Chapter 34 - Volume 3 (1/2)

Volume 3, Chapter 4: I Turned Eight Years Old, Part 2

The agricultural country, Shiguresu. Population: two million people, largely spread out in villages. In short, it’s a country made mostly of fields. As expected, the city centers were beautiful towns.

Although we got to Shiguresu early, by the time we got to town it was already too late to have a little walk on my own.

“Princess-sama, this baked potato is delicious”

“No, no, this sorghum is so sweet…”

“There’s freshly-harvested raw white asparagus here…”

…You guys are fully enjoying this as a vacation, huh. In the middle of the village road we travelled, there were open-air stalls strewn all over the place, and my escort knights jumped at the chance to go shopping.

Everyone in the mercenary troop was left dumbfounded at the entirely carefree female knights’ actions.

No, no, please forgive them.

Well, ever since I enrolled at the Royal Capital’s Magic Academy, they haven’t had much time outside. Since we’re having this long trip after so long, they naturally felt like carousing.

Although my aim was to be a laid-back boss, I wonder if I pampered them way too much.

“Vio. Make sure that they all submit a detailed report on what they’re eating right now.”

I instructed Vio, who was the only one riding in the same carriage as me outside of my four attendants. Vio nodded with a serious face, and I laughed a little.

“Princess Yuru-sama you’re very gentle, aren’t you?”

“But I gave them more work to do…?”

Mu~… it’s very sweet, huh. While there’s nothing I can think of to export to Shiguresu, if there’s something that’s cheap and delicious, we should definitely import it.

Before being a Princess or a Saint, I’m the daughter of Duke Verusenia.

＊

“Presenting herself to Her Royal Younger Brother, Oslo, for his Wedding, on behalf of Taterudo, Yurushia-la-Verusenia sends her congratulations.”

The wedding ceremony between His Royal Highness Oslo and the lady of Marquis Etia’s household was held three days after our arrival at the capital of Shiguresu.

Although it wasn’t especially showy, it was held in the Royal Castle, the largest in Shiguresu. The various royal families were announced in front of the rest of the attending parties. After that, there were three more rounds of greetings in total for those present for the wedding reception.

Three rounds of greetings; with all three rounds between the same people… it’s quite severe.

After all, as the representative of the Holy Kingdom of Taterudo, it was necessary for me to express our congratulations to a lot of different people.

“Yuru-chan, great work, it went splendidly.”

As I finished the greetings and was about to go back to the venue, the Queen-sama came up to thank me and tightly hugged me.

“Thank you very much, Q-…Queen-sama.”

“Ufufu, it’s fine to just call me ‘Aunt-sama’.”

A great beauty with luxurious blonde hair, this is my aunt, Camille-sama, who married into the royal family of Shiguresu.

And now, I’m buried in her chest.

“Um… I will call you that outside of formal occasions, then.”

“Really, Yuru-chan, you’re so responsible… as expected of Folt’s daughter, you even look like him.”

When she said that I resembled Father, I instinctively gave a complacent smile.

Speaking of Father… I wanted to hear about something from Aunt-sama.

“Aunt-sama……… where are my elder sisters?”

When I asked, a somewhat un-queenly smile spread across Aunt Camille-sama’s face as she contemplated it.

My elder sisters both went to boarding schools in this place, Shiguresu.

I was really looking forward to meeting those wonderful elder sisters again, I was wondering what they’d try this time…

Although Aunt-sama’s face looked like she didn’t want to think about it, she told the story to me, since I’m the [Little Sister].

“Although Folt requested that they study abroad, those two barely attend their classes, recently they’ve been with the Hero-sama all the time…”

“…What?”

Although my elder sisters seem to be doing well, some strange words came out.

“…Hero-sama…?”

“Did Yuru not know…? It’s been all the talk of the country lately.”

Hero. A man of courage. Standing at the forefront of humanity, a person that gives others hope.

I wasn’t aware, but recently there have been kidnappings in this country by [Daemons], and a small party broke through and cleared their camp, rescuing all the children. …… how typical.

Huh… so there’s a person like that.

When I helped the children back then, and I got called [Saint] without asking, I wonder if it’s that same sort of situation.

While I was thinking simple thoughts, Aunt Camille-sama seemed to be worrying about my carefree self.

“Yuru-chan, be careful if you’re staying in the hall. Since you’re a beautiful little girl, there might be some bad people that might come after you.”

“Y-Yes…”

Just like everyone else who’s related to me, she’s excessively overvalued my appearance.

“Would you allow my sons to escort you? And, if Yuru-chan agrees, can the three of us can take you home?”

“No, well, err…”

That’s right. Aunt-sama’s children were all boys.