Chapter 7: One Sunny Afternoon
Milan… no, he sat upon a dazzling golden throne with an ugly and lonesome smile. His hands held a solid chain, which led away from bad-looking furniture that seems to be hanging only around it. Following the dog’s lead-like chain, its end was wrapped in an iron collar and wrapped around Selene’s delicate neck.
“What are you doing? Get over here and bow before me, you dolt!”
“…Yes.”
Selene glared at Milan. Right now, Selene, with her skin exposed at random, was forced to dress like a rather revealing maid outfit and was treated like a slave. However, there wasn’t any room for her to say no.
“That’s a rather defiant look. Who rescued you from being in that prison? Answer me.”
“….Milan… did. I am very thankful.”
Serena shudders as she is made to give a humiliating word of thanks. She didn’t like him or the place she was in. Milan, who seemed to be rather enjoying Selene’s reaction, reached for the table next to the throne and took a cup of tea. And, the cup was tipped, and fell at Milan’s feet, onto the stainless carpet which had been purchased by the people’s tax money.
“Oops, the floor has become dirty. I have to clean up.”
Milan smirked unpleasantly, pulling the chain at hand lightly. The small Selene fell over face-first onto the stained carpet.
“Now, lick the carpet clean for me. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to. In that case, I’ll just have your sister do it. Ha ha ha ha!”
◆◇◆◇◆
“Go to hell!”
Serene exudes a curse for that world’s prince in her dreams. It seems that she hasn’t noticed that she is the worst of all, to have such delusions. Selene had left for the Helifarte kingdom and will take three days to get there. In the carriage, Serene was flapping the wings of her deluded imagination every day.
Serene’s mindset at the moment is like a calf that will be sold to the market. If you have wings, you can return to a pleasant prison.
While Serene was captivated by the wicked delusions and gave up on herself, the servants who were pulling the carriage, as well as Milan and the Kumahachi were worried about the bewitching young princess.
Normally, the carriage that Serene sat on was supposed to be prince Milan’s spot. However, after being separated from Arue, he cares for Serene who had eyes like a lamb being sent to a slaughterhouse every time he saw her, and as she quiets down, Milan was riding a horse on the road with Kumahachi.
“The prince’s stolen tribute is an odd one.”
“That child isn’t very used to being with others. leave her alone.”
Despite Milan’s carriage being used, Milan didn’t complain and was riding the carriage with Kumahachi. Selene, who had left her elder sister, her only ally, and it is taken to another by adults. Milan explained it to her beforehand, but it was hopeless. Milan wants to make this poor little child as happy as possible.
However, if a girl around Selene’s age moves to the Helifarte Kingdom, a glittering metropolis, she should be feeling happiness as well as anxiety. But Serene has been like a dead fish and has been lying down in a carriage. She must be scared of the world and scared of hurting herself. With that in mind, Milan was in the mood to behead the queen who had cornered Selene so much if he could.
“But I didn’t expect the Queen of Aquila to give her up that easily. I’m thankful for that, but when I think of it as a mother and daughter relationship, it feels very complicated.”
“For the other side, we will be able to get rid of some trash, and we’re laughing.”
Milan remembers the seat of negotiations. When the smiling queen’s face comes to mind, it made him feel uncomfortable. Although Arue was the only refreshing agent that had a complex expression, it wouldn’t be much of a relief for Serene.
When Milan asked to receive Serene, the Queen of Aquila had two conditions.
The first was to announce to the higher-ups that Selene was the second princess. It would be a problem if they hadn’t revealed that fact anyway. The other condition is that the Herifalte Kingdom is to take care of Arue’s tuition fees as she studies abroad in the kingdom.
The Herifalte Kingdom is where many scholars long to be. If you just said that you went to the University, you would suddenly be valued. So naturally, lots of people from foreign countries want to send their children to study there. Of course, Aquila is one of the many, but as it is a small country, its influence is also very small. It is impossible to enter even if you were to apply normally.
Then, There was an offer from Prince Milan that he wanted Selene. Queen Aquila suddenly treated Selene, who was usually considered a nuisance, as the second princess and used her as a negotiating card. Instead of offering Selene as a tribute, she requested the recommendation of the first princess, Arue. Her motive was to make her favorite first princess worth even more. While she is said to be the second princess, Selene is not to be announced as a Princess of Aquila, so there weren’t any issues.
“Selene is existence which makes you feel the glimpse of a rare talent though she doesn’t seem like a noble. I’m going to give it to my dear Herifarte-sama, to blossom her talents, and I hope that this girl will be useful to you.”
Kumahachi spread and reread the parchment on which the contract is written and then rolls it back with a frown.
“It’s like a scammer’s letter. It’s as if I’m not going to tell you where I’m coming from and what kind of talent I’m looking for to blossom.”
“Well, no matter what the status is, I won’t be able to do anything beyond that, as long as I signed a contract to have Selene. And for some reason, Princess Arue had originally approached the prince to talk Selene. If you think about it that way, they hope to have her study abroad can be said to be an unexpected windfall.”
“Surely, Arue alone would try to make use of the prince’s power, but wouldn’t he get angry with his father if she did as liked?” (???)
“Of course you’ll be angry, but without such privilege, can a prince do?” (???)
Milan answered jokingly. Regardless of Arue’s position, helping Serene would only serve as a burden to the Herifalte kingdom. She is of almost no value. In other words, you can think of it as being ripped off.
But, Milan did not regret what he did. If his father were to hear about it, he would be given a slap on the wrist or two because of his actions, but he too would do the same if his father was in his place.
“Anyway, we have successfully rescued the caged princess from prison. When the adults take a look at her, Selene-sama will be frightened. now all that’s left is for the prince to take responsibility and receive his father’s iron fist. All’s well that ends well.”
“It’s easy to think of it as someone else’s problem, huh?”
Milan sighed with a wry smile. Milan believed he was asking for it because it was his fault of how he behaved recklessly in the other country. However, as Kumahachi says, the capture of Serene has been successful, and so being abandoned by the queen has its pros as well. All he needs to do is to pay for Princess Arue’s school tuition. The damned Queen Aquila’s “Milking the money cow” was merely chump change to Milan. Father’s anger is scarier than simple financial issues.
“Well, in all honesty, what are we going to do with Selene-sama? I’ve heard from Arue-sama that while she is a bright kid, it doesn’t change the fact she is still a kid. If you leave her with the wrong person, they might find out that she’s the Aquilan princess.”
“For the time being, I will take care of her until princess Arue comes to the country. Well, that’s a better idea, at the very least.”
“Well, now that you mention that, it’s a pretty good idea.”
As Kumahachi nods, Milan continues.
“I’m going to go to school soon, but I’m going to take it slow for now. What we need to do now is to cure her fear of the world.”
“Yeah, let’s do that. You can do anything you want, like studying, but if you are too scared of the outside world, you will live a cursed life.”
With that said, Kumahachi agreed with Milan’s idea.
“For the time being, I’m thinking of making Serene Marie’s playmate.”
The moment Milan said those words, Kumahachi’s face became stiff.
“Wait, your sister? I don’t mean to be rude, for Selene-sama to have never been in contact with people before, having her be that girl’s partner is a little…”
“Selene needs not just the protection of adults, but the protection of her peers as well. Selene can’t meet other aristocrats because they might find out where she came from. And also, Marie is the same age as Selene. and, uh…”
After taking a breath, Milan adds.
“To be honest, I’m not too sure about my sister either. I thought she would become a little nicer if she met Selene.”
“Is that why you took in Princess Selene?”
“Well, it’s an extra benefit.”
“If so, then I have another purpose for her.”
Kumahachi whispers with a smirk in Milan’s ear
“I never would have thought that Prince Milan had that kind of taste to young Selene. It truly is hard to resist the temptation of beautiful young ladies. But you know, she’s a little young to play with at night, Prince Milan.”
‘Don’t say such foolish things.”
Kumahachi found Milan being angry was funny, and so he laughed with a grin.
“But Milan-ouji, Don’t you know that the Selene right now is the 2nd most beautiful person on this continent? After five years or so her buds will start to bloom, and after five more, who knows how many would bloom by then? the title ‘Queen of the night’ would be a fitting name for that girl. When that happens, do you think you can ignore it then, Prince?”
“… I can’t deny that.”
While the two talked, the carriage they were riding on had arrived on a plain, with a crystal-clear stream running beside it. This area is often used by travelers to set up camp or to take a break. Milan too stopped to rest here just like everyone else who had passed through.
“This looks like a good place to take a break. Let’s start preparing for dinner.”
As Kumahachi gave the order to the attendants, they quickly took out the cooking utensils from the cargo carriage and began to prepare with practiced movements. One went to collect firewood, and another went to set up the stove. It was the picture of control. The elite selected by Milan is not simply the best at etiquette and fighting, but can also handle cooking and other tasks without difficulty.
The prince Milan didn’t oversee the work but Kumahachi did, and after confirming there were no issues on their side, He and Milan walked to the foot of the creek to sit down. After taking a break for a while, Kumahachi caught the unexpected appearance of a certain pure white girl crawling out of the carriage– Selene, who had been inside the carriage the entire time.
Selene wore a milky-white dress with long sleeves and frills and had a sparkling, pure white hat to match. It was not only a beautiful figure, like a princess out of a fairy tale but also a figure that radiated cuteness. In order to protect Selene’s sensitive skin, her body was wreathed in a veil of magic power. It is a gem that Milan had custom-made by the artisans of Aquila during the negotiations.
Its design was “made in a rush”, but even one of these could buy several houses in the Aquila kingdom.
“Kuma, are you fine?”
“Hmm? oh, it’s you, Selene. –So what’s up?”
“Kuma, cool, not tired?”
Kumahachi was impressed by the unexpected words she had to say, though she had only walked a little. Kumahachi thought Selene had just expressed her misfortune, but the young girl had seen through his fatigue in an instant.
‘She is a young girl with such great insight!’
Just as Selene has said, Even Kumahachi was as tired as everyone else, but he had hidden it from everyone around him. Once you leave the city, you never be truly safe. Although it is a road that has been developed completely, it is still an area in the forest and is unknown whether a hungry beast would come out. On top of that, there are also a lot of bandits targeting travelers.
On the sides of the carriage is the Herifalte coat of arms, so there isn’t very much chance of anyone attacking. Even so, that is not set in stone.
While Kumahachi is good friends with Milan, they also have a master-servant relationship. If his master was in danger, Kumahachi would take the initiative and protect him. While he does seem like he is pointlessly cracking jokes and flapping his lips, Kumahachi is focused as the edge of a sharp blade.
“Are you, fine?”
“ah, yeah, sorry to bother you. So Selene-san… What do you think about me?”
“What do you mean?”
Selene looked up at Kumahachi in puzzlement. This was a surprise to Kumahachi. While on the inside he is a gentleman, his shabby demeanor does not show it. Just from looking at his bearded face filled with foreign ferocity, any small child would run and cry at the sight of him. In comparison to them, this frail, snow-white girl had come this close to him regardless of how scary he looked.
“This old man’s appearance, do you think it’s scary, Selene-san?”
“It is, fine, Kuma, good person.”
Kumahachi was astonished to Selene, who had answered as if it were natural. There was no doubt that the person himself was a great guy on the inside, it’s hard for even adults not to judge a book by its cover.
“Selene, you have a bold and flexible mindset. You will surely become a great person in the future. This old Kumahachi here can guarantee it.”
“Thank you.”
Selene’s lips gently loosened up And answered briefly.
‘Indeed… This is too natural to call it heresy. if one had this kind of qualities at this age, the hard-headed people would definitely seal them away.’
Although they only had a short conversation, Kumahachi had once again affirmed Milan’s intentions. This kind of girl should not be left to rot in that prison. How many talented girls would it take to have such an upbringing? An honest Kumahachi decided in his heart to help this girl as much as he could.
However, Selene did not see through Kumahachi’s facade. When Selene was looking out of the carriage, while everyone was happily preparing the camp, Kumahachi was left alone with his back turned and left for the stream. In other words, She had thought he had been excluded.
From Selene’s point of view, she had decided that he was “a foreigner being discriminated against and was being used for low pay.” He was taken forcibly by the brute Milan and being used to make the prince look good.
Selene, who was always left behind when he was a student, could leave Kumahachi alone. He too knew how hard it was to talk to the teacher, as they would say, “What, are you alone? Then go play with the teacher.” and would go to the nurse’s office, saying “I think I’m tired.” because he was all alone.
More than anything, Selene, who was a lonely and poor middle-aged man, felt closer to Kumahachi, who was also an old and lonely man, than the refreshing prince. However, Kumahachi was not lonely, nor was he that old.
“Nice weather, today. I, do not go outside, much. I envy your, health, Kuma.”
“…. That so?”
Selene, who had a communication disorder, didn’t have any particularly exciting stories. She thought that she could sit next to Kumahachi and talk to him, but in the end, she could only talk about the weather and the fact that he was healthy.
However, Kumahachi who had heard it misunderstood her intentions. This princess has been imprisoned for a long time and knows only the world of darkness. She must have wondered how beautiful the sky looks to me. And the princess had wanted to tell me, about the sky, as she was moved by the fact that the world was a very wide and colorful place.
“Hmm, let’s tell this Selene-sama what this Bear knows about the world.”
“Eh?”
“Well, I’m quite familiar with this continent because I’m accompanying Prince Milan. It’s much more interesting to explain like this than those geographers who are only about logic.”
Kumahachi took out an old map out from his hakama and spread it out on the grass.
Chapter 7: One Sunny Afternoon
Milan… no, he sat upon a dazzling golden throne with an ugly and lonesome smile. His hands held a solid chain, which led away from bad-looking furniture that seems to be hanging only around it. Following the dog’s lead-like chain, its end was wrapped in an iron collar and wrapped around Selene’s delicate neck.
“What are you doing? Get over here and bow before me, you dolt!”
“…Yes.”
Selene glared at Milan. Right now, Selene, with her skin exposed at random, was forced to dress like a rather revealing maid outfit and was treated like a slave. However, there wasn’t any room for her to say no.
“That’s a rather defiant look. Who rescued you from being in that prison? Answer me.”
“….Milan… did. I am very thankful.”
Serena shudders as she is made to give a humiliating word of thanks. She didn’t like him or the place she was in. Milan, who seemed to be rather enjoying Selene’s reaction, reached for the table next to the throne and took a cup of tea. And, the cup was tipped, and fell at Milan’s feet, onto the stainless carpet which had been purchased by the people’s tax money.
“Oops, the floor has become dirty. I have to clean up.”
Milan smirked unpleasantly, pulling the chain at hand lightly. The small Selene fell over face-first onto the stained carpet.
“Now, lick the carpet clean for me. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to. In that case, I’ll just have your sister do it. Ha ha ha ha!”
◆◇◆◇◆
“Go to hell!”
Serene exudes a curse for that world’s prince in her dreams. It seems that she hasn’t noticed that she is the worst of all, to have such delusions. Selene had left for the Helifarte kingdom and will take three days to get there. In the carriage, Serene was flapping the wings of her deluded imagination every day.
Serene’s mindset at the moment is like a calf that will be sold to the market. If you have wings, you can return to a pleasant prison.
While Serene was captivated by the wicked delusions and gave up on herself, the servants who were pulling the carriage, as well as Milan and the Kumahachi were worried about the bewitching young princess.
Normally, the carriage that Serene sat on was supposed to be prince Milan’s spot. However, after being separated from Arue, he cares for Serene who had eyes like a lamb being sent to a slaughterhouse every time he saw her, and as she quiets down, Milan was riding a horse on the road with Kumahachi.
“The prince’s stolen tribute is an odd one.”
“That child isn’t very used to being with others. leave her alone.”
Despite Milan’s carriage being used, Milan didn’t complain and was riding the carriage with Kumahachi. Selene, who had left her elder sister, her only ally, and it is taken to another by adults. Milan explained it to her beforehand, but it was hopeless. Milan wants to make this poor little child as happy as possible.
However, if a girl around Selene’s age moves to the Helifarte Kingdom, a glittering metropolis, she should be feeling happiness as well as anxiety. But Serene has been like a dead fish and has been lying down in a carriage. She must be scared of the world and scared of hurting herself. With that in mind, Milan was in the mood to behead the queen who had cornered Selene so much if he could.
“But I didn’t expect the Queen of Aquila to give her up that easily. I’m thankful for that, but when I think of it as a mother and daughter relationship, it feels very complicated.”
“For the other side, we will be able to get rid of some trash, and we’re laughing.”
Milan remembers the seat of negotiations. When the smiling queen’s face comes to mind, it made him feel uncomfortable. Although Arue was the only refreshing agent that had a complex expression, it wouldn’t be much of a relief for Serene.
When Milan asked to receive Serene, the Queen of Aquila had two conditions.
The first was to announce to the higher-ups that Selene was the second princess. It would be a problem if they hadn’t revealed that fact anyway. The other condition is that the Herifalte Kingdom is to take care of Arue’s tuition fees as she studies abroad in the kingdom.
The Herifalte Kingdom is where many scholars long to be. If you just said that you went to the University, you would suddenly be valued. So naturally, lots of people from foreign countries want to send their children to study there. Of course, Aquila is one of the many, but as it is a small country, its influence is also very small. It is impossible to enter even if you were to apply normally.
Then, There was an offer from Prince Milan that he wanted Selene. Queen Aquila suddenly treated Selene, who was usually considered a nuisance, as the second princess and used her as a negotiating card. Instead of offering Selene as a tribute, she requested the recommendation of the first princess, Arue. Her motive was to make her favorite first princess worth even more. While she is said to be the second princess, Selene is not to be announced as a Princess of Aquila, so there weren’t any issues.
“Selene is existence which makes you feel the glimpse of a rare talent though she doesn’t seem like a noble. I’m going to give it to my dear Herifarte-sama, to blossom her talents, and I hope that this girl will be useful to you.”
Kumahachi spread and reread the parchment on which the contract is written and then rolls it back with a frown.
“It’s like a scammer’s letter. It’s as if I’m not going to tell you where I’m coming from and what kind of talent I’m looking for to blossom.”
“Well, no matter what the status is, I won’t be able to do anything beyond that, as long as I signed a contract to have Selene. And for some reason, Princess Arue had originally approached the prince to talk Selene. If you think about it that way, they hope to have her study abroad can be said to be an unexpected windfall.”
“Surely, Arue alone would try to make use of the prince’s power, but wouldn’t he get angry with his father if she did as liked?” (???)
“Of course you’ll be angry, but without such privilege, can a prince do?” (???)
Milan answered jokingly. Regardless of Arue’s position, helping Serene would only serve as a burden to the Herifalte kingdom. She is of almost no value. In other words, you can think of it as being ripped off.
But, Milan did not regret what he did. If his father were to hear about it, he would be given a slap on the wrist or two because of his actions, but he too would do the same if his father was in his place.
“Anyway, we have successfully rescued the caged princess from prison. When the adults take a look at her, Selene-sama will be frightened. now all that’s left is for the prince to take responsibility and receive his father’s iron fist. All’s well that ends well.”
“It’s easy to think of it as someone else’s problem, huh?”
Milan sighed with a wry smile. Milan believed he was asking for it because it was his fault of how he behaved recklessly in the other country. However, as Kumahachi says, the capture of Serene has been successful, and so being abandoned by the queen has its pros as well. All he needs to do is to pay for Princess Arue’s school tuition. The damned Queen Aquila’s “Milking the money cow” was merely chump change to Milan. Father’s anger is scarier than simple financial issues.
“Well, in all honesty, what are we going to do with Selene-sama? I’ve heard from Arue-sama that while she is a bright kid, it doesn’t change the fact she is still a kid. If you leave her with the wrong person, they might find out that she’s the Aquilan princess.”
“For the time being, I will take care of her until princess Arue comes to the country. Well, that’s a better idea, at the very least.”
“Well, now that you mention that, it’s a pretty good idea.”
As Kumahachi nods, Milan continues.
“I’m going to go to school soon, but I’m going to take it slow for now. What we need to do now is to cure her fear of the world.”
“Yeah, let’s do that. You can do anything you want, like studying, but if you are too scared of the outside world, you will live a cursed life.”
With that said, Kumahachi agreed with Milan’s idea.
“For the time being, I’m thinking of making Serene Marie’s playmate.”
The moment Milan said those words, Kumahachi’s face became stiff.
“Wait, your sister? I don’t mean to be rude, for Selene-sama to have never been in contact with people before, having her be that girl’s partner is a little…”
“Selene needs not just the protection of adults, but the protection of her peers as well. Selene can’t meet other aristocrats because they might find out where she came from. And also, Marie is the same age as Selene. and, uh…”
After taking a breath, Milan adds.
“To be honest, I’m not too sure about my sister either. I thought she would become a little nicer if she met Selene.”
“Is that why you took in Princess Selene?”
“Well, it’s an extra benefit.”
“If so, then I have another purpose for her.”
Kumahachi whispers with a smirk in Milan’s ear
“I never would have thought that Prince Milan had that kind of taste to young Selene. It truly is hard to resist the temptation of beautiful young ladies. But you know, she’s a little young to play with at night, Prince Milan.”
‘Don’t say such foolish things.”
Kumahachi found Milan being angry was funny, and so he laughed with a grin.
“But Milan-ouji, Don’t you know that the Selene right now is the 2nd most beautiful person on this continent? After five years or so her buds will start to bloom, and after five more, who knows how many would bloom by then? the title ‘Queen of the night’ would be a fitting name for that girl. When that happens, do you think you can ignore it then, Prince?”
“… I can’t deny that.”
While the two talked, the carriage they were riding on had arrived on a plain, with a crystal-clear stream running beside it. This area is often used by travelers to set up camp or to take a break. Milan too stopped to rest here just like everyone else who had passed through.
“This looks like a good place to take a break. Let’s start preparing for dinner.”
As Kumahachi gave the order to the attendants, they quickly took out the cooking utensils from the cargo carriage and began to prepare with practiced movements. One went to collect firewood, and another went to set up the stove. It was the picture of control. The elite selected by Milan is not simply the best at etiquette and fighting, but can also handle cooking and other tasks without difficulty.
The prince Milan didn’t oversee the work but Kumahachi did, and after confirming there were no issues on their side, He and Milan walked to the foot of the creek to sit down. After taking a break for a while, Kumahachi caught the unexpected appearance of a certain pure white girl crawling out of the carriage– Selene, who had been inside the carriage the entire time.
Selene wore a milky-white dress with long sleeves and frills and had a sparkling, pure white hat to match. It was not only a beautiful figure, like a princess out of a fairy tale but also a figure that radiated cuteness. In order to protect Selene’s sensitive skin, her body was wreathed in a veil of magic power. It is a gem that Milan had custom-made by the artisans of Aquila during the negotiations.
Its design was “made in a rush”, but even one of these could buy several houses in the Aquila kingdom.
“Kuma, are you fine?”
“Hmm? oh, it’s you, Selene. –So what’s up?”
“Kuma, cool, not tired?”
Kumahachi was impressed by the unexpected words she had to say, though she had only walked a little. Kumahachi thought Selene had just expressed her misfortune, but the young girl had seen through his fatigue in an instant.
‘She is a young girl with such great insight!’
Just as Selene has said, Even Kumahachi was as tired as everyone else, but he had hidden it from everyone around him. Once you leave the city, you never be truly safe. Although it is a road that has been developed completely, it is still an area in the forest and is unknown whether a hungry beast would come out. On top of that, there are also a lot of bandits targeting travelers.
On the sides of the carriage is the Herifalte coat of arms, so there isn’t very much chance of anyone attacking. Even so, that is not set in stone.
While Kumahachi is good friends with Milan, they also have a master-servant relationship. If his master was in danger, Kumahachi would take the initiative and protect him. While he does seem like he is pointlessly cracking jokes and flapping his lips, Kumahachi is focused as the edge of a sharp blade.
“Are you, fine?”
“ah, yeah, sorry to bother you. So Selene-san… What do you think about me?”
“What do you mean?”
Selene looked up at Kumahachi in puzzlement. This was a surprise to Kumahachi. While on the inside he is a gentleman, his shabby demeanor does not show it. Just from looking at his bearded face filled with foreign ferocity, any small child would run and cry at the sight of him. In comparison to them, this frail, snow-white girl had come this close to him regardless of how scary he looked.
“This old man’s appearance, do you think it’s scary, Selene-san?”
“It is, fine, Kuma, good person.”
Kumahachi was astonished to Selene, who had answered as if it were natural. There was no doubt that the person himself was a great guy on the inside, it’s hard for even adults not to judge a book by its cover.
“Selene, you have a bold and flexible mindset. You will surely become a great person in the future. This old Kumahachi here can guarantee it.”
“Thank you.”
Selene’s lips gently loosened up And answered briefly.
‘Indeed… This is too natural to call it heresy. if one had this kind of qualities at this age, the hard-headed people would definitely seal them away.’
Although they only had a short conversation, Kumahachi had once again affirmed Milan’s intentions. This kind of girl should not be left to rot in that prison. How many talented girls would it take to have such an upbringing? An honest Kumahachi decided in his heart to help this girl as much as he could.
However, Selene did not see through Kumahachi’s facade. When Selene was looking out of the carriage, while everyone was happily preparing the camp, Kumahachi was left alone with his back turned and left for the stream. In other words, She had thought he had been excluded.
From Selene’s point of view, she had decided that he was “a foreigner being discriminated against and was being used for low pay.” He was taken forcibly by the brute Milan and being used to make the prince look good.
Selene, who was always left behind when he was a student, could leave Kumahachi alone. He too knew how hard it was to talk to the teacher, as they would say, “What, are you alone? Then go play with the teacher.” and would go to the nurse’s office, saying “I think I’m tired.” because he was all alone.
More than anything, Selene, who was a lonely and poor middle-aged man, felt closer to Kumahachi, who was also an old and lonely man, than the refreshing prince. However, Kumahachi was not lonely, nor was he that old.
“Nice weather, today. I, do not go outside, much. I envy your, health, Kuma.”
“…. That so?”
Selene, who had a communication disorder, didn’t have any particularly exciting stories. She thought that she could sit next to Kumahachi and talk to him, but in the end, she could only talk about the weather and the fact that he was healthy.
However, Kumahachi who had heard it misunderstood her intentions. This princess has been imprisoned for a long time and knows only the world of darkness. She must have wondered how beautiful the sky looks to me. And the princess had wanted to tell me, about the sky, as she was moved by the fact that the world was a very wide and colorful place.
“Hmm, let’s tell this Selene-sama what this Bear knows about the world.”
“Eh?”
“Well, I’m quite familiar with this continent because I’m accompanying Prince Milan. It’s much more interesting to explain like this than those geographers who are only about logic.”
Kumahachi took out an old map out from his hakama and spread it out on the grass.
