gone out. My wife and mother are lonely. It's perfect."

"Thank you. He's also skilled in Shen martial arts, so you can use him as a guard. Ah, don't put him in the Third Knights, though."

"I understand. I won't do that."

◇ ◇ ◇

"Mom, I'm going to a tea party."

"Have a good time."

"What about you? What are you going to do today?"

"I plan to shear the sheep. I'll shear them with Mr. Miles, and when we have enough wool, I'll spin it into yarn and dye it with the women. One of the women knows how to dye beautifully with tree bark and flower petals."

"Mom, you have such a fun life. I enjoyed both Shen and the Kingdom of Randall, but I like Ashbury the most."

"Me too."

My current favorite activity is planning to dye the yarn the color of Jeff's eyes and knit him a sweater.

"Let's have a good day and laugh a lot."

"Sure! I'm off to the tea party!"

Lord Clark's carriage arrived. Nonna ran to the carriage at an unladylike speed.

"Anna, I'm leaving too."

"Have a good day. I'll be waiting for you."

"Thanks. I'll try to come back as soon as possible."

Jeff kissed my cheek and left. He looks busy as the Deputy Minister of Military Affairs.

"Shall we go to the sheep farm? I'll leave the house to you."

"Madam, have a good day."

When I left the Kingdom of Haggle, I intended to live freely without being bound by anyone.

But after meeting Nonna, Jeff, Yolana, Bernard, Eva, and Zahar, I have settled down in this country.

I even ended up having connections with the royal family.

It's a life I never imagined when I left Haggle.

Even now, it's a somewhat unusual life, but my days with my family are fulfilling.

I am ready to use any card to protect my family without hesitation.

Thank you for reading this far. This concludes Chapter 2.

I plan to take a break and then update the next part.

With Il coming, I have a feeling something will happen.