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‘It’s amazing.’
Every time he was with Tatiana, Lakius’s world expanded a little more.
Like listening to…… apologies.
The emperor and Rudolph always looked at Lakius the way they would look at a squirming worm underfoot.
‘……I’m sorry, Lakius.’
It was the first time they had ever apologized to him.
And the emperor, too, if only for the reason that he didn’t want to be criticized further by the three warriors.
‘Enough, Queen.’
He sided with Lakius, not with the queen and Rudolph.
Perhaps this will make life at the palace a little more difficult. But nevertheless, he had no regrets.
And most of all, he’ll be able to see…….
‘Three days a week.’
Lakius clenched his fists over his chest.
The boy’s smile deepened a little more. It was the smile of an eight-year-old boy, unshadowed by anything else.
‘……I can meet Miss Tatiana.’
Next Monday.
It was the date of the first scheduled visit to the townhouse of Orleans.
He was looking forward to it.
***
Time flew by like a flash.
I will be ten years old after midnight tonight.
That means.
‘Today is the day of my birthday.’
Oh, my gosh, I really can’t believe I’m already turning ten.
I collected the books in my arms and clicked my tongue at the thought. Adults sometimes lament how fast time goes. Maybe I could understand that sentiment a little better now?
“Good morning, Teacher!”
I gave a quick greeting as I entered the study room.
The poetry and literature teacher, who was preparing for class in the study room, smiled at me.
“Hello, Princess.”
Hoo-hoo, a princess.
I pressed down on the tip of my lips, which were threatening to curl upward of their own accord.
That’s right.
Since the day I’d called the three warriors ‘Dad’, I was officially adopted by the Duke of Orleans!
I am now legally Siegfried’s daughter!
“What about the First Prince?”
“He hasn’t come yet, but there’s still about five minutes before class starts, so you can go to…….”
And there we were, making conversation, when–
Boom.
The door to the study room flew open, and a boy burst in.
“Hello! I’m not late by any chance, am I?”
Well, they say tigers come when they are talked about. I had no idea that he would come as soon as I mentioned him.
“His Highness the First Prince.”
“I see His Highness the First Prince.”
Even though the teacher was there, we were polite to each other.
Lakius gave me a friendly greeting with his eyes.
I returned the favor with a slight nod.
I’ve been studying with Lakius three times a week for six years now. I’ve grown quite a bit in that time, but Lakius’ growth has been remarkable.
For one thing, he’s gotten a lot taller.
He’s a foot taller than his peers, and now I have to look up at him when we stand side by side…….
‘Man, this is not cool.’
I muttered under my breath.
‘Anyway, he’s all grown up, so it doesn’t matter.’
I took in Lakius’s beauty with a pleased gaze. Shimmering blonde hair and eyes as bright red as rubies. His features were as gorgeous as a rose made of gold and gemstones.
He was still so young, but he would be even more handsome when he grew up.
But my favorite change is…….
‘Lakius, you have a pretty good smile now.’
When I first saw him, he was always expressionless, but now he has quite a variety of expressions.
He laughs, he gets angry, and sometimes even pouts. Sometimes he’ll complain to me in a whisper that his father’s education is too strict.
He even turns his lips up in a pout, which is very cute to see.
It’s like he’s finally being a boy his age.
‘And yet, when he’s in front of his father, he just acts the part and completes his training.’
Dutiful, like a male protagonist.
I shrugged and turned to Lakius with a question.
“What makes you so late? You’re usually about ten minutes early.”
“Oh, well,” Lakius scratched his cheek slightly, then smiled coyly. “I got caught by Kirios on the way here.”
“Aha,” I sighed.
I knew all too well that all three of my dads were hard on Lakius. Especially Kirios, the second father, who always tried to devour him.
‘All men are wolves. Got that!?’
…… had become his mantra.
He’d say it so many times, never missing an opportunity, that you could literally get scabs on your ears…….
What the hell is he talking about when he’s staring at a fourteen-year-old boy?
“Everyone take your seats then.”
At the teacher’s words, Lakius and I took our seats.
“A few days ago, I gave you some homework, didn’t I?”
“Yes, you asked me to memorize the poet Harper’s ‘Come to the Hills of Spring’.”
“I see you’ve remembered it well, so why don’t you try to recite it first?”
Well, that shouldn’t be difficult.
I stood up and began to recite the poem.
“My hometown is on a hill, where the sun is warm on a spring day, and my heart aches with longing…….”
The teacher, who was listening carefully to my recitation, smiled and nodded.
“Your pronunciation is clear, and the poem rhymes well. That’s really good.”
Hmm, good.
I sat back in my seat proudly.
Then Lakius murmured, looking strangely regretful, “Though, I must admit, the first time I took the class, I found it quite adorable that you had a few mispronunciations.”
……No, seriously, when did he hear that?
I looked back at Lakius with a frown.
For the record, I was five years old when I perfectly mastered short tongue sounds…….
But what was even more amazing was the teacher’s response.
“Yes, she did.” She seemed to agree with Lakius, then murmured in a wistful voice, as if reminiscing, “But when did the princess grow up to be so brilliant that she could recite poetry…….?”
“It’s because the princess’s talent is so great.”
“I see, His Highness the First Prince thinks so too?”
“Of course, and I’m very happy to be able to discuss the princess’s excellence with you.”
The two continued to talk in hushed tones.
“…….”
I was at a loss for words.
‘It’s the specialty of my dads to start off with compliments.’
Somehow, everyone around me seemed to be turning into my dads…….
Lakius, meanwhile, looked at me with envy.
“By the way, the princess is only ten years old, yet she’s taking classes with me.”
‘……What kind of nonsense are you going to say?’
I looked at Lakius with that message in my eyes.
“You’re so smart. I’m fourteen, and I feel like I’m not even close to the level of the princess.” Lakius looked determined, and then said, “Looking at her makes me realize that I need to work harder.”
That’s right, my mental age is that of an adult.
I was a little shaken up.
You are talented while I am old…….
To receive such bright eyes from a guy who will chew up the world with his talent in the future.
The world is something to live for.
Of course, I’ve only lived 10 years of this life yet.
Just then, the teacher interrupted by saying, “By the way, it’s your birthday today, isn’t it? I have a gift for you, too.”
“A birthday gift?”
What, what kind of a gift?
I stared at the teacher expectantly.
“Yes, the gift is…….”
The teacher, who had been rambling on and on, squinted one eye at me.
“That’s it for the lesson today. Do you like your present?”
Oh goodness!
I looked up at her in ecstasy.
Of course I like it!
The lesson was over half an hour earlier than usual!
“Teacher, you’re the best!” I shouted my praise from the bottom of my heart, and the teacher chuckled heartily.
“Have a nice day, Princess.”
“You too!”
With one last smile, the teacher slipped out of the room.
As soon as we were alone, Lakius turned to me with a voice as sweet as honey.
“Happy birthday, Tati.”
“Thanks, Laki!”
Yes, we had become close enough to call each other by a nickname! We even let go of formal speech when we’re alone!
Isn’t that a great development?
In fact, at first, I used to call him His Highness the Prince.
One day, out of the blue, Lakius blurted out.
‘You…….. can call me Laki.’
I pretended not to notice, but how could I not?
The color behind his ears had turned bright red.