c4 (1/2)

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04. Fully Enjoying A Country Life

[Aine]

The noisy crows of Gen-san the chicken became my alarm.

The hard bed different from the one in the royal palace suited me. When I got up, the cat named Calico was still curled up on the bed. I slipped out quietly as to not rouse him, and brewed some coffee in the kitchen to drink.

It’s a wonderful morning today, too, I thought as I watched the morning sun.

[Prime Minister/Carl]

In the daily morning service, no one said anything about the single empty seat but the two princes felt a sense of discomfort. I searched the expression of the King seated beside me. The King did not show anything, and was listening to the sermon with his eyes closed. What in the world could the King be thinking about…?

The King was not upset with the prince’s disappearance from home. I spilled out my laughter unintentionally.

The Reverend’s heated sermon ended and everyone started leaving the chapel. I also left in the wake of the King.

“Carl.”

“Leichel-sama, is there something I can do for you?”

“Do you know something about my stupid younger brother Aine?”

I instinctively stiffened. About Aine-sama…?

“Did something sudden happen to Aine-sama?”

“That idiot’s horse disappeared. He must have left the castle and went somewhere using the horse. But that horse is a property of the royal family. Don’t you think taking it out without permission is lese majesty?”

When Leichel-sama said that with a grim expression, Yuan-sama also nodded strongly from behind him.

It’s certainly lese majesty when I think it over.

“Aine-sama said that he wanted to leave the castle because he wanted to engage in agriculture.”

“What?”

“He said he was deeply moved by the Reverend’s tale. It must be an approach curry favors from King. It is impossible for him to accomplish farming alone. He will likely cry immediately and go back home if no one worries over him.”

When I said that while grinning, Leichel-sama laughed, too. There was no doubt he was holding Aine-sama in derision inwardly. Yuan-sama did not say anything but he was not showing any expression so I don’t know about him.

Leichel-sama a.s.sented as if his grim expression before was a lie, and he went towards the dining room in long strides.

With this, the Aine-sama who takes advantage of people will disappear for a while.

Thus, no one will acknowledge his existence once he comes back crying.

When I imagined so, laughter welled up my stomach.

[Aine]

“Achooo!”

I felt a chill. Is someone speaking badly about me…?