Not long after the festival ended, preparations for the engagement ceremony between me and Baridas began in earnest. The dukedom seemed several times busier than usual. The same was true for Baridas, as well as Lorna and Lena. Additionally, the kids haven’t even been in my room for two days, as if something had happened.
Ren, who I ran into by chance, told me that Thomas was practicing his swordsmanship, that he was learning to play, and that his younger siblings were busy studying. It was a good thing that the children were focusing on what they wanted to do, so I couldn’t help but cheer them on. Everyone was busy at the Duke’s house right now.
Except me.
I was the only one at leisure in this spacious ducal house. When I felt guilty and said I would do anything to help, Crimson said to me: Why are you trying to prepare for your own engagement party? I couldn’t refute those words. I pet Riri and Lala, who ran towards me and licked my face. There is no one who plays with me other than them.
I know it’s inevitable because everyone is busy, but for some reason, I felt more lonely today. I muttered quietly, feeling even more lonely as I was alone in the large room.
“It’s been a while since I was alone.”
* * *
At that time, the children were making a plan without Fiora and Baridas knowing.
AKA, planning the first engagement ceremony.
It started two nights ago. Late at night, when Fiora and most of the servants were asleep, the children gathered as a group in Ren’s room. Lili and Lara were sleeping soundly under Ren’s bed, and Jasmine yawned in Ren’s arms. Chantz came because Greenly and Lima called him, but he was leaning against the wall with an expression on his face that he didn’t know why he was here. What brought the kids together today was Greenly and Lima. Just as Thomas was about to ask what he was calling for, Lima struck him. She confidently opened her sketchbook. Inside, there was a green and Lima cake design and a decorated party hall. The children smiled and looked at the picture of Lima and Greenly.
Then Lima shouted.
“Let’s hold the princess’s engagement ceremony first!”
“Engagement?”
The first to react to her words was Thomas. He looked at Lima as if asking what he was talking about. But she didn’t seem to care and pointed at her sketchbook.
“Ugh, we’re holding an engagement ceremony before the official engagement ceremony is ready!”
It was definitely a good idea, but Ren was a little worried about whether it would be possible to do it on their own. As if reading Ren’s thoughts, Greenly opened his mouth.
“I already told Peter and Crimson to help us.”
Peter was a talented pastry chef hired a few days ago. Ren and Thomas, who knew that fact, were convinced. This was because I thought it would be possible with the help of Peter and Crimson. Lima noticed the plan and pointed to the plan drawn in the corner of the sketchbook. There was some crude writing on it.
- Preparing for a party, Crimson will help you!
- Once you’re ready for the party, Peter will help you make a take!
- Call your brother and the princess without getting caught!
Ren and Thomas looked at each other at the same time, probably thinking the same thing while reading the article. What they both wrote had a spelling mistake. Although they didn’t point it out considering their feelings, Ren and Thomas looked at each other and burst into small laughter. However, Lima shouted, probably thinking that the smile meant positivity.
“Then you’ll start preparing tomorrow, okay?”
“Okay.”
Everyone except Jasmine, who was asleep, answered that they knew, and Lima smiled proudly and waved his hand.
“Then, it’s your decision! See you all tomorrow, good night!”
Lima and Greenly held hands and giggled as they headed to their room. Ren repositioned Jasmine in her sleep, resting on her own knees, then looked at her Thomas.
“Sleep well too, brother.”
“You sleep well too.”
Thomas kissed Jasmine’s sleeping forehead and then stroked the head of Ren, who was sitting on the bed. Chantz, who couldn’t figure out the right time to leave, watched Ren’s attention and quietly left the room.
“Good night, miss.”
Chantz who left Ren’s room sighed. Did he really need to participate in preparing for that party? No, he didn’t know why those kids had made him attend in the first place. The amount of training had already increased more than usual due to security issues during the engagement ceremony. It was difficult to even imagine having to see my children during that time. Still, he couldn’t help it. Because those kids were the bosses he had to serve. Chantz sighed and was walking helplessly when someone called him and stopped him. In a hallway with only soft lighting, orange hair sparkled and red eyes glowed softly. It was Ren. She hesitated and cautiously opened her mouth as Chantz looked at her.
“I’m sorry for bothering you, my younger siblings. You must be busy these days, so it’s okay if you don’t participate.”
Chantz thought to himself at Ren’s words.
A quick-witted kid. Among the children, Ren was the only one whom Chantz found difficult. Thomas had seen him a few times at the gym, so he knew him a little bit, and the rest of the kids all seemed like kids to him. Ren was supposed to look like that too. Her red eyes were so adult and mature for her age that it was impossible to see her as a child. There are also sins committed there. Chantz remembered pouring antiseptic on Ren’s wound and sheepishly ran his hand through his hair. No matter how I thought about it, that method seemed too extreme.
“No. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
Chantz bowed his head to Ren and walked to his room.
Sucha a bother.
He yawned as he thought so. He was seventeen this year, and he was at an age where everything seemed bothersome.
The next morning.
All the children gathered in the garden where Jasmine and Ren rescued the puppy. Chantz too. Chantz was more meticulous than they thought, and they had recruited Crimson, a butler who was one of the most powerful figures in the dukedom.
He didn’t know what the kids said, but he had been excluded from training by Crimson’s orders. He was seventeen this year, a high school student in Korean age. He was at an age where he liked tinkle. Instead of training children, he thought it would be better to play with ten children.
Young commoners used to say this about this unexpected good thing.
Chantz looked at the children setting the table, muttering words they had picked up from somewhere. Soon after, Crimson arrived, and following him came a red carpet, piano, statues, and other white sculptures. Chantz thought as they looked at that. This was so authentic. As much as he tried, he only knew that children could make paper wreaths or sing songs. However, he couldn’t help but be impressed by the scale of the children’s engagement ceremony being prepared to the point where it was a slap in the face for a formal engagement ceremony.
His prediction was partly correct. However, the scale was different. Chantz’s eyes widened when they saw the paper wreath that Lima had folded herself. What was that again? In the original work, Lima, who was in charge of art and physical education, was not only good at drawing, but was also very dexterous. He folded the main rose out of pink paper sprinkled with gold dust and then made a coffin out of green wire. And here he was going to decorate it with white and yellow fresh flowers. But the wreath she made was so perfect that there was no need for that.
Before Chantz had time to be surprised, the sound of music began to be heard from somewhere. When he turned around, he saw Ren and Thomas playing the piano and violin. It was a song called ‘You Are My Symphony’ that a famous composer composed for his lover. It was a song so famous Chantz knew it. Needless to say, Ren’s musical talent was outstanding, and Thomas was not particularly good at music, but fortunately, thanks to Ren’s association with him from a young age, his sense of tempo was not bad. And since he learned the violin with Ren, who also played the piano and violin, his playing skills were not bad. Of course he was no match for Ren.
When the two finished playing, Crimson started clapping.
“You both have improved your skills a lot. Excellent.”
“I only got it right once or twice yesterday, so I’m glad I did.”
Ren and Thomas looked at each other and smiled proudly. Seeing them like that, Chantz fell into serious trouble. Actually, maybe he wasn’t a genius? Cracks began to appear in his 17 years of life. I thought that the real geniuses were people like that. He eventually came to one conclusion.
‘I still lack a lot.’
It wasn’t the time to be happy about missing training. For the first time in a very long time, his passion was ignited. Chantz, unaware of his true feelings, took Ren’s place and started playing the piano. Taking advantage of the commotion, Ren approached Chantz.
“How was it?”
Chantz hesitated to answer her question. Those who had previously told themselves that she was a genius would feel even more confident when they saw her. She says she’s not, she’s the real genius. This was the first time he had been stimulated like this since he grew up always being called a genius. Even in completely different genres such as swords and music, he made himself feel such a wall.
Chantz, who hesitated, opened his mouth.
“I felt like I was still not good enough and that I needed to work harder.”
Ren tilted her head at his vague words. Because she couldn’t understand what Chantz’s words meant. Chantz added, perhaps noticing that fact.
“It was a great performance that motivated me.”
At Chantz’s words, Ren tilted his head once again. She also knew a little about the rumors about Chantz. A genius knight born as a commoner, promoted to the highest level ever from a commoner knight to the princess’s guardian, and the youngest mana user. There were more than one title referring to him. Of course, he was labeled as a commoner in everything, but all the titles were praising him. It must mean that he is that great.
It felt strange to think that her performance had stimulated Chantz for some reason. He must be the real genius.
“It’s an honor to hear such words from a famous genius.”
At Ren’s words, the Chantz once again felt a wall. Even though he has such great talent, he is not overconfident. He boasted that he was a genius, but he became ashamed of himself. He lowered his head, promising himself that once this was over, he would train all day.
“Could you please play it for me next time?”
Chantz held out their hands to Ren. At Chantz’s unexpected request, Ren smiled brightly, nodded his head, and took his outstretched hand.
“As much as you want.”
Chantz smiled at Ren’s answer and placed his hand on her forehead. If it had been the knights’ way, they would have kissed each other, but it was an act of consideration for Ren, who was still young.
“Thank you.”
And the two had no idea that the twins were looking at them with suspicion.
—————————————————————
Translator Note:
Hello there! This is RJR. I hope you liked it <3
If you like my work please support me with Ko-fi or Patreon. Next post will be released on March, 15.
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