Chapter 16: 16

Maynard was certainly shocked by my warning not to approach me any closer than a three-step radius, but he managed to spin my words as though he is entitled to be near so long as he does not violate that rule.

What an optimistic mind he has…

Now, for some reason, I am weeding the garden together with him who is a three steps distance away.

Well readers, it’s because he refuses to leave!

And when I told him that I am to go weeding, he even insisted on coming too!

A development that leads to two formerly engaged people weeding together—and one of them, a royalty at that—Does not make even the most remote sense at all.

And what came of the prince who wished to go weeding?

Well, uncle gardener was so afraid of offending him that his mouth foamed. The house employees, worrying that he would get sunburned, scrambled for a parasol to set up on the nearest table and even brought cold refreshments along with it. Urged by their captain to not let the prince shoulder the work load alone, all the nights scrambled to a huge clamor.

I advised him not to continue, thinking that it would be harmful to his mental health, but perhaps somehow managing to find an interest in weeds, he looked completely hooked on it.

‘Weeding is unexpectedly fascinating. Not even a single one grows in the castle’s courtyard.’

Well, of course, dummy. The royal gardener would naturally weed as his life depended on it. Our gardener maintains the courtyard alone so it would be completely impossible to expect spotless groundskeeping from him. Poor old him would collapse from overwork. 

That’s why most of the house employees assist him with weeding. My brothers and I, and even my dearest mother, do it whenever we come to the country house too. What, readers? Wouldn’t it be better to hire people instead, you ask? True, but apparently, everyone seems to have grown fond of this simplistic work. They would even jump at opportunities to do it.

Only my father, who clamors at the sight of caterpillars, unable to deal with them, does not participate in this amusement, but my dearest mother would even call these caterpillars cute whenever she sees them crawling in branches. She’s the kind to be bold with insects.

With all that said, weeding is some sort of a social event in our country house, and I surely did not expect that Maynard would be part of its history.

‘That was plenty interesting. May I come to do it again?’

Drenched in sweat, I put my groundskeeping endeavor on hold, and while I stopped for a cold refreshment with Maynard, he said those words with a dazzling smile on his face.

—A prince visiting his former fiancée’s house to go weeding.

I don’t particularly mind it. There’s hardly any chance of onlookers to spread any strange rumors here, but is that really fine for a first prince to do?

‘Highness, is it really fine for you to remain here?’

‘Yup.’

—Yup, he says. What, quick answer!

‘What about Lina, sir?’

‘…I think… Berland will do something about it.’

‘Huh?’

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‘If Berland can’t, then my father will..’

‘Pardon, sir?’

‘Everything was father’s fault in the first place, so he should be able to do something about that, at least.’

‘I do not quite follow you, sir.’

‘Anyhow, I don’t need to return.’

Maynard so confidently asserts as he drank the ice tea, but if Lina were to know that he is staying near where I am, wouldn’t that lead to a huge scandal? I would hate that; be involved with their troubles, and be strongly chided by the fiancée.

‘Highness, it shouldn’t be appropriate for me to say this now, but—’

‘Yeah?’

‘The eighteen years that we have spent engaged—although I was considerably infuriated about it recently—I still cherish it in my own way, just so you know.’

‘Aileen!’

Maynard’s face lit up and rose to his feet but when I reminded him and said ‘three steps!’, he sat down and gave up on coming closer.

He is really awfully honest to a fault when it comes to these things.

‘When I saw his highness’ face during the selection when Lina was not chosen, I begrudgingly thought to myself, ‘serves you right.’ but now, sir, I intend to let the bygones be bygones.’

‘…so that’s how you thought about it…’

‘It was his highness who made me that spiteful.’

‘…right.’

‘As I was saying, you see, all of those things are in the past now. I mean, I am happy in Firman’s care after all, and because my heart is full of goodwill, I wish happiness for his highness too.’

‘Y-Yeah…?’

‘Isn’t that enough, sir? There’s no need to be so fixated on saintesses. As grand as the name, there seems to be nothing to them anyway. I did not obtain any superb abilities in becoming one after all. His highness should cease minding them and chase his happiness. I do not know whether you may attain it in Lina’s care, or you fancy picking someone else, but please highness, you ought to—’

Huh? Maynard’s eyes suddenly became watery while I was talking, what is his deal?

‘Y-Your highness, is there anything wrong?’

Maynard, just like that, fell prostrating on the table and not moving a muscle. As I was flustered over him, Selma who was beside me, held up her temples.

‘Even I would find his highness pitiful, Lady.’

So she says; Did I mention anything so offensive?

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