Chapter 7 - Volume 1 (1/2)

Volume 1, Chapter 7: Making Friends

Author’s Note:

It might be a little late, but the theme of this work is [Love]. I’m not kidding.

Several months have passed since that disgusting unidentified-insect case, and I’ll become 4 years old in ~2-3 months.

During the time of the incident, I was kind of depressed, because I had made so many people worried… But now I’m fine. My body and heart have become considerably grown up.

For now, the use of Summoning Magic is sealed. I’ll study solely Magic Formations.

Also because of the incident, Father became very busy and didn’t visit for about 2 months. When Father suddenly returned, just as I was about to sate my cat-like desires, he abruptly invited me to a tea party.

A tea party? Why? Up until now I’ve only conversed with about 10 people — Am I a shut-in?

“There’re many children around the same age as Yurushia who’ll be going to the tea party.”

In other words, because the fact that I’ve only ever met adults is worrying, this would be the perfect opportunity to introduce some friend candidates…… But how exactly do I play with children?

If only for the sake of keeping Father from losing face, I decided to attend.

For that reason, I’m now being jolted around in a carriage.

Of course, my seat is on the knee of my Father. Father, please do your best. I’ll probably continue sitting on your knee until I’m about 15 years old, after all.

Oh, aside from that half-serious joke, the tea party will be taking place in the Imperial Capital 3 days from now. It’ll take 2 days for us to arrive by carriage.…… Why is the schedule so clogged up? What would have happened if I didn’t get on the carriage immediately?

Mother isn’t coming either…… Even though I wanted to see the Capital together as a family……

For the time being Vio and Fer have arrived instead.

As for the luggage, it was kept to a minimum. I wondered whether what I was wearing would be acceptable, but it seems that everything is prepared at the designation. Don’t only the wealthy do that sort of stuff?

Father, just what exactly is your work? Nobody’s ever brought up the subject, so to a 3-year-old, wouldn’t it be natural to be suspicious? I wonder if he’ll reveal it when I become 4?

Anyways, even if I had said that it’d take 2 days to arrive at the Imperial Capital, because we’re not moving along a forest, we aren’t camping out. That would be natural. Sleeping outdoors wouldn’t suit Father, after all.

Taking a road through the fields, we arrive at a town just before evening breaks. Didn’t we leave the house at noon? Was it really possible to arrived in the middle of the night simply due to perseverance?

And I’ll only be coming back about a week from now…… I’ve never been separated from Mother for more than half a day, so I’m a little anxious.

But I’m enjoying myself a little, too. Today I get to sleep together with Father, after all. Ufufu~

＊

Because we’ve been passing through solely residential areas, I arrived uneventfully without being stalled by Bandits or the like.

Although, I don’t think there would have been a problem if we did meet any. There’re more than 10 Guards acting as our escort, as well as a Butler Ojii-chan[1], who’s been added as a new pampering personnel.

To everyone who earnestly protected a child like me, I gave my sincerest thanks. Ojii-chan started crying when I did so, though. Why? Is he perhaps emotionally unstable? I’ll pat him on the shoulder later.

Now then, it’s time for the tea party.

Apparently this is the common setup, with chairs and tables being set up within the huge garden in front of a mansion, an Orchestra playing in the background, a ridiculous amount of sweets, and the tea being prepared by Maids…… There’re only about 6 children attending.

Erm… Are these perhaps nobles? Is this what it’s like to live as a Noble-sama? Really, Father, what’s your job? Could it be that the Child of Father’s company President is present?

But as expected, none of the children would be from the company. They would be the sons and daughters of frequent customers instead. Otherwise, Father wouldn’t have needed to take me out on such a tight schedule.

But this…… Isn’t this dangerous? My actions could affect the success of my Father.

“… F-Father?”

“It’s alright, you can run along. Social position is irrelevant to this tea party.”

Even if you say that…… If your child isn’t sophisticated and acts freely, the President could treat it as a serious issue.

And so, I’ll brilliantly take the part of a maiden who’s been brought up with tender care.

“……… Umm…”

What should I do, exactly? Nobody’s approaching me.

Looking at the other children, there’re 2 Boys and 4 Girls. They aren’t the same age, but they all seem to be older than me.

Because the boys were speaking to one another, I approach the girls. As soon as they notice me, however, they freeze with their mouths hanging open.

Ah…… I’m being feared again……

Not only to Spirits and Sig-kun, even those around my age are afraid…… Even I would be startled if I saw an elaborate doll during the middle of the night.

Is it even possible to exchange greetings with things already flowing so terribly?

But it could be seen as rude if I come here and simply remain silent…

“………”

As to not be scary, at the last moment I gave a smile as fiercelessly as possible, pick up the hem of my bright green dress, and bow quietly. I then moved towards a slightly remote table.

“…… Fuu…”

So as to not let myself be heard, I breathe out a small breath.

I was extremely tense, so when I finally took a short breath the sound of the surroundings finally returned.

A Maid immediately comes and serves me tea and sweets. But, rather than being served, it’s more like it’s being piled in front of me into a mountain.

“Th-Thank you…”

“N-No, it’s fine!”

Has my nervousness spread? I’m sorry. I wonder if it’s possible to return these sweets… Eh? It’s not? Perhaps if I hand it off to Fer she’d be able to finish it off?

The tea seems to be high-quality, and there isn’t a difference in temperatures at all. That must have been difficult.

When I look over at the children for an instant, I see that everyone’s eyes are fixed on me…… Ku, what a heavy atmosphere…… All of the conversations have stopped, too.

“……… U-Um…”

A pretty voice is heard. Oh? As I though such a thing, I turned towards the voice and found a lovely little girl staring back at me.

“……… Yes?”

Thinking that she’s spoken to me, I reply slowly as to not seem intimidating.

Uwaaー…… This child is really tense. She seems like the type of adorable child that would be afraid of talking to people.

“…… Um, it it’s alright, would you like to pick flowers with me over there…?”

Pick flowers…? It’s not some code for going to the toilet, but rather an earnest request to pick flowers. She’s quite a gentle child, huh… I was unable to remain indifferent to her invitation, and responded.

“Yes…… Let’s go.”

“… Alright.”

The child, which was relieved by my reply, laughed. Cute〜 With soft, fluffy blond hair like Mother’s, she has blue eyes like a doll — but in a different sense than my own.

When I tumbled slightly from getting off the chair, she panicked and quickly supported me.

“Thank you.”

“…Y-yes.”

Shaking her head with a *bunbun*, the girl starts walking while holding my hand. She seems like an older sister who’s taking care of a small child. Cute.

Actually, I wonder whether she noticed that I was feeble? But even if that’s the case, you don’t have to hug my arm…… I beg of you.

“I’m She…… My name is Shelly. M-may I ask for your name as well…?”

“…? I’m Yurushia.”

Why honorific language? I wonder if she’s the daughter of an extremely good home or something? Even though it’s just a conversation between children, elders shouldn’t use honorific language to those younger than themselves, so please stop.

Incidentally, in a Noble’s way of thinking, shouldn’t I present my family name? Even if I think deeply, I can’t remember my full name, though. Well, I suppose it wouldn’t really be needed in a tea party without status restrictions, huh?

The flower garden was quite close to the table.

It’s rare for a flower garden to be covered with weeds like the Alpine flowers. But as for me, I prefer these. There’re also Roses, but they’re being firmly guarded by the Maids.

“Yurushia-sama, let’s make a corolla.”

“…… Y-Yurushia is fine, you know? Shelly-sama,”

“I understand, Yurushia-sama, then please just call me Shelly as well.”

This child didn’t understand at all……

Anything I say will be futile in this situation. Excluding Mother and Father, only strange people interact with me, so in a way I’ve become accustomed to such behaviors.

But in this case, instead of being a seriously strange person, it’s strange because she’s serious.

“… Alright, Shelly then. Is this flower fine?”

“It is so, Yurushia-sama. Pluck the flowers like this…”

Un. I understand already. I give up. Even though this was supposed to be my first time with a friend, the stress accumulated from the surrounding nobles must be high. Because of that, I can’t complain about the cute child in front of me.