TCHB 38

Chapter 38

The private land I arrived at with Kiel was completely desolate. Thinking back, I had quite a lot of land at the time, and since managing it was difficult, some of it had just been left as open fields.

For reference, the land I received from the emperor was vast. Some of it was used as a count’s territory, and some belonged solely to Alena.

“Ah.”

Come to think of it, when the emperor gave me the land, he had publicly declared that even if I died, my land would not return to the royal family, and whoever found the land documents would inherit it!

I had completely forgotten about that after living for over ten years in another world with no connection to it. Even though I had been looking at the land documents just yesterday.

Eh, ahem. People forget things sometimes.

Anyway, the important part is that the emperor had agreed it wouldn’t return to the royal family, and since he had sealed it, no one at the time could object.

I had thought that with a change of emperor, someone would swallow it up, but it was blocked by both the villagers and the dragon. How ironic.

But wasn’t it about time to claim it after a hundred years? I never imagined that everyone would be so terrible at treasure hunting.

“It’s so empty. But what brings you here, Shuri? Since this is Alena Klambeck’s private property, you couldn’t have gotten it without the land document.”

Kiel’s gaze landed on the privately owned land, which looked even emptier compared to the bustling village nearby. I realized he knew something I had completely forgotten.

The more he knew about Alena Klambeck, the more complicated my feelings became.

What kind of expression would someone make if the person who used to act all cute toward them turned out to be the actual Alena, right beside them?

“It’s fine.”

The land documents were with me. I didn’t continue speaking, but Kiel seemed to understand, sending a glance my way.

I kept a sullen face and avoided his eyes. I didn’t like the ticklish feeling that I couldn’t define creeping in.

Besides, today, just looking at his face weakened me twice as much as usual.

Does he have some kind of disabling buff or something!?

“Shuri.”

The laughter-laced whisper carried sweetness. I kept dodging Kiel’s attempts to get me to look at him.

I wasn’t supposed to bring him here!

I couldn’t even do what I came to do, and if anyone saw me, they would probably think I was doing something strange. I felt pathetic.

“Move aside.”

I pushed past Kiel and stepped forward.

Judging by the area, it seemed I could expand more than I initially thought. My estimation was pretty accurate, so I wrote down what I needed on the extra paper I had brought.

“Build an orphanage?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

It was a pure question, asked with casual curiosity, like, why would you do such a thing?

I had forgotten, but Kiel, by his original characterization, didn’t show interest or favor to anyone except family or siblings. He had clear boundaries.

But as I realized earlier, he now included me within his boundaries. It wasn’t that his personality or philosophy had changed; I had simply become a special person to him.

The wind that blew at that moment carried the scent of spring. I shook my head violently at the ticklish feeling it brought back.

The orphanage comes first!

“Shuri. Your face is red. Are you really okay?”

His eyes blinked. His long black eyelashes fluttered like wings, and in his eyes, he saw me with my cheeks flushed red.

“Ah—yes! I’m perfectly fine, so don’t worry. It’s just a little warm.”

My pride was wounded!

I had meant to tease Kiel, but he approached with an innocent face, and I had been completely helpless.

He didn’t normally smile like that, so why start doing things he never did and make people embarrassed!?

—Ooh la la, her face turned red! Hehe.

“Zuu…ngiaa. (Be quiet.)”

—Huh? His pronunciation is all slurred, so Rel can’t even tell what Shuri said!

Ugh. I’m going to explode!

Thanks to Rel, all my thoughts and ticklish feelings vanished. I felt completely dry.

My racing heart was probably irritated. Once everything was resolved, I felt at ease. My flushed face was probably from being overwhelmed and annoyed at Kiel.

—As expected, Shuri is such a fool.

With the annoyance gone, I could respond flexibly to things I would normally react to.

“Looks like that’s enough, so should we head home?”

—Shuri, Shuri! He’s looking at you! Hehe.

I glanced at Kiel. Unlike me, he looked downcast. A shadow had fallen over his usually bright face. I knew it was because of me.

“Ah, I need someone to carry the bags too; I have to buy cake and some groceries. Is there anyone to go with me?”

“Can I go with you, Shuri?”

“Mm, okay.”

I answered curtly, pretending it wasn’t a big deal, and walked ahead.

But isn’t this like giving a medicine after causing trouble? Lately, with all the stress from various things, now I’m getting bipolar too, it seems.

Once the question was settled, I felt better and completely changed my attitude. I needed to reduce my workload.

After dreaming pleasantly, I oddly felt more at ease.

So I loosely investigated black magic, looked into the orphanage, and then read what I had copied into my notebook, searching through herb books and unique plant guides for ingredients that hadn’t yet been decoded.

Even with this sense of leisure, there seemed to be a lot to do. Working two consecutive nights with reduced sleep caused accumulated stress and fatigue.

As for herbs, I was still guessing by counting covered letters in my diary, so no progress yet.

“Shuri. Can I hold your hand?”

“…Do you normally ask before holding it?”

Walking naturally, our hands had intertwined. But now he was asking if he could hold it.

“Well, I just feel like I should ask this time.”

His upper body tilted slightly to the side, and his dark blue hair leaned the same way. He fidgeted his fingers while giving me an embarrassed smile at my silence.

—Shuri, you sulked earlier! That’s why.

The Holy Sword teased me, laughing, which made my head ache.

Rel, please just shut your mouth. I’d rather only hear things in my head!

Just as I was lost in thought, his voice echoed in my head—it was torture. Thankfully, I don’t get motion sickness, or I would’ve thrown up by now.

“Here.”

In this rare scene where he was hesitant, I generously offered my hand. He grabbed it in a hurry.

Isn’t this like when you tell a puppy “shake” and it gives you its paw?

Kiel’s face bloomed with a smile, radiating happiness. Thinking of him as a puppy, my own face couldn’t help but smile too.

The returning street was filled with the scent of flowers and warmth, and I couldn’t help but grin.

They say some people get energy from others, and some people expend energy with others. I seemed to be the former. Being among warmly smiling people, I felt energized too.

“Shuri, where do you want to go? Do you want to eat something?”

“Mm.”

I considered seriously the casual question. Earlier, I had seen parfaits, and Kiel had said he came here to visit a famous dessert shop, so I knew there were dessert options.

The question was what to eat first. Something light enough to eat without being too full.

“Then pa—”

Huh? Uh?

“Shuri?”

“Ah, yes….”

“What’s wrong? Do you know someone here?”

“No, not that… what month and day is it today?”

I asked urgently, and Kiel looked equally surprised and serious.

“Probably April 29th.”

—Why? What’s going on, Shuri! Tell me!

“…It’s my birthday?”

The shock of my words was enormous.

—Eeeek?

“What? It’s your birthday, Shuri?”

The Holy Sword yelled in shock, and Kiel’s eyes widened so much I thought they’d pop out, and he stiffened for a rare moment.

I hadn’t known either. I would have never realized today was my birthday… if I hadn’t seen the birthday cakes in the bakery.

“Oh. That’s why Heather said that earlier!”

Of course! She kept it secret because it was my birthday!

I clapped my hands and felt a gaze beside me.

“Shuri. It’s your birthday.”

Naturally, the gaze came from Kiel. With a sullen expression, he gently scratched my palm.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

It seemed like a little sulk. Seeing him lower his head pitifully made me feel guilty.

“I only just found out myself…?”

It sounded like an excuse, but it was true!

I used all my energy to express my unfairness, and he smiled faintly.

“I’m not blaming you, Shuri. I just feel bad that I didn’t know it was your birthday and haven’t been able to do anything for you until now.”

His eyes shone like a calm summer sea. His low, gentle voice touched my ears softly.

My chest felt tight and heavy. Earlier, I had brushed it off as anger, but why did my face heat up again?

From this morning until now, my mood has been completely chaotic. If I graphed it, the curve would rise and fall wildly.

“Why would Prince Richard feel bad for not doing something on my birthday? I’d understand if I felt disappointed.”

I pouted, my cheeks heating up.

“Because it’s the day you were born. Naturally, I’d want to celebrate it with you.”

He gently stroked my cheek with his free hand and touched his forehead to mine with a bright smile.

—Wow. He’s a pro.

“I-I! Something just came up, so take care!”

Ahhh! I’m losing it!

I stepped back, flicking my hand away. I could hear him calling, but I couldn’t face him now.

My face was too hot.

“This isn’t real! It’s not!”

Why is his face exactly my type!?

I grabbed my head and shouted inside the room.

“It’s too hot. I must have heatstroke. Or maybe it’s sunlight allergy.”

—Shuri… so embarrassing.

“No. Maybe I just naturally blush easily.”

Yeah, of course! Ignoring the Holy Sword, I said what I needed to.

—Shuri, don’t turn away—accept it.

“If not that, maybe it’s a congenital condition that makes my face red.”

Sure, sure. It’s possible to have such a condition. I nodded in agreement.

—You know that’s not true! You’ve lived well, eaten well, never blushed!

“It could be acquired!”

—Just admit it! You’ve started liking Kiel! Fool!

Rel’s words made me shut my mouth completely. I slumped down like a wooden doll, my gaze fixed on the floor.

It was only natural that my face burned bright red after the bomb Rel had dropped.