Akatsuki Translations

“My utmost apologies for the intrusion.” -Ricardo

“…Are you perhaps Ricardo-kun?” -Alfina

Like a salaryman mistakenly accused of being a molester, I reflexively raised my hands. Realizing who I was, the princess seemed a bit relieved.

She chuckled. “This is a place for all students to use.” -Alfina

Her smile released me from my paralysis. The situation of being alone with her, her more subdued hairstyle than usual made her look even more… No, that’s not the point right now. How did this princess get in here? I couldn’t imagine she had been in the library before me.

“Why is Your Highness in a place like this?” -Ricardo

Her cheeks flushed slightly as I asked.

“Well, I am actually supposed to be attending Professor Fuglsig’s lecture right now…” -Alfina

“Professor Fuglsig… Ah, the chief librarian.” -Ricardo

Looking closely, I noticed another door at the back of the archive, probably leading to the librarian’s office. I hadn’t known about it.

“It’s embarrassing, but I often spend this time here reading. I don’t get much time for that in the cathedral.” -Alfina

“Don’t worry. I won’t speak of meeting Your Highness here to anyone.” -Ricardo

“Thank you. What brings you here, Ricardo-kun?” -Alfina

I was about to leave, not wanting to disturb her secret reading, but she asked me that. This is the kind of thing I find most troublesome. With my abilities, I can’t tell if she’s just asking out of politeness or if she’s genuinely interested. Especially with someone of the opposite sex.

Her gaze was on the book in my hand. It seemed she really was interested.

“Yes, I came looking for this book…” -Ricardo

I showed her the cover of the book. The next moment, I remembered the author’s background and broke into a cold sweat. Quatrol Fellbach belonged to the Duke of Fellbach family, who staged a rebellion twenty years ago. Although he wasn’t involved in the rebellion, he was imprisoned and died ten years ago. Honestly, a regrettable loss of talent, but that’s not the issue.

The Fellbach Rebellion was a major incident, a stain in the history of the stable kingdom. How would a person secretly reading a book by a relative of those involved appear in the eyes of royalty? My self-preservation was hanging by a thread.

“I-in our company, our products are related to the climate and vegetation of the west. I’m studying with the wonderful books of this academy.” -Ricardo

“Ah, could it be about honey?” -Alfina

“Yes. Of course, it’s not just that. This book, which details the flora and fauna of the west, has many points of reference.” -Ricardo

To emphasize the business aspect, I deliberately praised the book candidly. With my ability, speaking the truth directly is the best in such situations. The princess seemed interested in honey.

But this was the best course of action in a minefield.

The village where I taught beekeeping was in the former territory of a relative of the Fellbachs. Even after becoming a direct dominion, they were treated coldly. That’s why they desperately accepted our proposal.

One wrong step could be construed as political criticism.

I checked her expression. The princess was still smiling. No, she seemed even happier than before. Why, I wondered.

“I’m reading this book.” -Alfina

The princess raised a book to my eye level with both hands. Her white hands, so bright they seemed never to have been touched by the sun, held a brown leather cover.

“『The Journeys of Prince Cornwell』? I’ve read that too.” -Ricardo

“Really?”  -Alfina

Her face lit up with excitement. 『The Journeys of Prince Cornwell』is a travelogue-style romance novel written by a minstrel. It’s about a duke’s son who disguises himself as a poet and helps heroines in various towns while traveling. It features overly sensual bandits and a food-loving, clumsy manservant.

Of course, the protagonist isn’t a spry old man with a staff but a handsome young nobleman with a rapier.

I read it to understand what appeals to people in this world, so I’m not quite the fellow enthusiast she might expect.

“Since the setting is in the west, it reminds me of the towns and villages I visited with my father for trade.” -Ricardo

“Oh, you’re knowledgeable about the West, Ricardo. I’ve never left, let alone been outside, the royal capital. Is the book’s description of ‘a field of purplish red flowers as far as the eye can see’ real? I’ve never seen purplish red flowers.” -Alfina

Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. The idea of a meadow of wildflowers being unusual… the grand, flashy garden varieties like roses and lilies that bloom in the capital’s gardens are the exception. Incidentally, the roses here are blue. But, to the villagers, such flowers are nothing unusual. Places unfit for cultivation or undeveloped are mostly grasslands.

“Yes, although they are small flowers, the sight of the ground covered in a white-to-red gradient is indeed something to see.” -Ricardo

“My, that must be like a dream…” -Alfina

I’m still walking a tightrope. Purplish red flowers are indeed rare, but to me, those flowers are a source of honey for beekeeping, a proverbial money tree. They’re also useful as fodder and green manure – a versatile plant. This topic requires utmost care. Conversations with the upper class are always so complicated.

I glanced at the princess’s face… She was listening intently, her eyes wide. It’s disconcerting how she throws me off balance.

Clover flowers only grow in the southwestern part near the red forests, like in that village. The nearest city is, I believe…

“If you visit the Cathedral of Berthold, you might see them during your travels.” -Ricardo

“Berthold? That’s my aunt’s territory!” -Alfina

“I-is that so? Then perhaps you’ll have an opportunity to see them…” -Ricardo

Typical of a princess; even her relatives are extraordinary. Berthold is the leading city in the west. But why does everything connect like this? I checked her expression again, but she just smiled sadly.

“But it’s difficult for me to leave the capital with my duties. Even attending this academy is an indulgence made possible by my Aunt Euphylia.” -Alfina

This princess, whose head seems filled with flowers, is one thing, but I can’t fathom what her aunt is thinking. Maybe I should have Mia investigate her.

Knock, knock, knock.

Suddenly, there was a knock. It seemed to come from the door leading to the librarian’s office. I tensed up, remembering the sharp eyes of the female knight, but the door didn’t open.

Alfina slowly closed her book.

“Thank you for the enjoyable conversation today.” -Alfina

As she stood up, making a rustling sound, I hurriedly got up as well, making a clatter with the chair. A stark contrast between a noble princess and a commoner. Alfina didn’t scold me but instead offered her right hand.

“Please, let me hear more from you sometime.” -Alfina

“N, …it would be an honor.” -Ricardo

I grasped her white hand, feeling its silk-like texture and slight warmth invading my palm and consciousness. As her hand slipped away and Alfina left through the door, I found myself oddly regretting the loss of its warmth. Even though I was finally free, I resentfully watched the closed door.

“A girl from a different world… it doesn’t matter, right…” -Ricardo

Muttering to myself, I headed towards the correct exit.

Leaving the archive, I noticed Mia in the reading room, accompanied by a few female students, likely commoners like us. Mia subtly stood up and approached me in the shadow of a bookshelf.

“…Change of priority. Research the fourth princess as soon as possible, especially her connection with the Archduke of Berthold.” -Ricardo

“Understood.” -Mia

Mia accepted the instruction with a slightly puzzled look. Investigating the background of our classmates, even if previously focused on Drefano, is something we’ve been doing until now.

But a bitter feeling seeped from the depths of my heart… No, I’m doing what needs to be done.

“…And there should be some gifts from the village children in my baggage…” -Ricardo

I added this small task as if to shake off my thoughts.

It was a day with just a week left until the New Year Festival.