I Don't Want To Work! - Chapter 34
CHAPTER 34
‘Sometimes jewels are presented at the palace.’
On occasions of good news or events worth celebrating.
Under the name of the emperor, jewels were occasionally bestowed upon the nobles.
It was a ceremonial gesture.
Was it just a matter of ‘Here, take it, it’s a good day’?
If you just had the title of noble, you’d surely receive it too.
Pearl jewelry is something everyone should have at least one of.
It was clear that it must have been given as a gift at least once.
‘That’s how the jewels given by the emperor were immediately presented to Marquis Floyd…’
They were probably planning to sell them for money, but maybe Milia liked them.
Well, anyway.
It became clear that Marquis Floyd was behind Baron Dean.
“Hmm.”
I sprawled on the long sofa, blinking my eyes.
It had been several days since the festival, but my mind was still in turmoil.
More precisely, I couldn’t decide how to handle Marquis Floyd.
‘If he had just stopped at being cautious of me, I would have let it slide.’
But Marquis Floyd was getting on my nerves.
I almost ended up in a mess with the sprouting potatoes.
‘What pisses me off even more is that he didn’t get his dirty hands on me.’
Thanks to Milia Floyd’s carelessness, I found out too.
If not, it would have taken quite a while to find out.
What should I do about this?
“Sister.”
I turned my head at the sound.
Arkin was standing by the window.
Arkin, who had been playing with me all day since early morning, was now admiring the completely changed palace.
“But what’s that over there?”
“Huh? What?”
“That thing.”
I got up and went to the window, where Arkin was pointing.
It was a small vegetable garden.
A vegetable garden made small in one corner of the garden.
And in the middle of it was a relic.
“Oh, that.”
I smiled and stroked Arkin’s hair.
“It’s nothing special, if you must know, it’s fertilizer?”
It’s a really good fertilizer that makes even the starlight flowers, which are difficult to grow, grow well.
“Hmm.”
Arkin stared at the relic for a moment, then nodded.
“It’s a strangely shaped fertilizer.”
It sure is.
Who would have thought that a cherished object, treasured by many and handled with extreme care by priests, would be stuck in the middle of a vegetable garden?
Kya kya kya kya.
You can even hear the sound of Detmé falling over from here.
Oh, is she already gone? Is she quiet now?
“But, sister.”
Arkin, who had been sitting on the sofa where I was lying, leaned forward with his red eyes blinking.
“So, where did you go after the festival ended?”
“I visited the temple for a bit. I thought maybe some memories would come back.”
I sat next to Arkin, casually leaning in. He leaned against me slightly and blinked his eyes as if asking to be petted.
‘Ever since we got closer, he’s become quite affectionate.’
So cute, so adorable. His face seems brighter than before, too.
“By the way, Arkin.”
“Yeah?”
“How are you and the Emperor getting along these days?”
At my question, Arkin giggled bashfully. It was a laugh typical of a ten-year-old.
“Yeah, I went for a walk with Father the other day. He said if I show good progress in swordsmanship training, he’ll give me a splendid sword!”
“Mm-hmm.”
Father? Just until recently, he used to awkwardly refer to His Majesty. Now he’s calling him Father naturally.
“Really? Our Arkin is so lucky. Will you come to show off your sword to your big sister when you get it?”
“Of course! Oh, and you know what? Alexander Thunder III. He’s grown so big now and loves galloping around.”
Hmm, one name seems to drop off every time I hear that Colt’s name. Eventually, it’ll just be Thunder left.
Anyway, the Emperor.
‘Since then, he’s been consistently sending gifts.’
Herbal books and rare herbal seeds. Cute rabbit dolls, dresses, and jewelry. Entertaining novels and curious items trending in the streets. Sometimes, extravagant dishes arrived as gifts.
Though it was late, his efforts to mend the relationship were evident.
“Hmm.”
I could partly understand, but at the same time, I couldn’t. How did the Emperor of Pandelion, who had never accepted a bastard child, have accepted me?
‘But that’s an understanding I can have because I’ve lived through my previous life.’
If I were in a first life, an ignorant child, could I understand this situation?
‘It’s complicated.’
I let out a deep sigh.
Regardless, the Emperor needed treatment now.
‘There are few illnesses as common as insomnia that can slowly kill a person.’
Moreover, it appeared more severe than initially observed, as it showed sporadically.
‘He must have already tried some medicine.’
That meant conventional medicine couldn’t cure it. Honestly, insomnia itself was closer to a mental issue than a physical one.
‘We’ll need to treat it for a long time. For that, we need something stronger than regular medicine.’
While absentmindedly stroking Arkin’s hair, a cautious knock sounded.
The door opened smoothly, and Raven came in with a book in hand.
“What’s the matter, Raven?”
“I, um, this.”
Raven rolled his large green eyes as if acknowledging Arkin.
“Sis.”
Arkin frowned.
“What’s that again? What’s that doing in sister’s palace—Agh!”
Smack! I promptly gave Arkin a light smack with the hand that had been affectionately stroking his hair.
“Why did you hit me?”
Tears welled up in Arkin’s red eyes.
“You shouldn’t say things like that in front of people.”
“But…”
“Try it, ‘Who’s that kid, sister?'”
Arkin reluctantly pouted and imitated me, but as I lightly clenched my fist again, he followed suit.
“Who’s that kid, sister?”
“That’s right. You need to be polite. Even if you’re a noble, you shouldn’t be rude to anyone, Arkin.”
“Yeah, got it.”
Arkin nodded slightly.
He’s so kind. I ruffled Arkin’s hair.
“Say hello. This is Count Raven Saila. He’s someone I sponsor.”
“…Ah, hello. I’m Raven Saila. It’s an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”
“Arkin Pandelion, Second Prince.”
Silence lingered.
Raven, unsure of what to do, and Arkin glared fiercely at him.
Then Arkin’s expression sharpened.
“Why is he in casual clothes, sis? Does he live with you?”
“Yeah, Lady Saila is my maid, so Raven is staying here. Where else would he go?”
I still have some money from my smuggler bust.
It wasn’t enough to buy a nobleman’s mansion in the center of the capital.
The palace is old, the expenses are high, and the elixirs are running out.
Where could I earn some money?
“What about me? Can I stay here too?”
“Why would you want to live cramped up in my palace instead of your huge one?”
You should live in a nice place.
“Fine.”
Arkin whined, snuggling against me.
He seemed to be showing off to Raven.
What’s with this?
“So, what’s up, Raven?”
“It’s nothing, I was just studying and came across something I didn’t understand…”
“Want me to take a look?”
“I, um, this part…”
Raven cautiously approached while looking at Arkin.
With a tiny finger, he pointed at a part of the book.
“I don’t understand this part…”
“Oh, this is…”
Let me see.
As Arkin, who hadn’t left my embrace and was sticking his neck out, saw that Raven didn’t know something, he chuckled.
It was a triumphant chuckle.
“Hey. Oh. How old are you?”
“I’m nine years old.”
“Really?”
Arkin, his eyes gleaming, left my arms and stood in front of Raven.
The two children faced each other head-on.
“…?”
Blink, blink.
Raven blinked with gentle eyes.
Meanwhile, Arkin compared his height with Raven’s.
“Hmm!”
He won in no time.
Arkin puffed out his chest confidently.
What a cheeky guy.
“I’ll teach you, little Count.”
“T-Thank you?”
“Here, it’s like this.”
Arkin, who took the book and found a place to sit, began to lean his head against Raven’s.
With nothing else to do, I watched Arkin and Raven.
‘Come to think of it, is this the first time they’ve had friends of similar age?’
Arkin was a latecomer and grew up in the royal palace. Raven, too, according to Lady Saila. She also mentioned that he couldn’t play outside much when he was young because he was physically weak.
‘It would be nice if they became good friends.’
“You got it?”
“I’m not sure…”
“It’s okay, I’ll show you again. See, like this! And like that! Then it goes ‘whoosh’ and untangles, right?”
“No.”
“Huh?”
“To be honest, Your Highness… I can’t explain it…”
“…??”
Oh my, he’s quite clever. I watched the two of them playing around and then pulled the jump rope to call Betty.
He’s putting in so much effort, I should at least say something.
Clever.
I pulled the jump rope, and not long after, I heard a knock.
“Betty, are there any leftover scones from this morning? And could you bring the raspberry jam we bought recently?”
“….”
“Betty?”
Why isn’t she answering?
When I turned around, I saw Betty standing there, blinking her eyes without saying a word.
“Um, well, Your Highness… that’s, um…”
Her words came out in fragments.
“His, His Highness the Prince has arrived.”
“But I’m already here?”
Arkin raised his head.
Yeah, isn’t the Prince over there?
“No, not that Prince…”
“Begging your pardon.”
A person stepped forward.
His red eyes, just like Arkin’s, twinkled with a smile.
Leonard. Why is he here?