Chapter 21: New hobby
“It’s another beautiful day.”
I take a seat on the garden terrace with a cup of tea, enjoying the cool breeze.
A brief respite
I’m in complete peace and am not being disturbed by anyone.
A life free of hard work and malicious harassment.
What a blessing.
“Sorry, I’m late.”
“No, I just got here myself.”
“How many times have you lied to me?”
“How many times? I’ve lost count.”
Afternoon tea with His Highness
We meet for tea at a set time every three days.
It is a rule based on national traditions, the importance of the family, and the couple.
His Highness has refused to be coerced into it, but I don’t think it’s wrong to value family time.
Even if it’s a fictitious couple, this type of time is crucial.
“Have you been working hard today?”
“More than usual. But on my way out, I ran into Loe and Lena. They begged me to join them in their game.”
“Fufufu, is that so?”
His words gave me an idea of what was going on.
Princess Lenari and Prince Leoness.
The twins adore their older brother, His Highness Rayne.
His Highness has a soft spot for his family as well.
He was probably unable to refuse their invitation to play with him.
Naturally, the reason he’s smiling makes me happy.
“And how about you?”
“Same as usual.”
“Are you as bored as you usually are?”
“Not to the point where I can’t stand it.”
I am more accustomed to life in this country than I was when I first arrived.
At first, I was a stranger, and the people in the castle seemed wary of me.
I believe they were at a loss for how to treat me.
It’s polite but awkward, almost probing.
Over the months, I think they’ve gotten used to me being in the castle, and they’ve been talking to me more and more naturally lately.
I can see that the castle is strange in a variety of ways now.
Of course, in a good way.
It’s most likely due to His Highness and the twins’ friendly personalities and attitudes.
The people at the castle are also very relaxed about their work.
Castles and courts have always struck me as stuffy places.
But I don’t sense any stuffiness here.
Maybe that’s why I’m not sure who I am.
Status and power are naturally valued by nobility and royalty.
It’s perfectly normal, and there’s nothing wrong with it.
They appear pompous and fearsome to the general public.
If I had been one of those common-thinking aristocrats, I would not have fit in here.
“I’m getting used to a more relaxed way of life.”
“That’s encouraging. People must learn to relax in general, or they will crash somewhere. You’ve been working hard for quite some time, and it takes some getting used to.”
“That may be true, but now that I’m used to it, I’m thinking about how to spend my free time.”
“That’s good; work isn’t everything in life.”
Your Highness says so, too.
In short, I was looking for something else to focus on.
I also get to work as a grantmaker in this country and receive regular jobs from Minister Morgen.
It kept my skills sharp and allowed me to relieve boredom to some extent.
But I’m not simply looking for work.
I don’t want to be buried in work any longer.
I’d like to do something else I enjoy.
That’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately.
“How about a hobby? It’s fine, right?”
“Thank you, Your Highness, but I can’t seem to find it; I was just thinking about it earlier. What are your hobbies, Your Highness?”
“Me? My hobby… I wonder what it is…”
His Highness is thinking about it.
Looking up, down, and thinking.
“I’m not sure, now that you mention it.”
“Your Highness as well?”
“Yes, you know, I’ve been working a lot, and until recently, I was also looking for a wife, so I guess I’m a wanderer in terms of hobbies.”
“Wandering…?”
I’m not sure that qualifies as a hobby.
If you want to find a wife, that’s part of your job.
“So, Your Highness, what do you like to do?”
“Everything in this country is my treasure: the landscapes, the people, the animals.”
“You sound like a prince.”
“That’s what I’m prepared to say if you ask me, but I’m sure you don’t want to hear something difficult like that; you want to hear my personal preference. Let’s see…”
He appears to have given a serious response after comprehending it.
His Highness has a sense of humour at times.
He can be serious about his work, mean and take advantage of other people’s secrets, and, of course, he can be joking.
The more I become involved, the more I see a new side of His Highness that piques my interest.
“Hobby… I like sports. I’m a pretty good swordsman, as good as the Order’s guys, you know?”
“I see.”
“I’ll demonstrate next time. Aside from that, we’ll see. I prefer something sweet to something spicy. Yes, I like the ones here, particularly the crumpets.”
“So you like sweets.”
That is somewhat surprising.
I assumed His Highness preferred spicy foods.
Picturing His Highness likes sweet things.
When you think about it, it’s kind of cute.
“Sweet… Snacks…”
“Phyllis?”
“I’ve had an idea. That’s something I’d like to do.”
“Oh, what is it?”
“It’s a secret. Please look forward to the next tea party, okay?”
I grin.
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