Chapter 35
Can it really turn out like this?
Well, I guess so. The daughter-obsessed Duke drags me away like he’s kidnapping me, and the little brother-obsessed Benen always runs to me first.
On the other hand, the only one I have to chase after, rambling all the way, is Elver.
“…Not wrong.”
“Exactly, that’s what it was.”
Elver had returned to his old self, smiling kindly and calmly. Was it just my imagination, or did his lips even have a mischievous curve to them?
With no one else around, Elver’s tone had regained its usual sweetness.
“Sol, you really are prettiest in the sunlight. Your hair is lovely, but your eyes sparkle gold.”
“Uh, um, thanks.”
“I’d love to go on a walk like this… but since we’ve ended up alone in the study, let’s go over your reading lesson.”
“Ah, but I already studied today—”
“Who was it that said ‘Let’s keep this a secret just between us’ and then immediately told Benen?”
“…I’m sorry.”
“Haha, no need to apologize.”
With notebook in hand, Elver stepped in front of me and whispered with a grin.
“I’ll try being a tsundere a bit longer.”
Benen and Elver helped draft the first letter I would send to Kai.
“Elver and I wrote a first draft. Just copy it over.”
“Sol, are you sure I don’t need to write it for you? Your handwriting is still cute, but…”
“I know it’s messy. But handwriting only improves if I keep practicing.”
I transcribed the contents they had prepared onto letter paper. The letters were crooked like a kindergartener’s, but one day this would be a memory of how much I’d grown.
And so, I sent off a letter I couldn’t even read yet. Then I took turns learning to write and read with Elver and Benen.
I was even introduced to a new, somewhat curt but very capable tutor…
About two weeks after sending that first letter, I became able to read simple picture books on my own. I could even write greetings that looked somewhat like real writing!
Around that time, a letter arrived from Alkaios Laprand, grandson of the Marquis of Laprand. The maid, Linda, laughed as if it were all very amusing.
“Fufu, it seems the young master of Laprand was terribly worried his letter might get lost. He sent it using a carriage specialized for valuable goods.”
“Thanks, Linda!”
The envelope itself was stamped with a bold warning.
To be delivered only to Lady Sol Schlieger! No one else may open this! Please respect the lady’s privacy!
“Oho, the lady’s privacy, huh. What kind of ‘personal’ content did he write that he thinks he can say something so presumptuous?”
“…Maybe he’s worried about someone like you popping out suddenly, Benen.”
“Why would I be a concern? I’m always ready to throw myself in for my little sister!”
Benen shrugged, playing around. From the other side, Elver, who had silently stepped closer, added something odd.
“I doubt he’s worried about you specifically. More like, I’m concerned he might’ve written something burdensome.”
“Like what?”
“…Something like wanting a reply.”
“That’s not burdensome. Most people call that manners.”
I wanted to push both of them away. But that might just provoke their imaginations even more.
With a sigh, I opened the letter in front of my brothers. Sorry, Kai.
But the first letter they helped me send probably reeked of my brothers’ involvement. He would’ve easily guessed I was being monitored.
Kai surely wrote only polite things in return.
Alright, let’s see what the first page says—
Dear Sol Schlieger,
Hi, Sol! I can’t tell you how long I’ve waited for your first letter! I’m so glad you didn’t forget our promise!
Actually, in my imagination, you were getting prettier every day, and I was worried that my expectations might ruin our connection.
But there was no need to worry. The moment I opened your letter, it was like I could smell the flowers from the day we danced together!
Out! Three strikes, you’re out!
I’m doomed! This guy Kai has no awareness of my brothers at all!
Benen and Elver’s faces twisted at the same time.
“Danced…?”
“Scent…?”
“Uh, that’s, it wasn’t a big deal. You know how adults at banquets like to pair up boys and girls for no reason? We just danced one round, that’s all.”
“…Keep reading.”
Benen tried to hide his trembling hands. I turned to the next page of the letter.
The Laprand territory is vast, and most people here are farmers. I wish I could show you the wheat fields dancing in the wind. The expansive vineyards are also beautiful. But ■■
“Elver, what does this word say?”
“It says the population density is low.”
“Thanks.”
Even if I understood the meaning, there were still hard words I needed help reading.
In summary, he wrote that he was lonely since there were no kids his age in his town, and he was glad to have met me, hoping we could stay in touch. He wrote all that over four pages.
And then on the last page, with bold and pressed handwriting:
I heard there’s a Spring Festival in the County of Flögel at the end of April? I’ll come no matter what! I’m sure I’ll see you dressed like a flower fairy.
Please write back!
From Kai Laprand, who wants to keep this connection going forever.
P.S. Come visit Laprand anytime. The doors of the Marquis’s house are always open for you!
“….”
Just reading the letter feels like I went on a three-hour blind date with a very energetic person. How is Kai so cheerful?
Meanwhile, Elver and Benen looked flustered for entirely different reasons. Especially Benen, who was gritting his teeth.
“What a shameless letter! Did he not even consider your family?”
I replied with a sigh.
“I agree with the first part. He’s got guts. How could he send a reply like that after receiving a letter covered in big brother and father references?”
“Exactly. Our first letter definitely included…”
Then Benen’s expression changed.
“…Sol, how do you know what was in the first letter Elver and I wrote? You couldn’t even read back then!”
“I kept a copy, planning to read it after I learned to read.”
“What? H-How?”
I pulled a sheet of paper from the desk drawer. It was a copy of that infamous first letter my brothers had written for me.
It was even worse than the one Elver had written alone.
It was… mortifying.
Hello, I’m Sol Schlieger of the Duke Schlieger household. The banquet was enjoyable. I’m writing this letter together with my brothers.
Do you know Benen Schlieger, the prodigy of the Royal Academy? He’s my second brother. He said he’d always help me if I get involved in any inappropriate friendships. He’s known for his strictness with others, but he’s so kind to me.
We can’t forget Elver, either. Though only twelve, he’s such a formidable swordsman that even much older knights can’t beat him. If I were to make any new friends, he’d probably test their strength first…
Etc., etc.
After I read it out loud, both Benen and Elver’s faces turned bright red.
Elver stammered.
“H-How did you get that copy?!”
“I made it.”
“What?”
“When you gave me the draft and told me to copy it, I placed a sheet under the paper and pressed down really hard while writing.”
That way, the imprint would remain on the lower sheet. Sprinkle ash on it, and you get a nice reverse copy of the original letter.
The two of them stared at me, mouths agape. I grinned proudly.
“I was worried you’d pull something sneaky, so I kept a copy and read it later. Seriously, how could you two do that? That wasn’t my letter—it was just a brag fest about you two!”
“T-That’s…”
“Therefore, I’m writing this next reply all on my own.”
“But your writing’s still awkward!”
“So what? Better than another letter full of brother bragging.”
“Ugh…”
They both pouted in perfect unison. Why do they only act the same at times like this?
“I’m just networking, so stop worrying, okay?”
“…I believe you, Sol.”
“You’d better, Benen. By the way, what’s this Spring Festival he mentioned? And what does he mean by dressing like a fairy?”
Their eyes met instantly. Were they going to lie again?
One second later, Elver spoke.
“It’s nothing special! Just a local event where everyone enjoys good food before things get busy!”
“Elver’s right. Nothing worth seeing. Everyone’s busy, so personal guests are not allowed. It’s considered rude.”
Whatever it was, it sounded fun. I’d have to investigate on my own.
I smiled and played along.
“Okay. Then I’ll go tell Father that I’m exchanging letters with the Laprand heir.”
“Sure, Sol.”
“See you later, Elver!”
“Yeah. I’ll have the book ready for us to read!”
After we each went our own way, I immediately ran to Linda.
“Hey, Linda. There’s a festival at the end of April, right? What kind of festival is it?”
“Oh, it’s a celebration of spring blooms, held before things get too busy. Flögel has a late bloom season, so our spring festival is later than in other regions.”
“I see. But my brothers said it’s boring… Is that true?”
“…Are you planning to attend?”
Linda’s face became incredibly conflicted. Why? Is it really that boring? But then she gave an unexpected answer.
“It’s actually a fun festival for the townsfolk. During the day, people share sugar candies made from flowers, and at night, they drink flower wine and burn straw gathered over the winter while making wishes.”
“Wow! That sounds fun!”
“Doesn’t it? And each year, the Lady of Flögel—or the mistress of the estate—would carry a lantern and lead the parade…”
“…”
I think I understand now. There’s no longer a lady of the estate in Flögel. Linda’s voice grew a little bitter.
“When the madam was alive, the festival was more cheerful. Even His Grace wouldn’t turn down a dance from her, they say.”
“…”
“But ever since she passed, His Grace has come to hate the festival…”
“Ah…”
“Ah! But he only avoids it—he doesn’t forbid anyone from attending!”
Linda hurriedly smiled, trying not to crush my hopes.
“If you say you want to go, I’m sure he’ll ask me to prepare a pretty dress for you! I’ll go ahead and call the seamstress.”
“Haha, thank you.”
“By the way, do you have someone to dance with? Should I prepare a dancing dress just in case?”
