n

n

nHe did not boast of what he had learned at the age of nine or what his son was studying now.

nSuch a stance was a little unusual to her.

nIt was the first time someone had waited so long for her words.

nWas that why?

nSomehow, a strange thought crept into Rieta’s heart.

n‘I don’t want to seem stupid in front of this guy.’

nIf he found out she was a fool who hadn’t learned anything, she thought this kind of polite treatment would disappear.

n“I’m…”

nShe recalled the books her father claimed to have read when he was a child.

nBooks she remembered of which she couldn’t even read the introduction.

n

n

n“History Wyatt’s Day…”

nThe words that followed in her memories faded away.

nShe didn’t forget.

nShe was able to name a few more difficult books.

nNo, she wouldn’t tell him.

nIf the princess’s respect was something that could only be preserved by lies for someone’s favor, it would have been better to give up that face.

n“…I’m sorry.”

nShe just hugged the book she was holding, as if she was trying to soothe her pounding heart with it.

n“I never learned anything.”

nHer face was flushed with tension and shame.

nEven if she was naked in the square, she would not be this ashamed of herself.

n“I see.”

nThe Duke’s answer was calm.

nRieta feared that she had left a bad impression of herself on him.

n“I’m glad you’re being honest.”

nHowever, his answer was much friendlier than she thought it would have been.

nOf course, judging by the way he spoke, he wasn’t very impressed with the fact.

n“Then, I will hire a teacher with that in mind.”

nRietta quickly lifted her head, as it seemed he was talking to her.

n“D-Duke!”

nWith a flushed face.

n“Yes.”

nHe waited for her to speak again.

nIt felt like deja vu.

n“I-I’m… To be honest…”

nAfter some contemplation, she decided to tell the truth.

nShe couldn’t waste the duke’s time by making him fetch a teacher for her.

n“I can’t speak… the Imperial language.”

n“Yes, I thought so.”

n…He knew.

n“You seem to be capable of greetings. Is that right?”

nAt the Duke’s question, she pulled out a folded piece of paper that she had kept in her pocket.

n“I memorized all the words here. I can write them too.”

nThe Duke opened a tattered paper with a puzzled face.

nThe thick paper had softened from the numerous times it was opened and folded again.

n‘Hello.

nI’m Rieta Liz.

nThank you.

nThis is a letter from King Liz to His Majesty.

nGoodbye.”

n“…What is this?”

nAsked the frowning Duke.

nSince this was the first time she saw his expression change, Rieta quickly stepped back.

n“My father… Before I went to the Empire…”

nCrazy bast*rd.

nThe duke mumbled vulgar words in the Imperial language so that she could not understand them.

nIt wasn’t a reaction that came from protective feelings for the princess.

nAs he inwardly cursed the fact that there was someone who would do that as the father of a child and as a human being, it just slipped out of his mouth.

nThe king sent this little thing all this way, and she only possessed this one paper?

nAs the Duke’s reaction was unusual, Rieta quickly added that there was more.

n“I’ve learned about ‘sweet’, and I’ve also learned about 10…”

n“I know someone who teaches the Imperial language well. You will learn it soon.”

nThe Duke felt distaste for the note that King Liz had written, but he returned it to her.

nLooking at how she had been carrying until it was wrinkled, it seemed as though this little thing was leaning on that lousy note.

nRieta looked up at the Duke with the paper in her hands.

n“Well…”

n

n

nHis face, which had been expressing his passionate rage, dulled again.

n‘I guess he wasn’t angry at me.’

nCome to think of it.

nA little while ago, when he said, ‘As a guardian, I learned a bit of the Kingdom’s language.’

nWhen she heard that, she was surprised that he knew the language of the kingdom.

nThe words ‘as a guardian’ really touched her heart.

nBecause he was her guardian.

nThe guardian of Rieta Liz.

nShe felt as though she finally had a ceiling above her.

nIt was a haven that made for beautiful shadows.

n