“What’s wrong, sister?”
“Oh, no. Welcome.”
Claudia’s expression hardened for a moment and then loosened. Reynold buried his nose in the iris and took a deep breath, savoring the scent.
“It smells good. It’s romantic too. Ah, I heard that Alph will arrive at the Imperial Castle the day after tomorrow. He sent me to give me this flower first, so I brought it.”
“Alph……What do you mean?”
Claudia tilted her head at the name she heard for the first time.
“Oh, I didn’t tell you? I became friends with Prince Alfredo while studying abroad.”
Reynold said as he gently stroked the long stem of Iris. Claudia’s eyes widened and as she moved to the tea table, she said.
“No. I’m hearing this for the first time. We’ve never been this close, so I never had a chance to hear anything like that.”
“Oh, that’s right. Now I’m going to get closer to my Sister.”
Reynold smiled and sat in the chair across from her.
“Alph wanted to see sister so much that he kept bothering me.”
“He wants to see me? I’ve never met him in public.”
“Ah, he saw a portrait of my sister, and read about you from articles. He said you perfectly fit with his ideal type.”
The moment Claudia heard Reynold’s story, she recalled her mother’s words she had recently secretly heard. It was only revealed to her by Mrs. Lara, who was like a friend to her mother.
‘…… Someday I’ll have to let her go. I wanted to stay with her for as long as possible. It hurts me to see other stars trying to chase away my real star.’
‘Your Majesty the Empress……’
‘What should I do? It was all my fault.’
She didn’t name exactly who the stars were, but Claudia could tell she was referring to herself and Reynold.
Because star means descendants of the imperial family.
What does that mean that Reynold is kicking me out?
Perhaps he was afraid that her own existence would become a threat in the future, so he was using his hands in advance to get her to marry by arrangement?
At that time, I passed it lightly, but now that the story of marriage came out, I was able to understand my mother a little.
The throne will be succeeded to him anyway. Or is he thinking of not leaving any sprouts behind?
‘It’s best to be on the lookout until I know what he’s up to.’
Claudia’s spoke without blinking her eyes.
“Talking about types, he’s a little far from my ideal type.”
“What?”
“I think people who convey their feelings using others are the worst……That means he doesn’t have that much confidence. I like a confident man.”
Claudia smiled brightly as she spoke, Reynold smile, which was alive and bright the whole time, stopped.
“Really? I didn’t know my sister had such a strong taste. But you’ll know when you meet. I’m not talking about it because he’s my best friend, but he’s a really nice guy.”
Instead of answering Reynold words, Claudia spoke to the maid by her side.
“Oh, that bouquet is so pretty, but take it out. Achoo! I didn’t know, but I think I’m allergic to it.”
“Yes, Your Highness the Princess.”
Reynold’s expression grew colder, but Claudia said nothing.
“Reynold, are you just here to deliver this flower? I’m sorry, but I need to rest a bit today. Can you go back now?”
“……Yes, get some rest.”
Claudia, who looked at him with clear eyes and spoke firmly, was unfamiliar, so Reynold erased his embarrassed expression and left her room. He became impatient when the innocent princess didn’t move as he wanted.
But that doesn’t mean that the Emperor won’t come to me.
‘You’d better get quietly married, Sister. Unless you want to see something bad.’
A person dressed in black appeared in front of Reynold who had left the Imperial Palace and was walking around the garden outside.
“Your Highness.”
“You still haven’t found the woman? What happened?”
“Yes, that’s……It looks like she’s been missing for quite some time now. It is certain that her last traces were at Sicilen wine plantation region, but she completely disappeared.”
“What?”
“She must have been a woman with important information, and I suspect it may have been done to keep her silent.”
“Someone already knows and is moving.”
“Didn’t your uncle show any suspicious movements after that?”
“Yes.”
Reynolds bit his tongue once and ordered the man to disappear. At the same time, Palos came running in a hurry with a dull movement.
“His Highness the Prince! How can you be in such a dark place?”
“Oh, I came to my sister to act as a messenger of love, and I was taking a walk after that.”
“Did the Crown Princess smile when she received the bouquet?”
“No. I guess it was too old-fashioned.”
Palos, who suggested that old-fashioned trick, frowned for a moment and scratch off his beard at Reynold’s words.
“Is that so?”
“For the time being, I think it would be rather helpful for us not to intervene. I’m going to the hunting grounds, so don’t look for me until tomorrow.”
“Ye-Yes. All right. Your Highness.”
Reynolds passed by Palos, who nodded his head.
Meanwhile, everyone in Bellstein diligently stepped out in preparation for the drought. Each village was informed of the news of the impending drought and shared measures to prevent it.
***
“The Little Madam said there was going to be a drought this summer. Let’s all collect the rainwater that is falling now, save water, and prepare for a drought. Make sure to dig wells as much as possible.”
“How long will the drought last?”
“Seems like it will go until the next year, so we have to make sure our preparations are tight.”
“Gasp…”
“Don’t worry too much. Wizards will visit in turns around each village to distribute water by magic.”
Viscount Berga, who was telling the news to the village chief, saved on details when speaking.
‘But I’m worried about whether the whole province can be covered by the magic manpower we have at our disposal. I’ll have to consult with Sir Gillard.’
There is also a large lake within the territory, but it would be difficult to transport the water to distant villages.
Viscount Berga was about to go back to the Duke’s Castle, but just as it happened, a carriage carrying Gillard and Luciel arrived in front of the village along with the escort knights.
The villagers as well as the village chief welcomed the carriage and waved their hands. Viscount Berga also approached the front of the carriage with his cane.
“Welcome. Your Grace Gillard, and Little Madam.”
“You have been working hard, Viscount.” (Luciel)
Luciel bowed her head to pay respects.
“Viscount Berga, your knee is still usable. I can’t believe you came so far away.” (Gillard)
Gillard chuckled in delight and handed over the joke in joy, Viscount Berga said with flounder-like eyes.
“Is now the time for that? Since you have come, I have something to discuss……”
“Something?”
“The drought lasts for two years, but wouldn’t the number of wizards be too short to supply water with magic while circling the villages of the territory?”
“Anyway, I have already requested support from the tower.”
“…… My, my. Well done. Did the Tower allow you to apply for support so easily?”
“Instead, I decided to go to work there every day for the time being…….”
“You have to pay the price.”
“……If there was Arzeon, I wouldn’t have to suffer this much.”
At Gillard’s words, Luciel flinched for no reason.
“Still, every village has found a way to provide drinking water in some way or another!”
“Is that true?”
Luciel smiled softly and showed the potted plant to Viscount Berga.
It was around yesterday.
Some measures were prepared for the drought, but drinking water was a problem. The policy was to dig as many wells as possible, but there is a possibility that even those wells will dry out.
In particular, it was not common to carry water in villages far away from the estate’s central administration pole.
Luciel stayed in the library the whole time, contemplating further measures, and then remembered the western desert area she saw in the geography of the continent.
The desert of the Western Qandra region is a region where the sunlight is scorching hot all year round and water is scarce, but she was surprised to find out that people still live there.
In the middle of the desert, there is an oasis where water springs, and it is said that people can live thanks to plants that grow only in the desert area.
‘If we can get that plant, wouldn’t it be possible to plant it in a village and use it like drinking water?’
Come to think of it, I heard that Count Gillen, one of the vassals, had crossed the desert in the past.
Luciel decided to ask him about the plant. When she went to visit the Administrative wing of the Castle, where the vassals worked, everything was chaotic, perhaps because of the drought.
Suddenly seeing a familiar face, Luciel grabbed the men.
“Ellington.”
“Little Madam, what brings you here?”
“Is Count Gillen here?”
“Why are you looking for Count Gillen?”
Ellington said with a curious look.
“Didn’t Count Gillen say that he had been to the desert before? Or has anyone else been to the desert? Because plants with watery characteristics grow in the desert……”
“Ah, I’ve never heard of such a plant, but Count Gillen is coming over here.”
“Ah, Count Gillen! I have a question for you.”
“Little Madam? Did you come to find me? The Mithril is being mined safely. I am always living day by day with a heart of gratitude to the Little Madam. When in the world I’m going to be able to repay such a big favor? Hahaha.”
After mining a huge amount of mithril, Count Gillen said that he would repay the favor with a happy smile every time he saw Luciel.
She replied with a smile.
“Did you know of a fruit filled with water that can only be found in the Qandra region of the Western Desert?”
“What? Oh! Are you talking about Water Dragon?”
“Water Dragon?”
“Yes, the water dragons are raised by the nomads of Qandra in the west. It is said that the gourd is hollow and filled with water, so if you are thirsty, you can pick it up and drink it. Hahaha.”
“Oh, it’s not juice, but water?”
“Yes, it smells fresh, but it is said that the taste is almost like water. I’ve tasted it too, and had a fresh taste, but it was really similar to water.”
It’s the water dragon.
Indeed, it seemed to be a pretty useful plant not only in the desert but also in areas without water.
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Luciel smiled and said.
“Count, I want to give you a chance to repay me for your favor.”
“Yes, just say anything.”
“If you can get me a Water Dragon, I think it will be a great gift.”
However, at Luciel’s words, Count Gillen reluctantly touched his forehead.