Chapter 3 (1/2)

Annals of the Flame Kingdom Chapter 3

The Melancholic Princess (P.O.V)

‘We apologize for the inconvenience, but please take care of the matter’. While letting out a sigh, Erika casually threw the letter on the office desk. Despite of the fact that the letter was from her “sister”, the king of the country, it wasn’t necessarily written by her. Even if it had the emblem of her sister, it could have been written by anyone.

I, Erika Flame from the Flame kingdom, the step-sister of Elisabeth, daughter of the previous king, am  living as an ordinary n.o.ble, despite being three-years older than the current king.

All of this, is because I am the “child of a concubine”.

Normally, a child from the concubine of a n.o.bility spend their lives in the shadows. Which is marked as “likely”, but I don’t have any memories like that.

“Look, Erika! ~I made the candy! Taste it!”

Erika shut her eyes to reminisce her sweet childhood memories… The beautiful smile of Angelica who treated her, the child of a concubine as her own and poured her affection without bias… of course whether it was a good thing or not is for some other time.

“…… Well, how would have things turned out if Elisabeth wasn’t born, or if she had died earlier? I could have inherited the throne and continued living a beautiful life.”

“Dark imagination is useless.”

After saying so, she then looked at the budget report that she was holding.

“…… Also, a deficit budget.”

Sighing involuntarily, she closed her eyes.

“…… Erika-san”

Suddenly the door opened, walking in was a man with dark eyes.

“I don’t remember hearing a knock on the door,” said Erika sitting straight on her chair.

“Well the door was open to begin with.”

“So, can you come as you want Emily? Un.o.bstructed?”

Erika sent a cold glance towards the chief maid who was standing near the door.

“…..was the financial report, a deficit?”

“Yeah.”

Saying that, Erika shrugged.

“This is not your fault…… Erika-san”

“Well, this is my fief, and it’s not a bad territory either. Being close to the seash.o.r.e, the salt production is good. It’s blessed us with beautiful sceneries, which are our natural tourist spots, and it can be developed to rival the capital itself if it did not have financial problems… and, I don’t think you would come here just to console me?”

“Oh! I almost forgot, I came here to invite you for dinner. Hmm, where would you like to have it?”

“Let’s eat at the dining hall, besides, we need to greet our guest as well.”

“Nn, alright. I would like to meet ‘the hero’ as well.”

“ Oh! Were you waiting for me?”

“How could I eat without waiting for the landlady?”

“I’m not specific about it, you don’t have to wait for me.”

“Well, …. I read it was the common courtesy here.”

“Well, I would like to know if it is same as the courtesy of your country …… world?”

I was surprised a little bit at Emily’s words. Kota’s line of sight fell on Emir standing behind me.

“It’s okay. Emily knows your ident.i.ty.”

“…… Is that all right? If this is not irrelevant to hear.”

“Well. At least I do have credibility. You can trust me.”

“I don’t want to discuss it right now,” Kota said outright.

“….well, let’s forget about that. Come on, let’s eat.” Erika said to ease the atmosphere.

At her words, Emily came out carrying the silverwares for two people. Although it was not so gorgeous, but the material itself was primarily good.

After being served, I started using my knife and fork to eat in small pieces.

“Wow!” A sound rang out.

Looking at Kota who had a surprised expression, I asked, “What happened?”

“Well, you sure are elegant even when you eat.”

“As a n.o.ble, I was taught to eat this way.”

“Taught?”

“Yes, you see, as a n.o.ble we have to learn some things. Didn’t you have any training in your world?”

“No, we didn’t.” Kota replied but in his voice there was sadness and a trace of loneliness.

“…… I-Though there are many differences when I look at this, and this, thank you!”

To so argue vehemently at the appearance of the silverwares in a hurry, and to laugh a little bit at it is somehow funny.

“Did I say ‘apologize’ just right? Earlier, is it good? If it is imposing….”

This, only say “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” my way somehow if said to become sorry. Non-is to thing on this side.

“Excuse me.”

“Look!”

“Innovation Oh … this is I’m … a type of national character with something like another habit, my home country is.”

“Apology is a national character?”