Tag: Caretaker Prince

Chapter Fifteen: The Otome Game Heroine and the City of Luardi (Part II)

“I’m glad that you had a meaningful shopping experience, Euphemia-sama.”

“Me too. While we were at it, I got something for the cook.”

“It would be more correct to call that a challenge instead of a present. It’s an unusual item.” Cynthia said, as if taken aback by my words. How impolite! It was just a cookie mold. Well, I suppose it isn’t something you see often in this world, but it was common in my previous life. Let’s cut cookies in animal shapes!

“I hope Cynthia will also be impressed with them later. I’m sure we’ll make some delicious cookies.”

“It won’t be Euphemia-sama making the cookies, though?”

“Well…”

B-but I think it’s because of Euphemia that the cook perfected their craft! It was because her recklessness lit a fire under the chef! I’m really sorry about that, but now that I’m here, I won’t be as reckless.

We strolled around outside the general store and wandered about. It was nice being able to get souvenirs for my parents, but what could we do now? We still have about an hour before we’re due to meet up with Reginald-sama and the others.

“Hey, Cynthia!”

“Aren’t you ashamed of yourselves?!” Just as I’d raised my voice to speak to Cynthia, I heard these angry words from a furious woman. It sounded like trouble…so I turned towards the voice and standing right there was a girl that I was used to watching through a screen. Her appearance was the exact same…yes, that appearance…

“Yeah! I’m talking to you, ‘heroine’!”

Her flaming red hair was tied up in a bun and her outfit was a basic dress that didn’t make her look aristocratic in the slightest. That’s the heroine, Ginger. She had never liked the aristocratic and luxurious life; she usually dressed like this instead. That’s the type of person she was.

“Euphemia-sama?” Cynthia asked as she watched my expression. No, now isn’t the time to worry about that! I pointed the scene out to her: a small child was cowering behind the heroine. It was easy to understand that she had been protecting the child.

There had never been a scene like this inside the game. It was too pointless to include. The heroine was surrounded by three strong-looking young men, but she was speaking quite boldly, yelling that she won’t lose. This heroine is very much ‘Ginger’ the ‘Fairy Maiden’.

Her sense of justice was strong, but she was still somewhat of a coward. She’s a reliable character, but in terms of romance, she’s a total beginner. It’s the same person, all right. I mean, if you look closely, our heroine’s legs are trembling. I bet she’s actually really scared. It’s impossible to be in that situation and not be afraid.

If so, there’s only one route to take.

“Cynthia, we’re helping them.” The least I could do was help. That said, I’ll admit that Euphemia’s athleticism is at the bottom of the barrel. I’d just be a nuisance if I jumped in to fight! It would be better to have Cynthia, who is not a mere attendant, take care of this by herself.

“Yes, Euphemia-sama.” Understanding my message, she quickly ran towards the heroine and kicked one of the boys away!

“Oi! What the hell are you doing?”

“My foot must have slipped.”

“Hah? Is that supposed to be a joke?”

“Tsk. If you had just walked away quietly, it wouldn’t have slipped again right onto your butt.” After hearing that, I beckoned the heroine and cowering child over. The adolescents were distracted because of Cynthia, but the heroine noticed my gesture and came running with the child in tow. “T-thank you for that.”

“It’s no problem. You can thank my handmaidens instead.” I replied and turned my gaze towards Cynthia once again.

There she was, holding down the three young men with one foot, after she’d made a pile out of them. Yeah…that was a scary sight. Cynthia was actually my bodyguard so it’s no surprise that she’s strong, but I’m still sometimes shocked by just how strong she is. “Euphemia-sama, I’ve taken out the trash!”

“Thank you! But…they’re alive, right?”

“Of course, they are. I just temporarily. knocked them out.”

“Phew…it would break my heart if Cynthia became a murderer.”

“Hey! I wouldn’t do that!”

After expressing gratitude towards Cynthia for a job well done, I turned toward the heroine who was comforting the child. All’s well that ends well. After all, it was the heroine who saved them. I only helped out a little.

“Oh, um…thank you so much! I acted purely on impulse, but didn’t know what to do after…”

“Well, then I suggest you make sure to have some backup from now on. If you run to help people with that mindset then you’ll just get hurt yourself!” I didn’t mean to phrase it that crudely. I…I was just trying to help her, but I needed to create an aura of ‘I don’t want to get involved with you anymore.’

Euphemia was originally a proud beauty, but I think this kind of personality suits her as well.

“Um…may I ask my saviors for their names, please?” But she didn’t get the message at all. This heroine has quite some mental fortitude. Well, that’s useless to think about now. ‘Should I use my real name or a pseudonym?’ I wondered, softly sighing.

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Chapter Fourteen: The Otome Game Heroine and the City of Luardi (Part I)

“Here’s the city of Luardi.”

We arrived at the city – a candidate for the festival’s main venue – before noon the following day. It felt more natural than Rovigi, I thought, looking around. That’s when I noticed that the scenery did not even slightly resemble the game’s background. I suppose the main venue will be Spainage. Well…I’m not even completely sure that it was Spainage that appeared in the game.

“That mountain’s forest in the distance is said to be filled with fairies and spirits, but you can’t see them too clearly from here.” Reginald-sama said as we walked down the street.

Come to think of it, and this is totally unrelated, but the specialties here are fruit-based. Oh, they probably make cakes and tarts with them. I’m sure it’s delicious!

“You really love food, huh, Euphemia-jyou! Are you already looking for delicious treats?”

“That’s a rude way of saying it, you know!”

“Don’t blame me when it’s written all over your face.” Reginald-sama pointed out and I pressed my hands to my face. What the hell? Was it that obvious? I thought it would be undetectable if we were just strolling around…but as expected, the Prince’s observation skills are top-notch! “Well, this place is famous for their fruit products. Let’s go to a café later, but before that I’ll need to have a look around the city. What will you do Euphemia-jyou?”

“Well, hm…” I pondered his words, at a loss. Just like in Rovigi, my voracious appetite was drawn towards food. Each time I tried to act on this desire, however, Cynthia and company would stop me.

According to them: “You can’t just leave His Highness alone and eat without permission.” To be honest though, Euphemia’s stomach capacity is ridiculously large so I’m sure I’d be able to eat and then dine again with Reginald-sama afterwards.

“Every once in a while, Cynthia and I take a stroll through non-food related stores. There’s so much I’m curious about other than food and I have to lose weight too.” I muttered the last bit to myself. The other day, Cynthia got angry with me saying that my dresses keep getting tighter and tighter. Euphemia’s body isn’t prone to weight gain, but it seems like some had happened. I’ll have to lose weight or I’ll really hear it from Cynthia.

“Is that so? I think Euphemia-jyou is fine just the way she is. I’ve always thought that ladies were too tightly constrained by their corsets. Besides, if they’re too skinny then I’ll worry about their health.”

“No, Reginald-sama, you don’t need to worry about me.” Euphemia’s body is still skinny. Her weight is only a little above the standard. Well, I know that being a man, it’s not really something that the Prince would understand in the first place. Alright, let’s go for a stroll around town and while we’re at it stop by the general store to pick up some souvenirs for mother and father! Those two may seem like incredible people, but when it comes to their daughter…

“Okay, I’ll see you in two hours. Let’s go, Roy.”

“Okay~”

Reginald-sama said, walking off with Roy.

I watched him leaving, thinking that the Reginald-sama of this world was much more attractive than the one inside the game. I don’t know why his in-game version was too perfect, but it came off as unconvincing. The Reginald-sama in this world was different. He teased people, was a little black-hearted, but he’s caring. This one is much better.

But it’s not like I’m into him or anything![1]

“As expected of His Highness, the women around him are all blushing. Just what was the point of that disguise then, anyway?

“Huh, what a surprise Cynthia. Our thinking is the same.”

One lady that had been walking by him was so startled that she turned around and blushed. Aah, beauty is a sin. Keeping this in mind, I decided to walk around and look for general stores. Well, after all, maybe something related to books would be better for father; like a cover or bookmark. Father loves reading. As for mother…I believe a regular accessory will suffice. What a great daughter I am! Let’s pat myself on the back a little.

“Cynthia, I think I’ll go to the general store to buy some souvenirs for my parents. Do you know if there are any around here?”

“Yes, it seems there is one on the next street.”

“Got it, c’mon, let’s go!” I headed to the store with Cynthia’s information. What kind of store would it be? I’ll have to find items that’ll touch their hearts.

Back then, I had no idea that we would meet that person here in this city…

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[1] Oof. That tsundere moment.

Chapter Thirteen: The City of Rovigi (Part V)

“Euphemia-jyou, look.” Reginald-sama said as we quietly approached the shine. When we arrived in front of the offering box, he held out his hand. Suddenly, a dazzling light enveloped us. Unable to stand the glare, I squeezed my eyes shut. When I opened them, I saw:

“…A fairy?”

There was a little girl about the size of my palm, moving about. Looking closely, I could see small wings on her back. She was definitely alive. When she saw Reginald-sama she gave a little bow and said: “Greetings to Your Highness, the Crown Prince~! It’s certainly been a long time~!”

“Indeed. How have you been?”

“Very well, as usual! Humans are on good terms with our King, so we’ve been able to live peacefully!”

“Is that so? I’m glad.” She flew around Reginald-sama as he spoke.

‘I guess no matter who they are, women are weak against handsome men,’ I thought as she continued to do so. Hearing their conversation erased all my doubts. This girl was undoubtedly a fairy. In the first place, I don’t think there are any humans who have wings or are capable of flight.

“By the way, Your Highness. You’ve brought an unfamiliar girl with you this year!” Perhaps satisfied after viewing Reginald-sama from different angles, the girl turned to me. Now it was my turn to be scrutinized. From top to bottom, left to right, and back to front, I was analyzed by her. I felt a shiver running up my spine, and hoped that wasn’t a premonition of misfortune to come…being hated by the spirits of this world could harm one’s life in many ways. “This child’s soul is so beautiful! It’s a bit different, but a good match for Your Highness! You’ve chosen a good person!”

“Ah, Euphemia-jyou is a very nice girl…it’s fun to take care of and make fun of her.”

“Your Highness, everything is best in moderation. Women are delicate creatures. If you make fun of them too much then they’ll run away.”

“If that happens, then I’ll lock her away…there’s no one in this world I would prefer to Euphemia-jyou.”

…This conversation is getting somewhat outrageous. Apparently, though, I’m not hated by the fairies. Honestly, that’s a great relief. In the original game, the villainess Euphemia Aiden was disliked by the fairies. (If a person was hated by them, then their luck would drop tremendously.) Oh, thank goodness.

“Well, Euphemia-jyou and I are good now. She’s here to accompany me on my official duties as the Crown Princess…well, let’s move onto the main topic. Should I choose Rovigi to host this year’s festival?”

Reginald-sama’s last statements could not be ignored, but I couldn’t bring them up at a time like this either. Since I knew that, I vowed to complain later. Well, for now I should wait and see what will happen next.

“Hmm, I wonder. Maybe people are praying on the inside instead, but we haven’t received many prayers at the shrine this year. The King says that the air in Rovigi is no good. If that’s true then it won’t be a good option for the festival. I’ll ask you to not make it the main venue.”

“Well then, I’ll abide by your recommendation. I’ll tour the other two cities for now. Though, I can’t guarantee the outcome.”

“The King says Spainage is good, as it has received the most blessings from the fae.”

“Thank you for that information.”

…I didn’t completely understand, but by blessings, they probably meant those given by fairies and spirits; from what I know they increase and decrease each year. Since they are capricious creatures, however, they rarely give protection to individual humans and only a woman considered a saintess would be blessed by the fairy or spirit Kings. That’s why it is said that a saintess is second in power only to the royal family.

But…from this conversation, it feels like a different city was blessed than the one I expected. Had this setting existed inside the game, as well?

As I pondered this, I began to feel like the world was shifting too far away from the game’s storyline. Therefore, it might not be so reliable to follow it so strictly. Telling myself this, I waited for the conversation between the two in front of me to end.

“Well, once again, thank you for your information. I shall see you again next time.”

“Yes, see you again, Your Highness…but there’s one more thing that I’d like to do!” The girl says, separating from Reginald-sama. Where was she going? Just as I was wondering this, she came right in front of me and cast a spell.

A ball of light floated in front of me. Am I about to be attacked? Eh? What should I do…?

Before I could act, the light was quickly absorbed into my body.

“…What’s that?” I began with an unsure expression.

“I present to you, one with a beautiful soul, something special.” She says before quickly disappearing.

…No, wait, what exactly did you give me? It must not be something bad as it was given by a fairy, but…

“Isn’t that great, Euphemia-jyou? It seems you have been blessed by a fairy. By the way, that fairy is associated with the wind, so please contribute to this country as one who has been blessed by a wind fairy.” Reginald-sama supplied this information calmly to the befuddled me.

It took me about five seconds to process his words…

“N-no, why?!” I could only scream. Hey, I’m a villainess, you know?! Should I really be liked by the fairies?!

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Chapter Twelve: The City of Rovigi (Part IV)

After that, we aimlessly wandered around the city.

Is this really part of the job?

I’d thought to myself, but seeing Reginald and Roy’s calmness made me feel like it was. But this isn’t right. Isn’t it unusual for me to be here in the first place? I mean, I’m a girl who doesn’t know the first thing about politics. Why am I here?

“Euphemia-jyou, it’s time to head to the shrine,” Reginald-sama said, taking my hand.

Hmm…a shrine, huh? It must have been pretty important.

Shrines that honored fairies and spirits were abundant in the Banks Kingdom. In each large city, there was one without fail. This shrine – the one outside Rovigi, that we were headed to – was special, however. It was said that you could hear the voices of the fae.

They’ll be the ones to tell us if Rovigi is suitable as the festival venue.

…But can we actually hear them, I wonder.

“Reginald-sama, you said that we’ll listen to the fairies’ voices, but that isn’t easily possible, right?” It was said that only those with a connection to their world could hear spirits. Such women were named ‘Saintesses.’ Even then, she couldn’t hear all spirits but just those whose wavelength matched her own.

But…there are no current Saintesses.

“I’ll tell you a secret, but the royal family has long since been favored by the spirits. In fact, anyone can hear low level mystic creatures, but the King has abilities similar to a Saintess.”

“Oh. So, it’s confidential but the royal family can basically hear lower level fairies and spirits, while the King can hear all of them?” Why would Reginald-sama tell me a state secret like this?

He turns to me, who has a puzzled look on my face. “What’s wrong Euphemia-jyou?”

On one hand it’s nice that he trusts me, but on the other it’s not like I don’t have people to spill his secrets to??! “Reginald-sama, do you perhaps think that I don’t have any friends?”

“It does look that way. You don’t seem to be close to anyone in our age group apart from myself.”

“I…don’t think that we could be considered friends.”

“That hurts…” You say that, but you don’t look sad at all. You’re just playing with me again, aren’t you?

I look at him, expecting a playful remark like ‘I’m kidding,’ but it never comes. “Well, you’re right. I don’t have any friends…” I muttered. Both the me of the past and the game Euphemia had many friends (though in her case, they were more of an entourage), but in this world I’m not the villainess Euphemia Aiden. Rather, I’m Euphemia Aiden, the loner.

No one reached out to me. Why would they want to befriend such a weirdo, anyway? After I became a candidate for Reginald-sama’s fiancée, some people began to show interest, but at that point it was too late. I politely declined all their invitations.

“The aristocracy these days is rotten, so they don’t understand how wonderful you are.”

“People judge me because of my standing. It’s because I’m not fit to be an aristocrat’s daughter.” I’m sad to admit this, even to myself. And nowadays, when people look at me, all they see is ‘the Prince’s fiancée.’ I sighed quietly.

“You’re not alone. You have me.”

“Yes, that’s all I need.”

He might meet another woman and fall madly in love, never giving me a second look, but if I were to say that now he’d think I was crazy! Well, he probably thinks that anyway, so I should just say it. But I can’t. I wonder why?

Even if he does get captured, it’d be nice if he didn’t force me into exile.

If I tell him how I feel, I know he’ll promise to never banish me, but I just can’t bring myself to say anything…

I began questioning myself. Did I really want to be with Reginald-sama? Maybe these are the wrong thoughts to have, after all, a two dimensional romance should remain just that. But what happens if that person becomes three dimensional? I still don’t fully understand.

“Euphemia-jyou, look over there.” Reginald-sama interrupted these thoughts. Before I knew it, the shrine was in front of us.

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Chapter Eleven: The City of Rovigi (Part III)

“Euphemia-jyou, the bread won’t run off even if you don’t stare that intently. Please, feel free to eat slowly.” Reginald-sama said, as he too grabbed some bread from the tray.

Following his lead, I took some more. I sunk my teeth into the fresh roll without hesitation. Normally, especially at a social event, I would have elegantly torn pieces from the roll. However, as the Prince himself isn’t hesitating, why should I? There really was no need to be dignified right now.

“Is it good, Euphemia-jyou?”

“Yes, very!” It was like crispy cookie dough atop a fluffy piece of bread. Though it was shaped a little differently, the taste reminded me of melon bread. I could eat just this and stay satisfied.

“Euphemia-sama! Please, won’t you eat a bit more elegantly? It’s not just us, His Highness is here as well.”

“She’s fine the way she is. This isn’t a place for such rules, so just let her enjoy her food.” It was Reginald-sama who countered Cynthia.

Meanwhile, I couldn’t speak as I continued chewing. I wondered if I looked like a small animal. Maybe a squirrel? But, it’s delicious that I can’t help myself. This bread, which tasted similar to that from my previous life, was my first chance in a while to reminisce about the past.

When I glanced at Reginald-sama, he was looking back at me. He just stared with that warm gaze, putting his own food down. Maybe it’s because I’m sitting here in front of the main capture target, but I feel a greater affinity with my past life than usual.

“Euphemia-sama, look! There are breadcrumbs everywhere! Let’s please eat a bit more carefully, alright?”

“Ah…yes.”

Reginald-sama warned me, but surprisingly wiped the table…I didn’t think that a prince would do such a thing. I glanced at Roy, expecting similar confusion, but received nothing more than a fond look. Most people would acknowledge such a smile, but my words wouldn’t come out.

“When Euphemia-sama eats so happily, I feel happy too. Let’s continue eating, perhaps I should get something more.”

“Hmm…well, let’s see.”

“Oh no, don’t bother. If we get hungry later, you’ll go shopping for us, right Roy?”

“Hey, wait a minute! Why am I the one running around?!” Roy asked, staring at the prince.

Reginald-sama simply replied: “Who else would, but you?”

Roy shrugged, muttering “Tyrant” under his breath. I’m sure he heard but Reginald-sama just continued to smile, nonplussed. They must have a strong bond, how else could they quarrel yet remain so close.

“But…”

“Here it would be best for you to just say ‘okay’.” Reginald-sama inches the sandwich closer to my mouth. The bread looked extremely fluffy and had fried eggs between the slices. It had the best qualities of a sandwich; simple, yet appetizing.

…It looks delicious.

My hunger returned instantly. I should have already been satisfied with the melon bread-like dessert from earlier. No, no! Reginald-sama wasn’t even eating!

“Here, Euphemia-jyou.” I gave in the moment he said my name. The sandwich was indeed sweet and exquisitely fluffy. Ahh, this alone makes me so happy. I’d loved thick fried egg sandwiches in my past life as well!

“It’s delicious.”

“I’m glad you like it. Occasionally, even Roy does a good job.”

“Occasionally?? I’m always doing my best!”

“Yes, but those efforts are mostly in vain.”

“T-that might be, but…”

Reginald-sama and Roy continue their conversation, but I block them out to focus on eating. I’m so happy.

Delicious food is the best, after all!

Even though Cynthia is giving me a hard, chilly stare. Even if Reginald-sama and Roy are arguing in front of me. Nothing enters my eyes or ears; only food is welcome in my world. I reach for more bread; the third piece of the day.

To think, I’m an aristocrat. Hm, I guess I’m eccentric after all.

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