I Don't Want To Work! - Chapter 153

CHAPTER 153

Long ago, I had said I would go.

As it was the temple I always visited, it didn’t take long to prepare the procession.

So, a few days after the emperor’s decision was made, I could board the carriage heading to the temple of the Lord.

“Take care.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Kneeling, I, dressed formally, received a splendid brooch from the emperor to attach to my chest.

It was the brooch representing the official diplomatic delegation of the Pandelion Empire.

“Take care, Lottie. It may be a heavy burden, but I believe you can handle it well.”

Following, the empress consort hung a thin, small necklace with a medallion around my neck.

“It’s an amulet imbued with the magic of prayers. It will protect you.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

And then.

“Take care, Princess Lottie.”

The Former Empress’ farewell was brief. The gentle lady, easing her shawl, smiled softly.

“My gift is already placed in the carriage.”

She said so, squinting her eyes. What could she have placed there?

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

I had to make an effort not to turn my gaze towards the carriage behind me.

And Leonard.

“If anything happens, inform the nearby tower. I’ve already put a message there.”

Leonard said so, pressing something into my hand.

“It’s an emergency fund.”

“Thank you.”

A heartfelt thank you flowed from my heart.

Well, what?

The more money, the better, right?

Next was Stella.

“I should have gone with you! Then you could faint with peace of mind. Oh well, it’s a shame.”

Since you’re asking, could you not assume I’ll faint?

Stella said so, glancing at Leonard.

The situation where the next emperor had not yet been decided. So, it must have been premature to leave the position vacant.

“If only someone else was here, I’d have gone as your guard.”

As Stella continued to grumble, Leonard smiled and quietly raised one finger.

Uh, uh, uh??

After the slight commotion between Leonard and Stella passed, Stella, with her disheveled hair, somehow extended a small box.

“It’s my cherished dagger. I’ve prepared it well, so it should come in handy when it’s dangerous.”

Opening the box revealed a small dagger inside.

Stella whispered in a low voice.

“If someone bothers you, just stab them first. I’ll take care of the aftermath.”

“…Thank you, sis.”

The last was our Arkin.

Oh, our little Arkin.

“Come back safely, big sister.”

Arkin bid me farewell with a puffy face.

“You have to come back safely.”

“Okay, I’ll be back.”

As I reached out to stroke Arkin’s hair, I hesitated for a moment.

He does care about appearances and must have styled his hair in his own way. He’d probably dislike it if I messed it up.

“Big sister.”

Whether he knew what was in my heart or not, Arkin muttered softly.

“Don’t come back hurt.”

“Okay.”

I’ve heard this several times already.

Nodding my head, as I tried to get on the carriage, Arkin grabbed onto the hem of my dress.

He’s tender-hearted too.

As I leaned down, perhaps to comfort him with a pat on the cheek, Arkin, who pressed his body against mine, muttered softly.

“Big sister, if you get hurt…”

“Huh, huh?”

“I’ll go.”

“What?”

“I’ll go and get hurt worse than you.”

“…What?”

This kid, is he trying to threaten me by holding himself hostage…?

“So, don’t get hurt and come back!”

Humph! With a loud snort, Arkin extended something, and as soon as I accepted it, he grumbled and left.

“I’ll be back.”

Receiving farewells from the extended family, I boarded the carriage.

They all waved their hands. I paused for a moment and watched them.

‘How strange.’

I never had a life where I bid farewell, leaving dozens, hundreds of times, nor did I ever expect to return. 

This was my first life. 

With a wide grin, I waved my hand and boarded the carriage. 

“Lady Lottie!” 

Betty, who followed behind me and hopped onto the carriage, smiled brightly. 

While I am away, Liena will stay behind to manage the overall affairs of the palace. 

Instead, Betty came along to assist me. 

“How exciting to go out with Lady Lottie.” 

“You’re quick to change my name to Lady Lottie just because it’s just the two of us.”

“But.”

Betty pouted her lips.

“Lady Lottie is my Lady Lottie.” 

She glanced at me discreetly. 

“…Are you going to tell Maid Liena about this when we return?” 

She seemed worried about getting scolded by Liena. 

“We’ll see.” 

I chuckled, rubbing my chin, and Betty grinned knowingly. 

She knew I wouldn’t be too harsh. 

“If you don’t do your job properly, I’ll tell Lady Liena right away.” 

“Oh, Lady Lottie, you too. I’m Betty!” 

“If you can’t say it…” 

How much did Betty and I chat away? 

Knock, knock. I heard a knock. 

When I opened the carriage window, Lionel, my bodyguard, was there. 

“Your Highness.” 

It felt new to hear the title after hearing only ‘master’ for so long. 

“You’ll be using the royal teleportation shortly. Please beware of motion sickness.” 

“…Got it.” 

I nodded heavily. 

As soon as I heard the words ‘royal teleportation,’ Betty quickly took out several potions from her bag. 

“Here, Lady Lottie. This is the health tonic Her Highness drinks every day.” 

She handed me a brown bottle. 

“And this is motion sickness medicine.”

A blue bottle was handed to me. 

“This is a nutritional supplement.” 

A yellow bottle followed. 

“And this is…” 

As Betty rummaged through her bag, she handed me a bottle filled with thick yellow liquid. 

Two white pills were a bonus. 

“You know what this is, right?” 

“…Yeah.” 

It was a medicine that would make you take a few steps back, preventing you from crossing the Three Rivers, as if you were about to fall in. 

Instant relief from fatigue. 

“Here, take them all!!” 

“Okay, okay.” 

I quickly started swallowing the bottles she handed me first. 

Oh, my poor constitution. 

Despite boosting my health with all sorts of medicine, my innate weakness couldn’t be helped. 

Even now, my body is five times weaker and five times quicker to tire than the average person. 

‘A life sustained by medicine…’ 

After downing four bottles and pills, I chuckled bitterly. 

“Well done, Lady Lottie.” 

Betty smiled. 

She then started putting the empty bottles separately into a small cloth bag inside her bag. 

In the meantime, a familiar box caught my eye from Betty’s bag. 

A small box adorned with a golden ribbon… that was… 

“Betty.” 

“Yes?” 

“Why did you bring this?” 

It was the ambitious concoction I had prepared for Betty’s birthday five years ago, only to be rebuffed. 

Specifically, it was an herb infested with bugs. 

“You cried because it was disgusting.” 

The first time the bug wriggled, everyone around screamed. 

The second time it wriggled, Betty, who was holding the box, burst into tears. 

Luckily, Betty liked the mountain hat and gloves I bought with it, but Liena and Arkin, who dragged me away said… 

‘Young girls don’t like such things, Your Highness. Please choose a boring gemstone instead.’ 

‘Sister, from now on, let’s choose gifts together. Promise me you won’t choose gifts alone.’ 

…It took hearing the same thing several times before I could be freed. 

‘Ringo loved it!’ 

Two years ago, when I got something similar for Ringo’s birthday, he loved it, saying it helped with his back pain! 

As I pouted, Betty picked up the box with a somewhat regretful expression. 

“I didn’t want to bring this out. I wanted to seal it away in the drawer forever.” 

…Was it to that extent? 

“If it wasn’t Lady Lottie’s gift…” 

Betty hastily cut off her sentence, but somehow, I understood the rest. 

Whether she threw it away, threw it far away, or threw it into the vast sky… one of those. 

“…” 

“I didn’t throw it away. I cherished it in my own way!”

When I looked at Betty, she showed me the contents of the box, just as she said. 

Whether she replaced the box halfway or managed it in some way, the condition of the herbs seemed quite decent.

“And, Lady Lottie, I heard this is quite a miraculous medicine, so I saved it in case of emergencies.” 

“But why did you bring it?” 

“…Well.” 

Closing the box again at my words, Betty shook her head slightly and pursed her lips. 

“It’s because I’m a little anxious.” 

“About what?” 

“This is the first time I’ve left the Empire. Honestly, even coming up to the capital from where I used to live was a great adventure.” 

Betty turned her head to look at me. 

“Leaving the Empire is like a mega, mega, mega adventure!” 

Three times the size of a big one? 

“So, I brought it. Just in case.” 

Betty tightly grasped the box. 

“Just in case Lady Lottie gets hurt, remember that I’m here!” 

“You brought it for me? Betty, you should use it for yourself or others. Like family.” 

“What are you talking about?” 

Betty nodded her head as if the box were something precious, putting it back inside her bag. 

“I’m not old enough to use this kind of thing yet, and my parents would be mad. That’s why I’ve been planning to use it for you ever since I received it.” 

“Really?” 

“Really! So, Lady Lottie…” 

Betty clenched her fists. 

Seeing how determined and trustworthy she looked, I couldn’t help but smile. 

“If by any chance you get hurt, come to me. I’ll treat you!” 

“Okay, I’ll count on you, Betty.” 

I laughed brightly inside the carriage.