Chapter 7: Zinnia Second Part (6)

“Is that so? We’re planning a picnic today. Would you like to join us?”

“Are you going far?”

“No, we’re just going to climb the hill behind us. The knights of the house will also be joining us, so you can take a break if you’d like.”

However, Beloff shook his head firmly and began helping the people who were moving the packed food. For someone of his rank, simply sitting back and watching would be perfectly acceptable, yet he never shirked his duties. Watching his busy back with a sense of admiration, I thought he was truly remarkable.

“Sister, Lady Rose!”

“Oh my, Vero. When did you come down?”

“Mom said you were coming. I got curious and came down to see!”

His mischievous smile was nothing but pure. I reached out to pat Vero’s head. His bright smile made me smile as well.

“Are you ready for the picnic?”

“Yes! I’m wearing the shoes the knights brought us recently. They’re really comfortable even for hiking!”

Vero proudly showed off his shoes. I clapped my hands in surprise and praised his shoes. Behind Vero’s beaming face, I saw Sir Beloff smiling with pride. The knights would often bring food to delight the children, but it seemed they had moved on to providing shoes as well.

“…I’m worried it might be a burden on the knights.”

While Vero went to gather his friends, I approached Sir Beloff to speak. While sharing food was less burdensome, providing shoes for the children surely wasn’t cheap.

“All the knights contributed. There wasn’t a single dissent. It seems they’ve all grown very attached to the children.”

“The children must feel the same way.”

“In that case, please don’t hesitate to accept them. After all, we come here, eat, and rest without doing any training.”

Sir Beloff spoke cheerfully, his face relaxed. With a gentle smile, he watched the children beginning to line up.

“It was our way of trying to give something back. …If I were a bit more skilled with my hands, I would have made them myself.”

I chuckled, imagining the large knights fumbling with tiny needles. Seeing his earnest expression, I knew he wouldn’t take them back even if I tried. Besides, seeing the children happily wearing their new shoes for the picnic convinced me to let the matter rest. I simply smiled, thanked him, and followed the children up the hill.

When I returned home, it was late at night. Having stayed with the children for dinner after the picnic, it was only at that time that I could arrive back at the estate.

“Did you have a good trip?”

“Yes, I did.”

For some reason, two maids were standing at the entrance, as if to greet me. Although I found it curious, I accepted their greetings.

“A letter has arrived for you, miss.”

“It’s from the royal family.”

One maid held my coat while the other handed me the lavish envelope. It was identical to the invitations for royal banquets. As I took the letter, I couldn’t help but wonder just how many of these envelopes the royal family kept in stock.

“I’ll open it and respond in my room. You may go now.”

After sending the maids away, I headed to my room. From the moment the word “royal” was mentioned, Garnet’s eyes had been sparkling with undisguised anticipation.

“What do you think it is? Perhaps an invitation to the Empress’s tea party?”

“That’s not a place I can just casually attend. It’s for the prominent ladies who dominate the social scene.”

I shot a look at Garnet, already indulging in wishful thinking, and broke the seal. Though I tried to act indifferent, I was inwardly anxious about why I had received such a letter. Hoping it was something less troublesome, if not entirely good news.

However, the moment I read the first sentence, I promptly sent Garnet away. She protested a little, but I couldn’t compromise on this matter. I did promise her a slice of her favorite cake to ease the guilt, though.

Once Garnet left, I unfolded the letter again, which began with “To the Lady.” I could accept Garnet knowing about Harten’s presence, but her discovering that this letter from the royal family was actually from Harten was a different matter. Sighing deeply, I read through the letter.

My fingers toyed with the golden envelope as my mind wandered. The last line, which requested a response, kept catching my eye. I spent an hour at my desk, scribbling a reply.

“…Phew.”

Unlike letters sent from the palace, letters going into the palace are usually first inspected by the chamberlain of the respective residence. This is to ensure there are no issues with the contents of the letter. Therefore, the letter I send will also pass through the hands of the chamberlain before reaching Harten. No matter how I tried to phrase it, I couldn’t think of a way to avoid Chamberlain’s scrutiny.

So I decided to choose a method that would take a bit more time. Acting as an enamored young lady from another country, who admires the prince, was the second way to avoid Chamberlain’s eye. Of course, the best method would be not to respond at all.

***

At breakfast time, I moved to the dining room, already dressed up unlike my usual routine. I’m accustomed to working at night rather than in the morning, which has ingrained a pattern of sleeping at dawn and waking up late. As a result, my father’s breakfast time (which was actually at dawn) usually coincided with my deep sleep. However, today I woke up early and got ready, aiming to have a conversation with my father.

“Rose, it’s surprising to see you up so early in the morning.”

Half of my mind was still nestled in the comfort of my bed, making it difficult to eat. Though I managed to sit down and move my fork, very little actually made it to my mouth.

“I got up early because I have something to discuss.”

In the end, I put aside the food that wouldn’t go down and picked up the cocoa placed beside me. I had requested it to help me wake up and get some sugar in my system.

“Are you talking about the letter that arrived yesterday?”

“Yes, it was about an issue related to Radal, and I wanted to ask for your opinion.”

“Hmm, asking for my opinion means they intend to come here, doesn’t it?”

“No.”

I looked down at the dress that had been bothering me all morning with somewhat tired eyes.

“I will be the one delivering the letter.”

“…Indeed, directly contacting me is a risky affair.”

In times like these, the visit of the only royal member of Endeavor to the residence of a noble in Rohan would not be beneficial for either side. The envoy has refrained from any external activities except for the welcome party. If the royal member of the envoy were to privately express the desire to visit a marquis’s residence, it would attract scrutiny from other nobles on both sides. Sending a letter is also out of the question since it would not escape the chamberlain’s scrutiny.

“The Canerva Grey I mentioned in the documents was part of the envoy. I plan to meet with him today and will try to send the letter through him.”

“Won’t he check the letter?”

“I hope he trusts the seal, but just in case, I’ll write the letter as if I were an enamored young lady admiring a foreign prince.”

“Be careful not to let this act affect the deal.”

“…Of course.”

His pinpointing the exact concern that was troubling me left a bitter taste in my mouth. I was preparing to handle this matter with the utmost care, knowing I was acting on behalf of my father. I could only hope that Canerva Grey would believe my words to a reasonable extent as I climbed into the carriage.