ITIEUPCML 21

~Chapter 21~

The festival was getting closer.

It was a tradition started by the first duke, and the estate held a festival every year to help the territory grow.

The festival was always so grand that it made the newspaper headlines.

Rovellito Estate’s Festival is being held! What are the highlights of the festival?

Because of this, many nobles were interested in the festival. But since it was mostly for the people of the estate, nobles didn’t usually visit in person.

The nobles knew that Damian cared most about his people, so they chose to keep their distance.

“It’s been a while, Duke.”

The vassals used this chance to try and impress Damian.

Maybe it was because of the recent fall of the Castea Viscount family, but everyone tried not to go too far.

“This time, our Pollect family has decided to invest in the local herb business for the sake of the estate’s growth.”

“Uh, we’re also interested in the eastern herb business…”

Also, after the Castea incident, Astia’s position was made very clear.

She was basically the most powerful person in the Rovellito household, second only to the duke. The vassals treated the sickly-looking Astia with all their respect.

So when they heard Damian was looking into the eastern herbs, they tried to join in.

“Everyone, get out.”

But despite their efforts, Damian would chase everyone out whenever Astia seemed uncomfortable.

“Asti, you said you wanted to see the festival, right? I’ll give you guards—do you want to go look around? I have to deal with the vassals.”

“Sure, I’m fine. I’m not going to be out long anyway, so don’t worry.”

“I hope nothing happens… I’m still worried.”

“Pyu!”

“Ruby said he’ll protect me too! That makes it okay, right?”

Ruby poked his head out of Astia’s arms, staring at Damian like he meant it.

Damian clicked his tongue and finally nodded.

Astia sighed with relief.

To be honest, she wanted to enjoy the festival in peace. If she walked around with Damian, she felt like something violent might happen.

Since this was her first festival since she possessed this body, she was a little excited.

“Wow.”

Astia looked around with her mouth open, amazed. The street was much livelier than she expected.

There were no sad faces among the townspeople.

Everyone looked happy, enjoying the festival. There were so many things to see—special local goods, handmade jewelry, and much more.

Annie looked at Astia with a happy smile.

“Young lady, isn’t it wonderful?”

“Yes. It’s even better than I imagined. The mansion is beautiful, but here, it really feels like people are living and having fun…”

Since this was basically her first time going out, everything was amazing.

“There’s a lot to see! Let’s look around slowly, miss.”

“Okay, let’s do that!”

“We’re all happy because you’re enjoying yourself, miss. Hehe.”

Annie was proud to see Astia, who usually acted so grown-up, acting like a kid her age and enjoying the festival.

“Young lady, you’re safe here, so you don’t have to worry. I’m with you.”

“Sir Haron, thank you. Should we go over there?”

“Let’s do that, miss.”

Astia spent time looking at interesting jewelry and special goods. Since she was dressed like a normal person, not a noble, people didn’t stare at her much.

So she could enjoy the festival comfortably. While she was looking at some jewelry, she heard someone say Damian’s name.

“We can all live without worries because of the duke. He even lowers taxes for the people—what a good man…”

Damian had continued the policies of the former duke, always helping the people.

“Really?”

“Yes. Even if there’s a disaster, he always gives support. It’s a great place to live.”

The merchant looked very satisfied, saying he’d do anything to help the estate grow.

Astia felt proud inside.

It made her happy to know that the man everyone respected was her brother.

“Oh dear, I hope the princess is doing well… I’m worried.”

The merchant finished by praising Damian and worrying about Astia.

“Well, I mean, of course the princess will get better. I heard she’s doing better lately.”

“Is that so? That’s a relief…”

Astia felt a little awkward and cleared her throat.

“Haha. Pick out anything you like. I’m in a good mood because of you, so you can have it for free!”

“Oh, it’s okay!”

“I insist. Haha!”

Astia smiled at the merchant’s kindness. He said she reminded him of his daughter and started giving her things.

“Oh my, it looks like the townspeople know how kind and cute you are, too.”

“Annie, that’s not true. Why are you saying that… It’s embarrassing…”

Astia avoided Annie’s proud gaze and played with the hairpin she just picked out.

It was a flower hairpin she made herself. The red flower reminded her of a Hineloti flower.

Ruby squirmed in her arms, staring at the hairpin in Astia’s hand.

“How do you like the hairpin, Ruby?”

“Pyu.”

Ruby swayed side to side as if he liked it.

“It’s kind of the same color as your eyes, Ruby. It suits you.”

Astia held the hairpin next to Ruby, smiling with satisfaction.

Just then, she heard someone approach.

An old woman with squinty eyes was looking down at Ruby.

Then she started mumbling something strange.

“Hmm. That rabbit will have a big influence on you one day, miss.”

“Huh?”

“It’s not certain, but… that’s the feeling I get.”

“What do you mean?”

Astia tilted her head and asked the old woman. The woman, wearing a bonnet, winked with her wrinkled eyes.

“…Do you want to know more?”

Astia was confused.

The old woman had just pushed through the crowd and said something like a prophecy.

‘Ruby will have an influence on me…?’

Of course, since she always took care of Ruby, he already influenced her life. Thanks to Ruby, she smiled a lot more these days.

But she was fascinated by the old woman’s blue eyes, which seemed almost magical, and couldn’t help but get curious.

“Yes, I’m curious. How will Ruby influence me?”

“So, that rabbit’s name is Ruby… Yes, I see.”

The old woman took off her bonnet a little and stared hard at Ruby. Ruby stared back, wide-eyed, not moving at all.

Astia almost laughed at what the old woman said next.

“If you want to know more, 1 gold.”

The woman smiled kindly, making a circle with her thumb and finger.

‘Wait, is she a scammer?’

She’d seen this kind of thing in her past life—someone who says something impressive and then asks for money.

“It could be a bad influence, or maybe not. Aren’t you curious? You seem to care a lot about him.”

“Here you go.”

Astia suddenly understood why people fall for this. She was just too curious.

‘I want to know!’

Anyway, she had plenty of money, so 1 gold was nothing.

And since she was thinking of it as a donation to the old lady with the old bonnet, she felt okay about it.

Astia handed over the gold coin, and the old woman quickly put it in her pocket. She spoke more brightly than before.

“I run a bookstore. Want to come see it?”

“…Why?”

“Oh, maybe it’s just because of the festival, but my back hurts and I feel sick.”

“I see. Then could I have my gold coin back? I want to keep looking around the festival.”

“That’s hard to do. Do you really want to take money from an old lady? Anyway, just follow me.”

Astia was speechless at the old woman’s way of doing things. She couldn’t keep up with her and didn’t want to lose her gold, so she had to follow.

“Young lady, let’s just go with her. I’m here, so don’t worry.”

“Yeah, she doesn’t seem to mean any harm. But just in case, I’ll ask a guard to come with us.”

With Annie and Haron’s extra support, Astia felt relieved.

“Grandma, let’s go together.”

“Oh, you young ones are so slow.”

The old woman fixed her bonnet and glanced at Ruby again. Ruby, who had hardly moved, perked up his ears at Astia’s words.

“Ruby, are you sick? You seem out of it today.”

“Pyu…”

Astia gently patted Ruby. The old woman looked over at Ruby.

For a while, Ruby and the old woman just stared at each other.

“….”

Then the old woman turned away, and Astia followed her with Annie and Haron.