The noisy crows of Gen-san the chicken became my alarm.
The hard bed different from the one in the royal palace suited me. When I got up, the cat named Calico was still curled up on the bed. I slipped out quietly as to not rouse him, and brewed some coffee in the kitchen to drink.
Itâs a wonderful morning today, too, I thought as I watched the morning sun.
[Prime Minister/Carl]
In the daily morning service, no one said anything about the single empty seat but the two princes felt a sense of discomfort. I searched the expression of the King seated beside me. The King did not show anything, and was listening to the sermon with his eyes closed. What in the world could the King be thinking about�
The King was not upset with the princeâs disappearance from home. I spilled out my laughter unintentionally.
The Reverendâs heated sermon ended and everyone started leaving the chapel. I also left in the wake of the King.
âCarl.â
âLeichel-sama, is there something I can do for you?â
âDo you know something about my stupid younger brother Aine?â
I instinctively stiffened. About Aine-sama�
âDid something sudden happen to Aine-sama?â
âThat idiotâs horse disappeared. He must have left the castle and went somewhere using the horse. But that horse is a property of the royal family. Donât you think taking it out without permission is lese majesty?â
When Leichel-sama said that with a grim expression, Yuan-sama also nodded strongly from behind him.
Itâs certainly lese majesty when I think it over.
âAine-sama said that he wanted to leave the castle because he wanted to engage in agriculture.â
âWhat?â
âHe said he was deeply moved by the Reverendâs tale. It must be an approach curry favors from King. It is impossible for him to accomplish farming alone. He will likely cry immediately and go back home if no one worries over him.â
When I said that while grinning, Leichel-sama laughed, too. There was no doubt he was holding Aine-sama in derision inwardly. Yuan-sama did not say anything but he was not showing any expression so I donât know about him.
Leichel-sama a.s.sented as if his grim expression before was a lie, and he went towards the dining room in long strides.
With this, the Aine-sama who takes advantage of people will disappear for a while.
Thus, no one will acknowledge his existence once he comes back crying.
When I imagined so, laughter welled up my stomach.
[Aine]
âAchooo!â
I felt a chill. Is someone speaking badly about me�
Calico looked curious so I patted his head and he purred nya~. Yeah, heâs cute.
I finished this morningâs plowing so I was working hard in making Daigorouâs doghouse. I was keeping him at home but I thought I should make his personal s.p.a.ce. Once I completed the first stage, I will make a pond for the turtle Kamekichi.
I donât know whether this was an agriculture or a willful pet life, but it is extremely fun. I was hammering when I heard footsteps.
âHey, youâre also enthusiastic today, huh.â
âCrash-san!â
Crash-san looked at the doghouse I was making and lifted it, while holding a cigarette in his mouth.
âDidnât it come out quite good? The materials arenât bad, either.â
âThank you very much!â
âWhy donât you paint it? I have some paint left so Iâll bring them next time.â
Yaaaay!
âThank you very much!â
âA meal is enough as thanks. I want to eat curry.â
âYes! Iâll make it! Iâll make it! Yay~! Paint! Good for you, Daigorou!â
Arf! Daigorou answered vigorously. With this, the quality of Daigorouâs house will rise up! Cheers!
Crash-san was the person who lent me this land and taught the basics on agriculture. I donât know the full details but it seems like Crash-san lived in the city originally. He is now living a leisurely country life. In short he is my teacher!
Teacher seems to like my cooking and always comes to eat. It is more fun than eating alone, but is it alright for two males to do that?
âAine.â
âYes!â
âAbout the composition of the turtle pond, use this as a reference.â
âWhoa~! Is this alright!? Iâm glad! Thank you very much, Crash-san!â
I am in no way relying on my teacher.
Footnotes:
1. The catâs name is mike(äžæŻ), short for mikeneko(äžæŻç«) which means calico cat.
2. I donât know if itâs related, but Daigorou (性äșé ) is a character in Lone Wolf and Cub.
3. The name of the turtle is kamekichi (äșć). The word for turtle is kame (äș).
4. Aine uses the word s.h.i.+shou (ćž«ć ) rather than sensei. It can also mean âmasterâ and usually used by apprentices, so I went with âteacherâ.
5. Lese-majesty (injured majesty)Â is the crime of violating majesty, an offence against the dignity of a reigning sovereign or against a state.