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Chapter 17
The success rate of this trip was one thousand percent.
It may have been a stroke of luck, but thanks to Killian falling into a pit, we easily found the area where the rock salt was buried. After that, using Killian’s words as a clue, I even found the perfect person to sell the Dearc Mountain rock salt in my place. It’s a bit embarrassing that, as a huge fan of Moonflower, I didn’t come up with that person myself.
Count Tolkie, currently serving as a proxy head of the Märchen family.
In Moonflower, if Celestia had Liz, Killian had Count Tolkie.
He was the one who showed compassion to Killian. Even in moments when, as a vassal, he had no choice but to bow his head before the Duke of Märchen, he did his best to help Killian in his own way.
On top of that, he owned a trading company that sold premium ingredients like salt and pepper. He was someone I could definitely trust with the sale of the rock salt.
As soon as we returned to the capital, I planned to contact Count Tolkie and wrote his name down in my strategy notes.
Which meant… from now on, we could just play to our heart’s content!
After that, our journey was rich and beautiful.
Thanks to a top-tier doting dad, we had an abundance of things to do. We were only staying for about two weeks, yet he was building like he wanted to create an amusement park. I only mentioned things in passing, but before I knew it, new facilities had popped up everywhere. Even if he was worried we might fight… did he really need to build three swings and three slides?
Poor carpenters.
Their under-eye circles were dark, and they pounded their hammers like stubborn oxen. Money really is powerful.
And that wasn’t all. The Marquis of Lewendiff, another top-tier daughter-adoring dad, didn’t fall behind either. I don’t know how or where he got so many ingredients, but the head chef didn’t have a moment to rest. Thanks to that, my belly was starting to grow noticeably rounder.
We’d been wearing casual clothes for days now. Liz, ever skilled with her hands, quickly made overalls and elastic-waist pants just like I asked, and they became our favorites.
“Do you think we could wear these when we go back to the capital?”
“Probably not… too many eyes watching us.”
Seeing my lingering gaze, Liz chuckled softly.
A princess can’t wear what she wants? Seriously?
Pouting, I shoved a luxurious straw hat adorned with diamonds and emeralds down over my head and stepped out of my room. Killian and Adell, dressed similarly, were already waiting for me.
“Ah! Sorry. Did I keep you waiting?”
“No, we just got here, Tia.”
“M-Me too, Tia. Hehe.”
Today, we planned to explore the Forest of Dearc. Well, calling it an exploration was a bit dramatic… heh.
For a while now, a sweet scent had been drifting on the wind, tickling our noses. We figured it was the smell of strawberries, so we decided to go pick some.
After hearing our plan, Sir Briven made sure no accidents would happen like last time and sent knights ahead to locate a strawberry patch. To add to our fun, he teamed up with Liz to draw us a treasure map-style guide.
“Alright, shall we head out?”
I wondered what Dearc-grown strawberries would be like. Hopefully enough to make a strawberry shortcake? Just imagining Killian and Adell picking strawberries and then baking and eating cake made me feel all warm inside.
Of course, if I had to pick, I’d prefer the twenty-seven-year-old versions of them over the seven-year-olds… both wearing only aprons.
“Kyaa!”
I twisted my body without thinking. Ugh, I’m the worst. Sorry, kids. This is who I am.
Startled by my shriek, Killian stopped walking.
“Tia? Are you okay?”
“A-ah, yeah. I’m fine.”
“Y-Your face is really red, Tia.”
“It’s just hot! Wow, so hot!”
I brushed it off and walked past the worried Killian and Adell. Of course, they quickly caught up.
“Tia, it’s not this way.”
“Really? Oops, haha.”
“Wanna, wanna hold hands?”
I nodded and gently took Adell’s hand. Killian occasionally looked back at us, but he led the way, reading the map with confidence.
“Woooow.”
Before long, we arrived at what could only be described as a strawberry field—though technically it wasn’t cultivated land. The scent of strawberries was so strong, it made me dizzy—in a good way.
“A-Are all these strawberries?”
“I’ve never seen strawberries this big!”
I couldn’t remember who it was, but some girl group idol once held a strawberry with both hands on TV. These were even bigger. Truly a land blessed by the gods—these strawberries were practically apple-sized.
“Same here.”
They were bigger than Kingsberries!
“What did you say, Tia?”
“Ah, nothing.”
Wow, Killian had good hearing. I only muttered that to myself.
Avoiding any misunderstanding, I gave him a sweet smile and changed the subject.
“Alright! Ready to pick some strawberries? Let’s fill our baskets!”
“O-Okay, Tia!”
“Let’s get a ton!”
These little strawberry fiends. Judging by how loud their voices got, they were clearly excited. We dove into battle mode and began picking. Since each strawberry was huge, it didn’t take long to fill our baskets.
“Should we pick a bit more?”
“M-Maybe that’s enough?”
Adell glanced at me as he answered Killian’s regretful question. His arms were trembling. The basket must’ve been heavy. Mine was getting pretty heavy too.
“It’s probably too heavy to pick more.”
“Oh…”
“Let’s just pick more next time. How’s that, Killian?”
Killian looked back and forth between me and my basket before nodding with a slight frown.
He really looked disappointed.
It was hard to take sides—Adell looked like he’d collapse, but Killian looked truly heartbroken. I didn’t want either to get upset. Especially since I knew how pouty seven-year-olds could get.
Thankfully, Killian accepted my suggestion. Just as we were about to head back, Killian called out to Adell from behind.
“Heyyy, Dell? Gimme your basket.”
I wasn’t sure if he said “hey” or “Adell” at first. With his eyebrows raised, Adell blinked, and Killian held out his hand.
“The basket. Gimme.”
“T-Thanks…”
Aww. That’s so cute I could cry.
Sure, seventeen-year-old in nothing but an apron is great, but a seven-year-old carrying your basket is equally heartwarming.
While I chuckled to myself, Killian came over to me.
“Tia, I’ll carry your basket too.”
“Huh? It’s okay. I can handle it.”
“No, I’m fine, Tia. I’m strong.”
“Really? But you’re already carrying two.”
These strawberries weren’t small. Each basket probably weighed at least three kilos. Even if he’d started using aura, it had to be tough carrying all three.
“I’m really okay, Tia. Come on, give it.”
Killian glanced quickly at Adell—who was just rolling his eyes at this point—and then shrugged like it was nothing.
Oh… I see.
Trying to look strong and cool, huh?
Well then, this older sister will happily play along.
“Thanks, Killian.”
I handed him my basket and linked arms with Adell, loudly proclaiming,
“Wow! Killian is so strong! And kind too! What a gentleman. Right, Adell?”
Claim him! Mark your territory! Boys like this don’t grow on trees. I can’t say it out loud yet, but… he’s amazing in every way, too…
“Uh, huh? Ah. Y-Yeah. Right, Tia.”
Blushing, Adell nodded and lowered his head. Killian, meanwhile, walked ahead stiffly, probably worried the strawberries might spill.
Seriously. So cute!
***
Back at the villa, we each headed to our rooms for some rest. Surprisingly, the harvest had worn us out. Farmers, I respect you.
“I think Killian and Adell are napping. Aren’t you sleepy, Your Highness?”
“I was, before I washed up. But now I’m wide awake.”
“Shall I bring you some almond chocolate?”
“No, I’m good. We have to make cake later, after all. Water’s enough.”
Liz stepped out to fetch water, and I pulled a lingering thought from the back of my mind.
Noten Märchen.
Why did he suddenly go to the territory? I tried to recall the plot from the original story, but no clear reason came to mind. In the original, Noten stayed in the capital. It was Killian who often traveled to the estate.
“Why did Noten have to leave for the estate in such a hurry…?”
All I knew about the Märchen estate was the Whistle Wall. The imperial defense wall that the Duke’s family had protected for generations. It only appeared in the original when Killian was seventeen, during the war with the other races. Even then, it wasn’t elaborated on much.
I thought that war was just a plot device to get Killian and Adell to fall in love, but… was there something more to it?
The idea that something I didn’t know could ruin my favorite character made me anxious.
“Haaah… Killian…”
“You called me, Tia?”
“K-Killian? Huh?”
