Vol. 3 - Ch. 128 - Katariona Receives a Letter from the Crown Prince
The Falsely Executed Marquis’ Daughter Wants to Live Peacefully with Fluffy GodThis chapter is broken. Please report this on discord.
This chapter is broken. Please report this on discord.
The Hinoshima Confectionary Fair was a huge success.
Later that evening, in the open-air bath, Chris asked me how my date with Leon had been.
"Well, you know. He just ate sweets the whole time."
He actually conquered all the sweets in the hall. He even queued up in a rather large line to eat.......
"What? Fluffy-kun was a terrible escort."
"Leon is more of a foodie than a romantic. Oh, by the way, I met the pirates who attacked our ship."
I told Chris about my encounter with Julian.
"I wonder what business the Lord had with the sissy and his pirates?"
"We were asked to protect the people of the sea."
Kikuno-sama, who came to the outdoor baths late, answered my question.
"The sea people?"
"Yes. They are the descendants of the people who lived in the kingdom that sank to the bottom of the sea hundreds of years ago. And Julian is a descendant of that royal family."
"So all pirates are sea-folk?"
"Only Julian's family. The rest of the pirates are just thugs."
The waters outside the Kingdom of Findalia and Hinoshima are the pirates' stronghold.
They say that the sea area where the pirates have taken refuge was originally home to a country called Rudonion, the Kingdom of the Sea.
But one day, it suddenly sank to the bottom of the ocean. And nobody knows why.
The members of their royal family, along with the people who had survived, set out on a journey across the vast ocean in search of new land, but their numbers gradually dwindled due to numerous storms and food shortages.
By the time they reached the island they now call home, there were only a hundred people left.
They had no choice but to become self-sufficient in order to survive, but there was nothing on the island. After a difficult decision, they chose to become pirates.
In recent years, however, the clan has been dwindling in numbers, and the men who set out to sea could lose their lives at any moment.
Fearing this, Julian, the head of his family, petitioned the Hinoshima Kingdom for protection, and the Lord of Hinoshima agreed.
"But isn't he a pirate? I don't mean to be rude, but how does the Hinoshima Nation benefit from protecting them?"
This type of remark was typical of Chris, a member of the royal family.
"Our country has a small population and plenty of land, so we can afford to emigrate, but accepting pirates would certainly be a risk."
"Then why?"
"That's something we'll have to consider, but there are merits to it."
"I wasn't going to ask, but if you don't mind, can I?"
Kikuno-sama nodded and began to explain the situation.
"This has something to do with the Kingdom of Findalia as well. It's okay to talk about it with Chris, who may eventually become the queen, and Yurie, who is a candidate for a close aide."
Chris and I looked at each other and laughed.
"That would mean your brother would be disinherited."
"I guess I'll be forced to become the queen's chamberlain."
Kikuno-sama cleared her throat.
"You know, this is no laughing matter. There is a strong possibility of that happening."
""I'm sorry.""
It's just as Kikuno-sama says. If the crown prince is disinherited, Chris will be the next monarch. And Chris's closest aides are likely to be people who are currently good friends of hers.
"Recently, foreign ships have been spotted in the waters south of our country."
"What nation are those ships from?"
Kikuno-sama shook her head. Their nationality is unknown.
"According to eyewitness accounts, it may be a warship."
"Are you saying they're trying to invade Hinoshima?"
Chris placed a hand on her chin and asked. Kikuno-sama nodded.
"It's possible. However, they may be trying to trade with us, so we can't carelessly approach them."
I've heard that a secret reconnaissance team is currently being sent out to watch the ship.
"In the meantime, we are in the process of asking His Majesty the King if we can borrow the magicians of the Kingdom of Findalia, just in case."
The Findalia Kingdom's magicians are excellent. While they haven't been active in the past 200 years because the country has been at peace, they have not neglected their training in preparation for emergencies.
"Is there anyone on the unknown ship who can use magic?"
"That remains undetermined, but at least I couldn't detect any magic."
I sometimes forget that Kikuno-sama is a former god. Her detection of magic is far superior to others.
"We have never been invaded, so if they were to launch an attack, we would be at an overwhelming disadvantage. So we need someone who is skilled in naval warfare."
When reaching this point, I understood.
"So you're saying that if a fight is unavoidable, Julian will lead the charge?"
"Yes. Julian is an expert in naval warfare. He will make a good naval commander. That is, of course, if he agrees to it. ......"
But would Julian agree? Even though he sought protection from the Hinoshima nation for a safe haven, .......
Later, I was told that Julian had accepted the offer.
He said he hoped it would bring peaceful days to his family. ......
About three months after I came to study in Hinoshima, I received a letter from the Kingdom of Findalia.
From family, friends, and the Crown Prince.
"Milady, what should we do with this letter? Should I tear it up and throw it away? Or should I burn it in the fire?"
Marie was pinching the Crown Prince's letter with a smile. That is an option, isn't it.
"No. I will read it."
"You're going to read it?"
"Read it?"
Leon and Marie looked blatantly disgusted.
"I will read it. I'll read it, and then I'll decide what to do with it."
I always eat what I don't like first. It's the same with other things. ...... Ah. I just said I disliked it!
The letter was addressed in meticulous script, 'To Miss Katariona Yurie Grandeur.'
I broke the wax seal and opened the letter:
Richard.
I'm still not ready to forgive him, but the Crown Prince seems to be making a serious effort to set things right this time.
"Is ...... not qualified to be next to milady now? Even in the future, the Crown Prince Dumbcrap will never be qualified to stand next to the young lady!"
"Hmph! I will be the one standing next to Rio."
Marie and Leon stood behind me, looking at the Crown Prince's letter as if they were devouring it.
They both read the contents carefully.
"I still think we should throw away these letters, milady."
"Hm well, what should we do?"
"Rio."
Leon climbed into my lap and poked his head out from between the letters.
"Are you going to keep another man's letters?"
His beautiful odd-eyed eyes gazed at me expectantly. Ugh! So cute!
"You're right, Leon. Shall I throw them away?"
I guess I'll put it in the unorganized box for now.
"Come to think of it, Leon has never written me a letter, has he?"
"Aren't we always together though, so there's no need to write letters?"
That's true, but I still want a letter from someone I like.
"Then why don't you write her a card for her birthday?"
"That's a good idea, Leon can write me a card for my birthday. From this year onwards you must write me a card on my birthday."
"Mmm! I have to write it myself?"
I grabbed Leon's soft body.
"You don't w-a-n-t to? Ha-! Is it possible that you can't write?"
"Of course, I can write! I got it! I'll write it!"
Leon struggled, shaking his body.
From this year on, I can look forward to celebrating my birthday.
—--
TL: I have mixed feelings. I like seeing Richard’s character grow, but I don’t really think he has truly repented. At least, not yet without further action. Also, it looks like a war is imminent!? Wonder where this story is heading. Anyway, thank you lovely readers for sticking with the story thus far, and hope you enjoyed~! Happy reading!