Chapter 10 – I was invited to a tea party
As the seasons changed, it finally became summer. I, Katarina Claes, became nine years old.
For birthday presents, father gave me a lovely dress, and Keith got me a flower bouquet. As for my mother, she gave me a mountain of books on manners.
Prince Jared brought me a somewhat expensive looking necklace for some reason, but…… Because I can’t accept such an expensive thing, I refused with all my might. Still, the prince insisted on giving me something, so I asked for watermelon seeds. I wanted some fruits in my field.
When I asked for seeds, the prince froze solid for quite a while, but he did send me some splendid seeds the next day. I immediately planted them in the field. When the watermelon is ripe, let’s share some with the prince.
By the way, my doting father seemed to have wanted to celebrate a big birthday party for me, but…… I really hated the idea of it, and mother also said “please stop as it would only further expose our embarrassment.”
However, it seems that the social debut party upon reaching fifteen years old was unavoidable for a family of the Duke’s stature.
“I’ll figure something out before then,” said mother enthusiastically, and my Spartan mother powered up the horrifying etiquette lessons even further.
My long-sought after magic tutor has finally arrived, and magic training began. My magic tutor taught me that “interacting with oneself’s own source of magic power does not mean interacting with the earth,” apparently making a field wouldn’t strengthen my magic after all. However, since it’s now become a hobby, I’ll continue with it.
A few months after beginning magic training, Keith was able to considerably improve his control over magic. He is quite the stepbrother indeed. As for me…… well, I was able to improve Earth Thud from two, three centimeters all the way to seven, eight centimeters. To me, this is quite something. At this rate, I should be able to control an earth golem as freely as Keith pretty soon.
And in this way, even though I can’t say that everything was smooth sailing, I had a daily life that was fulfilling in its own way, but……
“……Hmm. I wonder what it is.”
I let out a huge sigh and squatted in the field.
Standing by my side, was my perfectly cute stepbrother that I had taken to, and Prince Jared who had been coming over for the last three days to see his fiancee.
“What’s wrong? Nee-san.”
“What’s the matter? Katarina.”
Keith and Prince Jared asked me.
I showed them a corner of the field.
“Look at this.”
The vegetables I pointed at were completely wilted. Even though it’s almost time for the harvest…… this doesn’t seem like it will bear fruit.
“This, is something I have planted and taken care of.”
I was downhearted. Why…… Only the place where I planted and took care of……
In the previous life I wasn’t very good at taking care of plants. From a morning glory flowerpot, to the loofah plant that everyone had in school, everything I took care of wilted.
But, I have been reincarnated. This time, I’ll definitely be able to raise them well! …… Is what I thought. I stared sadly at the wilted vegetables.
“Nee-san, aren’t you just tired from working too hard? We should take a break here.”
“That’s right. Katarina, you should get some rest here.”
The drooping me was comforted by both Keith and Prince Jared, and both of them held out their hands to me. They stared at each other while holding their hands out.
“Prince Jared, I’ll be taking nee-san. It’s fine even if you don’t come to visit her all the time!”
“Since Katarina is my fiancee, I’ll be taking her. Keith, you don’t always have to stick so close to Katarina all the time!”
Two people that had almost no contact in the game, were now getting along great. They were both laughing at each other, and both seemed to be having fun while talking.
And so, after giving them a sidelong glance, I went back to staring at the wilted vegetables and gave another loud sigh.