Akatsuki Translations

“Valentine’s Day? What’s that?” 

She had expected to hear those words, but she was genuinely taken aback when they actually escaped his lips. Empress Nicolette, somewhat naive and detached from the mundane world, seemed to have little knowledge of recent customs and traditions. 

She paused her knitting, her hands crafting a blanket with white yarn. Initially, the stitches were uneven, but now they were starting to form a recognizable pattern. Still, it was far from perfect. 

Wolfgang, the Emperor, who had been observing her hands, looked up and met Nicolette’s gaze. 

“It’s one of the recent popular folk customs. It’s mainly a way for couples and lovers to confirm their love for each other, but it seems it can also be done for someone they admire,” he explained. 

“Really? What do they do?” Nicolette inquired, her head slightly tilted. 

“They give each other gifts. Bouquets of roses are quite common, but occasionally, sweets and other things are sent as well,” he replied. 

“Oh, I see. That’s new to me,” she said with an intrigued expression. 

Nicolette nodded, amused. Despite being well-educated, having grown up in a convent, she was unfamiliar with the latest trends. Well, it could be attributed to the differences between the country she was born in and this new land. In simpler terms, she lacked common knowledge. 

“Folk customs are quite fascinating. Does it have any effects?” -Nicolette 

“…Well, I suppose it helps reaffirm love” -Wolfgang 

“I see,” Nicolette said, still puzzled. Despite her recent venture into the realm of psychology, she struggled to comprehend human emotions. Or, as she had admitted before, she was still trying to catch up. 

“By the way, this Valentine’s Day, does it have a fixed date?” -Nicolette 

Wolfgang, taken aback by his wife’s detachment from worldly affairs, answered, “It’s the day after tomorrow.” Nicolette once again nodded and let out a contemplative “I see.” 

“If it’s the day after tomorrow, then it coincides with the death anniversary of a certain saint” -Nicolette 

“Ah, yes. I heard it’s connected to that.” -Wolfgang 

“Oh, in that case, I might know something about it. I believe I read about it in a book. It’s quite surprising how the executioner of that saint would react if they knew how revered he became in later years,” she mused. 

“…I can’t say I know about that.” -Wolfgang 

Once again, Nicolette’s understanding proved elusive to him. 

△ 

Taking the initiative, Wolfgang had explained in advance, so there was no room for Nicolette to complain when he presented her with the gift that day. Nicolette accepted the box Wolfgang offered with a smile. 

“What a peculiar custom. It makes me happy, though. Are you sure I can have it?” -Nicolette 

“I ordered it specifically for you. I’d be troubled if you didn’t accept.” -Wolfgang 

“Ah, thank you…” -Nicolette 

Nicolette blushed slightly and smiled shyly, which in turn softened Wolfgang’s expression. 

Encouraged by Wolfgang, Nicolette opened the box and let out a cheer. 

“Wow, it’s amazing! How did you make it?” -Nicolette 

It was only natural that Nicolette’s compliments focused on the manufacturing process. Inside the box were chocolate treats shaped like roses. They were delicate and prone to crumbling, making them quite rare to come by. It was something only Wolfgang, being an emperor, could accomplish. 

“I made them with chocolate. Since they’re fragile, it’s best to eat them sooner rather than later.” -Wolfganf 

Nicolette responded with a smile and an easygoing reply of “Yes,” but then her expression turned somewhat serious. 

“Is something the matter?” -Wolfgang 

“No… I’ve been thinking about something for a while.” -Nicolette 

“What is it?” -Wolfgang 

“…Do you all think that just giving me sweet things will please me?” -Nicolette 

Wolfgang couldn’t deny that thought. After all, Nicolette always enjoyed eating food with great relish, especially when it came to sweets. It made him want to indulge her. 

Realizing what was going on in Wolfgang’s mind as he fell silent, Nicolette pouted. That was a slightly childish aspect of her. 

“Well, I thought that might be the case, so I prepared something different as well.” -Wolfgang 

Wolfgang opened a larger box he had hidden behind the sofa and presented its contents to Nicolette. She exclaimed, “Wow!” 

“A bouquet of roses!” -Nicolette 

Nicolette cheered with excitement. Perhaps this gift was even better than the chocolate treats. However, what she mentioned next was unrelated to the flowers. 

“Even though it’s not the blooming season for roses, how did you manage to get them?” -Nicolette 

“…Well, you know…” -Wolfgang 

Wolfgang felt somewhat relieved by her remark, as it was so typical of her. 

“Well, as an emperor, there’s not much I can’t obtain unless it’s exceptionally rare.” -Wolfgang 

“Oh, really? They’re red, but I wonder if they’re a specially bred variety of roses?” -Nicolette 

According to Nicolette, roses typically bloom from May to June. It was currently February, far from the rose blooming season. 

During winter, it’s common to let roses go into dormancy. Presumably, this was because roses were susceptible to cold weather. To create a bouquet of fully bloomed roses during this time meant they were either sourced from warmer regions, grown in a greenhouse, or a result of rose breeding to withstand the cold. 

Nicolette, being Nicolette, immediately thought of breeding when it came to her mind. She was unwavering in such matters. 

By the way, this rose, being difficult to order, was grown in a greenhouse. 

“…Nicolas, do you know about greenhouses?” -Wolfgang 

“Greenhouse? Ah, you mean that greenhouse. Was this grown in a greenhouse?” -Nicolette 

“Well, yes.” -Wolfgang 

Smilingly, Wolfgang felt relieved. He sat down on the sofa, and Nicolette, who had placed a bouquet of flowers, leaned in to look at Wolfgang’s face. 

“What’s wrong?” -Nicolette 

“Oh… I just felt a bit relieved, that’s all.” -Wolfgang 

“Is that so?” Nicolette tilted her head, puzzled. Then she remembered something and said, 

“Wolfgang-sama, thank you for the chocolates and the bouquet.” -Nicolette 

“Oh, I’m glad you liked them.” -Wolfgang 

Wolfgang chuckled wryly

Nicolette smiled, saying, “I also prepared a gift.” 

As a general trend, Valentine’s Day is considered a day when men give gifts to important women. Wolfgang explained this, but Nicolette tilted her head and smiled. 

“Isn’t it bad to only receive?” -Nicolette 

“… I don’t quite understand your way of thinking.” -Wolfgang 

“Is that so?” -Nicolette 

Nicolette tilted her head in return. Her way of thinking was truly unfathomable. It differed from the thought process of a typical noblewoman. 

And she had taken her gift to a completely unexpected level. 

“Here. This is my gift.” -Nicolette 

Saying that, she handed him a pocket watch for some reason. Its appearance was similar to a regular one, but it lacked the signature of the usual craftsman. Nicolette proudly declared, 

“It’s my own creation.” -Nicolette 

“… I thought so.” -Wolfgang 

When he opened the lid, the hands were moving properly, and the time was accurate. It seemed to be a spring-wound mechanism, just like a regular pocket watch. 

“Did you assemble it from scratch?” -Wolfgang 

“Yes. Here, you can easily find materials for it.” -Nicolette 

Nicolette said with satisfaction. She had mentioned before that she was interested in assembling things, so she seemed pleased to have made it a reality. Normally, one would use finished products rather than materials. 

“I thought about giving you a knitted blanket I made, but this turned out better.” -Nicolette 

“… I don’t understand…” -Wolfgang 

Listening to her, knitting seemed easier. If Wolfgang were to do it, he would definitely choose knitting. 

But it was so Nicolette-like. Wolfgang smiled at her. 

“Thank you. I’ll cherish it.” -Wolfgang 

“U-um.” -Nicolette 

Blushing, Nicolette nodded. Ah, she was so adorable. 

Suddenly, he thought that now would be the time she would listen to his request. 

“Nicola, would you give me a kiss?” -Wolfgang 

“Eh!?” -Nicolette 

A strange sound came out. Blushing and fidgeting, she looked up at him with upturned eyes. 

“Well… On the cheek, is that okay?” -Wolfgang 

“Yeah.” -Nicolette 

Nodding, Nicolette glanced around and then lifted herself slightly from the sofa. Due to their height difference, if she remained seated, she wouldn’t reach his cheek. 

Nicolette grasped the collar of Wolfgang’s jacket, her hand trembling slightly, feeling a pang of sympathy for him. But then, soft lips brushed against her cheek. The touch was fleeting, yet it caused her cheeks to relax involuntarily. 

“Thank you. It’s the best gift” -Wolfgang  

“R-Really?” -Nicolette 

“Yes” -Wolfgang 

Blushing deeply, Nicolette smiled. 

The emperor was truly content, for he had an adorable wife who brought him immense joy.