Chapter 77

1STKISSNOVEL. DO NOT STEAL MY TRANSLATION!

I shook my head at Nicholas’ words.

“It can’t be. And I get pocket money every month, so money is not the issue.”

That was actually a lie. You wouldn’t be considered human if you didn’t want five hundred gold coins, which is a huge amount. However, as most of these children’s books were selected by the nanny or my parents themselves, I couldn’t sell it. Each book was full of memories and love.

“……is that so.”

Nicholas was rarely disappointed like this. So, before Nicholas turned around, I quickly continued speaking.

“I can’t sell these! But I can lend them to you!”

“……!”

“The Crown Prince and I are friends who go to the same kindergarten. So, I’ll lend the books to you.” Saying that, I smiled.

Nicholas muttered to himself with a blank face for a moment.

“Friend……”

“Yes, friend.” I nodded my head a few times.

Soon, Nicholas answered with a face that seemed to have been enlightened.

“Okay. Then I’ll borrow these for a few days.”

“Sure. Feel free to.”

Holding the books, Nicholas came away. I paused for a moment, then went down the stairs to see my friends off.

“Everyone, if you need help with knitting, feel free to ask me at kindergarten tomorrow!”

Somehow, seeing everyone holding their knitted fabric in their arms made me smile. And finally, the carriages left one by one with the setting sky in the background. Now it was time for me to have a leisurely evening. Just as I firmed my plan for the evening in my mind, the door of the carriage in which Cedric and Alice were riding opened again just before departure. Then I saw Alice jumping out of the carriage and running towards it.

‘Huh? Did you leave anything behind?’

Curious, I stopped and waited for Alice outside the mansion. She gathered her breath and stepped in front of me.

“…Haa, actually, I had something to give to Lady Emir today… I almost left without giving it to you.”

She has something to give me? This was the first time that Alice wanted to give me something. Alice took something out of her pocket and put it in my palm.

“This-this necklace. Please accept it!”

Then, without giving me a chance to even look at what the necklace looked like, she immediately turned around and ran away. I stared blankly at Alice’s back for a moment, and after the carriage left, I came to my senses and checked the necklace in my palm.

“……”

I was terrified when I saw its appearance. I couldn’t help but be surprised. Because this necklace was none other than…

‘This-this. It’s the necklace that Alice gave to Nicholas in the original story!’

That’s right. It was the necklace that was appeared as a token of love for the main couple in the original story.

“……No, what the hell am I going to do with this?”

I stood there staring at the place where the carriage had left, bewildered. I couldn’t do anything. I don’t think I can return it to her. Alice had insisted that I accept her present. I’m worried about the original story to just take it for granted… oh, but am I?

‘Let’s think about it. After all, from the moment I intervened, the original story was already distorted, wasn’t it?’

After all, my goal is not to ‘leave the original story intact’ either. My primary goal is just to be friendly with all the children at the kindergarten. My ultimate goal is to maintain a peaceful and close relationship in the future even when we’re all grown up!

‘So.’

I have this necklace. Wouldn’t I be its first owner?

‘Who cares about devastating the original story?’

In the end, this is how I got the couple necklace from Alice. Wohoo!

* * *

A few days later, as soon as I entered kindergarten, I was startled by a person standing in front of me and stepped back.

“Me, it’s me! I’m already halfway though. Is this enough for me to win?”

Turns out, Cedric, who was halfway into knitting his pair of socks, had been trying to show off to me since morning.

“Oh, that’s really fast. If you do well, you may win.” I smiled politely and encouraged Cedric. But instead of rejoicing, Cedric was rather annoyed.

“What? ‘If you do well, you may win’? Of course I will win. Say that.”

It seems that Cedric was not satisfied with just compliments.

You mean you have to be the best…

At that time, Alice, who had brought her knitting from the bag, also came to me.

“…Lord Cedric is halfway through, but I’m already beyond that point, Lady Emir!”

“Oh my goodness.”

Unknowingly, I burst out in admiration. Even so, Alice’s craftsmanship was so meticulous, and with a little exaggeration, she could boast it as of great quality as if it were woven in a factory.

“Looking at it so far, I really think Alice will win.”

Alice smiled brightly at my praise. Then she turned her head to Cedric. It seems that one corner of Alice’s mouth was slightly raised, but it must have been an illusion caused by the angle.

“Ugh… I’ll try. Now I only get seven hours of sleep. Except for swordsmanship training, everything else goes all-in on knitting.”

Cedric was mumbling something to himself in a tone full of inferiority.

“Don’t push yourself too hard. Lord Cedric. You’ll lose anyway…”

Immediately after, Alice tilted her head and whispered something to Cedric. I couldn’t hear the last sentence she said. I only heard her ask him to not overdo it.

‘Ah, I don’t know.’

But I wonder why Cedric has such an annoyed face?

More importantly, today is a very important day! Of course, knitting is also important, but you know there is a day I’ve been waiting for, right?