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nRieta was a child born in winter, just before spring.

nAnyone would say that it must be ‘relatively warm’ around Rieta’s birthday.

nUnfortunately, Rieta’s birthday was always cold.

nOne day, Rieta asked her maid, “Why is my birthday always cold?”

nAfter much thought, the maid replied, “Oh, maybe it’s because spring is right around the corner?”

nThat was a bit strange.

nIf it was so close to the warm spring, her birthday should be a little warmer.

nThis year as well. The closer it got to Rieta’s birthday, the colder the weather felt.

nI wish spring would come sooner.

nAs Rieta was thinking about it, she saw the postal carriage drawing up to the Duchy’s road.

nIt’s a letter!

nShe jumped off of the window sill (which supported the little snowman Noel had made for her).

nPerhaps Elisha’s letter would come today.

nHe used to write letters to Rieta several times even during his busy life at the military academy.

n‘To my dear princess . . .’

nThe letter that began like so, was always full of stories about what he had learned and realized.

nIt was also fascinating because it was like watching the adventures of a young knight.

nBesides, he always worried about Rieta at the end.

nA sweet, friendly Elisha.

nRieta went down to the first floor, wondering if there would be another letter filled with stories that day.

n“Oh, princess.”

nShe soon ran into the grandfather butler, who seemed rather surprised.

nIs there something going on?

n“I’m sorry for showing you my unkempt appearance.”

n“Isn’t there something going on?”

n“Yes . . . Well, it’ll be fine.”

n“Hmm. Was there a letter addressed to me before that?”

n“A, a letter!”

nAs he was startled again, Rieta pondered for a moment if there was something wrong with her imperial pronunciation.

nOtherwise, the experienced butler of the Duchy would not express his feelings so much.

n“Oh, right. That . . . a letter from Mister Elisha came.”

n“I knew it!”

nRieta smiled brightly and took the thick envelope she was handed over.

n“Thank you. Is this all?”

n“Ah . . . yes.”

nAlthough the slow reply was a bit bothersome, Rieta went back to her room without inquiring further.

nThe butler looked down at the little girl’s back and sighed heavily.

n“Are you all right?”

nA passing servant asked worriedly, but he slowly shook his head.

n“I . . . I ended up being a criminal.”

n“ . . . Shall we report it to the security forces?”

n“Is it really necessary to say that to make me feel better?”

n“No, it’s a joke. Don’t be angry.”

nThe butler looked down at the letter in his hand.

nUnder the laws of this country, all letters had to be delivered to the recipient designated by the sender.

nThe imperial people should not hide or forge the letters of others.

nBecause that was a ‘postal law violation’.

nStill, there was a letter the butler could not deliver to Rieta.

nThis time, it was a letter from the Kingdom of Liz.

nHe was very nervous because he had not known the handwriting of the kingdom.

n“. . . This.”

nHe stared blankly at the envelope with the Liz royal seal stamped on it.

nThe sender was the King of Liz and the recipient he designated was his first heir, Rieta Liz.

n* * *

nThe sun went down and the moon rose.

nStill, the butler did not get a chance to deliver the letter of the King of Liz to Rieta.

nThe princess looks so . . . happy.

nMaybe it was because her birthday wasn’t far away. The people of the mansion used to ask various questions whenever they met Rieta.

n“What kind of cake do you like?

n“What kind of food do you want to eat?”

n“Are there any items you need?”

nEach time, Rieta replied with a bashful smile as though she were in trouble.

n“I’ll think about it.”

nThe girl’s face had brightened with a lot of pleasant worries.

nTherefore, the butler could not bear to deliver the letter that would destroy those bubbles at once.

nIn the end, he decided to be honest with the Duke, who had returned home late, and ask for help.

nJust like the last time they had received a letter from the Kingdom of Liz.

n“You’re back, Duke.”

n“Yes. Did anything special happen in the house?”

nThe butler hesitated for a moment at the Duke’s question.

nSomething special had indeed happened. However, it happened outside the house, so he felt like he shouldn’t nod his head.

n“There is . . . none.”

n“You are late to answer.”

n“There really is.”

nThe butler answered, taking his hat and overcoat.

nThe Duke gave a slightly curious look, but it was only for a moment.

n“Darrel’s winter academy announcement?”

n“It looks like they are getting ready. Except that the young master is tired.”

n“It can’t be helped. Pay a little more attention to his meals. I’m sure you’re already doing so.”

n“Yes, Duke.”

n“How about Noel? I heard you have another invitation from Count McKlein.”

nThe boy of the County would invite Noel to spend time with him whenever he could.

nBut recently, Noel had turned down several of his invitations.

n“Even so, he refused yet again.”

nWell, the Duke was worried and frowned slightly.

nHe was worried that something bad had happened between the two boys.

nOtherwise, there was no way Noel would refuse the invitation when he had always happily accepted before.

n“But it seemed that the young master was a little apologetic this time too.”

nThe butler noticed the Duke’s mood and quickly continued reporting.

n“The two of them promised to talk briefly at the upcoming New Year’s Banquet.”

n“New Year’s Banquet?”

nThe Duke asked, puzzled.

nProbably because there was already a place where two boys could meet in the near future.

nThe King’s daughter.

nThe Princess’s birthday banquet.

n“Master Noel said that he would not attend the Princess’s birthday banquet.”

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