Chapter 23: Favorite Places Ruined
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The strength of my family, the Duke Quatra family, lies in our vast territory. We have a relatively large amount of flat land, and the balance between natural features such as forests and lakes and residential areas where people live is exquisite. We are blessed with a climate where crops and animals can thrive.
Having a large population has many advantages, but it also means that conflicts can easily arise. Otoo-sama skillfully uses his many subordinates to quell problems while they are still small. And he regularly holds events that provide entertainment and stimulate the fighting spirit of the people.
For example, we hold a contest to see who can grow the biggest Luvalantia pumpkin, which is one of our specialty products in the Quatra territory. We also select the person who has produced the highest quality wine that year and present it as a gift to the king.
Otoo-sama is highly skilled in the art of winning hearts and minds.
Thanks to the comfortable living environment and the excitement generated by such events, there is no shortage of commoners who wish to move to Quatra territory. For this reason, the assets of the Duke Quatra family continue to grow year by year.
“Your father is talented at amassing wealth.”
A small hill overlooking a lake within the Duke Quatra estate. I had Otoo-sama build a gazebo here, and I would often play here.
As I grew older, I stopped playing outside, so I didn’t come here anymore.
This is my favorite place now. It’s a great place to be alone and think while being blown by the gentle breeze.
And yet.
“I might inherit this place, so it wouldn’t hurt to study from now on.”
Julian-sama in front of me murmured something like a monologue, completely ignoring my feelings.
It’s been two years since we got engaged. I’m now seven years old and on track to becoming an ordinary young lady.
…Well, not really.
The environment is a scary thing. No matter how hard I try, everyone around me spoils me. It’s no wonder that a child under ten years old would have a distorted view of values.
Occasionally, my past self resurfaces and I cry to Lili about it, but lately, I’ve been feeling like even that has its limits.
“Nevertheless, this is truly a wonderful place. When I look at that lake, I feel like trivial things don’t matter.”
“That Julian-sama.”
I sigh heavily without trying to hide it and glare at him. It’s a behavior that my previous self could not imagine.
And the same can be said for Julian-sama. It’s been almost two years since our engagement, and he has visited my mansion many times on his own accord. I don’t think he likes me, and he mutters things that I can’t understand before leaving, seeming satisfied with his own thoughts.
I find this scarier in a way.
I have no idea what he’s thinking.
“What?”
“Is Julian-sama having fun being here?”
“Uh, somewhat.”
I can’t believe how cheeky he is for a seven-year-old.
Unlike before, I no longer try to flatter Julian-sama and have completely stopped pretending to be someone else around him.
He only smiled at me once, and that was it. He doesn’t seem to be enjoying himself at all by coming here.
“Aren’t you having fun?”
“Can’t you tell by looking at my face?”
“Well, I wonder.”
Lili! Help me!
I sent an SOS glance to Lili, who was standing behind me with watery eyes, but she just smiled kindly. I somehow felt like I could see through Lili’s thoughts.
——It’s great that Ojo-sama is having fun.
Stop it! I’m not having fun at all!
Disturbed during this elegant moment, I pouted my lips.
“Even if we’re engaged, we can’t kiss in a place like this.”
Who said anything about wanting a kiss!
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