Volume 01 Side Story 03 - Side Story 03: Part 02 (2/2)

At that time, I really wanted to know her and tried this and that. I also found out at that time that she didn’t like sweets. I had the childish idea of scaring her with a frog, but that stopped one day when I saw a grasshopper jump in from somewhere, and she picked it up to take it outside.

『――― Elianna, is there somewhere you’d like to go?』

I was desperate because I wanted her to turn my way more than she turned towards books. And, I just wanted to bring her out somewhere that wasn’t the library.

Then, little Elli unusually spoke of her desire, 『I would like to go to the book market』, she’d said.

Once every three years, Thistle Star opens a book market. “I want to just go there once,” she said.

『Let’s go. Go with me, Elianna.』I invited her enthusiastically and Elli shook her head sadly. “Father and people at my house said I can’t go,” she said.

“Last time brother sneaked out, and he was strictly told that he wasn’t allowed. You can’t get close to the Roma people, father had said.”

Even though I asked her why she didn’t know the reason. I was only made to realise at that time that I didn’t have the incentive to break her father’s order.

I looked at the market in curiosity. I looked back at the chamberlain, who didn’t look happy, as I left the horse to him and walked through the market. Then, I met old drunkard Lezzi. I intervened when he was quarrelling with a noble, and for some reason, he brought me, a minor, to the tavern and started drinking.

At first, I never imagined that this old drunkard man was part of Thistle Star. But, when I talked to him, I realised he knew a lot of things that a simple drunkard wouldn’t know. I was surprised when I heard his name.

Because he had the same name as the author of the books I use to study with.

“No way…”

I was stunned, and old Lezzi laughed scornfully.

“You’re a naïve boy, aren’t you? Your world is still tiny. You’re trapped by fixed notions. That’s why that girl’s dad, the fox, is playing with you.”

This was true, so I stifled my frustration.

“… How can I win?”

“How would I know? What’re you going to do if you can’t get a girl or two with our own power? You’re just a cowardly chick.”

He had been saying as he liked in front of me, the Prince. Of course, I didn’t reveal my identity, so it was only natural, and it wasn’t like I wanted this old man to respect me.

The old man snorted again when I grinded my teeth and uttered words that Roma people would say, “There’s something called the circling of stars. One day, your star and the girl’s star will come together… Well, I wouldn’t know since I’m not an astrologer. But shouldn’t you as a naïve boy improve your abilities for that time?”

I got a better opinion of this old man. Didn’t he just say something that sounded like advice to a worried young man?

At the same time, I felt my irritation smooth a little. Everyone said that my feelings towards Elli was young love. They said that it was a childish attachment that would become a memory.

And while I was being swept away by that, I was also struggling with my feelings that wouldn’t fade.

It was the first time I had been told that I didn’t have to give up, and the irritating whirl within me quietened down. Finally, I was able to calmly think about what I needed then.

I couldn’t beat the old foxes who had hidden names as I was. So, I decided to gain power that I would need for that time.

So that we wouldn’t be separated the next time we meet. ――― This time, I will definitely catch her.

When I decided that, I cut off my engagement with the Princess of Miseral, and put up with the old foxes so that they wouldn’t be more wary of me than necessary. ――― Of course, I gained information on Elli behind the scenes.

Two years passed, and I was ready for her debut. I had laid out every possible trap… *Cough*. I made the necessary arrangements and succeeded in making Elli my fiancée.

The stubborn old foxes gave me conditions, but I thought it wouldn’t be a problem because I had already begun to build up my strength… At that time, I never imagined that Elli would have forgotten about me.

By the way, Nicola Lezzi had said that he had taught me a lesson on life and took all the money I had on hand for his alcohol expenses. Apparently, he had brought me to the tavern because he judged that he would be able to take money from me from my clothing.

I re-learnt it again on that day.

――― I can’t trust adults.