V2C27

Parsed with an automated reader. The content accuracy is not guranteed.

‘I was just admiring them, I don’t

think cute things suit me though,’ Matilda said, slightly uncomfortable that

she was exposed.

‘Don’t be silly, cute things would

absolutely suit you.’

‘Yes, let’s try it.’ Another person

said

‘Oh no, let’s not!’ she said, she

became flustered. (Zuben: You’re the future queen right?)

‘There is a distance between what

you like and what you actually have, it’s dark.’

Julia, the chief of staff, clapped

her hands loudly, ‘Everyone! We have lost track of what we’re doing.’

They all quieted down.

‘Let’s put down what we have

discussed so far. We will note the things that Princess Matilda is interested

in pursuing and leave the rest to his Majesty. Agata, please take notes,’

She did not like flamboyant

clothes. She did like cute things like small accessories.

She was interested in Barenshiaga

handicraft industry and other speciality craft.

She was interested in post war

redevelopment, education, service and welfare.

She was interested in maintaining

the forests, and restoring the balance. The spirits of the forest have been

damaged during the war, and the natural habitats of the animals have been

damaged as well.

She liked fencing but she had been

out of practice since she came to Barenshiaga.

(Zuben: In other words, boring. There

were more ‘I am interested’ in but they weren’t important to the plot so I

didn’t bother)

There were parts she would like to

refute, was it okay to behave like that as an Empress?

She doubted it.

Although they are her words, the

impression was different from what she had in mind.

‘That is all for now, we will

discuss it with the emperor and reconvene in seven days. For now, I would like

the Princess to start practising Barenshiaga etiquette, dance, and musical

history. I will invite a teacher. But most importantly, we need you practising

for the wedding dance.’

‘Very good,’ Matilda said, ‘Let us

all practise together since we have a teacher,’ She didn’t want to be the only

one being watched while she was learning. It would be too embarrassing. (Zuben:

People would be watching just you at the wedding)

Julia sighed and said, ‘Agata, add

very shy and possibly bad at dancing,’

So mean.

‘Matilda-sama, I have a

proposition.’

‘Matilda, you’re too cute!’ Paola

said (Zuben: Does this character have nothing else to add? Then shut her up.)

No, she was the cute one, she

thought as she regarded Paola in her uniform. It was dark blue with a plain

white apron. It was rather practical, no cute embellishments.

‘Julia, can’t the maid uniform but

more…cute?’ (Zuben: She’s going to be one of those kinda characters huh;

everything motto kawaii! Motto!! Motto!!!)

‘Eh…?

‘Everyone is quite beautiful,

whether they are chief or servant. So why don’t we change the uniform just a

little bit. A little more lace, some silk piping here and there and a few

appliqués.’ She said with mounting excitement (Zuben: This aint what this forum

is for Matilda)

She like making cute people cuter,

cuter than she could ever be.

‘…I’ll think about it.’ Julia said

‘Me too!’ Clara, whose parents were

fabric traders, spoke up.

The other maids and ladies whose

hobbies were sewing and embroidery raised their hands with interest.

Watching everyone excitement,

Leandroth was not an enemy, she thought. (Zuben: ¬.¬)

With this seemingly simple

luncheon, he’d helped her bridge the gap between her, her ladies and maids.

She realised and admitted that he

was a good person. (Zuben: Just now?!)

It was difficult for her to have

self confidence and express herself honestly.

To be honest, difficult was not it,

it was possible but she was reluctant (Zuben: You were a Prime Minister, right

or was that for show?)

Because she did not like herself,

she did not have any confidence in herself. It seemed like Leandroth was trying

to untangle the mess that was Matilda, taking the circuitous route to her

heart, by making her look at the world around her and seeing that people cared

about her; making her see that he had confidence in her, if she didn’t in

herself.

She knew she did not know how to

receive love.

The basket that was her heart was

too small, to rough. Leandroth was trying to reshape it.

The glass that was her heart had

been broken a long time ago. (Zuben: So many metaphors. Similes?)

But he wanted to learn how to take

care of it.

She should also learn.

She was sure she was not going to

change easily, but she was conscious of her growing desire to change.

Even if it is difficult to change

the size of the basket, she wanted to face Leandroth and try whole-heartedly.

Although her confidence appeared

and disappeared like ripples on a lake, she wanted to be conscious and aware

(Zuben: My three translating software and I may have lost the plot again!)

Matilda looked up from her thoughts

at her ladies-in waiting and maids, smiled and said, ‘I shall be relying on you

from now on.’

Tomorrow, will speak to Grandfather

Bell about her epiphany.

Tonight, she will speak to Leann.

He would stroke her head and caress

her cheek,

‘Yes,’ everyone replied.

Somehow, she got very emotional and

tears filled her eyes. Julia came over and hugged her.

Even when she was happy, she cried.

It was a very happy thing.

After the luncheon, Matilda headed

to Leandroth’s office.

On her way, she met the snake: The

Deputy Secretary of the Deputy Prime Minister, Earl Pikers.

There were two positions under the

directive of the Chief Executive Office. The Prime Minister oversees the

Minister and the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Education.

It was almost the same title but in

practice the secretary of the Ministry of Reconstruction had more power.

(Zuben: Why the hell is that so?)

The knights walked ahead of them

and waited a polite distance away.

She wanted to sigh; she didn’t know

if she’d be polite.

If he was so free, he should at

least be working harder.

His eyes widened as he saw her, ‘Are

you going to sell the flames to his Majesty?’ he said, his tone rather oily. He

had a sarcastic smile.

What a horrible man, she thought,

he took pleasure in exposing negative emotions and defeating others. He had

such a shallow face he could not suppress his impulse.

She remembered what Leandroth said,

one could not talk to the royal family without permission, even if you were a

high ranking official. If Matilda wanted she could get him beheaded, but that

was too savage.

Benaza, one of the

ladies-in-waiting who had accompanied her, glared at his impertinence, ‘This fool,

how dare you!’

This person, because he was an

official, he did what he wanted or said what he wanted directly. He did not

seem to understand people were watching him, he did not understand the hearts

of the people in the palace. (Zuben: what are they going to do?)

‘Someone is really stupid,’ Matilda

said quietly like an aside but loud enough to hear, ‘If you want to bribe,

bribe in moderation; if you want to consolidate power, do it let openly. Do not

over extend the Treasury. But here you are playing happily, thinking his

Majesty is a puppet.’

‘Even if you

didn’t make a mistake, His Majesty has noticed your slow siphon. The Emperor is

being frugal, but you still have comment.’

‘What…?’ the Knight that

accompanied the Earl roared. The Earl raised his hand, the knight backed down.

‘I’m sure you don’t have strong

evidence. But, you need to be prepared, even if you take office, I would not

let you gain power.’

‘I will make sure you live isolated

in this palace. How much of that can you tolerate?’

‘You must be joking.’

Matilda thought about what she and

Marquis Bellmud had discussed,

‘If you make a move, it would give

his Majesty an opportunity to crush you. You are mistaking a wolf that hides

his fangs for a puppy. Continue to do so, you will reap the consequences.’

With that, Matilda went past him.

She told Leandroth of the incident

when she got to his office, he gave a wry smile,

‘The documents you have to deal

with have increased because the officials supposed to be working on them have

been pressing them on you.’

‘You understand very well.’

‘It was mixed in with documents

that are for your attention.’

‘Yes. Although, I hated it, I have

kept my power by being able to complete the work without much fuss. It

certainly is harassment.’ (Zuben: How old are these people, twelve?)

‘Do you not have many peers you can

use?’

‘No really. It seems many of the

peers want to be tied up long winded deals. The only thing to do is to build a

system that diminishes the power of the Ministry of Reconstruction.’

It seems like it would be

difficult.

‘Why do you seem so calm?’ she

asked

‘Because, I’m wondering how long I

need to keep letting him breathe.’

That was rather evil.

‘With the Prime Minister retiring

because of illness, I may have to promote the Deputy Prime Minister, the

Marquis of Yangas, into his place. And then, appoint the Marquis of Casenas to

the Deputy position. But Pikers’ bribery is widespread. I want someone who can

find true evidence, so that we can clear him aside and begin true rebuilding of

the country.’

‘Are you sure you want to instate

these people?’ she asked as she tilted her head watching him. He really was a

wolf hiding his fangs. Though, she had said it herself, to her, he was always

like a gigantic affectionate dog; innocent and amusing. (Zuben: Why do you

behave like you lose your brain everything other day then?)

‘At some point, they may you. Aren’t

there more trustworthy candidates?’

‘Betrayal is a good starting point

for evidence against one’s enemies. Besides, we don’t whole heartedly trust

everyone, do we?’ Lean asked rhetorically as he laughed.

The laughter was hollow, and

lonely.

She felt a pain in her chest

looking at him, she reached for him,

‘Leann,’ she began wondering what

to say, when there was a loud knock on the door.

‘Your Majesty! The Prime Minister!

He’s dying!’

The Marquis of Bellmud?!

Zuben: Yay! I sorta figured it out. Enjoy.