Chapter 50
“Claude really is such a caring person.”
In truth, since he entrusted Estelle to me, he didn’t need to pay any more attention to her.
Yet he wrote her an academy recommendation, helped with etiquette lessons, and even gave her a gift like this.
He really is a wonderful person.
…Not that I’m giving him high praise just because I liked the clothes he sent.
I mean it. I truly think so.
…Really.
“Ah, anyway… she’s really cute. She’ll probably look even cuter wearing it. Hmm, maybe I should dress her in this for the festival?”
I did ask Julie to prepare a set of clothes, but the moment I saw this outfit, I realized something.
This outfit suited Estelle even better than the one I had prepared.
It was exactly the little farmer I had imagined.
“And then I can show her off to everyone.”
“Look! This adorable girl is ours! Isn’t she cute?”
I grinned as I looked at Estelle, certain she would like the clothes too.
“No… this is…!”
But something felt odd.
I assumed Estelle would naturally be looking at the clothes, just like me.
Instead, her gaze was fixed not on the clothes but on the package beside them.
Her hands carefully lifted the package with more caution than usual.
“What… what is it?”
What could possibly be in that package to make her react this way?
I tilted my head in curiosity, then followed her as she opened it to see the contents.
“This… it’s the miracle fertilizer that can revive dying plants! Golden Hand…! How did someone get such a rare and expensive thing? Alright, good. I’ll be sure to bring it next time we go to the farm.”
…So that earthy stuff inside was fertilizer.
“What exactly is Golden Hand?”
Is that why Estelle is reacting so strongly?
I had some experience with farming in the past, yet I couldn’t even guess what kind of fertilizer it was.
But one thing was certain:
This fertilizer must be really good.
Seeing Estelle, who once pursued the farmer route, her eyes sparkling like that said it all.
“Still, it’s strange.”
The clothes and the fertilizer—both were related to farm work.
“Did I tell him Estelle was doing part-time work at the farm, or that she was entering a competition?”
I wasn’t entirely sure about the part-time work, but I don’t think I mentioned any competition.
Or maybe he had known all along.
Though he appeared cold and indifferent, he was probably a warm-hearted man.
From the moment he entrusted Estelle to me, he might have been constantly checking on her situation.
Just in case I missed something or an unexpected situation arose.
“Thinking about it this way, I’m glad. There’s someone with influence behind Estelle.”
In the near future, Estelle would enter high society.
After that, she would become the emperor.
At that time, she would need a powerful ally, someone she couldn’t take lightly, rather than someone powerless like me.
Someone like Claude.
And it was just my thought, but I believed Claude could play that role.
He was responsible enough to consistently care for a child entrusted to another.
I imagined Estelle as emperor, happy with the fertilizer in her hands, and beside her, not me, but Claude.
Rustle—.
A small sound came from my side.
It was a letter from Claude, delivered through Cain.
“What could it say?”
I pulled the letter out and turned it over in my hands.
Then, carefully, I tore open the envelope, making sure Estelle couldn’t see it.
It might contain something she wasn’t meant to see.
Ssshh—.
With the sound of paper tearing, a white letter appeared inside.
I peeked at Estelle and quickly pulled out the letter.
“…”
Opening the folded paper, I saw neat handwriting with a short note.
It was brief enough to read instantly.
“Oh…! He made me such an offer.”
I scanned the letter quickly, my eyes widening.
Claude had genuinely made an incredible offer without hesitation.
Finally!
The long-awaited autumn festival, the Perso Festival, had arrived!
“Wow, that looks fun!”
“No, it should be over here! Move it this way!”
“Raise the signboard a bit… Ah, yes. Perfect!”
The plaza’s entrance was already crowded.
From people preparing the festival to those excited to enjoy it, the square bustled with various individuals, all wearing carefree, bright smiles.
Even though the festival hadn’t officially started, the atmosphere was electric.
“Wow, there are more people than I expected.”
“I hope we won’t run out of the paper flowers we prepared.”
“If we run out, we can just fold more!”
“Exactly!”
I was among the children from the village school.
Each of them carried some belongings, following me with full smiles on their faces.
“Alright, everyone, this way!”
I gestured to the kids who were distracted by the crowd.
Then we headed to the stall we had prepped before the festival.
The stall was in a prime spot, not far from the plaza entrance, with plenty of foot traffic.
But as we arrived, the children’s faces fell.
“It feels too shabby…”
Perhaps because nearby stalls were so flashy and popular.
Comparing their own setup to the surrounding stalls, the children shrank back.
“We don’t have a cool sign like that… what should we do?”
“Is it okay to hang such a plain banner?”
Unlike other stalls, which had arrived earlier and already set up their tents, ours looked simple.
The other stalls had elaborate signs, banners, and props that seemed to cost a lot.
Yet I didn’t worry at all, even without fancy decorations.
We had our secret weapon: the adorable children in matching uniforms!
From the start, I never intended to make our stall fancy like the others.
It was made by the children, after all. Professional signs and banners wouldn’t suit it.
In fact, a simple, homemade sign made it feel more genuine.
“And people tend to be more moved by something simple but full of effort.”
Just like something that’s not perfect but cute can feel more endearing.
It’s just how the world works.
Plus, inside the stall, the cute kids in uniforms were giving out flowers for free?
If I were a visitor, I’d faint right then and there.
The reason being, of course, “the children are too cute.”
So the kids had nothing to worry about.
Their charm was the attraction!
I clapped twice to get the kids’ attention.
Then, hands on my hips, I said,
“Come on, there’s nothing to feel down about! Why are we participating in the festival?”
“To give people memories to cherish?”
“Exactly! We’re here to make precious memories, not to open a fancy stall. So there’s nothing to worry about.”
I spoke loudly to cheer them up.
Maybe that’s why.
The gloom disappeared from their faces, and their energy returned.
“So don’t be discouraged. The festival is about to start, so let’s get ready!”
“Yes!”
Their voices were loud and confident, as if they had never been discouraged.
Soon, they moved in unison to prepare for the festival.
“Let’s hang the sign! I think it’ll be visible here!”
“Yes! And let’s put the banner over here!”
“Great!”
I looked at them proudly.
Then, a fanfare sounded, signaling the start of the festival.
At the same time, people surged into the plaza, and the stalls became busy.
Ours was no exception.
“Free paper flowers! Capture precious memories in flowers! Just like these flowers never wither, your memories will last forever!”
“Ugh, my heart… c-can I have a flower?”
“Thank you! Enjoy the festival!”
Just as I expected.
People were drawn to our humble but cute sign, entering the stall while clutching their hearts.
