episode_0041

As if those determination weren’t empty words, Amelia really treated me with sincerity.

Over the past few years, I have steadily adapted to the Grattenmount estate.

Actually, it wasn’t that difficult to adapt.

In Grand Duchy of Grattenmount, the position of ‘Dirty’ was not one that could be simply ignored. In Delki City, if everyone does not cooperate, it will be difficult for everyone.

Every action taken to survive in a barren land requires energy. Of course, just because it is a fertile land does not mean that it is a good place to live, but if Delkisi Nam author does not work in the Delkisi territory because he is a nobleman, there will be a backlash from below. .If there is a lot of food, even if I give it to the noble family, there will be enough food left over for me to eat, but that is difficult to do in Delki City.

If you wanted to receive something, you had to at least prove that it was okay to share the food, and in Delki City, the proof was to constantly roam the forest, hunt whenever you could, and stop the barbarians from moving south.

But it was different at Gratton Mount.

In Grattenmount, nobles were literally nobles. They always behaved politely and with dignity, and competed through conversation and knowledge rather than direct force.

The Kingdom of Alwen itself had a relatively high interest in radish compared to the surrounding countries, but once you learned the basics about radish, everyone would listen and nod to a certain degree.

Therefore, I no longer need to exert effort by wandering around the snow-covered forest like I did in Delki City.

Following Amelia around, taking classes together, talking with her, and occasionally learning various things from the lady’s culture. That was all I did at the Grattenmount Estate.

“… … .”

But apart from adapting, there were some difficulties.

“Elsie.”

As I was looking out the window in silence, Amelia spoke carefully.

I turned my gaze and looked at Amelia.

Children grow very quickly, even if they are not from Delquish.

Amelia had grown quite a bit over the past five years. Of course, she still had a long way to go. She was just twelve years old, and even in this world where the standards for adulthood were lower than the world we lived in, twelve was still young.

Nevertheless, Amelia’s face became much closer to that of a teenager than when she was seven years old. In particular, her behavior itself was still the same as that of a person in her 20s, so I don’t know, but people around her seemed to view Amelia as more mature.

He is definitely taller, so even compared to when he was 7 years old, the difference is noticeable. Looking at him, I wonder when he grew up like this.

I have also grown quite a bit. In terms of height, I am now close to 160 centimeters, so it would not be an exaggeration to say that I am practically the height of an adult woman.

Considering his age, he may still be bigger.

Not only was he tall, but his appearance also seemed much more mature compared to ordinary human children, and he was actually misunderstood a lot.

Being misunderstood itself didn’t matter. In fact, even if the content inside didn’t grow any further, I was still in the spirit of someone in my late 20s, so even if I thought I was a little older, I was still younger than my actual age.

The problem was that people made a fuss and apologized after finding out my real age. Among them, there were people who really tried to make fun of me, which made me feel bad.

There were often times when I thought, if it were Harvey, would he have taken such a rude attitude?

“Who said what today?”

“No, I didn’t. Rather, I was with Amelia all day long.”

“That’s right… … If anyone starts an argument again, please tell me. I will tell my father and settle the matter once and for all.”

“I’m okay.”

“It’s because your expression doesn’t look very good.”

“… … .”

When I didn’t answer, Amelia slammed the book she was reading and placed it on the window sill.

“If you have any worries, tell me. Don’t complain alone.”

After hearing Amelia’s words, I hesitated for a moment and signed up.

“I was wondering if my parents and siblings would be safe.”

Snow was falling outside the window. It wasn’t just falling, it was pouring down. Even though it was clearly the first snow of the year.

Although the polar night was still far away, I couldn’t help but worry about my family as I watched the snow cover the grassland.

We were receiving news. It wasn’t just that we received it sporadically, we were able to receive it quite regularly as letters from family members came along with those who went to supply supplies.

It was said that the number of barbarians moving south once reached its peak and then slowly decreased. So, it was always written not to worry.

But since I left Del Kish, I have not once written a request to visit me.

So there was no basis to judge whether he was saying that because he really didn’t need to worry, or if he was just trying to minimize it and tell me not to worry.

The Duke of Grattenmount forbade the two of us to visit Delkisi from then on, because it was too dangerous until the situation was properly resolved.

They say that even if people from Del Kishi leave Del Kishi, they will return there someday, missing it, and that seems to be exactly the case with me.

“The returning soldiers say they are safe. In fact, I keep receiving letters from them.”

“That’s right, right?”

“It will, definitely.”

After saying that, Amelia closed her mouth for a moment and then said,

“Perhaps… … Do you miss Delki City?”

I asked that carefully.

“Because it’s my home. Of course, Grand Duke Grattenmount is a wonderful place. There are no meadows in Delki City, there is always a shortage of grain, and there is not much variety of cloth.”

I looked out the window again.

I could see a village below the castle. And beyond the village, I could see a spreading meadow, and at the end of the meadow, I could faintly see a forest full of tall trees.

And if you go a long way beyond that, there is Delkish.

“… … .”

Amelia became quiet, so I turned my head again.

Amelia looked helpless.

Hmm, did I say it too bluntly?

But if you keep hiding it, it’s just as frustrating. I brought you here because I thought of Amelia Donna.

“But that’s the case for all people whose original hometowns are in different places. And, if you miss it, you can go back someday. I believe that the people of Delkisi will be able to clearly organize the area. One day, the barbarians will attack. There will come a day when I won’t receive it.”

“Of course, right?”

The reason I was here in the first place, and the reason I couldn’t go, was because of that one reason.

One day, when I have dealt with all the barbarians, I will be able to go back to normal.

Prince Evan has never been in contact with me since then. It was just a memory from my childhood anyway, and we hadn’t known each other that long.

Maybe he forgot the promise he made back then. Well, for me, I am grateful. The prince was a much better person than I thought, and it would have been nice if we could have continued as friends after that, but the prince is a prince.

As you keep getting involved with me, things become more tiring. Moreover, thinking about the illusion the prince was making at that time makes me even more tired.

Is the child they took back then being raised properly?

Even after that, whenever I heard rumors about the prince, I often heard stories about a big wolf, so I just believe that he is being raised well.

When I become the crown prince someday, will I become the symbol of the crown prince?

“I am living comfortably here, so don’t worry too much.”

“Well, I’m glad… … .”

Are you feeling guilty for bringing me here?

“Take.”

When I heard that sound, I suddenly looked down and saw a blanket on my lap.

The guy with that name, which doesn’t seem to have the world’s best naming sense, was none other than a squirrel.

That’s right. That squirrel that Amelia rescued back then.

He was still alive and well until now.

To be honest, I’m a little surprised. Aren’t rodents generally short-lived? I don’t think they were very young back then, but they were still alive and well.

If you think about it, we’ve never tried to raise the animals we caught there, so it’s natural that we don’t know their lifespan. Even though they look exactly like squirrels, they may actually be a different species.

I gently touched Pori’s ears behind her ears with my fingers. Pori sat down on my lap with her butt down and placed herself in my hands.

“It’s peaceful.”

“That’s right, it’s really peaceful.”

As I said that while listening to the crackling sound of firewood burning in the fireplace, Amelia responded with a slightly relieved voice.