11 Lesson 11: The Dukes Lady Is Depressed (1/2)

Both Stampede and the crusade for the “named” class of Auga that caused it were successfully completed. Even though I said a named orga, he crusaded me before I got a formal name.

The collection of demonic stones and materials was also decided in discussion with the adventurers and representatives of the Knights. I was the biggest contributor, so after I took my share, it was distributed across the board with merit and so on. It has always been the same way so far.

Just because you can get cheap materials, you don't earn rough money like the adventurers are eating up. I will only take what I need as a material and what I will wholesale to the guild for redemption, after which I will leave it to everyone else. That was my usual way.

When the discussion was over, I tried to get back to Royal Castle with Airdra as soon as possible, but Yuffi refused to do everything in his power to do this. I can't get on a ride without thinking about stopping.

Uffi didn't shake his neck vertically, although it was difficult but he didn't have to stop. So I decided to ask the Knights to rent a carriage to carry supplies.

It's not a quick journey! That's why I'm on my way back to Royal Castle with Airdra and a pile of my share of material. He said he could do it himself, but a few escorts were put on the boulder, including a princess and a duke's wife riding in a carriage and returning.

So I am allowed to relax on the carriage. I'm not lonely because I have Uffi beside me. Uffi has a blurry view of the outside, somewhere out of his mind.

”Are you tired, Uffi?

”No, it's okay”

They tell me to be nothing if I speak up. It seems clear to me that it was not my heart that I said it.

If I were a normal lady, I might still be tired because it was just something I wouldn't experience. Yuffi would tell you not to worry about it, but I guess I'll just worry about it.

”... Dear Anis”

”Hmm?”

”Master Anis, do you have dreams?

”A dream?”

It's abrupt again, I think. If you turn your eyes to Uffi, you'll tangle with the gaze that was looking straight at me.

”I have a lot of dreams. It's my dream to study magic so I can do all sorts of things.”

”Magic can't use magic. I studied it so that Master Anis could use magic, right?

”Yeah, I am. Well, that's not all.”

”You think there's anything else?

”Magic is handy, isn't it?

Ask Yufi. I wonder what she thinks about magic now that she's been touching it and seeing one end of it.

”I want to see a world where this is easier and more usable than me. I was wondering if the people who live in this world, other than me, would do things I didn't think they would do in magic. I'm sure I'll find the meaning of being born in this world if I see such a sight.”

”Meaning of birth, is it?

”Am I weird? It's not even royal, the feeling is uneven somewhere, weirdo. I've become a stranger because I want to, but I feel like I just had to be.”

Sometimes I put up with it at first. Because he's royal. Though I didn't keep any of that.

I want to be free. But don't take it personally. The title royalty is a commandment to me. I'm just staying in a birdcage in the frame of a country if I want.

I never thought that would be unfortunate. I just think you're just a little incapacitated. I'm protected by a birdcage. I have a sense of consciousness.

”Because if you're not like others, if that's what nobody can imitate, then I want to believe it makes sense there. So I want to be like me. I want to study magic. More ahead, more convenient, more awesome stuff!

”Is that what Lady Annis dreams about?

”Yes! I want to see the sight of my glimpse in this world and the moment something new is born!

It's boring not to have a change. It doesn't suit me that I'm not essentially a person in this world to live the way I do. If you can't accompany the world like that, I'll have to change the world. Because otherwise I'm dying of a stuffy breath.

It's a terrible way to put it, but you can give it to someone who wants status. I don't need to qualify as a king. I don't want to be king. Well, I don't even think you should sit on the throne with someone who doesn't deserve a minute. There is a degree of patriotism.

”For example, what do you think would happen if this Airdra was in the hands of more civilians?

”Is this magic prop...?

”Much faster than a carriage if you can make it to your journey feet. Distribution may accelerate and expand. They may be able to deliver food that can only be eaten in the region. Villages communicate with each other in the country! Don't you think this is the only way to spread your dreams?

”... would also have a significant impact on the operation of the Knights”

”Yeah, demand means supply is required! Magic is good if it has magic, even civilians can make magic props. That also leads to good offices for the job. If a man works, the kingdom moisturizes, and if the kingdom moisturizes, the people will have wealth. That's what makes the country rich and stronger again and again! Even the day when the Kingdom of Palletia is called the Kingdom of Invention is not so far away!

If you only talk about your dreams, I hope the day comes when you can see such a sight. There are many problems that need to be cleared for this, and I don't know if reality will go the way it wants. Still, one step at a time is fine. I want to go for that ideal.

That's why I'm royal. I don't want to be king, but I want to be part of the royal family. Because it is easier to give opinions to the country. I think Father is the ideal boss in that regard. Tighten it moderately and spread it out for the people as a feat of their own moderation. For that matter, I'm giving you a lot of hard work.

I have a sense of annoyance. And to be honest with you, when you say father, you have a faint feeling. Because that guy has a strong sense of being a boss to me. For a family, the divider called royalty is really far from the warmth I want.

But I think that's good. At least something that's seriously going broke? If you don't, Father and I aren't going to change it from the way we're dating now.

I noticed that Fu and Yufi looked worried. And Pottori and Uffi squirm.

”... I was raised as the next queen to support the king. I've been trying to be that way myself. You're nothing like me.”

”Yufi is an honorary student. You don't do anything out of shape like me. I don't think that's a good idea.”

”You're really far away. I saw you today and thought: Strength, mindset, goals. Everything is different from me...”

Uffi strayed from my gaze with her worried eyes. Uh-huh, something doesn't seem like a very good trend. Yufi looked at me and thought I was inferior.

Normally, you have excellent magic, nobility, and the elegance of being raised as the next queen! I mean, I don't think that's connected to Yuffi's confidence right now.

Because Al-Kun broke me there and hurt me. People can't stand if they break their core. Other than that, if you don't have the core to support it.

The Queen is the Mother of the Nation who does all she can for her country. So I don't need more personality than I need. If only it were gear that goes around for the country. It still conflicts with what is required as the head of the country even though he is a human being. It is my belief that it is the royal duty to live on such a plank.

I don't think Uffi had any other core. I didn't have the time or opportunity to be able to grow other cores. Maybe Yufi didn't even try to ask for it. Maybe there I worked salt into my wound unconsciously.

I just wanted to show you my dreams and tell you that there are plenty of possibilities to look forward, even if I don't feel the same way about Yufi.

Um, and. After getting a little lost, I embarked on getting closer to Uffi.

Uffi, who was out of sight, looks at me. With my hand on such a yuffy cheek, I dropped my mouth on her forehead.

”... huh?

Draws me to my chest to hold Yuffi's head, which leaks his voice flashly. To wrap it up, stroke the back of Uffi's head holding it in gently to handle the broken goods.

”Good boy, good boy”

He strokes his head repeatedly as he whispers in Uffi's ear. Does Uffi stay surprised or not move?

”You did your best.”

I think I'm working really hard. He's younger than me, and unlike me, he didn't hold a heterogeneous soul. I just stuck it up with my talent. I have been disciplining myself to live with that qualification and that it should be.

I can't laugh at that effort. That it's as valuable as the passion I've put into magic. Empathy is not possible, but its value can be acknowledged.

”So you're a good kid, a reward for a good kid. So you can hope.”

Yufi worked hard. I tried to be what I wanted, and I couldn't be. That's not why that much effort disappears.

So I reached out. Because Yufi's talent was spared. I need her to stay broken in the future. In my dreams, I thought I could go higher and higher.

So reward the hard-working child. I think it's something I can do for you to keep trying.

”All of Uffi's efforts are acknowledged. Some people won't like it because they won't admit it, or because they will. But Uffi is not alone. At least you have me. I will protect you. Look, I'm strong, right?

”Dear Anis...”

”Heh heh, my engagement has been dissolved already, but you were still supposed to be my sister, weren't you? Then it's okay for you to think I'm your sister, right? I respect your freedom.”

This kid has always been on the defensive side. Pride, family name, country. Those who were supposed to protect them gave them their hands back. Then who can complain where this child is on the side of being protected? Even if I could, I wouldn't allow it.

I have to protect this girl for you. The wizard I admired, the one I expected to stand at the top of the country I recognized, this kid who could have been my sister in the future.

”It's okay. I'll protect you. Until the day when you can choose your own way of life again. That's why there's magic. Because magic is my dream, my dream, to make it happen.”

Please learn. There's no one way to grasp happiness. You can find it yourself. That's any form of happiness, so I can walk out for my happiness again.

Let's protect this kid. It seemed natural. Because if I can protect it, it will lead me to protect a dream that never came true. A wizard who can be recognized by everyone, a nice wizard who can make everyone smile.

”Because I promised. He said it would make you happy.”

So be protected. Until the day comes when I will get out of this hand. And so that one day I can walk with you even when that day comes.

I want to see this child's future. That's all I need to know is why I protect you. I put a little effort into my arms holding Yufi tight.

Yufi didn't say anything. Without saying anything, they just wrapped their hands around my back and hugged each other. If you notice, until Uffi goes to sleep. That's how we kept hugging each other.

”Silly -”