Chapter 7 - Volume 1 (2/2)
…… Is that really alright?
I make a Chaplet while being taught how by Shelly. Every time I did it clumsily, Shelly took my hand and made modifications.
Shelly is very friendly.
Grasping my hand, she shows a soft, warm smile.
And then a small *zaku* resounds. Looking up at the sound of grass being stepped on, we find the two boys walking towards us.
“Are they your friends, Shelly…?”
“N-no… That is…”
Certainly that wouldn’t be the case. Even if Shelly looked a little bit older than me, the boys seemed to be about 6 or 7 years old.
Shelly is tense…? Are they distinguished children? Or perhaps they’re simply scary? Or maybe they’re idiots. Either way, they’re terrible for making the cute Shelly frightened.
Thinking so, I intimidate them… By glaring. The boy who was walking in front momentarily stopped… But continued walking as if nothing happened.
Hoho, you’ve done well to withstand my eyes. You have my praise. I place the first tattered corolla that I made atop my head while thinking so.
“…… Are you Yurushia?”
The red-blonde boy asks so in a pompous manner. This brat……
“…… That is so, but–”
“I’ve heard of you…… From Uncle, that is.”
Uncle? Who’s that?
“Uncle…”
“Oi, look this way properly!”
“Ah–”
All of a sudden, my arm was caught and the face of the boy was close when I looked up.
Beau~tiful boy… But he’s no good. A guy who can’t treat a girl kindly is no good. It’s no use if it’s just some brat. It has to be a calm, good-looking uncle.
When I glare at the boy, he shrinks up for an instant, but then glares back immediately. But since I’m being glared at by a child, I’m not afraーid. Ah, that’s right.
I plop the crown of flowers onto the boy’s head.
“You can have it.”
Wouldn’t that tattered crown be most suitable on head of the king of the mountain?
“…… You…”
“Yes?”
To the boy who seems to want to say something, I incline my head as if to say [I Don’t Understand].
Retaining his pride as a boy, he doesn’t start a fight with a little girl, releases my hand, and turns away.
“Hey, let’s go.”
“Y-Yes.”
The other boy looks to him and I, and answers with a strange look. Just like an Yakuza boss and his henchman.
With the corolla still on his head, the boy takes a few steps away, then stops abruptly.
“I’m Rick. It’ll be my Birthday the day after tomorrow. You’ll be coming, Yurushia.”
“… Eh? Wha –”
After declaring so one-sidedly, Rick leaves in a hurry.
…… Ehh～～～～～～～～～～？
“………”
“… Y-Yurushia-sama……?”
What was that child talking about? I’ll be returning home the morning of the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow’s the day that I can happily see the Imperial Capital with my Father, alongside choosing souvenirs. I intend to go home cheerfully after that.
“Yurushia-sama~……”
So, a Birthday? The day after the tomorrow? Impossible. There’s now way I’d be able to delay my reunion with my Mother for even a day longer than scheduled. In the first place, who was that child, to act with such authority?
“Yurushia-sama!”
“Eh…? Oh, I’m sorry…”
“No, it is alright. But…… Are you alright?”
“Thank you…… Shelly is quite gentle…”
“T-Thank you very much…”
This child is really healing. I’m glad to have met her.
“Shelly… That child, who was he?”
“Eh? …… Well… That is…”
Do you know, or…? She’s entered the state of fumbling for the right word, so he must be the child of a family with a scary occupation……
But why would such a child know my name……? And who’s that Uncle he mentioned? I don’t understand. I’ll have to pray that Father isn’t involved with such people.
Either way, that brat is unforgivable.
＊＊＊
Daughter of Earl Oraleine: Shellynn la Oraleine
It was the 16th day of Natsunaka when she, who had become five years old just one month prior, was called to her Father’s study and told something strange.
“The first tea party that Shelly will attend has been decided. It will take place in four days, in the garden of Kyle Palace. Other children will be attending, so approach them.”
When a noble lady turns 5, they can pay a congratulatory visit to a noble tea party; Shelly’s first tea party was already decided to be held by the sister of the Earl, Viscountess Bray.
Shelly understood that as a young girl, she couldn’t refuse the invitation… But it was quite sudden given the fact it was to take place in only four days.
Perhaps only one or two people…… That would be the number of participants given priority, most likely. Anyone else would only be arranged in case of a numerical crisis.
Her Mother would have to hurriedly order a new dress, but Shelly was anxious to voice that fact to her Father.
“Sorry, Shelly. It isn’t a tea party to be fearful of. Only children will be attending, and social positions along with family names don’t matter. You should enjoy yourself.”
There will be no relationship to status…… In other words, someone who’s attending wishes to hide their position.
And, since only children will be attending, Shelly who had just become 5 would likely be the youngest. She knew nothing of who was participating, and had no idea what to talk about either.
The Earl, which had already arrived to the above conclusions, matches his eyes with his daughter and speaks with a wry smile.
“To tell you the truth, this was requested by a friend of mine. His daughter will also be asked to participate without much notice. The child hasn’t gone outside too much due to poor health, and is younger than Shelly.”
Not even four years old yet, such a girl will be participating.
For the sake of comfort and protection, Shelly was asked to participate.
On the day of the tea party, Shelly met an angel.
An angel with sparkling golden hair and beauty that makes one think that they aren’t human.
She had an appearance that would cause one to avert their eyes and lose their breath, and elegantly bowed to others before reaching a table which no one was sitting at. When she let out a small breath, everyone around was finally capable of breathing in once again. As they remembered their work, the Maids began to move about in a hurry.
The other young ladies sighed towards her figure which was akin to an Angel, but Shelly noticed her distressed — or perhaps lonely — appearance as she stared at the sweets in front of her without raising her hand.
Perhaps, she was the daughter of Father’s friend. Who was it that determined Shelly fit to defend such a child?
When she spoke, she seemed wise enough to make one think that she wasn’t young at all, and even she had the cold impression of a doll, she was a good child who properly thanked her waitress.
Her name was Yurushia. Shelly came to like her immediately.
It was as if she was charmed by a Demon……
When they were playing together, two boys approached.
He didn’t know Shelly, but Shelly knew of him. He was a boy who was known to be selfish and rude.
Even though Shelly could do nothing but be frightened, Yurushia didn’t show any distress, and stared at him with her gentle golden eyes. She then easily dismissed him by giving him a small corolla.
Shelly was impressed at the figure of the girl, but at the same time she was jealous of the two boys who had locked eyes with her.
Determined, she resolved herself to ask her father to attend the boy’s Birthday party.
She would repel any insects that would try to approach Yurushia.
Author’s Note:
And so, the story will be put into motion.