Chapter 179 - – SUMMER FESTIVAL (2) (1/2)
Terms used in this chapter:
He who touches pitch shall be defiled therewith. – A biblical proverb which means that if you get involved with wicked people or illegal activities, you cannot avoid being corrupted yourself.
The husband sings and the woman follows. – An old Chinese proverb which means that the best way to maintain domestic happiness was for the wife to follow her husband’s lead.
“Are we really going to fairyland?”
“Yes, Your Highness. We’re going to fairyland.”
Cordelia beautifully answered Princess Darianne’s question, while Princess Daphne happily looked at the two before she shifted her gaze.
“You have a lot of stuff.”
The royal family didn’t pack anything since they had come to the hot spring in order to relax in the first place.
But Jude and Cordelia were different.
Because they had prepared special gifts, or rather, trading goods in case the summer fairies really appear.
“We had met the fairies several times, so we had prepared in advance.”
When Jude answered politely, Princess Daphne’s eyes narrowed a bit before she nodded.
“It’s natural to give gifts when visiting, especially when you visit frequently. So it would be better for our side to prepare a gift too.”
Our side.
At her meaningful words, Jude felt relief and a sense of crisis at the same time.
After all, Jude and Cordelia were nobles of the Sälen Kingdom while Princess Daphne was royalty, so it was possible for her to ‘requisition’ the goods Jude and Cordelia had prepared if she wished for it.
‘Of course, it’s unlikely that she’ll openly requisition it.’
Tyrants were the only ones who openly seized things.
But it would also be difficult if they presented money as a gift.
Money had no value for fairies.
‘Of course, they could also give pretty-looking money.’
In any case, Jude was worried because items were better to give than money, but when he heard her say ‘our side,’ it seemed like she had no intention to take away the things that Jude and Cordelia had prepared.
‘The problem is that the rarity of our gifts would decrease if there are more gifts.’
He had naturally prepared a trump card to somehow negotiate for the ‘most important deal,’ but…
“You’ve prepared chocolate, right? Then, our side will prepare some snacks too.”
Perhaps it was just him.
At Princess Daphne’s words, Jude closed his eyes once before he gave a positive answer.
“Yes, Your Highness. The fairies really love sweets.”
“Indeed, they have their own preference.”
Princess Daphne said and smiled a bit, but it seemed like she was still feeling bitter about it.
What the fairies liked.
What kind of physical appearance the fairies preferred.
‘Well, of course, there’s that, but…’
Alright, that’s enough.
Jude stopped his thoughts for Princess Daphne’s honor, and he turned to the gift again.
‘Isn’t it good if it’s a snack?’
If her snacks were a completely different type, he could push for a comparative advantage.
‘And.’
Even if this was the royal palace, they was a limit to the number of snacks they could prepare in a hurry.
A chef could prepare some amazing and freshly-baked sweets in a short amount of time, but…
‘The fairies won’t wait for that.’
They were already whining about leaving right now.
Fairies had always been childish whenever the two met them, but this time, their childish nature was quite helpful for Jude and Cordelia.
“Quickly. Quickly. How long do we have to wait?”
“The Queen goes to bed early.”
“That’s right, that’s right. If you keep delaying, she might be asleep by then.”
As the fairies raised their voices, Princess Daphne flinched and looked back at the royal palace’s maids, and the maids nodded their heads, bringing out some snacks they had prepared in case the royalty wanted to have some tea.
‘It would be impossible to wrap all that up.’
But still, Princess Daphne was satisfied with the fact that she had some gifts, so she glanced at Jude and said.
“Our side is ready.”
“I understand. I’ll convey your message.”
Jude bowed and turned to the fairies, who immediately responded to him.
“Oh, you’re all done now?”
“Let’s go then?”
“Let’s go~!”
It was the moment when the pestering fairies shouted.
The unique space movement magic of the fairies that was familiar to Jude and Cordelia, but unfamiliar to the royal family was unfolded.
“W-wait! Escort!”
“Your Royal Highness!”
The royal court attendants and maids hastily shouted, but it was useless.
Because they had already moved in the blink of an eye.
They crossed the space into the land of the summer fairies.
Fairy village.
“Wow.”
Princess Darianne exclaimed as her eyes widened at the sparkling forest that suddenly appeared. On the other hand, Princess Daphne and Prince Dion were amazed and surprised for an instant before they quickly suppressed their emotions like adult royalty.
“What is this? What is this?”
“Are these children from outside?”
“They’re humans.”
“Oh~ She’s really pretty.”
“Cute.”
“He looks scary.”
“Yes, he’s like a lion.”
“Wow! Look at her! So pretty!”
“Uwaaaah! I want to touch her!”
The fairies acted as expected.
Dozens or more gathered in an instant as they loudly chattered, and Jude smiled.
‘Well, just as I thought. As expected of Cordelia.’
Because nearly half of the fairies flocked to Jude and Cordelia.
‘Let’s proceed quickly.’
The royalty were distracted by the appearance of the fairies now, but they would be displeased once they realized the difference in treatment.
Jude approached and quickly spoke to the fairy who was in the middle of the tumult – that is, the fairy who brought Jude and his group here.
“Can you guide us to your Queen? I’ll give you the special gift we promised.”
“It’s really special. So we’ll give it only to you.”
As the saying goes, he who touches pitch shall be defiled therewith.
Having been corrupted by Jude already, Cordelia brightly smiled and said, and her words were quite effective since the fairy liked the words ‘only to you’ and quickly nodded.
“Yes-yes! I’ll guide you!”
“Thank you.”
Cordelia smiled again and glanced at Jude who replied with a pleased smile.
‘Cordelia, you’ve grown up.’
‘Because I have a really great teacher.’
The husband sang and the wife followed.