72-Chapter 4-7 Selfishness of the Royal Family, Afternoon Edition

Temma, we need to get going.

We had just finished lunch and were drinking tea when Mary came in.

We don't have much time, so let's start with the nearest one today.

Maria walks away as she pulls me along.

When I walked out the door, there was a carriage parked there.

Cliffe was in the governor's seat, and Edgar and Chris and two other female knights were in front of the door.

'Are they all here already?'

Lady Isabella and her friends are still here... no, they're here.

Who is Isabella? Just as I was thinking this, I heard footsteps coming from the doorway.

'Sorry to keep you waiting, mother-in-law,'

The one who called Maria-sama her mother-in-law was a woman who looked to be about the same age as Chris.

Beside her, Luna is also there.

''I'm sorry, grandmother. I was picking out clothes with your mother and it took me a while...''

I couldn't believe my ears at Luna's words. If I hadn't misheard, Luna would have called this woman 'mother' just now.

At that moment, I reflexively looked at Chris-san....I looked at her. And then my eyes met with Chris-san's.

'Temma-kun ... why did you just look at me?'

...I think I saw the demon behind Mr. Chris...................

It's nothing, okay?

Chris looked at me with a jittery look on his face, but he seemed to give up when I didn't change my expression.

'Master Temma, even though you look like that, Chris is eight years younger than you are.

'Oh, I see! It's strange since we look about the same age... oh!

I blurted out my true feelings at the whisper of the demon (Cliffe) from behind me.

"Temma-kun I'm still 23~

Chris approached me with a smile on his face. But that smile was scary.

'Chris, it's about time for 23,'

Mr. Chris is not Mr. Cliffe, and he's crowding me.

'I'm still fine, right! It's still possible, right?!

Chris grabs me by the shoulders and shakes me, and behind him, Cliffe is laughing.

'Are there no good people in the Kingsguard? For example, Mr. Edgar or Mr. Sigurd...

When I mentioned their names to get out of Chris's shaking, he looked very uncomfortable when I mentioned their names to get out of Chris's shaking.

I slipped out in the nick of time, but Chris-san still looked disgusted.

'Do you two look so disgusted?'

Chris answered my question without pause.

'Absolutely not!'

Mr. Edgar, who was listening nearby, seemed hurt by the answer. He is a little depressed.

I don't know what's going on, but it looks like it's best not to ask anymore about this.

'Temma, may I have a word? 'This is Isabella, Caesar's wife. It would be easier to say the Crown Princess.

Maria-sama introduced me to her and I looked at her face to greet her, but she still looks young.

He has a petite build and a slightly childish face, and his chest is...smaller than Chris's, I guess? Chris, you're not one of those people.

'Nice to meet you, my name is Temma. It's nice to meet you.

'Yes, I hear you. I'm Isabella von Bluemail Crustin, and I'm fine with Isabella I'm sorry that my boys have caused you so much trouble.　

Isabella-sama didn't seem too pompous for a nobleman.

Wondering about that....

'That's strange, Temma. Is it so unusual for a nobleman to apologize? Well, as for Isabella, when I was looking for a wife for Caesar, I chose her for her personality....................just in case my family was a duke.

Normally, the queen would not educate them directly, but it seems that Maria didn't think it was a good idea for her to do so.

When I asked her why, she said....

Because it's her (Your Majesty's) child! You never know what you'll end up doing with a bad education! Then you'd feel safer if you raised (and watched) them yourself!

The answer was enough for anyone who knew the king's character. Indeed, if there were three heirs to the throne with a personality like that, the country would be in trouble.

''I see you're convinced. Then let's get going. ''It's taking me a strange amount of time! Let's hurry up!

With that, Maria got into the carriage. The carriage was a good size for about six people, so there was no problem with the size of the carriage, but as it started to run, she became painfully aware of how comfortable her carriage was.

Carriages vibrate quite a bit, even in the city, and it's quite hard to do without cushions or other cushions in the seats.

'Let's go and look at the clothes first. Clef, please.

Awe, sir. Let's start with the most popular places these days.

After saying that, Mr. Cliffe drove the carriage. Chris-san and the other escort knights took up positions on the front and back of the carriage, one on each side.

'How does Temma always choose her clothes?'

Maria was sitting next to me, and she turned her face to the side to talk to me.

''I usually choose them based on ease of movement. The rest of the time, it's just about how well made it is, or if it looks strange to the people around me...''

With the exception of my time in Kukuri Village, I had never worn clothes that were tailored for me.

In the Kukri village, I wore clothes made by my mother, Aunt Martha and other neighbors, and I had never had a tailor in my previous life, so I never had the feeling that I had to pay for a tailor.

It's a good idea to have a few of them in your life. Of course I'll pay for it.　

'Oh, I'll serve it up then, mother-in-law. And I have to apologize for the trouble the children have caused me.　

Isabella-sama joined in on Maria-sama's statement and the conversation was going on without me.

I refrained from doing so at one point, but Maria-sama is the king and Lyle-sama's attack? As an apology for the incident, Lady Isabella was told to give it as a token of her personal (...) gratitude for saving the lives of Tida and Luna.

Furthermore, if they didn't give some kind of apology first, they wouldn't be able to show the other nobles that they were arrogant enough to do nothing to their benefactors or victims if they didn't give them something to apologize for it first, and if they weren't, the royals were an arrogant family that would do nothing to their benefactors or victims! I was even told that I might give the antifa a pretext for attacking them.

So this time, they wanted me to receive it without hesitation, so they asked Maria and the others to each tailor an outfit for me.

''Then I'll give you the everyday clothes and Isabella will give you Temma's gift of formal wear.

Maria and Isabella's gifts would normally be reversed, but in this case Maria apologizes for the pranks of the kings, and Isabella thanks her sons for saving their lives, so Isabella's gift should be more expensive.

The most important thing to remember is that they are ordinary clothes in the sense of royalty, so if they're not good enough, they'll cost as much as an ordinary nobleman's formal wear, Clef told me.

''Maria-sama, we'll be arriving at our destination shop shortly, so I'll let you go ahead.

Chris, who was running alongside the carriage, reported that two female knights were ahead of him.

The female knights lightly drove their horses and one ran to the desired store while the other went to secure a place to park the carriage.

Arriving at the desired shop's parking space reserved for nobles, they dismounted from the carriage and found it to be a rather large clothing store, with a sentence indicating the royal warrant and the royal coat of arms displayed at the sign at the entrance.

"Welcome, Your Royal Highness, Your Royal Highness, Your Royal Highness. We cordially welcome you.

When I went under the entrance of the store, a man who seemed to be the owner of the store and his employees were lined up to greet me.

Yes, it's been a long time. I'd like to show you some of our new products and what's in fashion today.

Upon hearing Maria's words, several employees went to the back of the store and immediately brought several pieces of clothing and ornaments.

The shopkeeper came over to greet Lady Isabella while the employees were explaining the items to Maria.

'It's been a long time, Lady Isabella, Lady Luna. Now I have something that will suit you both, please wait a moment.

Thank you. But first, I'd like to ask for a suit of formal wear.

As I said that, Isabella-sama introduced me from behind.

''Hah, is this person's formal wear........''

The owner looked at me and gave me a strange look. Apparently he thought I was some kind of escort or something, and he didn't expect to be asked to wear my formal wear.

However, the owner quickly steeled himself and led us to the back of the store.

''First, let me take your measurements,''

Then he took my measurements and brought some clothes that fit based on them.

'This is just a sample, but is there anything you like?'

Isabella-sama applies the clothes the shopkeeper brought to me and chooses with Luna.

'Will this one look better on me... or this one?'

This one looks better on my brother!

The two of us are arguing about a lot of things, and they seem to be so preoccupied that they've forgotten to ask me for my opinion.

'Isabella, Luna. I'm leaving Temma alone.

Then Maria-sama, who had been looking at things in the store earlier, joined them and warned them.

'Oh, I'm sorry. I just got carried away.

I'm sorry.

The two of them who were warned by Maria-sama finally realized that they weren't listening to me.

''No, I don't really know what's good or bad about clothes...I just don't like things that are too flashy, so that's fine if you take that into consideration.

At my words, the owner returned some samples and added some more clothes, this time in more moderate colors.

''Well what do you think of this one?''

The clothes that Isabella-sama had chosen were blue in color and were built to be easy to move in, so she decided to try them on.

''Yes, it looks good,''

When they see me wearing it, it seems to be rather well received.

Can you make an outfit like this for me?

Lady Isabella gave the owner her order and then she took me straight to look around the restaurant.

I looked around for about an hour after that and left the store.

'Now for your normal clothes. Clef, please head to the next store.

The next shop we headed to was a bit smaller than the one we had just left, but the store had more clothes than the one we had just left.

'Come on, let's pick one out, Temma!

The taut Maria, Isabella-sama and Luna were also taut for some reason, and they had a lot of opinions.

We tried on a few clothes in that store as well, and after all, we looked around the store's merchandise for about an hour.

''Now that we've picked out Temma's clothes, now it's our clothes!

Maria-sama is tautly giving instructions to Mr. Cleife.

So the third shop we headed to was a shop specializing in women's clothing, and inside the shop were underwear and other items.

I felt uncomfortable going inside, so I said I'd wait outside, but Maria-sama and Isabella-sama forced me into the store.

I couldn't force myself to shake off the stone and walked into the store, but surprisingly, there were a few other male customers in the store besides me.

It seems that all but a few of the men were forced by their female companions to join them, and I could see the pity in their eyes as they looked at me, as well as a slight sense of relief at having more friends.

In addition, some of the male guests seemed to be of the gender that would become angry if they were judged to be male... I'm almost certain that they were looking at the other male guests with a stain on their cheeks.

'Temma, does this look good on you?'

Mr. Temma, what do you think of this combination?

Isn't it cute, brother?

Temma, are you getting a little young in these clothes?

'That's not true, mother-in-law. It suits you.

Your grandmother is so cute!

Miss Temma, is this a bit plain?

'Well I think a little more fancy would suit Isabella, don't you think?

It's not quite right.

How about this, big brother?

Luna! It's too soon for you!

Well you'll have to wait six more years.

Don't you want me? The three of them are picking out their clothes without paying attention to me as these thoughts come to mind. All three of them ask me, at least in part, but before I can answer, someone interrupts me.

So I'm only able to say something like, yeah, or yes.

Moreover, Luna still has little shame, and every time she tries to bring a pair of fancy underwear to me and ask my opinion, she's stopped by the two of them.

Well, I don't think I can give a decent opinion even if they bring it to me, and I don't want to think about it.

It's a good idea to have a good time with a good friend.

''Ma'am, young mistress, it's time to go,''　

The three of them were engrossed in shopping when Mr. Cliffe appeared out of nowhere.

''Oh, is it that time already?''

At Maria's words, Isabella-sama handed the clerk the clothes and other items of clothing that she had been keeping.

Mr. Cliffe went straight to pay the bill, and the female knight followed him.

We were led by Chris and headed for the carriage where Edgar-san was waiting for us.

This is how the shopping with Maria and the others came to an end, but we were really tired.

I'm more tired than the morning training........whereas Maria-sama and the others are in good spirits.

Luna doesn't show any signs of being tired either, and is excitedly talking with Isabella-sama about what happened in the store.

'We had a good time today! I'll be back! Hey, brother!

I couldn't instantly nod at Luna's words.

The women were looking at me with a smile, and the only one who was looking at me in sympathy was Edgar-san.

There was another man here, but he was clearly enjoying my reaction.

We were halfway to the carriage and on our way to the King's Castle when Maria-sama, who had been quiet until then, unexpectedly opened her mouth.

'Doesn't Temma hate us?'

I had no idea what he was talking about when I heard those words.

'I'm talking about the incident in Kukri village. The responsibility for that incident can be said to lie with the Haust Frontier Count who hired the soldiers who caused the tragedy, and even more so with His Majesty who ordered the Frontier Count. I will ask you again on that basis. Do you have no grudge against His Majesty ... us royalty?

Maria-sama's words quieted not only the inside of the carriage, but also the knights who were on guard outside, waiting for my words.

I opened my mouth after sorting out the meaning of Maria-sama's words in my mind.

'I don't hold a grudge.'

'Why? Your parents are dead because of us!

Lady Maria seemed unconvinced by my answer.

''Then you are quite resentful. Would it make sense if I told you that I wanted to kill the entire family and all the members of the family as well?

If that's Temma's true intentions...

I said it half in jest, but Lady Maria nodded with a serious expression.

'It wouldn't be strange if Temma thought that. I can't just sit back and let him kill me, but I still don't think I have a choice.'

Lady Isabella nodded at Maria's words.

'If Temma-san and I were on opposite sides, and Tida and Luna died because of Temma-san, I would have hated Temma-san, whoever she was, to the point of wanting to kill her.　

''Even so, it wasn't the kings who killed my parents, but the soldiers hired by the Lord of the Howst Frontier, the dragon zombies. It's a pity they couldn't kill those soldiers with their own hands, but the dragon zombies killed them with their own hands, and even if they hated them, it was only the Count of the Howst Frontier who chose those soldiers.　

Sir.....

Lady Maria was about to say something, but I cut her off.

'It is true that at one time I hated and even hated all the nobles, knights and soldiers. But I've had the opportunity to interact with several nobles along the way. I've learned from them that even though they claim to have noble blood, there are some rubbish and good people who can't help themselves. It's the same for the common people. So it's no use hating the king. And of course you people...

Maria and the others listened quietly to my words.

''Besides, if they really hated the kings, they would have slashed them during that bow and arrow incident.

Although I said it jokingly, this is the truth. Even if I cut off the king's head at that time, it could be said that I reflexively killed him because I was about to be killed.......well, if I did that, I would be called a great sinner no matter what reason I had.

Anyway, right now I (........) don't have anything against royalty, and I don't hate them just because they are nobles.

I think I've grown up mentally, or maybe I've sorted out my feelings over time... I still get sad unexpectedly sometimes, but...

Maria and Isabella-sama were pondering as they chewed on my words.

'Well I'm glad you don't hate us I'm glad your best friend's son doesn't hate you. .....

Maria held her eyes with a handkerchief as she said this.

For a few moments, there was silence around the carriage, and all that could be heard was the sound of the horses' footsteps and the sound of the wheels.

Maria took the handkerchief away from her eyes and looked me straight in the eye.

'Temma, you will not be adopted by me. I'll convince you, Your Majesty.

Maria-sama's sudden offer surprised Isabella-sama, who was sparse to me, and Chris and the others, who were quietly asking what was going on inside.

''What are you saying all of a sudden!

It's not hasty, I've been thinking about it for some time. I can't give you the right to inherit the throne, but I can promise you a life of nobility and freedom.

Maria's eyes were serious. I suppose there was some pity and sympathy in them, but more than that, I could sense that she wanted to protect me on behalf of her mother and the others.

''Thank you ... but I'll have to decline.''

My words were met with incredulous stares from those around me, but Maria-sama was the only one who remained calm.

'May I ask why?'

'I am very happy to hear from you, Maria, but I have decided that I am not going to be adopted by anyone else in the future. I am the son of Ricardo and Shelia of the village of Kukri, and I have no intention of being the son of anyone else.

Maria-sama looked disappointed, relieved, and complicated at my words, but she seemed to change her mind quickly.

'All right but just remember that that's how much I want to take care of you. And if you need help with anything, please talk to me about it. I'll help you as much as I can.

Thank you....

From then on, the air inside the carriage became delicate, and that air did not return to normal until they returned to the royal castle.

Even in such an atmosphere, only Luna was sleeping peacefully.

We arrived at the royal castle just as the sun was setting in another hour.

When Cleif stopped the carriage at the front door, Aina welcomed him.

'Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back,'

Maria-sama and the others walked past in front of Aina to greet her with a bow, but when I was about to walk past, Aina suddenly raised her head.

'I have a question for you, Temma-sama, about Jeanne and the others!

There was a strange intensity in Aina's voice that made us stop in our tracks.