CHAPTER 73……………………………
Several gift boxes were placed at the door.
Fortunately, they weren’t nearly as many as those sent by the mansion’s ghosts.
“This is… from the head maid, the head chef, and Mary and Anne…”
The main communication had been with the head maid, but Laseil also knew the names of the other maids. She hadn’t thought they were close enough to send gifts.
“These gifts are unusual.”
The gifts from the lordly castle’s ghosts had been designed to repel ghosts or demons.
These were the opposite of what the mansion’s ghosts had sent.
A set of charms that drove away evil, a powdered drink that banished demons when mixed with water, and two handkerchiefs embroidered with depictions of a saint from mythology.
“I wonder… if it’s okay to carry these together?”
It seemed like something that shouldn’t be carried alongside the necromancy set.
After a short moment researching the saint’s mercy, Laseil reached a conclusion.
“…She’ll probably forgive me.”
According to the stories, she seemed far more generous than Laseil had imagined.
But the gift-opening wasn’t over yet. After all, it wasn’t just the ghosts who had sent gifts.
“Laseil? Mother sent you a gift.”
That was how the first conversation of the morning with Yujire went.
Since she had come early at dawn, it seemed she had been woken by the sound of the carriage.
Seeing her still in pajamas and half-asleep face made it even more obvious.
“There’s no option to refuse.”
“Excuse me?”
Laseil, slightly tense, accepted the gift Yujire handed over.
“…Is this an outing outfit?”
Surprisingly, it was an ordinary set of clothes for going out.
Pants-style, easy to move in. The fabric was fine, though the decorations were relatively simple compared to usual.
“Wait a moment.”
Laseil stopped, sensing something strange.
There was something unusual about the clothes, almost as if they were enchanted.
“Surely it’s not magic, right?”
“Of course not. Otherwise, Mother would have just sent ordinary clothes.”
“…….”
“Let’s see… It has defensive magic, temperature regulation, even a compartment for an emergency sword.”
Well, setting aside the other features…
“Do I really need defensive magic?”
“Mother worries a lot.”
Yujire answered nonchalantly, showing no surprise at a gift from a duke.
“Even adults sometimes have to look after a five-year-old.”
“……”
Indeed, even after Laseil became an adult, the duke often treated her as if she were a six-year-old child. Considering that, the magical protections on the outing clothes didn’t feel that unbelievable.
“An emergency sword isn’t a bad thing to have.”
Moreover, one of the spells seemed genuinely useful.
Considering the price, it was a little intimidating—but could one even put a price on it?
“…Thank you. I’ll use it well.”
Laseil decided she’d probably need to write a letter to the duke that evening.
Giving up further objections, she accepted the clothes quietly.
“And this is a gift from me.”
But Yujire’s gifts weren’t done yet.
Laseil, slightly tense, blinked as she saw the next gift.
–Honor and Glory
It was written in Gothic letters, but the meaning was clear.
It was a book containing stories of knights who had existed even before the Empire was established.
There were many tales about swordsmanship that had long since become obsolete.
She had searched for it for a long time, but it had gone out of print and was almost impossible to find.
“Where did you find this?”
Laseil asked hurriedly as she took the book.
It was in such excellent condition that it seemed improbable she had gotten it from the black market.
“I thought I’d never find it since the publisher went bankrupt…”
“There’s always a way.”
With trembling hands, Laseil flipped through the cover.
The text and illustrations were exactly as she had imagined.
There were even explanations about sword techniques she had always wanted to learn.
“Do you like it?”
“Is it possible not to?”
“Good to hear.”
Yujire didn’t reveal how she had obtained the book. She must have spent a considerable amount to acquire it.
“If the lady doesn’t want to say, there’s nothing to be done.”
Anyway, the important thing was that Laseil now had the book in her hands.
The gifts continued after that.
The most absurd one was from Luzea.
“You’ll have to throw things a lot, right?”
She handed over two pairs of high-quality gloves.
Upon receiving them, Laseil had to be careful not to throw them immediately.
Meanwhile, some gifts were extremely practical.
“It’s getting colder soon.”
A cloak from Eliane, light yet warm and easy to move in.
And the most surprising gift came from Irenes.
“I… didn’t know what you’d like…”
A fountain pen engraved with the name “Laseil Jaen.”
Seeing one’s own name engraved in this way was an unfamiliar experience.
“Thank you. I’ll use it well.”
The elegantly colored pen seemed highly useful, though even just keeping it nearby would probably be satisfying.
“And… this too.”
Irenes hesitated, then carefully handed over another box.
Its size immediately suggested what it was.
“I thought long and hard… and since it seemed letters would suit it, I chose a ring…”
“May I try it on?”
Laseil quietly held out her hand.
Waiting any longer would probably make Irenes so nervous she’d faint.
Her action seemed to only make Irenes more anxious, however.
“Y-yes!”
With trembling hands, Irenes took out the ring.
Inside, the name “Ella” sparkled.
“It… suits you with the name Ella.”
Irenes managed to slip the ring onto her finger.
“They said it’s a ring for someone with firm beliefs.”
“Do I look like that?”
Laseil smiled softly.
It was always a pleasure to receive positive feedback from a friend.
“Do… you like it?”
“Yes, very much.”
Laseil smiled once more.
Irenes, momentarily stunned by the expression, regained her composure.
“Then… I’ll be going! See you tomorrow!”
“Yes, see you tomorrow.”
Laseil waited a moment as Irenes walked away, then sighed.
The question she wanted to ask tomorrow suddenly came to mind.
“The one I like… is it really the princess?”
She didn’t want to think about it right now.
Sighing again, Laseil walked to her room, planning to read the book she had received since she had plenty of free time on her day off.
＊＊＊
“Was the appointment at eleven?”
Laseil thought frantically as she hurriedly dressed.
She had stayed up late last night reading the book she had received.
“It’s been so long since something like this happened—back when I was eight!”
She had pushed through the sleeplessness, and now it had led to this situation.
It was too late to regret it, so she hurried along.
Soon, she saw Irenes standing in front of a tree in the center of the estate.
“Sorry! Have you been waiting long?”
“Not at all, I just got here too.”
Irenes smiled brightly—but it wasn’t very reliable.
She always claimed she had just arrived, even if she had come two hours early.
Laseil didn’t correct her; it would have been strange to insist.
“Thank you for meeting me today. There’s a place I’ve really wanted to visit.”
“A place you want to visit?”
“Yes, a new tea house opened up. They have really good cakes.”
The rarest thing in this estate was a tea house with good cakes.
If a new one opened, there was no reason not to go.
“Which way is it?”
“This way.”
The tea house was better than expected.
It was small, but cozy.
“Are you two… a couple?”
The staff’s question was slightly embarrassing.
After an awkward silence, they added quietly:
“We give discounts to couples.”
Then, in a whisper:
“Honestly, we ask everyone this question when two people come together. It doesn’t really matter if you’re not a couple. But hey, discounts are nice, right?”
