The next day after lunch, Cordelia called Lara to her room.
“I want to make some sachets. Could you help me?”
“I heard about it from Ronnie. I’m confident in sewing, so I might be better than you, Ojou-sama.”
“That’s reliable.”
Cordelia looked at Lara, who was teasing her, and thought, this part of her is just like Ronnie. Lara usually does the retorting, but the master and student are really alike. She began explaining the sample sachet bag in her hand to Lara.
The bag they were going to make was small enough to fit in the palm of a hand. The centre of the bag would be decorated with thin lacy material to easily allow the aroma to penetrate out. The bags were small, so they would all be made from scraps of cloth. Thanks to that, she could make bags in different colours.
“I don’t know. I think it’s pretty cute.”
“Isn’t it fine? I like it too.”
Cordelia smiled when Lara spoke without hesitation.
“Then, I’ll give you this. This is the first one I made.”
Cordelia was happy that she’d received a frank reply, and instead of being told she’d done well, and pushed the sachet onto Lara.
“Eh, but…”
“I wonder if it’ll become rubbish.”
“It won’t!”
“Then, take it.”
“… Thanks.”
Cordelia slowly took her hands off Lara after she’d heard that.
“Ronnie told me that you’re giving these as gifts when you go to the poorhouse.”
“Yes. I’m thinking of using chamomile and lavender. I’ll mix some flowers to increase the volume and drip some essential oil onto it to make the smell stronger. I don’t think it’ll be a pain to dispose of, even if they don’t want it.”
“I don’t think you have to worry about that… Now, let’s get started!”
Lara said, as she quickly arranged the sewing tools onto the table, and the two started working on the sachets.
Like Lara had said, she had a knack for sewing. She was accurate while cutting up the cloth and sewing them together. She was also very fast.
“Were you always good at sewing, Lara?”
“No, I just learnt it from Aisha-sensei.”
“Really? You look like you’re really used to this.”
“I do? But you’re also good at this, Ojou-sama.”
“Thanks. By the way, how is the progress with the writing tools I asked for?”
“The graphite crumbles if I cut the wooden part. But I’ve been talking with the Onee-sama’s from the magician’s wing, and it’s getting a lot better.”
“That’s good, thanks.”
“Tell me that after it’s done.”
“I will. I’m looking forward to the results.”
Cordelia could tell that the person in question wasn’t satisfied with the current results because she was pouting. Lara was very reliable.
After that, they silently focused on their work, and then Lara whispered when they had nearly completed all the sachets.
“But a poorhouse? Please tell me what kind of place it is when you get back.”
“Alright.”
Lara might also be concerned about a place like the poorhouse because of her origins. However, Lara declared firmly.
“In exchange, I’ll finish the watering and maintenance in the greenhouse while you’re away!”
She really is very reliable.
Cordelia laughed, and Lara laughed back. Then, Lara quickly pulled Cordelia’s hand.
“Here, this is for you.”
And, the thing that was given to Cordelia was a sachet. The sachet looked almost identical to the ones that they had just sewn, but Cordelia’s name and a bluebird were embroidered at the edge of the bag.
“Aisha-sensei taught me that bluebirds are a symbol of good luck. I wish Ojou-sama good luck on the road you walk.”
It was a pompous remark, but her true feelings were properly conveyed by her careful embroidery.
Five days later.
Cordelia revisited the Witch’s house with Ronnie. The day that Cordelia was making sachets with Lara, Ronnie went to the Witch to tell her that they wanted to go with her to Oulu Village. And then, the appointed time that she had given was today, but they were leaving the Royal Capital at a later time. It was still early in the morning at that time.
Cordelia had arrived that early because the Witch had invited her to bake muffins with her.
(I think she was just joking… But I’m looking forward to it.)
She was surprised that the Witch had been serious when she had invited Cordelia to make sweets with her last time, but she had no reason to refuse the invitation, since the Witch was going to teach her how to make the muffins that she had wanted to learn how to make.
Gille and Vernoux will also be accompanying them to Oulu Village, but they will be arriving at the last minute. Incidentally, Ronnie volunteered to tend to the shop and wouldn’t be making muffins.
“Well, let’s start.”
“Okay.”
Cordelia agreed with the smiling Witch even though she was a little nervous.
“First, let’s make the custard cream. Have you ever cracked an egg before, Dilly-chan? You need to separate the yolk from the white. Can you do that?”
“Yes. I can.”
“Then, that’s good.”
I haven’t cracked an egg in this world, but I have in my previous life. That experience doesn’t change the fact that I know how to do it ――― Cordelia made excuses in her mind._ By the way, I separated the egg yolk and whites in my previous life to use it on tsukune, but it doesn’t matter now since it doesn’t have anything to do with sweets. But I think my nervousness would be eased somewhat if my experience was from making sweets._
Enough of that. The Witch stared at Cordelia in admiration, and Cordelia felt, once again, that she knew that Cordelia was a noble. The only people who haven’t cracked eggs at this age are nobles or children who don’t help out at home.
(She also told me that she knew that Vernoux-sama is a noble, so it would only be natural for her to assume that I, his friend, am a noble too...)
Cordelia hadn’t seen her, 『I don’t like noble’s attitude』 so she didn’t know, but it was a little strange.
(Maybe an arrogant noble said some foolish things to Sensei.)
If that did happen, then I think it’s unforgivable. Although this hasn’t been established, nobles aren’t people who should lord over others. I strongly resented nobles who acted like that.
However, it would have a bad influence on the muffin if I continue to be angry at something like this, so I decided not to think about it any further.
“To make custard cream, you have to mix flour, sugar and egg yolks in a bowl. Yes, like that… Then I’ll pour the milk in. This milk is warm, but you can’t use boiled milk.”
Cordelia mixed the contents of the bowl while listening to the Witch’s explanation. Then, she passed the bowl to the Witch when everything was mostly mixed together. The Witch received the bowl and poured the contents into a pot before putting it over a fire.
“From here on out, it’s a matter of taste. You just need to adjust how hard it gets… This time, it’s enough just to make it sloppy. It gets a little harder after it’s cooled down.”
“It smells delicious.”
“Doesn’t it just? I always want to eat it with my fingers. It tastes delicious if you spread it on bread too.”
In the meantime, the custard cream was done.
Next was the muffin dough. First, crack eggs into a bowl and mix it. Then, add sugar, butter and milk. Finally, sift the flour into the bowl, and then the preparations are done. Then, mix the custard cream into the dough until it is shaped like a muffin, and then pour it into the moulds. After that, put it into the oven to bake, and then the muffins are done.
(It was easier to make than I thought.)
I feel like I can make this now that I know the mixture. Cordelia got a little confident like this, and the Witch handed her a piece of paper.
“You can take this if you want. It’s today’s recipe.”
“Huh… Are you sure?”
“Yes. It’s not a secret, and you looked like you had a lot of fun making them.”
“Mm, I’m thrilled! The muffin I ate before was really delicious. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’m glad this made you happy. Well then, let’s wait for it to bake.”
The Witch said, as she urged Cordelia to sit down. This is the perfect time! She thought as she gave the Witch two paper bags.
“Mm, I made these. I thought they would make nice gifts if you don’t mind me taking them with me to the poorhouse.”
“This is… a really fragrant sachet. Did you make this, Dilly-chan?”
“Yes. I had help with the other half, but the blue bag contains lavender, and the red one contains chamomile potpourri. If I can’t bring them with me, then I was going to sell them at the market.”
The Witch listened to Cordelia as she picked up one of the bags.
“They’re well-made.”
“I tried my best.”
“I’m sure the girls will be thrilled. Thanks.”
When Cordelia was relieved that she’d taken the bags, the Witch took cups out from the cupboard.
“Let’s have tea while we wait.”
“Mm, if you don’t mind, shall I make the tea?”
“It’s okay. I may look like this, but I’m quite good at making tea.”
And as she began preparing, a smell that stimulated their appetites started drifting in the air.
Also, the muffins were done after a while, and Cordelia and the Witch tired the muffins in the name of sampling them. The cool muffins were delicious, but freshly baked muffins are also tasty. The Witch also gave Ronnie a muffin while she was at it, and he gave similar feedback.
When they finished eating muffins, they stuffed the rest into a basket to bring as gifts, and Vernoux and Gille came just as they were doing that. They were both out of breath.
“… Are you alright? You two?”
“Yeah. We just had a little bit of trouble.”
Are they alright or not? Which on earth is it?
However, Cordelia had a bad feeling, so she didn’t ask any further. She felt like she would be sticking her nose into others’ affairs if she asked. Let sleeping dogs lie. It was sometimes important to be the bona fide third person. And like Cordelia, Ronnie looked away.
“Then, shall we go?”
The Witch spoke in a carefree manner as she locked up the shop, then she locked the entrance and hung a sign saying that she would be absent.
There was a travelling coach near the Witch’s house which they could take to go to the village. There usually aren’t many customers riding the remodelled coaches, but they have been raising their profits by making purchases on behalf of the villages they visited and delivering the items there.
The coach slowly approached Oulu village while they were chatting.
There was a small stream at the entrance of Oulu Village. The village was adjacent to the forest, but the magic wasn’t as thick as the forest. Therefore, monsters didn’t appear much there, and they could maintain the village.
(But the magic here is still much stronger than the magic at the Royal Capital.)
They must harvest delicious vegetables and fruits, Cordelia thought as she followed the Witch and got off the carriage.
“Now, let’s go.”
The first place the Witch headed to was a building at the back of the village. Cordelia surveyed the village as they walked there. A moderate distance was maintained between the houses. Depending on the location, some houses had a field next to them, and some houses raised about two cows. Also, she saw scenes that she rarely had the chance to see in the Royal Capital, such as children playing on tree stumps and in sand, or middle-aged men carrying straw.
They arrived at their destination while she was observing her surroundings. The building is made from white stone, and, to put it nicely, it looks like it has a lot of history behind it. Frankly, it feels like an old church.
At the entrance of the building, there was a wooden signboard that indicated that it was the poorhouse.
Next to the poorhouse was a field full of fresh, green vegetables. Flowers and herbs were planted on the edges of the field for enjoyment, and there were children in straw hats plucking out weeds. There were several watering cans on the side of the well.
“Ah, it’s Witch-sensei!”
“Sensei, welcome!”
The children noticed the Witch and raised a cheerful voice. The Witch greeted, “Hello,” and waved her hands, then she headed straight into the building. Cordelia, Vernoux, Gille and Ronnie followed her.
The children who were inside the building were smaller than the ones outside. However, they reacted in the same way as the children outside.
“It’s Witch-sensei!”
“Sensei, welcome!”
The children, who spoke with more pronounced lisps than the ones outside, rushed towards the Witch… But they stopped right away. Probably because there were strangers behind the Witch… Probably because Cordelia, Vernoux, Gille and Ronnie were there.
The children kept their distance as they peeked at the strangers, and the rear door slowly opened.
And the woman who appeared was about the same height as the Witch.
“Oh my, you really brought people with you today, Green.”
“Hello, director. I put today’s snacks into this basket. And, as I’ve written in my letter, these four children are the ones who visit my shop at the Royal Capital and one of their brothers. I ended up inviting them here.”
“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen from the Royal Capital. We don’t have much, but please make yourselves at home.”
Cordelia and the others each returned the director’s welcome with a bow. Then, just when she was about to say her greetings, a child behind the director, who was hiding their face, suddenly shouted.
“Aah!! There’s a prince!”
The child’s voice resounded well throughout the room.
For a moment, silence reigned in the room as if time had stopped. Cordelia was surprised by that outrageous statement, and she moved unnaturally to follow the direction the child was pointing in.
The child’s finger was pointed at Vernoux.
As soon as Cordelia realised this, the children cheered, and they immediately surrounded Vernoux.
“Wow!! He’s really a prince!”
“Lookie, the picture book! You’re in here! The prince came out from the picture book!”
There was certainly a person who looked like Vernoux in the picture book that one of the children had quickly taken out from the bookshelf. The children were excited and shouted, “It’s the prince!”
(Vernoux-sama is the prince…?)
Now that someone mentions it, he certainly does have blonde hair and blue eyes… In other words, he does have the classic appearance of a prince.
But why?
That word doesn’t suit Vernoux-sama much. Is there a prince who would come to someone’s house to eat sweets every day? No, how could there be? The moment she thought that she wanted to burst out into laughter, but she tried her best not to. Gille, on the other hand, didn’t hold back and his shoulders were shaking as he laughed.
“We-well, you certainly look like a prince. Kuku… Are you going to be a prince today?”
“I『certainly』do not. Don’t laugh Gille! Ah… You know, I’m sorry, but I’m not the prince. And the prince of this kingdom has black hair. He doesn’t have blonde hair like in that picture book.”
After saying that to Gille, Vernoux told that to the children who were clinging to him.
But the children didn’t listen to him at all.
“Prince, let’s play tag! Let’s go to the garden!”
“I said, I’m not the prince…”
“That’s something a prince would say! Because you have to keep it a secret!”
“I’m not… Hey, don’t pull me!”
“Prince, let’s go to the garden. Quickly, hurry up!!”
“… Ok. I’ll go with you if you call me Vernoux instead of Prince.”
“Then, Vernoux. Let’s play tag! It’s so awesome to play tag with the prince!”
His request was also useless, and Vernoux was dragged outside by the children who thought he was a prince. Therefore, Vernoux was still screaming, “I’m not the prince,” as he was being dragged outside.
“Oh my, Vernoux-kun is very popular.”
Cordelia and Gille returned the same expression to the smiling Witch.
However, Cordelia wondered if the son of a Marquis would know how to play tag, but fortunately, he knew the rules.
“The prince is coming~!”
“Run away~!”
The cheerful screams allowed everyone to know the Vernoux was ‘it’, and it also conveyed that the children were so excited that they had forgotten about Vernoux’s request.
“I’m going to catch all those who call me Prince!”
Vernoux screamed back at the children and was just as lively as they were… Cordelia, who had been thinking, suddenly recalled that she hadn’t given a proper greeting to the director.
“I’m sorry for intruding on you. Please call me Dilly. It’s very nice to meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m sorry, the children are full of energy.”
The director said as she patted the little girl who was clinging to her leg. She wasn’t the child who had informed everyone that Vernoux was the prince.
The little girl looked ticklish and loosened up, then she stared at Cordelia.
“Onee-chan are you a princess?”
The words that fell from the little girl’s mouth had a bit of a lisp, but it sounded cute.
And the thing that she said was just as cute as her voice, but it was something that Cordelia hadn’t expected. Cordelia, who was about to freeze, slowly knelt and looked at the little girl.
“I’m Dilly. Witch-sensei is teaching me about herbs. What’s your name?”
“I’m Toto.”
“I see. That’s a cute name.”
Toto smiled at Cordelia's words. Then, she released herself from the director’s legs, moved to where Cordelia was and grasped both hands firmly.
“Mm, Dilly-chan. I want to become a princess. How do I become one?”
“Hmm… I’m not a princess either, so I don’t know how to become one.”
Toto heard Cordelia’s answer and looked disappointed. She must admire princesses a lot. However, Cordelia hadn’t lied. I wonder what’s wrong, Cordelia worried, but she heard something unexpected.
“All girls are princesses.”
That was, without a doubt, Gille’s voice.
After he uttered those words, he picked Toto up in a natural way.
“So, don’t look so sad.”
Toto looked surprised, but then she immediately smiled widely. Cordelia, on the other hand, was stunned. However, Gille maintained his natural appearance.
“Oh yes… princesses look good with a flower crown. I’m sure some white clovers are blooming outside.”
“Flower crown?”
“Yup. You put it on your head.”
Toto shrieked in joy at Gille’s words.
“Director, may I take this child outside?”
“Yes, of course. Gille-kun, please look after her.”
Gille bowed and carried Toto outside. Cordelia watched them walk off and finally realised that she had been left behind when she couldn’t see them anymore.
No, it’s okay. It’s fine, but Gille-sama showed an unexpected side to him just a moment ago. I thought he was a gentleman, but lines like that come naturally to him, then he might be a lady-killer… She couldn’t help but think that.
“Hey,” a rude voice called to her then.
When Cordelia turned towards the voice, she saw Mick, who had stolen her muffin the other day.
“Oh, it’s been a while.”
Mick raised his eyebrow even more at Cordelia’s reply.
“Why are you here?”
“Because I asked Sensei.”
Mick was projecting his discomfort out and was even unwilling to apologise the other day. But still, he did apologise… Or rather, Cordelia wasn’t angry and felt a bit sorry for him since he was scolded and had to apologise. Nonetheless, that doesn’t change Mick’s feelings.
“Did you come here to make fun of me?”
“I didn’t. I never even thought about making fun of you.”
“Then, what did you come here for? This isn’t a place for you to come.”
“Why can’t I come here?”
“Why…?”
Mick faltered because the director and the Witch were near them. However, Cordelia could also guess that he had gone too far to pull back.
(I wonder what’s wrong.)
She was worried for a moment, but then she suddenly thought of it. Oh yeah, I never introduced myself to him.
“Mick-kun, I’m Dilly. I’m sorry I couldn’t introduce myself last time.”
“I’m not interested in your name! Anyway, why aren’t you angry!?”
“Why aren’t I angry…? We’ve already settled it, haven’t we?”
Cordelia said, and Mick turned bright red. Then he snorted roughly and went to the back of the room. Apparently, he failed to choose his words or a topic.
“Oh my. Mick’s full of energy today too.”
The director spoke in a carefree manner, and Cordelia smiled ambiguously.
Honestly, I had expected that he wouldn’t welcome me. It would be difficult for him to welcome me if our meeting was unpleasant for him.
(But still, it feels bad if he steps into my space.)
But it’s a different story when it comes to worrying about it. I want to talk to him a little more.
(I don’t think Mick-kun is hung up about the muffin.)
If there’s a reason for this, then I want to know it. I’ll have to get involved with him a little more if I want to find the cause. If it’s because we’re incompatible, then that’s it, but if I had done something to offend him, then I have to correct that… Right now, I believe that I haven’t offended him. If I have, then it would only have been about the timing of my introduction…
“Don’t be offended. He’s just a little cautious.”
“I don’t mind, but Mick-kun…”
“He’s fine. I’m sure he actually wants to talk with you. However, he’s keeping his distance because he’s a bit sensitive to separation. He’s afraid of suddenly not being able to see someone again, so he keeps people away.”
“But he already thinks of this place as his home,” the director continued.
Cordelia was at a loss for words. That probably has to do with when he separated from his parents. But I don’t know which words are appropriate to say.
However, the director didn’t need Cordelia’s answer.
“But I hope that Mick can talk to a lot of people. Dilly, please talk to him if you don’t mind.”
“If you’re fine with me, then I’ll try to talk to him as much as I could.”
“Thanks.”
But if I say something that would make him angry like just now, then it would only widen the gap between us. Now then, how should I talk to him? Being impatient is taboo, but how can I get him to listen to me? She wondered, and the door opened vigorously. Cordelia and the director looked at the door in surprise, and they saw Toto clenching a handful of white clovers.
“Dilly-chan. Make me a flower crown.”
“Huh?”
“Sorry, Dilly. It was harder than I thought.”
Gille appeared after Toto. He was holding a flower crown, but it only looked like a flower crown and seemed like it would fall apart at any time. It would probably break apart as soon as someone wore it onto their head.
(Has Gille-sama ever made a flower crown before…?)
Nonetheless, it’s very skilful of him to be able to make a flower crown in such a short amount of time… But the flower crown the Gille-sama had given me wasn’t constructed like a flower crown.
Cordelia smiled as she looked at Toto’s eyes sparkle.
“Then, I’ll make you a beautiful flower crown.”
Cordelia declared before curtsying to the director and Witch, then she went outside with Gille and Toto.
This was also Cordelia’s first time making a flower crown in this world, so she carefully made it while tracing her memories. Gille staring at her hands also made her nervous.
She was able to complete the crown without losing to pressure. She also praised herself, I made it quite nicely, and Toto’s joy was dazzling. She even went to show it off to the other children who also wanted one. Thus, Cordelia continued to make some more flower crowns for the other children. Fortunately, Gille learnt how to make one just by watching her, so he helped make the other half.
While Cordelia and Gille made the flower crowns, girls older than Toto surrounded Cordelia and looked at her in curiosity.
“Hey, Dilly-chan. Does the Prince really go incognito? Can you meet him wherever he goes? We haven’t been to the Royal Capital before.”
I hope he doesn’t, and I would have to obtain information in advance so I can avoid him if he does… Cordelia resisted saying that. But even without Cordelia’s answer, the question was quickly brushed away by another girl.
“Argh, Lana you’re always like that! Say, is it true that in the Royal Capital there’s a crystal ball that allows you to go anywhere just by peeking at it? Can you do that if you get a job at the castle? Have you heard about this Dilly-chan?”
“Lana and Tina… look at reality. It’s impossible, isn’t it? The strange thing about the Royal Capital is that some shops stay open until the next day, right? I heard that people drink alcohol there.”
“Why are they opened until so late? The Royal Capital is such a mysterious place.”
“I don’t know, but there’s a lot of people there, and it’s definitely a great place! There are also chivalrous thieves ((like Robin Hood)), who throw money into the streets, right?”
“There isn’t. Chivalrous thieves are thieves. The knights in the Royal Capital are amazing, so the thieves would be caught even before they could steal money.”
Their conversations didn’t stop. Cordelia didn’t even have time to interject before the topic was changed again. They always had conversations like that.
(But the children’s stories are a mixture of fiction and reality.)
『A crystal ball that allows you to go anywhere』was a play performed in the Royal Capital. I don’t know how it’s related to a chivalrous thief, but I feel like the storyteller could have mentioned someone like that. If they’ve never been there, then everything is hearsay; so, they probably can’t judge what is fact and what is fiction.
“Dilly-chan?”
“Ah, sorry. What’s wrong?”
Toto called Cordelia, who was lost in the conversation.
“Dilly-chan, Toto also wants to hear about the Royal Capital. I read lots of picture books.”
“Toto-chan, can you already read?”
“I can. But not difficult ones. Amazing? Everyone has to learn how to read and write and make calculations before they graduate from here. Toto is doing her best too."
“That’s amazing.”
Toto crossed both hands embarrassingly and glanced at Cordelia when she heard Cordelia’s reply. Cordelia placed the flower crown she was making on her knee and patted Toto’s head.
“I’ll bring you a picture book next time.”
“You will? Dilly-chan’s? You’ll come again?”
“Yes.”
“Ok, I’ll be waiting for you!”
Toto nodded when she heard Cordelia’s answer and smiled widely. Cordelia looked at her and wondered what book she should bring.
(Should I bring a simple history picture book?)
As far as I can tell, Lana-chan and the others, who are older than Toto, seem interested in the Royal Capital. If Toto-chan will be like that someday as well, then it’s a good idea to teach her about simple history first. We should have a picture book about the founding of this kingdom at the Pameradia library.
(Picture books related to national holidays will be helpful too. Most of the events at the Royal Capital are closely related to the history of the kingdom.)
I’m sure some of the information would be useful to Toto-chan in the future. Even Lana-chan and the others might be able to understand the state of the Royal Capital better if they read those books.
(No, Lana-chan and the others might not be satisfied with picture books. I wonder if they’ll like historical drama books like the ones Onee-sama left in the library.)
I can probably take out the books that Onee-sama left behind in the library if I get Otou-sama’s permission. Honestly, they should choose their own books but unfortunately, they can’t.
(It would be quick and easy if I buy a lot of books and donate them to the poorhouse, but there’s no telling what would happen after I donate once. There isn’t any reason for a noble daughter to support them that much. And the poorhouse doesn’t accept any external support.)
But it’s difficult for them to rent books from the Royal Capital. In addition to the loan fees, they will also have to pay for their fare since it’s a little far from here. How do I get rid of that? Time passed quickly as she pondered.
In the end, Cordelia continued to ponder on the coach ride home. Gille asked on behalf of Cordelia, who was too busy pondering to talk much.
“The director calls Sensei ‘Green’, doesn’t she?”
Cordelia couldn’t help but lift her face and stare at the Witch when she heard that. There were no other passengers on the return trip, aside from Cordelia and the others, and they were basically sitting with the cargo. The Witch answered gently.
“She’s been calling me that since before she became the director.”
“Does she call you Green because of the medicinal herbs?”
“Yes. It’s already been nearly 30 years now, but there was a very contagious disease going around back then. That disease had fewer deaths than the 『Dark Winter』10 years ago, but the prices of medicine jumped up, and it was something that we couldn’t get our hands on.”
“Sensei… did you perhaps develop new medicine?”
The Witch smiled at Gille’s question.
“I was actually living a bit more south during those times. But after I found out that the medicine I made was effective against the disease, I travelled around to different places. And when the disease came to an end, I was in Oulu. After that, I moved to the Royal Capital to set up my shop.”
“So that’s why you still have a friendly relationship with the village.”
“That’s right. When I arrived at Oulu, people called me 『Lady Green』and it was so embarrassing. I told them, 『If it’s like that, then witch would be better』, and only the director said, 『Witch doesn’t suit you!』… But she compromised and called me 『Green』instead.”
The Witch spoke happily, but Cordelia’s mind had already drifted away from her conversation.
A pharmacist who creates substitutes for existing medicine. The name which was given to her out of respect was 『Green Witch』. I don’t doubt her, but if her story is true, then she’s a skilful person who has worked everywhere… She dared to put herself away from authority.
(If not, then there shouldn’t be any reason for her to live quietly in town.)
People would probably reach out to her if they knew that such a talented person existed. Does her keeping her distance also have to do with why she doesn’t like nobles that much? She pondered and met the Witch’s eye.
“Have you gotten a feel of that place?”
“Ah, yes. Maybe just a little bit…”
“Really? That’s good.”
The Witch nodded lightly at Cordelia’s honest reply.
“The poorhouse is full of children who have lost their parents to disease, no matter where they’re from. From major illnesses to illnesses that could be cured if they had a doctor… That’s why I want to reduce the numbers and also help the children who are left behind.”
The Witch’s voice was clear, and it also reminded Cordelia of what the director had said about Mick.
At the same time, however, Cordelia felt uncomfortable with the Witch’s tone. The Witch’s voice sounded strange; as if she was pressuring herself. And the Witch’s gaze had fallen to her feet before Cordelia had realised.
“… Sensei?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I was a little dazed. You guys also have to maintain a healthy body so that you don’t get sick, okay?”
The aura which Cordelia had felt earlier from the smiling Witch had already disappeared. Cordelia couldn’t ask her about it any further.
When Cordelia and the others returned to the Royal Capital, the sky had already been painted red.
“You can come with me to Oulu Village again if you don’t mind. But it’s a little far, so I won’t force you to.”
The Witch informed them when they got off the coach, and they separated from the Witch.
Cordelia, Vernoux, Gille and Ronnie were all going to the front of their meeting place, the fountain, before separating and going to the Pameradia and Flantheim mansions, so they didn’t say anything and started walking.
Then, Vernoux muttered.
“… Speaking of 30 years ago, the situation with the North got pretty bad as well. Even the prices of general goods soared.”
“That’s right.”
Gille agreed with Vernoux and continued speaking.
“I also looked a bit into the former Baron who used to support Oulu Village. In conclusion, he was using various ways to make money, so that he could buy political power. He gave almost no real support to the poorhouse, and he falsified expenses. He used it as a camouflage so that people wouldn’t think that he was a greedy Baron.”
“He’s scum.”
“But it seems that his downfall wasn’t caused by the falsified expenses. Apparently, someone complained anonymously.”
Vernoux frowned as Gille continued. Cordelia finally understood after she heard all this.
“So that’s why they wouldn’t accept outside support, even though the Baron has met his downfall.”
“Probably. Nobles who used them as slush funds aren’t worth believing. The voices coming from the kingdom might also sound the same to them.”
“If you find one rotten potato, then you’ll try to find if there are others around too. But if it’s a rotten noble, then that village has no means of confirming whether there are others. It’s natural for them to be suspicious of all nobles.”
However, Vernoux’s voice didn’t sound as if he had accepted that; instead, he sounded irritated. His aura felt different from the usual carefree Vernoux.
But his appearance was reliable as a friend.
“But Sensei invited us there even though she had realised that we are nobles. I don’t think she was expecting us to agree, but I don’t think it’s without meaning either. If so, then she must want us to think about what we can do… right?”
Cordelia smiled at the two. Gille nodded, and Vernoux shrugged.
“… You’re really eccentric.”
“Yes, but so is Vernoux-sama who accompanies me.”
I don’t know what I can do yet, but nothing will happen if I don’t think about it. Cordelia decided that she had to understand it first and think about what she could do. Then, she suddenly remembered.
“… Which reminds me, I discovered something surprising today.”
“What is it?”
“Gille-sama seems surprisingly used to seducing women.”
With those words, Gille and Vernoux stopped moving. She felt as if she could hear a sound that she didn’t often hear even if she didn’t speak((as the phrase, ‘could hear a pin drop’)). However, Vernoux first broke the silence. He burst into laughter at Gille, who was still frozen, and held his stomach as he laughed.
“Hey… Why are you laughing, Vernoux? Deny it!”
“Ca-cause… if I don’t laugh now, then when should I laugh?!?! Hey Dilly, where’d you see that?”
“Mm… When he was talking to Toto. He just naturally said 『Princess』. It’s a word you don’t use in everyday conversation, right?”
“Did he say that? Ah, too bad I wasn’t there. But, kuku… don’t worry, he’s never seduced anyone before.”
“If he said it unintentionally, then it makes me feel uneasy…”
What if he grows up to be a pick-up artist? No, what if he accidentally picks up girls without meaning to? It’s good, to be honest, but I’m anxious. I will just pray that he won’t suffer from a woman’s grudge and get stabbed.
But Cordelia’s reply made Vernoux laugh harder.
Finally, Gille pouted and opened his mouth.
“That’s my mother’s favourite phrase… I’ll be careful.”
So, it is normal for him to say that. I didn’t want to say anything wrong, but I feel a little sorry for him, since he seems a little depressed.
“B-but you made Toto smile with your words.”
“… That’s sly of you to say.”
Gille still seemed a bit depressed, but he smiled in a troubled way. Then, he exchanged glances with Cordelia and raised his voice as if he had suddenly remembered, “Ah…”
“Oh yeah, I’ll give you this.”
“A book? For me?”
“No, that’s my notebook… But it’s not the notebook, I put this inside.”
Gille said while flipping through the notebook. Then, his hands stopped, “I found it,” as he picked up something from the page. Cordelia tilted her head while wondering what it was and Gille held out his hand.
“Here, this.”
“This is… a four-leaf clover?”
“Dilly, you might already know this, but it brings luck. But if you just take the leaf, then it’ll get damaged, so bring it home together with my notebook.”
“Th-thank you very much.”
Gille, who was basking in the light of the reddening sun, looked gentle. Cordelia received the notebook while feeling that he was a little restless, then she looked at the notebook again and thought.
(Gille-sama’s airheadedness might get worse.)
She looked at his face, and he was smiling happily. What is this? She felt strangely embarrassed.
However, Vernoux destroyed those restless feelings.
“By the way, rumours are saying that if you throw it away, then you’ll be unhappy.”
“… Vernoux, you don’t have to say that right now.”
“No, she would be shocked if she knew about that after she’d thrown it away.”
“… Don’t worry, I won’t throw it away. I’ll make it into a bookmark when I get home.”
“Thought so. Aren’t you happy, Gille?”
Vernoux ran away while teasing Gille, “See you later, Dilly.” Gille also quickly chased after him, but he quickly turned back.
“See you!”
“Take care.”
Cordelia waved as she saw them off.
After they left, she turned around.
“Ronnie, shall we go home too?”
“Yes.”
“Oh yeah, you were really quiet today.”
“My turn never showed up. Well, it’s a good thing as an escort.”
Ronnie said as he quickly walked home with Cordelia.
Dusk was already falling.